Roy Lessin/Meet Me in the Meadow

[Judy Harder]

10 More Reasons to Come to Jesus
Jan 6, 2012  Roy


Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I AM. John 8:58 AMP

Isaiah 9:6- Jesus is the Counselor, come to Him and be guided in His wisdom;

John 3:2- Jesus is the Rabbi, come to Him and be instructed in righteousness;

John 14:6- Jesus is the Way, come to Him and follow to the heart of the Father;

John 14:6- Jesus is the Truth, come to Him and be established in His words;

John 14:6- Jesus is the Life, come to Him and abundantly live;

Matthew 14:36- Jesus is the Great Physician, come to Him and be made whole;

John 13:14- Jesus is the Lord, come to Him and serve Him with gladness of heart;

1 Timothy 6:15- Jesus is the King, come to Him and praise His glorious name;

Matthew 14:33- Jesus is the Son of God, come to Him and worship and adore Him;

Ephesians 1:6- Jesus is the Beloved, come to Him and love Him with all you are and all you have.

[Judy Harder]

May You Find Jesus to Be...
Jan 12 2012  Roy



The music that causes your heart to sing;
The joy that causes your heart to rejoice;
The glory that causes your heart to worship;
The wonder that causes your heart to believe;
The security that causes your heart to trust;
The peace that causes your heart to rest;
The promise that causes your heart to hope;
The beauty that causes your heart to delight;
The majesty that causes your heart to surrender;
The love that causes your heart to give. 

For me to live is Christ [His life in me]. Philippians 1:21 AMP

[Judy Harder]

Hymns
Jan 14, 2012  Roy


How wonderful to learn that, according to one survey, the top Christian song for 2011 was a rendition of the old hymn Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me).



One day when heaven
Is filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to
Be born of a virgin
He dwelt among men, my example is He

[Chorus:]

Living He loved me
Dying He saved me
Buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified
Freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day

One day they led Him
Up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him
To die on a tree
Suffering anguish
Despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose o'er
Death He had conquered
Now is ascended
My lord evermore

One day the trumpet will
Sound for His coming
One day the skies with His
Glories will shine
Wonderful day
My beloved was bringing
Glorious Savior this Jesus is mine

There is something special about the old hymns. Many of them carry a powerful message, a strong anointing, and a doorway into the praises of heaven—helping to carry our spirits to new heights of adoration and a deeper sense of the heart of God.

These old hymns are not only delightful to sing, but their words provide a rich and rewarding resource for prayer and meditation. Why are they so impactful? Why have they endured the test of time, enriched our lives, and helped us to express our worship? One of the main reasons is because they were birthed out of an intimate relationship that the hymn writers had with the Lord, and because of the comfort, hope, and encouragement they received from His Spirit as they walked through the dark valleys of life.

The following quote by F.B. Meyer gives us further insight into the hardships of many of the early hymn writers: "The church owes many of her sweetest hymns to the profound anguish which wrung the hearts of her noblest children. The rough feet of trial and pain have stamped, as in the oil-press, hearts whose life-blood is preserved in matchless lyrics."

As you begin your spiritual journey through 2012, think about adding two books to your devotional library (if they are not already there). One is a book of old hymns (one with just the lyrics will do). The other is a book that tells the stories behind the writing of many of our favorite hymns.  These books will be a wonderful resource for mediation and reflection in your quiet times.

Do you have a favorite hymn you would like to share in a comment to Meet Me in the Meadow? Tell us why the hymn is a favorite, and also include a verse from the hymn that has especially blessed you.

[Judy Harder]

 

Jesus Calling Devotional
My face is shining upon you, beaming out Peace that transcends understanding. You are surrounded by a sea of problems, but you are face to Face with Me, your Peace. As long as you focus on Me, you are safe. If you gaze too long at the myriad problems around you, you will sink under the weight of your burdens. When you start to sink, simply call out "Help me, Jesus!" and I will lift you up.

The closer you live to Me, the safer you are. Fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes.

Philippians 4:7, Matthew 14:30, Hebrews 12:2

Excerpt from the January 15 devotional writing of Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.



A New Year's Benediction
May the coming year be one of increased riches of grace—hearing His voice more clearly, knowing His heart more deeply, resting in His love more fully, trusting His care more completely, walking His pathway more peacefully, knowing His presence more intimately, blessed by His goodness more abundantly.

And in all things, may you know the shalom peace of God—encouraging you to move forward, empowering you to boldly take each step, greeting you as you turn a new corner, calming your heartbeat as you walk through dark valleys, softening each footstep as you climb rugged mountains, and increasing your courage as you follow your Shepherd wherever He leads.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. Psalm 65:11-12 NLT

Devotional writing by Roy Lessin, from his blog: Meet Me In The Meadow.

[Judy Harder]

In Jesus...

Jan 16, 2012  Roy


In Jesus...
The poor find riches,
The weak find strength,
The broken find wholeness,
The heavy-laden find rest,
The sorrowful find comfort,
The embattled find victory,
The captives find liberty,
The weary find refreshment,
The tempted find escape,
The bound find freedom,
The empty find fullness,
The hungry find bread,
The downcast find joy.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him. Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV

[Judy Harder]

Prayer Focus
Jan 18, 2012  Mandy


And the inhabitants of one city shall go to them of another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray and entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek, inquire of, and require [to meet our own most essential need] the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 8:21AMP

Photo Credit

As various comments are sent to Meet Me in the Meadow, many practical and spiritual needs are shared. These needs are usually kept private and not posted. However, we would like to focus on these needs at various times for the purpose of prayer.

Today, we will focus on the need for employment. There are many in need of a job, or additional income.  Some have been seeking employment for a long time and have become discouraged. We know that honorable work is a blessing ordained by God, and is used by Him for our good and as a way for us to be a blessing to others.

Would you agree to join in prayer today for the employment needs that so many are facing?

The following is a suggested prayer...

"Oh, that you would wonderfully bless me and help me in my work; please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all evil and disaster!" I Chronicles 4:10 TLB


Father, bless and encourage those who need employment. I pray that you will open doors of opportunity for them, that You will put them in the right place at the right time, and that You will give them the right contacts. Bless the work of their hands and use them to bless the lives of those who will be their co-workers.  I ask today for Your favor to be upon them. May they find a good and honorable job, one that will not only meet their material needs, but will also enable them to give to the needs of others. Thank You for being our provider. We put our trust in You. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

Hospitality
Jan 21, 2012 Roy


Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 1 Peter 4:10 KJV

Hospitality has been a common practice in our home throughout the years of our marriage. The other day, as my wife and I talked in our kitchen, she shared what hospitality has meant to her as a homemaker and a servant of the Lord.   I would like to pass along some of the things I heard in my spirit as I listened to her thoughts...



Hospitality is a ministry when it is done as "unto the Lord."  It has its special reward—the smile of His approval.

The ministry of hospitality is a privilege and a joy!  It is not something to dread.  What is in the heart makes all the difference.

Hospitality is preparation.   It is not a burden.  This is an important step in being a blessing to those who come into your home.  It was Jesus who said, "I go to prepare a place for you." One of the blessings of heaven is that it is a prepared place, a place where we are wanted, welcomed and loved.

Hospitality is anticipation.  Anticipation is not the same as expectation. Expectation creates an atmosphere for disappointment if things don't go a certain way.  It can also place pressure on you and your guests.  Anticipation is a quiet excitement that looks forward to being with your guests, without placing any demands upon them.

The focus of hospitality is to be a vessel of serving those who enter, and welcoming the presence of the Holy Spirit. To have His presence in our home is the highest privilege we can experience.

Hospitality is reflection.  One of the highlights of hospitality can be the cleanup time after it is over.  It can be one of the sweetest times with the Lord as you thank Him for the opportunity to serve your guests and recall His presence and ministry during your time together. It can also be the perfect time to pray for them as your time together is fresh within your heart.

You do not have to be rich, have expensive china, or buy expensive food to bring the ministry of hospitality to others. One of the greatest blessings of hospitality my wife and I received came while visiting a poor village in the back country of Mexico. The hostess lived in a simple adobe house with dirt floors. Her dining room chairs were empty wooden crates. Her stove was a small pit carved out of the side of the wall. Her dishes consisted of a few inexpensive tin plates that didn't match. She served us beans and eggs, along with a tortilla that also doubled as our silverware.

My wife and I have never been served a meal more graciously, or more lovingly as we were on that day, in that humble home, from that dear servant of the Lord. She treated us as royalty, and deeply conveyed, through her countenance and her spirit, how honored she was to have us in her home.

From that day on, my wife understood that the ministry of hospitality was not about the kind of house you lived in, the type of dishes you had, or the variety of food you served. Instead, the ministry of hospitality was bringing Jesus to others through our attitudes, our actions, and our love.

[Judy Harder]

So Much More

Jan 23, 2012  Mandy


Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

He is not the God of the "half empty" or "half full" in our lives.
He is the God of the "exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think."
His will for us is not just "joy" but "great joy"...
Not just "peace" but "peace that passes understanding"...
Not just "love" but "fullness of love"...
Not just to be a conqueror, but to be "more than a conqueror."
When He fills our cup, it is overflowing;
When He flows through us, it is as rivers of living water;
When He meets a need, He does it out of the riches that are in Christ.

Today's posting is from Always Loved, a devotional book by Roy Lessin, available on dayspring.com

[Judy Harder]

Completion and Fulfillment
Jan 25, 2012 Roy


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

Photo Credit

What is your destiny? Why did God create you and for what purpose are you here? Where do you find your completion and your fulfillment?

You will not find the answer to these needs in your ministry, job, or social status. Your completion is not found in any human relationship, and your fulfillment is not found in your work, how much you have, how much you are recognized, or how much you achieve.

Your destiny, your completion, and your fulfillment are found in Jesus! You were not created for yourself or your own pleasure. You we were made for Jesus and His pleasure. You are complete in Him! Your fulfillment is to know Him, walk with Him, fellowship with Him, delight in Him, enjoy Him, love Him, and serve Him. To have Him is to have the highest, the greatest, the wisest, the purest, and the best.

What a glorious, wondrous, marvelous destiny God has purposed, planned, and provided for you in Jesus.

"In Christ alone is the fulfillment of high destiny" J. Sidlow Baxter   

[Judy Harder]

Mercy
Jan 27, 2012 Roy


With a dead end before us, Christ showed us the way;
When we walked in the nighttime, Christ brought us the day.
With our faces all hidden, Christ carried our shame;
When we felt so unwanted, Christ called out our name.
With a cup that was empty, Christ brought us His well;
When facing destruction, Christ saved us from Hell.
With our fate like a leper, Christ reached out to heal;
When we lived like a phony, Christ brought what was real.
With our fists in defiance; Christ stretched out His hand;
When our footsteps were sinking, Christ helped us to stand.
With no hope of heaven, Christ came from above;
When our hearts were so empty, Christ poured out His love.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 NKJV