LOOK,SEE - HEAR,LISTEN

When I was younger I was instructed by one of my coaches to LOOK and SEE,
HEAR and LISTEN. Most things you learn as you grow up you think that
you will never use in life. Even though this coach and I never seen eye
to eye on several subjects, this did leave an impression on me, just as
God intended.

LOOK - direct your attention
SEE - imagine the possibilities
HEAR - gain knowledge
LISTEN - be alert, give attention

We all use these everyday in our lives, but sometimes we get caught. We
loose our focus and miss what God has for us. My prayer today is that you are
LOOKING, you are directing your attention to the good things God is doing, and
not focusing on the negative things. That you could SEE, imagine the greatness
of God, and all He has done and can do, through you and around you. That you
could HEAR, gain the knowledge that God is giving you each and every day. There
is so much purpose for you. And that you would LISTEN, be aware and follow the
direction. Let God guide your path. He will light the way.

LOOK and SEE,

HEAR and LISTEN,

Have a great Monday!

Jonny

John 1:17

Though we all have sinned and broken the Law that was set before us, were are not condemned. The point of the Law given through Moses was to bring people to Jesus to experience the fullness of His grace. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." - John 1:17

We are saved by Jesus. He paid the price!

In Christ,
Rick

Lead Me

I've been asking the Lord to Lead Me a lot lately, as apparently Tyler
has also... The song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real has been really
speaking to me in the past few weeks. One of the lines says "Father,
lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone." In reference to being the
spiritual leader of the household, this line has struck home with me.
I've been praying for Him to lead me, because I CAN'T do it alone. It
is very hard to lead a household with a wife and 3 kids, we have girl
scouts, dance class, cheer class, school, soccer, dance recitals,
cheer clinics and that's just my daughter. We need to look to our
Lord in Heaven to help us through all of this. Ask Him to lead us as
we, as fathers, lead our families.

Think about the lyrics of this song, it took me hearing this song
many, many times before I really listened to the words:

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone"

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone"

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
--Lead Me, Sanctus Real--

Have a great day and take care of your families
Dave L

Have you asked God to lead you lately?

Lord, lead me down the road YOU want me to walk, not the trails that I tend to stray off on. Let my life reflect You in a way that others may actually mistake me for You Jesus instead of myself because I'm walking in Your footsteps. May my life be like a reflection in the waters as they pass and You look down on them to see me following and walking in Your ways. Guide my path and be my driver on the easy flat road as well as the rough rocky road. Let me bring others to You with gifts You have given me. May I use my talents for Your glory and not my own. I give my life to live for You so that others may also know You on a personal level and walk down the same road as I strive to walk. May my life be in Your hands always, because where You send me I will go and where You lead me, I will follow! *Walking in His ways* -Tyler

Will You Cast The First Stone?

John 8:3-11 (NIV) The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." How often in life are we quick to blame others and cast judgment on them? I remember as a child hearing my mother and father say that two wrongs don't make a right. As jokesters and trying to lighten the situation, we added our share of humor, trying to make the situation into a math joke or something. Many years later as a father and husband, I feel that I have been given the ultimate responsibility to lead our family in a way of life that is pleasing and uplifting to Him. I am often reminded that nobody is perfect, but we can all have forgiveness that is only available thru our Father. I have often wondered what Jesus had written in the sand. Was He writing the names of her accusers? Was He writing the sins that they had committed themselves? Perhaps we will never know, but I know that Jesus did a perfect job in clearing the crowd that day as they must have departed in shame and embarrassment when they reflected on their own sin! Dear Friend, is there someone today that has upset you or has accused you of something that you didn't do? Take a few moments right now to ask God to soften your heart and fill you with His love and forgiveness. Don't cast the first stone. I truly believe that when all has been said and done, you'll be glad you followed the teachings of Jesus. Praying for Love and Forgiveness, Dave Henry

Psalm 2

Psalm 21 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,3 "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles."4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;the Lord scoffs at them.5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,6 "I have installed my kingdom Zion, my holy mountain."7 I will proclaim the Lord's decree:He said to me, "You are my son;today I have become your father.8 Ask me,and I will make the nations your inheritance,the ends of the earth your possession.9 You will break them with a rod of iron;you will dash them to pieces like pottery." 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;be warned, you rulers of the earth.11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction,for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Everything we do, we should do for the Lord! He makes us who we and what we are. Our mission in this world is to tell others of the love Jesus has for us and that the only way to gain eternal life is to believe in Jesus Christ and serve Him daily! I pray now for this world and all who have forgotten and do not believe! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!!

Rick
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Instruction from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many financial institutions, schools, and other places of business were closed for the day yesterday to honor Martin Luther King and his work in civil rights. I wonder how many people actually took time to reflect upon this day of remembrance and pray for our nation. Take a few moments right now to read the quotes below, and meditate upon them. Ask God to lead us to a more cohesive unity as a nation, and to show us how to truly love our brother as He has first loved us. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." "I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" "Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness." "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." "The time is always right, to do what is right." "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." "We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear." "We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love." "There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies." "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." "Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." Praying for Love, Peace, and Unity, Dave Henry

Dreams!

We all have dreams some are easily obtainable some are very hard to reach. It all depends on how hard you work toward your dream to find success. God instructs us to put our feet to motion and be busy about furthering the Kingdom. Does your dream seem unreachable? My prayer today is that you would listen to God's instruction and move forward. Make today the day that you make a difference. The gifts of Heaven are worth far more than gold. Keep reaching for your dreams. Each moment is a new opportunity to succeed.
Have a great Monday!
Jonny
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Three Proclamations

By Max Lucado "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.". Romans 15:7 NIV Grace makes three proclamations. Dealing with my sins is God's responsibility. I repent, I confess, but only God can forgive. (And he does.) . . .Dealing with my neighbor is God's responsibility. I must speak; I must pray. But only God can convince. (And he does.) . . .God loves me and makes me his child. God loves my neighbor and makes him my brother.
In Christ,
Rick
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Jesus Prayed For Relationships

John 17:20-26 (NIV) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." Shortly before the crucifixion, Jesus took time to pray to the Father. He knew his final hours were quickly approaching. He prayed for himself, He prayed for the disciples, and in this passage He prayed for all believers. As I have read these verses several times this morning, the central focus that keeps filling my mind is that Jesus had established loving relationships with His followers. His heart was so heavy, because He knew what was about to come. But Jesus carried a bigger burden for all of the people that they might share eternal glory with Him in heaven someday. Jesus came to earth to show us the way to salvation, and He is with us today. Jesus prayed for unity for all believers. The perfect unity with other believers that He prayed for, is only possible because we have a relationship with Jesus. The Father loved Him and He loved us, and prayed that the world would experience love, and unity, and the ultimate glory in heaven. Dear Friend, as we continue our quest to build stronger relationships with others this year, let us look to the perfect example of Jesus. He has shown us the way, and has established a solid foundation of God's love so many years ago. Will you follow His example to love and pray for others today? Blessings to You, Dave Henry

Where are you going?

Last week I had a conversation with my Dad, talking about how we get caught up focusing on where
we are and what we went through to get in our current position. We begin to become consumed by
every thought with worry and our minds start to get muddy. We cannot see clear, and we start
to fall short. We begin to serve our worries and slowly begin to close the door on God.
We need to focus in where we are going and what God is doing. Don't let those old thoughts hold
you back. Take the opportunity put before you and allow God to reveal Himself to you in a whole
new way. Everything God does is intended to draw you closer and strengthen the relationship.

Yesterday our family attended a new Church and the message was "Stuck". The pastor
spoke about how we get "Stuck" in our daily routine. We pray the same prayer, we park in the
same parking spot, we sit in the same church pew, we sing the same songs. We all know
the list goes on and on. We get so caught up that we miss what God is doing. God is always
doing things around us, and giving us an opportunity to join in. Why do we close the door?

Don't face each day with blinders on. Let God reveal to you the journey, the road designed
with His hand. Be available to answer the opportunity, be willing to go the extra mile. Be
strong today when someone asks for help. Guide them to the Master's hands.

Do you know where you are going?

Have a great Monday,
Jonny

The Little Things

I haven't done a new topic on here in quite some time. I've noticed though that little things such as writing these devotions or reading a chapter or two in my Bible each night all go hand and hand. When I fully devote myself to living a Christ-like life, I do really well at the little things. It's when I let one little thing, like writing my devotion on Wednesdays, fall away that I begin to lose the big picture as well. I write today to tell each of you how important the little things are. Even if it takes just five minutes to do so, spend time with God in the little devotions you have in your own life. It's these little things that can keep you on track or be the beginning to falling off track and getting on the wrong road. So take time for the little things this week and I bet you find that you also have fallen away from where you want to be in your relationship with Jesus. *Faithfully Serving My God* -Tyler

Relationships In God's House

Romans 15:1-7 (NIV) "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." As we continue our pursuit of relationship building in 2011, a great place to begin is our relationships with fellow Christians. In verses 1 and 2, Paul encourages us, not to please ourselves, but to please our neighbors and to build them up for their own good. This is certainly not an easy task, is it? How often do we make decisions to do or not do something with the idea that it doesn't matter what other people think? Although the world allows us to behave this way, it is completely contrary to the teachings of the bible. Later in the passage of scripture, Paul asks God to give us the 'same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus had' so that in one voice of complete unity we may glorify God. 1 John 2:6 says, "If we claim to abide in Him, we also must walk in the same manner that He walked." The last verse, then, instructs us to "accept each other as Christ has already accepted us." Isn't it wonderful that God has already accepted us for who we are? He doesn't tell us that we must be perfect in order for God to accept us and use us--we have already been accepted. By accepting others in the same spirit that God accepts us, we will ultimately bring praise to and glorify God. He is not talking about lowering our standards, but he is speaking of genuinely loving one another as Christ has first loved and accepted us. Dear Friend, what have you done to build relationships with others so far this year? The encouragement and instruction today is to accept and build up our neighbors for their own good. By doing this in a worthy manner, we will bring praise and honor and glory to God. Blessings to You Today, Dave Henry

Talent!

Your talent is Gods gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God!
-Leo Buscaglia

My prayer today is that you are using your gift of talent! Giving your best!
So many people have great talents and never use them. Talent is a gift from
God. By not using this gift may be robbing someone of a blessing, and possibly
shielding your own eyes from something that God wants you to see. Or possibly
building a wall around your own heart, that you may not feel what God wants you
to feel. Giving is the greatest gift of all.

Have a great Monday!

Jonny

Build Strong Relationships with Others!

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Galatians 6:2 (NIV) "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about relationships? In life, there are so many different kinds of relationships, and the bible is very clear about how we should establish and deveolop relationships with others. In order to establish a relationship, it requires 2 or more individuals, or 2 or more groups of people, or one person with another group of people. How we interact and behave and communicate with others speaks very clearly how we esteem our relationship with them. How we interact with others also indicates the level of our relationship with God. The bible instructs us to be humble and to put the value of others above ourselves. As we begin another year, many people often make resolutions and promises to become better people, and to improve an area in their lives that needs attention. I suggest that we become relationship builders in 2011. What a wonderful thing it would be if we all strengthen our relationship with God, our families, and our co-workers, and our church families! Dear Friend, are there broken relationships in your life that need mended? Are there new relationships that need to be formed and developed? God wants us to have strong, cohesive relationships with others. As we begin a brand new year, let us pursue the things of God and ask for His guidance as we seek to form long-lasting kingdom-building relationships. Blessings to you in 2011, Dave Henry