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

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY

Spiritual warfare isn’t something to fear—it’s something every believer must understand, because the real battle is in the mind, where thoughts either prepare you for victory or leave you vulnerable to defeat. You’re not fighting for victory, but from the victory Jesus already secured, and every piece of God’s armor is designed to protect you when intentionally worn each day. Strongholds form slowly—lie by lie—but they break when truth is consistently applied and every thought is taken captive in obedience to Christ. This battle isn’t about survival—it’s about transformation, and now is the time to rise, renew your mind, and reclaim what the enemy tried to steal.

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Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

STRONGHOLDS ARE BUILT THOUGHT BY THOUGHT

 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 10:5

Strongholds rarely announce themselves. They don’t show up overnight like an earthquake—they form slowly, silently, almost undetected. One lie. One memory. One wound. One thought that doesn’t get cast down, but instead gets tucked away. Over time, those thoughts take root, grow walls, and shape how you see yourself, others, and even God. You start believing, “This is just the way I am,” when it’s not identity—it’s captivity. And what begins as a passing thought becomes a permanent residence.

The enemy doesn’t need to destroy you if he can deceive you. He doesn’t need chains when you’ve already accepted the cell. The devil’s whispers are subtle: “You’ll never be enough… You’ve missed your chance… God is disappointed in you.” If you don’t confront those lies, they will confront your faith—and limit your obedience. Many Christians live spiritually stuck not because God has stopped moving, but because a lie has blocked their vision.

Elijah, the mighty prophet who called fire from heaven, ran into a cave and begged to die just one chapter later. Why? Not because God changed—but because his thoughts did. One sentence from Jezebel, one whisper of fear, and he spiraled. But even there—in the cave of confusion—God came to speak truth and reassign him to his calling.

You cannot overcome spiritual warfare with silence. You must speak truth louder than the lie. You must replace the imagination with revelation. Scripture wasn’t given just to inspire you—it was given to pull down strongholds. Every time you declare God’s Word over your mind, you swing the sword of the Spirit. Strongholds fall when truth becomes your first response, not your last resort.

And remember: your thoughts are either building a fortress for the enemy—or a dwelling place for God. Which one are you constructing today?

🙏 Prayer:  Lord, I repent for allowing lies to linger in my mind. I surrender every thought that has exalted itself above Your truth. Show me the strongholds I’ve normalized and help me tear them down by the power of Your Word. Replace the lies with Your promises and renew my mind with Your Spirit. I declare that I have the mind of Christ and I will not be ruled by fear, shame, or deception. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: Identify one stronghold in your thinking—something you’ve excused as “just my personality” or “this is how I’ve always been.” Write it down. Then find five Scriptures that speak the truth directly to that lie. For the next 7 days, declare those verses aloud each morning and night. Don’t just try to feel better—train your mind to think differently. That’s how strongholds come down.

THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley – Home

Danny Jarrard 

Darlene Wiggins

Doris Loyd

Doug Stephen’s Family  

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 – James & Sarah’s Son – stroke

Jessica Headrick – Beginning Treatments And Walking In Faith

John McClain’s Mother

John Parillo

June Cronan’s Sister

June Davis

Kailey Bateman

Kathryn Raines

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda

Lee Cronan

Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah 

Linda Mays – 3 Stents  

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williams – Rehab

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

Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter

Tom Witcher