Friday, January 29, 2021

Fret-Free Friday: Fret Buster 3

Fret-Free Friday: Fret Buster 3
-Roy Lessin, Fret Busters

There will never be a time when you will find God's power inadequate, His love indifferent, or His grace insufficient.

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear this say, "Come!" Let those who are thirsty come! Let those who want the water of life take it as a gift (Revelation 22:17 GW). 

God gives to you freely out of the riches of His grace, the bounty of His goodness, the kindness of His favor, the depths of His love, the tender ministry of His Spirit, and the blessings that abound to you in His Son, Jesus Christ—all of which have no limitations and can never be depleted. By faith receive from Him today for He is the endless supply!

Needy?
Come and ask.
Seeking?
Come and find.
Thirsty?
Come and drink.
Hungry?
Come and dine.
Hurt?
Come and heal.
Weary?
Come and rest.

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This post originally appeared in Roy Lessin's book "Fret Busters" published by Harvest House Publishers. The book is exclusively available through Blessings Marketplace at a discounted price of $7.99 each +shipping. You can contact them by text any time, or call 318-323-7440 Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm. They are located at 110 Splane Drive, West Monroe, LA 71291.
The e-book is available through your favorite e-book online retailer.

©2015, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Jesus: Sanctification

Jesus: Sanctification
-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. -1 Corinthians 1:30 NKJV

God is the one who sanctifies His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. Sanctification is not found in a set of rules but in a person. Our sanctification is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you were planning an elegant dinner, you would not only take out the fine china that had been set aside for such an occasion, but you would make sure it was clean before putting it in use. In the same way, sanctification has two main applications to our lives. One is that God sets us aside for His special use and purpose. The second is that God also cleanses those whom He sets aside. He wants your heart to be unmixed in its motives and pure in its devotion. The beautiful thing about sanctification is that you become conformed to the image of the One you serve.

As God's sanctified child, you have been set apart for something special in God's plan, not something ordinary in man's plan. God never wants you to think of yourself as insignificant or your purpose as being meaningless. He is your Sanctification, and you have been separated from the common crowd to be one of His holy people.
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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 25, 2021

Jesus: Holy One

Jesus: Holy One
-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. -Psalm 16:10 NKJV

During a cleaning project in our kitchen, I decided the cabinets needed a fresh coat of paint. All of our kitchen cabinets were painted white, so I decided to check one of our closets to see if we had any white paint in storage. I found a can of white paint that had plenty left to do the job. 

As I started the project, I soon discovered that the white paint I was applying was not matching the shade of white on our cabinets. I decided to go to the paint store to see if I could get a closer match to the white we had in the kitchen. When I got to the store I was surprised to discover how many different shades of white were available. Tints within the paint created a color range from off-white to snow-white and everything in between.

When the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Holy One, it means that He is "true whiteness" with all the tints (impurities) taken out. Every thing that we try to match up with the life, the character, and the nature of Jesus Christ turns out looking soiled and dirty by comparison. The way to be holy is not by trying to be better or live a cleaner, whiter life, but by letting the Holy One live His life in us.
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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 22, 2021

Fret-Free Friday with Roy Lessin: Your God Appointed Place

Fret-Free Friday with Roy Lessin
Your God Appointed Place

Jesus said to Peter, “...what is that to you? You follow Me.” -John 21:22

It’s easy to get caught up in many activities and become involved in many projects. As a result, our arms can become too full, our schedules too busy, and our minds too cluttered. To abide in God’s peace, it’s important to remember that not everything is intended for us.

One morning I heard the Lord speak these words to my spirit, “Don’t get caught up in the things that don’t concern you.” It was a reminder that not everything is my business.

As followers of Jesus Christ what is our business? What should be our main concerns? Here are two of the most important.

Our first main concern is our relationship with Jesus. In all things He is to have the preeminence. Our eyes are to be fixed on Him, our hearts are to be set on Him, and our wills are to be yielded to Him.

Our second main concern is our obedience to Jesus. Our feet are always to be pointing in the direction He is leading us. As we follow Him, He will bring us into our God appointed place and give us all we need to do His will.

When Peter became concerned about Jesus’ plan for another disciple the Lord exhorted Peter with these words, “What is that to you? You follow me.”

Our God appointed place is His prepared place for us. Here we will have His peace, His favor, and His all-sufficient grace; here we will have our place of influence, responsibility, ministry, and stewardship; here we will touch the hearts of others that He has brought into our lives; here we co-labor with the Lord. His concerns will be our concerns. Our yoke will be Jesus’ yoke, and pleasing Him will be our greatest pleasure.

May you enjoy God’s richest blessings upon your life as you serve Him today in your God appointed place.
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#FretFreeFriday #FretBusters
©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Jesus: Heir of All Things

Jesus: Heir of All Things
-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

In the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. -Hebrews 1:2 AMP

When my dad was alive, for many years he would often start a letter to me with the following greeting: "To Roy, heir of the Lessin millions." It always made me smile when I read it, not because I would be rich one day, but because I knew my dad didn't have any money. It is one thing to be called an heir; it is quite another thing to actually be the heir of something of great value.

God the Father has declared His Son to be the appointed heir, and that is no small thing. The inheritance is so great that instead of listing it item by item, the Bible simply sums it up by calling Jesus "The Heir of All Things."

It is even more amazing to realize that you, as God's child, are a joint-heir with Christ. That means that you share directly in the inheritance that is His. If God were to write you a personal letter today, it wouldn't surprise me if it began by saying, "To_______________, joint-heir of My Son's millions."
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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 18, 2021

Jesus: Head of the Church

Jesus: Head of the Church
-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. -Ephesians 5:23 AMP

We were made not for a life of independent living but to be under the loving leadership of the One who made us. Isaiah reminds us that we have all gone astray and that each one of us has turned to his own way. Our own way always takes us in the wrong direction. We are sheep in need of a shepherd, we are ships in need of a captain, we are pilgrims in need of a guide. We cannot make it on our own. The good news is, God never intended us to. 

When the Bible tells us that Jesus is the Head of the Church, it means that He is the head over a body of believers, not a church building. We are "living stones" that He fits together for His purposes. Individually and collectively, it is good for us to know Jesus is in charge—He has the right plan and is making the calls. He is taking the responsibility, for He is the most qualified. He makes the rules, and He has the power to carry things out.

Jesus, the Head of the Church, is the one who is in complete charge. We can be totally dependent upon Him.
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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 15, 2021

Fret-Free Friday: Even Though

Even Though
-Roy Lessin, Fret Busters, God's Peace for Your Problems Today

Take His hand, even though it means letting go of what you're holding on to.
Please His heart, even though it may not please others.
Wait for His time, even though your desire is to get it done now.
Obey His Word, even though you hear something different that is popular.
Follow His path, even though you see a valley ahead.
Trust His wisdom, even though you want to do it differently.
Give Him praise, even though you're going through something unpleasant.
Be at rest, even though you have every human reason to worry or fear.

Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and I shall be safe, and I shall observe Your statutes continually.
Psalm 119:116-117

Throughout the Scriptures God proclaims and demonstrates who He is and what He can do. God is all in all! He has no lack, no faults, no weaknesses, no limitations, and no failures. The plan of our salvation is His plan. The work of our salvation is His work. The gift of our salvation is His gift. Every grace comes from Him. All that we have we have freely received from His generous hand.

How should we respond to His greatness and abounding generosity? Our responses are to be with Him, learn about Him, love Him, and trust Him with all our hearts.

If we obey God without fully trusting Him and knowing His heart, we will struggle in our obedience. A nineteenth-century writer got it right when she wrote, "Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness, if only we had full confidence in the authority we were obeying." We can fully put our trust in what God has said and promised, who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. He will not fail us because there is no failure in Him.
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This post originally appeared in Roy Lessin's book "Fret Busters" published by Harvest House Publishers. The book is exclusively available through Blessings Marketplace at a discounted price of $7.99 each +shipping. You can contact them by text any time, or call 318-323-7440 Tuesday-Saturday 10 am- 6 pm. They are located at 110 Splane Drive, West Monroe, LA 71291.
The e-book is available through your favorite e-book online retailer.
...
©2015, 2021 Harvest House Publishers, Roy Lessin. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Jesus: Priest

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. -Hebrews 7:17 NIV

Jesus' priesthood was of a different order and brought about different results than the priesthood of Aaron. The Levitical priests died and needed to be replaced; Jesus, our Priest, lives forever. The Levitical priests offered the blood of animals as an atonement for sin over and over again; Jesus, our Priest, offered His own blood as an atonement for our sin once and for all. The Levitical priests had to make an offering for their own sins; Jesus, our Priest, was without sin. The Levitical priests offered blood upon an earthly altar; Jesus, our Priest, offered His blood upon a heavenly altar. The Levitical priesthood was identified with the old covenant; Jesus, our Priest, is identified with the new covenant. The Levitical priesthood was imperfect; Jesus' priesthood was perfect.

You can be absolutely assured today that because Jesus is your Priest, He is able to save you. And He is, at this very moment, praying for you. 



"Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to interceded with God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven" (Hebrews 7:25-26 NLT).
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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 11, 2021

Jesus: Our Rest

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

But the Levitical priests...shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with anything that causes (them to) sweat. -Ezekiel 44:15-18 AMP

In the Bible, a single word can be like a powerful spotlight that reveals to our spiritual eyes a truth of gigantic proportions. The word sweat in this passage is one of those words.

Sweat represents the work, the labor, and the natural efforts of our flesh. It was not the manner in which the priests of the Lord were to minister to Him in the inner court. The inner court was the place of God's presence, where the glory of the Lord rested upon the mercy seat. 

Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the way into the presence of the Lord has now been opened to us. The work of redemption is Jesus' work alone. Our own efforts (sweat) can add nothing to His finished work. What is true of our redemption is also true of our ministry. Both begin at a place of rest.

The apostle Paul tells us, "I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV). Spiritual rest does not mean spiritual passivity. It is rest in action and not rest from action. God does not want us to serve Him out of the efforts of our flesh but in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 8, 2021

Fret-Free Friday: "I Am God!"

Fret-Free Friday: "I Am God!"
Roy Lessin, Fret Busters

Lord, You are who You say You are. You do what You say You do. There is no other like You! You are the highest, the greatest, the best. You have no weakness, no lack, and no equal. You are my God. You are my heavenly Father.

I find comfort in Your nearness, security in Your voice, courage in Your strength, hope in Your promises. 

You are enough—more than enough! You are with me always. You are my refuge. I am safe in Your care.


Come to Me,
Separate yourself unto Me, 
Know Me,
Trust Me...
I am your God.
I dwell with you.
Walk with you,
Welcome you.
You are my child.
I am your Father.

(Based on 2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

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This post originally appeared in Roy Lessin's book "Fret Busters" published by Harvest House Publishers. The book is exclusively available through Blessings Marketplace at a discounted price of $7.99 each +shipping. You can contact them by text any time, or call 318-323-7440 Tuesday-Saturday 10 am- 6 pm. They are located at 110 Splane Drive, West Monroe, LA 71291.
The e-book is available through your favorite e-book online retailer. ... ©2015, 2021 Harvest House Publishers, Roy Lessin. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

©2015, 2021 Harvest House Publishers, Roy Lessin. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Jesus: Our Hope

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope. -1 Timothy 1:1 KJV

The Bible tells us plainly that the world is going in the wrong directions and moving there at a rapid pace. Today's political leaders make big promises but can only offer people a false hope. 

God wants us to keep our hope in Him and not in this world's political system. Jesus has kept us in the world, but we are not of the world. He has us here for an eternal purpose—to be a light of hope that needs to be seen; to be a voice of truth that needs to be heard; to be a demonstration of love that needs to be lived. 

Today we have a future hope. Our hope is not based on anything man can do or say, but is based on Jesus Christ—what He has said, what He has done, what He has yet to do. Our future is bright because His hope shines in our hearts. This hope is not fixed upon where the world is going but upon when Jesus is coming.

To keep our eyes on Jesus is to keep our eyes on hope. Hope is not wishful thinking but expectation of the promises He has given us and all the provisions He has made for us. Jesus will reign in righteousness, and there will be a new heaven and earth that is flooded by His glorious light. This is our true hope.
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©2011, 2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 4, 2021

The Blessing of Obedience

Hello Friends,

Every now and again, we hear of ways that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His benefit. It’s usually not a lightning strike, or a beacon of light, but usually God’s “still, small voice” that leads them to do something a little out of their comfort zone. When we do it, we may never know the impact it has on someone’s life—but sometimes God allows us to see the blessing of our obedience.

Roy received this Christmas letter a few weeks ago, and it shares the story of one of those instances. May we all be so tuned-in to the voice of God, and willing to act in obedience, that He might use us to further His kingdom in the New Year. 

Happy New Year,
Marina

"Watching the evening news, they told of a 33-year-old man who had served in the military, came home to South Carolina, and while working as a Security Guard has been shot and killed protecting the establishment where he was employed. I could not get this off my mind. I even wrote his name down.

The next few days I began to go through the obituaries and I found this man’s name. It gave his mother’s address at the end. I kept feeling I needed to do something. After a week I sat down, wrote his mother a note and sent her a copy of the book my friend and I have given out to more than 5,000 people, “Because of Jesus, Today is Your Best Day.” I placed them in an envelope, prayed, and mailed them. I began to say, “Lord, I hope I heard you clearly.” About 2 weeks later I received a very warm note from the Mother. My heart was so full of Thanksgiving.

Fast forward all the way to November. I was at the grocery store. I had just pulled in, had the top down on my car and was listening to a beautiful song entitled “Eye of the Storm.” Yes, I might have had my radio a little loud. I did not notice the woman sitting in the car next to me on the phone.

The woman got out of her car, she caught my eye and said, “I love that song, I have never heard it.” I immediately apologized that I had my radio turned so loud. All of a sudden she noticed a copy of “Because of Jesus, Today is Your Best Day,” laying in my seat. She said, “Oh my gosh, I have that same book. I received a copy of it when my son died.” I began to shake all over. All I could think to say is, “Do you have time to go back in the grocery store and let me treat you to a coffee?” (This Starbucks girl can always drink a peppermint mocha.) She said she did, and later said she could not believe she did that.

Well, during our conversation, I had to hold my coffee with two hands because I was shaking so badly. I began to explain how I had felt that God nudge and I was the one who had sent the book to her. She began to weep and somehow it just did not matter where we were. We were in a place that at the time only God could have brought us. She told me, “As you know, I do not live on this side of town. I was so down this morning and could not go into my normal grocery store where I always run into someone who wants to tell me they are grieving for me. I did not need that.” She had heard how nice this store was and she needed a change of scenery. Well, she sure got it! We talked on and and she asked me again, why her? Why did I feel I should send her anything? I explained that only God could have done that. Only god could have placed her at the grocery store with me. We left after we prayed together. I left with a total different feeling about the Holidays. Yes, this year might look a little different, but hey, NOTHING CAN ROB US OF OUR JOY. JESUS IS STILL THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Merry Christmas and so much love,
Charles and Libby"
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Charles and Libby, used with permission.





Friday, January 1, 2021

Fret-Free Friday: 1 Peter 5:7 in 2021

Fret-Free Friday
Take heart—He has overcome the world!

January 1, 2021

2020 was a crazy year, but God is still on the throne! As we welcome in 2021, we want to be sure that our gaze remains heavenward, our eyes fixed on Him. 

On Fridays, we will be focusing on God's power and promises in our lives with a new series called "Fret-Free Friday." We look forward to discovering these promises from Scripture and how we can abolish life's little (and big) frets with them.

Grace and peace,

Marina
...

1 Peter 5:7 in 2021

-Roy Lessin


Casting-

Fully releasing. Not holding onto any longer. Not handing over to someone then taking back. Throwing and hurling forth as far away from your grasp as possible. 

 

All-

Wholly and completely. Anything and everything that concerns you. The entire matter. Whatsoever. Whosoever. Whenever. Wherever.

 

Your-

Not someone else. You. What weighs upon your heart. What you carry in your thoughts-all plans, desires, and expectations. The future, the past, and all that is happening around you.

 

Care-

Every distraction. Every anxiety. Every fret. Every fear. Every worry. Every distress. All that keeps you from rest and God’s perfect peace. 

 

Upon-

Not casting your cares to the wind, but to a person. Looking upward...to heaven’s throne and He who sits upon it.  Casting everything into His hands, and into His keeping. Doing it now.

 

Him-

The King. Eternal. Immortal. Invisible. The only wise God. He who rules and reigns. The Almighty one. To Him alone who belongs the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.

 

Because-

He is. He can. He will. He has. He gives. Freely. 

His heart of love for you is the reason to trust in Him completely...with all your heart.

 

He-

Your heavenly Father. ABBA. The one who loves you most. The one who formed you. Called you. Knows you by name. Holds you with His hand, and leads you daily-in a better way, to a higher place, for a greater purpose.

 

Cares-

He affectionately cares. You have His complete attention. Everything about you concerns Him. He sees you. He knows the need. You are under the shelter of His wings. He provides.

 

For You-

He is not against you. You are His child. He will not abandon you, forsake you, or leave you.  He who didn’t spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you, will with Him, freely give you all things.


Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.