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Once when I was doing a little shopping in a local store, I noticed something odd. Cokes by the case were a lot higher than usual. I mean a lot higher. I looked again and saw the problem. It wasn’t a case. It was a pack of 32 cokes. The price was about 50% higher than a normal case, but then it was bigger than a normal case of 24. But wait! It was not a case and a half of cokes it was a case and four cans short of a case and a half for the price of a case and a half. Now if this is confusing to you then the marketers have done as they intended. They did not want you to do the math. It was their way of raising the price without you noticing. Coca-Cola is not the only company to do this. Candy bars got smaller for the same price. Cereal companies took out just a few ounces of cereal and kept the size of the box the same.

A few years back I went through a drive through at a barbecue restaurant. I wanted to buy a pound of barbecue to take home. I examined the menu, but could not find a pound of barbecue anywhere. I found sandwiches, drinks, and buns, but the barbecue was listed only by the half-pound. I asked the girl at the window, “How much is a pound of barbecue?” She gave me the price of a half-pound. I didn’t care about that, so ask her again, “How much is a pound?” “Oh,“ she said, “we do not sell it by the pound.” Now I can do math and know that you can buy two half-pounds and that equals a pound. I also know why they would not advertise the pound price. They thought it seemed cheaper by the half-pound. In Puerto Rico you cannot by a gallon a gasoline. You can only buy it by the liter but 4 liters does not equal a gallon. You don’t know how much a gallon of gasoline is!

Gasoline by the liter, cokes by the case plus ten, and small portions all designed to fool us. These things cause people to be very skeptical. Sometimes the skepticism even turns to God and people doubt God.

We must never let the world erode our trust in God.

Moses wrote, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19)  God does not lie. He does not disappoint. He does not fail. He does not try to trick or deceive. God is faithful. As the book of Lamentations says, ““His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Lonnie Davis

Many years ago while driving down a Texas freeway, I looked down and noticed that my fuel was running low. Spotting a service station up ahead, I pulled in and filled my tank. Five miles further down the freeway, my little Volkswagen sputtered, died, and coasted to the side of the road. Unable to get it running again, I called for help and left the car. A relative towed the car to his house and fixed it. It was a simple fix, one that even I could do. The problem was that the last batch of gasoline had been contaminated with water.

 Sometimes in my life I too am doing fine when suddenly I sputter and stop. When I do, I try to remember the lessons learned from that night:

 I learned that if I put bad fuel into my tank (my heart), it will not worked it should. Before that night I would have guessed a glass of water in 10 gallons of gasoline might cause sputtering, but not a total failure of the engine. I was wrong. David said, “Your Word have I put in my heart that I might not sin”” (Psalm 119:11). The right fuel for the Christian heart is the word of God. The wrong fuel is any thing that will contaminate it.

 I learned that a thing does not have to be all bad to cause failure. I did not put all water into the tank. I put mostly gasoline with a little water. People talk about how much good someone does and somehow think that will make up for the evil behavior, but a little bad destroys a lot of good. Solomon wrote, “As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor” (Ecc 10:1). It does not take much poison in a glass to make the whole drink poison.

 I learned that just because I thought I was doing right, did not mean it was the right thing to do. I thought I was putting pure gasoline in, but I was not. Good intentions do not overcome the bad actions (or dumb behavior). “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

 I learned that you will not have a good result until you remove the bad and put the good in its place. Once the pure gasoline replaced the contaminated fuel, everything started working as it should.

Lonnie Davis

HeartWord – Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

People today are living longer than at any time in modern history. That is great, but one of the saddest thing to see is watching someone outlive their memories. We call it dementia. Our memories make us who we are. Today’s article is about memories. I titled it:

Memories

 While preparing for a move, I picked up a box of old things from years gone by. It was filled with old papers, a few photos, and old books I had not seen for years. Among those old books was a little, brown leather New Testament. Thirty years earlier that New Testament had been my favorite “preaching Bible.” I read a few notes that I had written on its pages and it brought a smile to my heart. Old memories can be refreshing to the soul.

 God also values memories. He put a rainbow in the sky so that we would remember (Gen 9:16). As the Israelites crossed the Jordan, God commanded a monument of memorial stones to be built so Israel would remember how He had delivered them from slavery (Joshua 4:6). As one of His last acts on earth, Jesus set up a memorial meal for Christians. (Matthew 26, 1 Cor 11:24)  He said we should eat this meal “In memory of Me.”

 God calls us to remember that He is God and what he has done for us. The memorial stones in Joshua do not just tell those people there was a God who delivered, but also served to remind each new generation that God still delivers. On the Lord’s Day as the Memorial meal is passed, we do not see grape juice or the unleavened bread, but the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. We see the love of God who gave His Son to the nails so that we might have eternal life.

 I love the story of Robert E. Lee who shortly after the Civil War, was visiting a Kentucky lady. She took him to the remains of a grand old tree at the front of her formerly great mansion. The North and the South had fought a bitter battle in her yard, and the limbs and the trunk of that old tree had been destroyed by Northern artillery fire.  She looked to Lee to speak some word of consolation. Lee paused for a moment and then said, “Cut it down, my dear Madam, and forget it.”

 There are some things we ought to forget, i.e. old hurts, old pains, and old enemies. There are other things we must not forget. We must never forget all of the good things God has done for us. We must never forget that God still has a hand in our daily lives. We must never forget that God always loves us.

Lonnie Davis

HeartWord – Luke 22:19

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Did you ever trust in a car that left you stranded on the side of the road? How about trusting a friend who disappointed you. Today’s article reminds us about what or who we can trust. It is called

Trusting Iron Chariots

As Israel entered the Promised Land, the first city, Jericho fell in spectacular fashion. The cities of Ai, Jerusalem, and Hebron were soon to follow. It was not easy but with God on their side, the Israelites conquered the enemy. 

Joshua noted, “One of you routs a thousand because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.” (Joshua 23:10)

With God’s miracles and the leadership of Joshua, nothing could go wrong. At least that is how Israel felt, but Judges 1:18-19 tells us,

 “The men of Judah also took Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron–each city with its territory. The LORD was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had iron chariots.”

 Notice the end of that verse, “They were unable to drive the people from the plains because they had iron chariots.” 

Think of “Iron Chariots” as tanks of that time. They were indeed formidable weapons, but it was not really the iron chariots that stopped Israel. The iron chariots made the task harder, but neither iron chariots nor tanks can thwart God.

Years earlier the Israelite soldiers had seen the mighty Egyptian army, along with her “iron chariots” perish in the Red Sea. Now Israel found it easier to leave the plains people alone than to battle against iron chariots. Israel opted for ease rather than obedience.

 There is an story about an old man who at a county fair was offered a chance to take his first airplane ride. After some persuading he agreed. When the flight was over the pilot asked the old man how he liked his first flight. He answered, “It was pre ty good, but to tell you the truth I never did put my full weight on it.” 

Israel saw the iron chariots and decided not to put their full weight on God. Israel should have known that Iron chariots cannot stop God or God’s people. Nothing can stop God’s people as long as they are doing God’s will. Only the desire for ease can do that.

What does God want you to do? Do it.

With God as your partner neither iron chariots nor tanks can stop you.

 Lonnie Davis

HeartWord – Philippians 4:5

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

NOTE: There ought not be any harsh spirited Christians. If there is such, make sure it is not you!

Today’s brief note was written especially for folks like me. Folks who get the “I wish I hadn’t said that” disease. If that is you, then listen to the words of an article I call

First You Listen

Someone once noted that God gave us two ears and one mouth because he wants us to listen twice as much as we talk. This is an easier task for some than for others. I would say that it is easier for one gender than for the other, but I have seen people on both sides of the gender line face that same problem.

If we complain about someone who gossips, it is assumed that it is women we are talking about. That is not true. Men also gossip, but we call it talking. Preachers even gossip. When they do it is often about another preacher. Let me tell you about what this one preacher…

Well, maybe I won’t tell you.

 Years ago I was at a men’s breakfast. I told a really good joke and everyone started laughing. I always enjoy it when people laugh at my jokes. Just as they started to laugh, one of the other men spoke up, “Let me tell you a joke I heard.” I was ticked. He didn’t give people enough time to enjoy my joke. In just a few seconds everything was okay. In the middle of telling his joke, one of the other men spoke up, “Hurry up and finish your joke. I have one I want to tell.”

 Unfortunately that little story illustrates the way a lot of folks communicate in life. Instead of listening to what someone is trying to tell us, we start thinking of how we want to answer. Solomon said, “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13).

 As you can see, Answering before we hear the whole issue is a very old problem. This text was written 3,000 years ago. Answering before we hear is a foolish thing to do and will bring shame. You may get away with it for a while, but eventually it will bite you.

 Remember

First you listen.

Think about the words and THEN give the response.

You will be glad you did.

 Lonnie Davis

Today’s Heartword: James 1:19

“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

When my Ginger was five-years-old, her mischief got her into trouble. After a little swat on the bottom, she cried. When she finished crying, I wanted to make sure she knew why I spanked her.

“Ginger,” I asked, “Do you know why I spanked you?”

“Yes,” she sniffled.

“Why?”

With her big brown eyes looking up at me, she answered, “Cause you’re mad at me.”

 I was so glad I asked her. I would have hated for her to have shed tears for nothing. If she did not know why she was disciplined, then the discipline was wasted and improperly done. I spent a few minutes sitting beside her and explaining the lesson she needed to learn.

 Many years later she called me at six in the morning with the news that her apartment had burned down. No one was hurt, but a lot of things were burned up. She kept a good attitude at first, but as the days went by, things got harder. She and her husband moved to another apartment, but it was noisy and awful. They had to close down their business for a few days. Hers and Jeff’s routines were all messed up. Life started to feel hard. I spent a few phone calls telling her that everything would be okay. She had great faith, but still there were those tough days.

 Within a few days of the fire, she and Jeff closed on their new home. It is on a cul-de-sac in a nice, quiet neighborhood. The day they closed was one of the happiest days of her lives. I called her. She had suffered and now that the pain was mostly past, I wanted to make sure that she had learned the lesson.

 “Ginger,” I said to her, “For Christians, everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, then it is not the end.” We laughed about God taking my old car that had 220,000 mile. I told her God took her apartment so he could give her a beautiful new house.

 Romans 8:28 says, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.” No, I do not believe that God wrecked my car or burned her apartment, but isn’t it neat how things worked out? I believe this passage teaches that Christians have the promise from God that the bad days of our lives can be turned into something good. You have to put forth the effort, but God will always do more than his share.

 Let me say it again, “For Christians, everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, then it is not the end.” Don’t fret or worry. Work toward and wait patiently for the good ending. It is coming.

Lonnie Davis

Today’s HeartWord – Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Moses’ story really began as God looked down upon his hurting enslaved people. God wanted to send just the right leader to lead them out of their slavery and pain. Surely there had to be many young, strong, charismatic leaders among 600,000 Israelite men, but God did not choose any of them. There were, no doubt, many men with the gift of words. God wasn’t looking for a wordsmith. There were certainly those who would have jumped at the chance to lead for God or die trying. God did not choose one of those brave souls.

 Instead, God chose a man who ran away from his family while they were slavery and then stayed away for 40 years. God chose a man who was a poor speaker. God chose a man who was afraid to accept a big challenge. God chose a man who did not want to be a leader. God chose Moses. He all of these things and more.

 Moses just wanted to be left alone. Moses did not choose the task. God chose it for him. One of Shakespeare’s characters said, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.” Moses had greatness thrust upon him.

 However, four times Moses gave excuses to God why he could not do what God called him to do. Four times God answered his objections. Finally Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (Ex 4:13). No excuse, just make someone else do it.

 Moses was not very different than most of us. God has a task for each of us. We may not want it and may resist it, but God keeps urging us. Paul urged Timothy, “Do not neglect your gift.” (1 Tim 4:14) We all have been given a gift, a talent, and a calling.

God would not let Moses get away with rejecting His call. In the end Moses did the thing God led him to do. Maybe you too have resisted a challenge that God has placed before you. Maybe you have refused even to see the challenge. Maybe you are happy with things just as they are, but God says to you, “Do not neglect your gift.”

 Perhaps you are not 80. Maybe you are 30 or 40 or 50. If so, then your life’s title can read, “Life Begins at 50.” Go ahead and begin it. God will go with you on the journey.        

 

~Lonnie Davis

Matthew 16:26

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

The drive from my house to work was a beautiful drive. Every day I got to drive a couple of miles through a state park and year round it was beautiful. In the winter, the snow can hang onto the tree limbs that outline the road. In the spring the new growth was amazing. In the fall, the changing of the colors is a site to see. I love it.

 It was beautiful until something happened to ruin it – well, at least a part of it. Someone accidentally ran over a skunk. I know it was an accident because no one would ever do such a crazy thing on purpose.

For the next few days, when I drove down that beautiful road there was a section of the drive that stunk. I have seen policemen pull over and remove the bodies of dead animals from the highways, but no one removed the dead skunk. I am reminded of several truths from this incident.

1. A mess is a mess, even when it is an accident.

Many people excuse every terrible thing they have done with a “I didn’t mean to.” Children think that an apology is all it takes to make everything okay. I sometimes appreciate an apology, but a stink is still a stink. Do not focus on the word “sometimes” in the last sentence. A true apology is always appreciated, but there are people who apologize, but never try to fix anything. That is not a real apology.

2. Sometime things happen in life that you can’t fix.

No one wanted to clean up the mess, so we just have to wait till it goes away on its own. David asked for forgiveness from his sin. God forgave him, but the sword never departed from his house. Jacob wrestled with an angel till the angel touched him in the hip and for the rest of his life he limped. Even with forgiveness there are often consequences.

3. The smell will eventually go away.

Right now it may seem like you will never get past your problem. Don’t be impatient, this too will pass. I love the fellow who was asked what his favorite Bible verse was and he quoted “it came to pass.” What ever your hard spot is, it will pass. It always does. The phrase “it came to pass” is found 453 times in the KJV.

 In your life, this skunk too will pass.

 Lonnie Davis

HeartWord – Psalm 118-24

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Moses’ Snake and David’s Bear

Moses’ Snake

 Do you remember the time that Moses ran from a snake? Moses didn’t run from just any snake, he ran from a snake that was sent from God. Here is the scene: At the burning bush, Moses tries to avoid the responsibility that God gives to him so God sends him a sign. He commanded Moses to throw his staff  (kind of like a large stick) onto the ground. “So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent.” “And Moses ran from it.” (Exodus 4:3-4).

 As our story continues, God told Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail.” Amazingly, “he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand.” Don’t miss the sequence. He ran. God told him to pick the snake up. He stopped running and picked up the snake. After he picked it up, “it became a staff in his hand.”

 I don’t mind picking up a snake if God will turn it into a stick before I pick it up. Sometimes, however, God challenges us to pick up the snake and trust that He will fix it after it is in our hand.

 David’s Bear

 As a child, David killed a bear. Later, when he was trying to convince King Saul that the could kill the giant Goliath, he explained it to King Saul this way, “a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.” (1 Sam 17:34-35).

 Look at that courage, David grabbed the bear by the beard and killed it.

 So what does all this mean to us? In our story, bears and snakes stand for all those scary times we have to face. When we face them, we need to remember that God can kill our snakes and bears. He is with us when we worship on Sunday morning, but he is also with us when we face snakes and bears.

 Lonnie Davis

HeartWord – Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Spiritual Thoughts for August 23

 

The School in the Forest

 

 Once there was a man who wanted to help the animals in the forest. He wanted to make things better for them so he decided to start a school in the forest. In his school he had a squirrel, a fish, and a bird. To make their lives better he decided to help each of them become better at what they did not do well. Since the squirrel could climb, but could not swim, he decided to teach the squirrel to swim. The fish could swim, but could not fly so he worked at teaching the fish to fly. The bird could fly, but could not swim so the fish was enrolled in a swimming course.

 Over the next year, the squirrel practiced swimming, the fish worked at flying, and the bird tried hard to swim. At the end of the year, the teacher had a squirrel that was a bad swimmer, a fish that could not fly, and a bird that nearly drowned daily.

 There is a moral to this story. If you are a squirrel, climb. If you are a fish, swim. If you are a bird, fly. Do not try to be something you are not. God gave each of us special talents. Each of us should work to discover our own special talent. When we do, then our lives and the Kingdom will be blessed.

 Paul wrote, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Cor. 12:17-19)

 You have the special abilities that God wanted you to have. If he had wanted you to be taller, he would have made you taller. If He had wanted you to be prettier, he would have made you prettier. If He wanted you to be a better singer, he would have given you a better voice. Success is not about what you have, but about what you do with what you have. 

                                                                                 ~Lonnie Davis

Heartword – Proverbs 23:6-7

“Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. ‘Eat and drink,’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

Note: We would do well to remember that generosity is not always generosity, but the great lesson we should see in this verse is that we need to share with a willing heart.