Our text for today is Proverbs 29:17

“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.”

After reading this verse, I want to shout “Don’t stop now. Tell me more about how to do this.

The story is told of one man who was called to bail his son out of jail. As he left for the jail, a nosey neighbor said, “If he were my kid, I’d leave him in jail.” The father answered, ““If he were your kid, I’d leave him in jail too.”

One of the curses of being the oldest child is having kids before your siblings and listening to them tell you how to raise your child. You hear famous words like, “When I have kids, they will not…”

One of the joys of being the oldest child is watching your younger siblings have children and seeing those children do exactly what their parents said they would never do. It is easier to discipline and control other people’s children better than you can your own.

To understand the principle behind this, read 1 Peter 4:8, “Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” The reason my kid’s sins are not as bad as your kid’’s sins is because I love my kids and “love covers a multitude of sins.” It is the way of love to look past faults and imperfections.

 Without this truth, the imperfections of those with whom we live nearly 24-7 would becomes so glaring that their faults will drown out the good.

 Without this principle of love, the wonder of marriage changes to “I wonder what went wrong.”

 Look one more time at that great text, 1 Peter 4:8, “Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” Now read it again and this time stop after the word “covers.” It now reads ““Love each other deeply, because love covers…”

Yes it does. Love covers…whatever. That is the secret of living together in happiness.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Matthew 3:13-15

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”

But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

I understand the question of John the Baptist. The purpose of John’s baptism didn’t seem to be relevant for Jesus. John’s message was one of repentance. He called people to turn away from their sinful ways, confess their sins, and be baptized as a symbol of their commitment to change their lives. For evidence of this read, Luke 3:3, “He [John] went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

Jesus had no need for repentance or forgiveness of sin, because, as we know, he never sinned. Surprised at Jesus’ request, John felt he did not need to baptize Jesus. Really, he was right, so then why did Jesus seek baptism.

Jesus’ answer was “to fulfill all righteousness.” Let me suggest an additional answer that might give guidance for all of our lives. By being baptized, Jesus was setting an example for others. Others who look to Jesus needed to know that they too should always do the right thing.

Jesus’ journey to go to his baptism, was a journey of several days – each way. It would have been far easier for Jesus to stay home and not make that difficult journey. He didn’t really need baptism, at least not for himself. But he inconvenienced himself, made a hard journey for those who follow him, for me, and for you.

From this great story we learn, no matter the circumstances, no matter the difficulties, always, always do the right thing.

Lonnie Davis

Our verse for today is James 1:2

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds”

These words from James seems counterintuitive – how can we find joy in the midst of difficulties and pain? Yet God’s Word challenges us to embrace this Kingdom perspective. 

As we read on, James explains that our trials have an intended purpose – “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (v.3). Hardships, though unpleasant, are allowed by our loving Father to strengthen our trust in Him. Like a refiner’s fire, they burn away impurities in our faith, purifying us to reflect Christ more clearly. 

God uses trials to mold our character, helping us develop godly virtues such as perseverance, or as one man called it, “Stick-to-it-tiveness.” As we learn to cling to the Lord in the midst of struggle, we find our roots growing deeper in Him. Difficulties teach us to rely not on our own strength, which often fails us, but on God’s limitless power and grace to sustain us. 

Though trials can be painful in the moment, God promises to be with us in the pain (Deut 31:6). He enables us to endure and emerge refined, with greater maturity and faith. Our suffering produces in us an eternal weight of glory, as Scripture says (2 Cor 4:17). God ultimately uses pain for our good, making us more like Jesus and sharing in His holiness (Rom 8:28-29).

So next time you face trials, remember God’s great purpose in them. Thank Him for the trials He allows, asking for grace to trust Him more. Draw near to Him in difficulty, confident that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). Joy comes when we embrace His refining process.

Lonnie Davis

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 20:7
“The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.”

The construct of this verse is not by accident. It begins with a simple statement about how people who do the right things, lead blessed lives, but quickly adds how this affects their children – they are blessed because they follow them.
It is sad that people mindlessly say, “It is my life!” The truth is that it has never been my life and mine alone. Each of us have someone who watches us to see what we do. They do not watch to judge us, but rather to emulate us, to do things like we do.
One older Jewish lady made the point that people who have only done things 15 times, ought to listen to people who have done things 150 times. In fact, they do! They always have.
When Moses led Israel, Israel was blessed. There came a time when Moses was no longer available to lead. Who did the people turn to? Of course the obvious choice is to turn to the young man who followed Moses for 40 years. The man who spent his life following in his footsteps. That younger man was Joshua.
When Moses climbed to the mountain to see God, it was Joshua who followed Moses up that mountain. He did not go all the way to the top but accompanied Moses longer than anyone else.
When Moses met with God in the tent, all the people stood at their tents. Joshua did not. He stood at the door of the tent where Moses met with God.
Unfortunately, it works the other way too. We would do well to remember the words of the unknown poet who said:

A careful man I want to be —
a little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray,
for fear he’ll go the self-same way.
I cannot once escape his eyes.
Whatever he sees me do he tries.
Like me he says he’s going to be —
that little chap who follows me…

Today, someone follows your example. That is why we need to be careful. We do not know who is watching and following.
Lonnie Davis

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 3:1

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Some years ago, my wife, my daughter, my two little grandkids and I took a short road trip. A short little 275 mile road trip. When I take one of those by myself it is short. When you take them with a wife, a daughter and two young grandkids, it is not so short. I had forgotten what it is like to travel with kids. On our trip there we stopped six times. The first time was for me to get money. The other five times were for kids.

 The next morning I took the kids down for the free continental breakfast. I got food for each kid and then went to cook a waffle. I took it to the table. I went back to cook a second waffle. I got my food and sat down. I had to get up to get syrup. Finally I sat down to eat. I didn’t know about bathroom breaks during breakfast – another interruption. Finally their mom arrived and I could eat.

 What does that have to do with the title “Passages?”

 Gail Sheehy wrote a book called “Passages.” In her work she says that life has many passages. As we grow we change. Life in our twenties is different than life in our thirties. Life in our fifties finds that we have gone through many passages. Life is different.

Here we remember again our text: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecc. 3:1)

 Life changes. It is okay. It is great. Joy does not come because we are in a great place. Joy comes by enjoying the place wherever we are.

 Coming back it was just Liz and me. Going down we had six stops and lots of laughter. Coming back there were no stops and no laughter. I missed the stops.

 Enjoy wherever you are in life. It is all you have. It is the passage you are in. Savor it.

~Lonnie Davis

Our Bible verse for today is Matthew 10:29

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.”

Have you ever seen anyone pick up a found coin—a quarter, a dime, or a nickel? My guess is that you have, but what about a penny? Few people collect pennies. It is noteworthy that Jesus uses the humble penny to show you God’s attention for you. That which man overlooks, God notices. In fact, he even notices more than the penny. In Jesus’ time, you could buy two birds for a penny. Yet, not one of those birds, sparrows, dies without God noticing it.

Jesus is not merely telling us that God knows about a single bird, but that God always, always knows and notices you. That is an important lesson for each of us to remember because it is so easy to forget. It is even easier to feel unnoticed by anyone.

I remember hearing one thirty-something lady remark about how she sometimes feels invisible to other people. I also remember thinking that was an unusual way of putting it. Upon further reflection, I realize there is a kernel of truth in that expression. There are times when all of us feel invisible.

Matthew 10:29 serves as a profound reminder that though the world may not notice you, God always notices and remembers you. God always cares about you and for you.

So that you do not miss the point of this verse, Jesus added these words, “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

To further deepen this point, he points out that God does not just know about you; he even knows exactly the number of hairs on your head (Verse 31).

To God, you are important. A world leader or the neighbor next door may not think about you, but the one true God does.

That makes you significant!

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

That doesn’t seem possible. Should I give thanks even when my car breaks down on a busy freeway? What about when the doctor tells me I am very sick? Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks.” Yes even when the news isn’t good.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter was on a vacation in Puerto Rico. On a beautiful beach, a vicious wave knocked her down. At first she feared she broke her wrist. It has been many days and there is still pain. No bones were broken, but there seems to be nerve damage in her left wrist. As we discussed it, she said, “I’m just thankful it wasn’t my right wrist.” 

Now let’s go back to “In everything give thanks.” That is exactly what she was doing, finding something to be thankful about. We discussed it more and realized that some folks don’t damage the nerve in the wrist. They damage the nerves in their back. 

She then said that she was thankful that she can still do her job while healing. In the hard times in your life, you can always find a reason to be thankful. I know I have failed on that point, but I need to remind myself to do better. 

One of my favorite stories about finding thanks in all circumstances was written by a minister of a bygone era.

While out at night he was robbed of his wallet. Knowing he need to be thankful in all things, what could he possibly be thankful for.

In his daily journal he wrote about the thief who robbed him, 

“Let me be thankful, first because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.”

So for today, be thankful when it is easier to complain.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Matthew 7:16

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

There are times when it is easy to follow this verse, but other times when this is just forgotten.

I once read the story of a preacher who overslept on a Sunday morning. He hurried out of bed, threw his clothes on, and grabbed a cup of coffee. When he grabbed for his coffee, he realized that he forgot to plug his coffeemaker in and now there was no coffee. Already behind, he decided he would have to stop for coffee on the way – if there was time. He ran to his car, jumped in and started to back out of his driveway. Thump, thump went his tire. He threw off his jacket and changed the tire on his already late Sunday morning. When this was fixed, he had to wash up and leave. No time for a coffee stop. As he left he overlooked a stop sign and ran it. Of course there was a cop who pulled him over. “License and registration,” the cop said. 

The preacher growled as he reached for his license. The policeman responded, “Yes, I know how you feel. I used to have days like that before I became a Christian.” “Ouch!” 

As a Christian myself, I am not so naive as to believe that days like that don’t happen to me. All of you have had days like that. All of you will have them again. But here is a great truth, it is not whether you have a tough day, but how you respond in it that shows your Christian spirit. That is the point of our Bible verse today. 

Anybody can act happy and kind when things are going great. The one that God is most pleased with is the one who can show himself or herself to be of a good spirit even when he or she has a flat and runs a stop sign.

Today, “Let you light shine” – even when nothing good seems to happening.

Lonnie Davis

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Our text for today is Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

This verse contains a great life lesson for us. It tells us we all need some “Therefore People.” They are the people we look to show us that we too can overcome.

Let me illustrate this with the stories of Roger Bannister and Edmund Hillary.

Stories are told that people tried for over a thousand years run a mile in less than four minutes. Experts said it was impossible.  Finally in 1954 Roger Bannister ran the mile in 3:56. As of June 2022, the “four-minute barrier” has been broken by 1,755 athletes. 

In 1953, Edmund Hillary climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain on earth. Before him no one was ever able to climb it. After he reached the top, In the same decade, there were four more climbs that reached the top. Since then more than 1,200 people have climbed to the top of Mt. Everest.

Roger Bannister and Edmund Hillary both became “Therefore People.” They were those who inspired others to do what seemed to be impossible.

Look at our text again an you will note that it starts with “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” This is a reference to the people listed in Hebrews 11 – Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah and others. Hebrews 12:1 is using these people to say to us, “See, that did and so can you.” 

The poet said, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one anyday. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely point the way.” 

We need someone who has walked the path before us to show us that it can be done. We all need “Therefore People.”

Who are your special “Therefore People?”

Lonnie Davis.

Our text for today is John 14:27:

”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

In a world of push and shove and compete and compete, this verse seems almost impossible. How does one find peace today? How do we fight stress in a stressful world?

Do you even know what stress is? Not like, “Have you ever been stressed?” but more like, “Do you know what’s happening when you’re stressed?” God designed each of us with this incredible response system hardwired into our bodies. 

I once read the story of an electrician who responded to a call at a sketchy house. There was a big man there, but he had to go look at the electrical panel way back in a closet. He turned his back on the man to check out the problem and just as he did, an old ironing board fell against his back. He turned quickly and stabbed the ironing board with his screwdriver. The man said, to him, “Kinda stressed out aren’t you?” 

Our stress system kind of keeps us feeling safe, and the times we experience stress are times when this system temporarily activates. Your heart rate increases, and your breathing pattern might change because your body is looking for help in managing the stress. You might even stab someone with a screwdriver.

During Jesus’ ministry, he met a woman who was also searching for ways to manage her stress. She had a condition where she was bleeding constantly (Matthew 9:22). She was experiencing physical, mental, and emotional stress, but then she touched Jesus or even just his clothes, and she was healed.

In our stress, we too can reach out to Jesus and have  something better — or at least something different. We can learn much from this woman’s story about how to look to God when we need hope. 

From time to time, each of us feel stressed out or anxious. When we do, we’ll need a plan. Thankfully, there are stories like this to remind us when you’re not okay, Jesus offers hope.