Roy Lessin/Meet Me in the Meadow

[Judy Harder]

Obedience
Sep 07, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


If there is something the devil wants you to do—resist it.
If there is something the flesh wants you to do—crucify it.
If there is something your dream wants you to do—surrender it.
If there is something self wants you to do—deny it.
If there is something personal ambition wants you to do—let go of it.
If there is something the world wants you to do—don't conform to it.
If there is something God wants you to do—embrace it; obey it; rejoice in it; give thanks for it.
Do it willingly; do it faithfully, do it whole-heartedly, do it without delay!

To obey is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22

[Judy Harder]

Make It Real
Sep 10, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Today's posting is by Bonnie Rickner Jensen, senior writer for DaySpring Cards.

It is possible to know all about doctrine and still not know Jesus. A person's soul is in grave danger when the knowledge of doctrine surpasses Jesus, avoiding intimate touch with Him. -Oswald Chambers

Intimacy requires vulnerability. Trust feels risky. But if our relationship with Jesus is going to be real, we have to offer every part of ourselves. No holding back. No hanging on to this or that.

All control—a complete and unwavering trust—has to be surrendered to the One we can't physically touch or see.

We must remember we have a more beautiful privilege. We see Him through heart and soul.

When physical eyes close, the eyes of the soul open wide. When we relinquish control, the right choices become clearer. When we trust with our whole heart, the peace of God comes in like a flood.

Day by day we face the challenge of seeing past what we actually see in our lives to the promises that trump any and all circumstances:

He forgives all my sins.

He heals me.
He ransoms me from hell.

He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things!

He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it.

He is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love.
He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever.
He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins.

He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.
He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence Him.

PSALM 103

I believe we're all on a journey to a greater place of trust. We all love to savor a little control in our lives. The Holy Spirit has recently given me a revelation of where that path leads: Obsession leads to Oppression which will eventually lead to Destruction. Anything other than God that becomes our focus (obsession), will bring ill feelings (oppression), and will take us to a place of loss and heartache (destruction).

Today we have a brand new opportunity to get out of God's way—and to push anything vying for our focus out of His way.

I pray you journey well as I hope to...one day at a time.






God Will Not Fail You (A 9/11 Tribute)
Sep 11, 2012 04:00 am | Mandy


On this 9/11 Anniversary, we would like to share the poem below as a reminder that God will never fail you. This poem was originally published on the first anniversary of 9/11. All of us here at DaySpring lift up our prayers for those affected by the events of 9/11 eleven years ago today.



God Will Not Fail You
When you walk through a dark valley,
No fear shall grip your soul.
When you're climbing a steep mountain,
His hand will not let go.

When you're waiting for an answer
To a prayer in Jesus' name,
It will soon be granted to you;
You won't be brought to shame

There's not a promise He's ever broken.
Nothing's failed that He has said.
He will not forsake you;
Like the sparrow you'll be fed.
God will not fail you;
He will not leave you alone.
God will not fail you;
He does not forsake His own.

When in a time of suffering
You're seeking for His touch,
His presence will not turn away;
He loves you much too much.

When the pain of a great trial
Seems to tear your heart in two,
His arms reach out with mercy
To sustain and comfort you.

There's not a promise He's ever broken.
Nothing's failed that He has said.
He will not forsake you;
Like the sparrow you'll be fed.

God will not fail you;
He will not leave you alone.
God will not fail you;
He does not forsake His own.

-Roy Lessin

This poem is also available in song from Jonathan Urie. Click the play button below to listen.



God bless each of you,

Mandy Butler

[Judy Harder]

Fret buster #106
Sep 12, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Be careful for nothing. Philippians 4:6

The word careful means "full of care or anxiety." God has promised to throw an impenetrable wall of fire around your heart so that no enemy can ever successfully reach you. You have a garrison on guard which can never be overcome. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about. You are not kept by your own power but by the power of God. – Charles E. Fuller

No anxiety ought to be found in the believer. Great, many, and varied may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a Father in heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His only begotten Son, and whose very joy and delight it is to succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. -George Muller

You have been borne since the day you were born, and God will continue to carry you.

Listen to Me [says the Lord], O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been borne by Me from your birth, carried from the womb: Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you. Isaiah 46:3-4 AMP

[Judy Harder]

BE Still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10, Part 1of 4
Sep 14, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


BE Still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Be:

"Be" is reality!

My true spiritual condition, now, not one day when I get to heaven. How I am and who I am on the inside—not how I wish I was or how I pretend to be. How I function in the inner-man; how I respond to things happening around me; how I evaluate my priorities, how I approach my responsibilities.

"Be" is the present state of my heart, the attitude of my mind, the choice of my will. "Be" is the fruit of my faith....surrendered to God, trusting His word, receiving His grace, seeking His glory.

[Judy Harder]

 

Abundantly
God's way is the abundant way!
There's no rationing in heaven, no skimping from the throne, no shortage of supply from the treasures of His mercies. His life gushes forth from the well of salvation; His spiritual refreshing flows from rivers of living water; His constant and consistent goodness is poured out through downpours of blessings.

He is the God of
abundant mercy Numbers 14:18
abundant kindness Nehemiah 9:17
abundant justice Job 37:23
abundant truth Psalms 86:15
abundant redemption Psalms 130:7
abundant loving kindness Jonah 4:2
abundant grace 1 Timothy 1:14
abundant satisfaction Psalms 36:8
abundant blessing Psalms 132:15
abundant pardon Isaiah 55:7
abundant life John 10:10
abundant joy 2 Corinthians 8:2
abundant power Ephesians 3:20
abundant outpouring Titus 3:6
abundant revelation Hebrews 6:17
abundant provision Psalms 65:11
abundant peace Psalms 37:11


- Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow

[Judy Harder]

Be STILL and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10, Part 2 of 4
Sep 17, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Be STILL and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Be:

"Be" is reality!

My true spiritual condition, now, not one day when I get to heaven. How I am and who I am on the inside—not how I wish I was or how I pretend to be. How I function in the inner-man; how I respond to things happening around me; how I evaluate my priorities, how I approach my responsibilities.

"Be" is the present state of my heart, the attitude of my mind, the choice of my will. "Be" is the fruit of my faith....surrendered to God, trusting His word, receiving His grace, seeking His glory.



Still:

Be still!

Not—be afraid, be frustrated, be exasperated, be perplexed, be confused. Still with Him, still in Him, still before Him, still through Him, still because of Him.

Quiet. Meek. Hushed. Expectant. Faithful. Surrendered. Ready. Attentive. Willing. Watching. Listening for His voice. Resting in His love. Gazing upon His beauty. Beholding His face.

Not—restless, pacing, fretting, anxious. Still in my plans, still in my work, still in my schedule, still as I wait before Him with a quiet heart.

Still with expectancy, still with thanksgiving, still with worship, still with praise.

[Judy Harder]

Today Is Your Best Day

In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever. Psalm 44:8 (NKJV)

If you are in Jesus Christ and your heart is committed to God's plan for your life, it means that today is your best day. It's not your best day because you feel like it is, or because you pretend that it is. It is not your best day because everything is going perfectly, or because you are living in ideal circumstances. It is not your best day because you are in optimum health, or because everything is going your way.

Here are four reasons why today is your best day.

Today is your best day because you are here. God has placed you in this moment of time for a purpose, and the things that happen to you today will be an unfolding of that purpose.
What happened to you yesterday, however easy or difficult, was used by God to help prepare you for what He has for you today.
God will use what happens today to prepare you for what He has for you in future days.
God has used your past and worked it all together for the good, and He will use this day to add to the good that He has already worked in your behalf.
Today is your best day because you can grow a little more in your faith, a little more in your maturity, and a little more in your intimacy with Jesus. Today you can take another step higher as He takes you from glory to glory; take another step deeper as you grow in His love; take another step further as you obediently walk with Him.  Today is your best day because it has brought you one day closer to the coming of the Lord.

***

The above excerpt is taken from Roy's new Devotional Book, Today is Your Best Day. You can purchase an autographed book by clicking here to visit DaySpring.com.  Here you'll find 60 life-changing, Biblically based reasons why today IS your best day. Discover God's best for you today!

Today, we're giving away 10 copies of Today is Your Best Day! To be entered into the giveaway, just enter your name and email address below. (Your information will not be used for any other purpose). We'll announce winners next Tuesday!



Name:


Email Address:






God Bless!
Mandy Butler

[Judy Harder]

Be Still and KNOW that I am God. Psalm 46:10, Part 3 of 4
Sep 19, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Be Still and KNOW that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Be:

"Be" is reality!

My true spiritual condition, now, not one day when I get to heaven. How I am and who I am on the inside—not how I wish I was or how I pretend to be. How I function in the inner-man; how I respond to things happening around me; how I evaluate my priorities, how I approach my responsibilities.

"Be" is the present state of my heart, the attitude of my mind, the choice of my will. "Be" is the fruit of my faith....surrendered to God, trusting His word, receiving His grace, seeking His glory.



Still:

Be still!

Not—be afraid, be frustrated, be exasperated, be perplexed, be confused. Still with Him, still in Him, still before Him, still through Him, still because of Him.

Quiet. Meek. Hushed. Expectant. Faithful. Surrendered. Ready. Attentive. Willing. Watching. Listening for His voice. Resting in His love. Gazing upon His beauty. Beholding His face.

Not—restless, pacing, fretting, anxious. Still in my plans, still in my work, still in my schedule, still as I wait before Him with a quiet heart.

Still with expectancy, still with thanksgiving, still with worship, still with praise.



Know:

"Know" is the assurance of faith, the nearness of His presence, the communion of His Spirit, the sweetness of His fellowship.

No guessing. No wishing. No, "I think so?" No, "I hope so."

To "Know" is to know that you know.

Know Him! Know His character; know His nature; know His word; know His voice; know His heart; know His mind; know His will; know His kingdom; know His love.

Know Him through relationship, know Him through companionship, know Him through ownership. Know the heights of His grace, the depths of His compassion, and the breadth of His mercies.

[Judy Harder]

Be Still and know that I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10, Part 4 of 4
Sep 21, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Be Still and know that I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10

Be:

"Be" is reality!

My true spiritual condition, now, not one day when I get to heaven. How I am and who I am on the inside—not how I wish I was or how I pretend to be. How I function in the inner-man; how I respond to things happening around me; how I evaluate my priorities, how I approach my responsibilities.

"Be" is the present state of my heart, the attitude of my mind, the choice of my will. "Be" is the fruit of my faith....surrendered to God, trusting His word, receiving His grace, seeking His glory.



Still:

Be still!

Not—be afraid, be frustrated, be exasperated, be perplexed, be confused. Still with Him, still in Him, still before Him, still through Him, still because of Him.

Quiet. Meek. Hushed. Expectant. Faithful. Surrendered. Ready. Attentive. Willing. Watching. Listening for His voice. Resting in His love. Gazing upon His beauty. Beholding His face.

Not—restless, pacing, fretting, anxious. Still in my plans, still in my work, still in my schedule, still as I wait before Him with a quiet heart.

Still with expectancy, still with thanksgiving, still with worship, still with praise.



Know:

"Know" is the assurance of faith, the nearness of His presence, the communion of His Spirit, the sweetness of His fellowship.

No guessing. No wishing. No, "I think so?" No, "I hope so."

To "Know" is to know that you know.

Know Him! Know His character; know His nature; know His word; know His voice; know His heart; know His mind; know His will; know His kingdom; know His love.

Know Him through relationship, know Him through companionship, know Him through ownership. Know the heights of His grace, the depths of His compassion, and the breadth of His mercies.



I Am God:

"God!" Not the "The man upstairs" but the Lord God Almighty! Elohiym. Adonai. Yahweh. El Shaddai. The great I Am!

Creator God. God of the universe. Maker of heaven and earth. God of the stars. God your maker. God of your heartbeat, God of your breath, God of your strength, God of your moments, God of your days, God of all your tomorrows.

God on the throne. God in control. God the King. God of the kingdom. God the Mighty Warrior. God of the Word. God of light, God of truth, God of goodness, God of holiness, God of love. Your God.

Be still in your knowing, be still in your being, be still in your God. You will not be shaken, you will not be moved, you will not be forsaken. Be still in His peace. Be still He in comfort. Be still in His hope. Be still in His love.

[Judy Harder]

Whatever"
Sep 24, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


With God, there is no "whatever you want to do is fine."



This is never an attitude He carries in His heart. God does not speak out of skepticism, cynicism, sarcasm, or exasperation. When you ask Him what to do, He doesn't shrug His shoulders and say, "Whatever!" When you come to Him with a need He doesn't say, "I don't care what you do, don't bother Me now."

When you ask Him to answer your prayer He doesn't say, "Yeah, right!" To Him, everything and every detail is important. God is not uncaring toward you or unconcerned about your needs. He is not indifferent to your struggles, your trials, your difficulties, or your tears. He is not apathetic to your cries for help, or the prayers and petitions that you bring to Him each day.

Proverbs 14:12, Psalm 46:1, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 30:21, 1 John 3:22



Today is Your Best Day Winners & Special Discount!
Sep 25, 2012 04:00 am | Mandy


Today Is Your Best Day Because Of Truth
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13 (NKJV)

As God's child there is nothing in the Truth of God to depress you, defeat you, discourage you, or deflate you. The Truth will build you up, lift you up, and keep you up. The Truth has come to deliver you, free you, heal you, restore you, refresh you, revive you, and renew you. Truth brings you the light of God, the wisdom of God, the ways of God, the plan of God and the heart of God.

Truth is the belt that is tied around your spiritual armor to keep it in place; it is the revelation of true goodness that draws your heart to the Father's love; it is the burning lamp that guides your feet on your pilgrim's journey;  it is the plum line of righteousness that directs your obedience; it is the foundation of your faith and the road map that leads you through the gates of salvation; it is the light in your spirit that brings you into worship and wonder; it is the mirror that your soul gazes into as you are beautified in His holiness; it is the protective servant that keeps you and prepares you to be Jesus' bride.

Truth is the light of God that overcomes the darkness of every lie that seeks to rob you of your peace, steal your joy, and quench your faith.

When the lie says, "God is not interested in you," the Truth says, "Cast all your cares upon me, for I care for you."

When the lie says, "God is against you," the Truth says, "Because God is for you, no one can be against you."

When the lie says, "How could God love someone like you?" the Truth says,  "God loves you with an everlasting love."

Today is your best day as you know the Truth, receive the Truth, believe the Truth, obey the Truth, love the Truth, and embrace the Truth. Today, the Truth will set you free.

Find this excerpt and many others in Roy's new Devotional Book, Today is Your Best Day!



We had such an overwhelming response to last week's giveaway of 10 copies of Today is Your Best Day, thank you all who entered! The 10 winners are listed below and will be contacted by email shortly. Congratulations to those of you who won!

Cheryl Jacobo
Debbie Harvey
Beckey Wolfe
Chris Bebrin
Lucy Wilson
Mike Williams
Pauleen White
Sharon Eberts
Liz Thomas
Thomas Parker

And if you aren't a winner, we have  good news! Because we had so many entries into the giveaway, we'd like to extend it until next Tuesday and giveaway 5 additional books! If you've already entered the giveaway you will be automatically re-entered. Those who have yet to enter, there is still time! Just enter your name and email address into the form below, and click "submit." If you are receiving this by subscription email, please click here to enter the giveaway.



Name:

Email Address:


And if that's not enough good news, DaySpring would also like to offer Today is Your Best Day at a special price– just for Meet Me in the Meadow Readers! 
Through 10/31/12, you can purchase a autographed copy of Today is Your Best Day at DaySpring.com for only $12.99! Just click here to add the book into your shopping cart, then enter this code at checkout: BestDay for the discount to apply.

Have a very blessed day!
Mandy Butler
Download a FREE preview of the first several pages of Roy's new E-Book, Fret Busters