When Nothing Else Could Help, Love...

Scripture Focus: Luke 4:14-21 By Rev. Dr. Russell M. Morrow "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." (Luke 4:18-19, NRSV) Devotional Thought” Worship is more than an act; it is an experience that reshapes how we see ourselves and our purpose in God’s Kingdom. When Jesus stood in the synagogue and read from Isaiah 61, He declared the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring healing, liberation, and restoration. Worship is our response to this mission. True worship invites us to align our lives with God’s plan. It transcends personal preferences, unites believers, and creates a sacred space where barriers dissolve. Like the diverse congregation I encountered at a conference in Seattle, worship draws us into God’s presence, breaking down divisions of race, culture, a...

By Elaine & Russell M. Morrow, Sr. Today’s Scriptures:   “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Thought for the Day: When shadows fall, God’s light will break through. Devotional Message: One afternoon, I sat by the window and noticed how the sunlight streamed through the blinds. The light alternated with shadows in a rhythmic pattern: darkness, then light. Darkness, then light. As I watched, it struck me that this reflected life. We all experience times of darkness—trials, struggles, and moments when hope feels far away. As Christians, it can sometimes feel like these struggles weigh even more heavily on us. Yet, we are not without hope. God’s Word reminds us that His grace is sufficient for all we face. His power shines most clearly in our weakest moments. Th...

Listen Here Scripture Reading: John 8:12 "Later on, Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the world's light. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'" Reflection: Have you ever sat down to complete an important task and found yourself distracted? I can relate to this. There have been times when I turned on my computer with a specific goal—to study Scripture, send an email, or conduct research—but as soon as I opened my browser, an advertisement, a Facebook notification, or a news feed would catch my attention. Before I knew it, I was lost in a rabbit hole, far from my original task. Valuable and precious minutes slipped away, creating a significant gap between where I intended to be and where I was. In John 8:1-11, Jesus faced a similar interruption. He was in the middle of teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees interrupted Him by bringing a woman caught in adultery. Their goal was to trap Jesus and der...

The Light That Brings Us Together "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." – Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) Thought for the Day:  When I let Christ’s light shine through me, it spreads to those around me. On Christmas Eve, as our congregation sat together in the stillness of the Mullins chapel, we passed the flame from one candle to another. What began as a single flicker in the dark gradually transformed into a radiant glow that filled the room. The light of each candle symbolized the spreading of Christ’s light—uniting us as a family of faith. This simple yet powerful tradition mirrors the call we receive as followers of Christ. Isaiah reminds us, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Christ’s light shines brightly, not just for one but for all. Like the magi who journeyed from afar to honor Jesus, we are invited to follow His light, bringing hope and unity to others. Even in the darkest times, Christ’s light remains within us, illuminating ...

  If you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But your Father will not forgive your sin if you do not forgive others . Matthew 6:14-15   We’ve all been hurt, lied to, or cheated on by someone we trust. They did it on purpose, too?   Forgiveness requires us to put away the wrong done to us.   It’s the boss with no apparent humanity—the parents’ divorce, leaving the family in shambles. Your best friend did the unthinkable, and the relationship will never be the same.   “I’m sorry” goes in one ear and out the other; the socially appropriate gesture didn’t quite seem to mend the dent in your heart.   True forgiveness requires a much more excellent source of energy than it takes to respond to a cliche phrase.   Why?   Because forgiveness is hardly about the other person.   It is about your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   Ephesians 4:32 says, “ Be kind and compassionate to one ano...