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 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 16:13-26, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Following Jesus" for 3/15/26
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "The Word That Sustains In Difficult Days" (Habakkuk 2:1-3 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 15:1-11+, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson for March 8, 2026, "Real Devotion"
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
Category Archives: Devotions/Bible Studies
“Show Us The Father”?
“Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’” (John 14:8) If Jesus had responded to this request with a note of frustration in His voice, it would have been understandable:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Colossians 2:9, Deity of Christ, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John 14:8, theology
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It’s All About Jesus
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” (John 14:6) This isn’t “just” a verse about Jesus being the only way to heaven — although … Continue reading
Being With Him
“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) No wonder these words are among the most beloved in scripture. … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged discipleship, fellowship, heaven, John 1:43, Mark 3:14
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The Purpose of Prophecy
“From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when does occur, you may believe that I am He.” (John 13:19) This is true not only regarding Jesus’s impending death and resurrection, but of ALL … Continue reading
Knowing Vs. Doing
Although it is a relatively unknown verse, John 13:17 should actually be one of the most important in the whole Bible, because it really all comes down to this: “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged application, discipleship, doing, James 2:19-20, John 13:17, knowing, salvation
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Serving Each Other “In His Steps”
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) Jesus is infinitely above us in rank. Therefore, if He condescends to do something for us lowly human beings, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged discipleship, example, humility, in His steps, John 13:14, service
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Lead By Example
“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” (John 13:15) Here Jesus gave His disciples — and all us reading His word today — one of the most important lessons about leadership: … Continue reading
He Knew
“For He knew the one who was betraying Him …” (John 13:11) “He KNEW.” Judas’ betrayal didn’t catch Jesus off guard. “HE KNEW” — all about it. So why did He allow it? Why didn’t He do something about it?
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged circumstances, faith, God knows, John 13:11
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If I Do Not Wash You
“Peter said to Him, ‘Never shall You wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’” (John 13:8) There can be no fellowship with the Lord for human beings, unless we … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged blood of Jesus, cleansing, cross of Christ, faith, fellowship with God, forgiveness, holiness, Holy God, I John 1:9, John 13:8, salvation, sin, sin nature, washing
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“You Will Understand Hereafter”
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.’” (John 13:7) Of how many things that happen to us are these words true: “What I do you do not realize now, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged discipleship, faith, John 13:7, trials, trust, understanding, wisdom
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