Reflections from the Heart of God, Part 4

Reflections from the Heart of God, Part 4
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

He surrounds you with good things and showers you with blessings;
He fills you to overflowing and multiplies your joys;
He does exceeding abundantly above all that you could ask or think.
He gives to you freely, generously, unconditionally—
grace upon grace, favor upon favor, kindness up kindness.
He gives you more than your thoughts could imagine,
more than your arms could embrace,
and more than your heart could ever hold.

There are no greater riches than those that are found in the treasure of Jesus Christ…
No deeper joy than the one that is known in His wonderful presence…
No sweeter song than the melody of His love filling the heart…
No truer friendship than the one that comes by walking with Him…
No higher calling than to follow the King of kings and Lord of lords.
 
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32 NKJV).

#devotional #reflectionsfromtheheartofgod #dayspring #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2023 Roy Lessin, DaySpring. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Standing Firm, Part 2

Standing Firm, Part 2
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

Stand Firm: In the Lord! In the Word! In faith! In love! Steadfast upon His unshakable, unsinkable foundation. Consistently, confidently, courageously! Fearlessly, firmly, faithfully. Compassionately, without compromise. Not passively, indifferently, half-heartedly. Not weak-kneed, uncertain, timid. Solid. Secure. Strong in patience, in purpose, in prayer. Persevering. Persistent. Staying the course. Completing the assignment. Full of hope, trust, mercy. Committed! All-in, all the time. With a kingdom perspective. In truth, in righteousness, in humility, for the greatest good, until Jesus comes!

#standingfirm #standfirm #devotional #encouragement #difficulttimes #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

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

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.

23 For '23: Part 2

The title of our New Year posting is 23 for ‘23. It’s a reminder to carry Psalm 23 in our hearts throughout 2023. As His sheep, we will need the nearness of our Shepherd as never before.

Psalm 23 is being presented in an expanded format—word by word and thought by thought. It is our prayer that you will not only read Psalm 23 but feed upon every word.

This is Part 2 in our 3 part series. Please visit the blog here to read Part 1.

-Roy Lessin

23 for '23: Part 2
Psalm 23: Verse by Verse and Thought by Thought
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
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
all the days of my life: and I will dwell
in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23:1-6 KJV

Verse 3: He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

He: The God of all grace and tender mercies. The God of living waters. The God of healing rain. Great Physician—whose healing balm mends my wounds, soothes my pains, comforts my troubled heart. Redeemer. Friend. The One who always is calling the wanderer to return to Him. God of the welcoming voice, the gentle way, the reassuring touch.

Restoreth: Not neglecting. Not ignoring. Not denying. Assuring me “He can” and “He will.” Never turning His back or giving up. Lifting me when I am down; carrying me when I have fallen; refreshing me when I am stale; renewing me when I am weary; reviving me when I have grown cold; turning my head when I have become distracted; rescuing me when I am in danger; pulling me back when I am drifting away. Trimming my wick. Pruning my branches. Molding and shaping my clay within His masterful hands to conform me to His image. Making all things new.

My soul: Who I am in reality. My personality in all its complexity. My mind—thoughts and plans, what I think upon, what I dwell upon. My emotions—feelings, moods, highs and lows. My will—choices, decisions, what I determine to do, where I determine to go. My appetites. My longings. His grace causing me to think His thoughts, feel what He feels, choose what He chooses. Bringing within me the times of refreshing that come from the presence of the Lord.

He: Not astrology. Not philosophy. My God, My Guide, My Guardian. He, from whom are all things, by whom are all things, through whom are all things. He, in whom I live, and move, and have my being. Son of Righteousness. The One who never leaves me or forsakes me. The ever-present help in time of need. The only true time-traveler.

Leadeth me: Not pointlessly. Not wrongfully. Not mischievously. Not aimlessly. Knowing what He is doing. Knowing where He is going. Knowing what is best. Showing the way, making the way, providing the way, being the way. Bestowing the blessings that make me rich; bringing the joys that make me full; imparting the strength that makes me able to follow His footsteps.

In the paths of righteousness: Not vanity. Not sin. Not selfishness. Making straight paths for my feet—not the path of self-effort, not the path of self-righteousness, not the path of dead works. A path of mercy. A path of faith. A path of rest. A path that keeps me from regrets. Freeing me from restlessness and anxiousness; from the hurts and disappointments of life; from the worries and fears that want to cast their shadow upon the course He has chosen for me to follow. Walking step by step on the highway of holiness. His righteousness. Right thinking. Right living. Right choices. Right attitudes. Right motives. A beautiful path. A peaceful path. A joy-filled path that leads me straight to His heart.

For His Name’s sake: Not for my applause, recognition, or celebration. Not my light, but His glory. Not my reputation, but His honor. Not my cleverness, but His majesty. Holy One. Mighty One. Wondrous One. Awesome One. Amazing God. Name above all names. King above all kings. Lord above all lords. Transcendent. Immutable. Worthy to receive all the praise and thanks my heart can give.

Verse 4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Yea: “Yes” to You Jesus. “Yes” to Your will, Your way, Your plan, Your purpose. “Yes” to what seems possible and impossible. “Yes” to what You have prepared, to where Your footsteps are going—through places unknown, to destinations unimagined, by pathways never taken before.

Though I walk: Not in panic, not in haste, not in perplexity. Walking, not running ahead. Walking, not dragging behind. Walking, not passive. Walking, not digging in my heels. Walking forwards, not backwards. Going at His pace. Planting my feet in His freshest footprints. Moving through. Not getting bogged down. Not getting stuck. Not standing in place and marking time. Pressing on.

Through the valley: Not always through the high places, not always through the mountain tops, not always through the grasslands, not always through the woodlands, not always through the bright and brilliant flowering fields and open skies of blue. Not the place where the journey ends, but where the journey takes on new depths and new meaning. The hidden place that presses me to His side, to His heartbeat, to His tender mercies.

Of the shadow of death: Tears. Sorrow. Trials and testing. The place where seeds of desires and expectation fall into the ground. The place where I let go, surrender all, declare from the depths of my being, “Not my will, but Thine by done.” The place where I embrace His cross, be made conformable to His death, where I partake of the fellowship of His sufferings. The place where resurrection life overtakes me, overshadows me, overwhelms me. The place where I feel His hand in mine—Firm. Sure. Mighty. Never letting go—taking me on to the place of abundance.

I will fear no evil: The enemy, a defeated foe. His works destroyed by the power of Christ. Jesus my victor. Conquering King. Captain of my soul. Holy Spirit—Spirit, not of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Heavenly Father—the One whom I have sought with all my heart; the One Who hears and answers my prayer; the One Who consistently, faithfully, triumphantly, delivers me from all my fears.

For Thou art with me: There can be nothing sweeter, nearer, dearer, than this—“Thou,” Creator God, lover of my soul—with me, near me, by me, for me, in me. Fullness of joy! Pleasures forevermore! Not playing hide-and-seek with my soul, my heart, or my very being. Ever present help in time of need.

Thy rod and Thy staff: The things You use to reach me, teach me, shape me, mold me, conform me, direct me, assure me, protect me. The rod of correction that never harms or is an instrument of abuse. The staff that pulls me close when I wander, that rescues me from the pit when I fall. Letting nothing slip by. Doing everything in love and for love’s sake.

They comfort me: Not frustrates. Not bullies. Not stresses. Not “beat up.” Not left in ruins. Not deserted. Not abandoned. Not devastated. Not destroyed. God of sweet consolation. God who wipes my tears. God who carries my burdens. God who knows me, cares for me, lifts me, holds me. Taking full responsibility for my life which I have yielded to Him.

...

Our complete collection of New Year postings by Roy Lessin are available in a 32 page booklet titled, Psalm 23—Verse by Verse & Thought by Thought. The booklet is appropriate to send to a friend as a card of encouragement, or to keep at your table to remind you how much your Shepherd cares. Details for purchasing are available online through Art Set Apart and you can purchase your copies here.

 
©2022 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Carin Bergen. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

#meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #psalm23 #23psalm #newyear2023 #23for23 #newyeardevotional #newyearprayer

23 For '23: Part 1

The title of our New Year posting is 23 for ‘23. It’s a reminder to carry Psalm 23 in our hearts throughout 2023. As His sheep, we will need the nearness of our Shepherd as never before.

 

Psalm 23 will be presented in an expanded format—word by word and thought by thought. It is our prayer that you will not only read Psalm 23 but feed upon every word.

 

This special series will run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (December 30 – January 1), to help us prayerfully usher in the New Year.

-Roy
...

Psalm 23: Verse by Verse and Thought by Thought
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
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
all the days of my life: and I will dwell
in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23:1-6 KJV

At a social function, an aged minister asked an actor who was in attendance to recite something from memory. The actor, thinking to please the minister, decided to recite the Twenty-Third Psalm. With perfect diction, elocution, and in delicate shades of tone, he repeated the psalm in a manner that caused the audience to reveal their enthusiastic praise and applause.

Afterward, the actor, in order to honor the minister, asked if he would recite something for them. The minister could not think of anything and decided, if it was okay with everyone present, to repeat the Twenty-Third Psalm. Quietly, prayerfully, he slowly began to speak out the psalm as it came to mind. At its end, those in attendance sat hushed.

Taking the preacher’s hand in his, the actor said, “We both know the psalm, but it is clear to us all, that you know the Shepherd.”

My prayer for you as you read this book is that you will not just know the Shepherd by name, but will know the Shepherd in your heart. –Roy Lessin

…

Verse 1: The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

The LORD: Yahweh. The Eternal. Jehovah. I Am. The Self-Existent One. The God of forever and ever.

Is: Not will be one day. Not someday. Not was a long time ago. Is now, at this very moment—as I draw each breath, as I take each step, as I face each circumstance of life.

My: Not just someone else’s. Not just the pastor’s. Not just the missionary’s. Not just the people in the Bible. Personal God. My God. Knowing me intimately, watching me carefully, loving me fully.

Shepherd: Pastor. The One who tends, keeps, guards, guides. The Good Shepherd; The Great Shepherd; The Chief Shepherd. The One who leads. The One who feeds. Life giver. Care giver. Watching every moment; protecting in every situation; providing every need. Laying down His life. Giving His all. Seeking me. Carrying me. Holding me close.

I: His hand is on me. I am the apple of His eye. I am His beloved. I am His child. I am His possession. I belong to Him. I am in His hands. I am in His thoughts. I am on His heart.

Shall Not: Never! Not once! Not in any circumstance; not in any trial; not at any age. I am certain, sure, persuaded, unmistaken, absolutely confident of His “Yes” to me.

Want: He is my supply. His is my provider. He is my provision. I shall not be given a stone instead of bread. I shall not come up empty, be destitute, find out that I have been forsaken. In Him, my Lord, my God, my Shepherd, my Pastor, I find no lack.

Verse 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He: Not fate. Not “the gods.” Not luck. Not self-help. Not philosophy. He alone! Creator God. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Maker of all things. Keeper of all things. Ruler of all things in heaven, in earth, in my life.

Maketh: Not wishful thinking, not pie-in-the-sky, but reality. He makes the way and gives the opportunity. He leads me to His prepared place. He makes it possible in every circumstance. He lets me; He insists upon it—I do not need to question or wonder what His will is in the matter.

Me: Personal God! He understands my particular needs and knows where and how to look after me. His gaze is on me. His care is upon me. His love is over me.

To Lie down: Legs folded, knees bent. No striving. No panic. No running about in haste or going around in circles. A time to stop, to kneel, to bend. Reclining—no “standing up” on the inside in protest or rebellion.

In: Not in imagination. Not in fantasy. Not in pretend or make believe. In truth. In my heart, in my soul, in my spirit. In Him—the Way, the Truth, the Life.

Green pastures: His tender, caring place. Luscious. Satisfying. Nurturing. Sustaining. Refreshing. Delighting. Pastures free of dryness, emptiness, barrenness, hopelessness, despair, confusion, death.

He: Not governments. Not politicians. Not political parties. Not programs. Not schemes and the plans of men. He alone! Mighty God, ruler of the land and sea. giver and sustainer of my life—my glory and the lifter of my head.

Leadeth me: Not pushing. Not driving. Not far removed, but ever-present, ever-near. Out front. Taking the first steps, going before, making the pathway passable, possible, doable with footsteps of grace.

Beside: Not looking at His provisions from a distance. Not far off. Not held at a distance. Not watching someone else enjoy His blessings while I am asked to take a step back, or step aside. Close. Near. Placing me right where I need to be…right where He is.

The still waters: Not babbling brooks, not shooting rapids, but peaceful pools. No turmoil. Not a place to rile up, but a place to calm down. A still place, a quiet place, a restful place. To be as still as He is, because He gives His peace. Here I leave everything in His care and His keeping…letting go so He can hold all. My heart is quiet, my soul is still.

Our complete collection of New Year postings by Roy Lessin are available in a 32 page booklet titled, Psalm 23—Verse by Verse & Thought by Thought. The booklet is appropriate to send to a friend as a card of encouragement, or to keep at your table to remind you how much your Shepherd cares. Details for purchasing are available online through Art Set Apart and you can purchase your copies here.

 
©2022 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Erin Story. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

#meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #psalm23 #23psalm #newyear2023 #23for23 #newyeardevotional #newyearprayer

Holding Hands; Caregiver Appreciation Month

November is recognized as Caregiver Appreciation Month and we want to encourage and inspire both caregivers and their loved ones. In several posts Roy Lessin’s wife, Char, will be sharing some short reflections about her journey with Parkinson’s and how God has worked in her heart during this time. We will also share some of Roy’s words and prayers for Caregivers. Whether you are a Caregiver or Care-receiver, may you be blessed in reading them—renewed in your strength, compassion, and focus. May you remember how important and loved you are, and that you are not alone in this difficult journey.
-Marina

Holding Hands
-Roy Lessin

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...' For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’  (Isaiah 41:10,13 NKJV).

As a little boy I grew up in the Bronx, New York. Often, my mother would take my hand when we would walk the streets, go to the park, or go shopping. It was the best way for her to let me know I was safe, protected, and secure from all that was going on around me. She was the one who watched the traffic, kept me away from danger, and made sure I wouldn’t wander away. (It was during the times when I ventured out on my own that got me into trouble).

When I was in Bible College I met my wife. I introduced myself, watched her sing in the choir, talked with her on campus, and finally asked her for a date. Most of the times spent with her were in group situations. It took sometime before we decided it was ok to hold hands.

It was a big deal! It meant something special, personal, and affectionate. It sent a message to others that “something was going on between us.” It was a way for each of us to tell the other, “I want to be with you and I enjoy being with you.” 

Isn’t it amazing to know that God is holding your hand! And that He wants to! 

He wants to hold your hand as a parent wants to hold the hand of a child. He wants you to be safe, protected, and secure. He wants you to be assured of His presence and watch-care. He wants you not to worry or fear because He is in charge and in control.

God also wants to hold your hand as an expression of His deep and caring love for you. He is your good, kind, faithful Father. He wants to be close to you, and wants everyone else to know that you are His, and to keep their distance. He wants you to be strong in His love.

Be assured, God’s hold upon your hand today is a big deal!

#holdinghandswithgod #holdinghands #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #dayspring #caregivers #nationalcaregivermonth #caregiverappreciation

©2022 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.