Our Scripture today is Ephesians 6:4  

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

I remember this verse from my teenage years. It was the first Bible verse that I ever abused. My Dad did something that made me upset, and I remember thinking, “He is violating the Bible. Ephesians 6:4 says, ‘Fathers, provoke not your children unto wrath.’”  

I’m not making that up. I took solace in thinking that he would have to answer for upsetting me. It was a classic case of going to the Bible to find a proof text for what I wanted it to say.  

So what is the point? Here it is: Before you make a teaching out of a verse, even a personal teaching, you should take the time to understand what it means.  

Today’s verse is not a call to make sure that fathers never do anything that upsets their children. The verse tells fathers to bring up their children to know and follow the instructions of the Lord.  

Before we try to use any verse of the Bible as a “proof text” for what we believe, we must make sure that we know what the verse is teaching.  

That great thought is a call to be daily students of the Bible.

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

Today’s Scripture is Psalms 32:8-9.

“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.”

In these verses, we find a comforting promise from God, paired with a strong warning. God pledges to guide us, offering not only instruction but also vigilant oversight. This promise encapsulates His readiness to lead us through life’s complexities, provided we are willing to listen and follow His counsel.

Yet, the following verse presents a hard alternative: if we choose not to heed His guidance, we risk being treated like unthinking animals, needing bits and bridles for direction.

This imagery is powerful and clear—without understanding and willingness, we relinquish the gentle guidance of God’s hand, only to face harsher measures to bring us back to the path.

This dynamic mirrors the truth of the saying, “Fools do eventually, what wise men do immediately.” God’s invitation is to wisdom—to respond to His guidance promptly, and avoid the painful lessons reserved for those who delay obedience.

Choosing to listen to God’s direction can spare us much hardship and will align us more closely with His will and peace.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Psalm 50: verse 21.

“These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes.”

Our understanding of God can sometimes mirror a reflection of ourselves. We have heard many people say, “My God would not,” and then finish the sentence with their favorite subject. This is a silly comment. God is God, and it doesn’t change based on our wishes.

In this verse, God addresses the common error of assuming that God shares our thinking or that His silence on our actions is a nod of agreement. This misconception can lead us to think that we know God’s nature based on our own traits and experiences.

Mark Twain humorously noted, “God created man in his own image.” He then finished the saying with, “Man, being a gentleman, returned the favor.” This quote shows our tendency to shape God’s identity around our personal biases.

Psalm 50 cautions against creating a convenient version of a God who perfectly aligns with our wants and justifications.

God is God. He is distinct and not a projection of our thinking. You can read about Him in His book, the Bible.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Genesis 2:24.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cling to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

In Genesis 2:24, we find a profound declaration about marriage that speaks volumes about unity. When a man and woman marry, they are not just signing a contract or making a temporary commitment; they are merging their lives into one seamless entity. This union goes beyond sharing a home or family—it’s about intertwining souls and destinies.

Mignon McLaughlin once said, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” This idea captures the essence of marital unity. It’s not merely about staying physically together, but about rekindling love day after day. It’s about seeing and appreciating your spouse anew, maintaining a vibrant connection that transcends the routine of daily life.

Unity in marriage, as described in Genesis, is not an automatic state; it’s a deliberate choice. It involves patience, understanding, and, most importantly, a ceaseless effort to nurture the bond that was vowed. As we reflect on this verse, let’s consider how we can foster a deeper unity in our relationships, honoring not just our commitments but the spirit of togetherness that marriage embodies.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Today’s Scripture is Proverbs 22: verse 6.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Over the years, I have seen many Christian parents fret about this passage. Their children messed up in life and quit following God. They read this text and say, “It must be my fault.”

Maybe it is, but maybe it is not. We are each free to make our own choices. So are our children. Proverbs is not a book of laws but a book of wisdom.

Adam and Eve knew God personally and still messed up spiritually. For three years, Jesus taught Judas and prayed with him. When Judas failed, it was not Jesus’ fault.

 So, what does this verse really teach? 

The wisdom of this Proverb highlights a profound truth about the impact of childhood training. From a young age, the guidance we provide our children with what we say and with what we do shapes their future. It’s about planting seeds of character and wisdom that grow with them.

Your child, like you, can still make their own choices, but by nurturing their young minds with love, God’s Word, and understanding, we lay a foundation that can help them through the tests of time.

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

 

Our Scripture today is Genesis 2:19.

“Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.”

Here, at the dawn of creation, God entrusts Adam with the significant task of naming the animals. This was not merely an assignment; it was the first act of biology, specifically taxonomy, the science of naming and classifying organisms.

What stands out in this passage is God’s deliberate choice to involve Adam in the creative process. God could have effortlessly named every creature Himself. Yet, He chose not to. Instead, He called upon man to do for himself, what he could do.

God still invites us to use our abilities, to cultivate knowledge, and to contribute meaningfully. Today, as in Eden, God equips us but also expects us to do for ourselves what we are capable of doing.

Adam could not create the animals, so God did it.
Adam could name the animals, so God told Adam to do it.

This partnership with God encourages us to grow, learn, and take responsibility. It calls on us to do what we can, and trust God to do for us what we cannot do.

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

Today’s Scripture is James 1:26.

“If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, he deceives himself, and his religion is worthless.”

Our words carry immense power, much more than we often realize. They have the capacity to heal or to harm, to uplift or to undermine. As believers, the words we speak reflect the state of our hearts and the authenticity of our faith. 

I love the quote from Maya Angelou who said, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” What you do is important, but James tells us that what we say is also important. What we say is an indicator of what is in our heart. Jesus said, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45).

Here James tells us about the importance of controlling our tongue. If we claim to be followers of Christ but fail to control our tongues, we not only deceive ourselves, but we also render our religion ineffective.

In other words, you can go to church, read your Bible, and take food to a sick person, but if you don’t guard your words, your religion is vain!

I don’t want my religion to be vain, so I resolve to guard my tongue a little better.

Besides, it would also cut down on my “I wish I hadn’t said that,” thoughts.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Dawn of Deathless Days

Today’s Scripture is Revelation 21:4.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 

I’ve seen grown men cry. I’ve shed more than a few tears myself. Sometimes from pain, but usually through losing someone I love. I’ll bet you have too. If not, just wait a little. Death comes to every door. 

Today’s scripture speaks directly to us during times when we weep. It promises that one day, all causes of sorrow will be permanently removed. We will have a future where death does not loom, where mourning is no more, and tears are wiped from our eyes—not temporarily, but forever. This divine assurance highlights not just an end but a new beginning. 

As the philosopher Seneca once remarked, “The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.” Listen to that again, “The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.” That is really what Revelation 21:4 is saying, what awaits us beyond this life is not an ending but an eternal continuation free from all earthly burdens.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Our Scripture for today is James 1: verses 9 through 11.

“The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.”

These verses seem counterintuitive. He seems to be saying that we ought to rejoice when we are poor, or as he says, “in humble circumstances.” How can this be possible? The country singer said, “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.” 

That is not what this verse seems to say. 

James is saying that you will be disappointed if you trust in wealth. Wealth passes away. I love the story of the man who asked about a friend who had died. He asked, “How much money did he leave his wife?” The answer? He left it all.

In the end, all we have is what we have in eternity. So, what we have here is nice, but what we really have is what God gives us in eternity. 

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

Today’s Scripture is Matthew 6:34:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In this verse, Jesus teaches us about the importance of focusing on the present. He reminds us that each day carries its own set of challenges and opportunities. Worrying about the future only diminishes our strength to handle today. Corrie Ten Boom wisely said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” This profound statement highlights the essence of Jesus’ message: to live fully today, embracing the moments as they come without being burdened by future uncertainties.

By concentrating on today, we allow ourselves to give our best to the tasks and relationships at hand. Each day is a gift, complete with its own provisions and joys, and when we trust in this daily sufficiency, we find peace and contentment. Jesus’ teaching encourages us not only to live more fully but to trust more deeply in the provision of each day as it comes, without borrowing trouble from tomorrow. 

When we get to tomorrow, we will find that God is already there and waiting for us.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.