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

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

The Lord of the Free (John 8:21-38)

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

Impressive Manhood (Luke 7:1-10)

Reaching a Conclusion on the Will of God (Acts 16:1-10)

Sunday Message recorded 24 May 2026
by Senior Pastor Victor Morrison
First Baptist Church - Columbus, TX, USA
1700 Milam St.
Columbus, TX, USA 78934

The Essential of Repentance (Luke 13:1-9)

The Song of the Bow	(2 Samuel 1:17-27)

Lion Crossing (1 Peter 5:8-11)

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, 12:1

Presentation for God’s Will, 12:1

Transformation in God’s Will, 12:2

Realization of God’s Will, 12:2

Participation in God’s Will, 12:3-8

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

God’s Will in Motion (Romans 12:1-8)

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; 2:1-10

Priority of Your Marriage, 1:5, 8

Pursuit of God’s Best, 1:11, 23, 28

Praise for God’s Gift, 2:1-2

Provision for Their Needs, 2:18-19

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

Leaving a Legacy of Love	(1 Samuel 1-2)

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, 1:9

Praying 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)

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

Praying for Younger Generations  (Philippians 1:9-11)

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 survivor. However, life was still not easy because he was marooned on a tropical island all by himself for 28 years. His response was to read Scripture three times a day and learned to be grateful for the simple blessings in life.

Let’s follow the footprints of Asaph through Psalm 77 and watch as he teaches us six secrets to surviving hard circumstances and difficult times.

I Will Seek the Lord in Prayer, 77:1-2

I Will Weep before the Lord during the Pain, 77:3-4

I Will Remember the Lord in Praise, 77:3, 5-6

I Will Trust the Lord even though Perplexed, 77:7-12

I Will Magnify the Lord above the Problems, 77:13-15

I Will Reflect upon the Lord in the Past, 77:16-20

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

In the Day of My Trouble (Psalm 77)

Weekly Biblical devotions that help us Grow in Grace. Real stories and absolute truths from Scripture that provide strength, hope and encouragement. Hosted by Victor Morrison, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Columbus, Texas, USA.

FBC CTX Growing in Grace Podcast