Roy Lessin/Meet Me in the Meadow

[Judy Harder]

The First "Fret Buster"
Jul 31, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Over the last several years, I have received a lot of positive feedback on the series, Fret Busters. Today I would like to share a bit of background behind the series, what inspired me to begin writing it, as well as what has inspired the compilation of Fret Busters, 30 Reasons not to Fear or Worry, a devotional booklet available for purchase next week. 


When I was in my mid-20's, my wife and I headed to Ensenada, Mexico to study the Spanish language and prepare for missionary work in Central Mexico. We were committed, motivated, and full of zeal as we left Southern California to begin our language training.

At the time, we had no bank account and no pledged support. Before leaving California we spent most of our cash stocking up on toiletries and food supplies.

A friend, who lived in Southern California, decided to drive down and help us with the move.

Once we arrived in Ensenada my friend asked me a question that caught me off guard. "Without any job or money in the bank, how do you plan on taking care of yourself?" My mind went blank! In that moment, it was as if I was asking God the same question my friend was asking me.

I had no sooner brought that question before the Lord when I heard Him answer. Out of my mouth came these words, "Consider the lilies of the field." I know that the Spirit of God not only put those words in my mouth, but also in my spirit. It was a clear reminder to me that God was and always would be our provider. In a real sense, that truth became a life-long Fret Buster for us to carry in our hearts.

There is an important reason why Fret Busters is a regular feature at Meet Me in the Meadow. Fret Busters is an ongoing feature because there are so many "Fret makers" facing us each day. As we look at the world before us and listen to the people around us, we see problems becoming greater, troubles getting bigger, and fears growing deeper.

As referenced earlier, to help remind you of God's daily care and faithfulness, DaySpring has published Fret Busters, 30 Reasons not to Fear or Worry. This booklet is a 30 day collection of postings taken from Meet Me in the Meadow (more information on the new booklet coming next week).


The booklet begins with a quote from MacKay that serves as a powerful reminder to us of our dependency upon the Lord and the importance of trusting Him at all times as our Omnipotent Provider.

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

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Over the next 5 weeks, follow a DaySpring Devotional series featuring Roy's New Fret Busters Booklet. In addition, find further resources, free printables, and the latest information about Fret Busters here.

[Judy Harder]

Benediction
Aug 01, 2012 04:00 am | Roy




May the Lord's hand lift you up to new heights in the Spirit,
new depths in your worship,
new fruit in your service,
new passion in your calling,
new ground in your faith,
new sweetness in your fellowship,
and new joys in your journey.

[Judy Harder]

King of Glory, King of Your Life
Aug 03, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory  shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24: 7-8 NKJV

Photo Credit
Think of your life as a city that is surrounded by gates. The gates represent entryways into your heart, mind, emotions, thoughts, will, attitudes, motives, and spirit. Now think of Jesus as a conquering King who wants to enter the city of your life. He doesn't enter to occupy one or two areas of your life, but He comes to conquer the entire city. He comes to take His rightful place and to conquer every low place, every high place, every secret place, every guarded place, and every busy place.

As the King of Glory, Jesus is strong and mighty in battle. However, His entry into your life is not a forced entry. He enters through your gates as you unlatch and throw open the doors. He manifests His strength and might, not by knocking your gates down but by conquering every enemy that has laid siege to your life.

As your King of Glory, He comes to you with the brilliance of conquering love.

He comes to free you from every battle the Enemy has waged against you, every lie that seeks to defeat and destroy you, every bondage that has robbed of your joys, every sin that has darkened your soul, every stubbornness that has blinded your way, every stronghold that has oppressed your mind, every heaviness that has been a weight upon your heart.

Lift up your gates, lift them high and let the King of Glory come in! Let the King of Glory be the King of all.

[Judy Harder]

Pray this...
Aug 06, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Prayer for your children's daily bread
Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV

Gracious Father, I ask that my children will always hunger after Your words. Increase their appetite. May they find Your words to be delightful, whole and pure, abundant in grace, and rich in mercy.

Feed them, Father with fresh bread, living bread, daily bread. Nurture them in their spirits, teach them that they cannot live on bread alone, and that they need You to sustain them with every word that comes from Your mouth.

Break to them the bread of life!

Thank You, Father, that Your words can be found, can be eaten, and can be know. May my children find Your words to be the joy and delight of their hearts. May they daily realize the awesome privilege they have to be called by Your name, to be a part of Your forever family, and to receive the words spoken to them from your heart.

Your words are like no other! May my children know the sweet taste of Your word, may its sound be a symphony to their spirits, and may the glory of Your word be a transforming light to their hearts and a lamp unto their feet.

[Judy Harder]

 



Seeker
Aug 08, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Those who seek Me diligently will find Me. Isaiah 45:19 NKJV

Father,
In the midst of great spiritual darkness we seek Your light;
In the midst of abounding sin we seek Your righteousness;
In the midst of conflicting voices we seek Your truth;
In the midst of confusion and growing perplexity we seek Your wisdom;
In the midst of self-centeredness and personal gain we seek Your glory;
In the midst of insecurity and uncertainty we seek Your hope;
In the midst of difficulty and increasing needs we seek Your provision;
In the midst of illnesses and weakness we seek Your wholeness;
In the midst of worries and deepening restlessness we seek Your peace.
In the midst of selfishness and injustice we seek Your kingdom.
In the midst of ruined lives and broken spirits we seek Your healing;
In the midst of hurting hearts we seek Your love.

Thank You, Father, for your assurance that those who seek You will also find You.

[Judy Harder]

God is Love
Aug 10, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


While visiting family in Minnesota, my brother-in-law took me to one of his favorite antique stores. Just before leaving I spotted a small wall sign made out of chalk. It was from the 40's and said "God is love." It was my favorite find of the day! It now sits on a shelf in my office, speaking that all-important truth to me each time I enter.



"God is love" is not someone's idea about God, it is a revelation God has given us of Himself. Because God is love, it means that He is eternally love. He has always been love and He will always be love. Everything God says is spoken out of love and everything God does is done out of love. Everything God did and said in the Old Testament and the New Testament was said and done out of love.

There are many things that are true about love. One of the things about love is that it must speak truth. God could never say He is love if He withheld the truth or didn't speak the truth. Love would never deceive, lie, mislead, or misguide.

Love not only must speak the truth, but also demonstrate the truth through every action. God not only tells us He loves us, but He demonstrated that love by sending His Son to die for us. The Cross of Christ tells us that love is not only kind and caring, but love is willing to suffer and lay down its life. If sin didn't matter, Jesus would never have gone to the Cross.

The Cross is God's greatest demonstration of His love. Jesus died because of our sin. The Cross of Christ was love's plan to rescue us from the penalty of sin and all its horrible consequences. Sin is our greatest problem and the love of God met it head on!

The love of God speaks to every man and woman the same eternal truth: "Turn from your sin, come to the Cross and receive the gift of My forgiveness through the blood that My Son shed for you." This is the gift of salvation freely given to us by grace.

As God's ambassadors we represent His love in a dark world. ALL people are truly lost, bound by sin, and under its condemnation. Each of us is in desperate need of God's grace and mercy. Now, more than ever, people need to know that God is love; they also need to know the truth of the Gospel. The Gospel is our only hope, our only salvation, and our only way to be forgiven...and that truth is the most loving thing anyone could ever say.

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV

[Judy Harder]

God Works for the Good
Aug 13, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 AMP

Many of us need to be released from a great burden. The burden I am speaking about is not a huge work load, a full schedule, a pressing need, or a perplexing problem. The burden is our efforts to try and work "all things together for good."

Our first step in the release of this burden is to acknowledge that God is the only one who can work all things together for good. When we try to work things together for good we fail—pressure replaces peace, striving replaces serenity, exhaustion replaces rest. Those who fail to let God work things for the good will push, manipulate, and try to take control of people and circumstances as they "work" to try and make all things turn out for good in their lives and the lives of those they love.

When we try and work things together for the good they soon go bad. The truth is, we don't have the power to change circumstances or people for the good...we even lack the wisdom to know what the good looks like in every situation, circumstance, and relationship in life.

We must also understand that when God works all things for the good, He is working according to His good pleasure...He works to please Himself, not to please us. However, if our pleasure is to please Him, then we can rejoice in all He is doing.

If you are trying to work things together for the good at work, release it to God;
If you are trying to work things together for the good at home; release it to God;
If you are trying to work things together for the good in someone's life, release it God;
If you are trying to work things together for good in your life, release it to God.

Release your self-efforts fully to the Lord, wipe the sweat from your brow, and rest in the assurance that God knows what He is doing, knows how to do it, and knows when to do it in a way that will be according to His perfect design and purpose.

[Judy Harder]

August 15, 2012Text Size:Fret busters #105 Though everyone fails you, God remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

Though everyone speaks lies, God remains true (Hebrews 4:1).

Though all things lose their luster, God remains glorious (2 Corinthians 3:11).

Though all would forsake you, God remains with you (Haggai 2:5).

Though the world grows exceedingly troubled, God remains in control (Hebrews 4:9).


Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15

The peace of God! Think of it for a moment. How wondrous must be God's peace! With Him there is no frailty, no error, no sin. With Him there is no past to lament, no future to dread; no blunders to deplore, no mistakes to fear; no plans to be thwarted; no purposes to be unmet. No death can overcome, no suffering weaken, no ideal be unfulfilled, no perfection unattained. Past, present or future; vanishing time or endless eternity; life or death, hope or fear, storm or calm—naught of these, and naught else within the bounds of the universe can disturb the peace of Him who calls Himself the GOD OF PEACE. And it i s this peace that is ours to possess. –James H. McConkey

[Judy Harder]

10 Things Jesus Didn't Say
Aug 17, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


No man ever spoke like this Man. John 7:46




Jesus didn't say, "All roads lead to My Father." He said, "I am the way!"

Jesus didn't say, "I'll give you a few helpful hints and the top ten tips on how to live a successful and meaningful life." He said, "I am the life!"

Jesus didn't say, "I have some good opinions and points of view that you ought to consider." He said, "I am the truth!"

Jesus didn't say, "There's lots of good stuff out there for your soul to feed upon, go and graze in any pasture that appeals to your senses."  He said, "I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger."

Jesus didn't say, "Just do your best. Try really hard, give it all you have and you will become a fruitful, productive person."  He said, "Abide in Me...and you shall bear fruit."

Jesus didn't say, "You can do it on your own. You can be what you set your mind to be. I have been anxiously waiting for someone like you to come along to advance my Kingdom." He said, "Without me you can do nothing."

Jesus didn't say, "Go to the god of your choosing." He said, "Come to Me."

Jesus didn't say, "Sin is acceptable." He said, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more."

Jesus didn't say, "Follow your professors, follow your counselors, follow your friends, follow public opinion." He said, "My sheep hear My voice and follow Me."

Jesus didn't say, "Get even." He said, "Abide in My love."

The words of Jesus are spoken from: John 14:6, John 6:35, John 15:4-5, Matthew 11:28, John 8:11, John 10:27, John 15:9

[Judy Harder]

Great Quotes
Aug 20, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


"Exceedingly abundantly."  Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

Here Paul coins a word for his own peculiar use. It seems as though at times the Holy Spirit crowded such great and radiant revelations into the Apostle's mind and heart that even the rich vocabulary at his disposal was not sufficient to express them. But when ordinary language fails Paul employs his own. There was no superlative at hand which could describe his sense of the overwhelming ability of God, and so he just constructed a word of his own, the intensity of which can only be suggested in our English phrase "exceedingly abundantly." The power flows up, and out, and over! It is a spring, and therefore incalculable...we can bring our little vessels to the spring and take them away filled to overflowing, and the exceeding abundance remains. The "doing" of our God is an inexhaustible well.

- J.H. Jowett