Author: londavis@hotmail.com

Our reading for today is Mark 9:1-15.

One moment, they’re on the mountaintop, witnessing Jesus in blazing glory, conversing with Moses and Elijah. The air is thin, holy, electric with God’s presence. Peter wants to build tents and stay forever. Who wouldn’t?

But Jesus leads them down. Down from the clouds into the chaos. Down from the divine dialogue into earthly discord. At the mountain’s base, a desperate father waits with his tormented son. The remaining disciples stand helpless, their faith insufficient for the task.

Sound familiar? Sunday’s worship service fills your heart with heaven’s song, but Monday’s meetings drain your soul. A powerful prayer retreat lifts your spirit, and then you return home to sick children and unpaid bills. The mountain was real. The valley is also.

Here’s what the disciples learned that day: God doesn’t give us mountaintop moments to make us comfortable; He gives them to prepare us for valley work. The glory we glimpse above equips us for the battles below. The transfigured Christ who blazes with heaven’s light is the same Christ who heals broken hearts.

Don’t despise the valley, friend. That’s where people hurt. That’s where faith gets tested and muscles grow stronger. That’s where transfigured lives make the biggest difference.

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

Our reading today is Matthew 16:26

“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

Picture a small child sitting alone in a room. He is staring at a single marshmallow. The researcher’s instructions echo in small ears: “Wait fifteen minutes, and you’ll get two.” Simple choice. Immediate pleasure or delayed reward.

That 1970s Stanford experiment revealed something profound about human nature. Some children grabbed the marshmallow immediately. Others waited, squirmed, covered their eyes, but held out for the greater prize. The results followed them for decades.

Jesus presents us with the ultimate marshmallow test. The world spreads its buffet before us—success, wealth, recognition, comfort. All yours, right now. Just reach out and take it. But heaven whispers, “Wait. There’s something infinitely better coming.”

The tragedy isn’t in enjoying good things. God created pleasure, beauty, and abundance. The tragedy is trading the eternal and the priceless for the temporary. What earthly treasure could possibly equal the value of your soul?

Every day we face this choice. Will we grab what glitters now, or trust God’s promise of something far greater? The Son of Man will return, and His accounting will be perfect.

The marshmallow test continues. The question remains: Can you wait for heaven’s reward?

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

Matthew 17:1-9 paints a breathtaking scene that we call the Transfiguration. 

That is a big word, but it is a time when Peter, James, and John climb a mountain with Jesus and see Him as they’ve never seen Him before. His face shines like the sun, His clothes blaze with light, and suddenly Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Him. Heaven has touched earth.

Peter, overwhelmed, tries to capture the moment—“Let’s build three shelters!” But before he can finish, a bright cloud overshadows them and a voice speaks: “This is My beloved Son… listen to Him!” Then, as quickly as it began, the vision fades. Moses is gone. Elijah is gone. The cloud lifts. And the disciples, lifting their trembling faces, see “no one but Jesus.”

That is a story for all of us! Glorious moments rise and fade. People come and go. Even mountain-top experiences with God aren’t meant to last forever. But when the light dims and the crowds disperse, Jesus remains.

In the end, He is enough. When life changes, when dreams shift, when the mountaintop becomes a valley, lift your eyes! You will find what they found: Jesus, and Jesus alone.

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

Our reading for the day is Luke 2:52.

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

Such a short verse, but I pause on the word grew. Jesus grew! 

The Son of God, Creator of heaven and earth, once had to learn how to walk. He stumbled as a toddler. He asked questions in the synagogue. He learned Joseph’s carpenter trade one patient stroke at a time.

Why does that matter? 

Because it tells us He understands what it is to be human. Jesus didn’t skip the process. He didn’t arrive in full strength, teaching in the temple as an adult. He submitted to the slow rhythm of human life—days of learning, waiting, and maturing.

For us, this is hope. Growth takes time. Maybe you feel behind, or frustrated that your faith isn’t stronger, your patience isn’t deeper, your heart isn’t holier. Remember, even Jesus walked the road of growth.

God does His best work in the slow seasons. Growth isn’t instant—it’s step by step, prayer by prayer, choice by choice.

Take heart. Trust the process. The One who grew in Nazareth now walks with you in your own journey of growth.

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

Our reading for today is Matthew 16:24.

Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

Did you catch that “If?” That one little word makes all the difference. Discipleship isn’t forced—it’s chosen. Jesus doesn’t twist your arm. He invites. He never shouted orders down the road, never yanked people by the collar. Instead, He simply said, “If anyone wants to…”

And then He waits. 

He knows the cost for discipleship, and so He lays it out plainly: “He must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Discipleship isn’t a walk in the park. It’s a path marked by surrender and selflessness. Crosses aren’t decorative. They’re heavy. But they’re also the doorway to something deeper—something eternal.

Still, Jesus doesn’t pressure. He respects your choice. He values your yes, but He honors your freedom to say no.

Following Jesus won’t make you richer or more popular. But it will fill your soul with purpose, your heart with hope, and your days with direction—for now and eternity.

He doesn’t shout. He whispers, “If you want to…” And then He leaves the decision to you.

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

In Matthew 16, Jesus revealed the unthinkable to his disciples. He told them that He must suffer, die, and rise again. Peter’s response? “Never, Lord! This will never happen to you!”

Can you hear the desperation in his voice? The fierce loyalty? Peter wasn’t being rebellious; he was being protective. He loved Jesus too much to let Him walk toward suffering.

But Peter’s protest was powered by human wisdom, not heavenly truth. And friends, we do the same thing.

Jesus whispers, “Love your enemies,” and we whisper back, “But Lord, you don’t know what they did to me.” 

He says, “Forgive seventy times seven,” and we counter, “Surely there’s a limit to forgiveness.”

He commands, “Don’t worry about tomorrow,” and we respond, “Easy for you to say.”

Like Peter, our hearts mean well. We love Jesus. We want to follow Him. But when His words challenge our comfort zones, we suddenly become His advisors rather than His disciples.

Here’s what Peter forgot that day—and what we often forget too: Jesus sees what we cannot see. His perspective spans eternity while ours barely covers next Tuesday.

The very thing Peter tried to prevent became our salvation. The cross he rejected became our hope.

So when Jesus asks the hard things, to love, forgive, and trust. He’s not asking because it’s easy. He’s asking because it’s right. And He’s always right.

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

Our Bible Reading today is Mark 8:22-25

Some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. “Can you see anything?” He asked. 

The man looked up and said, “I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.”

Once again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and when he opened them his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly.

The blind man was led by hand to Jesus. Jesus touched his eyes once, and the man saw… but imperfectly. Blurry silhouettes. Fuzzy outlines. It’s the only recorded miracle where healing came in phases.

Why the delay? Not because Jesus lacked power. Perhaps the man lacked readiness. Maybe faith needed time to bloom. So Jesus touched him again. And this time, clarity flooded in. The Greek word implies sharp, perfect sight. The second touch transformed partial healing into full restoration.

There’s a parable in that pause. How often do we settle for spiritual blur? We attend church, read Scripture, whisper prayers—yet still live half-sighted. Jesus doesn’t want you living life in fuzzy outlines. His healing is not cosmetic; it’s deep, thorough, and soul-reordering.

So if you’ve seen—but not clearly… believed—but not boldly… followed—but not fully—maybe it’s time. Time to let Jesus affect you again. Because when He does, you won’t just see—you’ll see perfectly.

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

Our Bible reading comes from Matthew 16:5-6.

When they crossed to the other side, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

The following verses reveal how completely the disciples missed Jesus’ meaning. They assumed He was concerned about lunch—the bread they’d forgotten to pack. It’s almost amusing, yet painfully relatable. How often do we become consumed with surface concerns while missing life’s deeper truths?

During my college summers, I worked at a steel foundry—demanding work, but enjoyable. One day, a coworker observed, “You act like you own this place.” Without hesitation, I replied, “I don’t, but my Father does.” He laughed and called out to the others, “This kid says his father owns the foundry!” He had no idea I meant my Heavenly Father.

Returning to our passage: Jesus wasn’t offering baking tips. He was issuing a warning about dangerous influences. The “leaven” symbolized the insidious, spreading nature of the religious leaders’ unbelief and hypocrisy. Yet the disciples remained fixated on their empty lunch basket.

We must distinguish between the physical and the spiritual. While we rightfully pray about finances and health, we must not miss the deeper call: “Guard your heart. Pay attention to what’s molding your soul.” “Watch out!”

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

Our reading for today is Matthew 16:1.

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.”

At first reading, this seems like a reasonable request. They were asking, “Jesus, show us a sign that you are who you say you are.” How could this seem unreasonable. Well, here is a short list of some miracles that they already seen: He had calmed a storm, cast out demons, healed a paralyzed man, raised the dead, fed 5,000, and even walked on water. Now do you see how silly they were to ask him for another sign? They had all the signs they needed, but there are none so blind as those who will not see. 

Their hearts weren’t really searching. They weren’t lacking evidence—they were lacking honesty. They weren’t blind because they hadn’t seen enough. They were blind because they didn’t want to see.

That’s the danger of a hardened heart. When your mind is already made up, no miracle will ever be enough. You’ll just keep demanding more signs, more proof, more reasons to believe.

Sometimes we’re just like those Pharisees. We say, “God, if You really love me, show me a sign.” But maybe the real question is, are we ready to see what He’s already done?

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

Our reading for today is Luke 4:33-35

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He cried out in a loud voice, “Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him.

In this story, the spirit obeyed Jesus–not because it wanted to, but because it had to. Even evil knows that resisting Jesus leads nowhere good. And what happened to the man? Though he was thrown down, he was left unharmed. That’s a message for us too. When we encounter Jesus, he makes us better than he found us.

Sometimes Jesus calls us to do things that feel hard–letting go of bitterness, choosing humility, turning the other cheek. These choices can feel hard. But when Jesus speaks, He speaks to heal, restore, and free. Even when obeying Jesus feels risky, painful, or confusing, it never is the wrong thing to do. Jesus never asks us to do something that isn’t for our good.

So don’t doubt Him. Do what He says. Trust His voice. Obedience to Jesus always leads to the right path. Always.

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

Our text is John 6:14-15.

When the people saw the sign that Jesus had performed, they began to say, “Truly this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, realizing that they were about to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

Jesus fed the five thousand, and their bellies were full. Their eyes were wide with wonder. “Surely this is the Prophet!” they declared. What do they want to do? Crown him king. Right here, right now. No cross, no suffering, no waiting.

Sound familiar? It should. It echoes across the wilderness where Satan dangled the same carrot to Jesus: “All this can be yours,” Satan promised. Skip the agony. Bypass the grave. Take the shortcut to glory.

“But Jesus knew better. He rejected the shortcut, choosing instead the ministry that, though longer and more difficult, was the only path to true victory.”

The crowd saw bread and wanted a bread king. Jesus saw souls and chose the cross. The people pushed for shortcuts; Jesus walked the long road to Calvary.

We’re no different, are we? We rush to buy books like “The Four-Hour Work Week” and “Think and Grow Rich.” We chase shortcuts in marriage, parenting, and faith. Quick fixes instead of hard work. Easy answers instead of wrestling with life. But shortcuts rob us of character, depth, and the very growth God intends. His longer road always leads home.

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

When Jesus heard of John’s death, sorrow settled in His spirit. He didn’t rush to preach or perform miracles—He withdrew, seeking silence. Matthew 14:13 reveals a tender truth: “He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Grief pressed heavy on the Savior’s heart. John wasn’t just a prophet—he was family. The loss was personal.

Yet the crowds came, needy and unrelenting. And when Jesus saw them, His grief didn’t harden His heart. “He had compassion on them and healed their sick” (v.14). Pain didn’t pause His purpose—it deepened it.

This is the grace of Christ: wounded, but willing; sorrowful, yet still serving. He didn’t discard grief to move forward—He carried it and answered the call. Because healing often begins when we step into the “next,” not away from it.

Elijah knew this, too. After fleeing Jezebel and collapsing under weariness, God fed him. But when the provision ceased, God whispered: it’s time to move on. Whether you’re facing loss or a new beginning, don’t fear your “next.” It may be exactly where God’s greatest work begins.

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

When Jesus looked out at the crowds in Matthew 9:36, He saw more than just faces. He saw hearts—tired, confused, searching. The Bible says, 

“He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” 

The people weren’t bad. They were just lost.

God’s people are often called “sheep.” Sheep are gentle, but they lose their way easily. Without a shepherd, they are in danger. They might fall, get stuck, or be attacked. They need the shepherd’s voice and touch to guide them and keep them safe.

Jesus saw the crowds and felt that longing for someone to lead, love, and protect them. It wasn’t just about them having rules to follow, but about needing someone to care for their souls. Jesus understood their wandering—He knew they were worn out from trying to find hope on their own in empty places.

Today, we’re not much different. Sometimes we feel lost, too. We try to find our way on our own, but the world can be scary. Jesus, as a good shepherd, sees our fear and loneliness. He opens His arms and says, “Come to me. I’ll lead you home.” No one is too lost for Him to find.

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

As Jesus was walking along, some people brought Him a man who couldn’t speak because a demon controlled him. Jesus cast the demon out, and the man began to talk. The crowd was amazed. They said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” But not everyone celebrated. The Pharisees, the religious leaders, looked at the same miracle and said, “He drives out demons by the power of the prince of demons.”

Isn’t that something? The people saw mercy. The Pharisees saw evil. They weren’t just blind—they chose not to see. They saw a miracle with their eyes but rejected it in their hearts.

Some people refuse to believe, no matter how clear the truth is. Like someone closing their eyes and saying, “I can’t see!” Jesus had just brought healing and hope, but the Pharisees hardened their hearts.

Our lesson is that we must be careful not to let pride or fear keep us from seeing what Jesus is doing. As Helen Keller said, “To be blind is bad, but worse is to have eyes and not see.”

 Jesus is still changing lives, but we must have eyes willing to see.

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

Our text for today is Matthew 9: 27 through 31

The blind men in this story couldn’t see Jesus, but they knew who He was. They cried out, not with their eyes, but with their hearts.

Sometimes our greatest spiritual insights come not through what we can see, but through what we cannot. These two blind men possessed something more valuable than physical sight—they had spiritual vision. While others questioned Jesus’ identity, they proclaimed with confidence, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Their persistence reveals the nature of true faith. They didn’t let the crowds stop them. They didn’t let their disability define their destiny. Instead, they let their need find its voice, crying out until Jesus heard them.

Jesus tested their faith with a simple question: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Their response was immediate and unwavering: “Yes, Lord.” No hesitation, no conditions, no backup plans.

Jesus said to them, “According to your faith will it be done to you.”

It always is. When we cannot see our way forward, faith gives voice to our deepest longings. Like these men, we can cry out to Jesus with confidence, knowing that He hears the heart’s desperate call and responds with a healing touch.

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

Our text for today is Luke 14:28.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” 

Imagine a man standing in his backyard, dreaming of building a shed. He’s excited. He can see it finished in his mind. But Jesus says, “Wait. Sit down first. Count the cost.”

This isn’t a story about construction. It’s about wisdom.

Jesus knows something we often forget: good intentions aren’t enough. Dreams need plans. Faith needs preparation. Even God’s work requires counting the cost.

Planning isn’t the opposite of faith—it’s faith in action. When we think ahead, we’re being wise. When we prepare, we’re being biblical. Jesus himself planned his ministry, chose his disciples carefully, and prepared for his mission.

Before you say yes to a commitment, count the cost. Before you make a promise, think it through. Before you start a project, sit down and plan.

God gave you a brain. Use it. Planning isn’t faithless—it’s faithful. It honors God when we’re wise with our time, energy, and resources.

Count the cost. Then build with confidence, knowing He’s with you every step.

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

Mark 8 tells us the story of Jesus feeding 4,000 men with seven loaves and a few fish. 

They’d been with Him three days. No food. No supplies. Just hunger—and Him. The crowd probably didn’t come prepared, but they didn’t want to leave. Jesus had been feeding their souls, but now their stomachs were empty.

And here’s the part I love: Jesus noticed.

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat” (Mark 8:2). He didn’t say, “They should’ve brought lunch.” He didn’t say, “Let’s stick to spiritual things.” He said, “They’re hungry.” Then He did something about it.

Jesus doesn’t just care about your church attendance or your quiet time. He cares about your groceries, your bills, and your weariness. He knows when the pantry is low and the pressure is high. He sees the real-life struggles we carry. And like He did for that crowd, He meets us in our need—with compassion and provision.

So don’t be afraid to bring your everyday worries to Him. He won’t turn them away. He welcomes them. And He’s still in the business of multiplying bread.

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

Our devotional comes from Mark 7, the story of a deaf and mute man who was brought to Jesus for help. Let’s read the actual healing, Mark 7: 33 through 35.

So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him,  “Be opened!” Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.

Why does Jesus do it in this fashion? He could have simply spoken a word. Instead, He touches the man’s ears and tongue. Why? Because Jesus speaks the man’s language—the language of touch.

Jesus knew this man understood gestures, not words. So Jesus used sign language that said, “I care about you. I see your need. I will help you.”

Here’s the beautiful truth: Jesus still speaks our language today. When words fail us, He communicates through His gentle presence. When we can’t hear His voice above life’s noise, He touches our hearts with His love.

Maybe you feel like that deaf man—isolated, unable to connect. Remember, Jesus doesn’t give up on us. He finds a way to reach us right where we are. He speaks fluent “you.”

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

She was desperate for Jesus to help her daughter. Even though she was not a Jew, she cried to Jesus, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” Her exchange with Jesus serves to remind us of what is important. Let’s read Matthew 15:26-27.

Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

There’s something beautiful in the way this woman responded. Jesus’ words could have easily sent her away, hurt and rejected. But she wasn’t looking for reasons to quit. She wasn’t scanning His tone or choice of words to find offense. She was looking for hope—and she found it, even in crumbs.

That’s the mark of real faith. She wasn’t focused on her pride. She was focused on her daughter. Her love gave her boldness, and her faith gave her eyes to see grace in a place others might have turned away from.

Too often, we let pride or hurt feelings block the blessing. We want God to speak gently, to act on our terms. But this woman shows us a better way: keep your eyes on what matters most.

Even crumbs from the Master’s table are enough to change everything.

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

My wife planted a yucca plant in our yard. After a few years, we grew tired of its sharp leaves and ugly appearance. “Get rid of it,” she said. So I grabbed my hoe and chopped it down.

A few weeks later, it was back. I chopped it down again. It grew back again. This went on for years. I felt like I was fighting a losing battle against this stubborn plant.

Finally, someone solved the problem for me. He didn’t just cut the top—he dug deep and pulled out all the roots. When the roots were gone, the plant was gone for good.

This story reminds me of what Jesus taught in Matthew 15:19. He says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.”

Sin too has roots. We can try to fix our bad behavior on the surface. We can promise to do better. We can make rules and resolutions. But unless we deal with the heart—the root of the problem—sin will keep growing back.

Jesus wants to change us from the inside out. He doesn’t just trim our bad habits. He transforms our hearts. When the heart changes, everything else follows.

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