Our Scripture for today is Psalms 118:24.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

That verse doesn’t say, “If things go well today, I will rejoice and be glad.” Any day that God has made for you is a day of rejoicing. That is what the verse says.

I admit, that this is sometimes hard. Some days are a challenge and you only smile when you look back. Sometime not even then.

When my first child was born, I had one of those days. When my wife and I brought the baby home, Liz was still struggling from the birth and everything was up to me. As we pulled up to our house, Liz said, “Carry Janet into the house.” I had never picked up a baby in my life. I certainly could not start now. I said, “Let me go get the neighbor next door and she will carry her in. Liz said, “No, you can do it.” Resigned to the first time I would carry a baby, I ran into the house and got a pillow. I came back to the car, put the pillow on my arms and had Liz put the baby on the pillow. I then carried the baby on the pillow into the house.

For the rest of the day, every time the baby cried, it was up to me to care for her. At least I knew what to do. Every time Baby Janet cried, I gave her a bottle. Every time!

By ten that night, I had a sick baby that I did not know how to help. I did the only thing I knew to do: I called my mother. She lived 600 miles away, but she drove all night.

That was a hard day and I did not think, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad.” It took decades before I could. 

No matter what this day or even tomorrow brings, there is joy in it. Someday we will find the joy. The greater our faith, the sooner we will find it.

Lonnie Davis

To listen to kids, they must believe that moms and dads get together and figure out ways to keep their kids from having fun. After all, every kid at some time or another has uttered those words to their parents: “You never want me to have any fun.”

Of course, that is just a young mind that does not understand. Sadly, however, people sometimes feel the same way toward God. They must think that God figured out all the fun things and then decided to make them sins.

Such thoughts are the thoughts of a baby Christian. Any mature Christian would cast such thinking from their mind. God made us, and he made us for joy! As Paul told the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (4:4)

Let’s turn our attention to another verse, 1 John 5:3. It reads, “This is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”

Look at that again: “His commands are not burdensome.” You may have thought so at the time, but when you look back through the wisdom of time, you will understand two things:

1. Why He gave us the commands he did.

2. Why he gave us limits.

Let me illustrate this with a personal story. When I was 6 years old, I saw a movie about the frontiersman Jim Bowie. What a man! He could get out of any dangerous situation with his knife. He could throw it and stop the danger. I went home and wanted to be like him. I didn’t have a throwing knife. The closest thing I could find was my mother’s kitchen knife. I figured I could practice throwing that knife at a tree and get good at it like Jim Bowie.  I went to my mother and asked her if I could borrow the kitchen knife to practice throwing it. I don’t need to tell you her answer. 

I thought her rejection of my plan was mean. If I had known the word, I would have called it burdensome.

Only when I got older and more mature did I understand that she made her decision with an eye toward my best interest.

Someday, you will understand why God gave us the commands that he did. They are not burdensome but for our best interest.

Lonnie Davis

Today’s thoughts should encourage us to get it done right now. As the old saying goes, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.” Use it now!

Our Scripture verse for today is Acts 24:25.

In this text, Paul was on trial before a Roman governor named Felix. Felix heard what Paul said, knew what he needed to do, and uttered the sad words, 

“Go away for now, when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

So far as we know, he never called for him. He never found that convent time.

I have looked at clocks for years and have seen everything from 1 to 12 o’clock, both  AM and PM. None of my clocks have ever been marked “convent time.” I’ll bet your clock doesn’t have that time either.

Whatever the case, I have found many things I needed to do that I have put off until that more convenient time. Not finding it, they were left undone.

I guess with some things that is okay.

If you don’t find the time to watch television.
If you don’t find time to read the latest best-selling book.
If you don’t find the time to update your phone.
If you don’t find the time to check FaceBook.

Well, you can do it tomorrow. However, there are some things that cannot be put off until a more convenient time.

Do it today!
Call your friend
Listen to your spouse
Play with your kids
Read your Bible
Pray

These are things that cannot be put off till a more convenient time. 

Don’t wait for that more convenient time.

Lonnie Davis

Sometimes I Act Like A Child

Our text for today is Matthew 18:3

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Of course this text doesn’t mean we should throw a fit when we don’t get our way, or run to mommy when we have a tummy ache. Jesus is really talking about things like having a good heart and learning to forgive and trust.

I read a story that reminded me of this verse.

One little four-year-old boy loved his dog, but sometimes unwittingly tormented him. He didn’t mean to, but he loved to hug his dog. Usually the dog would put up with the hugging, but when the dog had enough, he would turn around and nip at the little boy to make him let go.

One day, the dad walked up to his son while he had the dog in a big hug. As the dad got closer he could see that the little boy had his eyes closed and was praying, “Dear God, please don’t let him bite me.”

As the dad walked by his son, he told him, “God would be more apt to answer your prayer, if you would let go of the dog.”

Unfortunately, we are like that little boy too often. We do things that we know we ought not to do and then pray that God will shield us from the consequences of our behavior.

We pray for a happy marriage and then neglect one another. We pray for a closer walk with God but do not read His Word. We pray for peace in our lives, and drive in aggressive, rude ways or snip at people.

Each of us could make our own custom list. We should examine the things we pray for and then decide what we can do to help make the prayers come true. 

Keep on praying, but do your part too.

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 15:2.

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

The discipline of practicing this passage will make you wise in the eyes of your peers. 

When you start getting along in years, you will find that others remember your stories differently than you do.  I recently shared the story of my disagreement with my friend and his answer to me was “Do you feel better now.”  

When he and I talked about it 55 years later, we both remembered it. He said I can’t believe I was wise enough to respond that way.”  He then said, I answered like that because I didn’t know what else to say.”  

He thought about how unusual it was for him to respond with such wisdom. What I found amazing was that he said this because he had nothing else to say. You see, too many times I have said something even even when I really didn’t really have something good to say. Ugh! I tried to clarify this statement, but I am sure you know what I mean.

There is great wisdom to be found in Proverbs 15:1

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

May God give us the wisdom to give a soft answer.

Lonnie Davis

I begin by saying that this story has a happy ending. First, let me share a great Bible verse on friends.

Proverbs 18:24

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

The other day I said some grouchy things to my best friend of nearly 60 years. He shot back at me and then I said, “I gotta go,” and we hung up.

It took me one minute to grieve it and then I texted him, “You are still my best friend.”

He immediately answered me, “It will take more than anything you can say to destroy my friendship with you so please overlook anything I might say that is out of line.”

I knew then that we would be okay. He is that friend “who sticks closer than a brother.”

Some people in your life are friends, and some are acquaintances. You can tell the difference because a friend can go through hard spots with you, or even because of you.

I remember a time some 40 years earlier when I told him some hard things. He listened as I criticized him and told him what he had to do. He listened and then said, “Davis, do you feel better now?”

That is a friend! There are three reasons I knew our friendship would survive this too.

1. He’s my best friend, and he sticks closer than a brother.

2. He’s a Christian, and that is what Christians must do.

3. He and I are too old to make new lifetime friends. 60 years is a long time!

If you have such a friend, reach out to him or her today. Don’t put it off. Be that friend who stick closer than a brother (or sister).

Lonnie Davis

“What will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
                            — Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:20)

We live in a world where Satan asks that question and then offers whatever we answer. 

I once read the interesting story of 20-year-old Adam Burtle who tried to answer that question. In February of 2001 he put his soul up for auction on eBay, a relatively new concept of online sales. He advertised his soul as “Hardly used” and then added:

“I make no warranties as to the condition of the soul. As of now it is in near mint condition, with only minor scratches.”

The price started at a nickel and in the final hour of bidding rose to $400. The auction was removed by eBay before bidding closed so we will never know how much it might have brought. Mr. Burtle is not the first to want to sell a soul.

– Ahab was willing to sell his soul for a piece of land that he could use as a vegetable garden. (1 Kings 21).
– Cain sold his soul for a fit of anger. (Genesis 4).
– Judas sold his for 30 coins. (Matthew 26:15).
– Demas sold his for worldly pleasures. (2 Timothy 4:10)

The question in Matthew 16 is not about eBay auctions. It is not even about Ahab or Cain or Judas. It is about what you and I value as more important than our souls.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Burke meant his offer as a joke. In real life Satan offers to buy your soul and it is not a joke. Peter warned, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).

Make sure he does not close the deal on your soul.

Lonnie Davis

The Scripture for today is 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Before I read it, let me share a thought about it. I remember memorizing this verse when I was a teenager. It meant a lot to me then and has never failed to encourage me. As one verse of scripture goes, this one is fairly long. Don’t let that stop you from learning and treasuring it. It contains a promise that will get you past many dark places in your life. 

Here is the verse:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Let me paraphrase it for you.

“When you are tempted (and you will be) always remember,  other people have faced the same struggles and done well. You can too. Your faithful God has promised that there is a way to get past the temptation without sinning. Look for it.”

Every time the devil has tried to tempt me, I can look to the promise of this verse. It has never failed me. Unfortunately, sometimes I have failed it. Moses murdered an Egyptian, King David committed adultery, Peter denied he knew Jesus – three times! God did not fail them, they just didn’t lean on Him. 

Satan has two rules that we believe too often: (1) I am the exception to the rules. (2) I will get more pleasure from doing things my way rather than doing things God’s way.

Here’s the problem: Those are fake rules.  No, they are lies.

Today’s scripture gives us the real true rule: There is always an escape from sin, so you don’t have to give in. God is not only pulling for you, he is actively providing a way out.

I know 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a long verse, but store it up in your heart. Someday, maybe today, you will need the encouragement.

Lonnie Davis

This week I got to thinking about the phrases from the Bible that people frequently say, even when they don’t know it is from the Bible. I made a list of 70 such phrases. Here are a few of the common phrases that non-Bible readers say that come straight from the Bible.

#1. “The Blind Leading the Blind.” 

This, of course, means that people turn to a leader who is incapable of leading. In Matthew 15:14, Jesus aid, “And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

#2. I’m “At Wit’s End”. 

Something people say this when they are confused and don’t know what to do. It is found in Psalms 107:27, “They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.”

#3. Living off “The Fat of the Land.” A phrase that means living on the best.

This phrase comes from Genesis 45:18. The Pharaoh speaks to Joseph and tells him to bring is family to Egypt. He said, “Take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.”

Some other phrases are: “By the Skin of Your Teeth,” (Job 19:20), “The Root of the Matter,” (Job 19:28), and “Do unto others and you would have them do unto you.”(Matthew 7:12).

BUT, do you know which Bible verse is quoted most frequently by people who don’t know God? It is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Of course, they misunderstand the verse.

Before we leave today’s devotional thought, let me share one more verse. Mark 12:30-31

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

That does sound like something we should say and remember. After all, Jesus said it was the most important commandment.

Lonnie Davis

Today’s Bible verse is Romans 1:20.

“Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.”

Those who do not believe that there is a God love to say we have no evidence for God. In fact, they often refer to our faith as blind faith.

Recently I heard a speaker compare faith in God to a scene from Indiana Jones. In one episode, Indiana entered a large cave/temple and came to a wide chasm he had to cross. He handled it by taking a blind step of faith. He stepped into the chasm and blindly felt an invisible bridge. That scene is often thought of when we think about taking a step of faith. It misses the point.

After the lesson, I pointed out to the speaker that in the movie, Indiana crossed the bridge twice. The first time he stepped blindly. The second time he stooped down, grabbed some pebbles and tossed them into the chasm. They landed upon the previously unseen bride. He saw some of the bridge and then stepped on it.

The second example more aptly shows the way we have faith in God. God does not call on us to blindly believe.

In Exodus 4, Moses faltered in his call from God. God then showed him evidence that he was God. In Judges 6, Gideon puts out a fleece to test what God wants of him. In both cases God gave them all the evidence that was needed. 

In today’s verse, God said, “His invisible attributes are clearly seen.” How do we see the invisible attributes of God? We understand what we can’t see about God, by seeing the things he does show, that is, “the things that are made.”

Our faith is not blind. It is grown by the evidence we can see.

Lonnie Davis