2026 THEME — “SEEING LIFE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
MARCH THEME: “SEEING SCRIPTURE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
Last night’s headlines about the conflict involving Iran are a clear reminder of why believers must anchor their hearts in Scripture rather than in feelings, speculation, or the constant noise of the media. As reports of rising tension, retaliation, and uncertainty fill the news, it would be easy to respond with fear or to be swept up in opinions. But moments like these call us to something deeper. Sunday we will step away from the confusion of political arguments and the swirl of commentary to look at these very headlines through the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Instead of asking only what is happening, we will ask how God sees what is happening. Together we will open passages like Psalm 2 and be reminded of the sovereignty of God over nations, leaders, and history itself. This will not be political commentary or prophetic hype—only a clear, biblical look at how heaven views the turmoil of our world. Bring your Bible, bring a friend, and come ready to see the news through the lens of God’s Word.
SUNDAY’S SERVICE SUMMARY
This morning’s service spoke to me in a way I didn’t realize I needed. I’ve been a believer for many years, and I’ve spent a lot of time reading my Bible. But if I’m honest, much of that reading has been familiar, routine—even comfortable. I knew the passages, I understood the stories, but I wasn’t consistently asking, “Lord, what are You saying to me about me?” or “What does this reveal about who You are?” I was reading the Word, but not always letting the Word read me. The music this morning helped quiet the noise I didn’t even realize I was carrying—opinions, headlines, and the constant pull of everyday life. It prepared my heart to listen, not just hear. And then the message came, not as information I didn’t already know, but as a clear call to approach Scripture differently—to stop reading it casually and start allowing it to search, expose, and transform me. What struck me most was how often I’ve read the Bible and thought about how it applied to others, rather than letting it deal with my own heart. This month has begun to change that. I’m starting to see that every passage is not just something to understand, but something to respond to—and that every verse reveals something about God’s character that I need to know more deeply. The whole service felt like a loving but firm reminder that in a world full of voices, the one voice I must prioritize is God’s. There was conviction, but it was wrapped in mercy—like the Lord was patiently drawing me back to a deeper, more honest walk with His Word. And I’m realizing that when God speaks through Scripture, the only right response is humility, repentance, and a renewed desire to not just read the Word—but to be changed by it.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
When Conviction Is Mercy
John 16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
One of the most misunderstood works of the Holy Spirit is conviction. Many people mistake it for rejection, assuming that when they feel the weight of their sin, God must be pushing them away. But the opposite is true. Conviction is not God distancing Himself from us—it is God drawing near. It is His loving interruption in our lives, refusing to allow us to continue in a direction that will harm us spiritually. In a world where many voices either excuse sin or ignore it altogether, the Spirit of God faithfully speaks truth to the heart. That inner stirring, that sense that something is not right, is not meant to crush us—it is meant to rescue us. Conviction is not harsh; it is holy. It is not rejection; it is restoration beginning.
Conviction Draws Us Back, Not Away
The enemy uses condemnation to push people into shame, silence, and distance from God. But the Holy Spirit uses conviction to draw us closer. When conviction comes, it is not a message that says, “You are finished,” but rather, “Come back.” It is God calling us out of hiding and into His presence again. Condemnation leads to hopelessness; conviction leads to repentance and restoration.
Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
When the Spirit convicts you, He is not trying to expose you to destroy you—He is exposing what needs to change so you can be made whole again. Imagine a parent watching a child walk toward a dangerous road. The parent raises their voice—not out of anger, but out of love. The urgency is not rejection; it is protection. In the same way, conviction is God’s loving voice calling us back before we step into something that would harm us.
Conviction Breaks Through Self-Deception
One of the most dangerous conditions of the heart is self-deception—the ability to justify what God has clearly called wrong. David lived in that place after his sin, until the prophet Nathan stood before him and said, “Thou art the man.” That moment was painful, but it was also merciful. It shattered David’s illusion and brought him face to face with truth.
Psalm 51:3–4, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned…”
Conviction is God’s way of pulling back the curtain on our hearts so we can see clearly again. Without it, we would continue believing we are right while drifting further from Him. It is like driving with a windshield slowly becoming covered in dirt. At first, you can still see, but over time your vision becomes distorted. Conviction is like someone washing the windshield clean. It may interrupt your drive for a moment, but it restores your ability to see where you are going.
A Tender Heart Is a Sign of God’s Work
Many people fear conviction, but the real danger is the absence of it. A hardened heart no longer feels the Spirit’s prompting. A numb conscience can continue in sin without discomfort. But a tender heart—one that feels conviction—is evidence that God is still actively working within.
Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…”
If the Spirit of God is dealing with you about an attitude, a habit, a relationship, or a hidden sin, that is not proof that God has left you—it is proof that He is still shaping you. Conviction is not something to resist; it is something to respond to quickly and humbly. A skilled craftsman shaping wood uses tools that sometimes press, cut, and refine the surface. The pressure may seem uncomfortable, but it is necessary to bring out the intended design. In the same way, conviction is God shaping us into what He has called us to be.
Conviction is one of Heaven’s greatest mercies. It is God refusing to leave us in sin, refusing to let us drift, and refusing to allow us to settle for less than His will. Every time the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, it is an invitation—not to run, but to return. Not to hide, but to humble yourself. Not to stay bound, but to walk free. The question is not whether God will speak—the question is how we will respond when He does.
Warfare Prayer
Lord, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for the mercy of conviction. We reject every lie of the enemy that tries to turn conviction into shame or distance from You. Guard our hearts from becoming hardened or numb to Your voice. Let Your Spirit speak clearly and powerfully within us, exposing anything that does not reflect Your holiness. Give us courage to respond immediately, humility to repent fully, and faith to walk in freedom. Break every stronghold of self-deception and bring us into the light of truth. Let conviction lead us into restoration, not resistance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
If the Holy Spirit has been dealing with you about something specific, do not delay another day. Identify it clearly, bring it honestly before God, and take one step of obedience today. Whether it is confession, correction, or change—respond immediately. Freedom begins the moment we stop resisting conviction and start surrendering to it.
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Mike And Paula Ferris And Family – Funeral for Micah is Friday
Ann Stanley
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Mateen – Kim McClain’s Sister
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Bentley Smith – Broken Leg
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Christopher Kelley
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Carol Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Don Franklin’s Daughter, Darlene, Son, David
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
Jake Jenkins
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Phillip Roach – Linda & Luther’s Son – Cancer
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Sandra Mitchell
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher