Month: October 2024

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 29:21.  

“If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end.”

When we spoil someone early on, whether it’s a child, a servant, or anyone under our care, we may think we are being kind. However, Proverbs warns that pampering without correction or discipline leads to long-term problems. People who are spoiled often struggle with responsibility and self-control later in life. They may grow to expect the world to cater to them, which can bring grief to both them and those around them.

Discipline and guidance are necessary for growth. Without it, bad habits can take root, and those habits are hard to break. That’s why it’s important to set boundaries early on. As one writer said, “Indulgence makes the heart grow discontented.”

Proper discipline shapes a person’s character. It teaches them to face challenges and make decisions that benefit not just themselves but those around them.

Obviously this text makes a reference to the truth that we should not pamper another person, but this lesson equally applies to applying discipline to ourselves.

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

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 23:12.  

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”

This verse reminds us of the importance of being open to learning. It’s not just about listening with our ears but also opening our hearts to instruction. In a world where it’s easy to rely on our own thinking, God calls us to seek instructive actively. Learning is not something that happens by accident. It requires effort and a willingness to learn, that helps us develop our skills and abilities.

The value of seeking knowledge is that it leads to personal growth. We are always learning, and that should never stop. We need to step outside of our comfort zones to truly understand the world around us. We need to seek instruction from others. As a poet said, “If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things, you never knew, you never knew.”

Applying our hearts to instruction means being humble and realizing that we don’t know everything. When we listen carefully, both to God’s Word and to others, we become wiser and more prepared to handle life’s challenges.

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

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 22:29.

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

Many people want to be really good at something and appreciated by their friends. Today’s verse tells us how to make that happen. The verse highlights a truth we often see in life: those who are diligent and apply themselves rise above others who do not. It’s not just talent that leads to success, but consistent hard work. The person who shows commitment and puts in the effort will be noticed. They won’t be hidden in the background but will be called forward for greater opportunities.

This reminds me of the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Even if someone has natural abilities, if they don’t apply themselves, they may never reach their full potential. Meanwhile, a person who may not be as naturally gifted, but is diligent in improving their skills, will often surpass the one who relies solely on talent.

God created each of us with different talents and abilities, but it’s our responsibility to develop those gifts and use them well. Diligence and effort bring long-term rewards, and God honors those who faithfully apply themselves.

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

Today’s Scripture is Philippians 4:5:

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

At some point, you’ve probably heard someone say, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” This saying highlights how kindness and gentleness get better results than being harsh or confrontational. It reminds us of the power of patience, kindness, and gentleness in our relationships.

Gentleness isn’t about being passive or weak; it’s about having the strength to stay calm in the heat of the moment. It’s the ability to choose peace over pride. And here’s the beautiful part: when we act with gentleness, His nearness is reflected in our gentle responses. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Think about that for a moment. The thing that could have escalated into conflict is defused by a simple, gentle answer.

This is how we show the world that Christ is near—not by loud proclamations, but by quiet actions that speak louder than any words. Gentleness is a choice. Choose gentleness.

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

Today’s Scripture is Philippians 3:13-14.

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal.”

Imagine driving a car, but instead of looking through the windshield at the open road ahead, you’re glued to the rearview mirror. You’re so focused on what’s behind you that you miss the turns, the scenery, and even the path you’re supposed to follow. Life can feel like that sometimes. We get stuck looking back at our past mistakes, regrets hanging over us like a heavy fog. But just like driving, it’s hard to get anywhere if you’re constantly looking behind you.

Paul understood this when he wrote Philippians 3:13. He admitted he hadn’t reached perfection but was determined to keep moving forward. He knew the past couldn’t be changed, but the future was still wide open. He says, “Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.” That’s the key—letting go of the past so we can fully embrace what God has in store for us.

Think of it like turning the page of a book. “You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.” Each day is a new page, a fresh start, and a chance to live in God’s plan for your future. Don’t miss the story He’s writing for you by holding on to old regrets.

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

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 31:10-12.

“Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will lack nothing of value. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.”

Not every political slogan is a winner. Some fizzle out the moment they hit the airwaves, while others stick like glue to the national psyche. Take 1964, for example. The Republican candidate for President proudly rolled out the line, “In Your Heart, You Know He’s Right.” Not to be outdone, the Democrats fired back with a cheeky rebuttal: “In Your Guts, You Know He’s Nuts.” Political sparring at its finest.

But for me, the greatest slogan of all time came not from a political campaign but from my own wife. Somewhere in the 1970s, Liz decided that I should run for President. Never mind the fact that I wasn’t even old enough to run. And the best part? She created a slogan for my campaign: “Davis Will Save Us.”

Now, why do I consider this the best slogan ever? It wasn’t because it made any headlines or swayed the masses. No, it was because it made me feel like admired in my own home. And when a man feels admired by the person who matters most, that kind of approval can make him feel like he could actually save the world.

So, here’s the question: Who in your life needs to feel admired today, and what simple words could make them believe they can move mountains?

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

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 100:3.

“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

Back in the 1800s, a man named Samuel was a rancher in Texas, but he had a peculiar way of doing things. While all the other ranchers carefully branded their cattle to show ownership, Samuel refused. Maybe he thought it was too much trouble, or maybe he just liked being different. Either way, it created some confusion. Eventually, whenever a cowboy found an unbranded cow wandering the prairie, they figured it must belong to Samuel Maverick.  

Before long, Samuel’s last name became more than just a name—it became a word. A “maverick” came to describe anyone who refused to follow the rules, someone who did things their own way.

Now, we might admire that independent streak, and even as Christians, some folks like to think of ourselves as “mavericks”—doing faith on our own terms, walking our own path, and expecting others to adjust. But here’s the thing: as believers, we don’t get to go through life unbranded. We belong to God.  

Following Christ isn’t about independence or doing things our own way—it’s about surrender. It means recognizing that we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. It’s not about expecting others to adapt to us, but about aligning ourselves with Christ and letting His love shape how we live.  

The next time you feel the urge to go your own way and do things on your terms, remember: we’re already branded. We are His, and that makes all the difference.  

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

Our Scripture today is Jeremiah 31:3:  

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”  

Have you ever felt inferior? If so, this verse is for you.  

Let me start by mentioning Alfred Adler, a renowned psychologist and founder of a well-known branch of psychology. He had countless achievements, too many to list here. But what’s more interesting is something profound he once said: *”To be human means to feel inferior.”*  

If someone as accomplished as Adler admitted to feeling inferior, it’s no wonder that you and I might feel the same at times. There will always be people who seem smarter, wealthier, or better looking.  

But here’s the thing—so what?  

Two thousand years ago, The Son of God Himself carried a cross to a hill and chose to die there. He did it for you. He saw you as worth dying for. Who are you to argue with that?  

Whatever today brings, hold onto this truth: you are deeply loved by a God who has never stopped being faithful to you. Your humanity may make you feel small, but with God on your side, you are never insignificant.  

As He promised, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  

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

Our verse today is Genesis 9:24-25:  

“When Noah awoke from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.’”  

Why did Noah call down a curse on Canaan? Here is the story.  

One of Noah’s sons, Ham, saw his father drunk and lying inside his tent. Instead of quietly helping, he went and told his brothers. In response, his brothers took a blanket, walked in backward, and covered their father so they wouldn’t see him naked. When Noah woke from his drunken state, he called down a curse on Canaan.  

Canaan was cursed because he was Ham’s son. It saddens me to hear people say, “It’s my life.” No, your actions affect others—often your children or loved ones suffer the consequences of shameful behavior. A drunkard father leaves a poor example for his children. Life already brings enough challenges without having to overcome a bad example.  

There is another lesson we can learn here. When Ham saw his father’s nakedness, he had the opportunity to cover him and stay silent. But instead, he exposed the situation by telling his brothers.  

This story teaches us how to respond when we see someone sin. If you can help, do so. But avoid spreading unnecessary information. If Ham had responded righteously, his brothers would never have known.  

So remember, do what you can—and don’t gossip about it.  

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

Our Scripture for today is 2 Kings 5:11:  

Naaman went away angry and said, “‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.’”

Naaman was a great general, wealthy, and admired. He had everything, but he also had leprosy—a disease with no cure and a painful death. Upon hearing about a prophet who might heal him, Naaman went to see him. However, when God’s servant told him what to do, “Naaman went away angry.”  

He needed God’s help, and God offered it, but Naaman stormed off because the help wasn’t what he expected. People still do that today!  

We ask God for help and then get upset when the help isn’t what we had in mind. Naaman was happy for God to handle his problem but had already decided how God should do it. He wanted a dramatic display—the waving of hands and calling on God’s name—not a simple act like dunking in the Jordan River. He thought he knew better than God how things should be done.

There’s a bit of Naaman in each of us. Sometimes we pray for God’s help, but then we tell Him what needs to be done and how to do it. Even when we don’t say it out loud, we have an idea in our minds of how He should act.

Real trust simply says, “Help,” and leaves the rest to God.

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