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: motivation
“Don’t Be A Hypocrite!” (Matthew 6:1+ sermon)
“Beware!” If you are out driving, and you come across a sign in the road that says “Beware!”, you are going to pay attention, and proceed very carefully, aren’t you? And you should. You know there is something dangerous ahead, … Continue reading
Posted in Matthew sermons, Sermon Illustrations, Sermons, Uncategorized
Tagged actor, alms, applause of heaven, church, Facebook, fasting, giving, heart, humility, hypocrisy, hypocrite, hypocrites, Jesus, John 11 Jesus prayer, let your light shine, Luke 20:20, Matthew 23, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 6:1, Matthew 6:1-18, model prayer, motivation, NBA home court, Pharisees, poor in spirit, praise, prayer, pride, private prayer, public ministry, pure in heart, recognition, righteousness, scribes, singing, tip of the iceberg, worship
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Motivated By Compassion
“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.” (Matthew 20:34) Why did Jesus help the men in this passage? And why does He help us today? What is His motivation? That is … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Uncategorized
Tagged compassiion, love, Matthew 20:34, motivation
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A Ministry to PEOPLE
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) From the very beginning, Jesus indicated to those who would follow Him, that our ministry was to focus on people: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged John 3:16, love, Matthew 4:19, ministry, motivation, people
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The Motivation of Love
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son …”. (John 3:16) Among the rich truths this well-loved verse gives us, is the Lord’s motivation for saving us. Jesus said, “For God so LOVED the world.” … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged evangelism, John 3:16, love, ministry, motivation, motive, witness
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To Whom Are We Really Pointing?
“I am not fit to remove His sandals.” (Matthew 3:11) John the Baptist had a good perspective on himself and the focus of his ministry. This mission that he was proclaiming was NOT about HIM. It was about Jesus. In … Continue reading
Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies, Ministry, Uncategorized
Tagged dress, humility, Matthew 3:11, ministry, motivation, preaching, pride, teaching
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“4 ‘MUSTS’ For Spiritual Growth” (I Peter 2:1-3 sermon)
On Sunday morning, December 7th, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Washington called General Douglas MacArthur, who was in charge of the Philippines, to tell him about the attack, and that they would undoubtedly be next. William Manchester, author of … Continue reading →