Month: September 2024

John 11:21-24 tells us the story of Lazarus’ death and the response of his two sisters. Devastated by her brother’s death, Martha told Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Hearing this, she replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Do you see it? She had enough faith for yesterday. She said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” She had enough faith for tomorrow, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection.” But where was her faith for today? 

Her pain revealed what she was missing. She lacked faith for today. It is not enough to have faith for yesterday and tomorrow; we need faith for today.

One of the reasons we all love the “good old days” is because they do not require faith—they are done! But to also make today one of the good old days, we need faith for now. Faith gives us hope and strength. It allows us to trust in God’s plan even when we cannot see the outcome. 

When Martha and Mary saw their risen brother, they realized that Jesus was worthy of their faith for today! Like Martha and Mary, we all need faith for today.

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

Today’s Scripture is Romans 15:13.  

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God does not intend for us to just have a little bit of hope; He wants us to overflow with it. This hope comes from trusting in Him and allowing the Him to work within us. When our hope overflows, it is not just for our benefit—it touches the lives of others, inspiring them and lifting them up. Hope becomes a powerful force, stronger than any obstacle we face.

If you’ve ever faced a serious health issue and needed to see a doctor, there’s one word you long to hear above all else: “hope.” It brings comfort and strength. On the other hand, the most difficult word to hear is “hopeless.” It drains the spirit and leaves us fearful.

 Hope gives us strength when things are tough. It allows us to keep moving forward, even when the path is unclear. God’s hope fills us so completely that it cannot help but spill over, affecting those around us in positive ways.

Living with overflowing hope is a choice, one that comes from trusting God’s promises and knowing He is in control. Let your life be a beacon of that hope today.

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

Our Scripture today is Mark 9: verse 23.

“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”

In Mark 9, we see a desperate father seeking help for his son. He explains to Jesus that his son has been tormented by an evil spirit since childhood, which has often tried to harm him by throwing him into fire or water. In his plea for help, the father says, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus’ response is powerful and almost incredulous: “‘If You can?’ echoed Jesus. ‘All things are possible to him who believes.'” It’s as though Jesus is asking, “What do you mean, ‘if I can?’ Of course, I can!” 

Jesus wants the Father—and us—to understand that there is no room for doubt when it comes to His power. Our fears or uncertainties do not limit his abilities.

Too often, people doubt the power of Jesus. Like the father in this story, we can come to Him with a mix of hope and hesitation, wondering if He can really help us. But Jesus makes it clear: He has the power to do anything. 

We are called not to doubt, but to trust in Him fully. All we need to do is come to Him with genuine faith and believe that He is more than able to meet our needs.

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

Our Scripture is 2 Corinthians 10:5.

“We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

This passage contains a teaching that, when understood, will help you live a righteous life. Paul tells us to “take captive every thought.”

The phrase “take captive every thought” is a call to be intentional about what we allow to dwell in our minds. You may think you can’t help what you think about, but that is not true. When you find bad thoughts coming into your mind, think about something else—something good. The good thoughts will drive out the negative thoughts.

It’s not just about letting thoughts passively come and go but rather capturing them, evaluating whether they align with righteousness, and if not, letting your mind focus on other things.

In a world full of distractions, doubts, and negative influences, our minds can easily be pulled in directions that distance us from living as we should. Unchecked, these thoughts—whether they be worries, temptations, or false beliefs—can grow and take root in our hearts, affecting our decisions and actions.

To take a thought captive means to hold it up against the teachings of Jesus and ask, “Does this thought align with who Christ is? Is it loving, truthful, and filled with faith? Or is it fearful, prideful, or self-centered?”

Turn your thought of worry into a prayer of trust. Turn your self-condemnation into a reminder of God’s grace.

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

Today Scripture is Exodus 14:14,

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

There are times in life when anxiety seems to take over. Perhaps you’ve faced a situation where you didn’t know how things would turn out—maybe it was a health scare, financial trouble, or a family crisis. In these moments, it can feel like the walls are closing in, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no clear way forward.

Our verse today offers us two great thoughts for such times.

First, it reminds us of divine support. Life can be full of challenges, and sometimes we feel like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. But this verse shows us that we are never alone. When we go through hard times, God is with us, ready to help. His presence offers strength and comfort when we feel overwhelmed.

The second is the call to “be still.” To be still means to stop worrying and trust that God is in control. Often, we think we need to act immediately or fix everything ourselves, but sometimes the best thing to do is remember that God is our helper. He will “fight for you.” So, let go and let God.

When life feels chaotic, remember that stillness that invites God to work on our behalf. He has our backs! We don’t have to face our struggles alone.

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

The Great Promise

Our Scripture today is Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Over the years, I’ve been part of many groups and classes where people are asked, “What is your favorite Bible verse?” It’s always interesting to hear which verses have captured people’s hearts. Often, you’ll hear familiar ones like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” from Philippians or John 3:16, “For God so loved the world.”

Yet, in 50 years of preaching and teaching, I’ve never heard anyone choose Revelation 21:4.

One writer beautifully said, “The beauty of Scripture is that it speaks to our hearts at the very moment we need it most.” This verse, in particular, offers a deep well of comfort. When we’re young, life often feels full of health and promise, but as we grow older, grief inevitably becomes part of our journey. We face sickness, and eventually, we all say goodbye to someone we love. In those moments, this verse shines brightest.

Revelation 21:4 reminds us of the hope we have in Christ: a day is coming when God Himself will wipe away every tear, and death, pain, and sorrow will be no more. This is our Great Promise, made possible through Jesus.

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

Today’s Scripture is Mark 3: verse 35.

“For whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.”

In this verse, Jesus explains that His true family is made up of those who do God’s will. It’s not about blood relations, but about obedience. When we choose to follow God’s plan, we enter into a spiritual family with Christ. This shows that obedience to God’s will is a foundation of our relationship with Him. It’s a choice that leads us closer to Jesus, connecting us as His brothers and sisters.

Obeying God’s will isn’t always easy. It requires trust, patience, and sometimes giving up our own desires. As one writer said, “We are all pencils in the hand of God, doing His will.” When we surrender to His guidance, He uses us for His greater purpose. Just like a pencil in the hand of a writer, we are part of God’s work, even if we don’t always see the big picture.

Being in God’s family means aligning our lives with His will. In doing so, we experience His love and guidance more fully. This is what Jesus invites us to when He calls us His family.

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

Our verse today is Titus 2:7

“In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works.”

One of my earliest memories of going to church was when I was five years old. My family attended the South Park Church of Christ in Beaumont, TX. There was a man who always sat in a big chair on the platform. I wasn’t quite sure what his role was—perhaps he led prayers. When you’re five, you don’t always understand everything. He had white hair and a long white beard, and to my young mind, there was no doubt: this man was Jesus. 

Later on, we started attending a different church, and that man wasn’t there. It bothered me, even as a child, to go to church where “Jesus” didn’t seem to be. Of course, I was confused, but I was only five. Still, the principle holds true—never go to church where Jesus isn’t present.

We can’t determine who is with Jesus based on someone’s appearance, like their white hair or long beard. I once went into a restaurant with a deacon who had a long white beard. A little kid saw us, pointed, and said, “Santa Claus!” You might recognize Santa by his beard, but we see godly people by their actions and beliefs.

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

Our text today is Matthew 22: verses 17 and 21:  

“So tell us what you think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus replied, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 

If you had the chance to pose a question to Jesus, would taxes be at the top of your list? It seems that disdain for taxes has been a timeless sentiment, echoing through the ages and still resonating strongly in America today. We’re faced with a dizzying array of taxes: income tax, sales tax, property tax, payroll tax, self-employment tax, capital gains tax, excise tax—and let’s not forget the estate tax that comes up after death.

While these taxes can feel overwhelming, there’s an even more insidious tax we pay—one that doesn’t come with a receipt. I call it the “Gotta Have It Now Tax.” This is perhaps the most foolish tax we incur. It’s an invisible fee we willingly pay when we prioritize instant gratification over thoughtful spending.

Think about it: whether it’s shelling out extra for expedited shipping, succumbing to impulse buys, or opting for convenience at the expense of cost, this tax quietly siphons away our hard-earned money every time we let impatience take the wheel.

The symptoms of this tax are glaringly obvious: empty bank accounts and mounting credit card debt. But fear not! There’s a remedy rooted in wisdom. Here it is: Save a little for a rainy day!

Proverbs 21:20 reminds us:  

“Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.”

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

Today’s scripture is Deuteronomy 6: verse 7. 

“And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

The them this verse is clear—God’s Word. This verse calls us to ensure that our children, and our families, know God’s Word and make it the foundation of their lives.

Teaching children can sometimes be a challenge, but it must be done. Dads, if you aren’t sure how to reach your child, ask their mom. Not all dads have to, but I surely did.

Our kids, Janet, Ginger and Jeremy, were so engaged with the Word that they would weaponize it for their arguments. Ginger, at 13, would lash out at her 8-year-old brother with Ephesians 6:1: “Children, obey your parents.” 

Jeremy would respond with Proverbs 6:16: “God hates a lying tongue.” Neither of them was especially disobedient or dishonest, they just used scripture as their defense!

Over time, I was able to teach them the deeper, true application of these verses. Now, years later, though they no longer live in my house, I’m still committed to guiding them in God’s Word. That is my calling from Deuteronomy 6. And it’s your calling too.

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