Monday, July 31, 2023

My Morning Prayer: Keep On Trusting

My Morning Prayer: Keep On Trusting
-Roy Lessin, A Place at His Table, Meeting in the Meadow

 

Trust in Him at all times. Psalm 62:8 NLT

Putting your trust in the Lord is a full-time, lifelong, joy-filled privilege. Put your trust in the Lord when you have much and when you have little; when things are going smooth and when things are going rough; when you are settled and when you are in the midst of change; when you have understanding and when you aren’t sure what to do.

Trust in the Lord is not seasonal or selective, or debatable, relative or arbitrary. Trust in the Lord should be steadfast, constant, consistent, unwavering. You can completely trust in the One who is completely trustworthy.



My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father God, thank You for walking with me through every season. Your companionship means so much to me, as You accompany me in every life situation. You are so dependable, and I need You in every way. Direct my steps to align with Yours. Help me to see You working in my life, and hiding Your Word in my heart. Thank You for all You give to me...all You provide for me...all You keep away from me. Let me trust You with every detail of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

#keepontrusting #meetinginthemeadow #mymondayprayer #aplaceathistable #roylessin

©2023 Roy Lessin, DaySpring, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo and Prayer by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Friday, July 28, 2023

The Holy Spirit Book: The Spirit Against the Flesh

The Holy Spirit Book: The Spirit Against the Flesh
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Excerpt from Chapter 6
The Spirit Against the Flesh

 

 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of your flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh… Galatians 5:16-17 NASB



The way the Holy Spirit wants us to walk is very different from the way we naturally want to walk. The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:16-17 that our flesh (how we live when the Holy Spirit is not in control of our lives) is in direct contrast and conflict with what the Holy Spirit desires for us.

Consider the flesh and the Spirit having a conversation over different choices we need to make. Here is how it might take place:

The flesh says: “I want to pursue my goals.”
The Spirit says: “Pursue my purposes.”

The flesh says: “I have great ideas.”
The Spirit says: “Seek My wisdom.”

The flesh says: “I have a great plan.”
The Spirit says: “I have a perfect plan.”

The flesh says: “I am working hard.”
The Spirit says: “Receive my power.”

The flesh says: “I am weary.”
The Spirit says: “I will renew your strength.”

The flesh says: “I am trying to live a good life.”
The Spirit says: “I will make you holy.”

The flesh says: “I need to be dynamic.”
The Spirit says: “You need My anointing.”

The flesh says: “I want recognition.”
The Spirit says: “Seek My approval.”

The flesh says: “I want people to like me.”
The Spirit says: “I want people to glorify Jesus.”

The way we have victory in our lives over the demands of the flesh is to walk in the Spirit. We will fail if we try to reason with the flesh or use our own strength to fight it.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV

© 2017, 2023 Roy Lessin, The Holy Spirit Book. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

 

 


 

APPLICATION: Which of the above conversations between the Spirit and the flesh can you identify with most? Why are the desires of your flesh in disagreement with what the Holy Spirit desires? How can this conflict be resolved in your life? Read Romans 8:1-11 + Romans 6:12-13

#theholyspiritbook #holyspirit #devotional #roylessin #biblicalteaching 

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Triumphant

Triumphant
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow


Victory will be the end,
When God is in the fight;
He will deal with every foe, 
And turn the wrong to right.
The battle comes in waves at times,
Like storms upon the sea;
His voice will quiet each of them,
As He speaks peace to me.
My confidence is in the Lord,
He never knows defeat;
My enemies of every sort,
Are found beneath His feet.
Praise to Him Who rules and reigns,
The King upon the throne;
I know no greater warrior,
Than God, and God alone!

 


Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29 NKJV).

#triumphant #devotional #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow 

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Roy Lessin. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Monday, July 24, 2023

My Morning Prayer: Praise

My Morning Prayer: Praise
-Roy Lessin, A Place At His Table, Meeting in the Meadow

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

Praise to You, Lord God Almighty! You are good. Kind. Gracious. You are love, and full of compassion. I am blessed to spend each day in Your presence.

You are greater than all there is, greater than all that there has been, and greater than all that will ever be. I sing unto You, for You are my song; I rejoice in You, for You are my celebration; I delight in You, for You are my greatest treasure.

Moment by moment, and day by day, You are my Savior and my God!




My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father, God, remind me continually of Your greatness and Your majesty. Of Your goodness, kindness and graciousness. Your love and compassion. Keep a song in my heart and on my lips, that I might praise You always, no matter what conditions are around me. I want to rejoice in You and celebrate all that You are to me! Teach me to bless You more! In Jesus' name, amen.

#mymondayprayer #prayer #aplaceathistable #praise #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #dayspring

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, DaySpring. Photo and prayer by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Friday, July 21, 2023

The Holy Spirit Book: The Holy Spirit at Work in Us

The Holy Spirit Book: The Holy Spirit at Work in Us
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Excerpt from Chapter 4
The Holy Spirit at Work in Us

 

 

There is therefore now no condemnation who is in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 NKJV

The eighth chapter of Romans is one of the greatest teachings in the Bible on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The following points summarize the teaching of the Apostle Paul about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.



IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who speaks with the voice of clarity and truth. His voice never sounds confusing, and He never speaks empty words that have no meaning.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who keeps us from guessing about our right standing and relationship with God. There is no guesswork with the Holy Spirit.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who assures us of our security in Christ, who places within us the heart-cry “Abba Father,” and who speaks to us as true heirs of the promises of God.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who testifies to us our freedom from all condemnation, who applies to our hearts the law of liberty provided through Christ’s atonement, and who frees us from the power of sin and its consequences.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who places our feet upon the pathway of peace, who indwells us, who assures us that we are God’s children, who brings us the mind of Christ, who leads us to the things that please God, who renews our physical bodies, and who frees us from all bondage and fear.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who helps us in our weaknesses, who prays for us in our need, who lines up everything in our lives according to the will of God, who puts heaven in our vision, hope in our hearts, and joy in our journeys as He reveals to us our true riches in Christ.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who tells us, over and over again, that we are the Lord’s, that the Father loves us, that God is for us, that He is working all things together for good, and that Jesus is our Savior, our Shepherd, and our coming King.

IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT who brings the reality of Christ to our hearts, the fellowship of God to our spirits, the light of the Scriptures to our understanding, and who makes the communion we have with other believers possible.

The work of the Holy Spirit never goes out of date, becomes dull or stale, or loses its power. As He worked in the lives of the believers in the Bible, so He works in our lives today. His work is and always will be relevant in every generation.

© 2017, 2023 Roy Lessin, The Holy Spirit Book. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

 

 

APPLICATION: Is it possible for you to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit? Explain.

#theholyspiritbook #theholyspirit #devotional #biblicalteaching #teachingontheholyspirit #roylessin

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Heart Calls

Heart Calls
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow


The Lord hears and responds when I call to Him.

Psalm 4:3 AMP


You are love, here is my heart.

You are the potter, here is my clay.

You are faithful, here is my trust.

You are worthy, here is my worship.

You are true, here is my loyalty.

You are righteous, here is my obedience.

You are good, here is my gratitude.

You are always fully here for me;

May I always be fully here for you.





#heartcalls #lovethelord #jesuslovesme #offering #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow


©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.



Monday, July 17, 2023

My Morning Prayer: When You Need Him Most

My Morning Prayer: When You Need Him Most
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

When You Need Him Most; A Place at His Table
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?... No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35, 39 NLT).

His strongest grace
is for your weakest moment;

His sweetest fellowship
is for your loneliest journey;

His richest supply
is for your neediest hour;

His closest embrace
is for your deepest sorrow;

His brightest light
is for your darkest day.


My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father, I need You most every moment of every day! I confess my lack of trust to turn my needs over to You, that You might satisfy them in me. Teach me how to walk in the confidence of my salvation, of Your love for me. Help me to shine brightly in the darkness of the world to share Your love for all people. I want to have unending fellowship with You—let me learn Your presence and voice. In Jesus' name, amen.

#mymondayprayer #prayer #whenyouneedhimmost #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow and DaySpring. Prayer and Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Friday, July 14, 2023

The Holy Spirit Book Study: Better Than the Very Best Friend

The Holy Spirit Book Study: Better Than the Very Best Friend
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow


Excerpt from Chapter 3
Better Than the Very Best Friend

 

 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is even better than the very best friend, because He is the HOLY Spirit—all of His characteristics are expressed in the purest of ways and for the highest purpose.



HE IS KIND—The Holy Spirit is gentle like a dove. (Matthew 3:16)
HE IS LOYAL—The Holy Spirit always directs us into God’s will and plan for our lives. (Acts 13:2)
HE IS TRUTHFUL—The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. (John 16:13)
HE IS HONEST—The Holy Spirit bears witness to everything that is good and right. (Hebrews 10:15)
HE IS DEPENDABLE—The Holy Spirit is always with us and is there for us. (John 14:17)
HE IS PATIENT—The Holy Spirit waits for His fruit to grow and mature in our lives. (Galatians 5:22-23)
HE IS ENCOURAGING—The Holy Spirit is the One who edifies, builds up, and gives us wise counsel. (Isaiah 11:2)
HE IS HELPFUL—The Holy Spirit is the perfect Helper who comes alongside us to reassure is in every possible way. (John 14:26)
HE IS COMFORTING—The Holy Spirit is the tender Comforter. He knows our sorrows and sees our tears. (Acts 9:31)
HE IS LOVING—The Holy Spirit is the One who fills our hearts with the love of God. (Romans 5:5)

Just as we can be assured that the Holy Spirit will always express the characteristics mentioned above, we can also be assured that the Holy Spirit will never express cruelty, unfaithfulness, deception, unreliability, impatience, discouragement, unhelpfulness, indifference, or hatefulness.

© 2017, 2023 Roy Lessin, The Holy Spirit Book. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

 

 

APPLICATION: How can you allow the Holy Spirit to work His fruit in you and make your relationships with others more meaningful?


#theholyspiritbook #theholyspirit #meetinginthemeadow #devotional #roylessin

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Sunbeams Through My Window, Part 9

Sunbeams Through My Window, Part 9
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Where would we be if we couldn’t be forgiven?

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Psalm 103:2-4 NKJV


You are forgiven for sins past, and that is justification. Today, you are delivered from sin’s present power and that is sanctification. One day in heaven, you will be saved from sin’s presence and that is glorification.

#sunbeamsthroughmywindow #sunbeams #forgiven #psalm103 #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow 

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Lydia Lapierre. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Monday, July 10, 2023

My Morning Prayer: Run to Jesus

My Morning Prayer: Run to Jesus
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe  (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).

 

Is there a trial you are facing, a difficulty you are walking through, a sorrow you are carrying?

You are not alone in these trying times. There is One alone who is a very present help in time of need. In Jesus you have a Warrior who has won the battle, a Champion who has defeated the foe, a Conqueror who will lead you in triumph. 

He is your Light in the darkest night, your Companion in the deepest valley, your Guide through the densest forest, your Rock on the shakiest ground, your Shelter from the strongest storm, your Oasis in the driest desert, your Captain on the roughest seas.

Run to Jesus! Run to His love. Run to His strength. Run in confidence. Run with all your heart.


My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the One who is my Help in time of need. I praise You for being my Warrior and Champion, and my Conqueror who is leading me. Thank You for being my Companion and Guide who always walks with me. Continue to be my Rock and Shelter, my Oasis and my Captain. Lord Jesus, You are my all in ALL. My everything. Have Your way in me, Lord. I am Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.

#mymondayprayer #runtojesus #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo and Prayer by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.


Friday, July 7, 2023

The Holy Spirit Book Study: Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit Book Study: Who is the Holy Spirit?
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

We are presenting The Holy Spirit Book, by Roy Lessin, in a short devotional study on the next several Fridays. This was a small-group study done several years ago, but the material is important enough to bring to you again. It was in a limited group release before, and now we are offering it to all of our readers.

We hope you are blessed as you participate in the study, and that if you're interested that you'll get the book to read in its entirety. -Marina

...

With a prayer that the abundant life which Jesus came to give us, the fullness of joy that He promised to us, and the power of the Holy Spirit that He sent to be upon us, will be the reality of every believing heart." -Roy Lessin

Excerpt from Chapter 1
Who is the Holy Spirit?

 

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." 2 Corinthians 13:14

There are many things about the working of the Holy Spirit that are mysterious and we may not fully understand, but it does not mean that the person of the Holy Spirit should be a mystery to us.

God is one God in three persons (see 2 Cor. 13:14, Matt. 3:16-17, Rom. 8:9-11, I Pet. 1:2, John 3:34, Titus 3:4-6). The three persons are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are co-eternal and co-equal. We call these three persons the Holy Trinity or the triune Godhead. The Father honors the Son, and the Son honors the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit honors the Son, and the Son honors the Father. They are in complete harmony and unity with each other. The will of One is the will of All, the love of One is the love of All, and the holiness of One is the holiness of All. As it is written in Revelation 4:8, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.

How can we explain this truth? Many examples have been given to try and help us understand the reality of one God in three distinct persons. Although each of these examples help us somewhat, they fall far short in helping us understand the depth of the triune Godhead. To learn of God is to be in awe of His words, His works, His attributes, and His ways. By faith, each of us can proclaim, “Who is like the Lord our God?”

Can the human really explain the Divine? How can the finite grasp the infinite? How can the limited define the omnipotent? How can the human mind fathom the depth of the all-knowing God? WE CAN’T. We are not asked to understand it or explain it, but we can fully believe it!

Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33

© 2017, 2023 Roy Lessin, The Holy Spirit Book. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

 

 

APPLICATION: Write a prayer asking what you desire the Holy Spirit to reveal to you about Himself, and what you desire Him to do in your life.


#theholyspiritbook #theholyspirit #roylessin #devotional #devotion #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin.com 

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

So Loved!

So Loved!
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

For God- The eternal God. The Father. Not a mean, hurtful, abusing, cruel father, but your loving Heavenly Father. Abba. Your Maker. Creator. Life Giver. Giver of good things and all that is good. God of salvation. Giver of the greatest of all gifts.

 

So loved- Not a so-so love! But a love that is…So amazing. So full. So gracious. So great. So abundant. So compassionate and tender. So caring. So giving. So kind…and so much more. Love to the depths and to the heights. Boundless! Upholding! Undergirding! Unending!

 

The world- The stranger, the neighbor, the wayfarer. The lost. The empty. The fearful. The alone. The forgotten. The forsaken. The newborn and the ancient.  Those near or afar. The weary. The hapless, the hopeless, and the homeless. The sinner. The pushed aside and the set aside. No one is outside His call to come.

 

That He gave- Generously. Graciously. Mercifully. From the heart. Gave all that love could ever give. Once, for all time. Completely. Freely. Without reservation. Holding nothing back. He gave with a promise, with a prophecy, with a purpose, and with a powerful plan. Given so you could be His. 



His only begotten Son- The only choice, the only option, the only incarnate One, the only Word, the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, the only One sent to shed His blood-the only sinless One, the only anointed One to be the Savior, Prophet, Priest, and King. Sent to seek and to save that which was lost.

 

That whoever believes in Him- Not ignore, not reject, not turn away, not be indifferent or hardened. Fully turn, fully seek, fully trust, fully receive, fully believe. Believing Jesus can and will save you. Being “all in”-with all your heart, all you soul, all your mind-all you’ve got, and all you hope to be. Totally committed. Holding nothing back. In all things! At all times! 

 

Should not perish- Saved from condemnation, wrath, and hell. Brought into fellowship and companionship. No longer separated, isolated, and fragmented. Found, not lost. Welcomed, not cast out. Walking in the light. Brought out of the darkness. Rescued and not destroyed. No longer an orphan, but His child.

 

But have everlasting life- Possess. Partake. Not, “I hope I make it.” Certain. Sure. Secure. Saved-truly, really, actually, unshakably. Alive in Christ! Always and forever. Justified. Adopted. Never forsaken. Life lived to its fullest measure, for its greatest purpose, for its highest good, for its deepest joys-without end. Eternally His, for He is eternally yours!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 ESV).

#john316 #soloved #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Roy Lessin. Used with permission, all rights reserved.


Monday, July 3, 2023

My Morning Prayer: His Desire Is to Bless You

My Morning Prayer: His Desire Is to Bless You
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

His Desire Is to Bless You
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 NKJV).

 

You will never lack anything that His grace cannot give you, and He will give to you over and over again.

Because His supply is abundant you will never be without.
Because His heart is full you will never be empty.
Because His resources are endless there will never be a time when He cannot meet your needs.

Your life couldn’t be in better hands. As you come to Him in prayer remember how much He desires to bless you.


My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father God, I know that I am not deserving of the blessings You shower over me, and yet You give to me over and over more than I could ask or think. Thank You for caring for me. Thank You for meeting my every need. Thank You for spilling over into my heart that I may overflow into others' hearts. I need Your love, a healing touch, a quiet word of affirmation. Still my heart that I may hear from You today. Still my body that I might feel You at work. Still my mind that I may understand the fulness of Your love for me, and this broken world. Be at work, Dear Lord, and heal our bodies, our minds, our land. In Jesus' name, amen.

#meetinginthemeadow #mymondayprayer #Hisdesireistoblessyou #blessingsfromGod #roylessin

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Prayer and Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.