September Theme – The Mind of Christ:                                                                                                      Breaking Free From Earthly Thinking to Embrace Christ’s Mind

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

The greatest war you will ever face is not fought with weapons in your hands but with thoughts in your head. Deep wounds, painful rejections, and past failures often shape the way we think, and if those thots are left unchallenged, they harden into strongholds that chain us. The enemy fuels this by whispering lies—“You’ll never change, you’re unwanted, you’re not enough”—and if we believe him, those lies grow into fear, shame, bitterness, and despair. Scripture says, “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, the thots we allow to rule our minds will eventually rule our lives.

But here’s the hope: God sees every secret thot (Psalm 139:2), and He does not leave us trapped. He gives us His truth to overthrow deception. That’s why we are commanded to “bring every thot into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Victory is not about gritting our teeth or trying harder—it comes when we surrender our minds to Him and let His Spirit reshape the way we think.

To put on the mind of Christ is more than positive thinking; it is supernatural transformation. Just as Jesus carried our sin and clothed us in His righteousness, He also takes our toxic patterns and renews us with His wisdom, humility, purity, and peace. Paul boldly declared, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). That means anxiety no longer has to dominate, confusion no longer has to define, and despair no longer has to dictate your future. We now have access to the very perspective of Jesus—the One who obeyed perfectly, loved completely, and defeated every temptation.

Yes, the battlefield is still the mind, but it no longer belongs to the enemy. With the mind of Christ, storms don’t have to shake you, lies don’t have to control you, and fear doesn’t have to enslave you. You can see with His eyes, think with His truth, and walk in His victory. The question isn’t, “Can I really have the mind of Christ?” The Word already answers: you do. The question is, “Will I yield my mind to His today?”

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

No Longer a Slave to Fear

 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear is not just nerves before a test or anxiety before a challenge—it is a spirit that tries to invade our thinking, control our choices, and paralyze our faith. That’s why Paul was clear: fear does not come from God. If it doesn’t come from Him, it doesn’t belong in me. Victory began the moment I stopped excusing fear and started confronting it as a thief.

When I believed God’s promise, I discovered that He already gave me everything fear tried to steal: power to face battles, love to drive out insecurity, and a sound mind to silence chaos. Fear made me hide; God’s Spirit made me bold. Fear made me doubt; God’s Word made me stable. I don’t have to fight for these gifts—they are already mine in Christ.

Fear hasn’t disappeared from my life—it still knocks on the door with threats and “what ifs.” But the difference now is that I know who I am: a child of God, not a slave to fear. I don’t have to answer the door when fear calls. I can speak back with authority: “God has not given me a spirit of fear.” And the moment I do, fear loses its grip.

David stood before Goliath while Israel’s army trembled. What set him apart? His thots were anchored in God’s greatness, not in the giant’s size. Where others saw danger, David saw destiny.

Fear is like a barking dog behind a fence—it makes noise to intimidate, but it cannot reach you. The fence is God’s protection. Once you realize fear can bark but not bite, its voice loses its power.

Prayer:  Father, thank You for breaking fear’s hold on me. Keep me walking in the power, love, and soundness of mind You’ve already given. Help me see fear for what it is—a defeated enemy—and keep my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Challenge:  When fear rises today, declare aloud: “God has not given me a spirit of fear.” Then deliberately take the step fear tried to stop you from taking—make the call, share your faith, forgive the offense, or trust God with what feels impossible.

TUESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley   

Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe

Danny Jarrard – Knee Surgery Soon

Darlene Wiggins

Debbie Foskey  

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

James Parker

Jason Parker  

Jessica Headrick   

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       

Lonzo Christian 

Lori Blount’s Mother

Mary Williams

Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom

Mrs. Franklin 

Nora Allison

Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman

Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA

Sadie Almand 

Scott Lanier 

Scotty Nix

Sheila Simmons  

Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts

Steve Michaels

Tom Witcher