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Our Bible verse today is Mark 12:28–29.

“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.’”

It is easy to see the power of one when it is the power of one God. But this principle must not be overlooked in life with people. On one occasion, I was about to counsel a woman whose husband was determined to leave her. She was at her wit’s end. Since my wife, Liz, knew all about her, I asked her what I should tell the woman. I figured it would be good to look at things from a woman’s point of view. Her quick answer was profound.

She said, “Tell her about the awesome power of one!” I made a note of that on the pages of my heart. It would be something I would always remember. This is important because sometimes one is all you have. One can be enough.

What would our world look like without one Thomas Edison? Let’s also add one Alexander Graham Bell, one Leonardo da Vinci, one Louis Pasteur, one Marie Curie, and one Albert Einstein.

You might be tempted to say, “But I’m not important like them.” Maybe not, but there was one person who gave her life to raise each of them. There was one person who kept a family together. There is one teacher who educated a child. There is one person who preached to an Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8). 

You have to believe in the awesome power of one. No problem will ever be solved until one person tries and tries again.

We should add that, as Christians, we have the power of One plus God. That is a lot more than one.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Matthew 6:9

“This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”

These words from Jesus instruct us about how to pray. Before you ask for anything, before you praise God, before you do anything else, we first acknowledge that God is our Father. 

Since he is our father, he deserves the respect a father is due. From the Mountain of God, He told us that we must  “Honor your father and your mother.” – Exodus 20:12

Some years ago, an older woman impressed me with a profound statement about honor. 

Here is her story. As a child, she grew up with two sisters and her mother. Her mother openly showed favoritism toward her sisters and abused her. When her mother was old and needed one of her children to provide for her, you can guess which daughter took her in and cared for her. The answer is that it was the sweet daughter who had been herself neglected.  

A friend who was familiar with her story asked her why, after the way her mother treated her, she took her mother in. Her answer was profound. She answered, “Because it is not about her. It is about me.”

We do not honor our parents because they deserve it. We do not neglect a mother or father because we were neglected. We honor because it is about us.

We are blessed to have a Heavenly Father who is worthy of our praise. But if we do not show honor toward Him, it is not because of anything God did, It is about us. It is about the kind of person we are.

Choosing whether to honor our Father in heaven shows what we are. It is about us.

Lonnie Davis

Our text is Psalm 34:8

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

It has almost become a fad for people to say, “God is Good.” More than a few will follow this with “God is always Good.”  The words have a pleasant sound to our ears because we know them to be true. Of course there are skeptics who love to point out the pain in life and say God is not good!

God could get rid of all pain. He promises to do that in heaven. But what if you could get rid of all pain now, would you? The seemingly easy response is yes! Even an emphatic yes. Wiser people would say no. Pain is necessary for the good life here.

Look, I get that there is some pain that is hard and we would do all we could to stop it, but sometimes pain serves a purpose.

First, pain is a warning sign against danger. Do you know the story of the death of Robert Wadlow? In 1940, at 22, he was just a little over 8’11” tall. He died of a blister on his foot. He was so tall that he could not feel the blister or any pain in his feet. The blister became infected, and he died. Pain can warn us of danger.

Second, pain helps us grow. I love the statement, “The bumps are what we climb on.” A steep, iced-over driveway is smooth. Yes, it is smooth, but you can’t use such a driveway. In life, there are painful rough spots that give us traction and help us grow.

Finally, pain here makes us long for eternity. There are some who are so in love with life here that they do not ever want to go to heaven there. We love mountains, sunsets, and winding rivers, but as we get older, we grow more and more ready to live in heaven with God.

Yes, God is Good. God is Good Always. It is not just a meme. It is a fact.

Lonnie Davis

People often wonder, “Why doesn’t God just come down and show himself? That way, people would believe.” To that, we can easily say, No, they would not. How do we know? Consider those around the cross.

Our text is Mark 15:29–32.

29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 “save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”

Jesus had healed the sick, caused the blind to see, restored lepers, made the lame walk, and even raised the dead. Still they said, Do one more miracle, and we will believe.

Consider the story of “Malchus’ Ear.”

Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas brought Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus. In his anger, Peter lashed out with his own sword. John 18:10–11 tells the story.

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Peter cut off Malchus’ ear and Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51).

Next, John 18:12 tells us, “Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus.”

Look closely at that, the soldiers saw Jesus instantly heal an ear that had been cut off and their response was to go ahead and arrest Jesus. All I can say is “Wow! Their eyes saw a miracle, and still they arrested Jesus.” 

Luke 16:31 says it best. “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”

If anyone wants to doubt, a miracle will not change their mind. Faith comes from reading God’s Word. (Romans 10:17).

Lonnie Davis

God’s great compassion towards us is beautifully portrayed in Psalm 103:13 which says “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” This verse gives us a glimpse into God’s heart as a loving Father, tenderly caring for His children. 

The parable of the prodigal son provides a vivid picture of this compassion in action. When the wayward son returns home broken and repentant, the waiting father sees him from afar and is filled with so much compassion that he runs to embrace and celebrate his lost son (Luke 15:20). The father does not lecture his son or treat him as merely a servant. Though the son wasted his inheritance in rebellion, the father compassionately welcomes him back as his dear child without any reservations. 

This is a glimpse of how our Heavenly Father’s compassion compels Him to run towards us when we turn to Him with contrite hearts, no matter how badly we have failed. God knows all our weaknesses and flaws yet His compassion moves Him to fully restore all who come back to Him. As Psalm 103 assures, He removes our transgressions, heals our diseases, redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love and mercy.

We do not have to earn God’s compassion. It flows freely from His loving and gracious nature as our perfect Father. Understanding the depths of His compassion gives us courage to return to Him again and again, knowing we will be met with His embrace, not condemnation. Though we cannot fathom the depths of God’s love, we see glimpses of its power in Christ’s compassion during His earthly ministry and His sacrifice at the cross for our salvation. As His beloved children, we can have confidence in God’s endless compassion and abiding mercy when we humbly seek Him.

Lonnie Davis

Our text is Psalm 90:2

“Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Before the mountains were made, there was God. Before even the Earth was made, God existed. Before the Sun and the moon and the stars were created, God was there. God Is and Was, and Shall Be.

This means that God exists beyond the physical world’s limitations and the laws that govern it. Since time itself is a part of the created universe, it’s certain that God exists outside of time and is not subject to its constraints.

I admit that there are things that are too difficult for my little mind to grasp. For example, the idea of nothingness is unimaginable. I can imagine Earth without America or Russia or Alaska. I can imagine the universe without Earth. Take that away and we can still see it in our mind’s eye. But try to take away the universe. All the stars and planets are just gone. There is nothing but the blackness of space. I can even imagine that, but let’s take it one step further. Imagine that space itself is gone. That is nothingness and I cannot describe it or even imagine it. 

Timelessness is on the list of things beyond our ability to imagine. We can imagine time ending, but what if time never existed? We understand B.C. and A.D. but what about imagining BT, that is Before Time? Before there was time, there was God. God is eternal.

Many are familiar with 2 Peter 3:8

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

Many who read this verse see it as a symbolic way of God saying that he has a long view of things. I take a more literal view. God is really telling us that He is beyond time itself. A thousand years can be a day or a day a thousand years. He made time and time obeys him. 

In other words, God is eternal.

Lonnie Davis

The story is told of an atheist who one Sunday morning asked a little boy where he was going. The little boy responded that he was on his way to church. The man had his usual bag of tricks for the naive little boy. He said, “Son, I’ll give you a dollar if you can show me where God is.” The little boy thought about it and said, “Mister, I’ll give you a dollar if you can show me where he ain’t.”

Out of the mouth of babes. Indeed, God is everywhere.

 Our text today is from Psalm 139:7-10.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

These words tell us that God is present in the highest heavens and the deepest depths of the earth. He is present in the morning and the night, in the north and the south, in the east and the west. There is no place where God is not.

God’s presence is a source of great comfort to us. He is always with us, no matter what we are going through. He knows our thoughts and our feelings, and he cares about us deeply. We can always turn to him for help and guidance.

God is present everywhere at the same time. The fancy word for that is “Omnipresence.” The omnipresence of God is a reminder of our own smallness. We are finite, limited by time and space. God is infinite. He is not bound by any limitations. We do not have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. 

I leave you with three other verses which speak of God’s omnipresence.

* “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.” (Psalm 34:15)

* “The Lord is in every place; he hears all that is said.” (1 Kings 8:39)

* “For he is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39)

He is always near us and with us. If we understand that, we will find comfort.

Lonnie Davis 

The holiness of God is the predominant theme of His nature and character. It refers to God’s otherness, His absolute perfection, righteousness, and purity. Without seeing his holiness, we will always struggle with a relationship with him.

At the core of God’s holiness is the fact that He is completely set apart from His creation. 

God tells us this in Isiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

The prophet Isaiah had a powerful vision where the angels surrounding God’s throne cried out “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3). The threefold repetition emphasizes God’s supreme holiness. He transcends His creation and is wholly unique and perfect in every way. 

God’s holiness means He is completely without sin or moral failure of any kind. There is no imperfection, injustice or wrongdoing in Him. He is the standard of moral excellence. 1 John 1:5 proclaims “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” His ways, thoughts, and actions are flawless and pure. As Habakkuk 1:13 says “His eyes are too pure to look upon evil.”

Ultimately, the stunning holiness of God calls us to consecrate ourselves completely to Him. We are invited into a relationship with a Holy God through Christ. As we draw near, we must remember who He is – perfect, righteous and transcendent. In other words, He is Holy.

Lonnie Davis

God has unlimited power and can do anything he wants.

Our text for this thought is Jeremiah 32:17

“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.”

God has unlimited power. He created the entire universe with his power, and he can do anything he wants. There is nothing that is too hard for him.

God’s power is evident throughout the Bible. He parted the Red Sea, defeated the armies of Egypt, and raised Jesus from the dead. He can do anything he wants, and he always accomplishes his purposes.

God’s power is also evident in his creation. The universe is vast and complex, and it is all the work of God’s hand. He created the stars, the planets, the oceans, and the mountains. He created all living things, including you and me.

God’s power is a source of comfort and hope for believers. We know that God is in control, and he will always work things out for our good. No matter what challenges we face, we can know and trust that God is able to help us.

If you are ever feeling overwhelmed or afraid, remember that God is all-powerful. He is greater than anything you are facing, and he will never abandon you. He is always with you, and he will help you through whatever you are going through.

Let me leave you with two more verses on this subject.

Psalm 135:6: “Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all their depths.”

Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

God’s power is a great mystery, but it is also a great comfort. We can always trust that God is in control, and he will always work things out for our good.

Lonnie Davis

Imagine trying to keep a secret from someone who knows everything – not just the details of every event, but also the deepest, most hidden thoughts of every heart. Sounds impossible, right? This is precisely the portrait the Bible paints about the nature of God.

Our text is Hebrews 4:13: 

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

This verse shows the breathtaking scope of God’s knowledge. It tells us that every grain of sand, every thought, every emotion, and even every hidden deed is under His watchful gaze. He’s not merely a distant observer; He understands the depth, the reasons, and the implications of everything. God’s knowledge is intimate and close, much like an artist who is familiar with every brushstroke of their creation. 

Yet, there’s an aspect of accountability in this omniscience. The idea that we are “laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” might initially sound intimidating. But let’s remember something crucial: this all-knowing God is also a God who loves us. Being fully seen by Him is less about inducing fear and more about prompting us to live authentically. It becomes a call to embrace truth and integrity, knowing we are deeply loved by the One who knows us best.

Amid our daily hustle and distractions, the realization that God sees and knows all is a source of comfort. Rather than being a looming judgment, His omniscience is an invitation. It beckons us closer, urging us to live transparently and cultivate a deep, meaningful connection with the All-Knowing God.

Lonnie Davis

Our verse for today is 1 John 5:4

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

It’s so easy to become discouraged trying to live as a Christian today. We’re constantly faced with temptations and opposing worldviews that can overwhelm us. Social media, entertainment, and even friends often promote beliefs contrary to biblical truth. Struggling to find time for spiritual discipline in the middle of life’s busyness can leave us feeling defeated in our faith. Finance, health, and relationship problems only add to the challenges. 

In the face of all this, John’s words give us great hope. Our victory doesn’t come from trying harder in our own strength, which will eventually fail us. True victory comes when we put our faith in Christ which links us to God’s limitless power at work within us. 

This faith stabilizes us like a toddler gripping their parent’s hand. The young child lacks the strength to walk alone, but by holding mom or dad’s hand, they’re supported step-by-step. Through faith, we grip Christ’s mighty hand. Our victory stems not from self, but from the Savior living in us.

As we walk through life anchored to Jesus, His strength leads us to overcome darkness. Even when we feel drained and defeated, His power in us is greater than any challenge faced. The key isn’t trying harder alone, but continually relying on Christ’s strength through faith.

No matter what you face, hold tightly to Jesus’ hand today. Draw deeply from His endless love and power. The victory has already been won by Christ! Staying connected to Him by faith, He will lead you to overcome.

Lonnie Davis

Why did God choose Joseph and Mary?

Many years ago, I ate lunch with a Jewish man who told me that he had an aunt that still hoped that she would be the one to give birth to the Christ child. What? Doesn’t she know that Jesus has already been born? Apparently not. In today’s message, I want to enlighten us all as to why God chose Mary and Joseph.

Our scripture is Luke 1:30-33:

The angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

In this great story, we see that both Both Mary and Joseph display profound faith, accepting and embracing God’s unexpected plans for their lives. Their trust in God, despite potential repercussions by society, sets the tone for the broader narrative of Jesus’ life and mission.

God called on both of them to do something hard, something inconvenient, something with no models, they just did it. They did it immediately.

Look at the story of Mary. The angel told her she was going to give birth to the Christ. She said, How can I? I’ve never been with a man. Once the angels told her it was God’s will. She just said, “Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord.” This does seem impossible, but Mary just said yes.

Look at Joseph. He was told to ignore the fact that Mary was already pregnant and marry her anyway. It was all a part of God’s doing. He just did it immediately. One night he went to sleep in his normal place. An angel spoke to him in a dream and told him to gather his family and walk miles and miles to Egypt. He woke up and did it immediately.

They did not need to run it by a friend. They did not have to check the weather. They didn’t even have to pray about it. God said it and they just did it.

Now you know why God choose them for this great task. They were a man and a woman of “now” faith. Once they knew what God wanted them to do, They did it now!

Lonnie Davis

Our text today is Matthew 6:25-30

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

Worry is a tempting yet unhelpful habit. Worry is paying interest on a debt you may never owe. Worrying is also like building a bridge over a river that may not exist. Worry is the habit of incessant overthinking.

What drives such unnecessary fretting? Underneath worry lies fear – fear of future unknowns, failures, and catastrophes. When we get caught up in “what if” thinking, worry breeds anxiety and robs us of our peace. We exhaust ourselves carrying burdens that exist only in our minds.

In Matthew 6, Jesus confronts this tendency to worry and shows us a better way. First, he points out how worry betrays a lack of faith in God our Father and Provider (v. 30). 

Additionally, Jesus highlights the utter pointlessness of worry (v. 27). No amount of anxious thought has ever added a moment to one’s life. Worry only steals joy in the present. 

Furthermore, Jesus argues from nature that if God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, how much more will He provide for us, His children (vv. 26, 28)? 

Finally, Jesus reminds us to stay focused on today instead of consumed with tomorrow (v. 34). Each day’s troubles are sufficient for the day.

Rather than allowing worry to rob our peace, let Jesus’ words sink deeply into us. May we turn our cares into prayers and trust God to quiet our anxious thoughts. He is faithful – and He cares much more than we know.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In these words from Romans, Paul tells us that God’s love for us is unbreakable, unwavering, and utterly unconditional.

Consider a mother’s love for her child. Even when that child makes mistakes, rebels, or takes the wrong path, the mother’s love endures. In the same way, but infinitely greater, God’s love remains constant. He does not love us based on our perfection, achievements, or our ability to reciprocate His love. He loves us simply because he made us.

Think about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. A young man took his inheritance, left home, and squandered everything. Yet, when he returned, broken and repentant, his father ran to him, embraced him, and restored him fully as his son. The father’s love was not based on conditions or the son’s worthiness. It was pure, unfiltered, unconditional love.

In our moments of doubt, fear, or when we feel unworthy, let’s remember that there is no force in the universe powerful enough to separate us from the love of God. He loves us deeply and passionately, without reservation. In His embrace, we find grace, acceptance, and the true meaning of unconditional love.

Lonnie Davis

The Call to Self-Examination

Our text for today is Matthew 7:3-5:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

After years of studying the Bible, this passage has never lost its profound resonance. At its core, Jesus encourages us to embark on a journey of self-reflection and humility. Before pointing fingers, we ought to examine our own flaws and imperfections.

You see, it’s easy to focus on others’ faults. It’s convenient to critique from the sidelines. However, Jesus paints a vivid picture: imagine trying to help someone with a tiny splinter while you have a massive beam obstructing your vision! Not only is it comical, but it also accentuates the irony and impracticality of judging others while being blind to our own imperfections.

According to this verse, we must;

Be Self-aware: Before we correct or critique, we should look inwardly. Recognizing our shortcomings can breed compassion for others.

Be Humble. Accepting our own flaws puts us in a position of understanding, not superiority.

Since none of us are perfect, we must strive to be understanding and humble. When we acknowledge our planks, we are better equipped to handle the splinters of others with love and grace.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is 1 Peter 1:15-16

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

What does it mean to live a holy life? Holiness isn’t about wearing a halo or being flawless; it’s about pursuing a heart transformed by God’s love.

Living a holy life starts with our thought life. 

We must fill our minds with things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). This means being careful about what we watch, read, listen to and think about. The old saying about computers, “Garbage in, garbage out” fits perfectly. In our thoughts it truly is garbage in, garbage out.

A holy life also requires taming our tongues. 

We should avoid gossip, lies, and slander. Instead, we must speak words that build others up (Ephesians 4:29). Our speech should be gracious, seasoned with salt and should point others to Christ.

A holy life involves our actions. 

Holyness means to flee from sin and cling to righteousness. This means replacing bad habits with godly disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, fasting, fellowship and service. 

Finally, holiness requires full surrender. 

We must die to self and live wholeheartedly for God, holding nothing back. If Jesus is Lord of our life, He must have full Lordship over every area of our lives. 

The holy life is not easy, but it is incredibly fulfilling. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, His Spirit empowers us to live righteously. Day by day, moment by moment, we can walk in holiness and bring glory to God.

Lonnie Davis

How a Man Ruined His Family

In today’s text, Lot and his family are fleeing away from the wicked city of Sodom. Our text reads:

Genesis 19:24-26

The Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah, he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Reading this story, the event of Lot’s wife looking back at the burning cities and herself turning into a pillar of salt catches the eye. However, Lot’s wife turning into pillar of salt is a side story in the more tragic tale. The real story is about Lot. I call him, the man who ruined his family.

It all started when Uncle Abraham, gave lot the pick of the land. Abraham said he would take whatever was left over. Lot looked on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He saw they were rich and well-watered and picked those for himself and his family. Uncle Abraham could take for himself the leftover land.

With that choice, Lot ruined his family. The cities were so wicked that God drove Lot and his family to leave. They found it hard. Eventually, Lot started his exit with his wife and two married daughters. His sons-in-law would not leave Sodom. In fact when it was time to leave the wicked land, Lot, his wife and daughters hand to be taken by the hand of the angels to get them to leave. Though told not to look back at the cities, Lot’s wife turned back and turned into a pillar of salt. His two daughters had so much of the wickedness of the city in them, that when they were alone with their father, they justified to themselves getting their father to get them pregnant. In an effort to make Lot look a little more innocent, some have pointed out that his daughters got him drunk so that he would do this evil thing. Of course we might ask, why would a righteous Lot get drunk? 

Lot’s whole family left Sodom, but still had too much of Sodom still in them. If you’ve ever heard the old saying, “You can the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy,’ then you can relate that saying to Lot’s family. They left Sodom, but after years living in such a wicked place, Sodom was still in them.

Lot’s ruining of his family started when he chose to pitch his and his families tent toward Sodom. (Genesis 13:13).

Never pitch your tent toward wickedness. That is how Lot ruined his family.

Lonnie Davis

 Our text today is  Matthew 26:27-29

“Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’”

When my son was a high school senior and played on the golf team, his team was fortunate enough to go to the state championship tournament. I called and asks the legendary golfer Byron Nelson, if he would say a few things to them. Byron being Byron, topped that thought. He and his wife, Peggy, hosted the entire team to a dinner at his house.

As we were sitting around the table and he was giving them wise advice, we asked one of the young golfers what he thought. The young boy’s words were unforgettable. He said, “I think I am going to throw up.” Obviously, we all laughed. Being around someone famous can make one feel nervous. 

What if you have dinner with someone even more famous? A President? A billionaire? No. Even more famous than those. Yet this is exactly what Jesus promised you in verse 29 of today’s reading. “I will drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” The Father’s kingdom is not heaven, but the Church.

When we gather to worship on the Lord’s Day, He is there eating and drinking with us.

That shouldn’t make us nervous. It should make us grateful. 

Lonnie Davis.

In John 13, we read the incredible account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. This act displayed His amazing love and humility towards the very men who would soon betray or abandon or deny him. 

Knowing full well that Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him and all the others would abandon Him, Jesus nevertheless stooped down to wash their feet – a task usually done by a servant. He knew their flaws, failures, and future sins, yet He loved them unconditionally. 

As a preacher, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and feeling like an imposter. But Jesus knows me fully, with all my shortcomings, and loves me anyway. His love is not conditional on me being perfect or having everything together. 

In our humanity, we may love imperfectly. But Christ demonstrates relentless love towards undeserving sinners. A mother loves her newborn baby with complete, unearned acceptance. This is the tiny image of the greater, deeper love that Jesus has for each of us. 

He loves us in spite of our sin and weaknesses. His love transforms our lives, compelling us to love others. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). 

Let Jesus’ unconditional love for you sink deep into your heart. Rest in the security that you are fully known and fully loved by Him. This love is the foundation we need to then love and serve others – even those might wrong us. Jesus loved perfectly and calls us to follow His example of sacrificial, humble service rooted in grace.

Lonnie Davis

Our Text for today is Matthew 5:44

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Jesus calls us to a special kind of love – one that blesses, serves, and prays for our enemies. This goes against our natural desire for payback when hurt. Loving enemies requires supernatural strength and grace.

The Bible story of Joseph powerfully illustrates loving one’s enemies. Joseph’s brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. Later when Joseph had power and authority in Egypt, during a famine, his brothers appeared before him in desperation. Joseph could have easily taken revenge, but instead he forgave them completely (Genesis 45:5). He even reassured his brothers, saying “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” (Genesis 50:20). 

Joseph allowed God to heal his wounds and fill his heart with undeserved grace toward those who betrayed him. This broke the cycle of bitterness and violence. Reconciliation and restoration followed. Joseph’s choice to love his enemies brought tremendous fruit.

Like Joseph, God calls us to bless and serve those who have hurt us deeply. Doing good to enemies seems counterintuitive and goes against our human nature. But God can empower us to love as Jesus did, even from the cross. 

Who in your life feels like an “enemy”? Ask God to help you see them through His eyes of compassion. Look for ways – big or small – to convey undeserved mercy and grace. Your acts of honor and kindness can be part of God’s redemptive work, softening hard hearts. As Joseph shows, love for enemies is powerful. It brings healing and makes new life possible.

Lonnie Davis