Author: londavis@hotmail.com

Our verse for Today is Psalms 119: verse 11.

“Your Word have I put in my heart that I might not sin”

I don’t like it when someone asks me, “What is your favorite… whatever?” I rarely know my favorite thing. I prefer the question, “What is one of your favorite.” 

However, Psalms 119: verse 11 is close to being my favorite verse in the Psalms. This verse tells me how to avoid sin. The way to do that is to put the word of God into your heart. Of course, the heart means the mind; that is, what you think about and remember. If you want to avoid a sinful activity, then don’t spend your time thinking about it.

This is also a great truth in psychology. If you want to stay on a diet, don’t think about hot donuts or that second helping of potatoes. If you break this rule, you will break your diet! It is true for any sin.

What you put in your heart, what you think about all the time, is what you will be more likely to do.

So, if there is something you are struggling with, cast the thought from your mind. By the way, the way not to think about something is to think about something else. Nature abhors a vacuum. So does our heart. Fill it with good thoughts. 

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

Excuse me for being late today, but I have a personal thought to share with you.

The Scripture is Ecclesiastes 3:1:  

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

Yesterday was a memorable day for me.

Around 8:30 in the morning, my son’s son was born. I had the privilege of looking into the face of a little boy named Davis, who will carry my name into the 22nd century. He doesn’t yet realize the responsibility we’ve placed on him. I always thought it was amusing how people bragged about their grandchildren, but now, with five of my own, I completely understand! I love the saying, “If I had known how wonderful grandkids are, I would have had them first.”

That same day, at about 8:00 in the evening, Sherry Rushing went to be with Jesus. She was the wife of my only brother and, in many ways, the closest thing I had to a real sister. Sherry and my wife, Liz, were the two most Godly women I’ve ever known. My brother and I both married above our stations.

“To everything there is a season,” but there will never be another day quite like yesterday. I find myself wishing I could sit with Liz and Sherry tonight and catch up on all we’ve missed. Oh wait! One day, we will get to do just that. My children and grandchildren will be there too, and what a reunion that will be.

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

Pray with a Thankful Heart  

Our Scripture for today is Philippians 4:6:  

“In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  

“In every situation?” It’s easy to pray when times are hard, but this verse asks us to pray *with thanksgiving* in every circumstance. Does God really expect us to give thanks when life falls apart? When we wake up in a hospital bed or see bills piling up, can we be thankful even then?  

Consider the story of Daniel in Daniel 6:10. Daniel’s enemies conspired to have him executed. A law was passed that anyone caught praying to anyone other than the king would be thrown into a lion’s den. How did Daniel respond?  

“When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”  

Even under the shadow of the lion’s den, Daniel not only prayed but gave thanks to God! He was arrested and thrown into the lions’ den, but God delivered him.  

How can we be thankful in such trials? Here is the secret: Gratitude in hard times becomes possible when we shift our focus from the pain of our circumstances to the unchanging nature of God. Thankfulness doesn’t deny our struggles; instead, it acknowledges that God is present, faithful, and working for our good, even when life is difficult.  

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

Prayer is an Act of Humility

Our verse for today is 2 Chronicles 7:14.

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Humility is essential when approaching God in prayer. It is a posture that acknowledges His sovereignty and our dependence on Him. Today’s verse reminds us that God listens to those who seek Him with humble hearts.

Jesus illustrated this truth in Luke 18. The Pharisee stood in the temple and prayed, saying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” His prayer was filled with pride and self-righteousness.

In contrast, the tax collector, aware of his unworthiness, stood at a distance. He would not even lift his eyes to heaven but beat his chest and prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Jesus concluded the parable by declaring that it was the humble tax collector—despite his despised profession—who went home justified before God.

Prayer is not about impressing others or justifying ourselves. It is about recognizing our need for God and coming before Him in humility. In fact, it is impossible to be proud when you truly understand the majesty of God as you are in his presence.

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

Confession Is a Vital Part of Prayer

Our Scripture for today is First John 1:9.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness.”

This may be the most overlooked element of prayer. We pray for rain, we pray for jobs, we pray for friends, but prayer is more than a wish list. Prayer also involves confession.

In prayer we go to God with honest confession and it helps open the door to God’s forgiveness and restoration. By admitting our sins and weaknesses, we acknowledge our dependence on His mercy and grace. 

Confession isn’t just about listing our mistakes; it’s a heartfelt recognition of how we’ve fallen short of God’s laws. Such confession is a way to experience spiritual growth as we allow God to transform our hearts. Through confession, we find freedom from guilt and a renewed sense of peace, enabling us to approach God with greater confidence and intimacy.

As you reflect on today’s Scripture, take a moment to examine your heart. What burdens or sins have you been holding back from God? Bring them to Him in prayer, trusting in His promise to forgive and. Confession is not about condemnation but about restoration—a chance to experience the fullness of God’s grace and move forward with a cleansed spirit.

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

Our Scripture for today is Matthew 7:7.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 

No list of Bible verses on prayer could be complete without this scripture. At its heart it seems to say, just ask and he will grant your request. However, I want to introduce you to a new thought. Here it is: There are times when you ought not to ask God for something in prayer. When might that be? When he has already spoken on the subject.

Consider Mark 10, Jesus told the rich, young ruler “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor…Then come, follow me.” – Should the young ruler have said to Jesus, “Well, let me pray about it?’ Of course not! He already had a word from Jesus about what he should do. 

When Jesus told the lame man, “Arise, take up your bed and walk,” then prayer for a decision was not needed.

When God told Joshua to march around the walls of Jericho, then there was only one thing to do. March! One might pray for strength, but not for a decision.

The lesson is simple but powerful: prayer is vital, but when God has already made his will known, obedience is essential.

In other words, — do not pray for guidance about getting drunk, stealing, committing adultery, lying, or any other clearly wrong actions. When God has already spoken on these subjects, prayer is unnecessary—just obey.

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

Our verse for today is Psalm 55:17

“Evening, morning, and noon, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.” 

I was a teenager when I first heard the story of the little girl with an umbrella that showed faith. Let me tell it to you:

There was a little west Texas farming community that was going through a great drought. Their fields were drying up and their crops were dying. As a last ditch effort the little community decided to get together at 8 PM at the local church and  prayer for rain. 

At 8 o’clock the church was full.  

The last person to enter the building was a little 7-year-old girl. As she walked down the aisle she was carrying an umbrella. As she walked past some of the older folks, someone said, “Isn’t she cute? She thinks it is going to rain.”

I love her umbrella. It showed her great faith. She believed that prayer brought results. After all, Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) 

The lesson is, when you pray, bring your umbrella. 

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

Pray with Confidence

Our verse for today is John 11:41.

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

At a graveside near Jerusalem, Jesus prays, calling someone to rise from the dead. Our verse is the beginning of that event. I want you to notice the tense of the verb. As he prays for something to happen, he prays as though it is already done!

After that prayer, he cries out, “Lazarus, come forth.”

The Bible says that he cried out “with a loud voice.” He didn’t say things quietly or mumble. He made sure that everyone heard his prayer!

Now, that is confidence. Effective prayer must be prayed with confidence and boldness. Pray with confidence not just in public but also in the quiet place in your house. Believe that God hears your prayer. When you have done this, your prayers will become more regular, faithful, and comforting.

Like a hungry child to his rich father, we welcome the chance to ask for our needs. That is the way to pray. Pray to ask and then know that God will do what was asked.

A lack of confidence will make prayer life weak and infrequent. Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” 

Faith in Jesus is equal to your faith in prayer.

The answer might sometimes be “No,” or “Not yet” or maybe “Here is something even better.” But the answer is often a simple “Yes.” 

Pray believing, but have enough faith to accept his answer.

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

Lonnie Davis

What is prayer good for?

Our text today is Luke 18:1:  

“Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart.”

Let’s take a closer look at why prayer is so essential. Here are three reasons we need to pray.

1. Prayer Builds Gratitude 

When we pray before meals, it’s often called “giving thanks.” As children, we might have prayed, “Thank you for Mommy and Daddy…” showing appreciation for those who matter most. Similarly, as parents, while we value our children’s requests, hearing their gratitude touches our hearts deeply. Few things sting more than an ungrateful child. We are God’s children, and we must not neglect to thank Him for all He provides.

2. Prayer Gives Us Hope  

We all encounter situations where we’ve done everything we can, yet the problem remains unsolved. Someone once said we should never say we’ve done all we can until we’ve prayed, because prayer is always that “one more thing” we can do. As Peter reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Through prayer, we find renewed hope.

3. Prayer Provides Guidance  

“Let prayer be your steering wheel, not your spare tire,” someone wisely said. This challenges us to consider how we use prayer. Is it something reserved for emergencies, or is it a daily guide for our decisions and actions? Prayer shapes our path when we let it lead.

Take a moment to reflect: What is one of your favorite things to pray about?

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

Pray from Anywhere

Our Verse for today is Psalm 139:7-8.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.” These verses emphasize that no matter where we are, God’s presence is with us.

Indeed, one of the most beautiful truths about prayer is that it is not bound by location or circumstance. Whether we are in a church building, under a vast open sky, or confined by the walls of a prison cell, God is always ready to listen.

The Bible gives us vivid examples of this truth. Jonah, swallowed by a great fish, from the bottom of the sea, prayed earnestly to God. Jonah 2:1, says, “From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” 

In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas, imprisoned and chained, chose to pray and sing to God. Their prayer and worship were so powerful that the prison doors flew open, and their chains fell off.

These stories remind us that prayer is not restricted to holy spaces or places. The presence of God is always near. Prayer always connects us to a loving Father who is attentive to every word and every cry.

Whether we are at work, in our car, or in the middle of a sleepless night, we can turn to God in prayer. He is always near, ready to comfort, guide, and respond. Prayer isn’t about the place but the heart that seeks Him. 

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

Effective prayer is persistent prayer.

Our focus today is Luke 18:7.

“Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?”

In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow seeking justice from an indifferent, unjust judge. Though the judge neither feared God nor cared about people, he eventually granted her request simply because of her persistence. Jesus uses this parable to teach us about prayer, concluding with the powerful reminder, “Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?” If even an unkind earthly judge responds to perseverance, how much more will our loving Father hear and answer us?

Persistence in prayer is not about convincing God to act but about deepening our trust in Him. It shapes our faith, teaching us to rely on His wisdom and timing. Persistence in prayer requires faith.

Sometimes seemingly, unanswered prayers can be discouraging. Yet Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things together for good. When we continue in prayer, even when the answers are delayed, He still hears us.

Persist in prayer, trusting that the One who loves you most hears every cry and knows the right time to answer.

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

Prayer requires faith!  

Ephesians 3:12 says, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”  

What a privilege it is to approach God boldly and confidently in prayer! Imagine coming before His throne, fully assured that He hears us. But how is this possible? The verse makes it clear—the way is through of our faith in Christ. Our boldness and confidence in prayer rest entirely on our trust in Him.  

When we pray with confidence, we draw nearer to God than ever before. It’s as if He leans in, bending His ear to hear every word we speak. That nearness is a beautiful reminder of the relationship God desires to have with us.  

Here’s a thought to carry with you: “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer.” 

Unanswered prayer is a matter of interpretation. Sometimes God’s answer is no, sometimes it is wait, sometimes it is yes. God answers in the way that is best for us.

Un-offered prayer is a matter of lack of faith. We do not ask, because we do not believe there is any point to it.

A great prayer life is a matter of faith. He waits everyday to hear from you. 

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

The first thing you need to learn about prayer is that prayer is a conversation between you and God.  

Prayer is when you go to the burning bush.  

Prayer is when you stand before the throne, and the One on the throne says, “Talk to me.”

Our prayer verse for today is Hebrews 4:16:

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Do you see it? This verse reveals an incredible truth about prayer: prayer is going to His throne and talking to God.

Imagine if you had the personal phone number of every world leader, and whenever you called, they not only answered but truly listened to you. What a privilege that would be! Such access would make you one of the most influential people in the world.

Yet, we are invited to approach the throne of God Himself. We don’t come in fear but with confidence. God welcomes us. He is glad to hear from us and attentive to what we say.

Prayer is not just a ritual or a duty; it’s a privilege and a promise. It is a conversation you get to have with God! Don’t miss it!

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

Beginning tomorrow, I will share a daily Bible verse on the subject of prayer. 

We start today with Psalms 116:2.

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

When I was going through my counseling classes, we had an exercise that I did not enjoy. We had to put an empty chair in front of us, imagine someone is in the chair and share that name with the class. After this we had to talk to the imaginary person in the chair and confront them with how they offended us. It was supposed to help, but I just remember being glad when it was over. 

For some folks, prayer is like talking to an empty chair. They are not sure God is listening. When you feel that way, you will not keep a faithful prayer life.

When you read today’s verse you will see why the Psalmist prayed and why he will always pray. The answer is found in the first part of the verse. “Because He has inclined His ear to me.” One translation put it, “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”

When you believe that God is bending down to listen, like a loving father would do for a child, then you will pray. When you think God does not hear, then sermons and exhortations will not be enough to create a good prayer life.!

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

Our verse for today is Ephesians 4:32:
“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Children often ask, “Why?” Let’s ask that question about forgiveness: Why should I forgive?

First, God commands us to forgive.
Forgiveness isn’t optional. Today’s verse clearly instructs us to forgive others as God forgave us in Christ.

Second, we need forgiveness ourselves.
In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Our willingness to forgive reflects our understanding of God’s grace.

Most people agree forgiveness is important, but the challenge lies in practicing it. As one person said, “You just don’t know how badly they hurt me.” Here are three thoughts to help:

1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.
   It means deciding not to bring the offense up again. This takes strength, but it’s worth it.
2. Forgiving lightens your load.
   Holding onto hurt is like carrying a heavy burden. Over time, it wears you down. Forgiveness frees you.
3. Forgiveness helps you most of all.
   While it can help others, forgiving always helps you. It frees your heart from bitterness and fills it with peace.

So, why forgive? Because God commands it, you need it, and it sets you free. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

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

Cain and Abel Jealousy

Genesis 4:8 says:  

“Then Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.”

The story of Cain and Abel, found in Genesis 4, is a powerful lesson about jealousy. Both brothers brought offerings to God, but God accepted Abel’s and rejected Cain’s. Cain became angry—not at God, but at his brother. Hebrews 11:4 explains that Abel’s offering was given “by faith.” If faith comes by hearing, Cain likely failed to follow God’s instructions.

Why was Cain angry with Abel? Likely because Abel’s success exposed Cain’s own shortcomings. Instead of addressing his own failings, Cain allowed jealousy to take over, leading to murder. 

This same destructive pattern can creep into our lives. We may feel fine until someone else succeeds. Whether it’s salaries kept secret, athletes demanding top pay, or neighbors competing to “keep up with the Joneses,” it’s all rooted in what I call “Cain and Abel jealousy.”

Jealousy is a trap, and it didn’t end well for Cain. It won’t work for us either.

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

I admit to having been jealous. You probably have also, but what does that mean?

Let’s read Galatians 5:verses 19 and 20

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, …jealousy, and rage.”

This text includes many other terrible activities, but it speaks of jealousy right in the middle of these. Because of this, we rightfully think of jealousy as a negative behavior. 

A reading of Exodus 20, verse 5 might cause us to pause in our thinking. “You shall not bow down to them or worship other gods; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”

Is jealousy wrong or right? The answer is: – maybe “YES” –  and maybe “NO.”

At first glance, jealousy has a negative connotation—it is linked with selfishness and insecurity. Galatians 5 lists jealousy as a “work of the flesh,” warning that those who live in such ways will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Yet not all jealousy is sinful. In Exodus 20: verse 5, God Himself is described as a jealous God.

Here is a simple definition of Jealousy. It is the feeling you get when you feel that you are about to lose something of yours that you value and love. 

The difference between “sinful” jealousy and “righteous” jealousy lies in motivation. Jealousy becomes wrong when it seeks to control or harm others for selfish gain. Think of Cain, whose jealous anger led to the tragic murder of his brother Abel (see Genesis 4).

It is righteous when it defends what is sacred, as God does for His people. Divine jealousy arises not from insecurity, but from His perfect love and desire for our undivided devotion. 

God has a jealousy over you. What a wonderful thought.

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

Our verse for today is James 1: verse 4.  

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  

We often admire patience in others but struggle to practice it ourselves. 

In a world where instant gratification is the norm, waiting can feel like a heavy burden. Yet, scripture consistently calls us to embrace patience—not just as an act of waiting, but as a way of behaving while we wait. Patience is about the attitude and grace we demonstrate while we wait.  

Consider the farmer in James 5:7. He patiently waits for the rain to nourish his crops, trusting the process and the seasons. He doesn’t try to force the growth because he knows it’s out of his control. In the same way, God uses our times of waiting to shape our character, teaching us to lean on His wisdom and timing rather than our own.  

Patience reveals love. As 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us, “Love is patient.” When we practice patience, we reflect God’s endless grace and love for us. 

In closing, remember the words of the Psalmist who said, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret.”

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

God is a God of adventures. 

Our verse for today is Luke 2: verses 1 and 3.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.”

It was a difficult adventure for a young man to take his expecting wife on an eighty-mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was over rough and dangerous terrain. Reading the story of Mary and Joseph teaches us that hard journeys can have great lessons.

Lesson 1. God surprises us in our adventure.

If the God’s son were going to come to earth don’t you think He would come in a palace? But no, God had Jesus born in a tiny town called Bethlehem to a carpenter and his teenage wife.

Lesson 2. Man does not always know whether an adventure will be good.

Can’t you imagine the consternation of Mary and Joseph, when they heard that he had to make the difficult journey with a pregnant wife? Though now we know that the trip was necessary, they may have thought it was a bad idea. God knew what was best. He still knows.

Joseph and Mary didn’t argue or complain. 

When faced with hard adventures, one only needs to make sure what God’s will is and then do it. You should realize it is an adventure and that God works through your them. 

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

Counseling on Worry

Our text for today is Matthew 6:34. 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”

Mark Twain once said, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” This quote reminds us that much of our worry stems from imagined scenarios that never come to pass.

In Matthew 6, Jesus explains why worry is both unnecessary and unproductive.

First, He reminds us of our incredible worth to God. In verse 26, Jesus points to the birds of the air, which neither sow nor reap yet are cared for daily by the Father. If God provides for the birds, how much more will He care for us?

Worry questions God’s love and provision, suggesting perhaps He is not fully attentive to our needs. But Jesus assures us this is far from the truth.

Second, Jesus emphasizes the futility of worry. In verse 27, He asks, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Worry solves nothing. Instead, it drains our energy and steals our peace. It shifts our focus from what we can do today to the fears of tomorrow, leaving us paralyzed and ineffective.

Corrie ten Boom expressed it well: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

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