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)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
- "The Gift That Is An Insult" (I Kings 9:10-14)
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
Good Is The Lord
Psalm 25:8 says: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.” This verse reminds us that because God is good, He is gracious towards sinners; He is patient with them, and seeks to instruct them … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged goodness of God, kindness of God, nature of God, Psalm 25:8, Romans 2:4
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Shall Perform
In Exodus 36:1 the Lord commanded: “Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Exodus 31:6, Exodus 35:30-31, Exodus 36:1, potential, responsibility, service, spiritual gifts
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The Comfort of His Love
In Psalm 119:76 the Psalmist prays: “O may Your lovingkindness comfort me.” The word “lovingkindness” here is the Hebrew word “chesed”, the gracious, merciful, steadfast, unchanging, faithful love of God. Here the Bible teaches us that it is in God’s … Continue reading
All About The Relationship
Psalm 23 is all about the relationship of David with the Lord, whom he calls his “Shepherd.” Manifestations of the relationship are evidenced all throughout the Psalm:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Psalm 23, relationship, relationship with God
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Meditation and Delight
Psalm 1 opens by declaring that the righteous man does not walk, stand or sit in the ways of the wicked, but :2 says, “his DELIGHT is in the Law of The Lord, and in His Law he meditates day … Continue reading
I Shall Not Want
Most everyone is familiar with the opening words of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Truly understanding and applying what this verse teaches is one of the keys to the Christian life. The Hebrew is … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged I shall not want, lack, need, provision, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 23:1, satisfaction, satisfaction in God, want
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There’s A Baby in the Condo on the Prairie!
Yes, there is a new addition to “The Little Condo on the Prairie”, one who has become the unwitting center of our household, commanding rapt attention at the slightest twitch of her face. Corley Jane Breland has come into our … Continue reading
Nursery Lessons About God
Psalm 22 is about trust in God, even under adverse circumstances which might lead one to doubt. In it, David said that his first lesson in trust came at an earlier age than many might think. He wrote in :9, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged breastfeeding, faith, first lesson about God, Hebrews 11:6, mother, nursing, Psalm 22:9, trust
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It’s Not “Karma”!
In Exodus 22:24 God warned His people that if they afflicted widows and orphans, then “your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.” The irony of what happens to those who oppress others and who then consequently see evil … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged God, judgment, justice, Karma, Proverbs 24:12, repay
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Consider Your Ways
In Psalm 119:59 the writer says: “I considered my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies.” This is exactly what we SHOULD do from time to time — step back and evaluate our lives, and adjust ourselves to the … Continue reading
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