FBC CTX Growing in Grace Podcast

(Revised Audio)

Abraham learned a spiritual lesson in Genesis 18:1-15. He learned that God can solve an impossible problem.

The Lord asks Abraham an important question that needs to be answered at certain times in a person’s life, namely, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14.

The hymn Praise to the Lord the Almighty was written by a German composer, Joachim Neander in the 1600’s and included this thought-provoking line, “…ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with His love He befriends thee…”

What could the Almighty do in your life? How...

Abraham learned a spiritual lesson in Genesis 18:1-15. He learned that God can solve an impossible problem.

The Lord asks Abraham an important question that needs to be answered at certain times in a person’s life, namely, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14.

The hymn Praise to the Lord the Almighty was written by a German composer, Joachim Neander in the 1600’s and included this thought-provoking line, “…ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with His love He befriends thee…”

What could the Almighty do in your life? How would He accomplis...

Sometimes a family agonizes over a family member that they love who is taken “captive” by failure, fear of rejection, worry, criticism, anger, pride, depression, alcohol, drugs, pornography, sexual immorality, perfectionism, materialism and the list could go on and on.

Each Christian has three enemies that they encounter on spiritual battlefields like those mentioned above: the devil and his demons, the world system and the flesh (self-centered living). The “zip ties” or “chains” used by these three enemies to bind family members limits their ability to escape. They need others to rescue them. But how?

Abraham mode...

We are moving in our Genesis study from the life of Noah to the footsteps of Abraham. About 4,000 years ago Abraham heard God’s voice calling him to leave everything familiar and step out into the unknown. Hebrews 11:8 says of him, “…And he went out not knowing where he was going.” He just knew that he was traveling over a road of obedience with faith in God’s promises.

Abraham’s life covers about 14 chapters and adds up collectively to about 25% of the content of Genesis. There must be something that God wants us to learn from this man’s j...

Genesis chapter six begins at a point in human history that was some 1500 years since God’s creation of the earth, or 1056 years between the creation of Adam until the birth of Noah.

The chapter begins with mankind’s refusal to turn from evil. The level of wickedness was so persistent that it grieved the heart of God. He reached a decision to blot out man and all of the animals that either lived on land or flew in the air.

Genesis 6:8, however, was a turning point, when it states, “But Noah found favor in the ey...

Has the Flood during the days of Noah ever seemed harsh to you? Perhaps, you have not taken the time to really understand the importance of Genesis 6:1-8. I consider this passage to be the biblical key to understanding why such a global flood was necessary.

Unparalleled wickedness began to engulf the entire world. It was intentional as well as continual. Two specific sins began to flourish above the others: sexual corruption and physical violence.

The final strike, however, was when fallen angels began to reproduce upon the earth. This would take things to a...

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

Have you ever struggled with jealousy or anger to such a degree that it seemed out of control? The life of the biblical character named Cain answers the question of what can happen when sin is left unchecked?

Cain was the firstborn son of Adam and Eve. He was the first person born into a world where sin had entered. He would be the first man to commit murder when he killed his own brother Abel.

Cain’s punishment was severe as he was forced into exile, alienated from his family and faced as a fa...

Old Testament scholar, Bruce Waltke, sees a common theme uniting Proverbs 20:12-19 – speech and commerce. Whether one is the merchant or the customer, the Bible actually offers wise counsel on how to effectively and uprightly conduct business.

The founder of Chick-fil-A, S. Truett Cathy, said, “It has proven to my interest financially as well as convenience of permitting our people to have Sunday off where they can forget the business and other interests – devote it to the family as well as to worship if they so choose.”

He later told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “I see no conflic...

Most likely you have heard people refer to falling "into" temptation, but I would like to review the third chapter of Genesis because I believe the Lord wants to empower and lead us to fall "out of" temptation. Temptation in a fallen world with each of us having a sinful human nature is natural and unavoidable. However, while it is a part of life to face temptation, through Christ we can resist temptation. Do you recall what God said to Cain just before he made his choice about temptation? "The Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why...

Genesis chapter two is a unique chapter bringing to the creation several new things such as rest, the amazing creation of man, a lush garden watered by a mist that rose up from the ground, fruit trees for food, a tree from which to eat was forbidden, a job for Adam, names for the animals, and best of all, a spouse for Adam, the creation of woman, Eve.

Priority, 2:1-4

Paradise, 2:5-6

Potter, 2:7

Perfection, 2:8-14

Profession, 2:15, 19-=20

Permission, 2:16

Prohibition, 2:17

Partner, 2:18, 20-25

...

Have you ever tried to assemble a new bicycle or a new desk without looking at the instructions? It can be frustrating. Trust me, I know because I have tried to assemble both a bicycle and a desk without taking time to read through the assembly instructions. Ok, let’s just say that it was a big mistake and took unnecessary time and emotional energy!

As our children and our students prepare to return to school, I would like to share a message that will save them unnecessary time, energy and mistakes. The Maker of mankind revealed ho...

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 mo...

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...

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

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

Sunday Message recorded 24 May 2026
by Senior Pastor Victor Morrison
First Baptist Church - Columbus, TX, USA
1700 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 78934
http://fbccolumbustx.org/

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

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 uncond...

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. Th...

The author of Psalm 77 was Asaph, worship leader assigned by King David. Asaph signed 12 psalms, Psalm 50 and Psalms 73-83. This psalm gives us his game plan when trouble comes knocking at the door. The setting when Asaph composed this psalm is unknown.

What is your response whenever you encounter difficulties in life. The character in Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe certainly encountered lots of troubles in his life. He left the comforts of home for the sea. Unfortunately, he was captured by pirates and sold into slavery. Later, Crusoe emerges from a shipwreck as the sole su...

One of my favorite verses to share with others regarding salvation is Titus 3:5. It is small, but it is a gem!

In this chapter it is like the Apostle Paul gives us some before and after photographs of salvation. What is unique about this chapter, however, is that in addition to a glimpse of life before trusting Christ and a description of life after one receives Christ, this passage also gives us an explanation of what it looks like during the moment of salvation. It’s incredible!

If you would like to sh...

Hank Williams wrote a song claiming, “I saw the light.” This legendary songwriter wrote, “I wandered so aimless, life filled with sin; I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in, then Jesus came like stranger in the night. Praise the Lord, I saw the light!”

The Apostle Paul also tells us in the pages of Scripture that he too saw the Light. As a matter of fact, each time he shared his personal testimony, he always included seeing a light that was even brighter than the sun.

Even though scientists tell us that a quasar can be 500...

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is supported “by many proofs” according to Acts 1:3. The writer of the book of Acts was a medical doctor and missionary named Luke. He also wrote the Gospel of Luke. It is interesting how he dedicated both works to someone named, Theophilus.

Listen to what this same author noted was his motivation for writing the Gospel record, “1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered th...

As we near the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, some around us may not understand why Jesus had to die on the cross. For them, the horrible suffering and the gruesome death of Christ seems unnecessary.

When Jesus told His disciples that He must die for the sins of the people, even they did not understand what He meant.

God’s holiness and justice demand the punishment of sin. Jesus took our place and bore our punishment. The cross of Christ is the intersection of the just penalty for sin with the mercy of...

This message will encourage anyone who is struggling with suffering and heartache. Romans 8:26-29 speaks of the wonderful partnership we have with God in Christ. He brings us into a partnership with the Spirit and the Father and this makes all the difference in how we make it through the hard times.

While serving in Fairview, Alberta, Canada, my mentor Keith Hale told me one time, “Vic, if God is your Partner, then make your plans big.” Likewise, the famous evangelist from the past, D.L. Moody used to say, “God gives us dreams a size too big, s...

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

What does a Garden Snail, a Banana Slug and a Three-Toed Sloth have in common? They all three either prefer to remain completely still, or when they move, it is always very, very slowly.

Now, what about if you compared a slug or a sloth with an ant? Are they similar or different? Let’s go to the Scriptures to answer this question. Proverbs 6:6-11 contrasts an idle sluggard with an industrious ant. In our text for today, we will see that there is a lot that a sluggard can learn from an ant.

Proverbs of...

Go call your friends who like to fish and tell them they will like this message!

Let’s look at Matthew chapter 13 where Jesus gives 7 parables. He begins sharing these seven parables in Matthew 13:3. What is a “parable”? The Greek term for parable is parabole, meaning something thrown (bole) alongside (para) for the sake of comparison. Jesus would draw a parallel or a picture that everyone understood from the physical realm in order to illustrate a spiritual truth. He was such a great communicator!

Since the Lord called at least four of His disciples from their...

“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14

Erick Weihenmayer reached the top of Mt. Everest on May 25, 2001. This was amazing since Erick had been blind since contracting an eye disease that left him blind since the age of 13.

How can someone climb such a high, treacherous mountain when they are blind? In his book, Blind to Failure, Karl Taro Greenfield points out that...

A faulty foundation can be costly later. For example, if one starts to see stair-stepping cracks between brick and mortar, walls that begin to lean or bulge, cracks developing where the wall meets the ceiling, windows that stick or doors that jam, then you have a foundation problem.

The same can eventually happen in the life of a believer or the fellowship of a church. Apart from building upon the foundation of Christ, a church can later close its doors as it craters from within. Apart from follow-up and discipleship, a new believer can later collapse in...

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions? Forbes posted some interesting statistics related to resolutions made by Americans at the end of 2023. According to a survey that polled 1,000 US adults on October 23, 2023, 48% made resolutions regarding physical fitness, 38% focused on personal finances, 34% desired to lose some weight, 32% promised themselves to do a better job with their diet. The remaining percentages dropped tremendously after these top four resolutions.

Thirty percent of those asked were honest enough to admit that they only 25% really anticipated keeping their resolutions beyond the first 30 days. Statistics reveal only 1% maintain their commitment through to th...

According to some current projections, holiday spending may decrease in 2025 from the anticipated $1,007 dollars per person back in October to an adjusted budget of $778 for Christmas gifts. Many who completed the survey indicated they plan to reduce spending this year by 55% compared with 2024 expenditures. Of course, we must keep in mind that record high spending was marked in both 2023 and 2024 with spending surpassing $ 950 billion. For comparison, 2008 was $501.5 billion and 2010 was $528.8 billion.

So, I have a question regarding Christmas. My question is are we as a people actually like the description given by historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., wh...

Have you started decorating your tree yet? I saw this year the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center is 75’ tall imported from Norway. They hung 50,000 Christmas lights on the tree in celebration of the season.

As far as I can tell, many believe lighting the Christmas tree originated with Martin Luther in the 16th century, who lit his tree after walking in the woods and seeing the stars twinkling between the branches of the trees. It made him remember the wise men who followed the star to where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. So, he came back hom...

What would you say was the greatest Christmas gift you ever received? Among the greatest some people consider the best are gift like…a new vehicle, time, handmade cards from children, birth of a child, extension to life for one diagnosed with a terminal illness, visits from family, cash, voucher booklet from a teenager promising the completion of various chores, etc.

The angel told Joseph in a dream, “She (Mary) will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” An angel announced to a group of shephe...

“I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” 116:17

Luke tells us in his Gospel account that during His last supper with the disciples, Jesus took the bread and the cup, and then, gave thanks. This was the night before His death. Obviously, He was not giddy in His emotions, but He was deliberate in the exercise of His will in obedience to Father’s plan as He offered what I would call, a “sacrifice of thanksgiving”.

Similarly, some scholars believe the historical setting of Psalm 116 was the trauma...

The author of the sweet song about Heaven entitled, “Beyond the Sunset” was Virgil Brock. One evening he and his wife attended a party at Rainbow Point, Indiana. Most of the guests were faculty from the Rodeheaver School of Music there at the Winona Lake Bible Conference.

Upon seeing a breath-taking sunset, those present began to describe the exquisite beauty of the closing to that day. As the guests eventually grew silent in their admiration, Virgil’s blind cousin, Horace Burr, exclaimed, “It is the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen!” When asked how he was able to “s...

The true story of Horatio Spafford and his family has always stirred my heart. He was a devoted Christian and a hard-working attorney in Chicago back in the mid-1800s.

The Spafford family unfortunately knew what it was like to grieve. Tragically, Mr. Spafford’s son, Horatio, Jr. developed scarlet fever and died in 1870 at only four years of age. The next year, a fire swept through the city, burning all of his investment properties. Two years later his wife Anna’s health began to fail, so they planned to go to England for some rest and recu...