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)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 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
No Beds of Ease
II Samuel 5:17 tells us: “When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David.” We read in :12 that David realized how God had established and blessed him … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged armor, battle, conflict, Ephesians 6, II Samuel 5:17, spiritual warfare, struggle
1 Comment
Hurtful Ways
In Psalm 139:23 David asks: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Then in :24 he prays: “and see if there be any hurtful way in me.” “Hurtful way” here is literally, “way of pain.” Our sinful, or ungodly … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged confession, hurt, pain, Psalm 139:23-24, repentance, self-evaluation, sin
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What Voracity Reveals
Hebrews 12:16 exhorts: “that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.” This verse is very revealing, not only about Esau, but many people today as well. It teaches us … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged depravity, Hebrews 12:16, immorality, Philippians 3:19, sin, voracity
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Christmas in Carolina
Since two of our children are married with families, attending Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and one has a baby and the other is expecting, we needed to take a trip east if we were going to … Continue reading
An Edifying Syllogism
Psalm 139:14 says: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made … wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Here is a word of genuine, Biblical self-esteem. GOD made us, “wove” us in our mother’s womb (:13). We … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Psalm 139:14, self-esteem, self-worth, syllogism
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Awakening to God’s Blessings
II Samuel 5:12 says: “And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.” This verse comes in the context of David having … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged blessing, gratitude, II Samuel 5:12, New Year, perspective, thanskgiving
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God Will Fulfill Your Purpose
In Psalm 138:8 David declares confidently that God’s purposes for him will come to pass: “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” (ESV) Each … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged grace, Psalm 138:8, Psalm 139:13, purpose, Romans 9:16
1 Comment
The Fear of Man Exemplified
I Samuel 3 relates how King Ish-bosheth rebuked his general, Abner, for immorality. Abner responded with indignation and anger and promised to deliver the rest of the kingdom of Israel to David. Ish-bosheth was mortified. Verse 11 says: “And he … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged fear of man, fears, II Samuel 3, insecurity, trust
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An Oft-Unwanted Token of God’s Love
The many of us who sometimes question God’s love during times of difficulty or trial would do well to remember Hebrews 12:6, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged assurance, children of God, difficulties, discipline, Hebrews 12:5-6, John 9, sons of God, trials
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A Post From Christmas Past
Since we are involved with family worship and other activities today — as I hope you are — I thought I would share some highlights from LAST year’s Christmas which I never published: At one point during the week, the … Continue reading
