Month: December 2024

Our text for today is Daniel 7:10: 

“A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.”

This number represents 100 million. While it may be a poetic way of describing an innumerable host, the point is clear—heaven is not a place with just a few angels. Yet, of all these angels, only three are known by name: Satan, Michael, and Gabriel.

One of our readers shared that her favorite Bible character is Gabriel. Michael is described as the archangel, meaning “chief angel” or “highest-ranking angel.” Interestingly, Jude 1:9 suggests that Satan may have held an even higher position at one time. So, what makes Gabriel so special?

Perhaps it’s because God chose Gabriel to deliver the most important messages in history. It was Gabriel who told Mary about God’s plan to send Jesus to save the world (Luke 1:26-28). I especially admire Gabriel for what he said to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist: 

“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news” (Luke 1:19). 

Gabriel stands in the presence of God! When I get to heaven, I want to meet him.

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

The story of Ruth is a tale of loyalty, love, and redemption set during a time of famine. A Jewish family from Bethlehem fled to Moab, where, over a period of ten years, their lives unfolded. As Ruth 1:4 states:

“The sons of Elimelech took Moabite wives. One was named Orpah, and the other was named Ruth, and they lived there about ten years.”

Ruth stands at the heart of the Book of Ruth and occupies an important place in Jewish history. Her faith and determination ultimately placed her in the lineage of Jesus.

Here are key facts about her life:

1. Though a Moabite—from a nation often in opposition to Israel—Ruth chose to follow Naomi, her Jewish mother-in-law, and embrace Israel’s God.
2. She became a widow at a young age, likely in her late teens or early twenties, when her husband Mahlon died. This loss sparked her journey of faith. Sometimes in life, great adventures come from hard times.
3. Her famous declaration in Ruth 1:16, “Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay,” showed her complete devotion as she abandoned her former life to follow Naomi, her mother-in-law.
4. Through humble grain-gleaning in the fields to support Naomi, Ruth caught the attention of Boaz, a wealthy landowner who later married her.
5. As one of the few women in Jesus’ genealogy and the great-grandmother of King David, Ruth secured a vital place in biblical history.

Her story shows how faith and loyalty can bring unexpected blessings amid hardship, demonstrating God’s habit of working through unlikely individuals to fulfill His purpose.

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

Our text for today is Genesis 2:7:  

“Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”  

Let’s take a closer look at five things about Adam, the first man.  

1. Adam’s Name 

The name Adam holds deep significance. It comes from the Hebrew word “adam” (man) and “adamah” (ground or earth). Since Adam was formed from the dust of the ground, his name is a reminder of his earthly origin.  

2. The World’s Oldest Profession  

Did you know the world’s oldest profession is gardening? In Genesis 2:15, we read, “The LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.” Adam’s first role was to care for the beautiful world God created.  

3. Man was not meant to be alone  

In the midst of a perfect creation, God said something was “not good.” In Genesis 2:18, He declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” This marks the beginning of human companionship and community, showing that relationships are central to God’s design.  

4. Adam’s Origin  

Adam is one of only two men in history with no human father—the other being Jesus. Adam’s existence was entirely the result of God’s creative power.  

5. Adam’s Role in the Fall  

When Eve was tempted by the serpent, Adam was right there with her (Genesis 3:6). Yet, the text records no effort on Adam’s part to intervene. His silent complicity made him equally responsible for humanity’s first sin.  

There is much more to consider about Adam’s life. You’ll find his story in Genesis chapters 1 through 5.  

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

Where do we begin to recognize the greatness of Abraham? Perhaps with this thought: Abraham, the father of Isaac and Jacob, holds a special place in the world’s three major religions—Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Other than Jesus, he is revered by more people than any other man in history.

This is a wow thought, but there is one that I like even better: In Isaiah 41:8, God Himself says, “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend.” 

Abraham is called the friend of God. Wow! But Why? Consider this story:

Abraham was living with his family in his homeland when God suddenly spoke to him, telling him to leave home. If this happened to you, would you feel excited or afraid? This marked the beginning of Abraham’s journey of faith.

From Ur, Abram and his family walked 600 miles to Haran. After his father Terah died there, Abram continued from Haran to Canaan, which added another 400–500 miles.

In total, Abram’s journey from Ur to Canaan spanned about 1,000–1,200 miles. 

But wait! There’s more: This long journey was on foot, with flocks, herds, and family. It likely took several months or even years.  Hebrews 11:8 says this about the journey: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.”

Read his story in Genesis 12 through 25.

—Tomorrow we will meet Adam, the first man.

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

Today I am starting a new devotional thought.  

On your first day in heaven, who do you want to meet? Of course, my loved ones from the past 100 years on earth will meet me at the gate. I want to see not just my wife but also my mother, grandmother, and grandfather again. I would love for them to introduce me to their grandparents. What a great day that will be! 

We will find joy in that moment, but who would you want to meet after that? We all want to see Jesus and the Father, but after that, who do you want to meet?  

I want to meet some of the Bible men and women. How curious are you to meet Mary, the mother of Jesus? I want to meet Abraham, Moses, and King David. Wouldn’t you like to talk to Bathsheba? I will sit and talk with Solomon for hours. In heaven, time means nothing, so I know he will have time for me. It will be neat to ask James what it was like growing up with Jesus as his big brother. I wonder if Mary ever told him, “Why can’t you be more like Jesus?” 

There are people you’ve heard about in the Bible all your life, but now you’ll have the chance to truly get to know them. Day by day, we will meet them in the daily moments of this devotional. 

Tomorrow we will meet Abraham.  

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

Our Scripture for today is Romans 2:15:

“The work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them.”

The law written in everyone’s heart is the moral law. Across all cultures, some things are universally recognized as wrong—like murdering an innocent person, harming a baby, or lying. We know these truths instinctively, not because we read them in a rulebook. For instance, the execution of six million Jews during World War II was wrong, regardless of what the laws of that time declared. Those responsible were prosecuted for violating moral law, not man-made rules.

But who placed that moral law within us? The answer points to God. His moral law is etched into the hearts of all people, serving as a guide and a reminder of a divine source of morality.

If someone claims there is no God, they must explain why certain acts, like murdering a child, are inherently wrong. If morality depends solely on society, what happens when societies justify the unjustifiable? Consider the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693, where 20 people were executed under the laws of man. Man’s laws can fail, but God’s law stands firm.

The moral law written on our hearts gives me unwavering faith in the moral lawgiver—God.

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

Our scripture today is Genesis 1:1.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

This verse introduces one of the most profound truths: everything has a beginning, and God is the source of it all. The cosmological argument for God builds on this idea. The term “cosmos” refers to the universe – the stars, planets, galaxies, and everything in space. This argument suggests that because the universe began to exist, it must have had a cause. That cause, believers affirm, is God.

Scientists agree that the universe had a beginning, often referring to the “Big Bang” as evidence. The cosmological argument invites us to think about beginnings in a simple way: like a ball on a mini-golf course, each movement has a cause. The ball moves because it’s hit by a putter, which is swung by a player, who acts intentionally. But what started everything? We look at the cosmos and ask the same thing. The argument points to God as the First Cause – the One who initiated all creation.

Skeptics often ask, “Who created God?” This question misunderstands the nature of God. God is not a created being. He is eternal, without beginning or end, and the source of all existence. Science shows us that something cannot come from nothing, affirming what Scripture declares: God, who has always been, is the Creator of everything.

The beauty and order of the universe point us back to its Creator. 

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

Our Scripture for Today is Psalms 19:1.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

One of the most compelling arguments for God’s existence is known in philosophical circles as the teleological argument or, more simply, the argument from design. Here is a simple explanation.

Picture this: You’re walking peacefully through a meadow when you spot a watch lying in the grass. Your immediate thought wouldn’t be that it formed naturally—its intricate gears, precise measurements, and purposeful design all point to a watchmaker. Many see our universe in the same light.

Consider our Earth’s remarkable position in space. Its distance from the sun sits in a perfect sweet spot—any closer and we’d burn; any farther and we’d freeze. Zoom in to the microscopic level, and you’ll find cells operating with an efficiency that would make any engineer marvel. This extraordinary precision suggests not random chance but intelligent design.

The Apostle Paul captured this idea beautifully in Romans 1:20, teaching that God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—are clearly seen in what He has created. Each sunset, each snowflake, each spinning galaxy serves as a signature of the Master Artist.

The design argument isn’t just philosophical theory—it’s an invitation to open our eyes to the wonder around us. From the vast canvas of stars above to the intricate choreography of life within our own bodies, we see evidence of a brilliant and loving Creator. This elegant design of our universe stands as one of the most powerful reasons for my faith in God.

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

Our verse for today is Ecclesiastes 3:11.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”

This verse reveals a remarkable truth about the human condition: God has “set eternity in the human heart.” 

As a teenager, I heard people talking about how missionaries can go to the most remote places on earth and they find that the concept of God and eternity is already in the hearts of the people there. When explorers first came to North America, they did not bring the concept of God or eternity. It was already in the hearts of the native population. The thought of God and eternity is bound in everyone’s heart. That is the meaning in Ecclesiastes that says, God “set eternity in the human heart.” 

Across cultures and history, even in places untouched by external influences, people have naturally been inclined toward worship, reverence for creation, or acknowledgment of God.

Why do I believe in God? 

In the coming days, we will consider many classic proofs, but the first is that belief in God was put into our hearts. People may worship trees, cows, or the sun, but it is built into man to believe in and worship God. 

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

Why I Believe in God…

Our Scripture for today is John 20:29.

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”

It must have been wonderful to see Jesus in the flesh and to believe in him because of the miracles, sermons, and prayers. But Jesus said it is even more blessed to believe in him even though we have never seen him.

Over the years it has been my lot to sit with people who doubted God’s existence. They have asked me why I believe in God. Here is the fact. There is not one answer but many. 

First, regarding belief in God, there is not absolute proof. There usually is not just one answer to the great questions in life. For example, why do you love the love of your life? Prove it! In the end, you only know by the preponderance of evidence. One thing adds to another, and finally, you just know. That is how we know God exists: by the preponderance of evidence.

There are many reasons that add up to make me believe. Over the next few days, I want to share them with you. Tomorrow, I will discuss the proof found in Ecclesiastes 3. 

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