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Three women teach us everything we need to know about serving Jesus despite the obstacles.

Picture this: It’s the first Sunday after the cross. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome are walking toward Jesus’ tomb, carrying spices. Their hearts are heavy, their mission clear—they must anoint their Lord’s body. But there’s a problem. A big one.

“Who will roll the stone away?” they wonder aloud.

This wasn’t a pebble blocking their path. This was a massive boulder, sealed tight, guarded by soldiers. Any sensible person would have turned around. Any logical thinker would have made better plans. But these women? They kept walking.

They went anyway.

You see, God specializes in “anyway” moments. When the Israelites left Egypt, their sandals weren’t guaranteed to last forty years in the desert. But God said, “Go anyway.” And for four decades, their shoes never wore out.

The women at the tomb didn’t have all their ducks in a row. They didn’t have a stone-rolling strategy or soldier-negotiating skills. But they had something better—they had faith in the God who makes a way.

Maybe you’re facing your own immovable stone today. Perhaps you feel called to serve Jesus, but the obstacles seem insurmountable. Take a lesson from these faithful women: Start walking anyway. God is the “Anyway God,” and He will make a way.

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

Not that kind of deviled ham, but rather the story of the pigs that got devils sent into them. In Mark 5, we meet a man who knew the feeling of hopelessness all too well. He lived among the tombs. It pushed him to the edges of humanity, isolating him to a place of death and despair. It is a testament to how sin dehumanizes and strips away dignity and hope.

People tried to help by binding him with chains. Their efforts were futile. Human strength and physical chains couldn’t break the hold. He was too strong, or perhaps, the evil within was stronger still. But then, Jesus arrived. Not with a struggle, not with a battle, but with a word. “Come out of him, you impure spirit!” And just like that, the chains of darkness shattered and the demons were sent into a herd of pigs.

What an amazing contrast! All the strength of humanity couldn’t hold him for even a moment, yet a single word from Christ shattered his chains and set him completely free. It reminds us that our fiercest battles—the ones that drive us into our own dark “tombs”—are powerless against the voice of Jesus. No matter how alone or diminished you feel, His word still brings us life.

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

In the treasury of Scripture lies a gem of wisdom from Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Simple words. Profound truth.

The world whispers differently. Get more, it says. Accumulate. Acquire. Our hearts echo the chant. We hunger for possessions, position, praise. But Jesus? He charts a different course entirely.

Give, He says. Give freely.

What happens when we do? Something wonderful. Something unexpected. In the very act of opening our hands, our hearts expand. When we serve the hungry, comfort the lonely, encourage the weary—we taste a joy that no purchase can provide. We become what we were meant to be: conduits of heaven’s love.

Giving freely is worship in work clothes. When we give, we mirror our generous God who gave His Son. We become walking demonstrations of God’s heart.

The world says happiness comes from having more. Jesus says blessedness comes from giving more. 

The world promises fulfillment through accumulation. Jesus promises joy through giving away.

Which voice will you heed? The culture that builds bigger barns or the Christ who empties His hands? Choose His way. Choose the blessed way. Choose giving.

You’ll discover what millions before you have learned: it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

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

Some stories are so well-known that we want to hear the whole story. In Mark chapter 4, we find one of these treasured accounts, Jesus calming the stormy sea.

When that evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” After they had dismissed the crowd, they took Jesus with them, since He was already in the boat. And there were other boats with Him.

Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”

Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.

From this story, I call your attention to three lessons for your heart.

First: In life we are all in a boat with someone.

Second: A storm always comes. To live without knowing this will lead you into an unhappy life. Expect the storm. “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

Third: When you find yourself in a storm, make sure you have Jesus in your boat. 

True faith doesn’t show itself in easy times but in the middle of the storm. The strength to stand firm comes from trusting that Jesus is in your boat.

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

Our verse today is Luke 7:38

“As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.”

As she came up behind Jesus, she took at his feet. She carried more than perfume that day. She carried a heart so heavy with sin, so burdened with shame, that when she saw Jesus reclining at dinner, the floodgates opened.

Her tears fell like rain on dusty feet. Not a sprinkle, but a downpour. Tears of recognition. Tears of relief. The kind of tears that come when you realize someone sees all your mess and loves you anyway.

Watch her worship. No songs, no speeches. Just tears and tender touches. She dried his feet with her hair—her glory, her crown—making it a towel for her Savior. Social rules? Forgotten. Personal dignity? Surrendered. 

This is love and worship. Her great sin had been met by even greater grace, and her heart couldn’t contain it. The deeper the forgiveness, the higher the gratitude.

Perhaps that’s the secret to worship: remembering how much we’ve been forgiven. When we truly grasp the weight of our sin and the wonder of his grace, like her, our hearts, and our worship will overflow.

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

Loss Piles Upon Loss

Picture her walking behind the wooden stretcher. Her world has collapsed—not once, but twice. First, her husband died leaving her a widow. Now, her son follows him to the grave and she is left alone in the world. She is more than bereaved; she is erased. In her culture, a woman without husband or son is voiceless, powerless, and vulnerable.

But here’s what she didn’t know: Someone was watching.

As the funeral procession wound through Nain’s narrow streets, another procession approached—this one pulsing with life. At its center walked Jesus, and when He saw her tears, His heart broke. “Don’t cry,” He whispered, stepping toward the impossible (Luke 7:13). She did not yet know that though her hope was being carried to the grave, Jesus specializes in resurrection appointments.”

One touch. One command. One breath from heaven, and death released its grip.

Sometimes our losses pile up like winter storms—relentless, numbing, seemingly endless. We walk behind our own stretchers, that carry our dreams that have died. We feel forgotten, overlooked, abandoned.

But we’re not. The same Jesus who stopped a funeral procession is walking toward your sorrow today. He sees your tears. He knows your name. When life has stripped away everything you thought you needed to survive, that’s often when God shows up to remind you that He is everything you actually need to live.”

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

Our text today is Matthew 8:5-6

When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came and pleaded with Him, “Lord, my servant lies at home, paralyzed and in terrible agony.”

Ever noticed how love pushes us? Not just a gentle nudge, but a full-on shove into uncomfortable places? Take the Roman centurion in Capernaum. A big shot, a man of authority, yet his heart was wrapped around a sick servant. Not just any servant, mind you, but one he deeply valued.

He was a Roman, a Gentile, humbling himself to seek out Jesus, a Jew. Think about that, a Roman big-wig, seeking the help of Jewish preacher! Yet, his love for his servant’s suffering bridged that gap. He didn’t send a note or a friend, he went himself, pleading for a miracle. His urgency, his willingness to cross social and religious lines, screamed one thing: “I care!”

Jesus saw it. He marveled at such faith. A faith born from such profound compassion. The depth of our love isn’t measured by our words, but by our willingness to step out, to go the extra mile, to swallow our pride, all for the sake of another. That centurion’s effort wasn’t just a request; it was a testament to a love that wouldn’t quit. How far you are willing to go to help another shows how much you care.

That is a love that moves mountains… and heals servants. It still does.

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

When we think of anger, we often picture Jesus, whip in hand, overturning tables in the temple, and label it “anger.” But wait! Did He “lose it”? Did He “blow His stack”? No. With purposeful resolve, He cleansed what was holy. His actions were deliberate, not a fit of rage.

Yet, there is a place, a singular moment, where the Bible uses the word anger and Jesus together.

It is in Mark 3:5.

“Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out, and it was restored.”

Imagine Jesus, His gaze sweeping across the faces of the religious leaders. He sees their rigid hearts, more concerned with rules than with righteousness. He sees their indifference to a man’s withered hand. In that moment, His eyes reflect both anger and sorrow.

He didn’t lash out; He healed! He said, “Stretch out your hand.” Instantly, the man was healed. Jesus’s anger was not rage.

So what should we learn from this? The answer: When anger stirs within you, remember this scene, then ask, “What did Jesus do?” He controlled the anger and used it for good. His example reminds us that even in our anger, we can choose to do God’s will, and bring healing, not harm.

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

Our verse for today is Luke 6:12.

“In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.”

Think about it! Before Jesus chose His twelve apostles, He spent the entire night in prayer. The Son of God, who could have simply decided with a word, still climbed a lonely hillside and poured out His heart to the Father until dawn. This moment shows us how seriously Jesus took His decisions. He didn’t rush or guess. He waited, listened, and prayed.

Yet, even with that perfect preparation, Judas was among the twelve. The one who would later betray Him with a kiss. It’s a sobering thought. You can pray, plan, and walk faithfully, but sometimes people will still disappoint you. Sometimes the outcome you prayed for falls apart.

But Jesus teaches us something deeper. His prayers weren’t about avoiding all pain or betrayal. They were about aligning His heart with God’s will. Even Judas had a place in the story God was writing.

Maybe today you’re facing disappointment or betrayal despite your best efforts. Don’t lose heart. If Jesus could endure the sorrow of Judas, He will help you walk through your own hard places.

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

In John 5, we meet a man who had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus asked if he wanted to get well, the man didn’t say yes or no. Instead, he explained why he couldn’t be healed. The reason? Because he had no one to help him into the pool. He believed his suffering continued because no one cared enough to lend a hand. Over time, he accepted that this was simply his life, that nothing would ever change.

This sense of helplessness isn’t unique to him. Blaming others starts early in life. A school kid may explain that his poor grades are because he has “the meanest teacher in school.” As long as the student can blame the teacher, then the student is not the problem. Fifty-nine years ago, cigarette packages began carrying warnings about the dangers of smoking. Yet year after year, thousands of lawsuits are filed by people who say it’s someone else’s fault that they are sick.

Blame can be a comfortable place to rest when we’ve suffered a long time. But it also keeps us stuck. Jesus didn’t argue with the man’s excuses. He simply told him to get up and walk. Sometimes, the healing begins when we stop waiting for others to fix us and respond to the voice that calls us to rise.

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

Picture the scene: Jesus walking past the tax booth where Matthew sits, counting coins and calculating commissions. The crowd parts like the Red Sea—nobody wants to get too close to a tax collector. These men were traitors, collecting Roman taxes from their own people, skimming extra for themselves. Matthew was wealthy, yes, but utterly alone.

Then Jesus does the unthinkable. He stops. He looks. He calls.

“Follow me.” (Matthew 9).

Two words that changed everything. Matthew the tax collector didn’t hesitate—he left his ledger, his lucrative business, his life of luxury, and followed the carpenter from Nazareth.

When the religious leaders criticized Jesus for eating with “sinners and tax collectors,” His response cut straight to the heart of the Gospel: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

Jesus came for the Matthews of the world—the broken, the despised, the spiritually bankrupt. He didn’t come to call the self-righteous who thought they had it all figured out. He came for those who knew they were sick and desperately needed healing.

That’s the breathtaking mystery of grace: God’s specialty is reaching into the mess of our lives and declaring us worthy of love. Matthew discovered that day what we all need to learn—Jesus sees past our failures to our potential, past our sin to our soul.

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

Jesus was teaching in a packed house when a strange interruption took place. A section of the roof gave way, and down came a man—paralyzed, helpless—lowered on a mat by four determined friends. The crowd must have gasped. Dust and clay from the roof likely still hung in the air. But Jesus saw something deeper than the mess. He looked past the man, past the crowd, and saw faith. That’s what Mark 2:5 says: “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”

Isn’t that a remarkable phrase? Jesus saw their faith. Faith isn’t just something we feel. It shows up in actions—in the worn fingers of friends digging through a rooftop, in the courage to carry someone else’s burden, in the risk of doing something radical just to bring someone to Jesus.

We often think faith is something we whisper in prayer or feel quietly in our hearts. But this story reminds us that faith leaves footprints. It climbs stairs. It carries weight. It refuses to give up just because the doorway is blocked.

Maybe today, someone you love can’t walk on their own. Not physically, but spiritually or emotionally. Why not be the one who carries them? Let your faith be something Jesus can see.

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

Sometimes the greatest wonder isn’t what Jesus did—it’s what He said.

Let’s read Matthew 8:2-3.

“A leper came and knelt before Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’”

This man with leprosy came and knelt before Him. He wasn’t just sick—he was isolated, rejected, and alone. And yet he dared to say, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” He didn’t doubt Jesus’ power. He only wondered if Jesus would care enough to help someone like him.

Then came three words that changed everything: “I am willing.”

Jesus didn’t pull away. He didn’t hesitate. He reached out and touched him. That one act shattered years of silence and separation. Jesus didn’t just heal the man’s body—He answered the deepest question in his heart: “Does anyone still care about me?”

The answer was yes. Jesus was full of compassion.

We still ask that question, don’t we? Not just “Can God help me?” but “Would He want to?” And the voice of Jesus still answers, “I am willing.”

Jesus is not reluctant to show mercy. He’s not cold or calculating. His heart is tender. He moves toward the hurting, not away from them.

So come, just as you are. Speak honestly, kneel humbly. And listen. You’ll hear Him say it to you too: “I am willing.”

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

Our verse for today is Mark 1:35.

“Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went out to a solitary place, where He prayed.”

There’s something deeply moving about this picture of Jesus. The crowds would soon come. The needs would soon pile up. But before any of that, before the noise of the day, Jesus chose silence.

He left the house. He left the warmth of His bed. He left comfort—and He sought solitude. Not to escape people, but to connect with the Father.

I wonder how many of us ever really find a solitary place anymore. We live surrounded by noise—phones pinging, screens glowing, conversations swirling. But this verse reminds me that solitude isn’t just nice; it’s necessary. Jesus didn’t stumble into quiet time. He went looking for it.

There’s strength in stillness. Power in prayer. Clarity in quiet. The Son of God made it His habit. What might happen if we made it ours?

So here’s the challenge: Find your solitary place today. It doesn’t have to be a mountainside. It might be a parked car or a quiet corner. But make time to be still—and listen.

Because when we meet God in the quiet, we come back ready to face the noise.

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

Jesus’ Private Ministry

Ever feel like God only shows up in the big moments, the grand cathedrals, or the spotlight? Matthew 8 paints a different picture. Jesus, fresh from a powerful public healing, steps right into Peter’s home. No crowds, no fanfare, just a feverish woman lying in bed. He touches her hand, and the fever vanishes.

Notice two beautiful truths here. 

First, Jesus walked into a home. His wonders aren’t confined to dazzling public stages. He meets needs in quiet corners, in the very rooms where we live our ordinary lives. Ministry begins not out there, but right here, with the people under your own roof, in your neighborhood, in your everyday. God cares about the unseen aches and the private pains.

Second, what did she do after healing? She “got up and began to wait on Him.” Her response wasn’t a well-deserved rest, but immediate service. Healing isn’t just about feeling better; it’s about finding purpose. When God touches our lives, when He lifts our burdens, the natural overflow is a desire to serve. Let this story remind you that your home is a sacred space where God actively ministers, and where your service can begin. You don’t have to travel 10,000 miles to a foreign land to serve. You can serve where you are.

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

Our Scripture today is Mark 1:27.

“All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!’”

Picture this: You’re sitting in church, listening to another sermon. The preacher speaks truth, but something feels different this time. The words don’t just reach your ears—they reach your heart. They don’t just inform you—they transform you.

That’s exactly what happened in our verse when Jesus taught in the synagogue. The people had heard teachers before, but never like this. When Jesus spoke, demons fled. When He taught, hearts changed. The crowd was amazed because Jesus didn’t just speak about God’s power—He demonstrated it. Other teachers quoted authorities, but Jesus was the Authority.

Here’s the beautiful truth: Jesus still teaches with that same authority today. His words in Scripture aren’t just ancient history. They’re living, breathing truth that can cast out the demons of fear, doubt, and despair in our own lives.

The next time you open your Bible, remember this: You’re not just reading words on a page. You’re encountering the One who speaks with power—power to heal, power to deliver, and power to change everything.

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

Jesus didn’t begin with a miracle. He began with a message. His first word may be the one we need most today.

The word is in Matthew 4:17.

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’”

When Jesus started His ministry, He didn’t begin with a miracle or a story. He began with a word “REPENT.” That’s a strong word. It means to turn around, to change your direction. Jesus wasn’t looking for perfect people—He was calling for honest hearts willing to take a new path.

He followed that word with a reason: “The kingdom of heaven is near.” In other words, God’s rule, God’s hope, and God’s healing were no longer far off. They were standing right in front of them—in the person of Jesus.

But notice something important: the message wasn’t “Work harder” or “Do better.” It was “Turn to Me.” That’s what Jesus still asks of us today.

Maybe you’ve been walking in circles. Maybe your heart’s been heavy and you’re not sure how to change. Jesus says, “Start here. Turn around.”

Repentance isn’t a punishment. It’s a pathway to the life you’ve always longed for.

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

Jesus didn’t just teach about faith—He lived it, one Sabbath at a time. His example still speaks today.

Our text for today is Luke 4:16.

“Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.”

Jesus didn’t just show up in the synagogue once or twice. Luke 4:16 says it was His custom. That means it was His habit. Week after week, Jesus went to the place of worship. He didn’t skip it. He didn’t treat it like something optional. Even though He was the Son of God, He still made time to gather with others and hear God’s Word.

That tells us something important. If Jesus made worship a regular part of His life, shouldn’t we? Not just when it’s easy or when we feel like it—but every week. It was His custom. Is it ours?

Imagine someone describing your life. Would they say, “As was his custom, he prayed every day”? Or, “As was her custom, she worshipped with joy”? What would your spiritual habits say about you?

Faith isn’t just about the big moments. It’s shaped in the small ones—when we show up, week after week, heart open, ready to worship.

If you want to grow deeper in faith, start where Jesus did—by making worship a holy habit.

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

He had everything—rank, riches, and influence. But when his child was dying, none of that other stuff mattered. He didn’t send a servant. He came himself… and he came begging.

Our text is John 4:47.

“When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die.”

He had power, position, and servants. People listened when he spoke. He was a royal official. But none of that mattered when his son was dying. Titles couldn’t heal. Wealth couldn’t save. So he did what desperate love does—he ran to Jesus.

In worry and hope, he walked twenty miles to Jesus. When he found Him, he didn’t stand tall—he begged. The man with authority pleaded like a beggar.

Jesus didn’t go with him. He simply said, “Go; your son will live.” And that was enough. The man believed. He turned around and walked home with only a promise in his heart.

Faith still asks the same of us. Not status, but surrender. Not proof, but trust. We come to Him not as rulers, but as children—needy, hopeful, and ready to believe. Remember, when life brings you to your knees, it’s the perfect place to find Jesus.

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

What if the greatest invitation of your life slipped right past you—because you didn’t know who was talking?

That almost happened to the woman in today’s story.

Our scripture is John 4:10.

“If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink…”

Those two little words—if you—carry the weight of missed opportunities and unopened doors.

The woman at the well didn’t know. She saw a tired traveler, not the Savior of the world. She came for water, not for living water. But Jesus offered her more than she imagined. He always does.

If you knew who was speaking to you in the quiet moments…
If you knew the depth of His love when guilt whispers too loudly…
If you knew the power of His presence when you feel forgotten…

You’d ask. And He’d give.

How many times have we walked past grace and called it coincidence? How many prayers have gone unspoken because we didn’t know who was standing right beside us?

If knowing changes everything, then maybe the first step is simply to stop, listen, and ask: “Lord, what are You saying to me today?”

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