Author: londavis@hotmail.com

Meeting Esther

There is a great quote on courage that says, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

Esther’s story is one of courage, faith, and trust in God’s plan. She was an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai.

Esther’s life changed when King Xerxes of Persia chose her to be queen. After Queen Vashti was removed, the king searched for a new queen, and Esther, with her kindness and beauty, won his favor. Even though she was Jewish, she kept her background a secret.

For a long time, Esther’s true identity remained hidden. But when Haman, a powerful official, devised a plan to destroy all the Jews, Esther knew she couldn’t stay silent. Mordecai urged her to speak to the king, even though approaching him uninvited could mean death. Esther knew she had to act.

Before going to the king, Esther asked Mordecai and the Jews in the city to join her in a three-day fast, seeking God’s help. This action showed her great faith and trust in God’s guidance.

Finally, Esther went to the king, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Her words showed her courage and willingness to risk everything to save her people. Her bravery and faith led to the salvation of the Jewish people.

Esther’s story reminds us that one person, with faith and courage, can make a difference.

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

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Our text today is John 1:40-42:  

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. He first found his brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated as Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which is translated as Peter).”  

When Simon first met Jesus, he received a new name: Peter, meaning “rock.” Jesus saw strength and stability in Peter, even though Peter didn’t always see it in himself. That’s how Jesus sees us too—He knows the good we may not yet recognize.  

Before following Jesus, Peter was a fisherman, working alongside his brother Andrew. When Jesus called him, Peter left his nets behind to become a “fisher of men.”  

Peter was among the first disciples chosen by Jesus. Once, when Jesus walked on water, Peter asked to join Him. Stepping out of the boat, Peter walked on water too—until he took his eyes off Jesus and noticed the waves. As he began to sink, Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out and saved him. Jesus was right on time, as He always is. 

Despite his love for Jesus, Peter made mistakes. On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing Him three times. Later, filled with regret, Peter was heartbroken. After His resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter and gave him another chance.  

Peter went on to boldly preach about Jesus. His life reminds us that God can use imperfect people to do extraordinary things.  

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

Our text today is John 1:40-42:  

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. He first found his brother Simon and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated as Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which is translated as Peter).”  

When Simon first met Jesus, he received a new name: Peter, meaning “rock.” Jesus saw strength and stability in Peter, even though Peter didn’t always see it in himself. That’s how Jesus sees us too—He knows the good we may not yet recognize.  

Before following Jesus, Peter was a fisherman, working alongside his brother Andrew. When Jesus called him, Peter left his nets behind to become a “fisher of men.”  

Peter was among the first disciples chosen by Jesus. Once, when Jesus walked on water, Peter asked to join Him. Stepping out of the boat, Peter walked on water too—until he took his eyes off Jesus and noticed the waves. As he began to sink, Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out and saved him. Jesus was right on time, as He always is. 

Despite his love for Jesus, Peter made mistakes. On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied knowing Him three times. Later, filled with regret, Peter was heartbroken. After His resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter and gave him another chance.  

Peter went on to boldly preach about Jesus. His life reminds us that God can use imperfect people to do extraordinary things.  

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

Our verse today is 1 Samuel 10:21–24, which recounts the fascinating and humorous story of Saul becoming king.

“Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected to be king. But when they looked for him, they could not find him. So again they inquired of the LORD, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ And the LORD replied, ‘Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.’ So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.’ And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’”

Saul’s story is one of great beginnings but a tragic end. His early humility made him likable, but that changed with time. 

One of his major mistakes was offering an unlawful sacrifice. Instead of waiting for Samuel, Saul took matters into his own hands, showing a lack of trust in God’s timing. Later, when commanded to destroy an enemy and their possessions, he disobeyed, sparing the enemy king and keeping the best livestock. This act of defiance led God to reject him as king.

Saul’s jealousy of David consumed him. David’s successes angered and unsettled Saul, driving him to repeatedly try to kill David. In his rage, Saul even attempted to kill his own son, who supported David. 

Saul’s life reminds us that whether king or commoner, rich or poor, we must value obedience, trust, and humility before God.

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

(Explore 1 Samuel 8 through 31) to read more about his life.

Our Scripture for today is Isaiah 7:14:

“The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”

These words prophesy the birth of Jesus. Mary was a virgin, yet she would have a son. One cannot summarize Mary’s life in a few words, but here are things you may not know about Mary, the mother of Jesus:

1. Mary’s Hebrew name was Miriam, which means “beloved” or “exalted one.”
2. When Mary became the mother of Jesus, she was likely a young teenager, perhaps only 14–16 years old. This was a typical age for marriage in her culture, and she must have been extraordinary for God to choose her at such a young age.
3. Mary was a great student of the Bible, even as a young person. Her song of praise, recorded in Luke 1:46-55, reflects her deep knowledge of Scripture and trust in God’s promises.
4. One of the most unimaginable moments in Mary’s life was standing near the cross as Jesus was crucified (see John 19:25-27)
   
   Mary’s true character shines in her words to the angel: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In other words, she was saying, “Let the Lord’s will be done. I don’t matter.”

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

Our text for today is Acts 8:3.

“Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.”

This man, Saul, is the one whom we know as Paul, the Apostle. We first meet Saul only two verses earlier when he consents to the death of the first Christian martyr. But verse three shows us the character of his life at that time. He persecuted and tried to destroy the church. He dragged Christian men and women off to prison. Little could we have guessed that the end of his anti-Christian journey was about to come. He left to go to nearby cities to persecute Christians. In Acts 9, Jesus meets him on the trip, and his life is changed. He goes from Saul, the persecutor, to Paul, the Apostle.

Here are five great truths about him:

1. Paul became the great missionary to the Gentile people, even though he was a Jew.

2. Paul was a Roman citizen. On one occasion, he allowed himself to be beaten so that the soldiers might leave Christians alone. (See Acts 16).

3. Paul was a great scholar who trained under Gamaliel, one of the Jews’ most respected teachers.

4. Paul was a tentmaker by trade. He supported his ministry by making tents as his day job. 

5. Paul wrote more books of the New Testament than anyone else. He wrote at least 13 and maybe 14. Many of his books were written while he was in prison.

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

Meeting John the Baptist

Our text for today is Matthew 11:11.

In this verse Jesus tells us his opinion of John. “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.”

That ought to tell you why we should want to meet John in heaven. Jesus said he is the greatest of all the prophets.

Enough said! But here are five more facts about John.

1. His name is John. 

His name is not ‘The Baptist.” He is called John the Baptist because he was one who baptized. He had the high honor of baptizing Jesus.

2. He was a prophet.

We don’t usually don’t think of John as a prophet. We say, Elijah, Elisha, and Isaiah. Jesus called him a prophet and even more. In Matthew 11:9, Jesus asked, “What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”

3. John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins, likely through their mothers. In Luke 1:36, the angel Gabriel tells Mary about Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy:

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.”

Most Bible scholars hold that this means they were cousins.

4. John told his followers that Jesus was greater than him. See John 3:30.

5. John recognized Jesus before he was born! When Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited Elizabeth, John leaped in his mother’s womb, filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41).

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

Our text for today is Colossians 4:14. 

“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.”

Why should we make a big deal about Luke? At first glance, we might focus on the fact that he wrote a book of the Bible—but there are 40 to 50 different writers in the Bible. So why highlight Luke? There are other compelling reasons. In today’s reflection, we’ll take a closer look at this remarkable man.

Why are we focusing on him?  

Luke wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, even Paul. While Paul authored more individual books, his writings were shorter. In fact, Paul’s work makes up about 23% of the New Testament, but the combined length of Luke’s writings in the Gospel of Luke and Acts amounts to about 27%. That’s significant!

What else did Luke do?  

Paul describes Luke as a physician. In addition to being a doctor, Luke was also a historian, as evidenced by his detailed accounts in Luke and Acts. Moreover, he accompanied Paul on many of his journeys, as seen in the book of Acts.

What else is of special interest? 

Luke was likely not Jewish. He is widely believed to be the only Gentile author of the New Testament. 

Luke was also not an apostle. Unlike Matthew or John, he was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry. Instead, he relied on careful research and the testimonies of those who were there, crafting a faithful record of events.

Imagine meeting him on our first day in heaven! What a joy it will be to speak with the man whose work has taught us so much about Jesus and the early church.

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

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.