The Voice of the Father

When you hear words of kindness, run to them. When you hear words of truth, throw your arms around them. When those words become your daily bread, dine with them. Delight in all you hear; celebrate the sweetness that comes to your soul; feast at the table of their goodness. Daily listen for the voice of love that calls your name.

Your words were found, and I did eat them; and Your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

Best Friends

Serve the LORD with gladness. Psalm 100:2 (KJV)

Two things in our lives become beautiful expressions of God’s grace when they work in harmony in righteousness. One is our actions, the other is our attitudes. Together they express Jesus’ hands and His heart. In God’s kingdom these “best friends” shine the brightest light upon the investment we make in the lives of others.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Prayer...

Prayer...

It keeps us from looking for life’s answers somewhere else.

It directs our need to the place of complete provision.

It quiets the restless heart from running to and fro.

It is the secret place where God’s children can speak to their Father privately and in full confidence of acceptance and understanding.

It is where co-workers help share the load.

It is where the weary heart can cast its burden…where the weeping heart can bring its tears…where the grateful heart can offer its thanksgiving…and where the happy heart can bring its praise.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

The Master's Hand

Trust His hand as He holds the brush that paints upon the canvas of your life. You will love the finished work.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

May Your Heart Hear Him Say…

I am near. Do not doubt My presence for a single moment. I have promised. I am the true and faithful God. Be certain of Me fulfilling My promise. Don’t doubt it. Let your heart be quiet with the assurance of my presence! I am with you because I care about you. I am with you because I love you. I am with you because I want to be with you. I am with you because I desire to have fellowship with you. There will never be a time or a circumstance when you are without Me. I am with you now. I am with you in the dark times, in the hard times, in the difficult times. I am with you through all the times of life. I am with you always. I am with you now!

There has not failed one word of all His good promise. 1 Kings 8:56 (NKJV)

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

I Will

“…I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:3-4 (NLT)

The promise in Isaiah 46:3-4 includes the phrase, “I will." God’s “I will” does not mean “I will consider it as an option.”

God says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime.” God doesn’t stop thinking about us when we reach old age, neither does He consider us “no longer fit” for His service once we leave our youth. God can work through us when we are young, as adults, and He can make our senior years fruitful and meaningful.

The promise of God’s presence in Isaiah 46:3 includes His continued watch-care over us. From our first day to our last day, from childhood to adulthood, from our infant years to our golden years…God is the One who will never leave us or forsake us. His promise assures us that there will never be a time when we cannot trust Him with every detail of our lives. When our hair has turned white, let it be a faith-building reminder that the promise of God’s presence will not change.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

We Will Come to You

Based on John 14:15-18, 23

Why did the Father come to you? Why did Jesus come to you? Why did the Holy Spirit come to you?

Not to condemn you, not to make you uncomfortable, not to treat you as a stranger, and not to say you don’t belong.

They came to make their home with you, and they came so you could be at home in them as a beloved child in the family of God.

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." John 14:23 NKJV

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

He Is

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

In our battle He is—Captain, Warrior, Banner, Victor, Mighty Defender.

In our desert He is—River, Stream, Fountain, Well, Living Water.

In our sorrow He is—Comfort, Strength, Endurance, Restorer, Caring Father.

In our darkness He is—Light, Lamp, Radiance, Glory, New Day.

In our need He is—Provider, Source, Wholeness, Fullness, Daily Bread.

In our journey He is—Way, Companion, Guide, Compass, True North.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Aging

As we get older it’s good to remember that aging is a state of our physical life, not our spiritual life. We mature spiritually, but we grow older physically. While physical vitality declines with age and the body slows down, our spiritual life can remain vital and vibrant as we grow from faith to faith and glory to glory.

One day, it’s as though the physical side of us says to the spiritual side, “I’ve run the race with you these many years, but I can’t keep up the pace any longer, you go on ahead and I will catch up with you at the resurrection.”

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

The Secret Place

He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Lord, thank You for the secret place, the quiet place, where I commune with You. It is my treasured place. Intimate. Sheltered. Cherished.

Here my spirit abides under the shadow of the Almighty. Here I rest, secure under the covering of Your wings.

Here my soul is restored, my strength renewed, and my heart revived as I receive the joys found in Your presence alone.

Jesus lead me there. Father meet me there. Holy Spirit keep me there.

No matter if the pace be fast or slow, however full the calendar, whatever the task requires, whatever the needs of the day…keep my heart still. Quiet. Guard my mind with Your healing peace.  Amen!

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Guidance: Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Trust- Rely upon Him fully and be confidently secure.

In the LORD- The Almighty One who has all wisdom, power and authority.

With all your heart- Be 100% all in, with all you’ve got, let your heart be fixed and settled.

And lean not on your own understanding- Let His thoughts be your thoughts, His plans your plans, His will your will.

In all your ways- In you going out and coming in, in your choices, in your expectations, and in every detail of life.

Acknowledge Him- He is in charge. He reigns. He makes the way and prepares the way. He will never make a mistake or mislead you.

And He shall direct your paths- Count on it! He will direct your life. He will get you where you need to be and keep you there to fulfill His purpose.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved. 

Healing Prayer

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 beauty into ashes 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.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved. 

Focus on Jesus

The Scriptures point to Him-

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39

God the Father points to Him-

A bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Matthew 17:5

The Holy Spirit points to Him-

When the Comforter comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes from the Father, He will testify regarding Me. John 15:26

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved. 

Never Forgotten

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” Isaiah 49:15-16 (NKJV)

A Mother has a special way with her nursing child, especially as her love expresses itself in little ways and in tiny details—the whispered words of affection, the gentleness of her embrace, the extra kiss upon her child’s cheek when it’s time for bed. God points us to the heart of a nursing mother to help us understand how deep His love is and how much He delights in caring for us.

Recently, I discovered the tiny details of God’s love and care for me through two different experiences. The first happened one morning as I was driving to DaySpring Publishing for a meeting with a designer who was working on the book cover for my upcoming autobiography. I had several boxes of old photos and product samples in the front seat that needed to be brought to the meeting. I knew I would need help. The thought came to pray. I immediately reasoned it was too small of a matter. The thought returned, “Pray about it.” Hesitantly, I brought the need to God. “Father, I need help to unload when I get to DaySpring.”

As I pulled into the parking lot I found a space near the main building. I looked around but saw no one. I got out and walked to the passenger side of the car to start unloading the boxes. I had no sooner opened the door when an employee appeared and asked if he could help. “Gladly!” I said. Before he could pick up a box another employee appeared offering to help. In one quick trip the job was done.

The other experience happened at home. I had desired a good quality point-and-shoot camera for years. I finally found the ideal camera at a special price online. It arrived a few days later. I was excited to put it to use and start taking pictures of the many flowers, birds, and butterflies that visit our backyard garden. It didn’t take long to capture the beauty of it all. I was anxious to send my small collection of photos to my wife so she could begin posting them. There was only one problem. I discovered I didn’t have the adapter I needed to transfer the photos to her tablet.

It took some time to figure out exactly what I needed. I made a trip to the electronic department of a local store but came up empty. My best option seemed to be online, but that would mean having to wait several more days. When I looked up the adapter I discovered it was pricey. I decided to wait.

That evening, while in bed, I gave the matter to the Lord. When I got up the next morning a thought came to mind about an adapter I had purchased several years earlier. I couldn’t remember what the adapter was for, but I was reminded where I had put it. I went to my office and walked over to a bin in the corner of the room. Inside the bin was a small wooden box. When I opened the box I saw the adapter. To my amazement, it was the exact one I needed to transfer my photos.

Does God really care about the little things in our lives? Is He that observant? Is He that available? Is He that resourceful? Consider the care of a nursing mother for her child. To her, everything that takes place in the life of her child is important. Your life is even more important to God.

He will never forget about you!

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Prayer Song

I lift my voice to God in prayer,

My life is in the Father’s care.

I walk by faith, I do not fear-

My heart is free from all despair.

Each time I pray I seek His best,

His will becomes my perfect rest.

He hears my words, He sees my need-

His heart responds to each request.

I boldly come before His throne,

Within His courts my voice is known.

I seek His heart, I find His grace-

I come through Jesus’ blood alone.

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Jesus, Three Shepherds in One

He is the Good Shepherd of forgiveness-
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11

As your Good Shepherd, Jesus gave His life for you. He didn’t run away from you because of your sin, or hide Himself from your need to be forgiven. He went to the cross and shed His blood to cleanse you from all your sin. He laid down His life for you because He loves you.

He is the Great Shepherd of faithfulness- 
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Hebrews 13:20

As your Great Shepherd, Jesus was raised from the dead and made a way for you through an everlasting covenant of grace and mercy. He now lives for you and prays for you. He leads you and feeds you. He is with you and watches over you. You do not need to fear because He will faithfully provide for you.

He is the Chief Shepherd of the future- 
When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. 1 Peter 5:4

As your Chief Shepherd, Jesus is your blessed hope. You have a bright future because He is your future. He is preparing a place for you and one day He will come for you, because He wants you to be where He is, in His Father’s house, forever.
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Prayer-
Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd. You are good, You are great, and You rule over all. I believe in Your salvation and I receive Your forgiveness.

I know that you are good to me and are doing great things in my life.

Without You I would be a lost sheep, but because of You I am found.

I trust in You to lead me, I rely upon You to provide for me, and I look to You as my coming King. I yield my life and my future to You. Keep me in Your daily care. Amen!


©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

According to the Scriptures...

According to the Scriptures:

Jesus went to the cross to die for us;

He rose from the dead to live for us;

He ascended to the right hand of the Father to intercede for us;

He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us;

He will come again to be with us.

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever. 1 Thessalonians 5:10 (NLT)

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow, all rights reserved.

The Word of God—

The Word of God—

When you need illumination,

It’s a lamp to your feet;

When you need guidance,

It’s a light to your path;

When you face a spiritual battle,

It’s the sword of the Spirit;

When you need to be fed,

It’s the word of life;

When you need refreshing,

It’s the joy and rejoicing of your heart;

When you are spiritually hungry;

It’s your daily bread.

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5 (NKJV)

©2019 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.