Roy Lessin/Meet Me in the Meadow

[Judy Harder]

Lessons of Love through Difficult Times, Part 2
Mar 21, 2012 Roy


In the early 80's, a few years after we moved DaySpring from California to Arkansas, I started to develop some problems with my lungs. It didn't seem like anything serious, but one day, after coughing up some blood, I decided to see a doctor.

The doctor suggested I go to a specialist for testing. After the test, while I was resting in a recovery room, the specialist met with my wife and told her his findings. "I've located a tumor that is in one of Roy's bronchial tubes. I'm not sure if it's malignant, but I've taken a biopsy and sent it out to the lab. I won't know anything until the first of next week. Please don't say anything to Roy until we know more. I will call your doctor as soon as I get the results."

I went home not knowing anything about the tumor or how serious my problem was at the time. I only knew that we were waiting for the results of the test.  The following few days were very hard on Char as she waited and wondered about the tumor.

Here is her account of what she experienced during that time...

Probably one of the most emotional and heart wrenching moments I have had was when the doctor told me Roy had a tumor in the opening of one of his bronchial tubes. I was torn to pieces. I loved Roy so much and couldn't bear him suffering. One day during this time, I stood in my laundry room and the questions came. Are there any cracks in God's character? Does God make mistakes? Is there anything that goes past God that He doesn't see? Is there anything that God misses concerning us? A couple of minutes later my answer came from the depths of my being ( I could feel it rise up) and I said out loud, "NO! He does not make a mistake; no, there is nothing that slips past Him; no, there are no cracks!" Peace flooded my heart and being! A question the Lord asked me was "Am I enough?"  A tough question in that moment as I did not know what the results were going to be from the tests.  I answered 'yes' and from that point on, to this day, He has revealed Himself to me in ways beyond what I could have thought – His presence, His voice – all such a privilege to experience and know.

Several days later I went back to my regular doctor to find out the results of my test. He told me about the tumor and the results of the biopsy. It was both "good news" and "bad news." The good news was that the tumor was not malignant; the bad news was that it was located in a very dangerous place and needed to be removed immediately.

When I asked about the procedure, I was surprised to learn that the surgery would involve removing two-thirds of my left lung. I asked many questions and tried to explore other options, but surgery remained the only medical option. After praying and being prayed for, I sensed a peace from the Lord to go ahead and schedule the surgery.

As the date drew near, I had the assurance from the Lord that He would hold my hand and walk through this surgery with me. Having the peace of the Lord and the assurance of His presence made all the difference. How blessed we are to be able to trust the One who makes no mistakes!

Before the surgery and afterwards, I spent time reading through the Psalms. I gathered together a special collection of God's promises for difficult times. That list was a source of great comfort and encouragement.

In Friday's posting I will share some of those special promises.

[Judy Harder]

Lessons of Love through Difficult Times, Part 3

Mar 23, 2012 Roy


20 Promises for Difficult Times



1. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You. Psalm 33:18-22 NIV

2. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Psalm 34:4-7 NIV

3. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. Psalm 3:5-6 KJV

4. But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. Psalm 5:11 KJV

5. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. Psalm 6:2 KJV

6. O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Psalm 7:1 KJV

7. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Psalm 9:9-10 KJV

8. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalm 16:7-9 KJV

9. I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 KJV

10. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears. Psalm 18:6 KJV

11. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation".  Psalm 91:14-16 NLT

12. O Lord, the king rejoices in Your strength. How great is his joy in the victories You give! You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked You for life, and You gave it to him–length of days, for ever and ever. Psalm 21:1-4 NIV

13. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NIV

14. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame...The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You." Psalm 25:1-3,17-20 NIV

15. The Lord is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid? I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Psalm 27:1,13 NIV

16. Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:6-7 NIV

17. The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:10-11 NIV

18. I will exalt you, O Lord, for You lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to You for help and You healed me. You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever. Psalm 30: 1-2, 11-12 NIV

19. I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."  My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your unfailing love.  Psalm 31:14-16 NIV

20. Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance...the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Psalm 32:6-7,10 NIV

 

[Judy Harder]

The Fulfillment of the Passover by Jesus Christ, Part 1

Mar 26, 2012 06:00 am | Roy


"...Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." I Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

This year the celebration of Passover and the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection occur on the same weekend. This is very fitting because the celebration of His death and resurrection is the fulfillment of the Passover.

There are many elements within the Passover feast that point us to Jesus' glorious work of redemption. The instructions that God gave to Israel on the night He redeemed them from the bondage of Egypt had a far greater meaning in His eternal plan. This eternal plan included the death of His own Son, whose blood would be shed upon the cross to redeem us from our sins.

The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the lamb of Passover.

1. The Passover would not have happened without a lamb. Jesus was the lamb of God.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!' " John 1:29 NKJV

2.    The Passover lamb was to be without blemish. Jesus was without the blemish of sin.

"Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." I Peter 1:18-19 NKJV

3.    The Passover lamb was the lamb of redemption. Jesus is our redeemer.

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into  the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14 NKJV

4. The Passover lamb was to be slain. Jesus was slain upon the cross.

"...'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!' " Revelation 5:12 NKJV

5.    The Passover lamb's blood had to be shed and applied to save Israel. Jesus' shed blood provides salvation when applied (appropriated) by faith to our hearts.

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:8-9 NKJV

6.    The Passover lamb was to be received into the home and partaken of by all inside. Jesus must be received by faith by all who desire to become God's children.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." John 1:12 NKJV

***
This week's series is  from the  "I AM- Passover & Communion Booklet" sold at DaySpring.com.

[Judy Harder]

The Fulfillment of the Passover by Jesus Christ, Part 2
Roy


"...Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." I Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Passover Cup.

1. The first cup is the cup of Sanctification. Jesus is our sanctification.

"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." I Corinthians 1:30 NKJV

2. The second cup is the cup of Freedom. Jesus has set us free from our bondage and slavery to sin.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2 NKJV

3. The third cup is the cup of Redemption. Jesus has obtained our redemption.

"Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:11-12 NKJV

4. The fourth cup is the cup of Praise. Jesus is worthy of all honor and praise.

"Every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!' " Revelation 5:13 NKJV

When Jesus partook of the cup at Passover, He made this application regarding His death...

"Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' " Matthew 26:27-28 NKJV

***

This week's series is  from the  "I AM- Passover & Communion Booklet" sold at DaySpring.com.

[Judy Harder]

The Fulfillment of the Passover by Jesus Christ, Part 3

Roy


"...Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." I Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Unleavened Bread.

1. The unleavened Matzah is striped. Jesus' body received many stripes.

"Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed." I Peter 2:24 NKJV

2. The unleavened Matzah was pierced. Jesus' body was pierced by a Roman soldier's spear after His death upon the cross.

"One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out." John 19:34 NKJV

3.   The prophet Isaiah makes these stirring statements about the coming Messiah's broken body...

"Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV

4. The Afikomen is a picture of Jesus' redemptive work. The three pieces of Matzah speak to us of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Passover service, the Afikomen (the middle piece of matzah) is taken, wrapped, buried, brought forth, broken, distributed and received. Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven, died upon the cross, was buried, rose from the dead, and received by all who believe.

5. The meaning of the word Afikomen is "He who has come." Jesus, God's Son and the promised Messiah, left His home in heaven and came to earth. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death upon the cross. Three days later He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. One day, He will come again to reign and rule in righteousness.

6.  The bread was unleavened. Leaven, in the bible, is a type of sin. Jesus was without sin.

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." II Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV

When Jesus partook of the unleavened bread at the Passover, He made this application regarding His body...

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' " Matthew 26:26 NKJV



***

This  series is  from the  "I AM- Passover & Communion Booklet" sold at DaySpring.com.

[Judy Harder]

The Fulfillment of the Passover by Jesus Christ, Part 4
Apr 02, 2012  | Roy


"...Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." I Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

The redemptive work of Jesus is seen in the Passover candles.

1. The candles used in the Passover service represent the light and glory of God. Jesus is the Light and He is the glory of God.

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He  who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.' " John 8:12 NKJV

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." II Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

2. One candle represents Creation. Jesus is the Creator.

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16 NKJV

3. One candle represents Redemption, Jesus is the Redeemer.

"Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us...." Titus 2:13-14 NKJV

Jesus Christ is the great "I Am." He is the Eternal One. He is ever present and all sufficient. The name "I Am" also declares who He is in His person. When Jesus says "I Am," He is not saying that He has something we need, but that He is who we need.

Jesus said...

1.   I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35-51).
2.   I am the Light of the World (John 8:12; John 9:5).
3.   I am the Door of the Sheep (John 10:7, 9).
4.   I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14).
5.   I am the Resurrection and Life (John 11:25).
6.   I am the Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6).
7.   I am the True Vine (John 15:1-6).



***

This  series is  from the  "I AM- Passover & Communion Booklet" sold at DaySpring.com.


Download a FREE preview of the first several pages of Roy's new devotional, REpurposed!

[Judy Harder]

Jesus' Best Day
Apr 04, 2012 06:00 am | Roy


Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV



What was Jesus' best day? Was it at the wedding in Cana when He performed His first miracle? Was it in the countryside when He fed 5000 hungry people? Was it when He healed the man who was blind from birth? Was it when He raised Lazarus from the dead?  All of these moments were filled with awe and wonder, happiness and celebration, blessing and delight, but none of these moments compare with the joy that was set before Him.

What was Jesus' best day? His best day was not a "most fun" day, but the day of His greatest suffering. His best day was the day He went to the cross. Can that really be true? Wasn't the cross Jesus' worst day?

From a human perspective, everything about the cross looks like His worst day. His beaten body, the pain of the nails being driven into His hands and feet, the agony and the shame, His blood poured out—all of these point to seeming failure and defeat if we do not understand the reason for His suffering. The events that preceded the cross only seem to heighten the sense of failure —the betrayal, the false witness brought against Him, the illegal trial, the mockery, the spitting, the pulling out of His beard, the lashing of His flesh, the crown of thorns.

From a divine perspective, the crucifixion, with all its horror, was Jesus' best day. It was His best day because prophetically this truly was "the day that the Lord had made." It was the day that would cause us "to be glad and rejoice in it." All of Jesus' life on earth pointed to this day. Regarding His death on the cross, Jesus said, "It was for this very purpose that I have come to this hour." The prophet Isaiah tells us, "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him."

The cross was Jesus' best day because He did the will of His Father, because He glorified and pleased the Father through His obedience, and because He finished the work the Father sent Him to do. The cross was His best day because it meant the day of salvation, the day of redemption, and the fulfillment of the day that was foreordained before foundation of the world.

Jesus' death on the cross has made it possible for this day to be your best day.

[Judy Harder]

His Passion, Your Provision
Apr 06, 2012  Roy


Jesus was—

Despised, so you could be accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6);
Rejected, so He could make His home with you (John 14:23);
Sorrowful, so you could receive fullness of joy (John 15:11);
Forsaken, so you could be called His friend (John 15:15);
Afflicted, so you could be healed (Isaiah 53:5);
Acquainted with grief, so you could be comforted (Hebrews 4:15);
Chastised, so you could be given perfect peace (John 14:27);
Judged, so you would not need to live in condemnation (Romans 8:1);
Numbered with the transgressors, so you could walk in the freedom of His mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5);
Put to death, so you could live your life fully for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15);
Buried, so you would have the hope of the resurrection (Romans 6:5);
RESURRECTED from the dead, so you could walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4)!

Eternally welled in God's infinite heart was the love that constrained Him to spare not His own Son so that He could spare you. –Octavius Winslow

[Judy Harder]

Being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17


May you know the love of God in its fullness, in its endlessness, in its loveliness, in its tenderness—

May you know the depths of love— reaching down and undergirding you at the most painful level of your heartache, freeing you from the heaviest weight of your burden, restoring you in the deepest valley of your sorrow.

May you know the heights of His love—lifting you up from the miry clay, releasing you into the all-sufficiency of His conquering grace, opening wide your wings of faith to soar like the eagle.

May you know the breadth of His love—covering you in its all-embracing care, reassuring you in your trial, strengthening you in your weakness, drawing you close in times of uncertainty, holding you with all the mercies that come from the Father's heart.

May you know the length of His love—bringing you release from the bondages of the past, walking with you in peace on your present pathway, going ahead of you and preparing the way for the rich treasures yet to come.

[Judy Harder]

Fret buster #101
Roy


The only reason to fear or worry is if the Lord had said:

1.  Lay up treasures on earth for there are no treasures in heaven.

2. Be anxious about life for God doesn't know anything about you.

3. The most important thing in life is what you possess, so get more.

4. Your Father doesn't care for you; you are on your own.

5.  Seek what the world seeks; that is where true values are.

6. Be anxious about tomorrow; it's good to have things pile up.

7. God cannot look after the practical details of life; save yourself.

(Thankfully, He never has and He never will say these things...so continue to walk in His peace.)