I served as pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for 30 years before taking an early medical retirement in February 2013. In this blog I share daily devotions from my own personal Bible readings, as well as sermons, book reviews, illustrations -- and occasional "peeks" at life inisde a pastor's home through my "Paradise" articles. I was diagnosed with dysautonomia or POTS in June of 2012, and write posts on my ongoing experience with that illness as well.
Author Archives: Shawn Thomas
The Earth is the Lord’s
Psalm 24 seems to be divided up into 3 distinct sections: – :1-2 The Lord’s creation and Lordship over all the world – :3-6 The holiness required of those who would seek the Lord – :7-10 The entrance of the … Continue reading
They Will Perish, But You Remain
Hebrews 1 quotes a number of Old Testament scriptures to prove the deity and superiority of Christ. Verse 11, quoting Psalm 102:26, says of the heavens and earth, which Christ created, “they will perish, but You remain.” It is always … Continue reading
Finding His Path
In Psalm 25:4 David prayed: “make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.” Many of us might echo his prayer. But how will this happen? Look later in the Psalm:
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Bring Me Out!
We often point out how God uses trials and difficulties for His purposes — and the repeated witness of scripture is that He certainly DOES do that. But here in Psalm 25:17 David entreats God: “Bring me OUT of my … Continue reading
Can God Have A God?
In Hebrews 1:8-9 there are two seemingly contradictory truths which only orthodox Christian doctrine can rightly reconcile:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged deity of Jesus, Hebrews 1:8-9, Trinity, Triune God
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A New Regimen: POTS Update, June 2013
I haven’t updated much on my bout with dysautonomia or POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) in a while, basically because I haven’t had much to report. In a previous post I shared that I had been much improved since we … Continue reading
Fixing Your Eyes On Him
Psalm 25:15 says: “My eyes are continually toward the Lord.” This is one of the keys to walking with God: keeping our eyes continually on Him. This is what Psalm 16:8 means when it says: “I have set the Lord … Continue reading
The Way You Should Choose
Psalm 25:12 says: “Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.” Many people are seeking to make the right choices for their career or other important life issues. This is, … Continue reading
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Tagged choices, decisions, fear of the Lord, God's will, Psalm 25:12
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Good Is The Lord
Psalm 25:8 says: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.” This verse reminds us that because God is good, He is gracious towards sinners; He is patient with them, and seeks to instruct them … Continue reading
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Tagged goodness of God, kindness of God, nature of God, Psalm 25:8, Romans 2:4
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Shall Perform
In Exodus 36:1 the Lord commanded: “Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Exodus 31:6, Exodus 35:30-31, Exodus 36:1, potential, responsibility, service, spiritual gifts
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