Author: londavis@hotmail.com

Our Scripture for today is 2 Peter 3:9.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God wants everyone to come to repentance. Yes! But what is repentance? If you ask the people who sit in church pews, most will say that repentance means to stop doing wrong. That is only partially true. There are many murderers and thieves in prisons who have stopped killing and stealing. Did they repent? No. They are locked up, so they cannot murder or steal anymore. Repentance means more than just stopping the sin. Let’s look further into the meaning of sin.

In the Bible, the term “repentance” is derived from the Greek word “metanoia,” which means a change of mind or a change in the inner person. In a biblical context, repentance involves several key aspects. Chiefly among them:

1. Repentance Involves Recognition of Sin: 

It begins with an individual recognizing the sin. You will not change what you deny is real.

2. Repentance Involves Sorrow for Sin:

True repentance involves genuine sorrow or remorse for having committed sins and for the separation it has caused from God.

3. Repentance Involves Turning Away from Sin: 

It’s not just about feeling sorry; it involves a decisive turn away from sinful behaviors and attitudes. It means stopping the sin, even if you know that no one will ever know.

4. Repentance Involves Turning to God:

This aspect emphasizes turning towards God, seeking His forgiveness, and aligning oneself with His will and teachings.

5. Repentance Involves Transformation of Life:

Repentance in the Bible often leads to a transformation in a person’s life, evident in their actions, thoughts, and overall character. A person who repents is a changed person. They are no longer the old people they were.

Repentance is the Prodigal Son coming to himself, hating the sin, deciding to go home, and going home to his father. Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change of action.

Lonnie Davis

Have you ever caught yourself pondering the nature of sin? What does the Bible mean when it uses the word sin.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as “sin” is “חָטָא” (chata), which fundamentally means “to miss the mark” or “to go wrong.” In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as “sin” is “ἁμαρτία” (hamartia), which also carries the meaning of “missing the mark” or “erring.”

So, how would you define sin? In the biblical context, “sin” refers to any thought, word, deed, or omission that goes against God’s will and standards that misses the mark of God’s will. 

Saint Augustine, a heavyweight in the realm of theology, had an intriguing take on sin. He proposed that sin undergoes three stages in our lives. Initially, we find ourselves playfully bargaining with morality, echoing the sentiment, “Lord, make me good, but not yet.” It’s a phase of procrastination where the appeal of immediate pleasures overshadows our quest for righteousness. As we mature, our plea transforms subtly to, “Lord, make me good, but not entirely.” Here lies the human dilemma: craving sanctity but clinging to our earthly desires. Finally, we reach a point of earnest surrender, asking simply, “Lord, make me good.” This progression reflects a journey from self-centeredness to a sincere yearning to follow God.

In today’s world, especially in the realm of politics, the concept of sin is not politically correct. Our politicians, those guardians of public trust, seem to exist in a realm where ‘sin’ is substituted with ‘mistake.’ They ‘misstep’ or ‘miscalculate.’ When caught, the cure is not Jesus, but usually rehab.

The most powerful lesson comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t shun sinners; he dined with them. He exemplified the challenging art of hating the sin but loving the sinner. In a world quick to cast stones, learning to separate the deed from the doer can pave the way for forgiveness and reconciliation, qualities ever-needed in our times.

As we see these different views of sin, it becomes clear that this concept is far more than a religious or moral construct. It’s a mirror reflecting our struggles, growth, and the ever-present battle between our spiritual aspirations and our baser instincts. 

Yes, we all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but we can get forgiveness for our sins. However, we must remember that our forgiveness comes as we forgive others. (Matthew 6:14-15).

Lonnie Davis

Our Bible word for today is found in Psalm 42:11.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Imagine going to the doctor with an illness. The doctor runs all the tests and then tells you the result. What you want to hear are words of hope. The saddest words you could hear are “no hope.” 

Those who have hope have a reason for joy. Hope is the anchor that holds us steady in life’s tumultuous seas. Hope is an unyielding belief in a future that can be better, brighter, and more fulfilling than the present.

In a world that often seems shrouded in uncertainty and despair, hope is the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering, “Tomorrow will be better.” Hope is not just wishful thinking.

It is not mere optimism. While optimism is the general expectation that good things will happen, hope is more specific. It’s the belief that even in our worst moments, there’s the possibility for change and growth. Hope requires an object or a goal for which we are reaching, whether it’s fighting a sickness or overcoming a challenging life obstacle.

In difficult times, hope can be scarce. Yet, it’s precisely in these difficult moments that hope’s power is most needed. Hope provides the courage to face challenges, the strength to continue when we feel like giving up, and the vision to see beyond the immediate obstacle. It’s a reminder that circumstances can change, that endings can be new beginnings, and that no matter how tough things get, there’s always the potential for good change.

Hope is Israel coming out of 400 years of slavery.
Hope is Noah building a boat for 600 years, waiting for a flood.
Hope is Abraham going to the mountain with his son, saying God will provide the lamb.
Hope is Joseph in prison believing that things will get better.
Hope is baby Jesus in the manger.

To have hope is to hold onto the promise of a better tomorrow and to trust that even in our darkest hours, things will get better.

Lonnie Davis

“Have you ever received a gift so profound and unexpected that it left you in awe? This is the essence of divine grace. Our journey into understanding this begins with a powerful scripture from Ephesians 2:8-9, which reveals the heart of grace: a gift from God, unearned and undeserved. It reads:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

The Definition of Grace:

In the New Testament, the concept of “grace” originates from the Greek word “χάρις” (charis). This term is rich with meanings, often found in biblical verses to signify unmerited favor, blessing, or thankfulness and gratitude.

Digging Deeper

Ephesians 2:8-9 is a cornerstone for many Bible students, illustrating that salvation comes through faith. However, it’s crucial not to overlook the opening phrase: “For by grace are you saved.” Our salvation stems not only from faith but firstly from grace. Elements like faith, confession, repentance, baptism, and the blood of Christ are integral to our salvation, but salvation all begins with God’s grace. Understanding the word “Grace” is therefore essential.

At its core, grace means receiving something we haven’t earned and don’t deserve. This concept is familiar in the business world too. For instance, when we need to renew our car registration, we often get a “grace period” – extra time to complete the task. Similarly, loan payments might have a grace period before extra charges apply. This principle extends to other legal areas as well.

When we stand before God, it’s His grace, not justice, that we’ll yearn for. In Genesis 15:6, the Bible tells us that Abraham “believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham wasn’t completely righteous; through God’s grace, he was deemed as such. Our God is a God of grace. It is not by our good deeds, but by God’s grace, that we will be saved.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Mark 4:40.

“He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'”

The disciples were trapped on a boat in a storm, the winds were blowing hard, and the waves were tossing them mercilessly. They were on a huge lake that was responsible for many deaths by storm. They tried to row hard against the wind to save themselves, but nothing helped. Jesus was with them, but he was sleeping while they were rowing and fretting. Eventually they woke Jesus with, “Don’t you care that we are about to die?” Jesus got up and spoke to the winds and the winds calmed. He then turned to them and asked two questions:

Number 1. “Why are you so afraid?”

Number 2. “Do you still have no faith?”

By putting these two questions together, Jesus is telling the disciples that faith is what you do in the storm. Anyone can have faith in fair weather, but real faith shows up when you need it. To help you know more about faith, there are three Bible passages that you ought to keep in mind.

Number 1 –  Hebrews 11:6. “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

This passage tells us that faith is necessary to please God. It also tells us that faith is believing that God acts in your life.

Number 2 – Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Here, we learn what faith is. Faith in trusting God even when you see him. 

Number 3 – Romans 10:17. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

This text teaches us how to build up our faith. We build our faith by spending time in the Word of God. If your faith is to grow, then your time in the Bible needs to grow.

To get a better understanding of faith, spent time in those three passages. Hebrew 11:6, 11:1, and Romans 10:17. And, of course, read the great honor roll of faith, which is the entire chapter of Hebrews 11.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Acts 8:30 (NIV)

“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked.”

That is a great question. “Do you understand what you are reading?” The first step in understanding what you read is to know the meaning of the words you are reading. 

One of my college professors told about attending a discussion on the necessity of baptism. The fellow who was taking the position that baptism was necessary used as his proof text Matthew 7:14

In the KJV, it reads, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” He read that and said, “I looked in the dictionary and it defined strait as ‘a small body of water.’ “ Then he continued, “The only small body of water in the Church is the baptistry.” 

When the other guy stood up to answer this argument, he said, “Well, that is a new argument. I don’t know how to answer it, so we’ll just move on to the next point.” Ugh!

They didn’t know the meaning of a Bible word and so they got everything wrong. Of course, they could have just read the passage in a different version and found it reads, “Narrow is the gate that leads to life.” “Strait,” the word in the KJV means “narrow” and not “water.”

Words matter. Knowing what a word means makes the difference between understanding God’s words and misusing God’s word. Beginning tomorrow we are going to look at six common Bible words. You hear them all the time, but may not know exactly what they mean. We will be better Bible readers by knowing these six words.

Here are the six words that we will define:

1. Faith, 2. Grace, 3. Hope, 4. Sin, 5. Repentance, 6. Forgiveness

You use these words and hear them all the time. I trust that by digging deeper into the meaning of these words as used in the Bible, you will be a better Bible student.

Tomorrow we will begin with the word “Faith.”

Lonnie Davis

As Christmas time approaches, let me share a story a friend told me. There was a mother and grandmother of 14 who annually bought Christmas presents for all her children. As she aged and found this task increasingly challenging, she decided to send checks instead, thus allowing them to choose their own gifts. About a week before Christmas, she addressed all the Christmas cards, wrote “This year, I’m going to let you buy your own gifts,” and mailed them. When she returned home from the postoffice and looked at the table, she realized she had forgotten to include the checks with the cards.

This incident is a reminder that sometimes, we need someone else in control.

Our scripture for today is Romans 12:18:

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

I’ve always found this verse remarkable. It acknowledges that there are people who do not wish to live at peace with you. When you encounter them, what should you do? God’s word instructs us to live at peace with them, if it is at all up to us. Sometimes, it’s not in our hands.

This principle isn’t just about dealing with people who are hard to get along with; it’s about how to conduct oneself in all aspects of life. In Proverbs, we are exhorted to the following:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (3:5-6)

With these words, God offers us the promise of guiding our paths. We don’t need to control everything. We have someone wiser, smarter, and more powerful to guide us.

Lonnie Davis

Our scripture is Proverbs 22:18
“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.”

In days gone by, land was not surveyed. It was established by boundary stones. These were large rocks set at the corners of land. In our time, we don’t usually measure land by boundary stones. However, we do set boundaries all the time.

The one set of boundaries that everyone knows about are the 10 Commandments. They started with the “Thou Shalt Not” or “Thou Shall.” With those words from Exodus 20, God set clear boundaries for his people. “Thou shall have no other gods before me.” Actually, there are many other boundaries throughout the Bible. It is urgent that we know that boundaries were not made to make life hard, but to make life possible. You know that is true, because each of us has been tormented by an acquaintance, friend, or loved one who did not know how to respect a boundary.

Each family and each person has boundaries. My family certainly did. In my family, and I am sure in yours, we didn’t steal from one another. We didn’t lie to one another. When I first married Liz, she told me up front that I was not allowed to tease her or pull a prank on her. I’m not saying we were always perfect, but those were rules.
Of course, there were other rules or boundaries that were not so serious: don’t sing at the table, don’t get up from the table until you are excused, clean your plate, etc.

Unfortunately, in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, the concept of setting boundaries often takes a backseat. However, establishing clear and healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.

All of us have boundaries.
There are emotional boundaries that control who or what we allow to influence our feelings and thoughts. When this boundary is crossed, we suffer emotionally.
There are physical boundaries: Everyone needs their own space, even if it’s just a chair.
We all have to set time boundaries. That one is about allocating time for work, play, and relaxation. This helps us maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you don’t build boundaries around your time, then the urgent things will smother the important things.

Make boundaries. Make boundaries on purpose. Make your boundaries known. They are essential for good relationships.

Lonnie Davis

The title for my lesson today is “Take Care of Yourself.” I chose this because this is one of the important things that a good counselor will tell those who come to them. 

The Scripture for today is Exodus 20:8-10. 

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work.”

You might look at this verse and ask what this verse has to do with taking care of yourself. The answer is simple. In Mark 2:27 Jesus explained, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” 

God gave us the seventh day of rest because he knew we needed it. It was not because God wanted to make another rule for us to break or a day to keep us from fishing or working. Keeping the Sabbath was God’s way of saying “Take care of yourself.”

I read a couple of quotes that are spot on about this subject.

1. “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” – Katie Reed

2”. “Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too.” – L.R. Knost

By taking care of yourself you be able to help your loved ones, family, friends, and the stranger you may meet. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40. Take care of yourself because you can’t serve others if you have nothing left to give.

The next time you talk to someone, as you leave, say one parting line: “Take care of yourself.” They probably won’t understand the depth of the comment, but you will.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is James 1:2-3.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

We all go through struggles and failures that bring pain. When you face that pain, James said, “Count it all joy.” Be happy about it, because that pain will produce good things. Of course that is only if we grow from it and are williing to grow from it. 

When my youngest daughter was about four, she did something she should not have done and I disciplined her. She cried and I left her room. Soon it hit me that I should make sure she knows why she was punished. I went back to her room and ask her, “Honey do you know why I punished you?” She sobbed, “Yeah.” I asked why? She answered, “Because you are mad at me.” At that moment I was glad that I had that talk with her.

Pain always has a lesson in it. Learn the lesson from the pain. When we learn the lesson, then we will grow. If we do something thing brings pain and we don’t learn from it, then the pain is wasted and we are hopeless stuck in our ways.

I remember the story of the salesman who went to a farm and talked to an old farmer who was sitting on his front porch. As they began to talk, the old dog laying on the porch let out a moan. The dog got quiet and the man continued with his pitch. Soon the dog moaned again. 

The salesman asked the farmer, “Why is your dog moaning?” The farmer answered, “Aww, he is laying on a nail.” Puzzled the man asked, “Then why doesn’t he move?” The farmer answered, “It don’t hurt that bad.”

If our discomfort or pain doesn’t move us, then we are doomed to repeat the failures. Growth involves discomfort. Even if the discomfort is downright pain.

Lonnie Davis

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 11:14

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” 

Have you ever been to counseling? Have you been several times? The truth is that from time to time we could all grow from it.

Because of doing decades of counseling, both as a minister and in community settings, I have needed to know what to tell those who come for counseling. This week I asked myself what six things almost all counselors need to tell those who come. I answered that question from personal experience and with a little research. Here are those six things everyone needs to know: These are not in any special order, but just a list.

1. Change is a process. It doesn’t happen all at once. We have to work to know what to change and how to accept it.

2. You are not alone. Whatever you are going through, others have also faced. We can learn from others who have walked the same path and won the victory.

3. Asking is okay. The world doesn’t need more people who are too stubborn to ask others.

4. Boundaries are necessary. A child needs to know boundaries that are set by their parents and by society. Every, every human being needs boundaries in their life.

5. Growth involves discomfort. If you stay in your “comfort zone,” then you will never grow. Or if you do grow it will be very, very slow. 

6. You can’t control everything. Learn to know the things which you cannot change and accept that fact and grow from there. Nobody always gets their own way, every time. Life does not work that way.

The sooner you and I accept those truths, (and others not listed here) the sooner we can work on being joyful. 

Lonnie Davis

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s an important step towards healing and growth.  

We sat in a golf cart. I asked him to play golf because his marriage was crumbling. I knew he would never ask for or even accept counseling. I figured if I could get him on the golf course for 4 hours, he would be trapped and he would have to listen. My plan half worked. His response to my suggestion about getting help from a wise counselor was, “No. I will never go to a counselor. Not ever!” With many other words I exhorted him to work on the problem with someone wise. 

Why would I exhort such? The wisest man who ever lived told us: 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

There are times when we all need a little help, to talk with someone who has walked our path. If anyone will never ask for help, then it might be because of one of three reasons:  

1. Maybe they believe they have all wisdom. Job’s friends who bedeviled him with ignorant but loving hearts, were told by Job, “Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!” – Job 12:2.  

2. Another reason some reject help is because they already have their mind made up. There is no help for the self-willed.   

3. Maybe some just don’t know anybody who can help. Ask around. There is someone.  

We have all had a teacher who says, “There are no stupid questions.” Actually, I like Leonardo da Vinci’s statement better: “He who asks a question is a fool for a minute; he who does not remains a fool forever.”  

In other words, when in need reach out for help.  

Lonnie Davis

Today, I have something different for you. I am sharing with you what we will focus on for the week. We have already done two of these lessons.

Suppose you were going to go to a counselor, what would they tell you? This week we will look at six things everyone will eventually hear from their counselor.

I start by reading Galatians 6:9.

“Let’s not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up.”

One fellow paraphrased this verse as “Keep on keeping on.” I love that principle, but there are times we don’t know what the right path is. At such times we need to talk to someone who can help us. Sometimes our counselor is our grandmother, or aunt, or teacher, or whoever has shown themselves to be wise in our eyes. 

As one who spent decades counseling as a minister and then, after getting a degree in counseling, working with members of the church and the community, I know some of the things people need to hear.

This week, we will consider six truths everyone needs to know.

We’ve already looked at two of them.

1. Pebbles on the Path – The Process of Change.

And 

2. You Are Not Alone – Others have walked the same path.

Here are the next four:

3. It’s Okay to Ask for Help, You are not Superman or Wonder Woman.

4. The Necessity of Boundaries – Know when to say No! (Or Yes)

5. Growth Involves Discomfort – Be willing to go out on a limb; that is where the fruit is!

6. You Can’t Control Everything – Knowing what you CAN control is half the solution.

Tomorrow, we will continue our series with “It’s Okay to Ask for Help—You are Not Superman.”

I believe you will find each of these to be thoughts worth thinking about.

Lonnie Davis

Jesus told his apostles, 

“An hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” – John 16:32

Even Jesus addressed being alone. In this verse we see that not being around people does not necessarily make you lonely, at least not as long as we feel the presence of God. But often you and I, left alone do experience loneliness. In fact, recent studies have found a range of 20–50% of people who express feelings of loneliness at times.

Why? Among the reasons listed in the research were:

1. Digital Communication
2. Changing Social Structures
3. COVID-19

True, but misleading. People have felt lonely for as long as mankind has existed. Even Cain worried about this when, after he killed his brother, he told God, “I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” (Genesis 4:14). In short, Cain felt he would be alone.

What can we do about loneliness?

First, we need to learn the difference between alone time and being lonely. You can be lonely in a crowd. Or, you can be by yourself and not feel lonely. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, communed with only God, and yet certainly did not feel lonely. He came from this experience and built a community of thousands of followers.

Here are some great steps to fighting loneliness:

1. Realize you don’t have to be lonely. If up to 50% of people fret about feeling lonely, then surely you recognize they long for community and someone like you.

2. Put yourself out there. Reach out to other people. There is a book on personal evangelism called, “Just Walk Across the Room.” In other words, make the effort to talk to and connect to others. Put yourself in charge of this effort.

3. Be interested in other people and let them know it.

Obviously, there are other things one can do, but these are great starter steps. 

Let’s close with the words of a poet:

Sometimes I get lonely, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook  
Always connecting but not connected  

Sometimes I get lonely, Looking to the future  
Forgetting to be in the present  

Sometimes I get lonely, Thinking someday, one day  
Never thinking right here, right now  

Sometimes I get lonely, Phone’s on, WiFi’s up  
Waiting for it to buzz  

Sometimes I get lonely  
Just waiting…Always waiting…  

…Anon 

So, stop waiting. Remember Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly.” Or herself be friendly.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is 2 Corinthians 5:17.” 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Do you see the need for change in this verse? When people starts following God, their lives are changes. “The old has gone, the new is here.” 

But how does change happen. The answer is that it happens little by little. Change is a process. It is the journey and not the destination. Each step is just a pebble on the path. Each pebble is just a pebble, but with enough pebbles you will eventually have a path.

This is true in all change. It is true when a person changes a career, for becoming a parent, for becoming a good parent. For becoming a husband or wife, for becoming a good husband or a good wife. It is true for learning to eat healthy food. 

We all have to change, but how does it come. I heard one man describe financial bankruptcy this way. It said it does not happen all at once. It happens little by little and then all at once. Change in your life happens in the same way. 

When one first makes a decision to follow Christ, he or she is not instantly changed. We take baby steps to grow into the one we want to be. Change, whether for good or bad, is a process. A wise person will accept that fact.

What is it you want to be? A kind person? A wise person? A fun person? A good wife? A good husband? A writer? A good writer? A good golfer? A good cook?

All of this takes time. This is the reason that it takes 13 years of study and work to become a physician and surgeon. Work toward things and change will happen little by little and then all at once, pebble by pebble and then a path.

Making and accepting change calls on us all to lean on Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Lonnie Davis

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.”

My kids grew up observing one habit of mine. Whenever we would hear an ambulance coming down the street, I would say, “Kids, you think you are having a hard day? No, but somebody else is.”

Have you ever thought about an ambulance? An ambulance tears around town with its siren blaring. It is always going to a crisis or leaving a crisis. It is built for emergencies.

Too many people live life the same way. They run their lives with a siren going. Every day is desperate, and every moment is a crisis or preparation for one. They manage their time by putting out the latest fire.

Such a frantic existence leaves no room for smelling roses or enjoying sunsets. Even worse, it leaves no time for sharing friendships and building love.

What if some of the things you are racing around to do did not get done? Suppose you substitute a quiet walk around the block or time off to call on a friend or time out to read a book?

Or even better, can you find the time to read the Good Book? Suppose you wrote an encouraging note to someone who really needed it? Would your world fall apart? Perhaps it would help put your life back into perspective. Remember, God will work all things out if you will just lean on him. 

As 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.” In other words, walk the walk of faith.

Lonnie Davis

Our Bible verse for today is Proverbs 16:3

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

This verse implies the importance of planning our future. We must decide what we want to achieve, then entrust those plans to God’s guidance. Without a clear vision for tomorrow, how can we truly commit it to His will?

Sir Walter Scott, a famous novelist of the 16th century, exemplifies the power of planning. He penned countless novels, a testament to his diligent work ethic. His diary, however, holds a final lesson. The last entry reads, “Tomorrow we shall…” followed by an empty space. Sadly, there was no tomorrow for Scott. He died with unfulfilled plans, plans that remained unwritten and uncommitted.

Many of us have dreams and goals we strive for, plans we meticulously map out, and steps we take towards achieving them. Yet, we sometimes fall short of our aspirations simply because we lack a plan. As the poet stated, “If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.” This underscores the importance of action and prioritizing tasks that require our attention today.

God declared to Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you.” Do you know the plans you have for yourself? God knows his plan, but do you? Take time to reflect, pray deeply, and write down your aspirations. Commit these plans to God’s wisdom and watch as He helps you on your journey.

When you do this you will be able to say with David, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad.”

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture for today is Genesis 18:19. In this verse, God is considering whether he ought to tell Abraham what his plans are. God decides yes, because, as the verse says:

“I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just…” 

He said yes for three reasons related to Abraham.

1. God chose Abraham.

2. Abraham will direct his children and all in his house to keep the way of the Lord.

3. He will teach them by setting the right example before them.

There is no goal for a father that is more important or worthy than for a man to spend his life by leading his own family in the way of God. The verse doesn’t say lead by teaching, but rather by “doing what is right.” 

Years ago I knew an old, retired preacher named Bill. Bill told me one of the stories of his ministry. He said that his congregation was trying to sell church bonds years earlier to build their church building. The task fell to Bill to lead the effort. Though Bill did not know him, he decided to go to the richest man in town and ask him to buy some bonds. He cold-called the rich man and talked to him. He made his pitch and the rich man’s response was to tell him about his daughter. He said that his daughter left home and was living a hard life on the street. He then made an offer. He told Bill that if he could help his daughter, he would buy every bond Bill had. Sadly, Bill had to sell his bonds elsewhere.

That rich man knew that unless your own family is okay, then nothing else matters. It is that way for every father. I am sure it is for every mom too, but our text talks about a father’s spiritual goal.

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture for today is Psalms 118:24.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

That verse doesn’t say, “If things go well today, I will rejoice and be glad.” Any day that God has made for you is a day of rejoicing. That is what the verse says.

I admit, that this is sometimes hard. Some days are a challenge and you only smile when you look back. Sometimes not even then.

I read the story of a preacher who got up on Sunday to preach. His alarm didn’t go off so he was late. He threw clothes on, and grabbed his coffee. Oh no! The coffee didn’t make. He ran to his car and saw that he had a flat. Now he was really going to be late. Speeding to church, he ran a stop sign. The cop pulled him over and he snapped at the cop. The policeman smiled and said, “I know how you feel sir. I used to have days like this before I became a Christian.” Ouch!

I’ve had days like that and I am sure you have too. 

When my first child was born, I had one of those days. When my wife and I brought the baby home. Liz was still struggling from the birth and everything was up to me. As we pulled up to our house, Liz said, “Carry Janet into the house.” I had never picked up a baby in my life. I certainly could not start now. I said, “Let me go get the neighbor next door and she will carry her in. Liz said, “No, you can do it.” Resigned to the first time I would carry a baby, I ran into the house and got a pillow. I came back to the car, put the pillow on my arms and had Liz put the baby on the pillow. I then carried the baby on the pillow into the house.

For the rest of the day, every time the baby cried, it was up to me to care for her. At least I knew what to do. Every time Baby Janet cried, I gave her a bottle. Every time!

By ten that night I had a sick baby that I did not know how to help. I did the only thing I knew to do, I called my mother. She lived 600 miles away, but she drove all night.

That was my hard day then, that looks different looking back. I know you have had days like that too. For all of those days, both mine and yours, we all need to say, “This the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad.”

No matter what this day or even tomorrow brings, there is joy in it. Someday we will find the joy. The greater our faith, the sooner we will find it.

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture for today is Psalms 118:24.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

That verse doesn’t say, “If things go well today, I will rejoice and be glad.” Any day that God has made for you is a day of rejoicing. That is what the verse says.

I admit, that this is sometimes hard. Some days are a challenge and you only smile when you look back. Sometime not even then.

When my first child was born, I had one of those days. When my wife and I brought the baby home, Liz was still struggling from the birth and everything was up to me. As we pulled up to our house, Liz said, “Carry Janet into the house.” I had never picked up a baby in my life. I certainly could not start now. I said, “Let me go get the neighbor next door and she will carry her in. Liz said, “No, you can do it.” Resigned to the first time I would carry a baby, I ran into the house and got a pillow. I came back to the car, put the pillow on my arms and had Liz put the baby on the pillow. I then carried the baby on the pillow into the house.

For the rest of the day, every time the baby cried, it was up to me to care for her. At least I knew what to do. Every time Baby Janet cried, I gave her a bottle. Every time!

By ten that night, I had a sick baby that I did not know how to help. I did the only thing I knew to do: I called my mother. She lived 600 miles away, but she drove all night.

That was a hard day and I did not think, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad.” It took decades before I could. 

No matter what this day or even tomorrow brings, there is joy in it. Someday we will find the joy. The greater our faith, the sooner we will find it.

Lonnie Davis