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.
-
Top Posts & Pages
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 16:13-26, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "Following Jesus" for 3/15/26
- 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)
- "This Is My Story: The Man Born Blind" (John 9 sermon)
- Teacher's Preview of Matthew 15:1-11+, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson for March 8, 2026, "Real Devotion"
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- "Christ's Suffering/Our Salvation" (I Peter 3:18 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
Your Stewardship of God’s Grace
“If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you.” (Ephesians 3:2) These two little phrases are important regarding Paul’s ministry, and our own: “TO ME”/“FOR YOU.” God gave His grace “to” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged Damascus Road, Ephesians 3:2, grace, ministry, Paul, salvation, stewardship
Leave a comment
“ALL The Saints”
“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints …” (Ephesians 1:15) The smallest little words in scripture can sometimes have the biggest impact … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship
Tagged brotherly love, Christian love, church, Ephesians 1:15, fellowship, love, love for saints
Leave a comment
Is Your Christianity Vertical & Horizontal?
“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers.” … Continue reading
God’s Will In One Word
“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.” (Ephesians 1:9) What is God’s will for me? Ephesians 1:3-14 contains a list of “every spiritual blessing” that God gave … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Christology, Ephesians 1:9, God's will, Jesus, Jesus Christ
2 Comments
The Fount of Every Blessing
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) Ephesians 1:3-14 is notable for its list of blessings which God has given … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Doctrine/Theology
Tagged blessing, Christ, Christology, Ephesians 1:3, spiritual blessing, Thanksgiving
Leave a comment
Our Spiritual Blessings
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3) Paul opens the letter of Ephesians by giving thanks to God for all … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged blessings, Ephesians 1:3, gratitude, in Christ, salvation, spiritual blessings, thanks, Thanksgiving
Leave a comment
A Godly Attitude Towards Sinning Brothers
“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) How should a … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged church, church discipline, Galatians 6:1, sin, sinnng brethren
Leave a comment
The Proof of His Presence
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no Law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) This is much more than just a quaint list of good spiritual qualities. In fact, … Continue reading
A Solemn Warning
“I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21) This warning from God’s word is greatly needed today, as so many people have come to … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged consecration, fruit of salvation, Galatians 5:21, heaven, holiness, kingdom of God, libertinism, salvation, sanctification, sin
Leave a comment
shawnethomas 