People often wish they knew more about the story of Jesus when he was a child. Today’s verse gives us some of the story. We read it in Luke 2:52:

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” 

Notice these things about Jesus as he grew into a man:

1. Jesus grew up. He didn’t start life on earth as a wise old teacher. He was a baby and then a boy and then a man. He “increased” Luke wrote.
2. He wasn’t born with all the wisdom he would ever have. He increased in wisdom. It is hard for Christians to think about Jesus  without thinking that when he was a 10-year-old he was as wise as when he gave the Sermon on the Mount or when he preached the parables. Not true. He got wiser as he got older. He “increased.”
3. Jesus increased in favor with God. As God saw him making freewill decisions to honor his father and do the right thing, God was even more pleased with Jesus. We know God loved Jesus when he was a babe in a manger, but as the days went by, God’s favor for him increased.
4. Jesus increased in favor with man. He knew how to build relationship with his friends and neighbors. According to Proverbs 18:24, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” Jesus must have been friendly as youth in order to increase in “favor with man.”

There is that story of Jesus going to the temple when he was only 12. There he astonished the priests with his knowledge of God’s word. He was a dedicated student of the word, even as a child. I’m glad God told us that story, but there is also a lot to learn about Jesus in today’s Bible verse.

I’m Lonnie Davis

and this is a thought worth thinking.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.   – Proverbs 29:11

Jesus got angry! Did he really? Well, that is what every angry person would have you believe. Usually folks who make this statement are trying to justify their own anger. After all if Jesus got angry, then no one can blame me for being angry. The problem is that this statement is grossly overstated.

Some cite the story of Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple (Mark 11, Matthew 21, Luke 19, John 2). Before anyone accuses Jesus of anger in that story, read the story again. Nowhere do the Scriptures say that Jesus was angry. Jesus was bothered. Jesus was troubled. Jesus was determined to stop unrighteousness. But, Jesus was not angry.

Anger puts a person into an impaired mental state and reduces one’s ability to grasp ambiguity or see any nuance in a situation. Anger gives us an adrenalin rush which clouds our ability to make judgments.  This is not the emotion that Jesus was experiencing when he drove the crooked merchants out of the temple. Jesus did not “lose it.” With a clear mind, Jesus removed scam artists from the temple area.

There is one time in the Bible that says Jesus experienced anger. In Mark 3, the Bible says that Jesus “look around…in anger.” Read the text and you will find that the only way you know Jesus was angry is that the Scriptures tells us so. He did not hit anyone. He did not call anyone a name. He did not shout at anyone. He did not get red-faced. He was angry, but he dealt with it quietly and then he helped a man.

Lonnie Davis

Many Bible students when asked to memorize a verse in the Bible choose John 11:35, “Jesus Wept.” They choose it because this is the shortest verse in the Bible.  It would be too bad if all we knew about this verse is that Jesus wept!

So we ask, why did He weep?

Jesus did not weep for Lazarus. Lazarus was in God’s hands. His race was over and he had won. This is a cause for joy and not tears.

Jesus did not weep because He missed Lazarus. He knew that He would be with Lazarus in a few short days. 

Then why did He weep?

Jesus wept  because those whom He loved were hurting and He cared for them. Jesus had compassion on others. He often showed his care for others.

·         When Jesus saw people hungry, his heart went out to them. (Matt 15:32).

·         When Jesus saw the sick, he had compassion on them. (Matt 14:14).

·         When Jesus saw the blind, he cared and healed them. (Matt 20:34).

·         When he saw a leper, he felt pity and healed him. (Mark 1:41).

Jesus loved Lazarus. When the disciples made reference to Lazarus, they did not address him as Lazarus, but rather “the one whom you love.” (John 11:3) Jesus could have prevented his death, but Jesus did not come to stop the death of one man, but the death of all mankind.

As we look back on that day it reminds us that even as Lazarus got up from the grave so too will we. We are not made for here and we are not made for the grave.

Lonnie Davis reminding you to put God’s Word in your heart.

Have you ever heard the story of the cannibal cows? The story is found in Genesis 41. The ruler of Egypt had one of those puzzling, troubling dream. It was the story of the cannibal cows. The Pharoah tells us the story,

Gen 41:17-21

“In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and … After them, seven other cows came up — scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so.” (Genesis 41:17-21).

After the dream, the king turned to his wise men but they could not tell him the meaning of the dream. Only a man of God named Joseph could tell them the meaning of the dream. The seven fat cows were seven good years. The seven scrawny cows were seven years of famine. The famine followed the good times. The lesson for the king was that he needed to use the good times to prepare for the hard times.

Because he got the point, Egypt was spared from ruin. Because he used the good times to prepare for the hard times, they made it through the famine.

As you read this story, learn the lesson of the cannibal cows, the seven fat cows and the seven scrawny cows. Their story is one for all times and all of us. It is one for your family. As night follows day, life is a series of cycles. Good days follow bad days and bad days follow good days. If you will observe the lesson of the seven fat cows and seven scrawny cows, you will be prepared for when seven scrawny cows come to your life. This is a hard lesson to learn, but ignoring it will lead to hard years.

As you read the story in Genesis 41, remember that the lesson of the cannibal cows came from God. It is still true!

Lonnie Davis

Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, became a wealthy man by living a special principle. He was a high school dropout whose formal education included a G.E.D. He explained his life this way, “”I got my M.B.A. long before my G.E.D. At Wendy’s M.B.A. does not mean Master of Business Administration. It means Mop Bucket Attitude.” To the world, Dave was the leader of Wendy’s. To Dave, Dave was the head of the Mop Bucket Brigade.

This was the way Jesus did leadership. On the last night he would spend with his disciples, he sat around the table with them. As they sat there, Jesus did a most surprising thing. “He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5).

Jesus washed the feet of Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the others at the table – including Judas. They were shocked, but Jesus knew the secret. If you want to be great, you have to serve.

The church, your family, your workplace all need more people with an MBA – Mop Bucket Attitude. Leaders with that kind of MBA are people who are not here to be served, but are here to serve others. These are the true leaders.

Lonnie Davis

Jesus was going to a dying 12-year-old girl. Actually, the girl was not dying, she was already dead. The musicians  and professional mourners were already on the scene and showing sorrow.

Matthew 9 records that event, “When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said, ‘Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.’ And they began laughing at Him. But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up” – (Matthew 9:23-25)

“They began to laugh.” How do you feel when you are trying to do good, and people laugh at you?

Even Jesus had negative people in life, but there is a difference between minor and major negative people. The people who laughed at Jesus were just minor. When you have a major threat by a major negative person you have to take it seriously. You cannot ignore it, but I hope you know which is major and which is minor and treat them accordingly. I confess that I sometimes struggle with telling the difference. From this event we should remember 3 important truths:

1.  There are negative people. Even Jesus had them in his life. They weren’t sneaky about it, but openly laughed at him. If you go through life hoping not to encounter people who will try to put you down, you are setting yourself up for pain.
   
2.  If you find yourself surrounded by the naysayers, do what Jesus did. Tell them to leave. Do not be rude. Jesus simply said, “Leave.” You cannot do your work surrounded by negative folks.
   
3.  Do not let anyone stop you from doing good. Once you figure out what God wants you to do, the rest is just details.

Lonnie Davis

I love mantras. That is word that means, “A commonly repeated word or phrase, especially in advocacy or for motivation.” That just means that you use that phrase to guide your life. Here is a great mantra, “If you do what is easy, your life will get harder. If you do what is hard, your life will get easier.”

Another writer said, “If you would be successful, do the things that are hard and lonely.”

For a Bible reference to this we are reminded of Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

We will reap when the time is right (in due season), if we do the right thing, even if it is hard. Everyone can do the fun things, the social things, or the easy things. Anyone can watch a football game with a friend or go to a movie with a special person. These things are fun and social for most of us. Doing them will bring us no lasting success in life. Few people are willing to do the hard things, the lonely things.

 Few people are willing to spend time alone memorizing math formulas so those who do are thought of as smart. Few people are willing to sit up at night with the television off and memorize passages from God’s word.

To get ahead in your job or any part of your life, be willing to do the hard and lonely things. The fact that they are hard will mean you will be lonely in doing them, but doing these things will set you apart from the crowd. Do not curse the hard circumstances, but rather relish them as opportunities for victory.

Abraham Lincoln was reared in deep poverty. It was hard, but he was willing to overcome it.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was a victim of polio.

Beethoven, one of the true musical geniuses of the world, was completely deaf.

Their problems, their almost impossible circumstances simply meant they had to do hard tings, work harder. Never give in just because something is hard. The fact that circumstances are hard is what allows your victory to be great.

AND again we say, “If you do the easy things, you life will get harder. If you do the hard things, your life will get easier.”

I’m Lonnie Davis and this is my word on this.

Did you hear the story of the mouse and elephant? It goes like this:

There once was a little mouse who had to take a long and difficult journey. As the day wore on the little mouse grew tired and began looking for some easier way to complete the trip. By and by an elephant came along and gave the little mouse a ride on his massive back. Hour after hour the mouse rode on the back of the elephant. The mouse was filled with joy to see how much distance he was able to cover while riding on the back of an elephant. Finally they came to a narrow bridge. The elephant paused and then passed over the bridge. With each step the elephant took the bridge shook. When safe on the other side, the little mouse told the elephant, “We really shook that bridge.”

This story reminds us that you and I face our own “bridges” or difficult spots. We go through minefields, we cross shaking bridges, and pass through the valley of the shadow of death. As Christians while going through all of these places, we too are traveling on the strength of someone else. Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13). Jesus promised, “I will be with you always.” (Matthew 28:20).

One Biblical example is the story of Gideon. He was called by God to deliver Israel from their enemies. Gideon protested, “How can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” God listens to his fears and then says, “But I will be with you.” (Judges 6:14-16). Gideon did not know it, but God did not need him to defeat the enemy. God only wanted him to go along for the ride. The victory was assured.

Always remember, when we face scary places in life, we are merely a mouse riding on the back of One who is able to shake the bridge. When we are eventually safe on the other side of the shaking bridges, we may be tempted to say, “We really shook that bridge,” but we must remember that it was not us, but God who shook the bridge.

Lonnie Davis

The God of Little Things

God is great and it is easy to think that he is not concerned with details. The Scriptures do not portray God as being unconcerned with details. Nowhere is this more evident than in the story of the third post- resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples.

It was getting toward evening and Peter decided to go fishing. The other disciples joined him. In the dawn of early morning, as the disciples were about 100 yards from shore, they saw a stranger on the banks of the Galilee. He shouted to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” (John 21:5). When they said they did not, He gave them instructions about where to fish.

Following his instructions, they caught so many fish one would think the nets would break. They came to the shore and ate with him. That is the quick summary of the story in John 21. A closer reading will reveal that God takes care of the little details in life.

When he told them where to fish, they caught 153 fish – large fish. (21:11).

When the disciples got to the shore, they found that Jesus had cooked breakfast for them. He had a fire of burning coal, some fish and some bread. (21:9).

Jesus served the bread and fish. (21:13). He didn’t just say, “There it is guys, help yourself.”

Several things about this story are amazing:

(1) Upon seeing the risen Lord, someone still counted the fish,

(2) Jesus brought bread for the disciples,

(3) Jesus caught fish before they even saw him,

(4) Jesus cooked breakfast and then served the breakfast.

Life is about the little details. Those who will not pay attention to the little details will have a hectic life. They will constantly feel like the wheels are coming off or life is unraveling before their eyes.

Someone has to make the fire.
Someone has to count the fish.
Someone has to serve the bread.
Someone has to do the little things.

Mountains are made of little stones. Miles are covered by little steps. Love is show with little acts. Successful lives are built on little things.

If God takes care of the little things, then surely we must do the same.

Lonnie Davis

For 12 years, King Saul hunted David like he was an animal. David lived in caves, hid in mountains, and even lived with his old enemy, the Philistines. It happened that King Saul went into a cave where David was hiding. Finally, David had the opportunity to kill Saul and end the reign of terror. Seeing the king asleep, David took out his knife and but instead of killing Saul, he merely cut off a piece of his robe. Saul never even knew it happened. When Saul left the cave, David showed him the cutting and shouted to him, “May the Lord Judge between you and me.” (1 Sam 24:12).

In modern language David effectively said, “Saul, I don’t understand why you are trying to kill me, but I will not raise my hand against you. I will let the Lord handle all of this.”

It is a rare person who can truly agree to disagree and leave everything in God’s hands. We all want all want relief. We all want justice. We all want our own way.

We can be like the little boy who came home from school and told his mother that the bully in class had hit him and that tomorrow he was going to hit him back. His mother told him that vengeance belongs to the Lord and he needs to let God handle it. Little Johnny replied, “Okay, I will give him until Friday.”

Sometimes you have to agree to disagree, but in so doing, you must not be spiteful or hateful. Sometimes you have to let the other person be who they are. You have to say, “May the Lord judge between you and me.”

When David did that, he showed himself to be the bigger man. Sometimes you just have to be the bigger person and let God handle things.

Lonnie Davis