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 2:1-12, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson, "Worship the King," for 12/21/25
- “Immanuel: God With Us” (Matthew 1:23 sermon)
- "The Example of Joseph" (Matthew 1:18-25 sermon)
- "He Will Save His People From Their Sins" (Matthew 1:21 Sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 5:13-20, 43-48, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson: "True Righteousness," for 12/28/25.
- "The Greatest Verse in the Bible?" (John 3:16 sermon)
- "Blessed Is She Who Believed" (Luke 1:45 sermon)
- Teacher's Overview of Matthew 4:12-25, Lifeway Explore the Bible lesson "Invitation," for 12/14/25
- "A 'Real Life' Christmas" (Luke 2:1-11 sermon)
- "Your Response to Christmas" (Matthew 2:1-12 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: joy
A Source of Joy
Nehemiah 8:17 tells us that when Israel celebrated The Feast of Booths, “there was great rejoicing.” There was a good reason for that which many of us could learn from.
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Bible, God's word, joy, Nehemiah 8:17, obedience, rejoicing
2 Comments
In You
In Psalm 9:2 David writes: “I will be glad and exult in You.” It is significant that he does not just say, “I will be glad and rejoice” — but, “I will be glad and rejoice IN YOU.” Those last … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged Acts 16, circumstances, David, joy, joy of the Lord, Paul & Silas, Psalm 9:2
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Be Glad In Your Maker
Psalm 149:2 exhorts us as believers: “Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.” The great truth of this verse is that GOD is to be the source of gladness and joy … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged God, joy, Philippians 4, Psalm 149:2, rejoice, worship
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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
1 Comment
An Important Balance in Worship
Psalm 2:11 commands: “Worship Yahweh with reverence; rejoice with trembling.” Here we find an important balance commanded for our worship. We are to worship with “reverence” — and yet “rejoice.” We are to “rejoice” — yet “with trembling.” It reminds … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged balanced worship, joy, Matthew 28:8, Psalm 2:11, reverence, Romans 8:15, worship
2 Comments
Ways to Praise
Many of the Psalms teach us to praise God, and in the first three verses of Psalm 33, we are instructed in several means of praise:
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies
Tagged excellence in worship, giving thanks, joy, means of worship, new song, praise, Psalm 33:1-3, singing, ways to praise, worship
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