I served as pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for almost 30 years before taking a medical leave from the pastorate in February 2013 due to dysautonomia (POTS) and moving to Norman, Oklahoma. Blessed with renewed health, I was called as Senior Pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist in Morganton, NC in February 2015.
In this blog I share daily devotions from my own personal Bible readings, as well as sermons, book reviews, illustrations -- and occasional humorous "peeks" at life inside this pastor's home!
Tag Archives: application
Knowing Vs. Doing
Although it is a relatively unknown verse, John 13:17 should actually be one of the most important in the whole Bible, because it really all comes down to this: “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged application, discipleship, doing, James 2:19-20, John 13:17, knowing, salvation
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“Do You Believe This?” Applying Our Faith
“‘… and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged application, belief, Christian life, confession of faith, Death, faith, John 11:26-27, trust
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Seeing But Not Observing
“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, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged application, Bible, Isaiah 42:20, obedience
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Does Your Bible Study Change Your Life?
Nehemiah 8:13-18 gives us a great example of how we should apply our Bible studies. Meeting together with Ezra to study the scripture, :14 says that the people of Israel “found written in the Law how the LORD had commanded … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged application, Bible study, Nehemiah 8, obedience
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The Words of the Commandments
The scribe Ezra’s dedication to the word of God is chronicled repeatedly in Ezra Chapter 7. One such reference is found in verse 11, which describes him as “Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged application, Bible, Bible study, Ezra 7:11, Matthew 22:32, scripture, teaching, words
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Book Review: The Doctrine of the Bible, by David S. Dockery
INTRODUCTION: Dr. David Dockery is one of the most highly-respected leaders in the SBC, and his observations should be considered with appropriate regard. In the Preface to the book, Dockery states his purpose: “I have attempted to provide a careful … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged application, Bible, book review, David Dockery, inerrancy, inspiration, scripture, The Doctrine of the Bible
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Book Review: Father, Son & Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware
Many books, sermons — or even individual Christians themselves — may be labeled as either precise in theology, or strong in their application, but it can be hard to find in any of these a balanced pairing of both. Bruce … Continue reading
