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.
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Top Posts & Pages
- Romans 8:14-27 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview, "Indwelt," for October 18, 2026
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "Confidence On That Day" (II Timothy 1:12 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
Categories
- "The Disciple's Character" series (Beatitudes Mt. 5:3-12)
- "The Disciplines of Disciples" series
- "This Is My Story" sermon series
- Beatitudes Series 2020 FBCA
- Book of James Sermons: What Real Faith Looks Like
- COVID-19 crisis assorted messages
- Current Events
- Devotions/Bible Studies
- Discipleship
- Discovering FBCA Membership class lessons
- Doctrine/Theology
- Explore the Bible SS lesson overviews
- Explore the Bible Sunday School lessons
- Habakkuk "Find Us Faithful" series messages
- History
- Home & Family Life
- I Peter sermons
- India Mission Trip 2011
- Isaiah 53 sermon series Suffering Servant Glorious King
- John 3:16 sermon series
- Luke 10:38-42 Mary & Martha series
- Luke 2 Christmas series
- Matthew sermons
- Ministry
- missions
- Music
- Philippians sermons
- POTS (dysautonomia) articles
- Psalms studies and messages
- Revelation sermon series
- Reviews
- Sermon Illustrations
- Sermons
- The Model Prayer Series
- The Model Prayer series (FBCA 2020)
- This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog)
- Travel
- Uncategorized
- worship
Author Archives: Shawn Thomas
What God Is Testing In You
In Psalm 26:2 David prays, “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart.” In this prayer He asks God to search his inward life. The word “mind” here is actually “kidneys” in Hebrew, a cultural … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged beauty, inner life, Proverbs 31, Psalm 147:10-11, Psalm 26:2, strength, test, trial
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A Reflection of God
Proverbs 8:6-8 describes the words which Wisdom utters: “Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the … Continue reading
“A little” can add up to a lot!
A famous saying in Proverbs 6:10-11 warns us that what we think of as a “little” thing, multiplied many times over, can actually add up to more than we think. The verses read: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a … Continue reading
Consider The Ant
A little creature can give us a big lesson! Proverbs 6:6 admonishes: “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise.” Here we are reminded that God has much to teach us from observing His creation. What … Continue reading
What’s Your Attitude?
Proverbs 4 contains several admonitions for us to listen to God’s wisdom: — :1 “Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father …” — :10 “Hear, my son, and accept my sayings …” — :20 “My son, give attention to … Continue reading
Sons of the Father
Proverbs 4:1 pleads: “Hear, O sons, the instructions of a father, and give attention that you may gain understanding.” God reminds us here that a father cares enough to give his child instruction; he loves them, and wants the best … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged father, John 14:15, obedience, Proverbs 4:1, sonship
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Stretching Us: Waiting on God
The last little phrase of Psalm 25:21 reveals one of the most important elements of the Christian life. David prays in the verse: “Let integrity and uprightenss preserve me, for I wait on You.” “I WAIT on You” is only … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged patience, Psalm 25:21, spiritual growth, stretching us, wait on the Lord, waiting
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Sins of Omission
How does God want you to treat people? Two verses in Proverbs 3 challenge us regarding our relationships with those around us: :27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged neighbor, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 3:29, relationships, sin of omission
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The Basic Christian Message
David’s prayer in Psalm 25:16 is a little gospel in miniature: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” At least two elements in this verse are significant: what he realizes about himself, and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged gospel, poor in spirit, Psalm 25:16, religion, salvation
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A Prayer For Young People (and others!)
Proverbs 2:11-13 contains a great Biblical prayer to pray for younger loved ones, like teenaged & college students, and younger adults: “Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged intercession, knowing God, prayer, Proverbs 2, temptations, youth
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