Forgiven, Part 2: Guilt

Forgiven, Part 2: Guilt
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
As it is written, 'THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE.' But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 3:10, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:21, emphasis added).
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It was the darkness and rebellion of our sin that sent Jesus Christ from heaven to earth on a mission of redemption. He came as light into the darkness, but those in the darkness were not able to understand it. He came even though we didn't know how desperately we needed Him. He came as a physician who didn't wait for office calls, but lived among us to seek and save those who were being destroyed by the plague of sin. He didn't die as a martyr or a reformer; He died as the spotless, sacrificial lamb, willing to make atonement for our sin. The mallet and the spikes were in our hands while goodness and mercy were in His...rebellion and deceit were in our character, grace and truth were in His...hardness and coldness were in our hearts, tenderness and compassion were in His. Jesus was the perfect offering for our imperfections—taking our judgement, bearing our sorrow, tasting our death, triumphing over our hell, and seeking to take us captive with the awesome power of resurrection life. ...
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Lord, I know my sin sent You to the cross. I thank You that You didn't just die for the world; You died for me. I know I am the guilty one. Everything I deserve was placed on You. I come to You without excuse, knowing I am fully responsible for my own sin. Thank You that through Your wounds I have found mercy and by them I can be healed. Amen
 
#Easter #Lent #Forgiven #RoyLessin #Meetinginthemeadow #devotional #resurrection

©2025 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Forgiven Part 1: Darkness

Forgiven Part 1: Darkness
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
The next few weeks, we will be posting more frequently in preparing our hearts for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. We will feature the booklet "Forgiven, Heart Reflections by Roy Lessin" as this book was originally created to be used as a "book-style tract," offering the Gospel in a way that an unbeliever would come to understand what we, as Christians, believe and focusing on the redemptive work of Jesus.

Please feel free to share this content with your friends who may not fully understand the meaning of Easter, or why we celebrate.

We pray that as you read, reflect and pray through the writings presented, your hearts will be turned towards Jesus, and your faith renewed.
Grace and Peace,
Marina for Roy Lessin, and Meeting in the Meadow
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'This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.' 'To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' 'Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace' (1 John 1:5, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Acts 26:18, Luke 1:78-79 Emphasis added).
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Spiritual darkness is the absence of God's truth in our hearts and lives. We can have an education and still be in darkness. We can study philosophy and religion and still be in darkness. We can go to church or do social work in our community and still live in darkness. We can be sincere or be tolerant of others and what they believe and still be in darkness.
 
Darkness is unbelief. Darkness is deception, keeping us from the knowledge of God. Darkness is separation, keeping us from the fellowship of God. Darkness is isolation, keeping us from the presence of God. Darkness is something we should treat as an enemy yet when we are in sin, we treat it as a friend. We like darkness—it hides us from being exposed for who we really are. The sin in us runs deep, and the darkness is our cloak. 
 
Although we may be hiding from Him, He is not hiding from us. Jesus seeks us out in our darkness. He is standing near us, clothed with white garments...covered with glory...reaching out with arms of mercy...inviting us into the marvelous light of His forgiveness and love. 
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Lord, 
Deliver me from the darkness of my own way. Place Your truth within me so I may know You and Your ways. I want to come out of my hiding and walk with You in Your light. I know that nothing is hidden from You; You know me inside and out. I release every lie and deception that has kept me from You. Thank You that You can take me from the kingdom of darkness and place me into the kingdom of light. I welcome Your light and love into my life. 
Amen

#Easter #Lent #Forgiven #RoyLessin #Meetinginthemeadow #devotional #resurrection

©2025 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Timely Tidbits of Truth 59, Renew

Timely Tidbits of Truth 59, Renew
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
When God renews us, He brings about change—new life, new strength, new growth, new fruitfulness. God’s life springs up within us like the sprouting grain in the springtime, making the winter season of the heart productive once again.
 
His renewing lifts us up to new heights, carries us over all barriers, and causes us to behold things we’ve never seen before.
 
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).

#repurposed #devotional #TimelyTidbitsofTruth #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2025 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

The Seven Colors of Grace, Part 5

The Seven Colors of Grace, Part 5

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
Hope
 
The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1 NKJV).
 
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
 
A heart without faith is a heart without hope.

It is not God’s will for anyone, in any generation, to live in hopelessness. There are those who live without hope, those who live with false hope, and those who live with true hope. It is true hope that fills the heart with “the blessed hope”, which is the second coming of Jesus Christ.
 
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13 NKJV).
 
Hope looks ahead to what is unseen with confident assurance and expectation that what God has promised will be fulfilled in His time. 
 
For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance (Romans 8:24-25 NKJV).
 
Hope is not something we acquire through wishful thinking or positive attitudes. Hope comes to us from God. He is the God of hope, and hope becomes ours when we believe His promises.

#grace #meetinginthemeadow #devotional #devotion #roylessin

©2025 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

My Morning Prayer: The Promises of Prayer, 2

My Morning Prayer: The Promises of Prayer, 2
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

One attitude you don’t want to have about prayer is that you’re good at it…it’s not about long prayers, eloquent prayers, repetitious prayers, or “listen to me” prayers.

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:10-14 NKJV).

Pray because you are poor…because you are needy and dependent. Pray in faith.

This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:6-10 NKJV).

Prayer is not God’s last line of defense in case everything else fails (oh no! things have gotten this bad!).

Prayer is the avenue God uses to bring the wanderer home.
It keeps us from looking for life’s answers somewhere else.
It directs the needy to the place of complete provision.
It quiets the restless heart from running to and fro.

It is the secret place where sons and daughters can speak to their Father privately and in full confidence of acceptance and understanding…where brothers and sisters can help share the load…where the weary heart can cast its burden…where the weeping heart can bring its tears…where the grateful heart can offer its thanksgiving…where the happy heart can bring its praise, and…

It is through the prayer of faith that the promises of God are activated.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Thank you, Lord, for each example and lesson that you teach us in your Word, the Bible, on prayer. Thank you that you give us every opportunity to come to you, in every circumstance and in every mood and emotion. Thank you that you are always listening, always available, always willing. Teach me to come to you with everything I have…weary, weeping, grateful or happy…you are willing to hear them all. I trust you with my heart, and want to hold your hand as you walk with me through every season and circumstance. In Jesus’s name, amen.
 
#encouragementinprayer #mymorningprayer #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin

©2025 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.