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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.

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.