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
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 21:23-32, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Authority," for 4/26/26.
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "The Gift That Is An Insult" (I Kings 9:10-14)
- "The Word That Sustains In Difficult Days" (Habakkuk 2:1-3 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 20:1-16, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Grace," for 4/19, 2026
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 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
Responding To Correction
In II Samuel 19, King David is mourning the death of his rebellious son, Absalom, while his victorious army comes “by stealth” back into the city because of his grief. In :5-7 David’s general, Joab spoke a spoke difficult truth … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged constructive criticism, correction, criticism, grace, humility, II Samuel 19:1-7
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It Starts On The Inside
In Psalm 5:9 David writes: “There is nothing reliable in what they say; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.” This teaches us an important truth about where our words … Continue reading
His Way, Not Ours!
In Psalm 5:8b David prays to the Lord, “Make Your way straight before me.” In Hebrew it is literally: “Make straight before my face Your path”! This is a significant prayer:
Entering By Grace
Psalm 5:7 says, “But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house …”. This little half-verse is packed with significance regarding our salvation:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged chesed, grace, heaven, house of the Lord, lovingkindness, mercy, Psalm 5:7, salvation
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And WATCH!
In Psalm 5:3 David says, “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice. In the morning, I will order my prayer to You, and eagerly watch.” Those last words are important. David did not just say that he … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
Tagged faith, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 1:11, prayer, Psalm 5:3
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Faithful Intercessors
In Colossians 1:9 Paul wrote: “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask …”. Here Paul was declaring the faithfulness and consistency that he (and evidently … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Christlikeness, Colossians 1:9, Hebrews 8:25, I Samuel 12:23, in His steps, intercession, prayer
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Grace to You — and Others
In Colossians 1:2 Paul greets his readers with “Grace to you and peace.” It is significant that it is GRACE that Paul prays for his readers. GRACE is the keynote of the Christian message. Think about it: he does not … Continue reading
Responding Graciously When You’re Unjustly Accused
In II Samuel 16:5-8 the man Shimei made accusations against David that were hurtful, but groundless — and David’s gracious response should be instructive to us:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged David, false accusation, grace, II Samuel 16:5-14, responding graciously, Shimei, unjustly accused
3 Comments
The Ultimate Good
Psalm 4:6 says: “Many are saying, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD.” Where is good to be found? The Psalm says, this is what everyone is asking: what good … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged face of God, glory, God, good, I John 3:2, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 17:15, Psalm 4:6, ultimate good
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