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.
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Gift That Is An Insult" (I Kings 9:10-14)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "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
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
The Armor Bearer: Portend of a Spouse and Friend
In I Samuel 14:7, Saul’s son Jonathan proposed going up against a force of Philistines. His armor bearer, the only other individual with him against the larger enemy force, replied: “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged armor bearer, encourager, family, helper, helpmeet, husband, I Samuel 14:7, marriage, mate, spouse, wife
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Go In Faith
In I Samuel 16, God tells Samuel to go and anoint another king over Israel. Samuel is hesitant, fearing Saul’s retribution if he does so. Then God gives him some specific instructions about what he should do, then adds in … Continue reading
A Most Important Prayer
Psalm 90:14 contains a most important prayer for blessing: “O satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” NOTICE: — “SATISFY us”: there is satisfaction to be found in … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged chesed, fulfillment, joy, lovingkindness, morning, prayer, Psalm 90:14, steadfast love, worship
1 Comment
Don’t Look Back; Look Ahead
I Samuel 16:1 could be a word for anyone who has been paralyzed by past hurts, and who needs to move on and follow God for what He has next for them:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged God's will, I Samuel 16:1, living in the past, preparation, regret
2 Comments
A Prayer of Blessing
Psalm 89:15-18 makes a good “prayer of blessing” to pray for loved ones:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged blessing, intercession, prayer, Psalm 89:15-18
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Assurance and Fruit
Hebrews 6:11 says: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.” Though scripture is very clear that salvation is entirely of grace, it also … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged assurance of salvation, confidence, fruit, Hebrews 6:11, I John 3:19, perseverance
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The Great Benefit of Christianity
Hebrews 7:19, comparing the Old Testament Law with the better hope we have in Christ, says: “(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged benefit, draw near to God, Hebrews 9:19, Isaiah 59:2, Jesus, salvation
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Fluctuations in Faith
In I Samuel 16:2, Samuel’s response to God’s command to go and anoint another king of Israel to replace Saul was less than faith-filled: “But Samuel said, ‘How can I go? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged best day, C.S. Lewis, doubt, faith, fluctuations, I Samuel 16:2, inconsistencies
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The Grieving Minister
I Samuel 15 relates the story of how Saul disobeyed God in the campaign against the Amalekites, and how Saul initially tried to justify his disobedience. Because he feared the people more than God, Samuel told Saul that the kingdom … Continue reading
Biblical Revival (Psalm 85)
Psalm 85:6 says, “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Here scripture teaches us several important things about revival:
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