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

SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY  

Sunday’s message reminded us that in life’s most painful moments—when marriage wounds us or the enemy surrounds us—God is still our refuge, not as a distant idea but as a real and personal shelter. His healing presence becomes our breakthrough when we surrender fully and become more aware of Him than of our fears, failures, or past. The altar call wasn’t emotional hype, but a holy invitation for souls to find refuge in the One who restores, redeems, and resurrects. No matter what has broken you, this is not your ending—it’s the beginning of healing and holy restoration under the wings of your Redeemer.

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

Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

WHEN YOU’RE TIRED OF TRYING

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

There is a kind of tired that sleep can’t fix—the kind that weighs down your soul. It’s the exhaustion that comes from always being the one to initiate the conversation, always being the one to apologize, always being the one to hold it all together. It’s trying to keep peace in a home that feels like a war zone. It’s fighting to believe things will get better when everything feels stuck. You may be physically fine, but emotionally and spiritually, you are worn thin. But hear Jesus whisper: Come to Me. Not after you’ve figured it out. Not once you’ve proven you deserve rest. Come now. As you are. With all your burdens.

Jesus isn’t asking you to perform—He’s inviting you to rest. In His presence, you don’t have to earn love—it’s already yours. You don’t have to pretend strength—He supplies it. You don’t have to fix everything before collapsing into His arms. He’s not waiting for perfection—He’s waiting for surrender. There is healing in rest. There is restoration in stillness. The enemy wants you to believe rest is weakness. But real worship begins when you lay it all down and say, “I can’t—but You can.” Rest is not quitting. It’s choosing to trust the One who never sleeps, never grows weary, and never stops loving you.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is stop trying so hard and let God hold what you can’t carry. Your worth is not tied to how much you do, how much you fix, or how well you hold it together. He didn’t call you to carry the marriage alone. He didn’t call you to manage the pain by yourself. You were never meant to survive on empty. When you release the pressure and rest in His promises, you’ll find the strength you thought was gone. You’ll hear His voice again. You’ll feel His presence again. And you’ll finally realize—He never left.

Prayer:  Jesus, I’m tired. Tired of trying to fix what’s broken, tired of pretending to be okay, tired of carrying burdens I was never meant to bear. I need Your rest—not just sleep, but soul-deep rest. Wrap me in Your presence. Calm my anxious striving. Teach me to breathe again, trust again, and simply be with You. I surrender my strength and receive Your grace. Thank You for loving me in my weakness. Amen.

Challenge:  Set aside 15 minutes today to be completely still—no phone, no noise, no distractions. Sit in silence and invite Jesus to meet you there. Don’t try to fix anything. Just rest in His presence and let Him carry what you’ve been holding.

WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

The Sigmon Family in passing of their 12 year old daughter, Bria

Jessica Headrick – Surgery Today

Sheila Simmons

Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda

Linda Mays – Rehab    

Debbie Foskey – Home

Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shellnutts

Angela Bryan’s Sister

Ann Stanley – Home

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