Our text for today is Matthew 5:21-22

21“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 

Some have interpreted this passage to mean that merely using the term ‘fool’ will condemn someone to hell, but a deeper understanding reveals that Jesus is cautioning against contemptuous attitudes. In fact, the Bible itself uses the term ‘fool’ in various contexts. One example is found in Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ “

Let me share what I call the “Three Degrees of A Fool.”

Degree One: Believing oneself to be wise. 

This isn’t about false humility, but the tendency for some to consider themselves wise. As Shakespeare aptly put it, “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

Degree Two: Boasting about one’s wisdom. 

Genuine wisdom is demonstrated through actions, not words. If you need to tell others about your wisdom, it may be a sign that true wisdom is lacking, as the wise let their actions speak for them.

Degree Three: Rejecting advice from others. 

Fools may not explicitly deny interest in other people’s advice, but they usually seek counsel only from those who they know will agree with them. The proverb says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

So there they are, The fool thinks himself to be wise. The fool talks about his wisdom. The fool rejects advice.

Not only does knowing those three steps help you guard against becoming a fool, but it also helps you spot a fool so you will not be hurt by one.

Lonnie Davis

Our text is Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Do you remember how in school you used to dread test taking, especially math tests? The anxiety stems not just from getting the right answer, but from the teacher telling you to “show your work.” Those three little words changed everything and made the test so much harder.

Without those three words, you might guess the right answer. While guessing may get you credit on a test, showing work demonstrates a real understanding that will help with future problems. Math is about developing transferable problem-solving skills, not just arriving at one-off answers. As we get older, we recognize the value in teachers pushing us to lay out our step-by-step reasoning.

Life constantly presents new problems to solve: finding a job, nurturing relationships, pursuing growth, completing daily tasks, and more. Those who thrive in life are those who are prepared with the skills to work through life’s constant challenges. Whether learning from parents, friends, teachers, or mentors, people want to see our work because the goal is learning a lifelong skill, not just a single correct response. 

Next time you face a test, remember it’s practice for the never-ending problems of life. 

This is why Jesus told us to, “Let your light so shine.” It is not about showing off, but about letting others see the process of solving problems in life, especially how to live a Christian life.

Lonnie Davis

It was a dark and stormy night when the skies decided to throw an epic tantrum, and the power grid surrendered with a flicker, leaving your home in darkness. It is so dark that you cannot find your way around your own home. Your first thought is “Where did I put my flashlight?” Finally, you find your flashlight, only to discover that your flashlight has dead batteries. Ugh!

With a sigh of resignation, you search for fresh batteries, a task made comically challenging by sharp corners to the furniture inside your dark house and the elements conspiring outside. Raindrops beat down upon the windows as you fumble through drawers, knocking over forgotten treasures.

This story is not just an imagined story to me. I’ve been there and I’m guessing you have too.

This story should remind us of the words,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

We live in a world of darkness. All around us are the storms of life that cause that darkness. What we need more than anything is a light to show the way. It is to that point that the psalmist tells us of our “flashlight,” our source of light.

 Like one who stumbles in a dark house, hunting for that light source, the psalmist prays, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law… Do not hide Your commandments from me.”(Psalms 119:18-19.). 

Through reading God’s Word daily, we have that light ready to guide us through the dark nights.

Lonnie Davis

Our text for today is Mark 8:16-18

The disciples followed Jesus onto a boat, but forgot to bring bread. They only had one loaf. Jesus warned them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees. They mistook his comments about yeast to be a reprimand to them for forgetting to bring bread. Mark 8 tells us, “they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’”

Jesus responded to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?” (Mark 8:16-18)

Jesus’ concern for them was that they became so fixed on the bread of this life, that they failed to see that Jesus was sharing a bigger, spiritual thought.

As I read that story, I remembered another story that happened during the terrible bombing raids of World War II. Many children were left orphaned and starving as a result of the bombing strikes. Those who were lucky enough to be saved were put in refugee camps where they were fed and given proper care. Many of these young people who had suffered such great losses were unable to sleep at night. They feared that when they woke up, they would still be hungry and without a place to live. 

Nothing seemed to reassure the children. Someone finally had the bright idea of giving each child a slice of bread to hold while they slept. These kids could at last sleep peacefully while holding their bread. Bread continued to remind them throughout the night that “Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow.”

Holding on to the bread at night really didn’t change anything for the children, but it made them feel secure.

In contrast to clutching actual bread, we would all do well to go to bed while clinging to our spiritual bread, Jesus, the bread of Life. Our assurance for the following day will come from holding Him during the night.

Lonnie Davis

The setting for today’s reading is a Sunday morning, sometimes around 6 a.m. A group of women go to the tomb of Jesus. The real story begins when they get there and find Jesus gone. Now we read:

Matthew 28:5-6

The angel …said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

In the first hours of that day, everything changed – for everyone. Jesus had been crucified, but he got up from the dead. 

In serving that same Jesus, I’ve preached well over 4,000 sermons. Most preachers who have preached that often, eventually preach one called, “If I had only one sermon to preach.” I want to tell you what sermon I would preach. If I were asked to preach one last time, There would be many wonderful topics available.

I could preach on “Why I believe in God.” I could preach on love. 1 John says that without love we are nothing. But the one we all need to feel down in our souls is ‘The Resurrection of Jesus.”

Paul explained it this way I Corinthians 15:13-19

“…If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

As a preacher, I have stood by more graves than most people. As I’ve gotten older, I have had the duty of standing by the graves of my own family and friends. When I leave those piles of dirt, I find great comfort in knowing that it is only temporary. In the song titled, “Hurt,” the writer said, “Everyone goes away in the end.” To those who do not know that Jesus got up from the grave, it would seem that way. As a believer, I say, “No! They simply go to wait for us.” 

There is not a more needed sermon for Christians to Truly believe.

Lonnie Davis

Knowing God’s Love

Our text for today is Hebrews 4:15-16

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Reading this verse helps us know more about God. It helps us see why God sent his Son to die on the cross. 

Posted on the site of the Oklahoma City bombing are the following lines by K. C. and Myke Kuzmic.

I said, “God, I hurt.”
And God said, I know.”

I said, “God, I cry a lot.”
And God said, “That is why I gave you tears.”

I said, “God, I am so depressed.”
And God said, “That is why I gave you Sunshine.”

I said, “God, life is so hard.”
And God said, “That is why I gave you loved ones.”

I said, “God, my loved one died.”
And God said, “So did mine.”

I said, “God, it is such a loss.”
And God said, I saw mine nailed to a cross.”

I said, “God, but your loved one lives.”
And God said, “So does yours.”

I said, “God, where are they now?”
And God said, “Mine is on My right and yours is in the Light.”

I said, “God, it hurts.”
And God said, I know.”

Jesus died on the cross so we might know that he understands us. His life and death was hard so that we CAN know that he feels our pain. Then, as today’s reading says, we will be able to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Lonnie Davis

Are you familiar with, Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We often misuse this text. If you read it closely, you will discover that it is a specific statement made to a specific man at a certain time. However, we have made this a universal principle. 

Yes, God does have a plan for us. We can work with God’s plan or we can try to thwart it.

I’d like to believe that I always understand and try to follow his plan, but I don’t always know exactly what he wants. Sometimes he gives us multiple doors, and sometimes closed doors. However, there are times when we make our own plans without considering God’s plan.

Sunday and Monday, September 18–19, 2022 was just such a time. While on the island of Puerto Rico, we knew there was a storm headed our way, but figured it would pass. But this one was worse than expected. A tropical storm turned into a hurricane.

We seemed to be doing okay; we had power. It was Sunday. Trapped in our house, my son and I were going to have a football day.  Unbeknownst to us, we had power but were running on a generator. No problem; we were doing fine. Suddenly, there was no wifi, and thus no football. Jeremy figured out that we could use our phone as a wifi router and we watched football. Yay!

At 10:30 p.m., all power was gone. No A/C, no nothing. Darkness. We fumbled our way to our beds and slept in the heat.

The next morning, we got our power back via generator, but for how long? We knew we needed to get off the island, but getting a flight off the island seemed impossible. Jeremy spent three hours finding us a flight. We got home about 8 p.m.

We just never know what the day may bring. We don’t know, but God knows. I know you have had days like these, and sometimes much worse. I have too.

When we have those days, we need to remember that though we cannot know what the day will bring, we do know the God who know.

When you can’t adjust the day, adjust your attitude. Trust him and let go. Let God.

Our verse for today is Matthew 7:1-2.

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 

The one Bible verse that every old heathen knows is that first verse, “Judge not that you be not judged.” Well, they usually just know the first two words, “Judge not.” If you do not approve of their being drunk or stealing and they know you are a Christian, the scripture they say is, “Judge not.” 

But does the Bible really teach us not to judge? Of course not, but a person with only a shallow understanding of the Bible does what everyone is prone to do: latch on to a little learning and make something out of it that was never intended. 

Of course, we should not judge, but you must understand the teaching. If you see a person drunk, it is not judgmental to call them drunk. If you see them drunk every day for a month, you are not judging them by saying they have a drinking problem. 

The same Jesus who said, “Judge not,” said, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16). It is not judging to inspect the fruit and determine that it is rotten. It is judging to see how the leaves are blowing and say the fruit is rotten.  It is not judging to see all the fruit ruined and say that the fruit is bad. It is judging to see one rotten apple and say that all the fruit is bad.

So, “Judge not!” But do inspect the fruit and make a good decision. If you don’t, then life will be filled with very hard spots.

Lonnie Davis.

Our Scripture for today is Hebrews 13:16

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

In my life there is one story that teaches me about this verse. It was not about me, it was about my wife, Liz.

Liz was a teacher and at Christmas each year children would often bring a gift to their teacher. The week before Christmas, one of her students, (We’ll call her Becky) brought a four-inch, stuffed moose to school. Every day for a week, she would put the little moose on her desk. She told Liz that it was her favorite toy. On the last day before Christmas break, the class had a gift exchange. Liz gave all the children a gift. In turn, many of them came to Liz’s desk and brought her a little something. Becky was from a poor family and didn’t have anything to give. At last, she picked up her little moose and brought it to Liz. Liz thanked her and said, “I’ll keep it for you today.” Becky smiled and said, “No, I want you to have it.” Liz told her how sweet she was, but insisted that Becky keep her favorite toy. Little Becky would hear none of it.” Liz could see how important this was to the sweet little girl, so she reluctantly took the gift. It touched Liz’s heart.

Most of the kid’s gifts that came home were lost over the years. The one gift that outlasted all the others with us was the little Christmas moose. We even kept the little brown sack Becky put it in. That little moose served to remind Liz and me that we too need to be generous. God doesn’t ask us to give up necessary food or medicine. He only asks that we give as He has given to us.

We all need a little of Becky’s spirit. When we love God as she loved her teacher, we will have her spirit of sharing. Truly, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

Lonnie Davis

I love reading great quotes from famous people. For example, the quote about failure from Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  I have one that I attribute to myself, “No failure is wasted as long as we learn from it.”

There have been many times in my life when I have fallen flat on my face, taken a breath, and then asked myself what lessons I might learn. I’ve tried to pass this thinking on to my kids. It is the best way to turn failure into a victory.

There were many Bible heroes who turned failure into victory.

Joseph was sold as a slave and then cast into prison, but ultimately turned it all into a victory for his family and all of God’s people. He explained it in Genesis 50:20,  “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Moses lived in the luxury of a palace but messed up and found himself running from Egypt. He spent 40 years working as a shepherd on the backside of nowhere. It turns out that Moses did not fail. He merely stumbled. We know him today as the prophet who led Israel out of slavery.

Then of course there are men like, the Apostle Peter, King David, Gideon, and many more who fell down in a mess but got up to success. Why did these great people turn failure into victory? Proverbs 24:16 explains it, “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” The response of righteous people is to get up from failure and try again. Wicked people just wallow in the failure.

     When Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,” he was just paraphrasing the Bible teaching on the subject. Most of the time when people have a great quote, it is just something God already said in his book.

Lonnie Davis