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
It Takes Two: A Plumbing Parable of Marriage
(In honor both of our 33rd wedding anniversary, and our icemaker 😉 Last week some workers discovered that there was a leak underneath our house, and they recommended that we call a plumber. Cheryl & I saw where the leak … Continue reading
Do We Need To Get “A Vision”?
One of the most frequently quoted verses in the Old Testament, is, sadly, often MIS-quoted. Proverbs 29:18 reads: “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (or “perish.)” Typically someone quotes this verse and follows up with an admonition … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Proverbs 29:18, scripture, vision, where there is no vision, word of God
Leave a comment
Be Thankful You Didn’t Say It!
Sometimes after a confrontation with an annoying person we might be tempted to think: “I should have really let them have it”, but Proverbs 29:11 says otherwise: “A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fool, fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 29:11, self-control, temper, wisdom
Leave a comment
The Model Prayer: Forgiveness (Matthew 6:12 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist, 5-20-15) I know that many of you, like me, grew up hearing soloists and others sing what became the “traditional” version of “The Lord’s Prayer.” There is one part of the song that seems almost … Continue reading
No Room For Boasting
“Where then is boasting? It is excluded.” (Romans 3:27) A better word could not be said regarding true religion. There is NO room for personal boasting in genuine Christianity.
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged boasting, Galatians 6:14, grace, holier than thou, Romans 3:27, salvation, self-righteousness, works
Leave a comment
A Convicting Trio Of Sins?
Proverbs 23:19-21 warns us against three besetting sins — although in practice, many Christians seem to pay attention to only one of them: “Listen my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Do not be with … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged alcohol, gluttony, indolence, laziness, Proverbs 23:19-21, sluggard
Leave a comment
“Just Follow Your Heart”?
How many times have well-meaning people counseled someone by saying, “Just follow your heart”? It is one of those things which just “sounds right” to tell a person who is seeking direction. But it turns out that according to scripture, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged advice, counsel, deceit, decisions, heart, Jeremiah 17:9, just follow your heart, Proverbs 28:26, sin, wisdom
Leave a comment
“The Discipline of Continual (Spontaneous) Prayer” (Nehemiah 2:4 Sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Morganton, NC 5-17-15) Some of us were eating out a few years ago, and one of our friends was asking the blessing for our food, and he prayed a fairly long prayer. When … Continue reading
Is God Even Listening To Your Prayer?
God likes to hear your prayers, right? Well, maybe. Proverbs 28:9 is a verse which reveals some light on that. It reads: “He who turns away his ear from listening to the Law, even his prayer is an abomination.” We … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged abomination, disobedience, prayer, Proverbs 28:9, scripture, sin
Leave a comment
“The Model Prayer: Requests” (Matthew 6:11 sermon)
(Preached at Pleasant Ridge Baptist, Morganton, NC 5-13-15) Tim Keller is pastor of a church that is flourishing in a very difficult ministry field: the heart of New York City. He recently published a book on prayer, and in … Continue reading
