AUGUST THEME – “Experiencing God: From Knowing About Him to Walking With Him”

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

Sunday’s message reminded us that in life’s most painful moments—when marriage wounds us or the enemy surrounds us—God is still our refuge, not as a distant idea but as a real and personal shelter. His healing presence becomes our breakthrough when we surrender fully and become more aware of Him than of our fears, failures, or past. The altar call wasn’t emotional hype, but a holy invitation for souls to find refuge in the One who restores, redeems, and resurrects. No matter what has broken you, this is not your ending—it’s the beginning of healing and holy restoration under the wings of your Redeemer.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

THE HIDING PLACE FOR THE BATTLE WITHIN

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. —Psalm 119:114

The fiercest battles don’t always happen around you—they happen within you. The real war rages in the silence of your thoughts, in the shadows of your past, and in the noise of your fears. Thoughts of failure, unworthiness, and fear scream for attention, demanding that you fix yourself, prove your worth, or retreat in shame. But the Word reminds us—God is not just a hiding place to run to when the pressure builds; He is also your shield that stands guard over your heart and mind. He doesn’t just offer shelter—He offers covering. In His presence, you’re not vulnerable to the enemy’s arrows. You are hidden, protected, surrounded by truth. When the inner war feels like too much, go to the place where peace silences every lie: His presence. You win the internal war by refusing to fight it alone.

God is not afraid of the mess inside you—He enters it with mercy. He is not waiting for you to figure everything out; He is waiting for you to run to Him. When anxious thoughts swirl and shame whispers your name, His voice cuts through the chaos with calm. His Word anchors you when everything else feels like it’s drifting. And when you’ve run out of strength, He becomes the strength you didn’t know you had.

God never meant for you to carry the pressure of perfection or the weight of invisible battles by yourself. Sometimes the greatest spiritual warfare happens not in casting out devils, but in casting down thoughts—those subtle, tormenting lies that say, “You’ll never change… You’re not enough… You’ll never be free.” But God’s truth becomes your armor, and His promises become your shelter. You don’t need to fight every thought that comes—you just need to run to the One who already won. When you feel overwhelmed, retreat into His Word. Make it your shield. Speak it until the lie loses its power. Stay in His hiding place until peace returns. Victory begins when you remember who covers you.

Prayer:  Lord, I run to You with every fear, failure, and fight inside me. Be my shield. Be my hiding place. Cover me in Your Word and protect my mind. When I feel weak, remind me of Your strength. When I feel alone, remind me that You surround me. Let truth drown out every lie and peace reign over every storm in my soul.

Challenge: Choose one verse today to speak out loud when your thoughts spiral. Use it like a shield every time fear or accusation tries to rise.

THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

The Sigmon Family in passing of their 12 year old daughter, Bria

Jessica Headrick – Surgery went well

Sheila Simmons

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda – Good News

Linda Mays – Rehab    

Debbie Foskey – Home

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley – Home

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

Jason Parker  

John McClain’s Mother

John Parillo

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kathryn Raines

Kim McClain’s Mother 

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 

Scotty Nix

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher