Month: July 2024

Our wisdom today comes from Proverbs 25:16:

“If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.”

This proverb, though simple, carries a profound message that’s challenging to follow in our modern world. Let’s paraphrase it: “When you encounter something sweet, enjoy it in moderation—excess can turn pleasure into pain.”

We live in a time of abundance, in a land overflowing with opportunities and comforts. It’s easy to lose sight of moderation when surrounded by such plenty.

You might think of the extravagant feasts described in biblical times—lavish banquets with abundant food and endless tables of delicacies, often leading to overindulgence. But let’s be honest, doesn’t that sound a lot like our modern all-you-can-eat buffets?

With this perspective, let’s revisit the proverb. “If you find honey,”—and indeed, we have. We’re surrounded by ‘sweetness’ in various forms. The wisdom lies in the next part: “Eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.”

While excess can bring momentary joy, it often leads to long-term consequences.

In a world that constantly urges us to indulge, perhaps true wisdom lies in knowing when to say “enough.”

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

Our Scripture today is taken from the story of the Birth of John the Baptist. In Luke 1:13, his father-to-be, a priest, is serving in the Temple, and we read,

“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.'”

Gabriel tells Zechariah that he and his elderly wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son named John.

This passage illustrates two powerful themes:
First, the effectiveness of prayer.
Second, God’s perfect timing.

Despite their age, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s years of persistent prayer teach us to never give up on our requests to God. The angel’s words, “your prayer has been heard,” remind us that God listens, even when we feel He’s not responding.

Certainly, the couple probably hoped for a child earlier in life, but God’s plan unfolded at the perfect moment. This reminds us that God’s delays are not God’s denials. He may not answer immediately or as expected, but His timing is always perfect.

Have you prayed and thought God was saying “No”? It’s possible He’s saying “Not yet” or “Wait! I have something better.”

He will give you the right answer, at the right time.

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

Our text for today is Proverbs 23: verses 10 and 11.

“Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.”

Have you heard the old saying, “God helps those who help themselves?”

That idea is in this verse, but more than that. It teaches that God especially helps those who cannot help themselves. Sometimes there are those who wrongfully wrong us and we are powerless to do anything. These verses say, “Don’t worry, God will take care of things.

Reflecting on this verse reminds us that even if someone appears to have no human defender, they are not without protection. The passage assures us that God Himself, their Redeemer, is their advocate. This emphasizes God’s strength and His commitment to justice.

I love the story about a mouse riding on the back of an elephant. They crossed a bridge, and the bridge shook and shook. On the other side, the mouse said, “Boy, we really shook that bridge.”

For those times when I can’t shake the bridge, God is there for me. As one man said, “When you have done everything you can do, that’s when God will step in and do what you can’t do.”

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

Our wisdom for today is in Proverbs 10: verse 8.

“The wise in heart accept commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”

I love Philip’s story. God told him to go to a desert road and he went. There was no “I have a person for you to talk to,” or “there you will lead someone to Christ.” Later, of course, God did give him the opportunity to tell someone about God, but when the command came, it was a “just do it” thing. Just go!

Even though it was an 80-mile walk, he went as God commanded. Sometimes being a follower of God means doing what we do not understand. This was one of those times. Contained in this story is the real secret to being a great Christian. The secret? Whatever God wants you to do, just do it!

 Philip did not question God’s wisdom. He knew that God knew what He was doing. Too many times, when God touches our lives with 80 miles of our own hard journey, we question God and grumble about the hard spot God has put us in. Not so with Philip. He was wise in heart and just accepted the command.

 He knew God’s hand was in the journey. By the way, God’s hand is also in your journey.

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

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”

To put it in other words,

“Don’t be slow to keep your promise to God. God has no use for people who don’t deliver. If you can’t keep a promise, don’t make one in the first place.”

Let’s dig Deeper.

The message is clear: we must think hard before making any commitments. This involves carefully considering the consequences, seeking wise counsel, and being realistic about what we can truly deliver. By taking these steps, we can avoid the pitfalls of making rash promises and the regret that follows when we fail to keep them. Thoughtfulness and integrity in our commitments help us maintain trust and strengthen our relationships.

This is especially important with promises we make to God!

Final Quote:

“We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we can not.” – Abraham Lincoln

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

Our text for today is Proverbs 20:4

“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

This ancient proverb encapsulates a timeless truth about the relationship between short-term discomfort and long-term rewards. It paints a vivid picture of a lazy individual who avoids work due to temporary inconvenience, only to face dire consequences later. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that success often requires enduring temporary hardships.

As Beverly Sills wisely stated, “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” This quote perfectly aligns with the proverb’s message, emphasizing that meaningful achievements require effort and perseverance. The cold weather in the proverb symbolizes the challenges we face on the path to success. Those who shy away from these difficulties often find themselves unprepared and empty-handed when opportunities arise.

The lesson that short-term discomfort often leads to long-term rewards is a crucial life lesson. It encourages us to push through immediate obstacles, knowing that our efforts will bear fruit in due time. This truth applies not only to agriculture but to various aspects of life, including education, career, relationships, and personal growth. By embracing temporary discomfort and putting in the necessary work, we set ourselves up for future abundance and success.

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

Our text today is Proverbs 20:25.

“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.”

This verse warns us against making hasty decisions and vows, highlighting the danger of regretting them later. This advice is particularly relevant in a world where we are often pressured to commit quickly without fully understanding the consequences.

George Washington’s quote, “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one,” aligns perfectly with this scriptural insight. Both the proverb and the quote stress the importance of thoughtfulness and integrity in our promises. When we consider the consequences of our commitments, we demonstrate respect for ourselves and for those to whom we make these promises. Rash decisions often lead to broken promises, which can damage relationships and erode trust.

The lesson here is clear: we must think carefully before making any commitment. This means taking the time to weigh the implications, seeking guidance, and being honest about our capabilities. By doing so, we can avoid the trap of hasty vows and the subsequent need to find excuses for failing to keep them.

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

Our wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 19:11:

“A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.”

Have you ever wished for more patience? According to this proverb, patience comes from wisdom. To put it bluntly, wise people are patient people. It is a good thing to overlook someone’s insult.

Some one else put it this way, “A wise person is patient and it is a good thing to forgive others and not stay angry.”

Once one of my grown children was fretting about an insult that someone said behind her back. I was glad to share Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 with her.
“Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you. For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.”

This verse calls us not to be overly sensitive to what others say, as we too have spoken negatively at times. It’s a call to overlook minor offenses and avoid unnecessary hurt.

Gandhi captured this concept well: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” True strength lies in the ability to forgive and to let go of anger.

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

Finger-Pointing

Our wisdom for today comes from Proverbs 19: verse 3.

“A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.”

I especially want you to notice two great lessons from this verse. 

First, It teaches us to own our own actions. 

When my children were in school and one of them came home with a bad grade, I would ask why. What bothered me most was when they blamed someone else, even the teacher. The problem is that if it is not my fault, then I can’t fix it. 

When things go wrong, it’s often because of our own mistakes. Instead of pointing fingers, we need to take responsibility for our actions. Think of it as steering your own ship; if it veers off course, you need to adjust the sails, not blame the wind.

Second, It teaches us to avoid blaming others.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, our first response can be to look for someone to blame. Sometimes, we even blame God. If I were only smarter, stronger, or better looking, then things would be better. Did you ever wonder if you are given your unique talents because that is what God knew you needed?

Let me leave you with this quote from Henry Ford, ”Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain.”

I’m Lonnie Davis And These Are Thoughts Worth Thinking.

Our wisdom for today is taken from Proverbs 19:2.
“Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.”

Passion is a powerful force, capable of driving great change and inspiring others. However, as Proverbs 19 reminds us, enthusiasm or zeal without knowledge can lead us astray. This truth is powerfully illustrated in the story of Moses and the Egyptian. Witnessing injustice, Moses acted on his passionate impulse to defend the oppressed. Yet his zeal, unchecked by wisdom, resulted in a hasty action with painful consequences.

Like a car without a skilled driver, our passions need the guidance of knowledge to reach their full potential. Moses’ experience teaches us that even well-intentioned actions, when not tempered by understanding, can lead to terrible outcomes. To truly make a lasting impact, we must harness our enthusiasm with the compass of wisdom, allowing our zeal to be directed by knowledge and discernment.

Imagine how different our lives could be if we paused to seek understanding before acting on our impulses. By allowing wisdom to guide our passions, we can ensure that our efforts lead to positive and lasting change.

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