Today’s Message of Hope, Deliverance, and Victory Devotional

Dear Baby Boomers,  We are the generational group born between 1945 and 1965, and we've witnessed profound global, national, and cultural changes in the first 20 years of this century. For some, these changes have been challenging and unsettling, while others have been a source of satisfaction. But let's take a step back and look at history. Our generation was born out of another era marked by similar upheavals—challenging and rewarding times, depending on one's perspective. Life on this planet is constantly evolving. The writer of Ecclesiastes describes life as like smoke—something you can see and experience but never fully grasp. Alongside this, we face the inevitability of time, death, and the randomness of life. Yet, amid these uncertainties, God's message of hope, deliverance, and victory stands firm. As I journey through life, it's a great joy to meet people who love God and Christ, those striving to find their way through the complexities of life as they work...

  Be Not Afraid Adapted from an article by Dr. Lisa Hancock, UMC Discipleship Ministries  "Jesus said to them: 'Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.’   Mark 13:1-8 (NIV)   When I hear the word “apocalypse,” I often remember disaster movies. These stories are filled with destruction, creating an almost overwhelming sense of doom. And sometimes, when I read texts like Mark 13, the apocalyptic language evokes that feeling. Jesus speaks of the temple being destroyed and of “wars and rumors of wars”—it’s intense! But what if Jesus’ intention wasn’t to scare His followers but rather to reassure them? Jesus knew His disciples were in awe of the temple’s beauty and strength, yet He wanted them to look beyond what they could see and place their faith in something even more significant. Earthly structures may crumble, Jesus tells them, but God’s presence remains steadfast. This message is for u...

David's Life of Worship: Through Repentance By Rev. Dr. Russell M. Morrow Worshiping God when all is well is one thing, but how do we worship Him when mired in sin and iniquity? Iniquity represents immoral or grossly unfair behavior, such as hatred, unforgiveness, jealousy, prejudice, and selfishness. Living in sin while claiming to be a true worshipper of God would be hypocrisy. However, true repentance is the transformative act of worship and the pathway to healing and restoration with God. David's story offers a profound example of this process. Though a king chosen and beloved by God, David succumbed to sin when he saw Bathsheba bathing and, overcome by desire, committed adultery with her. To cover his sin, he orchestrated Uriah's death and took Bathsheba as his wife. This stark reality shows how even a man after God's heart can be led astray by the corruption of power. Yet, the narrative does not end in despair. God sent the prophet Nathan not to condemn David eter...

By Rev. Dr. Russell M. Morrow  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing , and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV.” Self-determination is a gift from God, and it can be a force for good when it helps us rise above challenges and work toward the well-being of ourselves and others. However, when self-determination becomes selfish and disregards others, it becomes counter to God’s will and dangerous. For example, one of Frank Sinatra's most famous songs, "My Way," captures a man's journey of living life on his own terms. Although the song became a national anthem for self-determination, Sinatra himself grew to dislike it, feeling it was self-serving an...

David's Life of Worship: Dance to the Glory and Honor of God 2 Samuel 6:1-5; 12-19 By Rev. Dr. Russell M. Morrow In a vibrant city where excitement buzzed like electricity, King David prepared for a celebration that would be etched in history. Jerusalem was about to host the Ark of the Covenant, the very symbol of God's presence among His people. David, a man known for his passionate devotion to God, was determined to honor this sacred arrival with a display of worship that mirrored his heart's deepest joy. As the Ark approached, David’s enthusiasm was palpable. He wore a simple linen ephod, a symbol of humility and devotion, and danced with all his might before the Lord. The streets of Jerusalem were filled with the sounds of joyous celebration—harps, lyres, tambourines, and the shouts of a jubilant crowd. David's dance was not just an expression of joy but a reflection of his life, dedicated entirely to God. Yet, this celebration was not without its challenges. ...

The Sufficiency of G od's Grace 2 Corinthians 12:9 By Rev. Dr. Russell M, Morrow But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [ a ]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [ b ]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!  Amplified Bible, Classic Ed.  It was the summer of 2005, a time meant for joy and family adventures. My wife Elaine and I, along with our three children, my five-year-old brother Joseph visiting from New York, and a young boy from our church, embarked on a trip to the Crazy Horse Monument and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Our journey also included a stop at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, to enjoy its famed am...