September Theme – The Mind of Christ: Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
The fiercest battles you will ever fight are not on the outside but in the hidden chambers of your mind. Negative experiences, rejection, or wounds often shape the way we think, and if those thoughts go unchallenged, they become strongholds that imprison us. The enemy whispers lies—“You are worthless, unloved, rejected”—and those lies grow into patterns of fear, guilt, bitterness, and shame. Scripture warns, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). That means what fills your mind will eventually define your life. But here is the good news: God sees every hidden thought (Psalm 139:2), and He offers truth to replace deception. Through His Spirit, we are commanded to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Victory does not come from trying harder—it comes from surrendering your thoughts to God and receiving the miracle of His mind within you.
To have the mind of Christ is not just positive thinking; it is a total transformation by grace. Just as Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness, He also takes our broken thought patterns and gives us His wisdom, clarity, humility, and peace. Paul declared, “But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). That means we are no longer chained to anxiety, confusion, or despair—we now have access to the very thoughts and attitudes of Jesus Himself. The One who loved the unlovable, obeyed the Father perfectly, and resisted every temptation now offers His perspective to us daily. The battlefield is still your mind, but it no longer has to be the enemy’s playground. With the mind of Christ, you don’t just survive storms—you see with His eyes, think with His truth, and live from His victory. The question is no longer, “Can I have the mind of Christ?” Scripture says you already do. The real question is: Will I yield to it?
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Chains Broken, Mind Renewed
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
I remember when my thoughts were my prison. Fear kept me up at night, shame replayed old failures, and doubt told me I was worthless. The enemy didn’t need chains on my hands—he had chains on my mind. But when the Word of God broke into that dark cell, it was like light seeping through a crack in the wall. Slowly, Scripture replaced the lies, and His peace began to drown out the noise that once ruled me.
Victory didn’t come from trying harder—it came from surrender. I had to admit that I couldn’t win this battle with my own strength. When I stopped wrestling in my power and yielded to His Spirit, everything changed. Now, when old lies knock at the door, I don’t open. Christ Himself guards my mind, and His Spirit keeps me steady when the enemy tries to sneak back in.
But victory of the mind isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily choice. Every morning, I have to choose whose thoughts I’ll live by—mine, the enemy’s, or God’s. When I invite His thoughts to become mine, my outlook shifts, my words change, and my actions follow. The more I walk in His truth, the more my life reflects His freedom.
Mary Magdalene, once tormented by seven demons, was set free by Jesus (Luke 8:2). She didn’t just walk away healed—she lived in continual victory, becoming the first to see the risen Christ. Her testimony proves that a renewed mind brings a renewed life.
It’s like resetting a broken compass. For years, my mind always pointed me toward defeat. But when Christ renewed my mind, He aligned my compass with true north—His truth.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for renewing my mind. Thank You for proving that Your truth is stronger than every lie. Keep me steady in Your peace, and help me choose Your thoughts daily. Amen.
Challenge: Write down one lie you once believed. Next to it, write the Scripture truth that now defines you.
MONDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Scott Nix
Gayle Sparks
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley
Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe
Danny Jarrard – Knee Surgery Soon
Debbie Foskey
James Parker
Jessica Headrick
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Linda Mays
Sheila Simmons
Darlene Wiggins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner
Jason Parker
John McClain’s Mother
John Parillo
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
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
Sadie Almand
Scott Lanier
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher