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 World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 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
A Balanced Perspective On Sin
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (I John 2:1) Here in the first verse of … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged confession, forgiveness, guilt, holliness, I John 1:9, I John 2:1, libertinism, purity
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Dear God’s People: Do Not Sin
“My lttle children, I am writing these things to you, so that you may not sin.” (I John 2:1) The Apostle John was good about telling his readers his purpose for writing. In the Gospel of John he specifically stated … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged holiness, I John 2:1, purity, sin
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Newer Isn’t Better In Religion
“As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” (I John 2:24) Our culture … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged doctrine, false teaching, heresy, I John 2:24, new, newer isn't better, novelty, teaching, truth
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“NO Darkness AT ALL”
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5) John could not be more clear in what he asserts here, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged compromise, darkness, holiness, I John 1:5, libertinism, light, sanctification, sin
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“What We Have Seen … We Proclaim”
“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also …”. (I John 1:3). We find in this verse something that is right at the heart of the nature of Christianity: what one experiences of God is to be … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged evangelism, genuine faith, I John 1:3, joy, sharing, witness
1 Comment
Prayer and the End of All Things
“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” (I Peter 4:7) A thoughtless person, contemplating the end of the world, might consider that prayer was not of much … Continue reading
Posted in Current Events, Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged confession, end times, eschatology, eternity, I Peter 4:7, intercession, prayer
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What Drives Your Decisions?
“So as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (I Peter 4:2) What drives your life? What factors are involved in determining the decisions … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged decision making, decisions, God's will, I John 2:16, I Peter 4:2, lusts
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The Purpose of our Privilege
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (I Peter … Continue reading
Take Your Love To The Next Level
“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified yourselves for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart …”. (I Peter 1:22) Sometimes scripture points out weak areas in our lives on which we … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged agape love, brotherly love, I Peter 1:22, love, philadelphia love
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A Verse For Times Like These
“Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:13) Here Peter encourages Christians in the midst of difficulty … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged attitudes, end times, I Peter 1:13
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