Month: April 2024

Our text today is Proverbs 18:13
“He who answers a matter before he hears it—
this is folly and disgrace to him.”

I’m going to confess that I really struggle with this passage. Sometimes, I don’t hear things because I am thinking about my reply. Do you ever do that? It is a bad habit.

Someone once noted that God gave us two ears and one mouth because he wants us to listen twice as much as we talk. Indeed, this is an easier task for some than for others. I would say that it is easier for one gender than for the other, but I have seen people on both sides of the gender line face that same problem. (And yes, I still believe in two genders.)

I told my family about the time I was at a men’s breakfast. I told a really good joke and everyone started laughing. Just as they started to laugh, one of the other men spoke up, “Let me tell you a joke I heard.” He didn’t give people enough time to enjoy my joke. In the middle of telling his joke, one of the other men spoke up, “Hurry up and finish your joke. I have one I want to tell.”

As you can see, answering before we hear the whole issue is a very old problem and a foolish thing to do. It can bring shame. You may get away with it for a while, but eventually, it will bite you.

Lonnie Davis

One of my favorite proverbs is Proverbs 24:16:

“Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.”

Notice from this text that both the righteous and evil man falls, the difference between the righteous and evil is whether they get up from their fall. The righteous man, the good man falls down but gets up. The wicked man falls down and just wallows in his failure.

Consider the stories of Peter and Judas.

Peter failed. He bragged that he would never deny Jesus, but before the next morning he had denied Jesus three times. He even took an oath before the enemies of Jesus that he did not know Jesus. Feeling his failure, he wept bitterly. Jesus forgave him and a few days later Peter preached the first gospel sermon.

Judas failed. He betrayed Jesus for money – thirty pieces of silver. He regretted his act of betrayal and tried to return the money. When he could not, he hanged himself. Now let’s read that verse again:

“Though a righteous man (Peter) falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked (Judas) are brought down by calamity.”

If you are righteous, you will fall, get up, and try again.
Or maybe try another way.
You will not quit!
But if you are wicked, you will fail and quit.

Lonnie Davis.

Do you know what the second top-selling self-help book is?

It is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, with an astounding 80 million copies sold worldwide.

After this are “You Can Heal Your Life” (50 million), “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” (26 million), and “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” (Over 25 million).

All of that is interesting, but the top-selling self-help book is the Book of Proverbs, with hundreds of billions of copies sold worldwide.

The book of Proverbs was specifically written to help people live well and make wise decisions. Read the first six verses, and you will understand the purpose.

Proverbs 1: Verses 1 through 6
Verse 1 says: These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,

Verses 2 through 6 read:

For gaining wisdom and discipline,
for comprehending words of insight,
and for receiving instruction in wise living
and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young, let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

It is tragic that so many millions rush to obtain a book of wise words from the latest guru but overlook the book about wise living from the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon.

They already have this book. It is nearly 3,000 years old and is in their Bible.

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 1:22.

“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? 
How long will scoffers delight in their scorn? 

 and fools hate knowledge?”

There have been a few times in my life when I dug myself into a hole and then kept on digging. I’ll bet you have too. One pundit asked, what is the first thing you do when you dig yourself into a hole. The answer is: stop digging.  I wish I had known that sooner.

Today’s proverb describes three kinds of people who do not stop digging. They keep on messing up and never repent. They are the simple, the scorners, and the fools. This text tells us how to identify them.

Number 1. The simple: 

The simple are naive, impressionable people who are open to all kinds of influences, both good and bad.

Number 2. The scorers: 

The texts asked, “ How long will scoffers delight in their scorn?” Scorners are those who treat wise counsel with contempt; nothing is sacred or serious to them. When God or righteousness comes up, their answer is always contempt.

Number 3. The fools:

Fools are those who senselessly refuse instruction. They are conceited and opinionated in their ignorance. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.”’ (Psalms 14:1).

A simpleton, a scorner, and a fool.

I try to avoid being one of those three. It doesn’t end well for them.

I’m Lonnie Davis

And these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 1:22.
“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways?
How long will scoffers delight in their scorn
and fools hate knowledge?”

There have been a few times in my life when I dug myself into a hole and then kept on digging. I’ll bet you have too. One pundit asked, what is the first thing you do when you dig yourself into a hole. The answer is: stop digging. I wish I had known that sooner.

Today’s proverb tells us about three kinds of people who do not stop digging. They keep on messing up and never repent. They are: the simple, the scorners, and the fools. This text tells us how to identify them.

Number 1. The simple:
The simple are naive, impressionable people who are open to all kinds of influences, both good and bad.

Number 2. The scorners:
The texts asked, “ How long will scoffers delight in their scorn?” Scorners are those who treat wise counsel with contempt; nothing is sacred or serious to them. When God or righteousness comes up, their answer is always contempt.

Number 3. The fools:
Fools are those who senselessly refuse instruction. They are conceited and opinionated in their ignorance. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.”’ (Psalms 14:1).

A simpleton, a scorner, and a fool.
I try avoiding being any of those three. It doesn’t end well for them.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Proverbs 11:25.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

In today’s verse we are introduced to the “generous person.”

I love generous people. 
I am frustrated by cheap people.

Many folks do not consider themselves as either generous or non-generous. Those who do not consider themselves as generous ought to find a word other than “non-generous.”

How about these words instead: greedy, selfish, and cheap. 

What is cheap?

Once my wife called the ladies at church to provide a meal for a funeral. She called one lady and tried to be easy on her and asked her to bring two loaves of bread. The ladies’ response was “Oh my, TWO loaves?” Another young family was going to a church party and were asked to bring potato chips, they stopped at the store, picked up two of the cheapest brands they could find. That is not frugal, that is cheap.

I remember teaching my son the difference between frugal and cheap on a date. If you drink water because Coke is too expensive, you are frugal. If you won’t let your date have a coke, you are cheap.

Let’s close with First John 3: verse 17,

“If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?”

Be frugal with yourself. Be generous with others. 

Lonnie Davis.

Our proverb for today is Proverbs 15, verse 1.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

To understand this proverb, look at the life of Christ. As the time of Jesus’ crucifixion drew near, Jesus headed to Jerusalem. Certainly to meet the cross. Tired from the long trip, “He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.” (Luke 8:52-53)

This upset the apostles. James and John were ready to punch back. They asked Jesus, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” (54).

Jesus could have crushed the town for their unkindness and mean spirit toward him. What DID he do? Verse 56 tells us, “He and His disciples went on to another village.”

Jesus showed great restraint. He knew that calmness begets calmness, and anger begets anger. The Samaritans started the unkindness, but Jesus did not use that as an excuse to hit back. He broke the cycle of anger. He demonstrated a gentle answer.

It is always up to the mature person, the person of character to break the cycle of anger, to change the tone.

Your response is always your choice.

Lonnie Davis

Our Wise Proverb for today is Proverbs 9, and verse 8.

You need this proverb.

So do I.

This proverb is for those times when you find yourself having to deal with that person who just has to be right, no matter what!
It should also warn us not to be that way ourselves.

Look at the verse:

“Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”

I really want us to understand this proverb,
but there are two big questions we need to ask.

Number 1. What does it mean to rebuke?
The essence of “to rebuke” as used in this verse, is not just to criticize or point out a fault, but to offer correction with the aim of promoting change and understanding. It involves saying something in the right spirit.

Number 2. What is a mocker?
The word translated as “mockers” refers to someone who mocks, scorns, or derides others, often with a sense of contempt or disdain. The verse emphasizes the futility of correcting someone who is set in their ways of mockery and scorn.

This proverb speaks volumes about the nature of wisdom itself—it is not just knowing what to say, but also knowing when to say it, and perhaps more importantly, knowing whether to speak at all.

I’m Lonnie Davis
And these are thoughts worth thinking.

Today’s Proverb is chapter 6: verses 10 and 11.

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.”

In these words, we see a truth about human nature. It’s tempting to put off tasks, to delay duties, or to give in to the comfort of doing nothing. Proverbs teaches us that such habits lead to loss and lack. Just as a thief surprises his victim, poverty, too, can sneak up on those who are NOT vigilant.

This message is as relevant today as it was in the days of Solomon. Whether it’s tending to our jobs, managing our homes, or nurturing relationships, continuous effort is crucial. Laziness has a cost, often unseen until it’s too late.

Like when a burglar climbs through the window at night, we will be surprised, but poverty sneaks in on the one who wants “a little more sleep, a little more slumber.” Everyone needs rest, but for some, enough is never enough. 

I love the words of the poet:

 “Procrastination is my sin, 

It gives me endless sorrow. 

I have decided to give it up, 

and I will begin tomorrow.

I’m Lonnie Davis

And these are thoughts worth thinking.

Wisdom’s Starting Line

Since I was a young man I set a goal for myself to become a wise old man – someday. I know I have accomplished one of those goals. If you know me, you know which one. Here’s a hint, I have reached the age that when I go into an antique shop, I look around and say, “I remember these.”

So now, how do any of us reach the goal of being wise?
There is one verse in the Bible that tells us where the start of wisdom begins.

Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom.”

The first step in becoming wise is to “fear the Lord.” But what does it mean to fear the Lord?

The original word “fear” in this verse means to hold God in the highest regard and honor His commands.
Don’t be frightened of God. Don’t be scared of him. Honor and hold him up. Fear Him. Unless a man or woman can do that, then there is no wisdom.

Whether a professor, a preacher, a president, or anyone else, if there is no fear of the Lord in that person, there is no wisdom.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom.”

Lonnie Davis