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)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 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
Do You Have This Kind of Faith?
“and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (:9) obtaining as the outcome of your faith … Continue reading
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It’s Not All About Us
“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Ephesians 1:11, I Peter 1:12, plan, purpose
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A Verse For Harried Hosts on Thanksgiving. And other days.
“Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” (I Peter 4:9) Reading this verse the day before most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, with all the busy-ness of pre-holiday preparations, leads one to ponder how it might apply to us today. Surely it … Continue reading
The Christian’s Inheritance
“To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” (I Peter 1:4) When I was a boy, someone gave me a silver dollar, which I treasured. Not trusting myself with … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged afterlife, faith, heaven, I Peter 1:4, inheritance, Matthew 6, rewards
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We Are Aliens
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who are chosen” (I Peter 1:1) Peter wrote to the Christians who were scattered throughout what is now the nation … Continue reading
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Tagged aliens, citizenship, eternal life, heaven, I Peter 1:1
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“You Are With Me”
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) Those words, “YOU are with me” are everything … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged comfort, Exodus 33:15, Matthew 28:20, presence, Psalm 23:4, You are with me
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“When I say ‘God’ …”
Jesus’ final command to His disciples in the Book of Matthew is well-known to many: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching … Continue reading
Don’t Harden Your Heart
“Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.” (Matthew 28:11 NASB) You have to ask yourself: just how depraved were these chief priests? … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged bitterness, disobedience, harden heart, heart, humility, Matthew 28:11, obedience, Pharaoh, pride, repentance, sin
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The Proper Response To Jesus
“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9 NASB) What would it be like to encounter the resurrected Jesus? If you are a Christian, it … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged humility, Matthew 28:9, Matthew 4:11, worship
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Jesus Met Them
“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9 NASB) They were not even expecting it. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were on their way … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Bible study, devotions, Matthew 28:9, meeting Jesus, prayer, worship
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