Month: October 2024

Today’s Scripture is Genesis 8:22.

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”

Everything in life changes. Seasons shift, days turn into nights, and the cycle continues. This has always been the way of the world, and it will always be so. As we navigate our lives, we must remain prepared for what comes next.

Change is unavoidable, and God emphasizes this through the constant rhythms of nature. Just as there are seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, our lives follow a similar pattern. Each season has its own significance and blessings.

It is crucial to learn to appreciate the season you are in, whether it’s a time of growth, rest, or challenge. Embrace the current season and look forward to the next, trusting in God’s plan for every phase of your life.

By accepting that everything changes, we can find peace in the steadfastness of God’s promises. Be prepared for the changes ahead and value the present moment.

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

Today’s Scripture is Genesis 22:8.

“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.”

There are moments when we face uncertainties and wonder how our needs will be met. Abraham found himself in such a situation when asked to offer his son Isaac. Yet, he told his son, “God himself will provide the lamb.” This shows a deep trust that God’s provision comes in His timing, not ours.

We often want quick answers and immediate solutions. But faith means trusting even when we can’t see the whole picture. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Abraham took that step, believing that God would provide at the right moment.

This verse reminds us that God’s timing is perfect. He knows our needs and will provide for them, even if it’s not when we expect. Our part is to keep moving forward in faith, trusting that He will meet our needs at just the right time.

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

Today’s Scripture is Genesis 1:1.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:1 opens the Bible with a simple yet profound statement: God created everything. From the very start, we see God’s hand crafting three main things—creation, creatures, and creators.

First, God created the Creation: the heavens, the earth, and all that fills them. This includes the sun, the moon, and the stars. When we look at the sky or marvel at the vastness of space, we witness a piece of His grand design.

Next, God created the Creatures: the animals that fill the skies, the seas, and the earth. Cats, canaries, crocodiles, and countless other animals all came into existence by His word.

Finally, God created Creators. When He said, “Let us make man in our image,” He gave us a share in His creativity. Just as God is the ultimate creator, we, too, have been given the ability to create. Humans can imagine and teach. We build cities, write songs, and explore the mysteries of the universe. No group of animals gathers to learn or to appreciate the vastness of creation, but humans do because we carry a part of God’s nature.

Genesis 1 reminds us of the creative power and purpose in God’s creation. As those made in His image, we are called to reflect that creativity in our own lives, building, learning, and honoring the One who created us.

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

Today’s Scripture is Psalm 4: verse 4.  

“Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still.”

Anger is a powerful emotion, one that can quickly lead us down a path we might later regret. But Psalm 4: verse 4 reminds us that while anger itself isn’t necessarily wrong, what we do with it matters. God encourages us to take time and reflect rather than act out in haste. Self-control in the midst of anger is a mark of wisdom and maturity.

There is an old adage, when you are angry, count to ten. One smart person added, when very angry, count to 100. There is some truth to this.

The world often tells us to speak up when we feel wronged, but experience teaches us that words spoken in anger often hurt the most. Ambrose Bierce once said, “Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” This insight aligns perfectly with the message in our verse today, urging us to pause and consider our words carefully. Reflecting in moments of anger not only prevents damage to our relationships but also honors God, who values peace and understanding.

So next time anger stirs, take a step back, search your heart, and let the moment of stillness guide your response.

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

Today’s Scripture is Psalm 4:3:

“Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.”

As you read this verse, pay attention to those first two words: “Know that.” What follows are truths that God wants you to hold onto.

First, “The Lord has set apart the godly for Himself.” God has a special relationship with those who seek Him. Even if you sometimes feel alone, remember you’re never truly alone, for He has set you apart as part of His purpose. Think of when Jesus told His disciples that they would abandon Him, yet He would not be alone: “For my Father is with me” (John 16:32). Just like Jesus, you are never outside of God’s care or plans.

Second, David says, “The Lord hears when I call to Him.” God listens and responds to the prayers of His people. A big reason for a weak prayer life is doubting that God actually hears. If you don’t believe He is listening, it’s hard to keep praying. For David, prayer wasn’t just a ritual; it was real communication. He prayed with conviction, knowing that God was listening—and that kind of trust leads to a life of prayer.

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

Today’s Scripture is Jonah 1:9.  

“I am a Hebrew,” replied Jonah. “I worship the LORD, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.”

Jonah’s confession of who he is and who he worships seems strong. He declares his faith in God, the Creator of all things. Yet, Jonah’s actions tell a different story. He is running from God’s call, trying to escape the very One he claims to fear and serve. There’s a clear tension between Jonah’s belief and his behavior. How often do we find ourselves in a similar situation—professing one thing but doing another?

This verse reminds us that true faith is reflected in our actions, not just in our words. Jonah knew the truth, but his disobedience showed the struggle within. As Jane Austen wisely said, “It’s not what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” Our behavior, especially when tested, reveals the depth of our faith. Jonah’s journey teaches us that acknowledging God is not enough; we must align our lives with what we believe.

God’s grace pursued Jonah, just as it does with us. May we learn to live out our faith in both word and deed, trusting that God’s call is always for our good.

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

Walking Away from God

Today’s Scripture is Genesis 3:8  

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.”

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, their immediate reaction was to hide. This moment reflects a deep truth about our own hearts. Disobedience to God creates a separation between us and Him. It isn’t that God turns away from us, but rather, we withdraw from His presence, much like Adam and Eve did. Sin brings guilt and shame, making us feel unworthy of standing before a holy God. In our hearts, we know when we’ve stepped away from His path.

The takeaway here is simple but profound: disobedience always puts distance between us and God. The more we stray, the harder it becomes to return. As the quote says, “When we choose to disobey God, we choose to walk away from His presence.” But even in our hiding, God seeks after us, calling us to return to Him.

This verse reminds us to be mindful of our choices. When we walk in obedience, we walk in close relationship with God. When we disobey, that closeness fades.

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

It may amaze you to think there are any unimportant or throwaway verses in the Bible. Of course, there are not, but we have treated them as such. For example, those who desire to read the Bible through in a year do well until they come to the “and so and so begat so and so” verses. These verses don’t take long to read because people often skip over them. 

Unfortunately, we often do this with parts of Matthew 1 and Luke 3. These verses give us Jesus’ genealogy. As Americans, we are not concerned with who begat whom, but we must not ignore the lessons from these great verses.

First lesson: God works through imperfect people.

Jesus’ genealogy includes people with flawed histories, such as Rahab, the prostitute, and King David, who committed adultery and murder. But God still used them in His plan. This reminds us that no one is beyond redemption, and God can use anyone for His purpose.

Second lesson: God values all people. 

The genealogy of Jesus includes Tamar, a woman who deceived Judah into sleeping with her; Ruth, a Moabite woman; Bathsheba, an adulterous woman; and King David. 

Whether an adulterer or a King, God cares about you.

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

Our Scripture for today is First Corinthians 16: verse 14.

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

Sometimes God’s teaching seems easy. For example, in the 10 Commandments we are told, “Do not murder” and “You shall not covet your neighbors ox or donkey.” (Exodus 20:17). But today’s verse is hard—Do everything in love. The only way to keep that is by having great faith because love isn’t just a warm feeling—love demands action, often requiring deep faith. 

For example, think of forgiveness: When we choose to forgive someone who has wounded us deeply, we’re not just expressing love; we’re exercising faith. We trust that God will heal our broken places and that the act of forgiveness with love is best. 

This truth becomes especially clear when we encounter difficult people in our lives—that coworker who consistently undermines us, the family member who knows exactly which buttons to push—loving them requires more than good intentions. It requires faith that God works in their lives just as He works in ours. It’s a profound reminder that while love isn’t always the easy choice, it’s always the right choice.

Remember that every act of love, especially the difficult ones, is a testament to our faith. Have faith and do everything in love.

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

Today’s Scripture is Luke 8:18.  

“Take care, then, how you listen. For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”

The context of this verse is about being wise. Jesus warns us to be careful listeners. Why does he warn this in the context of getting wisdom? It is because wisdom comes with listening and paying attention. Mark Twain put it well when he said, “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would rather have talked.”

Those who truly seek spiritual wisdom and apply what they learn will receive even more. That is the promise of this verse. However, those who ignore or neglect God’s truth risk losing the little understanding they have. Spiritual wisdom is not something that happens by accident. It’s a gift God gives to those who seek it earnestly.

If we value the wisdom we receive from God and live by it, He promises to give us even more. But if we neglect it, even what we think we have may be lost. The pursuit of wisdom is ongoing, and it requires both listening and doing.

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