Start Again, Starting Now

Today’s Scripture is Revelation 21:5.

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.'”

I read this verse about “all things new” and I remember the poem that says, “I wish there were some wonderful place called the land of beginning again.” 

When I hear those words, I think, “Don’t we all?” At some point in life, we’ve all messed up. We’ve disappointed someone or failed to keep a promise. Somewhere along our journey, there is something we wish we could do over—to get it right this time.

Maybe it wasn’t someone else you let down. Maybe it’s yourself you wish you could have done better for. How many times have you heard, “I wish I knew then what I know now”? If you could go back, what would you change? Many people say they wish they had loved more deeply, forgiven more easily, taken more chances, and prioritized relationships over success.

But sometimes, words like these can just sound like empty clichés. Instead of just dreaming about what you would do differently if you could go to the “land of beginning again,” why not decide what you will do differently right here, right now?

Start doing the things you know you should have done before. The “land of beginning again” isn’t far away—it starts here, it starts today.

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

The Promise Keeper

Today’s Scripture is Numbers 23:19.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

The beauty of God’s promises lies in their certainty. Unlike human promises, which often fall through due to forgetfulness or changing circumstances, God’s promises are unbreakable. When God makes a promise, we can be sure that He will fulfill it. He does not change His mind or fail to act on His word. This brings us comfort, especially in times of doubt or difficulty.

Often, we struggle with patience, expecting God’s answers to come immediately. But remember this: “God always keeps His promises. They may not come when you want them, but they will come in His perfect timing.” When we rest in His faithfulness, we find peace knowing that everything is unfolding according to His wise plan.

God’s perfect timing means that He knows when the right moment is to act. What may seem like a delay to us is actually part of His careful plan to bring about the best outcome. Trusting in His timing is a part of trusting in His character—knowing that He loves us and will act at the right time.

In a world full of uncertainties, we can rest assured that God’s promises will never fail.

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

When Love Isn’t Easy

Today’s Scripture is First Corinthians 16: verse 14.
“Let all that you do be done in love.”

Love is easy when life is smooth, but true love shines in difficult times. The real test of our love is how we respond when things are hard. This is where our verse challenges us. When Paul tells us to do all things in love, he doesn’t mean just when it’s convenient or when people are kind to us. He means all the time—even in moments of frustration, fear, or pain.

It’s in these tough moments that we need to remember: “Love is when you choose to be at your best, even when the other person is not at their best.” This quote reminds us that love gives purpose to the hard parts of life. Without love, we are just going through the motions, but with love, every challenge has meaning.

Imagine a world where love guides our actions in every circumstance. When a friend lets us down, when a coworker frustrates us, or when life feels unfair, love becomes the anchor that steadies us. Choosing to act in love during these times is not only an act of obedience to God, but it also brings peace to our own hearts.

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

Choosing Faith

Today’s Scripture is Joshua 1: verse 9.  

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Facing fear with faith is easier said than done. Life brings unexpected challenges, and fear often creeps in during those moments of uncertainty. This verse is a powerful reminder that God has not just encouraged us to be brave; He has commanded it. The Lord tells Joshua—and us—to take courage, knowing we are not alone.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” This quote reflects the heart of Joshua 1: verse 9. When we can’t see how things will work out, when the path ahead seems hidden or even dangerous, God asks us to trust Him anyway. Just like Joshua standing on the edge of the Promised Land, we might not have all the answers, but we can move forward, knowing God goes before us.

 As one writer said, “Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. You get to choose.” 

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

The Faith We Need

John 11:21-24 tells us the story of Lazarus’ death and the response of his two sisters. Devastated by her brother’s death, Martha told Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Hearing this, she replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Do you see it? She had enough faith for yesterday. She said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” She had enough faith for tomorrow, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection.” But where was her faith for today? 

Her pain revealed what she was missing. She lacked faith for today. It is not enough to have faith for yesterday and tomorrow; we need faith for today.

One of the reasons we all love the “good old days” is because they do not require faith—they are done! But to also make today one of the good old days, we need faith for now. Faith gives us hope and strength. It allows us to trust in God’s plan even when we cannot see the outcome. 

When Martha and Mary saw their risen brother, they realized that Jesus was worthy of their faith for today! Like Martha and Mary, we all need faith for today.

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

When Hope Overflows

Today’s Scripture is Romans 15:13.  

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God does not intend for us to just have a little bit of hope; He wants us to overflow with it. This hope comes from trusting in Him and allowing the Him to work within us. When our hope overflows, it is not just for our benefit—it touches the lives of others, inspiring them and lifting them up. Hope becomes a powerful force, stronger than any obstacle we face.

If you’ve ever faced a serious health issue and needed to see a doctor, there’s one word you long to hear above all else: “hope.” It brings comfort and strength. On the other hand, the most difficult word to hear is “hopeless.” It drains the spirit and leaves us fearful.

 Hope gives us strength when things are tough. It allows us to keep moving forward, even when the path is unclear. God’s hope fills us so completely that it cannot help but spill over, affecting those around us in positive ways.

Living with overflowing hope is a choice, one that comes from trusting God’s promises and knowing He is in control. Let your life be a beacon of that hope today.

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

If You Can?

Our Scripture today is Mark 9: verse 23.

“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”

In Mark 9, we see a desperate father seeking help for his son. He explains to Jesus that his son has been tormented by an evil spirit since childhood, which has often tried to harm him by throwing him into fire or water. In his plea for help, the father says, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus’ response is powerful and almost incredulous: “‘If You can?’ echoed Jesus. ‘All things are possible to him who believes.'” It’s as though Jesus is asking, “What do you mean, ‘if I can?’ Of course, I can!” 

Jesus wants the Father—and us—to understand that there is no room for doubt when it comes to His power. Our fears or uncertainties do not limit his abilities.

Too often, people doubt the power of Jesus. Like the father in this story, we can come to Him with a mix of hope and hesitation, wondering if He can really help us. But Jesus makes it clear: He has the power to do anything. 

We are called not to doubt, but to trust in Him fully. All we need to do is come to Him with genuine faith and believe that He is more than able to meet our needs.

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

Watch Your Thoughts

Our Scripture is 2 Corinthians 10:5.

“We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

This passage contains a teaching that, when understood, will help you live a righteous life. Paul tells us to “take captive every thought.”

The phrase “take captive every thought” is a call to be intentional about what we allow to dwell in our minds. You may think you can’t help what you think about, but that is not true. When you find bad thoughts coming into your mind, think about something else—something good. The good thoughts will drive out the negative thoughts.

It’s not just about letting thoughts passively come and go but rather capturing them, evaluating whether they align with righteousness, and if not, letting your mind focus on other things.

In a world full of distractions, doubts, and negative influences, our minds can easily be pulled in directions that distance us from living as we should. Unchecked, these thoughts—whether they be worries, temptations, or false beliefs—can grow and take root in our hearts, affecting our decisions and actions.

To take a thought captive means to hold it up against the teachings of Jesus and ask, “Does this thought align with who Christ is? Is it loving, truthful, and filled with faith? Or is it fearful, prideful, or self-centered?”

Turn your thought of worry into a prayer of trust. Turn your self-condemnation into a reminder of God’s grace.

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

God Fights For You

Today Scripture is Exodus 14:14,

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

There are times in life when anxiety seems to take over. Perhaps you’ve faced a situation where you didn’t know how things would turn out—maybe it was a health scare, financial trouble, or a family crisis. In these moments, it can feel like the walls are closing in, and no matter how hard you try, there’s no clear way forward.

Our verse today offers us two great thoughts for such times.

First, it reminds us of divine support. Life can be full of challenges, and sometimes we feel like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. But this verse shows us that we are never alone. When we go through hard times, God is with us, ready to help. His presence offers strength and comfort when we feel overwhelmed.

The second is the call to “be still.” To be still means to stop worrying and trust that God is in control. Often, we think we need to act immediately or fix everything ourselves, but sometimes the best thing to do is remember that God is our helper. He will “fight for you.” So, let go and let God.

When life feels chaotic, remember that stillness that invites God to work on our behalf. He has our backs! We don’t have to face our struggles alone.

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

God’s Promise

The Great Promise

Our Scripture today is Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Over the years, I’ve been part of many groups and classes where people are asked, “What is your favorite Bible verse?” It’s always interesting to hear which verses have captured people’s hearts. Often, you’ll hear familiar ones like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” from Philippians or John 3:16, “For God so loved the world.”

Yet, in 50 years of preaching and teaching, I’ve never heard anyone choose Revelation 21:4.

One writer beautifully said, “The beauty of Scripture is that it speaks to our hearts at the very moment we need it most.” This verse, in particular, offers a deep well of comfort. When we’re young, life often feels full of health and promise, but as we grow older, grief inevitably becomes part of our journey. We face sickness, and eventually, we all say goodbye to someone we love. In those moments, this verse shines brightest.

Revelation 21:4 reminds us of the hope we have in Christ: a day is coming when God Himself will wipe away every tear, and death, pain, and sorrow will be no more. This is our Great Promise, made possible through Jesus.

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