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
- Romans 13:1-14, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Represent," for Nov. 15, 2026
- Romans 12:1-13, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Sacrifice," for Nov. 8, 2026.
- “Building Your Life On The Rock” (Matthew 7:24-27 sermon)
- Romans 11:11-24 Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson overview: "Kindness," for November 1, 2026.
- "How To Run The Christian Race" (Hebrews 12:1-2 sermon)
- "This Is My Story: The Philippian Jailer" (Acts 16:25-34 sermon)
- "How God's People Get Things Done" (James 4:1-5 sermon)
- "Inviting Jesus Into Your Home" (Luke 10:38-42 sermon)
- "The World, The Flesh, and the Devil" (James 3:15 sermon)
- "Seeking Him First" (Matthew 6:33 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
Tag Archives: faith
Written That You May Believe
“But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31) John 20:31 is known as the “thesis” or purpose … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged belief, Bible, evangelism, evangelism methods, faith, Holy Spirit, John 20:31, Luke 16 rich man, Romans 10:17, salvation, scripture, witnessing, word of God
3 Comments
The Personal Confession
“Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28) Following his initial doubts about the resurrection of Jesus, when Thomas saw the living Christ, he then made this great confession: “My Lord and my God!”
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged confession, Deity of Christ, faith, Jesus, John 20:28, Lordship
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“Do Not Be Unbelieving”
“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’” (John 20:27) The rebuke Jesus gave to Thomas … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged attitude, do not be unbelieving, doubt, faith, Hebrews 11:6, John 20:27, outlook, perspective
1 Comment
“Your Worries & Your Father” (Matthew 6:25-34 sermon)
The other day I was reading something written by a pastor from generations gone by, and he said of this certain thing: “This is something which is highly dishonoring to God, a sin which we need to make conscience of, … Continue reading
Posted in Matthew sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged anxiety, C.S. Lewis, faith, family, father, Father in Heaven, God, Hudson Taylor, II Corinthians 10:3-5, love, Matthew 6:25-34 sermon, Philippians 4:6, provision, trust, worry
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Standing By The Cross
“Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (John 19:25) Don’t miss this little phrase in the narrative which describes … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged commitment, conversation, courage, cross, cross of Jesus, dedication, discipleship, evangelism, faith, John 19:25, lifestyle, loyalty, persecution, preaching, salvation, standing by the cross, suffering, The Old Rugged Cross, trust, witnessing
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“Your Best Investment” (Matthew 6:19-24 sermon)
In his epic novel “Les Miserables”, Victor Hugo writes about a rich, retired merchant who attended the church in the town — M. Geborand — who had accumulated an estate of 2,000,000 francs in the manufacture of cloth. M. Geborand … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship, Matthew sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged budget, Burke United Christian Ministries, Dr. David Burleson, eternity, faith, finances, Genesis 28, giving, He is no fool, heaven, Houston flood, I Peter 1, I Timothy 5, III John, imperishable, investments, Jesus, Jim Eliott, kingdom of God, local church, loss, Luke 12:16, mammon, material possessions, Matthew 19, Matthew 6:19-24, money, pastor support, perishable, rich young ruler, tithe, treasure, Walt Disney World
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He Knew
“For He knew the one who was betraying Him …” (John 13:11) “He KNEW.” Judas’ betrayal didn’t catch Jesus off guard. “HE KNEW” — all about it. So why did He allow it? Why didn’t He do something about it?
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged circumstances, faith, God knows, John 13:11
1 Comment
If I Do Not Wash You
“Peter said to Him, ‘Never shall You wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’” (John 13:8) There can be no fellowship with the Lord for human beings, unless we … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged blood of Jesus, cleansing, cross of Christ, faith, fellowship with God, forgiveness, holiness, Holy God, I John 1:9, John 13:8, salvation, sin, sin nature, washing
1 Comment
“You Will Understand Hereafter”
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.’” (John 13:7) Of how many things that happen to us are these words true: “What I do you do not realize now, … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged discipleship, faith, John 13:7, trials, trust, understanding, wisdom
1 Comment
The Confidence That Serves
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Discipleship, Uncategorized
Tagged assurance, confidence, discipleship, faith, humility, John 13:3-4, service
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