FBC CTX Growing in Grace Podcast

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, 8:21-22 Free from the Penalty of Sin, 8:23-27 Free through the Provision for Sin, 8:28-30 Free 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 78934 http://fbccolumbustx.org/

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 the end of the year. I chuckled when I read that the second Friday of January has become known as "Quitter's Day" since only 8-10% usually stay the course on their promises beyond the first couple of weeks in January. I wasn't even aware of this special date on the calendar. As believers in Christ, we have some priorities we value that are not related to the body or the budget. Scripture describes followers of Jesus as simply being "in Christ" a phrase mentioned over 160 times in the New Testament. So, why don't we set New Year's resolutions in keeping with spiritual goals that are related to our position and identity in Christ? If we did this, then the power of God would help us reach our goals all year long. 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 seems to provide us with five areas of blessing given to us the moment we place our trust in Jesus Christ. I challenge you, brother or sister in Christ, to make at least one goal this year related to one of the following five new initiatives Jesus is making in your life. 1. In Christ we are given new sight, 5:12, 16 2. In Christ we are given new significance, 5:13-15 3. In Christ we are given a new start, 5:17 4. In Christ we are given a new status, 5:18-19, 21 5. In Christ we are given a new call to service, 5:18-20

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 home and attached candles to his Christmas tree. Galatians 4:4-7 reminds me of the illumination Paul gave to the churches across Galatia regarding the coming of Christ and the incredible impact His coming made on the world. His words form what could viewed as five strands of beautiful lights, summarizing what Christmas is really all about. 1. Incarnation of the Son, 4:4 2. Redemption out of Slavery, 4:4-5 3. Adoption into Sonship, 4:5-7 4. Reception of the Spirit, 4:6 5. Description of the Share, 4:7 --- Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934 http://fbccolumbustx.org/

"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 King Hezekiah experienced when Isaiah the prophet announced the king's terminal illness. The background can be read in 2 Kings 20:1-11; 2 Chronicles 32:24-26 and Isaiah 38. This psalm is extremely personal as the author refers to his own experiences 37x, ranging from the good, the bad to the ugly. Let's run this psalm through a slow-motion replay and listen as Hezekiah gives us a frame by frame commentary on what he was going through spiritually. William Bradford must have offered a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" as the Pilgrims offered thanksgiving in the early autumn of 1621. Less than one year before that Thanksgiving, while the Mayflower was anchored off Provincetown Harbor, the Pilgrims sent out several expeditions of men to explore the region to seek out the best place to build their colony. While William Bradford was away on one of these explorations, on December 7, 1620, his wife, Dorothy, fell off the Mayflower into the freezing waters of Provincetown Harbor, and drowned. We can arrange our learning from this psalm around five fingers that King Hezekiah will slowly open up to the Lord as he offers to God his "sacrifice of thanksgiving." As we approach Thanksgiving, perhaps this is a tougher year than unusual for you. If so, then follow Hezekiah's example in offering thanks to God and praying about your hardships, praying not based upon feelings but faith. Giving thanks to God not because you are in a comfortable situation but because the Lord is worthy of praise. Anguish beneath my praying, 116:3, 6, 10-11 Attention to my praying, 116:2, 4 Answer to my praying, 116:1-2, 6-9 Attitude with my praying, 116:5, 15-17 Advancing after my praying, 116:7, 13-14, 18-19 --- Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934 http://fbccolumbustx.org/