I'm a retired Southern Baptist pastor of almost 40 years. My wife Cheryl & I moved to Norman, OK in March of 2025. I share a weekly overview for Sunday School teachers of the weekly Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, as well as texts of my sermons and other articles.
Author Archives: Shawn Thomas
Conspiracy Theories?
“Conspiracy theories” are popular with many people, and some of them gain traction among the Christian population as well. It should be instructive to us that scripture actually has a word that speaks to these, in Isaiah 8:12-13: “You are … Continue reading
When We Don’t Know
“The seed sprouts and grows — how, he himself does not know.” (Mark 4:27) Jesus relates a parable here in Mark 4, of how a man sows seed, and a plant comes up as a result, although the man himself … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Charge of the Light Brigade, Mark 4:27, Tennyson, trust
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It’s Not Always Good News
God’s men don’t always have “good news” to share. If they do, they are certainly not God’s men! We see an example of that in Isaiah 7. God has just told King Ahaz that he does not need to fear … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged America, bad news, faithfulness, false prophets, God's people, good news, Isaiah 7, judgment, preachers, prophets
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“This Is My Story” Series Introduction
Just this week, the pastor who married Cheryl & I, Bill Elliff, who is now pastoring in Arkansas, shared a testimony about a man who came to their church 4 & 1/2 years ago, looking for a handout. One of … Continue reading
Curing The Fear of Man
If you have been struggling with the fear of a person or persons, God has a word for you in Isaiah Chapter 7 which will give you a better perspective: Isaiah 7 begins by relating how how two kings, Rezin … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fear, fear of God, fear of man, Isaiah 7:4, Matthew 10:28
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“Strategically Planted At Your School” (I Peter 1:1 devotion for teachers)
One of the biggest decisions a person makes in life is whether they believe they are here by accident, or whether there is a God who has a plan for them. I think you are here today because you believe … Continue reading
Epithets
The very last chapter of Romans contains a long list of people to whom the Apostle Paul wished to send greetings. It is interesting to read the little “descriptions” that he attaches to the names of the people he was … Continue reading
What’s Choking Your Spiritual Life?
“… the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19) As Jesus explained The Parable of the Sower in Mark 4, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fruitfulness, hindrances, Mark 4:19, spiritual growth
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“Branching Out”: My Night With Tony & Ivy
“Hey, Brother Shawn, would you like to go to a Carolina Panthers practice with some of us next week?” Thus began one of the most interesting, and entertaining, odysseys of my life: an evening out with Tony Branch and friends. … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged Carolina Panthers, restaurants, The Beacon Drive-in, Tony Branch, travel
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Heroes In The Wrong Things
“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink.” (Isaiah 5:22) In Isaiah 5, the prophet details many of the sins of God’s people for which He is calling a foreign nation to … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged devotion, eternity, Isaiah 5:22, priorities
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