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 conflict whatsoever between Christianity and good business practices. People say you can’t mix business with religion. I say there’s no other way.”

Our text gives us the following eight practical principles to apply within the world of business.

Receptors to Verify, 20:12

Human Responsibility, 20:13

Deceptive Haggling, 20:14

Valuable Words, 20:15

Imprudent Cosigning, 20:16

Dishonest Speech, 20:17

Wise Planning, 20:18

Avoiding Gossip, 20:19

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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/

Biblical Principles of Business (Proverbs 20:12-19)

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 has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.'" Genesis 4:6-7. So, Genesis chapter 3 tells us how sin slipped into the human race. As we study this chapter closely, we will observe some of the strategies the devil used when tempting Adam and Eve, and it is my conviction that he will use similar strategies to trip us up. God will give us the tools we need to resist temptation. Deception, 3:1, 13 Defense, 3:2-3 Devices, 3:4-5 Desires, 3:6 Destinations, 3:7-24 -- Growing in Grace Devotions and Inspirations Hosted by Pastor Victor Morrison First Baptist Church 1700 Milam Street Columbus, TX, USA 78934 http://fbccolumbustx.org

Falling Out of Temptation (Genesis 3)

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

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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/

Man and Woman (Genesis 2)

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 how He made us in Genesis 1:26-31. Let’s take time to review His “instructions for assembly”. He made us, and so He knows how to put things together in life.

Intelligence behind the Creation of Mankind, 1:26

Image for the Creation of Mankind, 1:26

Importance of the Creation of Mankind, 1:26

Intention with the Creation of Mankind, 1:27

Ingenuity for the Creation of Mankind, 1:27

Inclination from the Creation of Mankind, 1:28

Interjection into the Creation of Mankind, 1:28

Instruction to the Creation of Mankind, 1:28

Indispensables for the Creation of Mankind, 1:29-30

Intrinsic Value of the Creation of Mankind, 1:31

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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/

 From the Maker of Mankind (Genesis 1:26-31)

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, 5-7

2. Facilitation of Growth, 12:1

3. Limitation of Understanding, 12:2-4

4. Anticipation of Heaven, 12:2-4

5. Confrontation with the Enemy, 12:7

6. Motivation toward Prayer, 12:8

7. Saturation with Power, 12:5, 9-10

8. Satisfaction in Hardship, 12:9-10

9. Aggravation by Humans, 12;10

10. Corruption of Creation, 12:10

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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/

Seeing Patterns in the Pains ( Corinthians 12:1-10)

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)

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 B

FBC CTX Growing in Grace Podcast · Zencastr

FBC CTX Growing in Grace Podcast

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.