Month: August 2024

Have you ever known someone who just would not be at peace with you? No matter what you did, it was always wrong! Romans 12:18 gives us instruction for such a time.

Romans 12:18 says,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

This verse offers two responses to these no-win relationships.

First, it challenges you to live at peace with everyone.
Do you live near a Muslim, a Buddhist, an atheist, or a grumpy old man?
Do you live near a Democrat, and you are a Republican? Or a Republican, and you are a Democrat?
Do you live near someone who mows their yard at 7:30 on Saturday morning when you like to sleep in?
As a Christian, you are not called to merely tolerate them, but to live at peace with them.

This means striving for harmony and understanding, regardless of differences. Peaceful living involves kindness, patience, and forgiveness, fostering a positive environment.

But what if you can’t? Then Paul says, do it anyway, “as much as it depends on you.” While we can’t control others’ actions, we can control our responses, efforts, and attitudes. This verse calls us to take the initiative in resolving conflicts and promoting peace, even when it’s challenging.

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

Today’s verse may be the most overlooked verse in the Bible. It is profound, but it is often overshadowed because the verse right before it may be the most quoted verse in the New Testament. That overlooked verse is…

John 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Here we see God’s intention for humanity, deeply rooted in love and compassion.

This verse tells us that Jesus was sent not to condemn us, but to save us. It reveals the nature of God and His relationship with us. God’s desire is not to find our every fault or punish us for our shortcomings, but rather to provide a way out of the darkness that sin creates.

Jesus is God’s grace, extending a hand to those who feel lost, broken, or unworthy. His mission was to bring hope and redemption, not to point out every flaw. This understanding of God’s heart should change our view of Him—from a distant judge to a loving Father eager to reconcile with His children. It challenges us to embrace God’s grace fully and share it with others, knowing that God’s purpose is always to restore, not to condemn.

We are invited to see the world and others through God’s eyes of compassion and mercy.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Our text is Mark 16:17-18

“These signs will accompany those who believe: In My name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

People often read this Scripture and focus on the miracles, but they miss the deeper point. Whether we live in an age where picking up snakes is relevant or not, signs still follow Christians! They have simply changed.

The Bible mentions many other signs that accompany believers. One of these signs is inner peace. Philippians 4:7 speaks of a peace that surpasses all understanding—a peace that can only come from trusting in God, even in difficult situations.

Another sign is love for others. Jesus taught in John 13:35, “By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.”

Generosity is also a hallmark of a believer. In the judgment scene of Matthew 25, God tells His followers, “I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in.”
Here he is saying that Christians are people who show charity to those in need.

There is a story of a young man who chose to work as a lumberjack for the summer. Before he left, his friend advised the young man to be cautious because the other lumberjacks might pick on him if they found out he was a Christian. When he returned in the fall, the young man said, “I had a great time! Nobody bothered me because I didn’t let them know I was a Christian.”

The young man thought he kept his faith a secret, but the true test of faith is not in hiding it, but in allowing the signs of faith to shine through in our lives.

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

Today’s Scripture is James 4: verse 8.  

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

In this verse, we see a beautiful reminder of the reciprocal nature of our relationship with God. When we take steps toward God, He promises to come closer to us. This isn’t just about physical proximity; it’s about a deep, spiritual connection that grows stronger as we seek Him earnestly.

God doesn’t force Himself on us. Instead, He waits for us to make the first move. But the moment we turn to Him, we find that He has already been reaching out to us, longing for us to come near. As C.S. Lewis said, “When we pursue God, we find that He has been pursuing us all along.”

Our journey toward God begins with a sincere heart and a desire to leave behind what separates us from Him. By cleansing our hands and purifying our hearts, we open ourselves to the fullness of His presence. And as we draw near to Him, we experience the profound truth that God is always closer than we think.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 28: verse 6.

 “Better a poor man who walks in integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.”

In life, we often measure success by how much wealth a person has. But Proverbs 28 challenges us to think differently. It tells us that integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, is far more valuable than any amount of money. A person who lives with integrity, even if they have little in terms of worldly wealth, is richer in the eyes of God. 

The verse contrasts the poor man who walks in integrity with the rich man whose ways are perverse. This suggests that wealth gained through dishonesty or corrupt practices is ultimately worthless. As Sophocles wisely said, “It is better to fail with honor than to succeed by fraud.” This reminds us that our character, not our bank account, defines our true worth.

In a world that often tempts us to compromise our values for material gain, this verse encourages us to stand firm in our integrity. After all, the peace that comes from living a life of honesty is a treasure that no amount of money can buy.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Psalm 30: verse 5.

“Weeping may last the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Life is full of ups and downs. We all go through times when things seem dark, when the weight of sorrow feels almost too much to bear. This verse reminds us that these moments of sorrow are temporary. No matter how tough things get, there is always hope on the horizon.

Sorrow and pain might last for a time, but God promises that joy will follow. It’s like the night and the day. Night may seem long and dark, but eventually, the sun will rise, bringing light and warmth. One writer once said, “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” This quote captures the hope that Psalm 30 offers us.

God’s joy is like the sunrise after a long, dark night. It’s a promise that the sadness we feel now will give way to happiness and peace. Even if the night endures all your life, God still assures us that joy will be our final reward. A million years from now we will hardly feel our old sorrow.

So, hold on to this hope. When life feels overwhelming, remember that God’s joy is coming.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Our Scripture today is Acts 27:23-25

Standing on a ship, in the middle of a storm, Paul spoke to scared sailors. He said, “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” 

In 1939, the Nazis were invading the Netherlands. The first people to be affected were the Jews who lived in the Netherlands. A group of Christians came to the Dutch theologian, Henry Cramer, and told him, “Our Jewish neighbors are missing from their homes.” They then asked, “What must we do?”

 Cramer answered, “I cannot tell you what to do. I can tell you who you are. If you know who you are then you will know what to do.”

Listen to those words again, “If you know who you are, then you will know what to do.” 

When Satan sends temptations, you do not need to ask what to do. You only need to remember who you are.

Paul said, “I know who I am and whose I am.” Since he knew these things, he knew what to do. So should we, always!

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

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 4: verses 9 and 10.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”

Life is often filled with challenges, and it is during these moments that the importance of companionship becomes clear. This verse from Ecclesiastes reminds us that having someone by our side can make all the difference. When we stumble or face difficulties, a true friend is there to help us get back on our feet. 

Walter Winchell said it well, ”A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” A real friend or companion doesn’t abandon us when times get tough; instead, they step in to offer support and encouragement. They help us do what we can’t do alone. This kind of companionship is a gift from God and a reflection of His love for us.

God created us to live in a community where we can support and uplift each other. In doing so, we fulfill a deep need for connection and reflect the love of Christ in our lives.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 11:4.

“He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.”

In this verse, we find a caution against procrastination. The imagery of watching the wind and observing the clouds speaks to those who are constantly waiting for the perfect conditions to act. However, waiting for the “right” moment often leads to missed opportunities. If we delay too long, we may never take the necessary steps to sow and reap the rewards that God has in store for us.

Procrastination is a subtle thief. It convinces us that tomorrow will be a better day to start, but tomorrow often never comes. Walt Disney wisely said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” This quote reminds us that action is the key to progress. We must not let fear of the unknown or the desire for perfect conditions keep us from moving forward. God calls us to act in faith, trusting that He will guide our steps even when the path isn’t entirely clear.

So, let us be people of action, sowing and reaping in God’s timing, not our own. 

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 7:10.
“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is unwise of you to ask about this.”

This verse reminds us not to fall into the trap of thinking that the past is better than the present. It’s easy to look back with rose-colored glasses, especially when we face challenges today. But God calls us to find contentment in every season of life. Each moment we live has its purpose, and comparing it to the past can rob us of the peace and joy we can experience right now.

Contentment isn’t about having everything we want. It’s about appreciating what we have been given and trusting that God’s plan for us is good, even when the days are tough. As Socrates wisely said, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” If we can learn to be satisfied with what we have today, we can live in the fullness of God’s blessings.

God is with us in every moment, past, present, and future.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.