Author: londavis@hotmail.com

I don’t often circle back to the same scripture. But today, I’d like us to linger a little longer on a verse from Samuel. It says:

“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24

I love that phrase: “Consider what great things He has done for you.” It’s simple, but it carries the weight of a lifetime.

In nearly fifty years of ministry, I’ve sat through more elders’ meetings than I can count. They involve lots of decisions, plenty of prayers, and yes, plenty of challenges to navigate. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been knee-deep in some tough situation when I’ve had to say, “Guys, we’ve handled tougher things than this.” Maybe it was a financial struggle, a church conflict, or an unexpected setback. And you know what? That little reminder always seemed to shift the atmosphere. A bit of strength would slip back into the room, and we’d remember—we’ve been here before, and God saw us through.

Life’s like that, isn’t it? You hit a rough patch, and it feels like the hardest thing you’ve ever faced. But if you stop and look back, you’ll see a trail of battles you’ve already won—not because you were strong, but because God was faithful. 

If you’re young, you might not have many of those stories yet—but you’re building them now. Trust me, one day you’ll look back and see the fingerprints of God all over your journey. And if you’ve walked with God for a while, you’ve got a history with Him. You’ve seen Him show up when you needed Him most. And the same God who helped you then is standing in your corner now.

So whatever you’re facing today, pause and reflect. Look back at the battles won, the prayers answered, the doors opened. Then step forward, knowing the same God who carried you before will carry you again. Just take a moment, breathe deep, and “consider what great things He has done for you.”

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

The quote for today is from Samuel: 

“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24  

There’s something powerful about the word “consider.” It invites us to pause, to reflect, to remember. Samuel wasn’t just offering a suggestion; he was giving a roadmap for living a life rooted in gratitude and faithfulness.  

Imagine Samuel standing before the people of Israel, his voice steady but filled with urgency. They had demanded a king, drifting from their trust in God, yet Samuel reminded them: “Don’t forget who has been with you all along.”

And isn’t that a word we need today? Life pulls us in every direction—work, worries, relationships, ambitions. But Samuel’s wisdom cuts through the noise: “Pause. Look back. Remember.” Hasn’t God carried you through storms you thought would drown you? Hasn’t He opened doors you didn’t even know existed? When you reflect on His faithfulness, it stirs something deep—faith, reverence, love.  

To fear the Lord isn’t about trembling in terror; it’s about standing in awe of His goodness, His power, His mercy. And when that awe takes root in your heart, service becomes a natural response. You want to serve Him—not out of obligation, but from a heart overflowing with gratitude.  

So today, take Samuel’s advice. Consider the great things God has done for you. Let that reflection shape your heart and your actions.  

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

The quote for today is from Haggai:

“Give careful thought to your ways.” (Haggai 1:5)

Let me paraphrase this verse. Stop and think it through. That is a practical verse!

Sometimes, life moves so fast we barely pause to think about where we’re going or why we’re even on the path we’ve chosen. Maybe it’s rushing from meeting to meeting, juggling family responsibilities, or scrolling endlessly through our phones. Haggai’s words are a gentle but firm nudge from God to hit the brakes and take stock. Imagine God standing beside you, tapping you on the shoulder, saying, “Hey, have you really thought this through?”

We hustle through our days, checking off tasks, chasing success, but sometimes we still feel that nagging sense of emptiness. That’s when we need to hear Haggai’s words echoing in our hearts: “Give careful thought to your ways.”

This isn’t about guilt; it’s about grace. God isn’t pointing fingers; He’s opening doors. Grace means that even when we realize we’ve drifted off course, we have the chance to return. When we pause to reflect—on our priorities, our choices, and our relationship with Him—we find His arms wide open, ready to guide us back to what matters most: His presence, His purpose, and the things and people that really matter.

Take a moment today. Sit quietly. Maybe write down your thoughts or offer a simple prayer: “Lord, show me Your way.” You might be surprised at what He shows you.

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

Here’s a Scripture from Joshua.

Joshua 3:4  

“Keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

To understand this, you need the backstory.

Forty years after leaving Egypt, Israel was finally ready to enter the Promised Land. They had crossed the Red Sea, traversed mountains and deserts, and now faced their last physical barrier—the Jordan River. But the river was swollen and dangerous, and two million people needed to cross. As they stood on the brink, God gave them specific instructions: follow the ark, but “keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

At first glance, this command might seem odd. With urgency to cross, why did God tell them to stay two-thirds of a mile behind the ark?

God answered that question Himself:  

“Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”

They needed to see the ark lead the way, to follow a path already walked. It’s always easier to travel a road when someone has gone before you.

This isn’t just a lesson for crossing rivers; it’s a rule for life. Whether you want to be a baker, a banker, or a business owner, find someone who’s been there before. Learn from their steps.

Life is much harder when you try to walk it alone.

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

The Quote for today is from Ezekiel:

“I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

Ezekiel spoke these words to a people in exile, far from home and hope. Their hearts had grown cold, as ours sometimes can when life wounds us. 

Disappointment has a way of hardening us. 

Betrayal builds walls. 

Grief makes it easier to withdraw, to protect ourselves from feeling too much. 

A heart of stone feels safe—after all, nothing can break what’s already hardened. But that was never God’s plan for us.

Through Ezekiel, God gives a powerful promise: He will replace what has become unfeeling with something new—something alive. A heart of flesh that beats with hope. It receives love and gives love in return. That’s what God offers when He says, “I will remove from you your heart of stone.”

What area of your heart has turned to stone? Is there a wound you refuse to let go of? A person you can’t forgive? A disappointment that’s made you stop believing things can get better? 

Ask God to remove the stone and replace it with something living, something real. A heart that beats in rhythm with His.

Take a moment today. Bend the knee. Read His word. Follow His plan.

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

“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3)  

Amos, a shepherd turned prophet, asked this simple question to illustrate a spiritual truth. Walking together implies unity. Two people cannot journey side by side if they are pulling in opposite directions. The same is true of our relationship with God.  

Amos spoke these words to Israel, a nation that had turned from God’s ways. Though they claimed to be His people, their disobedience had created a rift, making it impossible for them to walk in harmony with Him. God’s path was righteousness, but they had chosen rebellion. The distance between them wasn’t because God moved—it was because they did.  

This truth applies to our daily lives as well. Imagine two hikers on a trail, one wanting to take a shortcut while the other insists on following the map. If they refuse to agree, they will eventually part ways. The same is true with God—when we insist on our own way, we create distance from Him.  

In marriage, friendship, or church fellowship, unity is essential. Disagreements are inevitable, but unless we find common ground, our walk together will suffer. Relationships thrive when built on shared values and a commitment to truth.  

The key to walking with God is agreement with His Word—not just in knowledge, but in action. His direction is clear, and His steps are steady. If we find ourselves drifting, the solution isn’t to ask Him to adjust His course—it’s to align ourselves with His way.

So, take a moment to examine your walk. Are there areas where you are resisting God’s direction? In your choices, your relationships, your priorities—are you walking in agreement with Him? If you realize you’ve been moving in your own direction, don’t be discouraged. God invites you back into step with Him. Through prayer and time in His Word, you can realign your steps with His.  

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

Our quote for today comes from Daniel.
“My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions.” — Daniel 6:22

Daniel’s night in the lions’ den was more than a miraculous escape—it was a testament to unwavering faith in God’s protection. Though innocent, Daniel faced a pit of peril, surrounded by ravenous lions symbolizing the treachery of those who sought his downfall. Yet by morning, the lions sat silent, their threats undone. Why? Because “My God sent His angel.”

How often do we find ourselves in modern-day dens? Financial stress, health crises, relational fractures, or self-doubt—these are the “lions” that circle us, snarling with anxiety and fear. Like Daniel, we might feel trapped, questioning if relief will ever come. But his story offers a profound truth: God’s faithfulness transcends our circumstances. The same power that hushed the beasts in Babylon still quiets the chaos we face today.

Notice Daniel’s response. He didn’t rely on his political savvy or beg for mercy. He didn’t even pray for escape. Instead, he trusted. His declaration, “My God sent His angel,” shifts the focus from human effort to divine intervention. Our security isn’t found in our ability to outthink, outwork, or outlast our struggles—it’s anchored in God’s promise to stand with us.

Are you facing a situation that feels insurmountable? A conflict at work, a crumbling marriage, or a heart heavy with regret? Take courage. God doesn’t always remove the den, but He will be with you in the den.

Today, if the roar of fear grows loud, remember Daniel. Pray not just for rescue, but for eyes to see God’s presence in the den with you. His help isn’t a distant hope—He’s an ever-present shield.

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

The quote for today is from Isaiah: 

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8).  

Some questions change everything. They don’t just seek an answer—they seek a heart willing to respond. Today’s verse is one of those questions. 

Imagine a parent calling into a crowd of children, “Who will help me?” A hush falls. One small head turns. Tiny feet race forward. “I will!” No questions about the task. No weighing the cost. Just a heart eager to say yes—not because of what’s asked, but because of who is asking.  

That’s the scene in Isaiah’s vision—heaven’s throne room, fiery angels, a trembling prophet. God doesn’t demand or command; He simply asks, “Whom shall I send?” Unlike Moses, who protested his speech. Unlike Jonah, who ran. Unlike Gideon, who needed signs. Isaiah doesn’t stall or second-guess. He just answers. Raw. Immediate. “Here am I. Send me.” 

God still asks that question today. Not to the angels, but to you. To me. To the single mom exhausted from sleepless nights. To the retiree wondering if their best days are behind them. To the teenager unsure of their place in this world. To the executive drowning in busyness. God calls—not the qualified, but the willing. His call isn’t reserved for the resumé-ready. He doesn’t require ability, just availability. Isaiah didn’t know the where or how of his mission. He just knew the Who.  

Perhaps you’ve felt that nudge—a whisper to serve, forgive, speak up, or step out. Maybe you’ve hesitated, thinking, I’m not ready. Not good enough. Not brave enough. But God’s invitations aren’t about your capacity—they’re about His. Moses had a stutter. David was a shepherd. Esther was an orphan. Yet their “Here am I” changed history.  

When you hear His voice—in the quiet, in the chaos—don’t overthink it. Just answer. Because when God calls, He also walks beside you.  

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

Joshua’s verse for today is: Joshua 24:15
“If it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Joshua’s words remind us that faith is a choice, not an accident. He said, “Choose for yourselves this day.” Every day, we stand at a crossroads, faced with distractions that pull us away from God. But like Joshua, we can boldly declare our allegiance. When he said, “As for me and my house,” he pointed to a truth we often overlook: faith shapes not only our lives but the lives of those around us. It’s a generational decision. When we serve the Lord, our homes become places where faith grows.

As a father with grown children, I can reflect on the blessings God has given me. I have a nice car, a great house, and all I need to enjoy life. But the greatest blessing I have is the love of my children and grandchildren. If I don’t have this, all else will seem empty, because blessings begin at home.

The greatest legacy we can leave is a household that serves the Lord.

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

A Word from Moses

Moses—hero of the faith, deliverer of Israel, and the man who spoke face-to-face with God. To many, he’s the greatest prophet of all. But before he led a nation out of bondage, Moses was a man of doubts, fears, and second-guessing.

Imagine this: forty years in the palace, living like a prince. Then, in a single moment, his attempt to defend a fellow Israelite backfires, and he’s running for his life. Forty more years pass in the wilderness as a humble shepherd. A life far removed from royal courts and grand callings. Then, one day, a bush on fire, but not consumed, captures his attention. God’s voice calls out from the flames, giving Moses a mission he never saw coming—to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.

And Moses’ first response? Doubt. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).

Can you hear it? That familiar voice of self-doubt? I can! Most of us have been there—standing at the edge of something big, feeling unqualified, unworthy, and just plain afraid. Psychologists might call it “imposter syndrome.” We simply call it being human.

But here’s the beauty in Moses’ story: God doesn’t chastise him for his hesitation. He doesn’t shame him or tell him to “get over it.” Instead, God meets Moses in his doubt with patience and assurance. He says, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). Those five words change everything. The weight of the task wasn’t on Moses alone—it never was. God promised His presence, His power, and His guidance.

And isn’t that just like our God? Patient, understanding, and steady. He doesn’t call us because we’re strong; He calls us because He is. Our doubts don’t disqualify us—they invite us to lean on Him all the more.

So the next time you feel inadequate for the task ahead, remember Moses. Remember that God doesn’t need perfect people, just willing hearts. And most of all, remember this: You are never alone. The same God who called Moses and walked with him, walks with you too.

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