Hosea: On Sowing

The Quote for today is from Hosea: 

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

In the quiet corners of our lives, we often find ourselves planting seeds? Not the kind with roots and leaves, but the seeds of our choices, our words, our actions. 

Hosea, with the poetic precision of a prophet, reminds us that the harvest mirrors the sowing. When we plant the wind, chasing after fleeting, empty pursuits, we invite into our lives the chaos of a whirlwind.

Consider this: every decision we make, every step we take, is like a seed dropped into the soil of time. 

If we sow carelessness, we shouldn’t be surprised when we harvest confusion. 

If we indulge in selfishness, we’ll gather a storm of loneliness. 

But here’s the grace in Hosea’s warning: the soil of our lives is forgiving. If we choose to plant seeds of kindness, integrity, and love, we can expect a harvest of peace, joy, and community.

Imagine your life as a garden. What have you been sowing? Perhaps it’s time to pull out the weeds of haste and plant seeds of patience. To replace the thorns of anger with the blossoms of forgiveness. Hosea’s words aren’t just a caution; they’re a call to action. A call to sow wisely, knowing that the whirlwind of consequences is not just a possibility—it’s a promise.

So, let’s tend our gardens with intention. Let’s sow seeds that will grow into the kind of harvest we’d be proud to share. Because in the end, the life we cultivate is the life we live. 

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

King David’s Challenge

The Quote for today is from King David:  

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)  

Picture a feast spread before you—rich, inviting, full of goodness. The aroma alone stirs your appetite. But instead of tasting, you simply admire, discuss, maybe even take pictures. How foolish! A meal is meant to be savored, not just observed.  

David invites us to a feast of faith. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Not just look. Not just talk. Taste. Experience His goodness for yourself. Trust isn’t built from a distance; it’s born in the moments when we take refuge in Him.  

David knew this firsthand. He faced giants, enemy armies, and his own failures. Yet every time he turned to God, he found safety—not the absence of danger, but the presence of a faithful God.  

What about you? Will you simply admire from afar, or will you step forward and taste? Don’t let fear or doubt keep you from experiencing Him. His goodness isn’t a theory; it’s a reality waiting to be lived.  

Taste it in prayer. See it in life’s unexpected blessings. And when the storms come, take refuge in Him. His goodness isn’t just a promise—it’s a place to dwell.  

So, come to the table. Taste. See. You’ll find the Lord isn’t just good—He’s everything you’ve been searching for.  

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

A Quote from Jeremiah

The quote for today is from Jeremiah: 

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” (Jeremiah 1:6)

Have you ever felt unqualified for something God placed in your path? Maybe you’ve thought, “I’m not experienced enough,” or “I don’t have the right words.”

 Jeremiah felt the same. When God called him to be a prophet to the nations, his first reaction was to point out his youth and inexperience. He didn’t see himself as ready or capable. But God wasn’t looking for perfection—He was looking for willingness.

Jeremiah’s hesitation is a mirror for many of us. We see our limitations, but God sees our potential. He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Right after Jeremiah’s protest, God assures him, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8). The focus shifts from Jeremiah’s inability to God’s sufficiency.

It’s comforting to remember that God’s work in us isn’t about our qualifications—it’s about His power through us. So, when you feel too young, too old, too inexperienced, or too broken, remember Jeremiah. God can use anyone who is willing to say “yes,” even when they feel like saying “I can’t.”

What do you need to do today? Trust that God will give you the strength, the courage and the help when the time comes.

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

Samuel Again!

I don’t often circle back to the same scripture. But today, I’d like us to linger a little longer on a verse from Samuel. It says:

“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24

I love that phrase: “Consider what great things He has done for you.” It’s simple, but it carries the weight of a lifetime.

In nearly fifty years of ministry, I’ve sat through more elders’ meetings than I can count. They involve lots of decisions, plenty of prayers, and yes, plenty of challenges to navigate. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been knee-deep in some tough situation when I’ve had to say, “Guys, we’ve handled tougher things than this.” Maybe it was a financial struggle, a church conflict, or an unexpected setback. And you know what? That little reminder always seemed to shift the atmosphere. A bit of strength would slip back into the room, and we’d remember—we’ve been here before, and God saw us through.

Life’s like that, isn’t it? You hit a rough patch, and it feels like the hardest thing you’ve ever faced. But if you stop and look back, you’ll see a trail of battles you’ve already won—not because you were strong, but because God was faithful. 

If you’re young, you might not have many of those stories yet—but you’re building them now. Trust me, one day you’ll look back and see the fingerprints of God all over your journey. And if you’ve walked with God for a while, you’ve got a history with Him. You’ve seen Him show up when you needed Him most. And the same God who helped you then is standing in your corner now.

So whatever you’re facing today, pause and reflect. Look back at the battles won, the prayers answered, the doors opened. Then step forward, knowing the same God who carried you before will carry you again. Just take a moment, breathe deep, and “consider what great things He has done for you.”

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

A Word from Samuel

The quote for today is from Samuel: 

“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24  

There’s something powerful about the word “consider.” It invites us to pause, to reflect, to remember. Samuel wasn’t just offering a suggestion; he was giving a roadmap for living a life rooted in gratitude and faithfulness.  

Imagine Samuel standing before the people of Israel, his voice steady but filled with urgency. They had demanded a king, drifting from their trust in God, yet Samuel reminded them: “Don’t forget who has been with you all along.”

And isn’t that a word we need today? Life pulls us in every direction—work, worries, relationships, ambitions. But Samuel’s wisdom cuts through the noise: “Pause. Look back. Remember.” Hasn’t God carried you through storms you thought would drown you? Hasn’t He opened doors you didn’t even know existed? When you reflect on His faithfulness, it stirs something deep—faith, reverence, love.  

To fear the Lord isn’t about trembling in terror; it’s about standing in awe of His goodness, His power, His mercy. And when that awe takes root in your heart, service becomes a natural response. You want to serve Him—not out of obligation, but from a heart overflowing with gratitude.  

So today, take Samuel’s advice. Consider the great things God has done for you. Let that reflection shape your heart and your actions.  

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

A Quote from Haggai

The quote for today is from Haggai:

“Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)

Let me paraphrase this verse. Stop and think it through. That is a practical verse!

Sometimes, life moves so fast we barely pause to think about where we’re going or why we’re even on the path we’ve chosen. Maybe it’s rushing from meeting to meeting, juggling family responsibilities, or scrolling endlessly through our phones. Haggai’s words are a gentle but firm nudge from God to hit the brakes and take stock. Imagine God standing beside you, tapping you on the shoulder, saying, “Hey, have you really thought this through?”

We hustle through our days, checking off tasks, chasing success, but sometimes we still feel that nagging sense of emptiness. That’s when we need to hear Haggai’s words echoing in our hearts: “Give careful thought to your ways.”

This isn’t about guilt; it’s about grace. God isn’t pointing fingers; He’s opening doors. Grace means that even when we realize we’ve drifted off course, we have the chance to return. When we pause to reflect—on our priorities, our choices, and our relationship with Him—we find His arms wide open, ready to guide us back to what matters most: His presence, His purpose, and the things and people that really matter.

Take a moment today. Sit quietly. Maybe write down your thoughts or offer a simple prayer: “Lord, show me Your way.” You might be surprised at what He shows you.

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

A Quote from Joshua

Here’s a Scripture from Joshua.

Joshua 3:4  

“Keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

To understand this, you need the backstory.

Forty years after leaving Egypt, Israel was finally ready to enter the Promised Land. They had crossed the Red Sea, traversed mountains and deserts, and now faced their last physical barrier—the Jordan River. But the river was swollen and dangerous, and two million people needed to cross. As they stood on the brink, God gave them specific instructions: follow the ark, but “keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

At first glance, this command might seem odd. With urgency to cross, why did God tell them to stay two-thirds of a mile behind the ark?

God answered that question Himself:  

“Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”

They needed to see the ark lead the way, to follow a path already walked. It’s always easier to travel a road when someone has gone before you.

This isn’t just a lesson for crossing rivers; it’s a rule for life. Whether you want to be a baker, a banker, or a business owner, find someone who’s been there before. Learn from their steps.

Life is much harder when you try to walk it alone.

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

A Quote from Ezekiel

The Quote for today is from Ezekiel:

“I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

Ezekiel spoke these words to a people in exile, far from home and hope. Their hearts had grown cold, as ours sometimes can when life wounds us. 

Disappointment has a way of hardening us. 

Betrayal builds walls. 

Grief makes it easier to withdraw, to protect ourselves from feeling too much. 

A heart of stone feels safe—after all, nothing can break what’s already hardened. But that was never God’s plan for us.

Through Ezekiel, God gives a powerful promise: He will replace what has become unfeeling with something new—something alive. A heart of flesh that beats with hope. It receives love and gives love in return. That’s what God offers when He says, “I will remove from you your heart of stone.”

What area of your heart has turned to stone? Is there a wound you refuse to let go of? A person you can’t forgive? A disappointment that’s made you stop believing things can get better? 

Ask God to remove the stone and replace it with something living, something real. A heart that beats in rhythm with His.

Take a moment today. Bend the knee. Read His word. Follow His plan.

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