Jesus: Lamb of God

Behold the Lamb of God! -John 1:36 KJV

What greater witnesses could there be to the coming of the Lamb of God, than those who tended their flocks by night.

The rich didn't witness His coming—they were too comfortable.

The powerful didn't witness His coming—they were too proud.

The religious leaders didn't witness His coming—they were too blind.

The merchants didn't witness His coming—they were too busy.

On a quiet hillside close to where Jesus was born, God made the news known. He spoke it in phrases of wonder, through creatures of splendor, to men of low degree. Those who were excluded from society's fancy gatherings would be included in heaven's greatest celebration. Those who had little education would come to know heaven's greatest revelation. Those who had few possessions would come to receive heaven's greatest gift.

Like the shepherds, God comes to us in our spiritual night to call us into His light. He comes in our spiritual poverty to call us to the riches in His Son. He comes in our spiritual loneliness to call us to the fellowship of His eternal celebration.

He who was wrapped in swaddling clothes has wrapped us in robes of righteousness. He has given us a mansion in heaven, the child who had no place to lay His head. The babe who cried as His mother held Him in her arms, will wipe away all our tears.

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©2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Jesus: A Son Given

Unto us a Son is given. -Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

The most miraculous thing since creation happened when Jesus came to earth. When He entered the world as a baby, Jesus was God come in human form. He was Mary's baby, but He was God's Son. The Creator entered creation as a man.

Why did He do it? He came because His Father sent Him—not to impress us with His miracle powers so He could entertain us, not to educate us so we could learn more facts about heaven, not to provide us with new rituals so we could become more religious. Jesus came because we needed a Savior.

We had sinned and needed forgiveness. God wanted us brought back into a loving, holy, caring relationship with Himself. The only way we could ever be reconciled to God was by His Son coming and offering us His body as a sacrifice for our redemption.

What incredible love God has for you! Jesus came as a visible expression of that love...nothing is deeper than that love.

He came so you could have sweet communion with Him—a fellowship like no other. He came to be your companion always—a companion that is closer than a brother. He came so His presence could be within you—a heart-tangible presence. He came so you could be His holy possession—you can rest in the security of belonging to Him.
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Jesus Name Above All Names © 2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Jesus - The True Light

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 NLT

One night, in one place, one special star appeared in the heavens, for one ordained length of time, and with one specific purpose. All the other stars in the night sky are lights declaring the glory of God, but the light of this star appeared to point the way to the One True Light. The other stars spoke of the great work of Creation, but this star proclaimed the coming of the Creator to earth. The other stars pointed to God’s handiwork, but this star pointed to His mighty arm of salvation.

No one has ever had his or her own star appear in the sky as a divine birth announcement. No one has ever had a star appear as a travel guide giving directions to those who sought the place where the child lived. The wise men called the star “His Star,” the star of the King of the Jews. They also knew that “His Star” meant that God had sent His promised gift from Heaven, for they made their journey not as tourists, but as worshipers who knew the Scriptures.

God still guides seeking hearts to the One True Light. As the world around us grows darker, the Light of Jesus Christ shines even brighter. He is a Light of truth, of hope, of purity, and of beauty. That Light shines through the faces of those who know Him, through the eyes of those who see Him, through the character of those who walk with Him, and through the hearts of those who love Him.

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Jesus - Name Above All Names, written by Roy Lessin, is no longer in print. ©2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Jesus: Name Above All Names

God elevated him [Jesus] to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names. Philippians 2:9 NLT

There is no one like Jesus! His name is above all names. On His throne He reigns over all creation—His kingdom above all kingdoms. There is no other light we can look upon that will outshine His glory.

In Jesus Christ we hear all that God has to say to us. What God has planned for us and desires to give to us is found in Christ alone. All our hearts have ever needed or desired, the truth that we seek and the blessing we long for, is found in Him. There is no other person, no other source that God will use to meet our deepest needs.

Jesus is the Fountain that will quench our thirst, the Bread that nourishes our souls. As the Physician, He will heal our wounds, and as our Shepherd He guides our steps. Jesus is the Faithful One who can give our troubled hearts true security. As our Vine, He brings nourishment to our spirits; as our Door, He gives us access to the Father.

What love we have in Jesus! What a Savior for our souls, what a Gift to our hearts!

May our hearts be open to receive Him, may our faith be ready to trust Him, and may our wills be surrendered to obey Him. As we commit our feet to follow Him, our hands to serve Him, and our actions and attitudes to honor Him, our lives become a reflection of His. May our voices magnify Him, both now and forever.
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Jesus: Name Above All Names, is no longer available in print. 
©2011, 2020, Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved. 

Today is Your Best Day Because of Heaven

For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. -1 Peter 1:4 NLT

If you are alive on this earth when Jesus Christ returns, you will be caught up to be with Him forever. What a day that will be! If you were to die today, before the Lord returns, this would still be your best day. Your last day upon this earth will be your first day in heaven. The Bible tells us that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." I recently heard a preacher say, "I don't care what method God uses to get me to heaven, just as long as He gets me there."

In heaven you will go from a temporary life to an eternal life; From a world of darkness to a place of everlasting light: From a life of walking by faith to a life of seeing Jesus face-to-face; From a life of knowing in part to a life of knowing even as you are known.

In heaven all your tears will be wiped away, all your sorrows will vanish from view, all your weaknesses will be swallowed up in His majesty, and all your suffering will give way to eternal shouts of joy.

My dad was raised in an orthodox Jewish home. He first came to know the Lord at the age of forty. He found a Gideon Bible in a Las Vegas hotel room, stole it, read it for three months, and while reading the book of Isaiah, discovered that Jesus was his Messiah. He lived until the age of eighty-nine. Throughout his Christian life he longed to be with Jesus in heaven. When he sent out letters he would often include these words instead of the date: "One day closer to glory!"

I went to visit him during his last few days on earth. The doctor had told my dad he was suffering from an advanced case of leukemia and only had a few days to live. When my dad heard the doctor's report he got all excited. "Really!" he exclaimed, "you mean I get to go be with Jesus?" My dad began telling people who visited him, "Before you go, let me give you my new address."

Just before my dad passed into a state where he could no longer communicate, a young couple came to his bedside. The young man was quiet and his wife was in tears (my dad had recently led her to Christ). My dad immediately reached out his hand to her and said, "No tears. This is what it's all about. We serve the Lord here on earth for a few years and then we get to be with Him in heaven."

When my dad finally passed out of this life and into the realities of heaven, all of us who had gathered at his bedside gave out a shout of joy in celebration of his homecoming. We all knew that he had arrived at the place where he always wanted to be.

This is the hope all believers in Jesus have. This is the hope that makes every day your best day! ... Thank you for joining us for the reading of Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day, by Roy Lessin. If you would like to purchase a hard-bound copy of it, please use our affiliate link to DaySpring, or contact a Christian bookstore near you. ©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day, and the Future Will Be Even Better

Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. -Titus 2:13 NKJV

The subject of the time machine has been a popular theme in science fiction. A common plot describes how someone discovers a way to go back in time to change the outcome of history. Another version of this plot describes how someone discovers a way to see into the future and tries to warn people about some tragic event ahead. Typically, as the story unfolds, few people believe the person's warnings, and only a few people are prepared for what is to come.

The world we live in is a very uncertain place. As people look to the future their fears and concerns only deepen as they worry about what will happen and wonder how things will turn out.

Years ago, when John Wooden was coaching the UCLA college basketball team, I became an avid fan. One evening I sat down in front of my television to watch a game between UCLA and a conference rival. The game was close, and as it neared the end the outcome was uncertain. Fans at the stadium were screaming with excitement, tension was everywhere, and nerves were on edge as the game reached the final minute. Yet, in the midst of all that tension, I sat in my living room, cool, calm, and collected. Even though the drama was high, I remained unfazed. How could this be possible? My reason was simple. the game I was watching was a late-night replay. I already knew the final score, and that UCLA had won.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, your future outlook is an upward look. You have a hope and a future that is glorious. The Word of God has already declared to you what the future will be and how things will turn out in the end. You can live today in calmness of soul and peace of heart because the final outcome has already been determined by God. You are on the winning side. Jesus Christ will come for you with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. He will come triumphant, in power, and full of glory. He will establish His reign upon this earth and rule with a scepter of righteousness. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and you will be a part of it all.

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate link and at Christian bookstores everywhere. 

©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because God Will Fill Your Greatest Needs and Deepest Desires

How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus on His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. -Ephesians 1:3-4 MSG

What are your deepest needs and desires? They are not entertainment, wealth, sports, scholastic achievement, popularity, power, or influence. Your greatest needs and desires are matters of your heart and spirit. They are the deepest things within you that cry out for purpose, fulfillment, intimacy, meaning, and love. They are the longings that God has placed within you, and that only He can meet.

Your cries for belonging He alone can answer;
Your search for meaning He alone can fulfill;
Your thirst for fulfillment He alone can quench;
Your longing for intimacy He alone can satisfy.

God, through His Son, has already satisfied your need for redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation by being your Redeemer.

• He has met your need for righteousness by becoming your righteousness.
• He has met your need to be cared for by caring for you.
• He has met your need for security by holding you secure in His arms.
• He has met your need for companionship by being the God who is there.
• He has met your need for protection by being your Strong Tower and your Hiding Place.
• He has met your need for wholeness by being your Healer.
• He has met your need for peace by being your Shalom.
• He has met your need for identity by being your Heavenly Father.
• He has met your need for guidance and direction by being your Shepherd and Guide.
• He has met your need for self-worth by sending His Son into the world to die for you.
• He has met your need for hope and comfort by being the God of all Hope and Comfort.
• He has met your need for love by being the God who has loved you with an everlasting love.

Today, as you hunger after His bread, remember that God is seeking the hungry; as you long for living waters, remember that He invites the thirsty to drink; as you seek His presence, remember that He bids you to draw near; as you commit to walk in His ways, remember that He is always on the alert, looking for those who are totally committed to Him; as you desire to know His heart, remember that you are the object of His love.

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate links to DaySpring, and through Christian retailers everywhere.
©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because of Intercessory Prayer

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. -Hebrews 7:25 NKJV

How rich you are when someone is praying for you. It has been said that the poorest person is the one who has no one praying for him. You will never have full knowledge of how many times someone has prayed for you, or how often God has prompted someone to pray for you when you were in need. Those prayers have impacted your life at many times and in many ways.

I know a woman who, during the night, was awakened by God to pray for a friend. She didn't know what the need was, but she began to intercede on her friend's behalf. The next day the woman discovered that at the very hour she was praying, her friend was delivered from a very critical situation. 

As a young Bible school student, I was given an opportunity to minister to a small group of people. The meeting went quite well and when I returned to campus I was feeling pretty good about myself. It was at that moment that God spoke these words to me: "Your success today was not a result of your talent, but a result of someone who was praying for you."

As young missionaries, my brother and I, along with our wives, were traveling across the United States to visit some people we knew before going into Mexico. The trip was made possible when the Lord unexpectedly provided us with a blue pickup truck. While visiting our friends in Minnesota, we were invited to attend a home prayer meeting. During the meeting we shared our story of how God provided our pickup truck, and we also spoke about our plans to enter Mexico within a few days. When we finished, a man responded with great excitement. "For many days," he said, "God has put it on my heart to pray for Don and Roy, a blue pickup truck, and the country of Mexico. Until tonight, that was all I knew, but what a joy it is for me to actually meet the ones I have been interceding for."

Your life has been impacted by prayer. Today is your best day because prayer has made this day possible. I don't know how many people are praying for you today, but I am certain that at least one person is.

• As you seek to walk in the calling of a holy life, someone is praying for you;
• As you face temptation, someone is praying for you;
• As you seek the Father's will and His glory, someone is praying for you.

That person is Jesus Christ. He is your faithful Advocate and High Priest. He is the One who saves you to the uttermost, and His intercession for you is to the highest degree possible. He will always be interceding on your behalf.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven in His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
     -Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate links to DaySpring, and at Christian bookstores everywhere. 
©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because God is With You

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

From the Scripture in Isaiah 41:10 there are several important things for you to be reminded of today:

• Because God is with you, He does not want you to fear.
• Because God is with you, He does not want you to be dismayed.
• Because God is with you, He will strengthen you.
• Because God is with you, He will help you.
• Because God is with you, He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.

Whatever your fears may be today or whoever your enemies are, you have a Friend that sticks closer to you than a brother. Today is your best day because you do not walk through it alone, abandoned, or forsaken. God is with you and He can handle any situation you face, any foe you encounter, any problem you meet, or any conflict you confront. One plus God is definitely a majority!

All of us can experience fear for many reasons. Fear can come when we face a difficult situation, when we step out into something unknown, when we sense our weakness, or when we take our eyes off the Lord, just as Peter did when he began to walk on water. The Bible does not tell us that something is wrong with us if we are fearful, but it does tell us that God doesn't want us to live in fear. Fear can paralyze us and keep us from moving forward in His will and plan for our lives.

God's presence with you is the reason He gives you not to fear. God told Abraham not to fear because He was his shield. God appeared to Isaac and told him not to fear because He would bless him for his father's sake. God told Joshua not to fear because He had given him the land, and that He would be with him as He was with Moses. David said that when he was afraid he learned to trust in the Lord.

Consider this conversation that God and Moses had together (Exodus 33:12-15 NLT):

Moses said to the LORD, 'You have been telling me, 'Take these people up to the Promised Land.' But you haven't told me whom you will send with me. You call me by name and tell me I have found favor with you. Please, if this is really so, show me your intentions so I will understand you more fully and do exactly what you want me to do. Besides, don't forget that this nation is your very own people."

And the LORD replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses. I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you."

Then Moses said, "If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place."

Remember that today God has a firm hold upon you. God is not only with you today, but His mighty hand is holding on to you with every step you take.

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate link to DaySpring, and through Christian retailers everywhere. 

©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because of Forever

This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. 1 John 2:17 NLT

Forever is a beautiful word. When our reference point is God and His Kingdom, everything takes on an eternal perspective. Life is filled with meaning and packed with purpose. Those who have this world as their reference point see only those things which are temporary, short-lived, and passing away.

Everything that God is, He is eternally. He is love, and He loves you all the time. He is good, and He is good to you all the time. There are no ups and downs, highs and lows, or comes and goes, with God. What He was to you yesterday when He showed you mercy and grace, He will show to you today. 

The acceptance you knew when He lifted you out of your sins is the same acceptance that upholds you today. The arms that were once around you to give you assurance embrace you today. All the delights of His presence, all the joys of His face, all the gladness of His heart, rest upon you today.

Here are some reasons why "forever" is such a beautiful word:
You can sing and rejoice in the Lord forever.
The God you trust reigns forever.
God will be with you forever.
You will be with the Lord forever.
God will be your God forever.
The One who is in control of your life is King forever.
God's plans and purposes stay firm forever.
God's Word is true forever.
God's goodness and unfailing love will be yours forever.
God knows your name forever.
You will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Your eternal reward will last forever.
Your love relationships with Jesus will go on forever.

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate link to DaySpring, and through Christian retailers everywhere.

©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because You are Saved (Part 2)

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me—that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. -1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT

Jesus died and rose for you! Does this not say it all? Jesus' death was in the Father's heart before the world was formed, before a flower bloomed, before a creature moved, before you took your first breath.

Because of God's grace and mercy toward us, we can look back over our lives at all the wrong we have done—the sins we've committed, the promises we've broken, the evil thoughts we've entertained; our failures, our shortcomings, our inconsistencies, our hypocrisies—and hear our Heavenly Father say to us, "You are forgiven. I have washed you clean, even whiter than snow. My Son's righteousness has become your righteousness because He died and rose for you."

When we look back over lives at the good things we've tried to do to earn God's favor—the people we've helped, the kind deeds we've done, the nice things we've said, the money we've given, the hard work we've done—we hear our Heavenly Father say to us, "Your righteousness will never be enough to save you or keep you. No amount of work that you do can justify you in My presence. By the righteousness of the law no one can be justified. That is why My Son died and rose for you. By faith alone, His righteousness is now yours."

• Does God love you today? Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
• Does God care about you? Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
• Does God provide for you? Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
• Does God forgive you and restore you? Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
• Does God have a plan for your life? Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.
• Does God have a place for you in heaven? Yes, Jesus died and rose for you.

Jesus died and rose for you—

• If you only knew this one truth, it would be enough.
• If you only had this spiritual bread to eat, it would sustain you.
• If you only had this glass of living water to drink, it would quench your thirst.
• If you only could embrace this one aspect of His love, it would bring you comfort.
• If you only had this one reality in your soul, it would bring you everlasting joy.

Jesus died and rose for you! Is this not the taproot from which the tree of life grows? Is this not the song of celebration that fills your innermost being? Is this not the headwaters from which the healing fountains flow? Is this not the pen from which all other glorious things are written—justification, sanctification, redemption, and all the other truths of Holy Scripture are yours because Jesus died and rose for you.

Your life today is now an all-encompassing "yes" because Jesus died and rose for you.

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate link to DaySpring, and through Christian bookstores everywhere.

©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because You Are Saved (Part 1)

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)...For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lets any man should boast. -Ephesians 2:5,8-9 KJV

Think of it. You are saved. You are forgiven. Jesus is your Savior and your life belongs to Him. Your past sins are in the sea of God's forgetfulness (and as Corrie ten Boom has added, "He has put up a sign that says, 'no fishing.'"). You have eternal life, you are on your way to heaven, and you have a God-given purpose here on earth.

The sky may be gray today, but you are saved; someone may have hurt you or let you down, but you are saved; you may be going through a difficult time, but you are saved; the enemy may be attacking you with doubts and fears, but you are saved; you may be tired, alone, or unappreciated, but you are saved. "What we suffer now is nothing," the apostle Paul wrote, "compared to the glory He will give us later" (Romans 8:18 NLT).

Today there are an endless number of reasons why your heart should be rejoicing and thankful that you are saved. If you weren't saved, you would be lost; under guilt and condemnation; without God and without hope in this present evil world; empty inside and without peace; in bondage to the enemy and dead in your trespasses and sins; without any eternal purpose, and no hope of heaven. What could be worse than that?

You are saved!

Saved by God's grace;

Saved because God loves you;

Saved because He sent His only begotten Son;

Saved because Jesus died for you;

Saved because Jesus shed His blood;

Saved because God provided everything that was needed for you to come to Him and receive His loving embrace.

Today you have not only been saved by Him, but you are also being kept by Him, and He will bring you safely home. What could be better than that?

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate link to DaySpring, and at Christian bookstores everywhere.

©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Today is Your Best Day Because of Your Foundation

"These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house nothing could shake it; it was built to last." 

-Luke 6:47-48 The Message

Today is your best day because of the foundation that your life is being built upon.

I recently watched a documentary about the construction work that is taking place around the San Francisco Bay area. Many of the large structures that were built over sixty-five years ago are being reinforced to be able to withstand a massive earthquake. One of the buildings in need of strengthening is the prison of Alcatraz Island. The person in charge of this project stated that the best way to secure the building is to anchor it deep into the very rock that it was built upon. 

The Bible tells us that one day everything upon this earth will be shaken. This shaking will be more powerful than any known earthquake that has ever been recorded or can even be imagined. When this shaking takes place, the only things that will remain are eternal things. The eternal things that remain are stronger and more secure than the rock upon which Alcatraz stands. Jesus said that the only way a person's life can be secure is to build it upon Him and His words. He is the solid foundation of your faith and the rock upon which you stand.

The psalms often remind us of the importance of having God as our rock, our refuge, our security, and our strength.

When you feel faint or feeble, God is the rock that stands higher than your emotions or inadequacies;

When you sense that you are being pulled into a mud pit of despair, only God's hand can lift you out of the mire and place you on the solid ground of His loving care;

When you are under attack from the enemy, God is your rock of defense and keeps you in a place where your enemies cannot reach you;

When you cry out to God in time of trouble, He will be your rock of deliverance as He answers your prayer and calms your heart.

What is your heart's response to God today? Let it be one of praise, glory, and thankfulness. Because God is who He is, you can stand sure today without the fear of anything under you slipping away. Hear the words of the psalmist when he proclaims, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2 NLT).

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Because of Jesus Today is Your Best Day is available through our affiliate link to DaySpring, and through Christian retailers everywhere.

©2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.