“For I am God, and there is no other; God, and there is no one like Me … saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.'” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
If you’re tempted to worry about something today — especially if you are concerned about God’s kingdom’s work — here is a good word for you through the prophet Isaiah: Continue reading
“You have seen many things, but you do not observe them; your ears are open, but none hears.” (Isaiah 42:20)
Addressing the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah, God tells them that they have “seen” much in His Law, but actually “observe” little. The Hebrew word translated “observe” here means to “keep, watch, preserve” (BDB) — in other words, they were not putting into practice all that they had seen and learned in His word. Continue reading
“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” (Isaiah 42:21)
This little verse is packed with insight that should inform and direct each of our lives as God’s people: Continue reading
In Psalm 12:1, David begins his prayer with a very simple, basic request: “Help, Lord …” but it may have actually been the best prayer he ever prayed! Continue reading
After months of waiting, this week it is finally here! Starting this Friday Pleasant Ridge will be presenting our Christmas musical “The Grinch” downtown at the CoMMA. It is a major production, and preparations have been made for months in advance: the choir has been practicing twice a week all fall; actors have learned the lines for their characters; costumes have been sewn; tickets have been bought and given to friends and co-workers; tests have been made on the equipment for the characters that will fly; videos have been made; all kinds of people have been lined up for food, and child care, and decision counseling, and greeting people at the CoMMA — preparation in every imaginable way has been made for this program.
Preparation is vital for something like this, because programs of this magnitude do not just “happen.” It takes preparation to make something like this come off successfully. What we need to see is that there is another kind of preparation that needs to be made if this program will accomplish what we really desire — and that is our SPIRITUAL preparation. If our hearts and lives are not right before God, and we have not prepared ourselves spiritually, then all the other preparations we have made are made in vain. We must prepare ourselves spiritually if we want to see God work this week. And we need to understand that this same kind of preparation is also vital if we want to see God work in other areas of our lives in the days ahead: in our families, our church, and our community. This morning I want us to turn to a passage of scripture that challenges us to prepare ourselves today, in order that we may see God work in a special way in the days ahead. Joshua 3:5 says:
“Then Joshua said to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'” Continue reading
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)
Can you tell people in your church: “See what I am doing? Do that.”? If it sounds daunting, that is exactly what the Apostle Paul was telling the members of the Corinthian church in this verse: “Be imitators of me.” Continue reading
I picked up a copy of Walt Disney: An American Original in a bookstore at (of all places!) Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was not a “puff piece” but an interesting look into the life of a man whose creativity still impacts Americans — and people all over the world who seek entertainment — today. Though not particularly religious, Disney’s vision and commitment to excellence can serve as a model for those of us in the Lord’s work. I marked the following quotes from the book which might serve as illustrations for sermons or Bible study lessons:
“If they were all one member, where would the body be?” (I Corinthians 12:19)
The Apostle Paul makes a great point in this verse, as he addresses church members who wanted others in the church to function like them in their gifting and servcie. Our natural inclination, like some in the Corinthian church, can be to want everyone in the church to be like us, with our particular outlook, temperament, and gifts. But if that were so, what a drab and monolithic church it would be! Continue reading
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:7)
The Bible teaches us here that every believer in Jesus Christ has been given a gift by the Holy Spirit: “But to EACH ONE is given the manifestation of the Spirit.” But it is also important to note the PURPOSE for which God gives each of His people a spiritual gift: it is “for the common good.” That is, one’s gift is not for himself. It is not given merely to boost his ego, or to make him feel good, or to elevate him in the eyes of others. It is not for or about HIM at all; rather it is “for the common good” — that is, to edify OTHERS in the church. Continue reading
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.
shawnethomas 