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 Overview of Matthew 18:21-35, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Forgiveness," for 3/29/26
- “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
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- "The Lord Our Provider" (Philippians 4:15-23 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 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 Clear And Present Danger
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) Having just admonished His disciples to enter by the narrow way to heaven (:13-14) Jesus now warns against false prophets. These … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged discernment, false prophets, false teachers, I John 4:1, Matthew 7:15
1 Comment
The Narrow Way
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to … Continue reading
Get Up And Serve Him
“He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.” (Matthew 8:15) It is one thing to tell someone “Thank you!” for a deed done on your behalf — it is another thing … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged deacon, diakoneo, gratitude, Matthew 8:15, service
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Christianity’s Neglected Horizontal Arm
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) The word “therefore” in Jesus’ familiar “Golden Rule” verse is very significant. It lets us know … Continue reading
“America’s Verse”?
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) You would think from interacting with people, reading internet posts, or watching interviews on television, that Matthew 7:1 was the single most important verse in the Bible to … Continue reading
A Mutual Embrace
“My soul clings to (after) You; Your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8) We get glimpses in several of the Psalms of the kind of deep spiritual relationship that David had with the Lord. Psalm 63 is one of those. … Continue reading
The Real Reason You Shouldn’t Worry
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink …”. (Matthew 6:25) Many Christians would admit that anxiety is one of the biggest problems … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged anxiety, focus, kingdom, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:33, worry
2 Comments
What’s Your Focus?
“The lamp of the body is the eye; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged commitment, discipleship, eye, focus, Matthew 6:22-23, priority
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You Have Only One Master
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24) Here Jesus famously says … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged commitment, Lordship, Matthew 6:24
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Relationship, Not “Transaction” In Prayer
“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8) Here Jesus tells His disciples that their prayers are to be different than those of the pagan Gentiles. He had just … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
Tagged Matthew 6:8, model prayer, prayer, relationship
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