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)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20, "Our Task," Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson for 4/05/26
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Psalm 3:3 “Thou, O Lord” Part II: “My Glory”
- Psalm 3:3 “Thou O Lord” Part III: “The Lifter of My Head”
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 17:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Glory," for 3/22/26
- "Lessons From Gethsemane" (Matthew 26 sermon)
- "God's Purpose For Your Life" (I Peter 2:4-5 sermon)
- "How To Run 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
As Much As In Riches?
In Psalm 119:14 the Psalmist proclaims: “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.” That is quite a statement about his commitment to the word of God. I wonder how many of us … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged God's word, money, priorities, Psalm 119:14
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Commitment and Assurance
In Psalm 31:14-15, David says: “I say You are my God, my times are in Your hand.” Here David exhibits a trust in the Lord despite the enemies which the earlier part of the Psalm referred to. Verse 15 exhibits … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
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Leadership and Accountability
Exodus 39:43 says: “And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them.” There are several applications here regarding leadership and accountability, both in … Continue reading
Make It Personal
Psalm 31 opens in :1 with the words, “In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed.” One of the features of Psalm 31 is the repeated, personal nature of David’s cry for deliverance, and his … Continue reading
The Heart of Worship
Psalm 28:7 says: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.” If one asks, “How does one ‘exult’ in … Continue reading
The Commitment of the Redeemed
The First Commandment (Exodus 20:2-3) is based on the redemptive work of God: “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage …”. He reminds them first of all … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged commitment, Exodus 20:2-3, first commandment, Lordship salvation, redeemed
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An Unusual Mark of Revival
In Exodus 35, God had asked the people of Israel to voluntarily bring items for the construction of the tabernacle. Verse 21 says: “Everyone whose heart moved him” gave. But in Exodus 36:5, the skillful men in charge of construction … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Exodus 35:21, Exodus 36:5-6, giving, offerings, revival
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Seeking God
Psalm 24:6 says: “Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob”. What is the “such” that is referred to here? HOW do you “seek the face of the God of … Continue reading
Who May Ascend?
Psalm 24 opens by declaring that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the God of ALL the earth (“the earth is the Lord’s”). The next verse (:3) asks a vital question: “Who may ascend into the hill of YHWH, and … Continue reading
The Earth is the Lord’s
Psalm 24 seems to be divided up into 3 distinct sections: — :1-2 The Lord’s creation and Lordship over all the world — :3-6 The holiness required of those who would seek the Lord — :7-10 The entrance of the … Continue reading
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