MAY THEME – “SEEING THE VALUE OF A SOUL FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
YOUR LIFE IS NOT ABOUT YOU — IT IS ABOUT HIM
Galatians 2:20 — “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”
Luke 9:23 — “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
John 3:30 — “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
One of the greatest battles in the Christian life is not merely fighting temptation or enduring hardship—it is surrendering control. Everything in our flesh wants life to revolve around us: our comfort, our dreams, our feelings, our plans, and our recognition. Yet the deeper truth of Scripture is this: you were never created to sit on the throne of your life. You were created for the glory of God. The world teaches self-promotion, self-preservation, and self-fulfillment. But Jesus teaches self-denial, surrender, and obedience. Christianity is not about making much of ourselves—it is about making much of Christ. True joy begins when we stop asking God to exist for our purposes and start realizing we exist for His. A self-centered life will always leave emptiness behind because the human soul was created for Someone greater than self. When Christ becomes the center, life finally finds its proper order.
THE GREATEST BATTLE IS THE BATTLE OF SELF
Every believer eventually discovers that the greatest enemy is often not outward opposition but inward self-rule. Pride wants recognition. Flesh wants comfort. Emotions want control. Self wants its own way. Even after salvation, there is a daily war between the Spirit and the flesh. That is why Jesus said we must “deny” ourselves daily. Denial is not punishment—it is surrendering leadership back to God. Many struggles in life come because we still want partial control. We want Jesus as Savior but not always as Lord. We want His blessings while still protecting our own throne. But there can only be one ruler in the heart. The cross represents death to self-rule. Following Jesus means dying to selfish ambition, selfish reactions, selfish desires, and selfish control. The closer you walk with Christ, the less obsessed you become with defending yourself, promoting yourself, and pleasing yourself. John the Baptist understood this spirit when he declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Spiritual maturity is not becoming more full of yourself—it is becoming more full of Christ.
GOD USES EVERYTHING TO POINT PEOPLE TO HIMSELF
Your life is not ultimately about building your own name. Your testimony, gifts, calling, ministry, and even your suffering are meant to reveal Christ. Sometimes God allows painful seasons because He is more concerned with your holiness than your comfort. Pressure exposes what is truly ruling inside of us. Trials often reveal how much self is still alive. Joseph’s betrayal was not just about Joseph. David’s wilderness was not just about David. Paul’s thorn was not just about Paul. God used every circumstance to display His power, grace, and glory through surrendered vessels. Even your scars can become sermons that point people to Jesus. When life becomes about Him, worship changes. It is no longer performance—it becomes adoration. Service changes because it is no longer about applause. Obedience changes because love becomes the motivation. A surrendered life understands that every season has eternal purpose.
TRUE FULFILLMENT IS FOUND IN LOSING YOURSELF IN GOD’S WILL
The world says fulfillment comes from demanding your rights, chasing your dreams, and promoting yourself. But Jesus taught the opposite. The happiest Christians are often the most surrendered Christians. People who live only for themselves eventually become empty because self was never designed to carry the weight of worship. Only God can sit in that place.
When Christ rules your life:
- Peace replaces striving.
- Purpose replaces emptiness.
- Worship replaces performance.
- Eternal perspective replaces temporary obsession.
One day, earthly applause will disappear. Titles will fade. Possessions will vanish. Accomplishments will mean nothing in eternity. But every act done for Christ will remain forever. Your life is a vapor, but it can still become a vessel that magnifies Jesus. Live so that people do not simply remember your personality, talents, or accomplishments—live so they remember Christ in you.
A mirror has no light of its own. Its entire purpose is to reflect something greater than itself. The moment a mirror tries to draw attention to itself instead of reflecting the image before it, it fails its purpose. In the same way, our lives were never meant to become the focus. We were created to reflect Jesus Christ to a lost and broken world. The moon has no light of its own either—it shines only because it reflects the sun. And the closer we walk with Christ, the more His light becomes visible through us. The greatest testimony is not “Look how great I am.” The greatest testimony is “Look how faithful He is.”
Your life is not about you—it is about Him. You were not created merely to chase comfort, protect reputation, or build your own kingdom. You were created to glorify God with your life. Every day is an opportunity to step off the throne and let Christ reign fully within you. The world does not need more self-exalting Christians. It needs surrendered believers whose lives clearly point to Jesus. One day you will stand before God, and everything temporary will disappear. In that moment, the only thing that will matter is what was done for His glory. So live surrendered. Love surrendered. Serve surrendered. Worship surrendered. And let your life become a reflection of the One who gave everything for you.
Warfare Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have made life about myself instead of about You. Tear down every throne of pride, selfish ambition, selfish control, and self-centered thinking within me. Teach me to decrease so Christ may increase. Help me to surrender my plans, my reputation, my desires, and even my struggles into Your hands. Let my life reflect Jesus so clearly that others are drawn to Him through me. Crucify every selfish reaction and produce the character of Christ within me. May my worship be genuine, my service be humble, and my obedience be motivated by love. Use every part of my life—even my trials—to glorify Your name. I declare that my life belongs to Jesus Christ completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Before making a decision, responding to someone, or pursuing your plans today, pause and ask yourself: “Is this about glorifying me—or glorifying Him?” Then choose one practical way today to decrease so Christ can increase through your life.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Ann Stanley – Rockdale Medical
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Susan Bankston – Congestive Heart Failure
Wes Knight
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher