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

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

Sunday’s message clarified that biblical healing isn’t a theological stunt, a performance, or a “vending machine” reward—it’s the restoring work of Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever, flowing from His presence into body, mind, and spirit. In Scripture, healing is wholeness: sometimes instantaneous, sometimes a layered process of surrender, stillness, trust, and daily closeness with Him. I shared how God’s presence became my oxygen and His promises my foundation; while symptoms didn’t vanish at once, He healed my spirit, faith, and identity from the inside out. Because Jesus often forgave before He mended bodies and bound hearts before He strengthened limbs, our call is to pursue the Healer—releasing bitterness, receiving forgiveness, and trusting His timing. We also hold the hope of ultimate healing in eternity, where pain and sorrow end. So whatever your need—physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual—come to the altar; don’t carry what Jesus has already paid to heal: the Healer is here.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

The Altar Is a Place of Peace, Not Pressure

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Many of us secretly believe the altar is for people who are too broken to function. But the altar is not a stage for shame; it’s a shelter for sons and daughters. It isn’t about proving how strong you are; it’s about admitting you don’t have to be. On Sunday, something holy happened—not hype, not emotionalism—just real people bringing real burdens to a real Savior, and finding peace. Peace in God’s presence is not a mood swing; it’s a transfer of weight. You set down what you cannot carry, and you receive what He gladly gives. At the altar, pressure gives way to Presence. Rest is not weakness—it’s worship. When you kneel before God, you rise in His strength.

The altar is any place your heart fully opens to Jesus: a pew, a kitchen table, the driver’s seat, a hospital hallway. It’s the place of exchange—your striving for His sufficiency, your anxieties for His assurance. Pressure says, “Do more.” Peace says, “Come to Me.” Pressure keeps score; peace keeps Sabbath in the soul. You don’t audition for Jesus at the altar—you agree with Him: “I am weary, and You are willing.” Even when the situation hasn’t changed, peace arrives because the government of your heart has shifted back to Christ. Try this today: breathe in, “Come to Me”; breathe out, “I will give you rest.” Let every exhale be surrender, and every inhale be trust. Your healing won’t begin by working harder; it begins by yielding deeper.

Prayer:  Jesus, I bring my weariness to You. I’m done managing the pressure on my own. Receive what I lay down, and place Your peace within me. Quiet my heart, steady my mind, and teach me to rest in Your nearness. Today, let Your presence be the atmosphere of my life. Amen.

Challenge:  Write a “surrender list” of everything weighing on you. Pray through each item, releasing it into God’s hands. Then choose a daily “altar moment” (morning, midday, or evening) to pause for two minutes, breathe the promise of Matthew 11:28, and trade pressure for peace.

TUESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley – Surgery Soon

Debbie Foskey – Home

Jessica Headrick – Pray As She Recovers From Surgery

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda  

Linda Mays – Rehab – Going Home Friday   

Sheila Simmons

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