Author: londavis@hotmail.com

“Back in the day,” the games you played at home were board games. There was even a game called “The Game of Life.” Before you could play this game, you had to read the rules because the “Game of Life” could only be played if you knew the rules.

Do you already see where this is going? Life runs on rules. I was once trying to point this out to a teenage girl whose parents wanted me to talk with her. At 14, her life seemed out of control. She was making bad grades, bad decisions, and bad friends. She was not totally uncooperative, but certainly did not understand what was to be gained from counseling.

I asked her, “Have you ever seen a car driving down a Texas highway on a hot day in August with its windows rolled down?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Why are the windows down?” I asked.

“Their air conditioning is broken,” she answered.

“Why don’t they fix it?” I asked.

“They don’t have the money,” She answered.

Then I asked one more question, “Why don’t they have money?”

She didn’t know the answer, so let me answer. There are some who have bad luck, but for the great majority, that is not the real problem. The real problem is that we spend money on things and stuff and junk, then when an emergency arises, we are out of funds. That is a rule.

If you do not live on less than you earn, then when an emergency comes you will suffer the consequences. That is the rule!

Life has many more rules just like that. The wise person will take note of what these rules are. If they are wise they will remember them. If they are wise they will live by them. If they are really wise they will write them down.

Remember them or write them down, but you will live by them. Each of them is a life rule that brings success or failure.  You will keep repeating the failures until you learn the rule and live by it.

Lonnie Davis

Some Bible verses are so beautiful that reading them causes us to lose sight of the beauty of the verses around them. For example, Isaiah 40:31

They who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Today, I want to help you fall in love with the verses around this verse. Let’s go all the way back to verse 25.

The passage starts with God asking,

25 To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.

To help us see the incomparableness of God, He challenges us to:

Verse 26: Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

So folks, if you want to see the power of God, look to the skies on any clear night. The sky lights up like that special neighborhood at Christmas. Actually, that comparison does not do justice to the glory of the heavens. God made the nightly light show. It is always there.

Next, he addresses those who complain that God does not help them.

27 Why do you complain? Why do you say,

“My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”?

Some believers felt that having God in their lives was not helping them with their struggles. For those who’ve ever felt this way, God continues:

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding
is beyond comprehension.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

The whole context of this verse is telling us to simply trust God. We might not understand why things are happening as they are, but he does, and in the end, He will do what is best for us.
Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Galatians 6:14

“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

When you raise kids, you eventually hear the question, “Why can’t I do that?” Followed by “It’s not wrong.” When you get older in life, you have that same question to yourself about the things you want to do. I mean, if it is not wrong and you want to do it, then do it! Right?

Well, maybe, maybe not.

To challenge that thought, think about the following truth.

In the 18th century, a blind man was found sitting at the corner of a street in a large city. The fact that he was blind is significant because he had a lighted lantern sitting beside him. Someone went up to him and asked why he had a lantern since both darkness and light were the same to him. He replied, “I have it so that no one may stumble over me.”

When it comes to right and wrong, we all should think like that blind man. There are things we can do that do not bother us personally. We have overcome that problem, but someone watching us may not be where we are. They may stumble and fall.

So, here is the point of the story: Some things are wrong because they are wrong. Some things are wrong not because they are wrong, but because our own actions may cause someone else to stumble. We don’t do wrong things, because they are wrong. We don’t do some things that are not wrong, because we love others.

I think this is part of the meaning of Romans 14:7, “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself.”

Lonnie Davis

Every adult who attended church as a kid, has memories of those first days of attending church. Mine revolved around attending church with Jesus.

My earliest memory of “going to church” was when I was about 5 years old. There was an older gentleman who often led parts of the worship. Nearly every Sunday, he sat in a chair on the stage. He had white hair and a white beard. I thought he was Jesus. Later we attended another congregation and that man wasn’t there. I thought it was sad that that church didn’t have Jesus worshipping with them.

I know this was the story of a young kid, but there is still a part of that story that is relevant to each of us. We are called to live our lives in such a way that when people see us, they think of Jesus.

This is the meaning of Matthew 5:14-16.

“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Look at those last words again, “Even so, let you light shine before men, that they may see you good works and glorify your Father.”

We are identified not by a white beard and setting on the stage at a church, but by the way we live our lives. When the world sees how a Christian lives, they will give glory to God.

When we live that way, little kids will be seeing Jesus at church.

Lonnie Davis

Our scripture for today is Genesis 2:24

“A man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

If you ever played sports, you will know that the first rule is “Be prepared.” When you are in the outfield, you have to know what you are going to do even before the ball is hit to you. That rule has applications for real life. Maybe by reading this story, you will be ready when faced with a similar situation. 

One day I came home from the office and my two teenage girls met me a the car. They felt for sure that Momma had wronged them. Liz was a gentle saint who lived like one. It had to be significant for the girls to both be upset. We went up to the bedroom and I started to listen, They began talking at the same time. I stopped them and said, “One at a time girls.” They stopped and so I continued, “Each of you tell me what mother did and then I will go down and listen to what your mother says. After I have heard all sides,” I told them. “I will then side with your mother.” 

They were shocked. What is the point in telling the story since I already decided I was going to take their mother’s side? I explained my rationale to them, “One day you are going to leave me and go start a family of your own. When you do I will be here with your mother. I am not going to mess my life up with her, just to take your side right now.” 

I still think that is one of the wisest decisions I ever made. To be fair, if Liz had really been awful, she and I would have figured that out and I would have urged her to correct it, but the kids didn’t need to know that. That was between her and the girls.

Keep that arrow in your quiver. You will need it someday.

Lonnie Davis

My father-in-law was a farmer. He raised cows and pigs. His milk cows roamed all over his farm. Each evening when it came time to milk the cows, he did not have to chase them down or round them up. He would go to the barn and holler the word “silk” over and over. I did not know what the word meant but I figured that his cows did because they always came to the barn.

It was such an interesting thing to see so I went out there myself one day and tried the “silk” call. I shouted “silk, silk, silk” several times. Nothing happened and no cows came to the barn. I was wrong about the cows knowing the meaning of the word. They did not know the word; they knew the voice of the farmer. It was his voice they were following. Another voice they would not follow.

In that same way, Jesus is our leader. He is our shepherd. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Those who love Jesus and belong to Him, hear his voice and follow it. If someone comes and tries to lead them astray, they reject the stranger. In that same chapter, Jesus said, “They will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (10:5)

One of the most emotional pictures in the Bible is the heartbreaking scene of Jesus looking out over the city of Jerusalem and saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)

Jesus still calls us. It is not “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,” but it is our name that He calls. He calls, “Come to me.” Will you hear His voice? 

~Lonnie Davis

Our verse for today is 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men…written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.”

Which translation or version of the Bible do you like. It used to be easy – the King James Version. Now there are so many versions that it causes us to wrestle with the question – will it be the NIV, the NASV, or maybe the New King James? 

The other day I read about several printings of the Bible that never made it out a few printings. (And for good reason). 

There was the “Wife-Hater Bible” of 1810. In Luke 14:26, Jesus said, “If anyone come unto me and hate not his own life…he cannot be my disciple.” The printer made an error and said, “Hate not his own WIFE.” 

The “Wicked Bible” of 1631 had the second command instead of saying “Thou shall not commit adults,” said ’Thou SHALL commit adultery.” King Charles was so upset about this error that he ordered all copies destroyed an finded all printers whose had had touched the edition.

Over the century, there were other “printer’s errors” like these, but there is a difference between a printer’s error and a mistranslation. 

Once there were three preachers arguing about which translation is best. After the first two had their say, the last one said, “I like my mother’s version best.” The first two were curious, “Your mother had her own version of the Bible.” “Yes,” he answered. “It was written on her heart for all of us to see. She showed it to us every day.”

We can’t argue with that. If fact, I believe that is what Paul is telling the Corinthians in today’s verse. “You are our epistle, written in our hearts, which is known and read by all men.”

So…who is reading your version today? 

By the way, the correct answer is not “Nobody.”

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Matthew 6:19-21:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I’ll never forget where I was when I heard the doctor say, “I wish I had better news for you.” I didn’t write those words down, yet I remember them as though I did. Some things are burned into your memory. These words brought bad news. I’m sure that is a line the doctor hates to say, but all too often does. For me, it all worked out, but not everyone is so fortunate.  What we all want to hear is good news!

 We are always happy to hear the doctor say, “Your test results are back and everything looks great,” Maybe you’ve heard this bit of good news, “You’re debt-free and have now paid off all your loans.”

It used to be that the American dream was to own one’s own home, but it has been replaced by this piece of good news. “You’ve won the lottery and are now a millionaire.”

Since I was a teenager, I have known the words of Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” The word “Gospel” in that verse actually means “Good news.” The Gospel is “Good News.” 

If everyone loves good news, why doesn’t everyone want to hear the “Good News” of Jesus Christ? Maybe it is because we get so wrapped up in the here and now so that the promise of eternity seems too distance. 

I leave you with a quote from a wise man who said, “The future depends on what you do today.”

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Matthew 5:21-22

21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 

Some have interpreted this passage to mean that merely using the term ‘fool’ will condemn someone to hell, but a deeper understanding reveals that Jesus is cautioning against contemptuous attitudes. In fact, the Bible itself uses the term ‘fool’ in various contexts. One example is found in Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ “

Let me share what I call the “Three Degrees of A Fool.”

Degree One: Believing oneself to be wise. 

This isn’t about false humility, but the tendency for some to consider themselves wise. As Shakespeare aptly put it, “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

Degree Two: Boasting about one’s wisdom. 

Genuine wisdom is demonstrated through actions, not words. If you need to tell others about your wisdom, it may be a sign that true wisdom is lacking, as the wise let their actions speak for them.

Degree Three: Rejecting advice from others. 

Fools may not explicitly deny interest in other people’s advice, but they usually seek counsel only from those who they know will agree with them. The proverb says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

So there they are, The fool thinks himself to be wise. The fool talks about his wisdom. The fool rejects advice.

Not only does knowing those three steps help you guard against becoming a fool, but it also helps you spot a fool so you will not be hurt by one.

Lonnie Davis

Our text is Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Do you remember how in school you used to dread test taking, especially math tests? The anxiety stems not just from getting the right answer, but from the teacher telling you to “show your work.” Those three little words changed everything and made the test so much harder.

Without those three words, you might guess the right answer. While guessing may get you credit on a test, showing work demonstrates a real understanding that will help with future problems. Math is about developing transferable problem-solving skills, not just arriving at one-off answers. As we get older, we recognize the value in teachers pushing us to lay out our step-by-step reasoning.

Life constantly presents new problems to solve: finding a job, nurturing relationships, pursuing growth, completing daily tasks, and more. Those who thrive in life are those who are prepared with the skills to work through life’s constant challenges. Whether learning from parents, friends, teachers, or mentors, people want to see our work because the goal is learning a lifelong skill, not just a single correct response. 

Next time you face a test, remember it’s practice for the never-ending problems of life. 

This is why Jesus told us to, “Let your light so shine.” It is not about showing off, but about letting others see the process of solving problems in life, especially how to live a Christian life.

Lonnie Davis

It was a dark and stormy night when the skies decided to throw an epic tantrum, and the power grid surrendered with a flicker, leaving your home in darkness. It is so dark that you cannot find your way around your own home. Your first thought is “Where did I put my flashlight?” Finally, you find your flashlight, only to discover that your flashlight has dead batteries. Ugh!

With a sigh of resignation, you search for fresh batteries, a task made comically challenging by sharp corners to the furniture inside your dark house and the elements conspiring outside. Raindrops beat down upon the windows as you fumble through drawers, knocking over forgotten treasures.

This story is not just an imagined story to me. I’ve been there and I’m guessing you have too.

This story should remind us of the words,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

We live in a world of darkness. All around us are the storms of life that cause that darkness. What we need more than anything is a light to show the way. It is to that point that the psalmist tells us of our “flashlight,” our source of light.

 Like one who stumbles in a dark house, hunting for that light source, the psalmist prays, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law… Do not hide Your commandments from me.”(Psalms 119:18-19.). 

Through reading God’s Word daily, we have that light ready to guide us through the dark nights.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Mark 8:16-18

The disciples followed Jesus onto a boat, but forgot to bring bread. They only had one loaf. Jesus warned them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees. They mistook his comments about yeast to be a reprimand to them for forgetting to bring bread. Mark 8 tells us, “they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’”

Jesus responded to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?” (Mark 8:16-18)

Jesus’ concern for them was that they became so fixed on the bread of this life, that they failed to see that Jesus was sharing a bigger, spiritual thought.

As I read that story, I remembered another story that happened during the terrible bombing raids of World War II. Many children were left orphaned and starving as a result of the bombing strikes. Those who were lucky enough to be saved were put in refugee camps where they were fed and given proper care. Many of these young people who had suffered such great losses were unable to sleep at night. They feared that when they woke up, they would still be hungry and without a place to live. 

Nothing seemed to reassure the children. Someone finally had the bright idea of giving each child a slice of bread to hold while they slept. These kids could at last sleep peacefully while holding their bread. Bread continued to remind them throughout the night that “Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow.”

Holding on to the bread at night really didn’t change anything for the children, but it made them feel secure.

In contrast to clutching actual bread, we would all do well to go to bed while clinging to our spiritual bread, Jesus, the bread of Life. Our assurance for the following day will come from holding Him during the night.

Lonnie Davis

The setting for today’s reading is a Sunday morning, sometimes around 6 a.m. A group of women go to the tomb of Jesus. The real story begins when they get there and find Jesus gone. Now we read:

Matthew 28:5-6

The angel …said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

In the first hours of that day, everything changed – for everyone. Jesus had been crucified, but he got up from the dead. 

In serving that same Jesus, I’ve preached well over 4,000 sermons. Most preachers who have preached that often, eventually preach one called, “If I had only one sermon to preach.” I want to tell you what sermon I would preach. If I were asked to preach one last time, There would be many wonderful topics available.

I could preach on “Why I believe in God.” I could preach on love. 1 John says that without love we are nothing. But the one we all need to feel down in our souls is ‘The Resurrection of Jesus.”

Paul explained it this way I Corinthians 15:13-19

“…If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

As a preacher, I have stood by more graves than most people. As I’ve gotten older, I have had the duty of standing by the graves of my own family and friends. When I leave those piles of dirt, I find great comfort in knowing that it is only temporary. In the song titled, “Hurt,” the writer said, “Everyone goes away in the end.” To those who do not know that Jesus got up from the grave, it would seem that way. As a believer, I say, “No! They simply go to wait for us.” 

There is not a more needed sermon for Christians to Truly believe.

Lonnie Davis

Knowing God’s Love

Our text for today is Hebrews 4:15-16

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Reading this verse helps us know more about God. It helps us see why God sent his Son to die on the cross. 

Posted on the site of the Oklahoma City bombing are the following lines by K. C. and Myke Kuzmic.

I said, “God, I hurt.”
And God said, I know.”

I said, “God, I cry a lot.”
And God said, “That is why I gave you tears.”

I said, “God, I am so depressed.”
And God said, “That is why I gave you Sunshine.”

I said, “God, life is so hard.”
And God said, “That is why I gave you loved ones.”

I said, “God, my loved one died.”
And God said, “So did mine.”

I said, “God, it is such a loss.”
And God said, I saw mine nailed to a cross.”

I said, “God, but your loved one lives.”
And God said, “So does yours.”

I said, “God, where are they now?”
And God said, “Mine is on My right and yours is in the Light.”

I said, “God, it hurts.”
And God said, I know.”

Jesus died on the cross so we might know that he understands us. His life and death was hard so that we CAN know that he feels our pain. Then, as today’s reading says, we will be able to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Lonnie Davis

Are you familiar with, Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We often misuse this text. If you read it closely, you will discover that it is a specific statement made to a specific man at a certain time. However, we have made this a universal principle. 

Yes, God does have a plan for us. We can work with God’s plan or we can try to thwart it.

I’d like to believe that I always understand and try to follow his plan, but I don’t always know exactly what he wants. Sometimes he gives us multiple doors, and sometimes closed doors. However, there are times when we make our own plans without considering God’s plan.

Sunday and Monday, September 18–19, 2022 was just such a time. While on the island of Puerto Rico, we knew there was a storm headed our way, but figured it would pass. But this one was worse than expected. A tropical storm turned into a hurricane.

We seemed to be doing okay; we had power. It was Sunday. Trapped in our house, my son and I were going to have a football day.  Unbeknownst to us, we had power but were running on a generator. No problem; we were doing fine. Suddenly, there was no wifi, and thus no football. Jeremy figured out that we could use our phone as a wifi router and we watched football. Yay!

At 10:30 p.m., all power was gone. No A/C, no nothing. Darkness. We fumbled our way to our beds and slept in the heat.

The next morning, we got our power back via generator, but for how long? We knew we needed to get off the island, but getting a flight off the island seemed impossible. Jeremy spent three hours finding us a flight. We got home about 8 p.m.

We just never know what the day may bring. We don’t know, but God knows. I know you have had days like these, and sometimes much worse. I have too.

When we have those days, we need to remember that though we cannot know what the day will bring, we do know the God who know.

When you can’t adjust the day, adjust your attitude. Trust him and let go. Let God.

Our verse for today is Matthew 7:1-2.

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 

The one Bible verse that every old heathen knows is that first verse, “Judge not that you be not judged.” Well, they usually just know the first two words, “Judge not.” If you do not approve of their being drunk or stealing and they know you are a Christian, the scripture they say is, “Judge not.” 

But does the Bible really teach us not to judge? Of course not, but a person with only a shallow understanding of the Bible does what everyone is prone to do: latch on to a little learning and make something out of it that was never intended. 

Of course, we should not judge, but you must understand the teaching. If you see a person drunk, it is not judgmental to call them drunk. If you see them drunk every day for a month, you are not judging them by saying they have a drinking problem. 

The same Jesus who said, “Judge not,” said, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16). It is not judging to inspect the fruit and determine that it is rotten. It is judging to see how the leaves are blowing and say the fruit is rotten.  It is not judging to see all the fruit ruined and say that the fruit is bad. It is judging to see one rotten apple and say that all the fruit is bad.

So, “Judge not!” But do inspect the fruit and make a good decision. If you don’t, then life will be filled with very hard spots.

Lonnie Davis.

Our Scripture for today is Hebrews 13:16

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

In my life there is one story that teaches me about this verse. It was not about me, it was about my wife, Liz.

Liz was a teacher and at Christmas each year children would often bring a gift to their teacher. The week before Christmas, one of her students, (We’ll call her Becky) brought a four-inch, stuffed moose to school. Every day for a week, she would put the little moose on her desk. She told Liz that it was her favorite toy. On the last day before Christmas break, the class had a gift exchange. Liz gave all the children a gift. In turn, many of them came to Liz’s desk and brought her a little something. Becky was from a poor family and didn’t have anything to give. At last, she picked up her little moose and brought it to Liz. Liz thanked her and said, “I’ll keep it for you today.” Becky smiled and said, “No, I want you to have it.” Liz told her how sweet she was, but insisted that Becky keep her favorite toy. Little Becky would hear none of it.” Liz could see how important this was to the sweet little girl, so she reluctantly took the gift. It touched Liz’s heart.

Most of the kid’s gifts that came home were lost over the years. The one gift that outlasted all the others with us was the little Christmas moose. We even kept the little brown sack Becky put it in. That little moose served to remind Liz and me that we too need to be generous. God doesn’t ask us to give up necessary food or medicine. He only asks that we give as He has given to us.

We all need a little of Becky’s spirit. When we love God as she loved her teacher, we will have her spirit of sharing. Truly, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

Lonnie Davis

I love reading great quotes from famous people. For example, the quote about failure from Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  I have one that I attribute to myself, “No failure is wasted as long as we learn from it.”

There have been many times in my life when I have fallen flat on my face, taken a breath, and then asked myself what lessons I might learn. I’ve tried to pass this thinking on to my kids. It is the best way to turn failure into a victory.

There were many Bible heroes who turned failure into victory.

Joseph was sold as a slave and then cast into prison, but ultimately turned it all into a victory for his family and all of God’s people. He explained it in Genesis 50:20,  “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Moses lived in the luxury of a palace but messed up and found himself running from Egypt. He spent 40 years working as a shepherd on the backside of nowhere. It turns out that Moses did not fail. He merely stumbled. We know him today as the prophet who led Israel out of slavery.

Then of course there are men like, the Apostle Peter, King David, Gideon, and many more who fell down in a mess but got up to success. Why did these great people turn failure into victory? Proverbs 24:16 explains it, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” The response of righteous people is to get up from failure and try again. Wicked people just wallow in the failure.

     When Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,” he was just paraphrasing the Bible teaching on the subject. Most of the time when people have a great quote, it is just something God already said in his book.

Lonnie Davis

Mary awoke at 7. She lay in bed considering her day. In the 10 minutes it took her to get going a man put a gun to his head and took his life. Mary went to the kitchen to get coffee. In that 10 minutes, a woman living alone took all the pills she had and ended her life. During that hour six people took their own life. Every day, all day, every 10 minutes, someone in America ends their life by their own hand.

Why? The answer is that they feel hopeless, unloved, and alone. With no reason to live, they decide to end their own life. This is not fiction. It is the story of 132 people in America who end their struggle every day.

Jesus once met a woman who struggled with life. She got married. It didn’t last. She married again and again the marriage ended. Five times she tried to find the man of her dreams, the one who would be her partner for life. Five times she failed. Finally, she just gave up and moved in with a man she didn’t even marry. 

In her little village, the women would go to the well to get the day’s water for the home. There was a well in town, but she decided to take the longer trip to go outside of town and to go at noon. It was hot, but there would be fewer people there. 

There were fewer people there, but there was one man there who would change her life. No, he was not a potential husband. He was Jesus.

The story of her encounter with Jesus is told in John 4. Her encounter with Jesus changed her life. To those who look for answers, it always does. To those who don’t, he is just another man at the well. 

Each of us must decide whether Jesus is the answer to how we can change our lives or whether he is just a man at the well.

Destiny is counting on our choice.

Lonnie Davis

As Israel entered the Promised Land, the first city, Jericho fell in spectacular fashion. The cities of Ai, Jerusalem, and Hebron were soon to follow. It was not easy but with God on their side, the Israelites conquered the enemy. 

Joshua noted, “One of you routs a thousand because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.” (Joshua 23:10)

With God’s miracles and the leadership of Joshua, nothing could go wrong. At least that is how Israel felt, but Judges 1:18-19 tells us,

 “The men of Judah also took Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron–each city with its territory. The LORD was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had iron chariots.”

 Notice the end of that verse, “They were unable to drive the people from the plains because they had iron chariots.” 

Think of “Iron Chariots” as tanks of that time. They were indeed formidable weapons, but it was not really the iron chariots that stopped Israel. The iron chariots made the task harder, but iron chariots or tanks could not thwart God. 

Years earlier these same Israelite soldiers had seen the mighty Egyptian army, along with her “iron chariots” perish in the Red Sea. Now Israel found it easier to leave the plains people alone than to battle against iron chariots. Israel opted for ease rather than obedience.

 There is a story about an old man who at a county fair was offered a chance to take his first airplane ride. After some persuading he agreed. When the flight was over the pilot asked the old man how he liked his first flight. He answered, “It was pretty good, but to tell you the truth I never did put my full weight on it.” 

Israel saw the iron chariots and decided not to put their full weight on God. Iron chariots cannot stop God or God’s people. Nothing can stop God’s people as long as they are doing God’s will. Only the desire for ease can do that.

 What does God want you to do? Do it. With God as your partner, neither iron chariots nor tanks can stop you.

 ~Lonnie Davis