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 Overview of Matthew 18:21-35, Lifeway "Explore the Bible" lesson, "Forgiveness," for 3/29/26
- "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18-24 sermon)
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "The Condescension & The Glory" (Philippians 2:6-11 sermon)
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- "How To Seek The Lord" (Isaiah 55:6-7 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 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 Model of Balance
In I Kings 18:41-46 we see how the prophet Elijah models for us a balanced attitude regarding God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility:
Three Keys
In I Kings 18 Elijah was very bold with his challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. God answered by fire — but will He always do such things? In :36 Elijah prays: “Today let it be known … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged boldness, discernment, Elijah, God's will, I Kings 18:36, prayer
Leave a comment
You’ve Got To Choose
I Kings 18 tells the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. In :21 Elijah speaks to the people of Israel and says: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If YHWH is God, follow … Continue reading
Not A Problem; An Opportunity
I Kings :17-24 relates the story of Elijah and the death of the widow’s son. This was undoubtedly a test of faith: — for the woman, certainly. She had submitted to Elijah’s request for food and lodging, in the midst … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged glory of God, i Kings 17, perspective, problems
Leave a comment
Making US Ready!
In Psalm 10:17 David writes, “O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear.” Near the end of a Psalm in which he has been entreating God for answers … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged consecration, prayer, preparation, Psalm 10:17
Leave a comment
The Key to Fearlessness
In I Kings 17:1 the prophet Elijah first appears on the scene in Israel, and his first message to the king of Israel is of a drought in the land. But notice what Elijah says: “As YHWH, the God of … Continue reading
Put It To Death
In Colossians 3:5 the Apostle Paul uses striking language to address how followers of Christ should deal with certain sins. He says, “Put to death the members (things) which are upon the earth: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged be killing sin, Colossians 3:5, commitment, consecration, holiness, John Owen, mortification, sanctification, sin
Leave a comment
From Bad To Worse
In I Kings 16 we see a picture of how wickedness compounds. It never remains as it is, but left unchecked will always go from bad to worse:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged compromise, consecration, drugs, gateway drug, holiness, II Kings 16, lust, pornography, sin, substance abuse
Leave a comment
Think About Things Above
Colossians 3:2 commands us: “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” “Set your mind” here is the Greek word “phroneo”, which refers to “the inward parts around the heart” (Thayer) and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Colossians 3:2, heaven, Jesus, mind, thinking, thoughts
Leave a comment
Does God Not See?
Psalm 10:11 describes the wicked: “He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.’” One of the qualities of the unrighteous, this passage tells us, is that they do not believe that … Continue reading
shawnethomas 