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The first thing you need to learn about prayer is that prayer is a conversation between you and God.  

Prayer is when you go to the burning bush.  

Prayer is when you stand before the throne, and the One on the throne says, “Talk to me.”

Our prayer verse for today is Hebrews 4:16:

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Do you see it? This verse reveals an incredible truth about prayer: prayer is going to His throne and talking to God.

Imagine if you had the personal phone number of every world leader, and whenever you called, they not only answered but truly listened to you. What a privilege that would be! Such access would make you one of the most influential people in the world.

Yet, we are invited to approach the throne of God Himself. We don’t come in fear but with confidence. God welcomes us. He is glad to hear from us and attentive to what we say.

Prayer is not just a ritual or a duty; it’s a privilege and a promise. It is a conversation you get to have with God! Don’t miss it!

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

Beginning tomorrow, I will share a daily Bible verse on the subject of prayer. 

We start today with Psalms 116:2.

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

When I was going through my counseling classes, we had an exercise that I did not enjoy. We had to put an empty chair in front of us, imagine someone is in the chair and share that name with the class. After this we had to talk to the imaginary person in the chair and confront them with how they offended us. It was supposed to help, but I just remember being glad when it was over. 

For some folks, prayer is like talking to an empty chair. They are not sure God is listening. When you feel that way, you will not keep a faithful prayer life.

When you read today’s verse you will see why the Psalmist prayed and why he will always pray. The answer is found in the first part of the verse. “Because He has inclined His ear to me.” One translation put it, “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”

When you believe that God is bending down to listen, like a loving father would do for a child, then you will pray. When you think God does not hear, then sermons and exhortations will not be enough to create a good prayer life.!

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

Our verse for today is Ephesians 4:32:
“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Children often ask, “Why?” Let’s ask that question about forgiveness: Why should I forgive?

First, God commands us to forgive.
Forgiveness isn’t optional. Today’s verse clearly instructs us to forgive others as God forgave us in Christ.

Second, we need forgiveness ourselves.
In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Our willingness to forgive reflects our understanding of God’s grace.

Most people agree forgiveness is important, but the challenge lies in practicing it. As one person said, “You just don’t know how badly they hurt me.” Here are three thoughts to help:

1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.
   It means deciding not to bring the offense up again. This takes strength, but it’s worth it.
2. Forgiving lightens your load.
   Holding onto hurt is like carrying a heavy burden. Over time, it wears you down. Forgiveness frees you.
3. Forgiveness helps you most of all.
   While it can help others, forgiving always helps you. It frees your heart from bitterness and fills it with peace.

So, why forgive? Because God commands it, you need it, and it sets you free. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

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

Cain and Abel Jealousy

Genesis 4:8 says:  

“Then Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.”

The story of Cain and Abel, found in Genesis 4, is a powerful lesson about jealousy. Both brothers brought offerings to God, but God accepted Abel’s and rejected Cain’s. Cain became angry—not at God, but at his brother. Hebrews 11:4 explains that Abel’s offering was given “by faith.” If faith comes by hearing, Cain likely failed to follow God’s instructions.

Why was Cain angry with Abel? Likely because Abel’s success exposed Cain’s own shortcomings. Instead of addressing his own failings, Cain allowed jealousy to take over, leading to murder. 

This same destructive pattern can creep into our lives. We may feel fine until someone else succeeds. Whether it’s salaries kept secret, athletes demanding top pay, or neighbors competing to “keep up with the Joneses,” it’s all rooted in what I call “Cain and Abel jealousy.”

Jealousy is a trap, and it didn’t end well for Cain. It won’t work for us either.

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

I admit to having been jealous. You probably have also, but what does that mean?

Let’s read Galatians 5:verses 19 and 20

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, …jealousy, and rage.”

This text includes many other terrible activities, but it speaks of jealousy right in the middle of these. Because of this, we rightfully think of jealousy as a negative behavior. 

A reading of Exodus 20, verse 5 might cause us to pause in our thinking. “You shall not bow down to them or worship other gods; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”

Is jealousy wrong or right? The answer is: – maybe “YES” –  and maybe “NO.”

At first glance, jealousy has a negative connotation—it is linked with selfishness and insecurity. Galatians 5 lists jealousy as a “work of the flesh,” warning that those who live in such ways will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Yet not all jealousy is sinful. In Exodus 20: verse 5, God Himself is described as a jealous God.

Here is a simple definition of Jealousy. It is the feeling you get when you feel that you are about to lose something of yours that you value and love. 

The difference between “sinful” jealousy and “righteous” jealousy lies in motivation. Jealousy becomes wrong when it seeks to control or harm others for selfish gain. Think of Cain, whose jealous anger led to the tragic murder of his brother Abel (see Genesis 4).

It is righteous when it defends what is sacred, as God does for His people. Divine jealousy arises not from insecurity, but from His perfect love and desire for our undivided devotion. 

God has a jealousy over you. What a wonderful thought.

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

Our verse for today is James 1: verse 4.  

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  

We often admire patience in others but struggle to practice it ourselves. 

In a world where instant gratification is the norm, waiting can feel like a heavy burden. Yet, scripture consistently calls us to embrace patience—not just as an act of waiting, but as a way of behaving while we wait. Patience is about the attitude and grace we demonstrate while we wait.  

Consider the farmer in James 5:7. He patiently waits for the rain to nourish his crops, trusting the process and the seasons. He doesn’t try to force the growth because he knows it’s out of his control. In the same way, God uses our times of waiting to shape our character, teaching us to lean on His wisdom and timing rather than our own.  

Patience reveals love. As 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us, “Love is patient.” When we practice patience, we reflect God’s endless grace and love for us. 

In closing, remember the words of the Psalmist who said, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret.”

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

God is a God of adventures. 

Our verse for today is Luke 2: verses 1 and 3.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.”

It was a difficult adventure for a young man to take his expecting wife on an eighty-mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was over rough and dangerous terrain. Reading the story of Mary and Joseph teaches us that hard journeys can have great lessons.

Lesson 1. God surprises us in our adventure.

If the God’s son were going to come to earth don’t you think He would come in a palace? But no, God had Jesus born in a tiny town called Bethlehem to a carpenter and his teenage wife.

Lesson 2. Man does not always know whether an adventure will be good.

Can’t you imagine the consternation of Mary and Joseph, when they heard that he had to make the difficult journey with a pregnant wife? Though now we know that the trip was necessary, they may have thought it was a bad idea. God knew what was best. He still knows.

Joseph and Mary didn’t argue or complain. 

When faced with hard adventures, one only needs to make sure what God’s will is and then do it. You should realize it is an adventure and that God works through your them. 

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

Counseling on Worry

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.”

Mark Twain once said, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” This quote reminds us that much of our worry stems from imagined scenarios that never come to pass.

In Matthew 6, Jesus explains why worry is both unnecessary and unproductive.

First, He reminds us of our incredible worth to God. In verse 26, Jesus points to the birds of the air, which neither sow nor reap yet are cared for daily by the Father. If God provides for the birds, how much more will He care for us?

Worry questions God’s love and provision, suggesting perhaps He is not fully attentive to our needs. But Jesus assures us this is far from the truth.

Second, Jesus emphasizes the futility of worry. In verse 27, He asks, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Worry solves nothing. Instead, it drains our energy and steals our peace. It shifts our focus from what we can do today to the fears of tomorrow, leaving us paralyzed and ineffective.

Corrie ten Boom expressed it well: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

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

Counsel on Love

John 13:35  

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

You might think people can tell you follow Jesus by the cross around your neck, your church attendance, or the good works you do. That’s not what Jesus said. He declared that the defining mark of His disciples would be the love they show to one another.

But what does it mean to love? 

The greatest act of love was when Jesus gave His life for us. 
The greatest definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Here’s what it says:

Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It is humble, not proud. Love is not rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love forgives. It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.

This list might feel overwhelming to remember, but here’s the key principle: love is not just a feeling; it’s how you treat someone. True love shows itself through action. When you love someone, you treat them with patience, kindness, and all the qualities this passage describes.

In short: love isn’t about words—it’s about walking the talk. Without action, it’s not truly love.

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

Joshua 1:7.

“Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.”

Joshua is reminded to follow God’s instructions wholeheartedly. This passage speaks to a deeper truth—life has many rules. The most miserable people are usually those who resist the boundaries that give life order and meaning.

Once, I spoke with someone whose life was spiraling out of control. To help her see clearly, I asked, “Have you seen a car on a hot Texas day with the windows down?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Why are the windows down?”

“The air conditioning is broken.”

“Why don’t they fix it?”

“They don’t have the money.”

“Why don’t they have the money?”

If the answer is always “bad luck,”  then we see see as selves as victims.  If we always see ourselves as victims, we remain powerless. The real answer is that life runs on rules. If you don’t plan ahead, you will face the consequences. This example is not about money—it’s about learning and respecting life’s principles.

If you are wise, you will remember the rules of life, write them down, and live by them. Success and failure depend on learning and following the rules.

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