The Great Request – Teach me to Pray

Think of all the things Peter, Andrew, James, and John might have asked Jesus. 

§  He was a great teacher. They might have asked him to teach them how to teach. 

§  He worked miracles. They might have asked him to show them how to work miracles. 

§  He was a great leader. They might have asked him for lessons in leadership.

On and on the list could go, but there is one thing they asked him to teach them. It is found in Luke 11:1

“When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.’”

Did you ever think about John the Baptizer teaching his disciples to pray? Probably not, but he certainly did. 

Did he have a special class where he gave pointers to his disciples? I don’t know, but what he did caused the disciples of Jesus to make a request to him for similar teaching. 

Of course, there was one other motivation for the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray – they heard his prayers and saw his prayer life.

I am so thankful that the disciples made this request. Prayer is a subject that needs to be taught. Prayer is also a subject that needs to be learned. 

Perhaps when we struggle with prayer, we are really struggling with not really understanding what prayer is or how to really pray.

For our own sake, each Christian should learn how to pray.

Lonnie Davis

I know I said, “Grandfather’s” toolbox instead of some other name, but that is because I am a grandfather, but whatever you are, – a grandmother, aunt, uncle, or just friend, we all need a toolbox of stories and lessons we collect to save for just the right moment. Those stories become our “words fitly spoken” that are “like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11). It becomes that wise story you can tell at just the right time.

We all need that toolbox, but how do we get them? The answer is that we collect them. We write them to ourselves. We store them for just the right time. Just the other day I told my son to write his stories down. I now say that to all of you. Write them down. One of the biggest lies that we tell ourselves is “I don’t need to write it down. I will remember.” Write down, not only your stories but also those you hear from others.

Each Wednesday, I will share one of mine for you to put into your toolbox. 

Today’s story is called “Doomed”

A bunch of really smart people got together in 1880 to predict the future, according to Jeff Stibel in his book Breakpoint. These experts were called on to predict how the rapidly growing New York City would manage into the next century and beyond.

The prognosis was not positive.

NYC was a major source of American innovation in 1880. Skyscrapers, subways, stock exchanges — and it was doubling in size every 10 years. The experts were concerned by this growth, because they projected that by 1980, you’d need six million horses to transport everyone who would live there.

Well, that is one little story I collected along the way. Why don’t you send me one of yours?

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture study for today is Luke 12:39-40

It reads, “‘But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'”

The Spider and the Bug

Unknown Author

There was once a spider who lived in a cornfield. He was a big spider and he had spun a beautiful web between the corn stalks. He got fat eating all the bugs that would get caught in his web. He liked his home and planned to stay there for the rest of his life.

One day the spider caught a little bug in his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the bug said, “If you let me go I will tell you something important that will save your life.” The spider paused for a moment and listened because he was amused. “You better get out of this cornfield,” the little bug said, “The harvest is coming!”

The spider smiled and said, “What is this harvest you are talking about? I think you are just telling me a story.” But the little bug said, “Oh no, it is true. The owner of this field is coming to harvest it soon. All the stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered up. You will be killed by the giant machines if you stay here.”

The spider said, “I don’t believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down corn stalks. How can you prove this?” The little bug continued, “Just look at the corn. See how it is planted in rows? It proves this field was created by an intelligent designer.”

The spider laughed and mockingly said, “This field has evolved and has nothing to do with a creator. Corn always grows that way.” The bug went on to explain, “Oh no. This field belongs to the owner who planted it, and the harvest is coming soon.” The spider grinned and said to the little bug, “I don’t believe you,” and then the spider ate the little bug for lunch.

A few days later, the spider was laughing about the story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself, “A harvest! What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my life and nothing has ever disturbed me. I have been here since these stalks were just a foot off the ground, and I’ll be here for the rest of my life, because nothing is ever going to change in this field. Life is good, and I have it made.”

The next day was a beautiful sunny day in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and there was no wind at all. That afternoon as the spider was about to take a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could hear the roar of a great engine and he said to himself, “I wonder what that could be?”

There were 5,000 men to feed. The disciples had no food and were at a loss about how to handle the big problem. 

Peter explained, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9)

Such a little amount seemed unimportant to the disciples. The feeling of the disciples is among us today. We look around and see the little that we have and think we are helpless. We have only a little talent. We only have a little money. We only have a little time. If only we had more we could do something.

God warned the Jews not to despise “the day of small things.” (Zechariah 4:10)  Small things sometimes make big differences.

There is a true story of a man who got up one morning and put on a new pair of shoes. On the way to work he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at the store to by a Band-Aid. The little stop made him late. It was the morning of September 11, 2001 and he worked at the World Trade Center. He is alive today because of a little thing.

In a circular called “Little Things” several more stories like this are revealed around September 11.

“The head of one company got in late that day because his son started kindergarten. Another fellow is alive because it was his turn to bring doughnuts. One woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off in time. One’s car wouldn’t start. One had a child that dawdled and didn’t get ready as soon as he should have.” All these people lived because of the effect of “little things.”

Little things make big differences. A little prayer time each day, a little time in the Word, a little giving, a little kindness, all these make you a great person. Everything starts with something little, but often ends in something big. With God’s help, the little boy and the five little loaves of barley bread and two little fish were able to feed 5,000 men plus women and children.

Do something little today. It will be huge tomorrow.

~Lonnie Davis

March 13, 2011

Our Bible question for this week is, What does the Bible say about how old the earth is?

I am reminded of the guide who worked in the Carlsbad Caverns. Someone asked him how old the caverns were. He replied that they were 20 million and 15 days old. When he was asked how he could be so specific, he explained, “When I first started working here they told me they were 20 million years old. That was 15 days ago. Now they are 20 million and 15 days old.”

That is a cute story, but no one really knows.

Some have estimated it to be around 4.54 billion years old. This age has been determined through various scientific methods. For example, if the nearest star(other than our Sun) is 4.24 light-years away from us, then since we can see its light then it must have taken more than 4 years to get here. Some stars are billions of light-years away so the universe must be at least that old.

Some also 

Some Bible students believe that the Earth is around 6,000 to 10,000 years old. They base this on a literal interpretation of the Bible’s genealogies and the belief in a six-day creation. This view is often referred to as young earth creationism.

There are 2 things to consider when looking at these two views.

1. God could have made the earth and all the stars with the appearance of being old. People will ask, “When God created Adam and he was only 3 days old, how old did he look?” the Bible presents Adam as being created as a grown man. Could God have done this? Yes. Did God do this? Nobody knows for sure.

2. Could our universe be billions of years old/ Yes. Those who believe that the Bible teaches a 6,000-year-old earth do not take account of Genesis 1. 

Verse 1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The next verse says, “Now the earth was formless and empty…” How much time passed between verse 1 and verse 2? The Bible does not say. Could it have been one hour? I don’t know. Could it have been 5 billion years? No one knows.

So finally, how old is the earth? It is not important. That God created it is the important issue.

Lonnie Davis

Good morning. Today I want to share an old story with you that I find humorous and instructive. It is called

Pulling Together

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse, named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!” Buddy didn’t move.

Then the farmer hollered, “Pull, Buster, pull!” Buddy didn’t respond. Once more the farmer commanded, “Pull, Coco, pull!”

Nothing.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, “Pull, Buddy, pull!” And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.

The farmer said, “Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn’t even try.”

I love the words of the song, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”  Don’t we all?

I think s  his illustrates the meaning of Hebrews 10:24

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”  

Lonnie Davis

In today’s note we will consider two great reasons for prayer.

Not too long ago I read a great truth about prayer. It read, “Prayer is the language of faith.”

You wouldn’t like it if I wrote, “If you don’t pray, you don’t have faith.” If I wrote that, you may even stop reading. So, I won’t say that. I will instead write, “If you have faith, you will pray.”

I’m not saying that faith will lead you to pray three times a day while facing Jerusalem, as Daniel did. I’m not even saying you will pray on your knees for one hour every day. Everyone’s prayer routine look different. Certainly, everyone’s spontaneous prayer is different. Where and how long you pray does not matter, but if you have faith, you will pray.

It is natural.

God is your Father and you are his child. Fathers and children speak to each other.

It is natural.

Here are two reasons we pray.

#1. In prayer you build a relationship with your Father. Of course there are some sons and daughters who never speak or have not spoken to their earthly father. That is sad. I know because I never got to speak to my earthly father. We build our relationship with the Father by talking with Him in prayer.

#2. You have needs that only the Father can fill. If you can help your chlld, you want to do so. Your Father can help and he want to do so. No matter what is going on, He can help.

Let’s close this with a relevant scripture.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you “- 1 Peter 5:7

Lonnie Davis

Once upon a time, a rat looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was horrified to discover that it was a rat trap. 

Retreating to the farmyard the rat proclaimed the warning; “There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Rat, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The rat turned to the pig and told him, “There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!”

“I am so very sorry Mr. Rat,” sympathized the pig, “but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers.”

The rat turned to the cow. The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Rat, a rat trap! I am in grave danger. Duh?”

So the rat returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s rat trap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a rat trap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital.

She returned home with a fever. Everyone knows that you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.

His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer’s wife did not get well. She died, and so many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.

So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a rat trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk.

– Anon

Today’s  SPIRITUAL TOOL. – Romans 10:17

No workman tackles a task without the proper tools in his or her toolbox. If you would be spiritual in your journey to eternity, then collect the proper tools for your task. Today’s scripture belongs in your spiritual toolbox.

Romans 10:17

Before we read today’s text, let’s look at a time when even the apostles cried out for this verse.

Luke 17:5-6

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

What did the apostles ask Jesus to do? They asked him to increase their faith. That is what we all want to do, but Jesus’ answer does not tell them HOW to increase faith. It assures them that faith can grow. Again we say with the apostle, Yes, but HOW.

Our text today answers that HOW.

Romans 10:17

So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The meaning of this verse is so clear that it is easy to understand regardless of the translation one uses. For example, here is how the NIV translates it. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

A person does not increase or grow in their faith because of some event in their life. It is not increased because of an automobile wreck or a health scare. These things remind you of the need for faith, but according to this verse, one grows faith as one reads and hears the word of God. 

Do you want to increase your faith? Then, increase the time you spend reading and hearing the word of God.

This verse is a great tool for you to have because you need to use it to grow your own faith and to help those around you grow their faith.

Lonnie Davis

Too many times I have heard a sad person say, “I can’t help how I feel.”

Sure you can!

I learned better during a particularly hard time in my life. I was driving 30 miles every morning, in heavy traffic, to a job I did not want to do. As I drove I thought of the bad things in my life. By the time I would get to work I would have a terrible case of discouragement or a sad heart or even depression. 

As I was driving, one morning the solution to my recurring sad heart came to me. I realized I was not discouraged because of the bad things that happened, but because of what I was doing at the moment. This point is so important that I have to say it again.  I realized I was not discouraged because of the bad things that happened, but because of what I was doing at the moment. What was I doing at the moment? I was reliving the old negative events!

Once I understood this profound thought I was able to overcome the problem. The way to stop my daily discouragement was to change what I allowed myself to think. Whenever I would catch myself ruminating on the negative things in life, I would purposefully and quickly change the subject of my thinking. Let’s hear that again. I would purposefully and quickly change the subject of my thinking. 

When I stopped thinking about negative things, I quit being discouraged. 

We are what we think about!

Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things…And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:8-9)

Surely there is something noble, something pure, something lovely in your life. Think about those things and they will crowd out the negative, sad thoughts. When you control what you think about, you will control how you feel. If you make yourself think about the good things, you will make your day better. 

You will make your life better.

Lonnie Davis

It’s Saturday and each Saturday I am going to be writing and answering a Bible question. Today’s question is one that many Bible students ask.

What is the difference between man’s soul and his spirit? 

It has long been said that man has three parts: (1) Soul. (2) Spirit and (3) Body. It is easy to understand the body of man. We see it, but what is the difference between the soul and the spirit? 

Answer: Hebrew 4:12 certainly teaches that there is a difference. It reads,

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Here are my thoughts: There is no Scripture that clearly teaches the difference, but I believe that the soul is the eternal part of man that is created at birth or even conception. The spirit, however, refers to a person’s mental or emotional state, such as their will, determination, or enthusiasm. 

If someone disagrees with this, I will just say that this seems likely to me, but even though I have studied this, I am open to further study.

If you have a Bible question you would like to see discussed, send it to me and we will look at it.

Lonnie Davis

Text: Luke 17:4

“Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Why this verse:

I chose this verse, because we all need to remember a special verse on a topic that is needed all the time. People are flawed and they (including you) will do things that hurt. This verse remind us that we need to forgive – always! As Adam and Eve needed to forgive Cain for slaying Abel, so we all need to forgive each other often.

Insight into the subject and verse

The book “Will Daylight Come” tells the story of how sin enslaves and forgiveness frees. A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse, he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.

The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck! So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it.” Again she whispered, “Remember the duck.” Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. “I know, Johnny,” she said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.

Lonnie Davis.

Text: Luke 17:4

“Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Why this verse:

I chose this verse, because we all need to remember a special verse on a topic that is needed all the time. People are flawed and they (including you) will do things that hurt. This verse remind us that we need to forgive – always! As Adam and Eve needed to forgive Cain for slaying Abel, so we all need to forgive each other often.

Insight into the subject and verse

The book “Will Daylight Come” tells the story of how sin enslaves and forgiveness frees. A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse, he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.

The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you, Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck! So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing. Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Johnny wants to do it.” Again she whispered, “Remember the duck.” Johnny stayed while Sally went fishing. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, finally he couldn’t stand it. He confessed to Grandma that he’d killed the duck. “I know, Johnny,” she said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.

Lonnie Davis.

Are you a Perfectionist? I used to think that I was, but then I realized that I had not done perfect things, so….

Well, today’s illustration is for all of you who struggle with getting things done because you consider yourself a perfectionist.

The Effective Teacher.

A ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. 

“All those on the left side of the studio,” he said, would be graded solely on the _quantity_ of work they produced, all those on the right solely on its _quality_. 

His procedure was simple: on the final day of class he would bring in his bathroom scales and weigh the work of the “quantity” group: fifty pounds of pots rated an “A”, forty pounds a “B”, and so on. Those being graded on “quality”, however, needed to produce only one pot — albeit a perfect one — to get an “A”. 

Well, came grading time and a curious fact emerged: the works of highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for quantity. It seems that while the “quantity” group was busily churning out piles of work — and learning from their mistakes — the “quality” group had sat theorizing about perfection, and in the end had little more to show for their efforts than grandiose theories and a pile of dead clay.

Our Study verse for today is: John 4:24

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Why this Verse

This verse lets us consider the nature of God how God thinks about worship. Two things: God is a spirit and Worship must be done in the right spirit and with Bible truth as the guide.

The Story behind the verse:

This verse is part of a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well, in which Jesus tells her about living water and reveals that he is a prophet. The woman then asks him about worship, and Jesus responds with the words of John 4:24.

One Commentary explained this verse this way.

This expression “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” carries one of the four descriptions of God found in the New Testament. 

The other three are:

“God is light” (1Jn 1:5), 

“God is love” (1Jn 4:8,16), and 

“God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). 

Jesus was endeavoring to convey to the woman that God cannot be confined to one place nor conceived of as a material being. Whether one is on a mountain or in a city with the temple, God is everywhere and can be worshipped anyway.

Let me leave you with three Take-A-Ways from this great verse.

1. The nature of God:

This verse affirms that God is Spirit, emphasizing that God is not a physical being with a human form. Rather, God is a spiritual being that transcends the physical world.

2. The requirement for worship:

This verse states that those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and truth. This implies that worship is not just about outward actions, but also involves an inward attitude of the heart. Worship must be with the heart and truthful.

3. The universality of worship: 

This verse does not limit worship to a particular location or form. Rather, it emphasizes that anyone, anywhere can worship God in spirit and truth.

If you want a printed version, go to www.daywords.com

Lonnie Davis

Many people today have been disappointed in God because he did not answer their prayer the way they wanted or expected. That is not fair. This disappointment in how God has dealt with them is built on the premise that we always know what is best for us. Many thus lower their opinion of God or even deny him altogether.

Perhaps one reason many may not have confidence in the character of God is that they never had a high enough opinion of God in the first place.

God has been talked down and reduced, modified, edited, changed, and amended until He is not the God that Isaiah saw “high and lifted up.” In fact, folks often say things like “my God would never…” whatever, but God is God.

Because God has been reduced in the minds of people, they do not have that great confidence in His character that used to be prominent with believers.

We need confidence in God because it is necessary in order to really respect Him. For example, you cannot respect anyone in whom you have no confidence. Extend that principle upward to God and you see that if you cannot respect God, you cannot worship Him.

Where there is no respect there can be no true worship. Worship rises and falls with me and you depending upon whether our idea of God is low or high;

We must walk our journey with God where everything begins – with our trust and confidence that God will always do what is right for his followers (See Romans 8:28). We must believe that the Father knows best and has the best in store for us. Anything else lowers our image of God in our hearts. 

So we say with the Psalmist.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

PSALMS 57:5

I didn’t write the following note, but it is one of the most beautiful thoughts ever written about Jesus. It is called “One Solitary Life.”

He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant. He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter shop until he was 30. Then, for three years, he was an itinerant preacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He didn’t go to college. He never lived in a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself.

He was only 33 when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned over to his enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his garments, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave, through the pity of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race. I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned–put together–have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one, solitary life.

I’m Lonnie Davis and I didn’t author these words, but they are certainly thoughts worth thinking.

Text: Job 1:1-3

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job…this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.”

With these words we are introduced to Job.

The Bible says that Job was the greatest man in the East (understand that to mean he was the richest man in the East). In Job’s day, the East was the richest part of the world. 

Yet Job never slept in an air-conditioned house or drove a car on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. He never flew in a jet plane or watched a movie on television. He never called a friend on the telephone to check up on him.

I have done all these things. 

If Job was rich, then what am I? 

What are you?

Ours is the age of being victims. It is the time of “Woe me and how come bad things happen to me. 

Folks, you live in a land of plenty and in the richest land at the richest time in the history of the world. You eat at fancy restaurants and get cold water out of a refrigerator. God has given me and you much. We are left with one thought from Luke 12:48.

“To whomever much is given, of him will much be required.”

Read that again, 

Sometimes I sit with loved ones and talk about what we can do to bless others. We all need to have that conversation, not with our loved ones, but with ourselves.

Lonnie Davis