Month: October 2024

Today’s Scripture is Luke 12:19.  

“And I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry.’”

In this verse, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who thought his wealth would secure his future. He believed that his full barns and stored-up goods meant he could relax and enjoy life without any worries. But the problem is, he was focused only on this life and forgot about eternity. He made the mistake of thinking that his possessions could bring lasting security.

This is a warning to all of us who might be tempted to live only for today and forget about what’s really important. As one writer said, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”

What we do with our time, resources, and lives matters for eternity. Our lives are more than just the years we spend on earth. Let’s remember that there is more beyond this life and live in a way that reflects eternal values.

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

Our Scripture today is 1 Peter 4:8.

“Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

One of the curses of being the oldest child is having kids before your siblings and listening to them tell you how to raise your child. You hear famous words like, “When I have kids, they will not…” One of the joys of being the oldest child is watching your younger siblings have children and seeing those children do exactly what their parents said they would never do. It is easier to discipline and control other people’s children better than you can your own.

The story is told of one man who was called to bail his son out of jail. As he left for the jail, a nosey neighbor said, “If he were my kid, I’d leave him in jail.” The father answered, “If he were your kid, I’d leave him in jail too.”

To understand the principle behind this, one needs to read 1 Peter 4:8, “Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” The reason my kid’s sins are not as bad as your kid’s sins is because I love my kids and “love covers a multitude of sins.” It is the way of love to look past faults and imperfections.

All relationships grow or die because of the truth in this verse. We love our kids, our spouse, our parents, or our friends so that we can “cover” their sins, that is, not stare at them too long. 

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

Our Scripture for today is Revelation 19: verses 6 and 7. 

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.”

Can you imagine that incredible wedding? We, the Church, are the bride, and we spend our lives getting ready for that wedding. It will be the most glorious celebration ever, beyond anything we can dream of. And that’s saying a lot because humans have quite the imagination!

Think about some of the most extravagant weddings in history. The royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981 was iconic and lavish. In today’s money, it would have cost about $110 million. The Mittal-Bhatia wedding in 2004 cost $60 million, and in 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton had a wedding priced at $34 million. These are extravagant, but imagine the wedding described in Revelation 19 – the marriage of the Lamb and His bride.

Those were surely amazing, but we all have a grand wedding to look forward to, the one God prepares for us. When the end comes, and this old world fades away, “the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready!” That bride is you and me!

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

Today’s Scripture is Matthew 25:39-40.

“When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’”

In this passage, Jesus teaches us the value of even the smallest acts of kindness. He tells us that when we care for others, especially those in need, it is as if we are caring for Him. Often, we think that serving God means doing something big or heroic, but Jesus reminds us that our everyday acts of compassion matter immensely in God’s eyes. Whether giving something to eat, something to drink, something to wear, or visiting someone who is sick—these actions are meaningful to God.

As one poet said, “Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” This is the heart of what Jesus is saying here. It’s not about waiting for the perfect chance to do something grand; it’s about recognizing the value in the small, simple acts we can do every day.

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

Today’s Scripture is Matthew 25:27. 

“Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.”

Does God care whether we turn dimes into dollars or dollars into dimes? Absolutely. Today’s verse makes that very clear.

As God’s children, we have a responsibility to take the blessings He has given us and help them grow. When God gives you a dime, nurture it until it becomes a dollar. When He gives you people, cultivate those relationships. When He gives you time, turn it into something meaningful.

In this passage, Jesus speaks about “talents,” and for years, I mistakenly read this as a reference to special abilities. But a “talent” was a unit of currency—a measure of wealth. Jesus is speaking directly about those blessed with resources. His message is that we must use and multiply the gifts God entrusts to us.

The important point isn’t the exact return, but our willingness to use what we have. The parable isn’t about burying our resources in fear or complacency but about stepping out in faith to foster growth, however that looks. God isn’t demanding financial multiplication—He’s asking for active stewardship.

In other words, use what God has given you today to make tomorrow better.

I love this quote: “What God has given you is His gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.”

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

Today’s Scripture is James 3:13.  

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Wisdom is not just about knowing things. True wisdom is shown through actions. It’s easy to say we are wise, but what really matters is whether we do what a wise person would do. Are our actions showing the wisdom we claim to have? James tells us that wisdom is seen in our good conduct and humility. The way we treat others, the decisions we make, and the way we handle challenges all reflect whether we are truly wise.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” This reminds us that actions speak louder than words. We can talk about wisdom all day, but if our actions don’t line up with our words, people will notice. It’s not enough to claim wisdom; we must live it out every day.

In a world full of words, let your actions speak for you. Show the wisdom God has given you through humility and good deeds. Let your life be a testimony to the wisdom that comes from Him.

___  

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

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.

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

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.