Roy Lessin/Meet Me in the Meadow

[Judy Harder]

The Call of a Loving Father

Apr 13, 2012  Roy


In 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 we read some of the most intimate, caring, and loving aspects of our relationship with God our Father. Here, our Father calls us out of darkness to come into His light; He calls us out of uncleanness to come into His purity; He calls us out of the yoke of bondage to come into His rest; He calls us out of lawlessness to come into His righteousness; He calls us out of idolatry to come into His presence; He calls us out of Satan's domain to come into union with His Son.

When we respond to His call upon our lives we remove our hands from all that would defile and our feet from all that would mislead. Instead, we touch mercy and grace, we seek all that is pure and holy, and we follow all that is true and good.

Hear the call of your loving Father:

I will dwell in you—the Father abides in you.
I will walk with you—the Father goes with you.
I will be your God—the Father provides for you.
You shall be mine—the Father claims you.
I will welcome you—the Father receives you.
I will be a Father to you—the Father nurtures you.
You shall be a son to Me—the Father calls you His own.
You shall be a daughter to Me—the Father calls you His own.

[Judy Harder]

Love Conquerors All—Part 1

Apr 16, 2012  Roy


For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Love conquers death. Love leaves the believer with no closed door to heaven, with no hopelessness of the grave, with no fear of the wrath to come, with no terror of the darkness, with no dread of the proclamation, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Love loudly exclaims, "Welcome to the place prepared for you. Welcome to my Father's house. Welcome home!" Love never gives up.

Love conquers life. Life cannot get in the way of love, hinder love's purpose, or quench its progress. Life's routine cannot restrict love's spontaneity; life's demands cannot quench love's expression; life's limitations cannot hinder love's limitless flow. Love overcomes where life stumbles, love heals where life falters, and love endures where life fails. Love endures every circumstance.

[Judy Harder]

Love Conquerors All—Part 2

Apr 18, 2012 Roy


For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Love conquers angels, principalities, and powers. Love has no fear or dread of the unknown, the unseen, or the unfamiliar. Love's power cannot be manipulated, hijacked, or counterfeited. Love unlocks the door to every purpose under heaven, releases the grip of every chain that keeps us from doing the Father's will, and provides the final answer to every mystery that is beyond our own understanding. Love never loses faith.

[Judy Harder]

Love Conquerors All—Part 3
Roy


For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Love conquers things present. Love is not caught up in trends, fads, what's "in" or what just went "out." Love is not captivated by momentary fame or fast fleeing celebrity. Love sees the incomparable, eternal weight of glory, it celebrates the things that endure forever, and it places the expedient upon the altar of the eternal. Love is always hopeful.

Love conquers things to come. Love has perfect vision and eyesight. It looks into the future with the assurance of hope, with a confidence that casts out all fear, and with an unshakeable certainty that His kingdom will come. Love looks past the governments of men to the throne of the King, it looks past financial forecasts to the One who meets every need, it looks past the pundit's predictions to the promises of a faithful God. Love believes all things.

[Judy Harder]

Love Conquerors All—Part 4
Roy


For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Love conquers height and depth. Love reaches far beyond the explorations of space or the knowledge of the cosmos. Love goes directly, without hindrance of time or distance, to the very heart of God. There is nothing beyond love's grasp, nothing below its reach. Love knows where you are and what you need. You will never be outside its borders or too far away to reach you in time. Love never fails.

Love conquers every created thing. Love is better than the best thing, more relevant than the latest thing, more enduring than the longest lasting thing. Love needs no patent, no marketing scheme, no advertising campaign, no money back warranty, and no appraiser to try and determine its value. Love is the greatest thing!

[Judy Harder]

Joy
Apr 25, 2012 06:00 am | Roy


Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 NASB


People often look for joy in all the wrong places—watching the comedy hour won't bring joy, even though it may bring a laugh or a smile. Going to a play, a sporting event, or some other form of entertainment won't bring joy, even though it may momentarily make people feel good and help them forget their troubles. Outside stimulants won't bring joy, even though they may temporarily help people escape.

Joy is woven into the fabric of the garments of praise. Joy walks along the pathway of obedience, joy flows upon the rivers of righteousness, and joy abounds within the Spirit of Holiness.

Joy comes from the Joyous One!

His joy brings us joy and makes us joyful (John 15:11)
His presence is the presence of joy (Psalm 16:11),
His Kingdom is the Kingdom of joy (Romans 14:17),
His Spirit is the Spirit of joy (Galatians 5:22),
His Word is the Word of joy (Jeremiah 15:16),
His Son is the Salvation of joy (Isaiah 12:3).

Drink from His fountain, delight in His presence, seek His kingdom, walk in His Spirit, receive His Word, and rejoice in His Salvation— be immersed in the springs of joyfulness!

Remember, God does not want you to serve Him joylessly! (Psalm 100:2)

[Judy Harder]

Bless the Lord
Roy


Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Psalm 103:1-2 NKJV

Bless the Lord—

The Provider and your Provision,
The Healer and your Health,
The Caring One and your Care Giver,
The Blessed One and your Blessing,
The Holy One and your Holiness,
The Almighty One and your Strength,
The Giver and your Gift,
The Creator and your Creativity,
The Deliverer and your Deliverance,
The Protector and your Protection,
The Defender and your Defense,
The Warrior and your Victor,
The Eternal One and your Ever-Present Help in time of need.

[Judy Harder]

This One Thing!
Roy


In this moment...there is only one voice for you to hear, only one choice for you to make, only one step for you to take, only one Master for you to serve, and only One heart for you to please that really, truly matters!

Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." John 8:28-29 NKJV

[Judy Harder]

No Matter What...
May 02, 2012 06:00 am | Roy


Today's posting is from our guest writer, Bonnie Jensen, senior writer for DaySpring Cards...so many of you have been blessed and encouraged by Bonnie's devotionals.

***

We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! ROMANS 5:3-5

In life, a mind filled with expectations often leads to disappointment. As a child, those disappointments lead to temper tantrums. As an adult, putting expectations in anything or anyone other than God leaves us feeling 'shortchanged.'

It seems like a simple concept. Hope in God alone. Don't put wholehearted hope in people, job, plans, or circumstances. But hoping in the unseen over the right-in-front-of-us is not always easy. Actually, it's not easy at all. It's hard. Especially when we find ourselves hemmed in with troubles.

God allows us to be challenged by something we don't like to face, or be reminded of, as impatient, anxious, children. Difficulty makes us stronger. Failed expectations build our faith and develop passionate patience in us. Not the patience that eases our nerves at a stoplight, but the kind that makes us say, "No matter how deeply I'm hurting...no matter how many tears have fallen...no matter how hard this is...I'm holding onto hope—and God—with everything in me. I will not give up—because He will not let me down.

Our days are written, our purpose is in place, and our hearts are being shaped. Today. Hope in what you know and believe, accept with patience what God has brought you to, and get ready to receive what God will generously pour into your life. It's going to drench you with the kind of blessings only He can give.

Bonnie Jensen

[Judy Harder]

Fret buster #102
May 07, 2012 06:00 am | Roy


We have been brought through deep troubles, yet the Lord has not forsaken us. Anything human—plans, devices, fears—man naturally indulges in; but to trust in God implicitly is, foolishly enough, only a kind of last resource. But it is when we come to that, that we see the folly of anything else." –Mackay

One day a mature Christian was beset by manifold temptations and weaknesses. On his knees before God he waited for comfort and help. Then these words suddenly were brought to his mind:  "The God that is enough."

"Where are those words from? Are they in the Bible?" he wondered.

"The God that is enough." Why, that would be the literal rendition of El Shaddai—that name of Jehovah that implies "perfect sufficiency—all sufficiency"; and the Christian had the comfort of which he stood in need.

But that comfort necessitates nearness to God. All fullness is indeed in Him—all that of which I stand in need; but it must be appropriated moment by moment. The manna must be consumed day by day; and each new day a fresh supply must be given, received and utilized.

What a beautiful verse is that in Deuteronomy 33:12, "...The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders."

No other dwelling place is safe for us, His children, but that "between His shoulders."  -Edith Norton