Month: July 2024

Our text for today is Proverbs 29:25

“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

This verse highlights the dangers of allowing fear of others to control us. Fear can be a trap that leads us into a web of anxiety, insecurity, and compromised integrity. When we are overly concerned with others’ opinions or reactions, we risk becoming ensnared in unhealthy behaviors and decisions.

Imagine living in constant worry about how others perceive you. This fear can drive you to act against your values and beliefs just to gain approval or avoid criticism. You may find yourself agreeing to things you disagree with or avoiding necessary but difficult conversations.

The anxiety and insecurity bred by this fear are crippling. They can consume your thoughts, making you second-guess every decision and action. This mental burden hampers your ability to live freely and confidently.

The second part of the verse offers a solution to fear: “but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Trusting in God provides a solid foundation, freeing us from the need to seek validation from others. By focusing on God’s approval rather than man’s, we avoid the snare of fear and live a more authentic, fulfilling life.

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

Do You Want Peace?

Our text today is Proverbs 30:33: “For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so stirring up anger brings forth strife.”

This proverb, with its vivid imagery, reminds us that our actions have inevitable consequences. Just as churning milk produces butter and twisting a nose causes bleeding, provoking anger leads to conflict. Husbands and wives who have been married for a while know how to push each other’s buttons. However, wise couples avoid doing so, understanding that certain behaviors naturally lead to specific outcomes. Those who seek peace steer clear of actions that incite anger.

Some outcomes are as predictable as the laws of nature. Churning milk and twisting a nose are simple actions with clear results. Similarly, our emotional responses and actions follow a natural progression. Depending on how we manage them, they can be either constructive or destructive.

If we desire a life of peace, we must avoid actions that lead to strife. By controlling our temper and reactions, we can foster peace in our relationships and communities. Just as we choose not to churn milk or twist a nose unnecessarily, we can choose not to stir up anger. In doing so, we create an environment of peace around us.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom comes from Proverbs 28:19.

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”

This verse teaches two important lessons:

First, the verse tells us that hard work is important. “He who works his land will have abundant food” means that if you work hard at what you do, you will be rewarded. This can be true for a job, chores, or any other task. When you put in the effort and stay committed, you will get good results and have what you need. Hard work leads to good things in life.

Second, the verse warns against chasing fantasies. “He who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty” means that if you spend your time on impossible or foolish ideas, you will end up with nothing. Things like trying to get rich quickly, gambling, or unrealistic career goals can lead to disappointment and financial trouble. It’s better to set realistic goals and work steadily towards them.

So, the next time you find yourself daydreaming about quick success or easy money, remember this proverb. Focus on putting in the work where it matters, and you’ll find that real success comes from dedication and effort, not from chasing fantasies.

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

Our wisdom today is Proverbs 28:26:

“He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.”

This verse warns us against being too self-reliant. I believe in self-reliance, but we should not lean on our own thinking completely. Unless…

Unless you don’t live near or know anyone who is as smart as you are.
Unless you don’t have smart parents.
Unless you don’t feel you can trust God’s word.

You should trust yourself at least sometimes, but never be the only one you trust. Five hundred years after Solomon shared this wisdom, Socrates said, “Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, and stupid people already have all the answers.”

That is saying much the same thing. If you are smart, if you are wise, you will learn from everything and everyone. If you are an average Joe, you have to make your own mistakes to learn anything. If you are foolish, you think you already have all the answers and don’t trust anyone else. You don’t even need to trust God.

As a youth, my mother always warned me to be careful of the word “fool.” I understand that, but Solomon said, “He who trusts in himself is a fool.”

Rather than that, be wise and trust God. Know what God tells you to do.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom today is from Proverbs 28:1:

“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”

Consider the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. After eating the forbidden fruit, their first instinct was to hide from God—an impossible feat, yet driven by their overwhelming guilt. This instinct to hide when we’ve done wrong persists in human behavior, illustrating the timeless truth of our proverb.

I personally grappled with this proverb as a child. At ten years old, I desperately wanted a pocket knife, though I mistakenly thought it was illegal to own one. Even so, I saved and bought a knife. One evening, while walking outside, I saw approaching headlights and was sure it was a police car coming for me and my knife. In a rush of fear, I threw the knife into the weeds. It turned out to be just a passing car. Feeling stupid, I went back to search for my beloved knife but never found it. Why did I throw it away? It’s simple: “The wicked flee when no one pursues.” This experience taught me how guilt can provoke irrational actions.

It works that way for all of us.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our study today is from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The kindest person I ever knew was my wife, Liz. In 55 years and 160 days, I never heard her curse or scream at anyone. In fact, I never heard her raise her voice.

For those of you who knew her, you might think you could never be like that. But I believe you can. I even believe I can. Maybe not looking back, but from this day forward, you can.

Here are two reasons why:

First, our text doesn’t just suggest kindness and forgiveness as ideals; it calls on us to practice them. God wouldn’t tell us to do something impossible.

Second, God is more concerned with what you do from now on rather than what you did in the past. We are not perfect, just forgiven. We fall down and rise again. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us, “For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up, but the wicked stumble in bad times.”

I love the wisdom of Albert Einstein: “You never fail until you stop trying.”

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom for today is taken from Proverbs 25:14: “Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.”

When my wife’s father, a farmer, passed away, I met a friend of his at the funeral. He spoke of my father-in-law and gave him an unusual compliment. He said, “He’ll pay you.” As a farmer himself, he praised a man who would make a vow and then keep it, no matter what. “He’ll pay you.” In other words, he kept his word, even when it cost him.

God has that same love for those who keep their word, those He can trust to give the gift they promise.

In Psalms 15:1, King David asked, “Who may dwell in your tabernacle?” Three verses later, he answers, “He who vows to his own hurt and does not change.” Another translation says, “He who does not revise a costly oath.”

Solomon put it more directly in Ecclesiastes 5: verse 4, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.”

In times of drought, clouds and wind without rain bring disappointment. You get your hopes up, only to have them dashed. Keep your vow to God and man. When you promise, keep that promise. It is a sign of your character.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 25:28:

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.”

At first glance, this might seem puzzling. What does it mean for a city to have its walls broken down? In the times of King Solomon, city walls were essential for protection. Take the story of Jericho, for example. When the Hebrews needed to conquer it, God caused its walls to collapse, making it vulnerable to invasion. Without these walls, Jericho was defenseless.

This proverb uses that imagery to teach a lesson about self-control. A person who cannot manage their temper is like a city with crumbling walls, open to attack and chaos. Just as the walls of Jericho were crucial for its defense, self-control is vital for our personal integrity and safety.

Losing our temper can make us vulnerable. Imagine someone who gets angry quickly and then claims, “I get mad, but I get over it just as quickly.” It’s like attending a gathering, throwing gasoline on everyone, and then walking away, thinking everything is fine. But the damage lingers. The virtuous path is to control your temper, not just for yourself but for the well-being of those around you.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our wisdom for today is in Proverbs 25, verse 21.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”

The Apostle Paul knew this verse well. In Romans 12: verse 20, he wrote,“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

There is a lesson for us in this verse.
We are not judged by how we treat those whom we love. A person can be judged by how they treat their enemies. A Godly person should be ready to help their enemies. Obviously, it is our hope that we can help them find God. One can never lead a person that they treat as an enemy.

All of this is emphasized by Jesus in Matthew chapter 5. He said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (verse 44).

So today, do something good for someone who seems to be your enemy.

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

Our wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 22:13:

“The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!'”

Perhaps, just perhaps, there is a lion in the street. Usually, there is not. Often, the lion-in-the-street response is a way to avoid what we should do.

I love the quote from Benjamin Franklin: “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”

You’ve heard so many excuses in your life. Here are a few common ones:

1. “I don’t have enough time.”

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. What you really mean is that you don’t prioritize that action very highly.

2. “I don’t have the skills.”

Well, learn them. Every skill is learned through effort and practice.

3. “It’s too hard.”

Success is not supposed to be easy. The hard work is what makes it worthwhile.

4. “I’ll do it later.”

Probably not. This is often a way to put things off until they are never done.

These and other like them are just lions in the street, imagined obstacles that keep us from moving forward. Let me leave you with this question: What lions are keeping you from doing what you need to do?

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.