JULY THEME – “Armed for Battle: Winning the War You Can’t See”

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY

Spiritual warfare is not something to fear, but something every believer must understand. It is not a sign that something is wrong, but often a confirmation that you’re stepping into territory that threatens the enemy. The battle isn’t about magnifying darkness—it’s about standing in the victory that Jesus has already secured. You’re not fighting FOR victory; you’re fighting FROM it. God has provided every piece of armor, but it must be intentionally put on each day. Just like no soldier would enter a battlefield without gear, no Christian can afford to live passively or unprepared. The real battlefield is your mind—and your thoughts are either arming you for victory or opening you up to defeat. Strongholds are not built in a moment but thought by thought, lie by lie. Victory begins not when circumstances change, but when your mindset is renewed. If Satan can infect your thoughts, he can influence your life—but if your mind is aligned with Christ, hell has no hold on you.

Every piece of God’s armor protects a vulnerable place: truth holds everything together, righteousness guards your heart, salvation shields your mind, faith extinguishes lies, and the Word strikes back with authority. You cannot win today’s battles with yesterday’s strength—spiritual disciplines must be fresh, daily, and surrendered. Programs, encouragement, and community help, but only the Word of God renews the mind and breaks strongholds. Unchecked thoughts become chains; accepted lies become prisons. But when you take every thought captive and submit it to Christ, transformation begins from the inside out. A surrendered, truth-anchored mind is a fortress the enemy cannot breach. Don’t retreat in fear or drift through life spiritually casual—rise up with fresh hunger, sharpen your sword, and clothe yourself in the armor God provided. The altar is open, the call is clear: cast down imaginations, reject lies, and take back what the enemy tried to steal. This isn’t about survival—it’s about transformation. The battle is real, but so is the victory. Now it’s your move.

GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

GET DRESSED FOR BATTLE

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Eph. 6:11

Spiritual warfare isn’t optional for the believer—it’s a reality of our walk with Christ. From the moment you wake up, the unseen war has already begun. But God, in His grace, has not sent you into this conflict defenseless. He has provided the full armor—every piece forged in His power and made to fit you through Christ. But here’s the key: you must put it on. Armor that remains in the closet will never protect you. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been saved—salvation prepares you for heaven, but armor prepares you for life on earth.

Too many Christians are saved but spiritually naked. They walk into a fallen world clothed in good intentions but unarmed against temptation, fear, and deception. Would you send a soldier to war in gym shorts? Would a firefighter run into a blaze without his protective gear? It’s just as foolish to enter your day without the armor of God.

David didn’t wear Saul’s armor—but he didn’t go out unprepared. He went with what he knew: a covenant with the Living God, a sling, and a faith sharpened in obscurity. His readiness wasn’t found in metal—it was found in obedience and confidence in God’s power. Likewise, your armor is not about appearance—it’s about spiritual positioning.

Every morning is a battlefield, and the devil doesn’t wait until you’ve had coffee. He attacks early with anxiety before you even reach your phone. He whispers lies when your feet hit the floor—reminding you of past failures, stirring up discouragement, and launching distraction to disarm your focus. He studies your weaknesses, then tailors his tactics accordingly. That’s why Paul warns: “Put on the whole armour of God.”

Truth is your belt—it holds everything together. Righteousness is your breastplate—it guards your heart. Peace prepares your steps so you don’t walk in fear. Faith is your shield—it quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one. Salvation guards your mind from despair. And the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—is your offensive weapon. You don’t just survive the battle—you advance by it.

Don’t assume the enemy will play fair. He’s ancient, patient, and deceptive. But the armor you’ve been given is divine. You’re not dressing up in pretend battle gear. You are clothing yourself in Christ. When you step out dressed in His strength, hell takes notice—and heaven backs you up.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You have not left me unguarded in this battle. I choose today to put on the whole armor You have provided. Gird my life with truth. Cover my heart with righteousness. Let my feet carry peace. Shield me with faith. Guard my mind with the helmet of salvation. And empower me to wield the Sword of the Spirit with boldness and accuracy. I refuse to go one more step uncovered. I declare that I am armed, alert, and aligned—not because of who I am, but because of who You are. I step forward today in victory through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: Before you check your phone or scroll your feed, check your armor. Stand in your room and read Ephesians 6:10–18 out loud—then walk through each piece in prayer. Don’t just know the armor—wear it. Start each day dressed in victory.

MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Doug Stephen’s Family  

Jessica Headrick – Beginning Treatments And Walking In Faith

John Parillo

Sadie Almand  

Linda Mays – 3 Stents  

Ann Stanley – Home

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts

Jason Parker – James & Sarah’s Son – stroke

Mary Williams – Rehab

Scotty Nix

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Danny Jarrard 

Darlene Wiggins

Doris Loyd

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Eric Magnusson’s Mother

Eric Ward

Friend of Linda Hodge

Gayle Sparks

George & Linda Alexander 

James Burnette

James Garner

John McClain’s Mother

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kathryn Raines

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda

Lee Cronan

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah 

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Scott Lanier 

Steve Michaels

Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter

Tom Witcher