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

This Sunday at 10:30 AM — Join us for a powerful Freedom Celebration Service as we honor the true freedom we have in Christ and the blessings we enjoy as Americans! Our choir will present Sweet Freedom’s Song and the Spirit of God will meet us in a mighty way. No Sunday School—we’ll all gather together in one service. Bring a friend and come ready to worship the Lord who sets us free!

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

THE SPIRITUAL COST OF BUSYNESS

 “Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10a

In our fast-paced world, busyness is often worn as a badge of honor. Even in ministry, we can be so consumed with doing things for God that we forget to simply be with God. Many believers live like practical atheists—saying they trust the Lord while living like everything depends on them. We scramble to lead, to fix, to organize, to rescue—while neglecting the one thing that restores the soul: stillness before our Savior.

We pour out until we’re empty, convincing ourselves that tiredness is a spiritual virtue. But busyness that replaces stillness is not a sign of faithfulness—it’s a red flag of misplaced priorities. Without intentional time in God’s presence, we start to operate in our flesh, quoting Scriptures we haven’t lingered over, praying prayers we haven’t felt, and offering guidance we haven’t received.

Jesus never rushed, though His mission was urgent. He withdrew often to pray. If the Son of God required stillness to stay aligned with the Father, how much more do we? When we lose our connection to the Vine, our fruit withers—even if our calendar stays full. What we call “commitment” can sometimes be a cloak for spiritual avoidance. In the end, it’s not our effort but our abiding that bears lasting fruit.

In Luke 10:38–42, Jesus visited the home of two sisters—Mary and Martha. Martha was busy serving, preparing, and fulfilling all the expectations of a gracious host. Mary, on the other hand, chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Martha became frustrated, thinking Mary was being lazy or irresponsible. But Jesus gently corrected her. “Martha, Martha… thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Mary wasn’t being unproductive—she was prioritizing what mattered most.

A well-known pastor once collapsed in the pulpit from sheer exhaustion. His schedule was packed—preaching multiple times a week, counseling, traveling, and leading a growing congregation. His sermons were powerful, his influence wide-reaching. But privately, his time with God had grown thin. In his own words, “I was feeding others from a pantry I hadn’t replenished in years.” Eventually, the emptiness within caught up to the image he projected. It wasn’t moral failure that threatened his ministry—it was spiritual neglect born of busyness.

Prayer:

Lord, I confess that I’ve mistaken movement for maturity and busyness for fruitfulness. I’ve allowed the noise of activity to drown out Your voice. Forgive me for the times I’ve served others without first sitting with You. Deliver me from the addiction to performance and the illusion that I must earn what You freely give. Quiet my soul, Lord. Help me find joy not just in doing for You, but in being with You. Teach me to serve from the overflow of Your presence, not the exhaustion of my own efforts. Align my heart with Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge:

Today, unplug and retreat. Set aside 30 minutes to be completely still before the Lord. No phone. No journal. No worship music. No list of requests. Just sit in silence and listen. Let God speak into the space you’ve been too busy to give Him.

THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Sadie Almand – Home

Linda Mays – Piedmont Atlanta

Ann Stanley – Home

Doug Stephens

Lynn Garner’s Daughter

Mary Williams – Rehab

Sarah Parker

Jason Parker – James & Sarah’s Son – stroke

Scotty Nix

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Jill Haines

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

Jessica Headrick 

John McClain’s Mother

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 

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Pastor Driskell 

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Scarlett – Marynell’s Granddaughter

Scott Lanier 

Steve Michaels

Theresa Bain’s Granddaughter

Tom Witcher