Month: August 2024

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 5:20:

“For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.”

As I reflect on this verse, it becomes clear that it carries a profound truth that touches us all: God, in His mercy, shields us from knowing too much about the future. If we were aware of the tragedies that might come tomorrow, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy today. God keeps us focused on the joys of the present, so we won’t be consumed with anxiety about what might happen tomorrow.

As one author wrote, “The hand that veils the future is the hand of mercy.”

We often think we want to know what tomorrow holds, but do we really? It’s comforting to anticipate joyful events—a birthday, a family gathering, or a weekend with friends. But would we want to know if heartache or disaster awaited us next week? Probably not. God, in His wisdom, keeps us busy with today’s blessings, sparing us from the burden of foreseeing all our tomorrows. Indeed, “The hand that veils the future is the hand of mercy.”

As Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

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

Honest to God

Ecclesiastes 5:6

“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?”

Verses four and five make it plain that this verse refers to keeping our word to God.

Years ago, I heard the story of a rich man riding on an airplane caught in turbulence. It grew so rough that the rich man finally prayed, “Lord, if you let me land safely, I will give you half of everything I have.”

In time, the plane landed. A preacher who had been behind him said to him, “I heard your prayer. As a preacher, I am here to collect.”

The rich man responded, “I guess you didn’t hear the rest of what I promised. I told Him that if He ever caught me on another plane, He could have it all.”

You could call that a promise to God that wasn’t kept, but that triviliazes the real meaning of this text.

The real meaning is that we ought to be honest with God. When we pledge to Him, we should keep it.

We pledge our hearts to God.

We pledge to serve Him.

We pledge to live as an example.

We pledge to trust Him.

We pledge to pray faithfully.

We pledge to worship faithfully.

Whenever, whatever, we pledge to God, — be honest to God.

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

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 5: verse 3.
“For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice through many words.”

This verse provides insight into the nature of achieving dreams and the pitfalls of idle chatter. Dreams do not materialize out of thin air; they are the result of sustained effort and hard work. This is what Thomas Edison meant when he said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

Behind every seemingly effortless achievement lies a vast amount of unseen effort. Another old saying is, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

In contrast, the second part of the verse warns us about the emptiness of speaking without action. It is easy to talk about big dreams and plans, but without the diligence to act upon those words, they remain just that—words. This teaches us a valuable lesson about the importance of backing our words with actions.

Whether we’re pursuing personal goals, career advancements, or spiritual growth, the principle of diligence applies. We must put forth genuine effort in all we do. Remember, dreams are realized not merely by what we say, but through our persistent actions.

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

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 29:3.

“Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”

If I were to give a title to this verse, it would be “Wisdom’s Family Ties.” Anyone who says, “It’s my life and I will do what I want,” is certainly not wise. A wise person blesses all who love him or her. Wisdom is a heartfelt commitment to living rightly, and it brings joy and pride to the hearts of those who love us.

According to this verse, when we embrace wisdom, we build a legacy of integrity and honor that our families will be proud of. This is especially significant for parents, who often carry hopes and dreams for their children’s success and moral standing.

A wise child reflects the values instilled in them, bringing joy and fulfillment to their parents’ hearts. Conversely, rejecting wisdom for momentary pleasures can lead to loss and disappointment, casting a shadow over the family’s legacy.

Therefore, embracing wisdom is also about honoring our loved ones by living a life that upholds and reflects the values they cherish. Romans 14:7 makes this clear: “No man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.”

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

Our reading today is Psalms 14:1.

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'”

Actually it is only the first sentence of the verse, but as important as all of the verse is, I did not want you to get lost in more than these words.

This opening line from Psalms 14 confronts us with a stark reality: the denial of God is not rooted in intellect but in a heart disconnected from truth.

When we disregard God’s presence, we cut ourselves off from his wisdom, purpose, and the moral foundation that guides our lives. It’s easy to overlook God in the busyness of life, but this verse urges us to pause and reflect—are we that fool?

Some say out loud that there is no God. Others won’t say it out loud but live as if God doesn’t exist.

The truth of this sentence challenges us to examine our own hearts and align them with the reality of God’s existence.

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

Our text today is Proverbs 28:11.

 “A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.”

We’ve all encountered that person at work or on social media – the one flaunting their success, convinced their bank account is a measure of how smart they are. Maybe they’ve crushed it in tech, real estate, or scored big in the corporate world. Often, they’re quick to hand out life advice, certain their financial wins equal universal wisdom.

Here’s the thing: true insight often comes from unexpected places. Maybe it comes from a coworker who’s not climbing the corporate ladder but always has the most perceptive take on things. Perhaps it is found in a friend who has little of this earth’s goods, but gives the best life advice. They’ve got something money can’t buy – genuine wisdom.

This proverb is a reminder in our achievement-oriented world that net worth and self-worth aren’t the same thing. Real wisdom isn’t about crushing quarterly goals or having the biggest house. It’s about seeing through the noise, understanding people, and grasping what truly matters in life.

Wisdom is still relevant, even in today’s hustle culture.

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

Our text for today is Proverbs 28:27.

“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”

This verse reveals that blessings follow those who extend their hands to the needy. The act of giving is not merely about alleviating someone else’s suffering; it also brings a sense of fulfillment and divine favor to the giver.

When we choose to help the poor, we align ourselves with God’s heart, who is deeply concerned with the welfare of the less fortunate.

The promise of “not wanting” emphasizes that our needs will be met, perhaps not always in material wealth, but in contentment, peace, and spiritual richness. Conversely, ignoring the plight of the poor not only deprives them of help but also brings a curse upon ourselves.
The teaching of this verse is clear: our well-being is intertwined with how we treat others. In giving, we receive, not just from those we help, but from God Himself, who sees and rewards our compassion. Perhaps this is part of the meaning of Jesus’ statement, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Here’s a great quote: “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” – Amy Carmichael

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

Our Text is Psalms 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth,” 

Perhaps you know this from the songs that challenge us to “be still and know that I am God. But do you know the deeper insight?

The call to “Be still” is an invitation to release our grip on control and trust in God’s sovereignty. In a world where activity and busyness often dominate, this call to stillness is a reminder that true peace and clarity come when we step back and allow God to work. Letting go of control is not a sign of weakness but of faith, acknowledging that God’s wisdom far surpasses our own. By surrendering our anxieties and plans to Him, we make room for His perfect will to unfold.

The verse also emphasizes God’s authority over all creation. In recognizing His sovereignty, we are reminded that nothing in our lives escapes His notice or power. Trusting in God’s sovereignty means believing that, even when things seem uncertain, His purposes will prevail. The comfort and strength that come from this trust are invaluable. “Let go and let God” becomes more than just a saying; it becomes a way of life.

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

Our text today is Psalms 23:1.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

The story is told of a five-year-old girl in a Sunday school class when the class was challenged by the teacher to go home that week and memorize Psalms 23. Even casual Bible readers know some of that text. It is short, only six verses, and begins with the familiar words, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

The next week, as Bible class started, the teacher asked the children how many of them had memorized the Psalm. No one raised their hand except the little girl. The teacher asked her to come to the front of the class and recite the chapter. Slowly, she walked to the front of the class, took a deep breath, and started. “The Lord is my shepherd.”

After what must have seemed like an eternity to her, she finally said, “And that is all I know.” If I had been there, I would have added, “Honey, that is enough. Many people don’t know that wonderful thought. The Lord IS our shepherd.”

The passage teaches us other things the Lord does for us: He restores our souls, leads us in the path of righteousness, and protects us. These are all wonderful things, but it all begins with knowing: “The Lord is my shepherd.”

If you know nothing else from that great scripture, be sure you know the same thing the little girl knew.

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

Our verse for today is Proverbs 29:11:

“A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.”

This verse highlights the power of restraint. It draws a clear line between two types of people: the fool and the wise. The fool is someone who lacks self-control, easily giving in to anger and allowing it to dictate their actions. This unchecked expression of emotion often leads to negative consequences, not only for themselves but also for those around them.

On the other hand, the wise person practices restraint, recognizing that not every emotion needs to be expressed immediately or fully. By holding back their anger, they demonstrate self-mastery and an awareness of the impact their words and actions can have. This wisdom fosters peace, preserves relationships, and encourages more thoughtful responses to life’s challenges.

Ultimately, this verse teaches us that wisdom is not just about knowledge but also about how we manage our emotions. Restraint is a sign of maturity and wisdom, while unchecked anger exposes the folly of those who lack self-control.

In light of this verse, we should each ask ourselves: “How often do I let my emotions, particularly anger, control my actions and words?”

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