FBC CTX Growing in Grace Podcast

If one was to fly over the continental United States, then it would be obvious that the terrain is not all the same. Mountains could be seen, but vast plains and fields would also be visible from a certain altitude. The Atlantic and Pacific would also could be enjoyed, but there are thousands of lakes and smaller bodies of water that would be so different in terms of physical appearance. Of course, depending on the time of the year, you could most likely see some families on one of our nation’s beaches while in the northern areas snow-capped mountains might even have a few skiers.Similarly, life experiences are not the same. They too are varied like the landscape. Some are having a great day today while others are in a battle for survival. Some may ponder the question why these hard circumstances are happening to them. The possible answers to that question are also diverse. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 inspired me to make a list of possible reasons why someone may have the pain in life that they are currently experiencing. Let’s look for some patterns that match the biblical record described not only in this passage but others as well.1. Prevention of Pride, 12:1, 5-72. Facilitation of Growth, 12:13. Limitation of Understanding, 12:2-44. Anticipation of Heaven, 12:2-45. Confrontation with the Enemy, 12:76. Motivation toward Prayer, 12:87. Saturation with Power, 12:5, 9-108. Satisfaction in Hardship, 12:9-109. Aggravation by Humans, 12;1010. Corruption of Creation, 12:10--Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

Francis Scott Key wrote those inspiring words of The Star-Spangled Banner after witnessing the amazing survival of Ft. McHenry after an all-night assault by the British troops on September 13-14, 1844.Key wrote, “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; and this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust!’ And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave.”The Apostle John also wrote of freedom in the eighth chapter of his Gospel, only the subject of his witness pertained to the LORD of the Free rather than the “land of the free”. He recorded Jesus saying, “truth will set you free” (v. 32) and “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”In celebration of America’s 250-year anniversary, I offer this message to glorify the Lord of the free!Free from the Presence of Sin, 8:21-22Free from the Penalty of Sin, 8:23-27Free through the Provision for Sin, 8:28-30Free from the Power of Sin, 8:31-38--Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

Sunday Message recorded 24 May 2026by Senior Pastor Victor MorrisonFirst Baptist Church - Columbus, TX, USA1700 Milam St.Columbus, TX, USA 78934

Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

As high school seniors prepare for graduation, they often become stressed over what they should do next. Should they enroll in college? If so, which college should they choose? Even if they attend college, at some point they will have to choose a major, but which field of study is best for them? Should they live on campus or off campus? Where should they worship, study and fellowship to continue growing in Christ? What will life be like without their friends?So many decisions are packed within the life of each person! One popular interest among young adults is knowing God’s will. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we each are the workmanship of Christ and that the Lord has designed our life for a unique purpose.Romans 12:1-8 answers many questions for anyone of any age who is interested in staying on track with God’s will. His will is constantly in motion, adapting to our wise and foolish decisions. He knows how to keep us in proper alignment with His plans and can always “recalculate” how to get us back up on the best road to fulfillment and influence. Romans 12:1-8 tells us where to start.Motivation toward God’s Will, 12:1Presentation for God’s Will, 12:1Transformation in God’s Will, 12:2Realization of God’s Will, 12:2Participation in God’s Will, 12:3-8--Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

How would you define “Motherhood?” One simple way to define it could be “leaving a legacy of love” upon one’s children. Mother’s Day is our appreciation to our mother for their legacy of love. We express our heartfelt thanks for their devotion to the family, their many sacrifices on our behalf, the hard work and the love that they have invested in the children and in the home, etc. One a personal level, we also convey to them our respect and appreciation for the excellence of their example, the stability of their character and the depth of their unconditional love.I don’t know of any flawless mothers, however, who live in a perfect world. Do you? This is why the review of biblical mothers like Hannah, the mother of Samuel the prophet, can be so meaningful. They charted the way for godly women living in a broken world to leave behind a glimpse of God in the hearts of their children. 1 Samuel 1-2 describes Hannah’s world as quite different from Little House on the Prairie to perhaps Little House in the Boxing Ring. As we review her life and her legacy please remember that her life wasn’t easy, yet her focus upon the Lord gave her an overflow of love that she could leave behind on the pages of scripture.The biblical record records for us who she went from her pain to her child’s gain.Prayer for Your Children, 1:10-12, 15, 20, 27; 2:1-10Priority of Your Marriage, 1:5, 8Pursuit of God’s Best, 1:11, 23, 28Praise for God’s Gift, 2:1-2Provision for Their Needs, 2:18-19--Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

This is the season for graduation ceremonies. Or, the terms I prefer even more, commencement exercises. Commencement means, beginnings. Perhaps someone listening to this message is preparing to graduate from high school or university. First, let me say a hearty congratulations to you!I am so excited for what I see happening in younger generations these days. A pastor from Waco, Texas (J.P. Pokluda) wrote an interesting article on what he witnessed when he attended a Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia two years ago. He spoke of the rush of hearing 60,000 students gathered together praising Jesus. Then, he went to Florida State University for another large gathering of college students and described his surprise when he saw 314 students make a profession of faith in response to an altar call for salvation. His article was entitled, “US College Campuses: A Revival Brewing?”Some may dismiss this as a couple of isolated examples, but the recent Gallup Poll published on April 17, 2026 proves otherwise. God is moving among younger generations. The poll revealed a specific numerical spike in the data related to a religious interest in men ages 18-29. 42% of those surveyed indicated they were very spiritually hungry.I have a recommendation of how we can all pray for this movement taking place among our young people. The timing is just right for collective intercession for them with graduation from both high school and college nearing. I think we should take our cues from Philippians 1:9-11. This is how the Apostle Paul prayed for new disciples in what is now northeastern Spain. I think this gives us a blueprint of how to build upon what God has started among these young adults.Praying for an Overflow of Their Love, 1:9Praying for Their Oversight of Life with Excellence, 1:9-10 (a)Praying They Will Overcome Any Circumstance through Integrity, 1:9 (b)Praying Their Lives Will Become Overgrown with an Abundance of Fruit, 1:11 (a)Praying They Will Gladly Be Overshadowed by God’s Glory, 1:11 (b)---Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

After successfully performing a heart surgery on a woman, the heart doctor was not able to massage her heart into beating again. So, he removed his surgical mask, knelt down beside her and whispered these words, “Mrs. Johnson, this is your surgeon. The operation went perfectly. Your heart has been repaired. Now tell your heart to beat again.”This true story from Ohio reminds me of another true story from Jerusalem. It surprisingly happened to a young king in Judah when he was 39 years of age. He learned that he had a terminal illness and took it pretty hard.God had used King Hezekiah in powerful ways by ushering in a spiritual revival in his policies and praying down a national rescue when surrounded by the Assyrian army. But something shifted in the young king’s heart. As he became more prosperous and the affluence of his administration began to rise so did his arrogance. 2 Chronicles 32:22-25 concludes with God saying of the ruler, “…for his heart was proud.”This disturbing turn of events was used of God to reset the king’s heart. His remorse and his repentance would repair his heart and cause it to once again beat with the rhythm of trust and humility before God. Isaiah 38 gives us the true account of how his faith began to beat again.1. Crisis in his health, 38:12. Sentence regarding his death, 38:1-23. Turning toward his faith, 38:2-34. Extension to his path, 38:4-65. Signs based upon His (God’s) strength, 38:7-8, 226. Healing based upon His (God’s) truth, 38:9, 217. Anguish if without his breath, 38:10-168. Appreciation upon this earth, 38:17-20---Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church1700 Milam StreetColumbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/

One of my mentors in Fairview, Alberta, Canada was Keith Hale. He had followed the Lord’s guidance to move his family from Texas to northern Alberta back in the 1950’s. He planted two churches, one of which I had the joy and honor of serving as pastor in Fairview, Alberta.I called Mr. Hale, “Grandad”. Grandad told me once, “Vic, if God is your partner then make your plans big.” I recently thought of his gentle and inspiring counsel when I was reading through Romans 8:26-39. It describes what happens whenever we place our trust in Jesus Christ and begin to walk through life in a ministry partnership with the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit.Let’s examine the benefits of having God as our Partner as we go through life as described in Romans 8:26-39. I think you will see how blessed we are to follow Christ and have the Triune God in our corner.Infusion into Our Weaknesses, v. 26Inability of Our Wisdom, v. 26Intercession beyond Our Words, v. 26Initiative beyond Our Wants, v. 27Interlocked with God’s Will, v. 27Included within God’s Work, vs. 28-30Inheritance of God’s Wealth, vs. 31-39Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations  Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison  First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934http://fbccolumbustx.org/