Roy Lessin/Meet Me in the Meadow

[Judy Harder]

Repentance
We must turn to the Lord and away from our sin, for we are totally dependent on Jesus Christ for our salvation.

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his  eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 3:3, Acts 20:21, Luke 18:13, Matthew 9:13, Mark 2:17, Luke 15:7

When we come out of our darkness into the light of Jesus Christ we come broken by our sin. The light shows us that we are not whole but shattered...not worthy but guilty...not rich but bankrupt...not confident but desperate...not mighty but lowly...not holy but unclean.

The light leaves us totally exposed—we see ourselves as God sees us, and the revelation breaks our hearts and shatters our pride. We don't seek to be patched up or fixed up, but to be made new. We realize we have no covering to hide in...no offering to hope in...no works to glory in. We are undone. We are sinners.

Our sorrow for our sins may bring us remorse, but our repentance is more than remorse; our sorrow for our sins may lead us to restitution, but our repentance is more than restitution; our sorrow for our sins may create a desire to make resolutions, but repentance is more than making resolutions.

Repentance means being sorry enough for our sin to stop, convicted enough by our sin to turn from it, broken enough by our sin to be willing to be changed. It is our repentance that turns us toward the light; It is our need of Him that draws us to the light; it is our faith in Him that clothes us in the light. Our only covering is His righteousness...our only hope is His mercy...our only glory is the light of His holy love.

Lord, at the heart of my sin has been the desire to have my own way. I choose to turn from my way to Your way...from my plans to your purposes...from my independence to Your Lordship. I am sorry for the ways in which I have hurt You. As I turn to You I hope in Your mercy, Your truth, and Your love. I place my life in Your hands for You to make me into the person You have created me to be.

—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.

[Judy Harder]

The Joy of being Forgiven: Grace
Oct 19, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Jesus Christ upholds us by His grace. He is the ever-present Jesus, ready to receive and redeem all who have been broken by the power of sin.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Luke 4:18, James 4:6, Titus 2:1, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8

The beauty of the Gospel is what we discover when, broken by sin, we turn from the darkness of our own way to the light of Jesus Christ.  We don't find a God of indifference who cares nothing about us, but a God of compassion and tender mercy; we don't find a God who is distant, unable to reach us because of His holiness, but a God who has totally identified Himself with our need; we don't find a God of wrath who must be appeased, but a God who extends His grace and forgiveness to us freely.

Grace is the kindness and favor of God extended to you. It is nothing you can earn or deserve. Grace is God saying to you, "You can do nothing to save yourself, but you don't need to because I have done it all. I have given my Son to die for you, and He has made the perfect sacrifice for your sin. Come and receive My free gift."

In grace there is no debt, no works, no bondage, no striving, no weight, no burden. Grace is favor and acceptance. Grace is the absolute bounty of God poured generously upon you with the oil to heal your wounds...the power to free you from sin...the goodness to restore your soul...the purity to make you clean...the love to make all things new.

Lord, I marvel at Your Grace. There is nothing I have done for You, yet You have done everything for me. I come to You broken, knowing You can make me whole...I come to You empty, knowing You can make me full...I come to You bound, knowing You can set me free.

I come as a child in simplicity of faith, and receive Your free gift of grace. Pour Your generosity upon me and make me whole.

—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.


Darkness
Guilt
Repentance

[Judy Harder]

 

Jesus Calling
-  October 22  -
No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My presence. On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path... other days are overcast and gloomy... yet Joy is still attainable. Search for it as for hidden treasure.

Begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence. Recall that I am present with you... then, start talking with Me. Awareness of My marvelous Companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day.

Psalm 21:6; Proverbs 2:4

Daily devotional excerpt from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young



You're Already Amazing
-  October 23 & 24  -
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Jesus doesn't want us to be exhausted.
He doesn't expect us to be all things to all people.
So take a deep breath, lean back into His love, and ask Him what your heart needs to be filled with today.

Daily devotional excerpts from You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth.





Inspiration from (in)courage
-  October 25  -
What I have is a mission. A purpose.
I am here to live the best life I can with what I have been given.

I am here to live out this human existence as a spiritual being... a servant to God and His people... before I head back home to Him.
- Sara Frankl, Gitzen Girl

Sara Frankl, an (in)courage writer, lived with joy and purpose, not letting illness and her circumstances define her.






Meet Me in the Meadow
-  October 26  -
Be patient, we don't need to know everything right now. In this life we won't be able to resolve every question, solve every problem or understand every situation.

We don't need to fret over God's timetable. We will inherit all the promises of God through faith and patience.

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. I Corinthians 13:9, 12

Daily devotional excerpt from Meet Me in the Meadow by Roy Lessin

[Judy Harder]

The Joy of being Forgiven: Change
Oct 22, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Change
The Lord's wounded hands, feet, and side reveal God's desire to change our hearts by the power of His love.

Therefore if any man be  in Christ, he is  a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is  the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:26, Ephesians 3:17-19

When we come to Jesus Christ in our brokenness and need, He receives us as we are, but because He loves us, He also wants to change us. He has come to make all things new.

His path is a path of hope. His way is a way of change. He doesn't just forgive us, He cleanses us; He doesn't just receive us, He indwells us; He doesn't just justify us, He gives us a new heart.

He causes us to hate the things we used to love and love the things we used to hate. He changes us from the inside out. His Holy Spirit comes to live within us, we are born of God, and His love is shed abroad in our hearts.

He removes our stony hearts—cold, hard, unbending, and gives us a heart of flesh—warm, tender, yielding. He gives us a heart to love Him, adore Him, and enjoy Him. A heart of devotion...a heart of communion...a heart of compassion. Through this change we become the yielded clay vessels in the potter's hands. His hands form us into His image as we become vessels of honor in the Master's house, vessels that are filled with the treasure of Jesus Christ.

Lord, only You have the power to change me, and the wisdom to know what is best for me. I am safe in Your keeping, and secure in the knowledge that I am a new creation in Christ. Mold me and shape me into a vessel that will be pleasing in Your sight, and fill my heart with the love of Jesus Christ.

—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.
Click the links below to read previous posts in this series..

Darkness
Guilt
Repentance
Grace

[Judy Harder]

Today Is Your Best Day Because You Are In Christ
Oct 23, 2012 04:00 am | Mandy


God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)

Different people use different measurements to evaluate their day. A salesman may land a big account and call it his best day. An athlete may break a record in his sport and call it his best day. A woman may marry the man of her dreams and call it her best day. A writer may have her first book published and call it her best day.

As a child of God, however, today is your best day because you are in Christ. You may be a salesman who landed a big account today, or you may have made no sale at all. Your best day is not founded in what you've accomplished, but in who you are in Christ.

Being in Christ means that He is the atmosphere in which you live your day.

I was recently in a large conference room for a staff meeting. Because I was in the room, the atmosphere of the room had an influence upon me. The room had padded chairs to sit upon. The lighting in the room was soft and inviting. The colors on the walls were pleasing to the eye. Best of all, the room was air-conditioned, making everyone inside feel comfortable, even though it was hot outside.

Because you are in Christ, everything that is true about Christ will have an impact upon you. It is in Him that you live and move and have your being.  As you go through this day, consider all that is yours because you are in Christ.

You stand before God with your past forgiven and forgotten.
Your life is under His ownership and watch-care.
You have been brought into union and fellowship with God.
You have no cloud of condemnation hanging over your head.
You are no longer a slave to the sins that once had you bound.
You are covered by the love of God from every direction.
You are God's child and a part of God's family of believers.
You have been set aside for God's special purpose.
You can see life with a heavenly point of view.
You are in God's strong hands.
You travel on paths of victory as you walk with your hand in His.
You have a new calling, a new purpose, and a new direction.
You overflow with spiritual blessings.
You live under and in the authority of Jesus.
You are showered with grace and kindness.
You are God's masterpiece in the making.
You have a relationship with Jesus that will never end.
You can go through this day clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

–

[Judy Harder]

The Joy of being Forgiven: Strength
Oct 24, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Strength
Jesus is the power of God. We cannot rely on our own strength; it is through our weakness that we find the all sufficiency of His strength.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: My flesh and my heart faileth: but  God is  the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and  my refuge is  in God. The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace and as thy days, so shall  thy strength be. Fear thou not; for I am  with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you  faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Psalm 55:22, Psalm 73:26, Psalm 62:7, Psalm 29:11, Deuteronomy 33:25, Isaiah 41:10, Jude 1:24

We cannot, in our own strength, live the life God wants us to live. It is not only difficult, it is impossible. Salvation is of the Lord. We cannot save ourselves or keep ourselves from the power of sin. He is the one who lifts us out of the pit of despair and sets our feet on the rock of Jesus Christ.

The life God has for us is an exchanged life—we exchange our own way for His perfect will, our selfish plans for His holy purpose, our soiled garments for His robes of righteousness. We exchange our weakness for His strength, our fear for His power, our emptiness for His fullness.

It is when we become poor in spirit that we can become rich toward God. Because His arms are around us we can be assured that He will never leave us or release His hold upon our lives. What would be considered impossible for us becomes possible with God—we cannot not, but He can; we have not, but He possesses all things. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Lord, I know that if there is anything good that comes from my life it will be You doing it in me and through me. I thank You that You have the power to save me, and to keep me from falling. I believe You have me in Your hands, and will keep me close to Your heart.

I thank You that You are my Hope, my Fortress, and my Strength.



—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.
Click the links below to read previous posts in this series..

Darkness
Guilt
Repentance
Grace
Change



Please feel free to print out these postings or share them online as the Lord may lead you.

[Judy Harder]

The Joy of being Forgiven: Holiness
Oct 26, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Holiness
The holy light of Jesus wants to shine brightly in our hearts.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet  without sin. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Hebrews 4:15, Psalm 138:2, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 43:3, Psalm 5:7, Ephesians 1:4, Psalm 29:2

Jesus Christ is more than a prophet, a teacher, or a good man. He is the God-man, tempted in all points as we, but without sin. He is God incarnate...Immanuel, God with us...the Word become flesh...the only begotten of the Father...that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

One of the great miracles of God is to form His life within us. Only He can take an unholy person, cleanse and forgive that person, and empower that person to live a holy life. Holiness is to our spirits what good health is to our bodies. Holiness is healthiness. It is the song within us that declares, "It is well with my soul."

Holiness is beauty. It is the beauty of God's character seen in the face of Jesus Christ. Holiness is love. It is the cup of the Lord's blessing of goodness, kindness, gentleness and love being poured into our empty vessels. We become healthy because He is healthy...we become beautiful because He is beautiful...We become loving because He is love.

Lord, thank You that everything about You is good, pure, and right. Thank You that Your way is true and righteous altogether. I want to follow You in truth, and make straight paths for my feet. I rejoice in Your cleansing, Your renewing, and Your healing presence within me.

—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.
Click the links below to read previous posts in this series..

Darkness
Guilt
Repentance
Grace
Change
Strength

[Judy Harder]

The Joy of being Forgiven: Redemption
Oct 29, 2012 04:00 am | Roy


Redemption
Jesus died to redeem us to God.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as  silver and gold, from your vain conversation received  by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

Luke 1:68, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 1:19, Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 1:7

We needed a redeemer, someone who would buy us back from the ownership of sin and Satan over our lives. Jesus Christ is the only one who could redeem us back to God. There was only one price that could be paid to deliver us, and that was the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. He who knew no sin was made sin for us.

The story is told of a young boy who made a beautiful sail boat out of wood. When he finished creating the boat he took it to a nearby lake to sail. The boy was thrilled with his creation and placed it proudly in the water. The boat was all the boy had hoped it would be. All was well until a strong gust of wind blew the boat out of the boys reach and out into the lake. In a few moments the boat was lost.

Several weeks later, as the boy passed a toy store, he noticed a sailboat in the window. Upon closer examination the boy discovered it was his boat. "That's my boat in your window," the boy said to the store owner, "and I'd like it back."

"I'm sorry," said the store owner, "but I own the boat now. If you want it you'll have to buy it."

When the boy found out the price for the boat he went home and sold all he had to buy the boat back. After returning to the store with the full payment, the boy took the boat to his heart and said, "Little boat you are twice mine. I made you, and I bought you."

And because Jesus made us and redeemed us, we are twice the Lords.

Lord, I know that I am not my own and that You have bought me with the price of Your own blood. I do want to glorify You. Thank You that I am Your property and that Satan has no claim on me.

I rejoice in the freedom I have in Jesus Christ. How blessed I am that You love me so much that you gave all you had to buy me back from the slavery of sin.

—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.
Click the links below to read previous posts in this series..

Darkness
Guilt
Repentance
Grace
Change
Strength
Holiness

[Judy Harder]

Today Is Your Best Day Because God Is Your All
Oct 30, 2012 04:00 am | Mandy


Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:28 (NKJV)

God fills all, sustains all, and has a purpose for all He has created. Here are some of the ways that He will bless your life as you trust and obey Him today.

God is your shield and He will protect you. Psalm 18:30

God listens to all you say in prayer. Psalm 20:5

God will fulfill all that He has purposed for your life. Psalm 20:4

God will lead you with unfailing love. Psalm 25:10

God forgives all your sins. Psalm 25:18

God will delight you with His presence. Psalm 27:4

God will do everything that is right. Psalm 33:4

God will leave you in awe. Psalm 33:8

God will never give you unwise council. Psalm 33:11

God knows you completely and understands you perfectly. Psalm 25:5

God is, in His nature and His ways, always worthy of your praise. Psalm 34:1

God will free you from all your fears. Psalm 34:4

God will save you out of all your troubles. Psalm 34:17

God is someone you can rejoice in, be glad in, and celebrate today. Psalm 40:16

God is the King over all there is and all that concerns you. Psalm 47:1

God can be trusted at all times. Psalm 62:8

God is abundantly pouring out His mercy over you. Psalm 86:5

God is a great God to you. Psalm 95:3

God heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3

God rules over all matters of your life. Psalm 103:19

God does wondrous things. Psalm 105:2

God does great things. Psalm 111:2

God has done everything for you and will be everything to you. Psalm 116:12

God knows all your ways. Psalm 119:68

God will preserve you from all evil. Psalm 121:7

God's promises to you are backed by the honor of His name. Psalm 138:2

God saw you before you were born and has laid out a plan for your life. Psalm 139:16

God is good to you. Psalm 145:9

God lifts you up and upholds you. Psalm 145:14

God is near to you and is gracious to you. Psalm 145:17-18

God protects you. Psalm 145:20

God is your all-in-all today.

"I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me. Psalm 71:15 (NLT)

–

[Judy Harder]

Righteousness
It is in the white robe of Jesus' righteousness that each of must be clothed.

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. For he hath made him to be  sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself  with her jewels.

Romans 5:21, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, Philippians 3:9, Isaiah 61:10

There is a story in the Bible that tells us about a great wedding feast. Everyone at the feast needed to be clothed in the proper wedding garment. A man was at the feast without the proper garment on and when he was discovered, he was sent away from the celebration.

The story reminds us of the importance of being clothed with the right garment—the white robe of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. All our righteousness is like wearing filthy garments in God's sight.

No one will be saved by his or her good works. No one is righteous. We please God, not by trying to be better, but by receiving the righteousness which is ours by faith in His righteous Son. We can never scrub out the stains in our soiled garments by becoming more religious; we can never swap our tattered garments for new ones by making resolutions, or by trying to start over; we can never improve our garment's condition by joining others whose garments seem to be whiter than ours.

It is His purity that washes us... His goodness that clothes us... His glory that covers us. We are made and declared righteousness by the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone.

Lord, it is only by faith that I can begin to comprehend how You could take someone as sinful as I and declare me righteous. Your mercy overwhelms me, Your grace is beyond anything I have ever known. Thank You that You have clothed me with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and that You have freed me from the bondage of trying to earn my way to You.



—

This post in part of a series called The Joy of Being Forgiven.

There are three main reasons for this series:

To help those who are burdened by sin to enter into the joy of being forgiven.
To remind those who have been forgiven to live each day in thankfulness for the gift of His forgiveness and the joy it has brought your heart.
To provide for those who know the joy of being forgiven, a way for them to share the message of God's forgiveness with others.
Click the links below to read previous posts in this series..

Darkness
Guilt
Repentance
Grace
Change
Strength
Holiness
Redemption