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
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 16:13-26, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Following Jesus" for 3/15/26
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 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)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 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
Category Archives: Devotions/Bible Studies
The Root Sin
“I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say … He himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged church, church discipline, III John 9-10, Korah, Numbers 16, pride, root sin, surface issues
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“His Marvelous Love In A Besieged City”
“Blessed be the LORD, for He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.” (Psalm 31:21) Here David praises God for ministering to him, even in an extremely difficult time in his life. He said he was … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged chesed, circumstances, grace, joy, love, lovingkindness, Psalm 31:21, Psalm 4:7, Samuel Rutherford, trials, worship
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What’s The Report About YOU?
“For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.” (III John 3) Evidently some “brethren” left the presence of the church that John was addressing here, and brought … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian life, discipleship, evaluation, III John 3
2 Comments
Does Your Soul Prosper?
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (III John 2) Controversy surrounds this little verse, as proponents of the prosperity gospel attempt to use it to promote … Continue reading
Praying For Health & Prosperity?
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” (III John 2) From John’s prayer here which opens his third letter, it is evidently not WRONG to pray for … Continue reading
When It’s Good To Be Intolerant
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting, for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” (II John … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged false prophets, false teachers, financial support, heresy, II John 10-11, intolerance, support, tolerance
1 Comment
“Watch Yourselves”
“Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.” (II John 8) Despite just warning the church about the false doctrines that the antichrists are out propagating in the world, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged criticism, focus, II John 8, log in your eye, Matthew 7:
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Your Most Important Duty In The Church
“The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth;” (II John 1) The second and third epistles of John are generally much less appreciated and referenced than the first. Although I John is a penetrating … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged church, elder, II John 1, John, love, minister, ministry, responsibility, service
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Faith Is The Victory
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.” (I John 5:4) SO many evils and troubles exist in our world: sickness, persecution, pain, disappointment, death. How … Continue reading
Love & The Commandments
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (I John 5:3) There is a fallacy in the thinking of many people, that there is a distinction between the “love” of … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged commandments, dilemma, fallacy, I John 5:3, legalism, love, love vs. commandments
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