Great Things Start Small

Today’s wisdom comes from Zechariah.

“Who despises the day of small things?”

 – Zechariah 4:10  

We love the big moments. The grand entrances, the amazing turnarounds, the instant successes. But God? He has a habit of starting small. A mustard seed. A shepherd boy. A baby in a manger.  

Zechariah was speaking to a people discouraged by their small beginnings. They had returned from exile and were rebuilding the temple, but it looked unimpressive compared to the glory of Solomon’s structure. Some of them sighed, wondering if their efforts even mattered. But God had a word for them: “Do not despise the day of small things.”

Small things hold great promise in the hands of God. David’s first battle wasn’t against Goliath; it was tending sheep and fighting off animals. The disciples didn’t begin by preaching to thousands; they started by following a carpenter from Nazareth. Even Jesus Himself grew in wisdom and stature before He began His ministry.  

Maybe your efforts feel small. The prayers whispered over a child’s bedside. The quiet faithfulness of showing up day after day. The unnoticed acts of kindness. But God sees d them. He delights in the small things, because He knows where they lead.  

In light of this, don’t despise today’s small task. Celebrate it. Faithfulness in the little leads to something far greater than we can imagine.  

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

3 Steps to Growth

The verse for today is from Ezra:

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD and to do it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” – Ezra 7:10

Ezra wasn’t just a scribe; he was a man with a mission. He didn’t study the Word of God out of duty—he set his heart on it. He committed himself to knowing it, living it, and sharing it. That’s a pattern worth following.

First, Ezra studied! He didn’t just glance at Scripture; he dug deep. He wanted to understand God’s truth, not just skim the surface. That’s an invitation for us, too. Do you want to be spiritual? First you study.

Second, Ezra did! He lived what he learned. He wasn’t interested in knowledge for the sake of knowledge. The truth took root in his life and shaped his choices. We sometimes struggle with that, don’t we? It’s one thing to read about forgiveness, but another to actually forgive. It’s easy to study humility, but harder to walk in it. Ezra reminds us that faith isn’t just something we learn; it’s something we live.

Finally, Ezra taught! What he learned and lived, he passed on. He didn’t keep it to himself. He helped others understand God’s ways. Whether you’re leading a Bible study, raising a family, or simply sharing encouragement with a friend, you have opportunities to do the same.

So, here is the three-step process for the spiritual side of your life: 1. Study, 2. Do, and 3. Teach. Set your heart on God’s Word. Let it shape your life. And pass it on. This is the secret of Spiritual growth.

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

God is Good

The verse for today is from Nahum:

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7)

Hard times come when we least expect them. Some days, it’s just little things going wrong. On other days, it feels like everything is falling apart. Nahum reminds us of something we need to hear: “God is our safe place, our refuge!”

A refuge is like a strong shelter in a storm. When life gets hard, God is where we can run. He never changes, never leaves, and never stops loving us. The world may feel uncertain, but He is always steady.

But this verse isn’t just about where to go when we’re in trouble—it’s about who God is. He is good. Not just sometimes, and not just when life is easy. He is good all the time. Even when life feels unfair, God’s goodness never changes. That’s why we can trust Him.

And He cares for us, not in a far-off way, but in a close and loving way. He sees what we go through. He understands when we’re afraid, tired, or overwhelmed. He doesn’t just notice—He helps.

So remember this: when life gets tough, you don’t try to handle it alone. Run to God. He is your safe place, and He is always there for you.

By the way, when you hear someone say, “God is good. God is good always.” You will know that thought came from Nahum 1:7.

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

A Good Fish Story

The Quote for today is from Jonah:  

“In my distress, I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead, I called for help, and You listened to my cry.” (Jonah 2:2)  

Jonah knew what rock bottom felt like—literally. He had been swallowed by a great fish, trapped in darkness, buried beneath the waves of his own disobedience. He had run from God, but he could not outrun grace. From the depths, he cried out, and God listened.  

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Maybe not inside a fish, but inside a season of despair. A place where our own choices, our fears, or the storms of life have swallowed us whole. And in that place, we face the same choice Jonah did—stay silent in our misery or cry out to the One who still hears.

What Jonah discovered is what we must remember: God listens even when we don’t deserve it. His mercy isn’t earned; it’s given. And He doesn’t just hear our voices—He answers. It may not always be the answer we expect, but it will always be the one we need.

If you find yourself in distress today, call out. No matter how far you’ve fallen, God is still near. Jonah learned that lesson in the belly of a fish—let’s learn it before we sink that far.

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

Our Unchanging God!

Our Scripture for today is:

“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” – Malachi 3:6

In a world where everything seems to shift beneath our feet—where relationships evolve, circumstances change, and our own emotions waver—one truth remains constant: God is unchanging.

When Malachi delivered these words, Israel was in spiritual turmoil. The people had turned from God, questioning His love and justice. Yet they endured, not through their own merit, but through His unwavering faithfulness. This same promise extends to us today. If God’s love depended on our performance, we would all be lost. Instead, His mercy endures because constancy is His nature.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites often referred to God as “The God of Abraham” or “The God of Jacob.” —Perhaps this reminded them that the same God who guided their ancestors was still with them. This truth still helps us. The God who parted the Red Sea, who sustained Israel in the wilderness, who guided David, and who spoke through the prophets is the same God who walks with us today.

Take a moment to reflect on your own journey. Remember the storms He’s carried you through, the prayers He’s answered, the grace He’s shown. In your current challenges, rest in this truth: His love hasn’t diminished. His power hasn’t weakened. His promises haven’t expired. He is the same God and He is there for you.

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

Jesus on Love

The Scripture for today is:  

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35  

Love is the mark of a disciple. Not theology degrees, not church attendance, not a list of moral achievements—just love. Jesus made it simple but not easy. He didn’t say, “They will know you by your sermons.” He said they will know you by your love. Sermons and rules and morals are important, but it is by our love that we are known.  

Love is what sets us apart. When people see patience where there could be irritation, kindness where there could be bitterness, and grace where there could be condemnation, they recognize something different. They see Jesus in us.  

The world is watching. They are looking at how Christians treat each other, how we handle disagreements, and how we respond to those who offend us. Jesus didn’t say it’s about loving those who agree with us. He didn’t say we should only love the people who make it easy. He said love one another. That includes the difficult, the frustrating, and the ones who get under our skin.  

Love is not weakness. It’s not soft or passive. Love is the most powerful force on earth. It changes people, heals wounds, and bridges gaps that nothing else can. And when we love the way Jesus calls us to, the world sees the true mark of a disciple.

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

Hosea: On Sowing

The Quote for today is from Hosea: 

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

In the quiet corners of our lives, we often find ourselves planting seeds? Not the kind with roots and leaves, but the seeds of our choices, our words, our actions. 

Hosea, with the poetic precision of a prophet, reminds us that the harvest mirrors the sowing. When we plant the wind, chasing after fleeting, empty pursuits, we invite into our lives the chaos of a whirlwind.

Consider this: every decision we make, every step we take, is like a seed dropped into the soil of time. 

If we sow carelessness, we shouldn’t be surprised when we harvest confusion. 

If we indulge in selfishness, we’ll gather a storm of loneliness. 

But here’s the grace in Hosea’s warning: the soil of our lives is forgiving. If we choose to plant seeds of kindness, integrity, and love, we can expect a harvest of peace, joy, and community.

Imagine your life as a garden. What have you been sowing? Perhaps it’s time to pull out the weeds of haste and plant seeds of patience. To replace the thorns of anger with the blossoms of forgiveness. Hosea’s words aren’t just a caution; they’re a call to action. A call to sow wisely, knowing that the whirlwind of consequences is not just a possibility—it’s a promise.

So, let’s tend our gardens with intention. Let’s sow seeds that will grow into the kind of harvest we’d be proud to share. Because in the end, the life we cultivate is the life we live. 

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

King David’s Challenge

The Quote for today is from King David:  

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)  

Picture a feast spread before you—rich, inviting, full of goodness. The aroma alone stirs your appetite. But instead of tasting, you simply admire, discuss, maybe even take pictures. How foolish! A meal is meant to be savored, not just observed.  

David invites us to a feast of faith. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Not just look. Not just talk. Taste. Experience His goodness for yourself. Trust isn’t built from a distance; it’s born in the moments when we take refuge in Him.  

David knew this firsthand. He faced giants, enemy armies, and his own failures. Yet every time he turned to God, he found safety—not the absence of danger, but the presence of a faithful God.  

What about you? Will you simply admire from afar, or will you step forward and taste? Don’t let fear or doubt keep you from experiencing Him. His goodness isn’t a theory; it’s a reality waiting to be lived.  

Taste it in prayer. See it in life’s unexpected blessings. And when the storms come, take refuge in Him. His goodness isn’t just a promise—it’s a place to dwell.  

So, come to the table. Taste. See. You’ll find the Lord isn’t just good—He’s everything you’ve been searching for.  

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

A Quote from Jeremiah

The quote for today is from Jeremiah: 

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” (Jeremiah 1:6)

Have you ever felt unqualified for something God placed in your path? Maybe you’ve thought, “I’m not experienced enough,” or “I don’t have the right words.”

 Jeremiah felt the same. When God called him to be a prophet to the nations, his first reaction was to point out his youth and inexperience. He didn’t see himself as ready or capable. But God wasn’t looking for perfection—He was looking for willingness.

Jeremiah’s hesitation is a mirror for many of us. We see our limitations, but God sees our potential. He doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Right after Jeremiah’s protest, God assures him, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8). The focus shifts from Jeremiah’s inability to God’s sufficiency.

It’s comforting to remember that God’s work in us isn’t about our qualifications—it’s about His power through us. So, when you feel too young, too old, too inexperienced, or too broken, remember Jeremiah. God can use anyone who is willing to say “yes,” even when they feel like saying “I can’t.”

What do you need to do today? Trust that God will give you the strength, the courage and the help when the time comes.

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

Samuel Again!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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