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 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)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20, "Our Task," Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 4/05/26
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- Psalm 3:3 “Thou, O Lord” Part II: “My Glory”
- Psalm 3:3 “Thou O Lord” Part III: “The Lifter of My Head”
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 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
Shouting The War Cry?
In I Samuel 17, David went up to the camp of Israel in the Valley of Elah to check on his brothers, and :20 says that “he came to the circle of the camp while the army was going out … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged church, cowardice, evangelism, fear, I Samuel 17:20, missions
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The Other Side of the Coin (It’s Not All Good News)
In reading Psalm 95, one is struck by a transition that begins in the 7th verse. From :1-7a the Psalm is all sweetness, worship, “sheep of His hand”, etc. It makes one feel really good! But then there is a … Continue reading
Growing to Maturity
Hebrews 5:14 is a verse with a lot of insight: “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” This tells us something about spiritual maturity:
The Armor Bearer: Portend of a Spouse and Friend
In I Samuel 14:7, Saul’s son Jonathan proposed going up against a force of Philistines. His armor bearer, the only other individual with him against the larger enemy force, replied: “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged armor bearer, encourager, family, helper, helpmeet, husband, I Samuel 14:7, marriage, mate, spouse, wife
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Go In Faith
In I Samuel 16, God tells Samuel to go and anoint another king over Israel. Samuel is hesitant, fearing Saul’s retribution if he does so. Then God gives him some specific instructions about what he should do, then adds in … Continue reading
A Most Important Prayer
Psalm 90:14 contains a most important prayer for blessing: “O satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” NOTICE: — “SATISFY us”: there is satisfaction to be found in … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged chesed, fulfillment, joy, lovingkindness, morning, prayer, Psalm 90:14, steadfast love, worship
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Don’t Look Back; Look Ahead
I Samuel 16:1 could be a word for anyone who has been paralyzed by past hurts, and who needs to move on and follow God for what He has next for them:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged God's will, I Samuel 16:1, living in the past, preparation, regret
2 Comments
A Prayer of Blessing
Psalm 89:15-18 makes a good “prayer of blessing” to pray for loved ones:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged blessing, intercession, prayer, Psalm 89:15-18
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Assurance and Fruit
Hebrews 6:11 says: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.” Though scripture is very clear that salvation is entirely of grace, it also … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged assurance of salvation, confidence, fruit, Hebrews 6:11, I John 3:19, perseverance
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The Great Benefit of Christianity
Hebrews 7:19, comparing the Old Testament Law with the better hope we have in Christ, says: “(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged benefit, draw near to God, Hebrews 9:19, Isaiah 59:2, Jesus, salvation
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