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)
- "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)
- Romans 7:4-6, 14-25 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Struggle," for 10/11/26
- Romans 6:1-14, Overview of Lifeway's Explore the Bible lesson, "Freedom," for October 4, 2026.
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 22:15-22, 34-40, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Honor" for 5/03/26
- "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
Reproached for Righteousness
In Psalm 69:10-11 David laments: “When I wept in my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.” One would like to think that when you humble yourself, and … Continue reading
Coincidence or Providence?
I Samuel 9 describes the circumstances by which God brought Saul to the attention of the prophet Samuel that he might be anointed king. Saul’s father’s donkeys were lost, and Saul and his servant went to find them — which … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged circumstances, coincidence, I Samuel 9, luck, providence
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While I Wait For My God
David wrote in Psalm 69:3 “I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.” We see several things in this verse about David’s response to his trials, which may challenge … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged perseverance, Psalm 69:3, trials, wait on the Lord
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Don’t Just Look The Part!
I Samuel 9:2, describing Saul, says he was, “A choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the … Continue reading
Zeal For His House
Psalm 69:9 says: “Zeal for Thy house has consumed me.” This scripture was fulfilled especially in Christ when He cleansed the Temple, but it has application yet for servants of God: we might pray that the zeal of more of … Continue reading
They Will Sing Praises
Psalm 66:4 declares: “All the earth will worship You, and will sing praises to You; they will sing praises to Your name.” How will “all the earth” worship God; what will they do? “They will sing praises to Your name.”
When They Refuse To Listen
When Samuel tried to dissuade Israel from asking for a king, I Samuel 8:19 says: “Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, ‘No, but there shall be a king over us.’” Samuel had … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged counseling, hard-heartedness, I Samuel 8:19, stubbornness
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They Have Not Rejected You, But Me
In I Samuel 8:7, God told the disappointed Samuel: “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me.” Many pastors and other Christian workers today need to hear this same word from God and take it to heart.
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged disappointment, I Samuel 8:7, ministry, rejection
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The Little Condo on the Prairie (August 7th)
Last week in “the little condo” we had to figure out what to do without our grandbaby in the house to revolve our lives around: OKLAHOMA STATE BIRD Cheryl & I ate at a restaurant in Norman one afternoon last … Continue reading
Take It To The Lord
I Samuel 8:6 tells us that when the people of Israel asked for a king, it hit Samuel wrong: “the thing was displeasing in his sight.” Then, significantly, it says “And Samuel prayed to the Lord.” And :7 adds: “The … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged disappointment, hurt, I Samuel 8:6-7, prayer, take it to the Lord in prayer
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