Ten Certainties for Uncertain Times, Part 1

Ten Certainties for Uncertain Times, Part 1
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

You are not here by chance. 

It is no accident that you are alive today. You are here by God’s choosing. He was the one who formed you and breathed the breath of life into you. He has made no mistakes concerning you.

You were born at this time in history to fulfill His purpose for this generation. He has given you all the light you need to know His will, and He has given you all the grace you need to do His will.

He knows everything about you—your ups and downs, your highs and lows. He knows your thoughts, He knows your heart, and He is acquainted with all your ways. He has laid His hand of blessing upon you, and has placed His covering over you. He knows you by name and calls you His own. No one knows you better or loves you more.

Today, you are in God’s place, in God’s time, to fulfill God’s plan, in God’s way, by God’s grace, for God’s glory. 
 
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you (Psalm 139:15-18 NIV).

 
I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name (John 15:15-16 NLT).

#devotional #certainties #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #blesseddaycards

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

My Morning Prayer, Receiving and Waiting

My Morning Prayer, Receiving and Waiting
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

Receiving and Waiting
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance (Hebrews 6:12 NLT).
 
In your walk with God two things will always be true: You will be receiving from Him and you will be waiting upon Him. Your faith must trust Him for both. You need to receive from Him what is yours for today and wait upon Him for what will be yours tomorrow.
 
What are things that are yours today? His peace, His grace, His mercies, His forgiveness, His cleansing, His strength, His presence, His life, His blessing, His love.
 
There are also things that require your faith to wait. They include prayers you are waiting to see answered, promises you are waiting to be fulfilled, and God’s timing in relation to your personal guidance.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Thank You, Lord, for your peace and grace—help me to utilize them as I walk through frustrations and situations that try to upset me. Thank You for your mercy, your forgiveness, cleansing and strength—continue to teach me how to extend these things to others, that they may benefit from receiving them and I can build those qualities in my life. Thank you for your life, your blessing, and your love. Let these things shine in me and through me that you in me might be a blessing to those around me—those I know and don't know yet. I want to be salt and light and lead others to you. Help me to be a good representative of your qualities and freely extend these things to everyone.

And thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayers, and for your promises to me (and all believers!) that are true. You are so dependable! Teach me to trust your timing in fulfilling your promises, and help me to use that waiting time wisely—not wasting it away, but building my relationship with you.

I love you and need to feel your love for me today. Help me to be still and know that you ARE God! In Jesus's precious name. Amen.

#mymorningprayer #meetinginthemeadow #receivingandwaiting #devotional #prayer #roylessin #blesseddaycards

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

Timely Tidbits of Truth 73

Timely Tidbits of Truth 73
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
My TRUTH is with you!
 
I Am the eternal Word of God. I Am Reality. 
I Am greater than your circumstances.
I Am your Foundation. Your Cornerstone. Your victory. All that I am, I am for you. Wisdom. Life. Light. Righteousness. Goodness. I am with you as your daily bread and your portion forever.

“I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

#timelytidbitsoftruth #withyou #devotional #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #blesseddaycards

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

Shadowed and Sheltered

Shadowed and Sheltered
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The shadow of God’s wing is a safe shadow. Creep closer under it, closer yet. Earth has nothing human so gentle as true mother-love; but God’s wing that folds down over you is gentler than even mother-love; and you can never get out from beneath it. It holds you close to the gentle heart of the divine Father. –J.R. Miller

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: He himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield (Psalm 91:1-4 CSB).

A shadow is the image of something that is real and near. There can be no shadow of a tree in front of you if there is no tree behind you, and the shadow of eagle’s wings will not appear on the ground before you unless there is an eagle flying overhead.

“The shadow of the Almighty” means God’s presence is near. To abide under the shadow of the Almighty is to find our hiding place in God. It is called His secret place because it is only known by those who know Him. His wings over us are love’s sheltering presence. To know the shadow of His presence is to know there is no safer place to be — here alone there is shelter from the storm, and relief from life’s trials.
The covering of His wings is where our hearts become established in trust. The Lord would not tell us to trust in Him with all our hearts if He did not care for us, if He was not always present with us, or if His wings were not expansive enough to fully cover us. His wings cover us in every aspect of life…in the shortest trip or the longest journey, in the smoothest pathway or the most rugged ascent, in waiting times or times of stepping out, in times of certainty or when things are still unknown.

How priceless your faithful love is, God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7 CSB).

Under His wings is where we find our security and protection. It is also our place of defense. Without the shielding of His wings over us we would be defenseless against the attacks of the enemy. It is beneath the shadow of the Lord’s presence that the Psalmist could say, “The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night” (Psalm 121:6 CSB).

God’s wings also signify the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence and ministry to us. His wings represent one of the most endearing symbols of the Holy Spirit found in Scripture…the Dove (John 1:32). It is the Spirit’s outstretched wings that extend God’s tender mercies over us, and it is the Spirit’s covering wings that assure us of His moment-by-moment care. It is because of the gentle hovering of the Holy Spirit’s wings that our hearts find their way to God’s rest. In our times of weariness the Holy Spirit comes to strengthen, refresh, and renew us. It is He who lifts our spirits, takes us to new heights, and causes us to soar, like the eagles, above the storm.

Where does the Spirit lift us? How high do we soar? He does not lift us to the clouds for they are transient and have no sure foundation upon which we can build our faith; He does not lift us to the stars for there is no life there to nourish or sustain us. The Spirit lifts us above all that God has created, and takes us into the presence of God Himself! He lifts us to new revelations of His heart, to new manifestations of His power, and to new discoveries of His ways. He lifts us to fellowship, to God’s glory, and to worship. He lifts us to fullness of joy, to the beauty of holiness, and to the center of all that is good.

Where does today begin for you? It begins in His presence. It begins with Christ—seated with Him (Ephesians 2:6), at the Father’s right hand, in the place of victory and rest, in the place of unity and intimacy. Where does today begin for you? In the very best place of all, close to the One who loves you most of all!

I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself (Exodus 19:4 CSB).

#shadowedandsheltered #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #blesseddaycards #devotional #devotion 

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

My Morning Prayer: He Is Your Security

 
My Morning Prayer: He Is Your Security
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

He Is Your Security
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me… (Psalm 23:5–6 KJV).
 
shall follow me: Not “there’s a good possibility.” Not “a 50/50 chance.” He WILL follow! He will never retreat, abandon, or flee. He gives us His absolute certainty. It is a promise from the God who cannot lie. His benefits and blessings are mine to receive—mine to enjoy, mine to celebrate. He is keeping me from being defeated, guarding me from being pulled back into my past and protecting me from being overtaken by things I cannot control. His divine escort accompanies me on my pilgrim journey.

My Morning Prayer

-Marina Bromley

Good morning, Lord God! Thank you for this promise of being my security! Your promises are true, and you are dependable every day of my life. I don't need to worry if you'll change your mind, or let me pulled back into my past. THANK YOU for protecting me from myself! Thank you for the reminder that I don't need to control anything in my life, besides my attitude and my reactions to others. Help me to love like you love, and to love everyone. Thank you for not leaving my side, and for going before me, and coming alongside me, as well as following behind so that I am completely surrounded by you on this journey. I love you, and want share your love with others. Let me see you open doors around me. In Jesus's name, amen.

#aplaceathistable #mymorningprayer #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #blesseddaycards

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

Timely Tidbits of Truth 72

Timely Tidbits of Truth 72
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

As my follower you have Me. I am with you! My Spirit is in you. I make every day a grace day. A goodness and mercy day.

Daily abide in My rest. Daily trust in My ways. Daily follow My leading. 
My presence is enough. I am your all-in-all.

“I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

#timelytidbitsoftruth #withyou #devotional #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #blesseddaycards

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

Security

Security
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The financial lessons of the past year have been good reminders for all of us that the financial world is unpredictable and unstable. If our hope, our trust, our future, and our security are tied to the financial world, then we have reason to be troubled.

We are living in times of great uncertainty. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one thing that cannot be shaken; it is the Kingdom of God. Everything about His Kingdom is solid, unmovable, unshakeable, incorruptible, and undefiled. The wise person is one who is building his life on the person of Jesus Christ, on the truth of His words, and on the reality of His Kingdom.

In the uncertain times in which we are living, God wants us to live as people of faith and not people of “sight”. We are to be people who live amidst fear, yet have peace; people who live amidst sorrow, yet have joy; people who live amidst trouble, yet have comfort; people who live amidst uncertainties, yet have hope.

People of faith in God are not people who have found a way to avoid uncertainties or escape trouble. They are people who have learned to live in this world, but not be of it; to face difficulties and overcome them; to face hardships and walk through them. God is their security.

Their trust is in God’s character, their confidence is in God’s ways, their hope is in God’s promises, their joy is in God’s presence, their strength is in God’s power, their stability is in God’s kingdom.

In an uncertain world, God is the God of certainties. The certainties of God provide the anchor for every believer’s soul.  They pave the path for the pilgrim on his journey home; they are the covering for the soldier as he goes into battle; they are the blueprints that the carpenter uses to build his house; they are the track shoes that the sprinter uses as he runs for the finish line; they are the seeds that the gardener sows into the good soil of his heart as he awaits the final harvest.

At any given time the news reminds us that there is much to be troubled and worried about in the world today, but when our lives have been placed in the security of God’s hands we can live in the confidence and security of His covering over us.

One of the many reasons why we can be confident and secure in God’s hands is that we are the Lord’s. His promises to us in His Word affirm that He knows us deeply and intimately, and cares for us as only a Creator can…

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:15-18 NLT)
 
I no longer call you slaves, for a master doesn’t confide in his slaves; now you are my friends, proved by the fact that I have told you everything the Father told me. “You didn’t choose me! I chose you! I appointed you to go and produce lovely fruit always, so that no matter what you ask for from the Father, using my name, he will give it to you” (John 15:15-16 TLB).

#security #meetinginthemeadow #blesseddaycards #roylessin

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

Scriptures to Encourage Us in Prayer, Part 3

Scriptures to Encourage Us in Prayer, Part 3

Compiled by Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Results through Prayer
 
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV).

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us… (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).
 
Prayer in Times of Trouble

‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, 
and thou shalt glorify Me.’ (Psalm 50:15 KJV).
 
‘He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him’ (Psalm 91:15 KJV).
 
For I cried to Him and He answered me! He freed me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4 TLB).

#scripturestoencourageus #prayer #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #blesseddaycards

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

Timely Tidbits of Truth 71, Rejoice

Timely Tidbits of Truth 71, Rejoice
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NKJV).
 
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV).
 
To rejoice is to live in daily celebration of the Lord. We are to rejoice, not in the circumstances of life, but in the Lord of life. We are to rejoice evermore because He is forever true, forever holy, forever good.
 
I love the way old hymn writers celebrated the Lord through their words and music. Below you will find a small sampling of what their hearts have passed on to ours as a legacy of praise and rejoicing. Please add a stanza (or verse) from your favorite hymn or worship song of celebration in the comments.

Hymns of Praise
 
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell,
Come ye before Him, and rejoice.
For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
-William Kethe
 
Let ever act of worship be
Like our espousals, Lord, to Thee;
Like the blest hour when from above
We first received the pledge of love.
Let every moment, as it flies,
Increase Thy praise, improve our joys,
Till we are raised to sing Thy name,
At the great supper of the Lamb.
-Isaac Watts
 
Awake, my tongue; awake, my lyre:
With morning’s earliest dawn arise;
To songs of joy my soul inspire,
And swell your music to the skies.
With those who in Thy grace abound,
To Thee I’ll raise my thankful voice;
Till every land the earth around,
Shall hear, and in Thy name rejoice.
-William Wrangham

His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o’er the earth and heaven;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus given.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord, the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up
To their eternal home.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
-Charles Wesley

#timelytidbitsoftruth #rejoice #meetinginthemeadow #hymns #roylessin #blesseddaycards

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

Prayer of Healing

Prayer of Healing
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Father, You are the Almighty One! Nothing is impossible or too hard for You.

You are Healer God (Jehovah-Rapha). That is Your name. You make bitter things sweet, You revive the old and make things new, You take the things that were lost and restore them. You come with healing in Your wings. You send forth Your word and we are made whole.
You speak and wonders happen; You work and miracles take place; You touch with Your hand and new things begin—You turn ashes into beauty and give the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. You are the One who forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases.

You are the One who sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, and anointed Him with the power of the Holy Spirit. He went about doing good, healing all who came to Him, and delivered all who were oppressed by the devil because You were with Him. It is by His stripes we are healed.

I receive from You all that You are and all Your Son has provided for me through His death and resurrection. Come now with healing in Your wings.
...
Jesus keep me near the cross,
there a precious fountain.
Free to all a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
-Fanny Crosby

#prayerofhealing #prayer #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #blesseddaycards

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

Scriptures to Encourage Us in Prayer, Part 2

Scriptures to Encourage Us in Prayer, Part 2

Compiled by Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Confidence In Prayer

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15 NLT).

 

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

 

Fervency In Prayer

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:18 KJV).

 

…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16 KJV).

#scripturestoencourageus #prayer #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #blesseddaycards

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

Timely Tidbits of Truth 70, In God We Trust

Timely Tidbits of Truth 70, In God We Trust
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

We can trust in God because—

His kingdom is unshakable.

His throne is incorruptible. 

His glory is indescribable.

His Word is infallible.

His greatness is unsearchable.

His power is invincible.

His favor is invaluable.

His grace is inexpressible.

His love is undeniable.

It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God… (Psalm 73:28 KJV).

#meetinginthemeadow #InGodWeTrust #timelytidbitsoftruth #roylessin

©2017 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

God Will Not Fail You

God Will Not Fail You
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

When you walk through a dark valley
No fear shall grip your soul.
When you’re climbing a steep mountain
His hand will not let go.

When you’re waiting for an answer
To a prayer in Jesus’s name
It will soon be granted to you—
You won’t be brought to shame.

There’s not a promise He’s ever broken
Nothings failed that He has said.
He will not forsake you
Like the sparrow you’ll be fed.

God will not fail you
He will not leave you alone.
God will not fail you
He will not forsake His own.

When in a time of suffering
You’re seeking for His touch
His presence will not turn away—
He loves you much too much.

When the pain of a great trial
Seems to tear your heart in two
His arms reach out in mercy
To sustain and comfort you.

There’s not a promise He’s ever broken
Nothings failed that He has said.
He will not forsake you
Like the sparrow you’ll be fed.

God will not fail you
He will not leave you alone.
God will not fail you
He will not forsake His own.

#godwillnotfailyou #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2025, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Jason and Shannon Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.