JULY THEME – “Seeing Ebenezer- “Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us” From God’s Perspective”

Join us in prayer and celebration as Belmont Baptist Church celebrates our Year of Jubilee, marking fifty years of God’s amazing faithfulness and looking forward with grateful hearts to all He has yet to do.

BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART

CHRIST IN YOU – The Life That Others See

Galatians 2:20 — “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”

John the Baptist declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” That is the surrender of the Christian life. But what follows that surrender? When self decreases, a vacuum is not created. Christ Himself fills the place that self once occupied. The Christian life is not merely becoming a better version of ourselves; it is Christ living His life through us. Too often we focus on trying harder, doing better, and becoming more disciplined. While spiritual disciplines are valuable, they were never meant to replace dependence upon Christ. God has not called us to imitate Jesus merely by human effort. He has called us to yield so completely that His very life is manifested through us. The Christian life is not the improvement of the old man but the expression of the indwelling Christ. Every day becomes another opportunity for His character to replace ours and for His glory to be displayed through ordinary lives.

The greatest testimony a believer can possess is not that people admire his abilities, but that they recognize the presence of Christ. Long after people forget our words, they will remember whether they encountered the fragrance of Jesus in our lives. Heaven’s greatest work is accomplished when Christ becomes visible through humble, yielded vessels.

The Christian Life Is Christ’s Life Expressed Through Us

Paul did not say, “I am improving.” He said, “Christ liveth in me.” Christianity is not self-improvement but divine indwelling. At salvation, Christ takes up residence within the believer through the Holy Spirit. Every act of genuine love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, and obedience is the fruit of His life being expressed through us. Apart from Him, we can produce religious activity, but never spiritual life. Fruit does not come by striving; it comes by abiding. The branch has only one responsibility—to remain connected to the Vine from whom all life flows.

Every Circumstance Reveals Who Is Living

Trials expose what prosperity often conceals. When pressure comes, whatever fills the heart will eventually overflow. If self rules, frustration, fear, and anger emerge. But when Christ reigns, His peace, gentleness, and steadfastness become evident even in difficulty. God often allows circumstances not merely to test us, but to reveal His Son through us. The furnace of affliction has a way of burning away self-confidence until only dependence upon Christ remains. What appears to be a painful interruption may actually be God’s greatest opportunity to display the sufficiency of His Son.

Our Greatest Calling Is to Reveal Jesus

The world does not simply need better morals or stronger opinions. It needs to see Jesus. Your family needs to encounter His patience in your words. Your church needs to experience His humility in your service. Your neighbors need to witness His compassion in your actions. As we behold Him and abide in Him, His life becomes increasingly visible through ours. The less people notice us and the more they see Christ, the more we fulfill the purpose for which we were created. The greatest compliment a believer can receive is not, “What a wonderful Christian,” but, “Your life reminds me of Jesus.” Our highest calling is to become living windows through which others catch a glimpse of the Savior.

The moon has no light of its own. It shines only because it reflects the light of the sun. When the sun is hidden, the moon has nothing to offer. In the same way, believers possess no spiritual light in themselves. We simply reflect the glory of Christ. The brighter He shines upon us, the brighter His light shines through us. No one praises the moon for creating light; they admire the brilliance that it reflects. Likewise, every ounce of spiritual beauty in our lives belongs entirely to Christ, who alone is the Light of the world.

The goal of the Christian life is not merely to know more about Christ but to allow Christ to be seen more clearly through us. Every surrendered thought, every yielded desire, and every obedient step allows His life to replace ours. May our prayer each day become, “Lord Jesus, live Your life through me today. Let my family, my church, and my world see less of me and more of You.” As John the Baptist faded from the spotlight, Jesus was exalted before the people. May the same be true of us—that our lives quietly disappear into His greatness until He alone receives the glory.

Warfare Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess how easily my flesh seeks recognition, control, and self-glory. In the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I renounce every work of pride, self-sufficiency, fear, and striving. Fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit, that the life of Christ would be revealed through my thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions. Crucify all that hinders Your life from shining through me. May those around me see not my strength, but the beauty, humility, love, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. I ask this for Your glory alone. Guard me from the subtle temptation to seek applause for what only Your grace can accomplish. Let every victory, every act of obedience, and every evidence of fruit point unmistakably to the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Challenge

Before speaking, serving, or making a decision today, pause and ask one simple question: “Will this reveal me—or will it reveal Christ?” Then choose the path that allows His life to be seen. Ask the Holy Spirit throughout the day to make you conscious of His indwelling presence. Make it your ambition that someone leaves your presence having thought more about Jesus than about you.

THURSDAY’S PRAYER NEEDS

Rob Davis – cancer

Mary Williams – Rehab for Broken Hip

Kim McClain’s Mother