It is a big revelation in your life when you begin to view the church as more than a group of people who gather weekly for worship. When the Spirit reveals to you, personally, that you are a living, contributing part of “THE” Body of Christ on earth, you begin to see other church members differently. You value each other and treat one another with genuine love and respect. Everyone of us has been hurt by others in churches we have been affiliated with in the past. No exceptions! Once we find a unique church like Belmont, our past should cause us to treasure and guard the testimony of Christ that we present before a hurting world. The church is a visible portrait of Christ for the world to see and long to be a part of. The person/people that it is difficult to love and be around is the very person that Christ wants to use to sharpen your love and acceptance skills for them, all for the sake of Christ. The person that needs love the most, deserves it the least. This is the reason that Christ lives in you. He wants to love the unlovable through you in the same way He loved you. Reach out with no expectations to the people that God has chosen to sharpen your life and testimony for Him. We are all cautiously guarded about commitment to the Body, because we are skeptical of being hurt. Maturity throws itself into commitment with no reservations,because of Christ and His kingdom. A house divided cannot stand, but a house united cannot be separated. I am so grateful that God made us a part of His Body that is represented through the local fellowship at Belmont.
One of the greatest ways we have to deepen our love and acceptance of each other is the Sunday School. We will resume our classes this Sunday at 9:30 A.M. The Service and Children’s Church will begin at 10:30 A.M. each Sunday from now on. Hope to see you this week.
There is a steak reserved with your name on it for The Kingdom Marriage Class & Dinner this Friday night at 6:30 P.M. Please call the church office and ask Sheila to add you to the list. If you know of someone who would benefit from this powerful teaching, please invite them to be your guest.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.”
These verses reveal how the Triune God is interwoven with the various ways we contact the Lord.
Here we see the Trinity–the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
All Three are related to unceasing prayer, rejoicing, and giving thanks.
This shows us that whenever we exercise ourselves in these various ways, we open the way for the Triune God to pass through us.
It is by this passing-through of the Triune God that He sanctifies us.
He sets us apart and saturates us with Himself.
The apostle Paul declares in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We receive life, we are cleansed, we are purified, and we are sanctified by allowing the Triune God to pass through us!
Just let Him pass through.
This is the benefit of praying and of spending time with the Lord–we are joined to the flow of the Triune God.
When we pray, we allow the Triune God to pass through us, to take care of every one of our needs–to impart life, to cleanse us, to purify us, and to sanctify us.
This is the vision we need when we spend time with the Lord.
Allow God Himself to pass through you.
Just say, “Lord, I want You to pass through me now. I open myself to You from the depths of my being that You may flow in me.”
Stir up your spirit in this way, and the living water will flow (2 Tim. 1:6-7).
Until Tomorrow
With a Shepherd’s Love
Pastor
…….
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Jill Haines
Ashley & Jason’s Friend
Bill Lawhead – Prayer Needed
Doris Strickland
Jeff Fowler
Johnny Page
Richard Blount – Home
Amy Garner’s Mother
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Barbara Shed’s Family
Bill Moody
Carol Lawhead
Charlie Sessom – Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Denise Stubbs – Kim Allison’s Mom
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray For Grace
James Garner’s G’Son
Joyceann – James Garner’s Daughter
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lynn – Nancy Brown’s Daughter
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford – Pray For Guidance
Michael Stanley
Nancy Brown’s G’Daughter
Nora Allison – Dustin’s Mom
Pastor Stucke– Nikki’s Dad
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sharon Blalock
Sheila Simmons Cousin
Tom Witcher