Author: londavis@hotmail.com

Jonah’s story begins with the first two verses of the book of Jonah.

“Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.”

God had a mission for Jonah. How does Jonah respond? The next verse tells us.

“Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.”

Look at those last seven words, “Away from the presence of the LORD.” Jonah makes a very human mistake. He thinks he can run away from God. No! Wherever you go, God is there and waiting for you.

Let’s continue reading the sad story of Jonah.

“He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.”

He keeps on trying to run from God, but it is futile. God is not done with him, or you yet.

We continue our reading in verse 4.

Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.

When you run from God, there is always a storm!

The Prodigal son wound up in a pig pen. Adam and Eve wound up outside of the Garden. Judas wound up hanging from a tree. Jonah wound up in the belly of a great fish. The storm always comes, eventually.

Let’s read one last verse. Verse 5,

The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

The sailors did nothing wrong, but they were afraid and Jonah went to sleep. Here is a great lesson in life: Your storm hurts others.

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

Our Scripture for today is Luke 8:1–2:

“The Twelve were with Jesus, as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.”

If you ever hear someone say, “People don’t change,” tell them the story of Mary Magdalene. We remember her for all the good she did, not for how she used to be. The fact that seven demons were cast out of her tells us that at one time she had lived a troubled and dark life. Demons didn’t enter Moses, Mary, or Matthew. Demons entered the hearts of those who, by their choices, opened themselves to their influence. Such was Mary Magdalene.

Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t know the details of Mary’s past sins? Instead, we know her as a woman who traveled with Jesus and the apostles, supporting His ministry with her time, resources, and love.

When Jesus was on the cross, Mary was there.  
When Jesus was laid in the tomb, Mary was there.  
When Jesus rose from the grave, Mary was the first to see Him.  
When the story of His resurrection needed to be told, Mary was the first to tell it.

Mary Magdalene’s life—from being healed of demons to proclaiming the resurrection—shows us God’s power to transform lives. Her story reminds us that no matter our past, we can be part of God’s work in the world. Like Mary, we shouldn’t dwell on old sins. Instead, we should move forward with faith and hope, trusting God to use us for His purposes.

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

Who was Rizpah? Here is her story:

During a three-year drought in Israel, King David sought the Lord for the reason for the drought. God revealed that it was punishment for Saul’s slaughter of the Gibeonites. To make amends, the Gibeonites demanded they be allowed to execute seven of Saul’s sons. David handed over seven of Saul’s sons, including Rizpah’s two sons.

The Gibeonites hanged the men and left their bodies exposed to the elements. Rizpah’s response to this tragedy speaks volumes about her character. Verse 10 tells us:

“Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest until the rain from heaven poured down on the bodies, she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.”

Rizpah was powerless to stop the execution of her sons, but she did what she could. For six months, she camped under the stars near her son’s bodies to protect them from being eaten by wild animals.

Finally, King David learned of her story and remembered that he had allowed the bodies of King Saul and his son Jonathan to remain publicly hanging in shame. He retrieved their bodies and those of Rizpah’s sons and gave them a fitting burial.

When we think of this story, we ought to realize the power of doing what we can, even when it seems hopeless. God will decide the outcome.

May God give us all hearts like Rizpah.

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

Our text for today is Acts 18: verses 1 through 3.

“Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.”

Aquila and Priscilla were a sharing couple in every sense of the word. They shared a home with each other. They shared the work of tentmaking, supporting themselves and the ministry of Christ. When Paul came to Corinth, they opened their home to him, sharing their space, their meals, and their lives in a gesture of selfless hospitality.

Their spirit of selflessness extended beyond practical needs. They shared the gospel together, teaching others about Christ. Their names are mentioned six times in Acts. Three times, his name is first, and three times, her name is first. She was his partner in life and in teaching others about God.

Later in Acts 18, they encounter Apollos, a gifted preacher who needed teaching. Together, Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and explained “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). Their shared efforts helped Apollos become an even more effective minister of the Word.

This couple also shared in the work of the church. Their home became a meeting place for believers, a sanctuary where the early church gathered for worship and fellowship (Romans 16:5).  

If it is true that “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle,” then Aquila and Priscilla were candles in the early church. They remind us that sharing is at the heart of Christian living.

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

Sometimes, you encounter stories of people who truly amaze you. Shiphrah and Puah are two such individuals. Their story unfolds during the time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt under the rule of a paranoid Pharaoh. Fearing the growing population of Israelite slaves, Pharaoh perceived their numbers as a threat. In his desperation, he issued a chilling command:

Exodus 1:15-16:
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the delivery stool. If it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.”

Shiphrah and Puah, midwives tasked with assisting Israelite women during childbirth, were given this horrific order to kill all male infants at birth—Pharaoh’s decree aimed to weaken the Hebrew people and prevent any potential uprising against Egyptian authority.

Yet these courageous women defied Pharaoh, choosing instead to obey God. They spared the male babies, risking their lives to preserve the future of God’s people. Their faith and bravery played a critical role in safeguarding the early generations of Israelites, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance from Egypt.

Their story is a powerful reminder of faith and the courage to stand for what is right, even in the face of grave danger. Shiphrah and Puah demonstrate that true heroism isn’t confined to generals or kings—ordinary people can also change the world by doing the right thing.

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

Our verse for today is Exodus 3:1.

“Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian.”

I really like this Jethro. While Moses is a towering figure in the Bible, his father-in-law deserves attention too. Jethro’s story, though brief, is compelling. We first meet him in Exodus 2:16:

“Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.”

Who was Jethro? He was the man who became Moses’ father-in-law. After Moses helped Jethro’s seven daughters at the well, Jethro invited him to share a meal with the family. Grateful for Moses’ kindness, Jethro gave him one of his daughters, Zipporah, as a wife. This raises some questions—did Jethro have the right to give his daughter away like that? Perhaps so, but in doing so, he blessed both Moses and Zipporah.

What stands out most about Jethro, though, is his wisdom. In Exodus 18, we find Jethro visiting Moses, who was then leading the Hebrews through the wilderness. With up to three million people following him, Moses was overwhelmed with the task of settling disputes from morning until night. Jethro, observing this, offered sage advice. He told Moses, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out.” Jethro then suggested a plan to delegate responsibilities by appointing capable men to help lead and judge smaller groups. Moses listened, and it transformed the way he managed the people. Read Exodus 18—you’ll likely side with Jethro too.

I hope to meet this wise man in heaven someday. What a conversation that will be!

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

You probably haven’t heard of Huldah. She was a prophetess in 666 BC during the reign of King Josiah, who became king at just 8 years old and was now 26. At that time, God’s temple was in ruins, and His written Law had been lost. The story unfolds in 2 Kings 22.

Here’s some background: Josiah commanded repairs on the temple. During the work, the priests discovered God’s Word. When the Law was read to Josiah, his reaction was immediate and heartfelt. In verse 13, he declared:

“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.”

Among all the people in Judah, they chose Huldah to interpret God’s Word. Her response inspired Josiah to lead a national revival.

What makes Huldah remarkable?
In an era when women rarely held leadership roles, Huldah stood out. She knew God’s Word and boldly spoke it, becoming a pivotal figure in sparking revival.

We don’t know much else about her, but Huldah made no excuses. She didn’t let her lack of status or wealth hold her back. She simply shared what she knew of God’s truth.

When I get to heaven, I want to meet her. If we follow her example, we, too, can do what we can—with no excuses.

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

When I think of prophets, Elijah is always the first name that comes to mind. In the Bible, he bursts onto the scene during a severe drought. Everyone was wondering, “When will it rain again?” Then suddenly, there he is. Elijah stands before King Ahab and declares, “As surely as the LORD lives—the God of Israel before whom I stand—there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” (1 Kings 17:1).

He doesn’t offer the king a solution or an explanation. He simply delivers the prophecy and leaves. It’s a fitting introduction to a prophet whose ministry was marked by dramatic and unexpected events.

Some of the most striking stories from Elijah’s life include:

In 1 Kings 17, Elijah raises a widow’s dead son to life through prayer, marking the first recorded resurrection in Scripture.

In 1 Kings 18, we see the famous showdown on Mount Carmel. Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to reveal the true God. God answers Elijah’s prayer with fire from heaven, consuming the altar and offering.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah flees into the wilderness after Queen Jezebel threatens his life.

In 1 Kings 21, Elijah boldly confronts King Ahab over the murder of Naboth and the theft of his vineyard.

Later, Elijah strikes the Jordan River with his cloak, parting the waters so he and Elisha can cross on dry ground.

Finally, Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire—a miraculous and unforgettable departure from earth.

These are just a few of the stories that show why Elijah is remembered as one of the greatest prophets. His life was full of powerful moments that reveal God’s presence and purpose. I look forward to meeting him in heaven one day.

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

John the Apostle began as a fisherman, a tough and unglamorous job. Picture him and his brother James rising before dawn, hauling heavy nets, and reeking of fish. Alongside their father, Zebedee, they worked tirelessly on the unpredictable Sea of Galilee.  

When Jesus called John, he left everything—his boat, his nets, and his family—without hesitation. This immediate obedience reveals the depth of his trust in Jesus. John gave up the life he knew for a calling he didn’t fully understand but believed was worth everything.  

John’s relationship with Jesus was uniquely close. The Bible calls him “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” At the Last Supper, John leaned on Jesus, a quiet gesture reflecting their deep bond and trust.  

John witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in Jesus’ ministry. He was there at the Transfiguration and stayed with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane during Jesus’ darkest hours. At the crucifixion, John stood faithfully at the foot of the cross beside Mary.  

Unlike the other apostles, who faced violent deaths for their faith, John lived to an impressive old age. He spent his final years encouraging believers and writing the Book of Revelation around 95 AD. This means he did his most famous work in his nineties.  

John’s life also gave us one of the most quoted verses in history: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” From a hardworking fisherman to the last surviving apostle, John’s journey reminds us of the transformative power of love, faith, and surrendering to God’s call.  

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

Our text for today is Exodus 2:10:  

“When the child had grown older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and explained, ‘I drew him out of the water.'”

And so we meet Moses, a child named not by his Hebrew mother but by an Egyptian princess. Who was this baby drawn from the river? He would grow into the man who would stand before Pharaoh and deliver God’s command: “Let my people go.” He would stretch his staff over the Red Sea, parting its waters so the Israelites could escape. Those same waters would later drown the pursuing Egyptian army. He would ascend Mount Sinai to meet with God and return with the stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments. Moses even saw a glimpse of God’s presence.

One day, Moses encountered a burning bush on a mountain, a moment that changed everything. At that bush, God gave him an assignment: to go back to Egypt and demand the release of His people. Moses hesitated, offering one excuse after another. “Who am I to do this?” he asked. “I don’t even know Your name.” God responded, “I Am Who I Am.” Moses continued with objections until he finally said, “Lord, please send someone else.” But God insisted, “Go.” Eventually, Moses obeyed. No more excuses.

Like Moses, I often find myself full of excuses for not doing what I know I should. Perhaps you can relate. But in the end, excuses only delay the inevitable. The good news is we don’t have to face our tasks alone. When we remember that God is with us, we can find the courage to act. Like Moses, we should just do it.

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