Fret-Free Friday: Prayer of Release

Fret-Free Friday: Prayer of Release
Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return (2 Timothy 1:12 NLT).

Heavenly Father, I release to You the burdens that I've been carrying—burdens that You never intended for me to carry. I cast my cares on You—all my worries and all my fears. You've told me to not be anxious about anything, but instead, to bring everything to You in prayer with thankfulness.

Father, calm my restless spirit, quiet my anxious heart, and still my troubling thoughts with the assurance that You are in control. I choose to let go of my grip on the things I've been hanging on to. With open hands I come to You. I release to Your will all that I am trying to manipulate. I release to Your authority all that I am trying to control. I release to Your timing all that I have been striving to make happen.

I thank You for Your promise to sustain me, preserve me, and guard all that I entrust to Your keeping. Protect my heart and mind with Your peace—the peace that passes all understanding.

Father, may Your will be done in my life in Your time and in Your way. Amen.

Scriptures: Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7; Luke 11:2)

When we are careful to instantly let go of all needless worries and restless thoughts, then we shall find ourselves on plateaus of peace. -Fenelon
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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.

Unforgettable

Unforgettable
Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

“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

It’s not always easy to remember things. There’s a reason why planning calendars and memo pads are so popular. Once we reach retirement age we become even more aware of our forgetfulness.

Who alone but God can say, “I will not forget you.” To doubly assure you God even declares, “You are inscribed upon the palms of My hands.”

Ask a mother the name of her child she holds in her arms and she will tell you. Even if that mother could forget her child’s name, our unforgettable God will never, ever, forget about you. He not only knows your name, He knows you-who you are, how He formed you, your personality, what you need, and your deepest desires. He knows where you live. He knows the plans He has for you. You are inscribed upon His hands and held within His heart.

Has He given you a promise? He has not forgotten it. Have you brought a need to Him in prayer? He has not forgotten it. He who does not forget the needs of the sparrow has not forgotten you. He will never forget to be gracious to you, and to extend His mercies to you. The God you have come to trust is the God who will never leave or forsake you.

Be confident and courageous today in His unforgettable love. He will help you up, hold you up, and never let you down.

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. -Isaiah 50:7

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

My Monday Prayer: Prayer of Grace

My Monday Prayer: Prayer of Grace
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV 

Lord, thank You for Your grace. It is by grace that my heart was drawn to You—grace that was extended, not in limited measure, but  in abundance; not sprinkled down, but poured out; not just enough to get me by, but more than enough to bring me through as more than a conqueror.

I receive Your grace—I run to it, welcome it, embrace it. Thank You for not putting Your grace on hold or hiding it away for safe keeping. Thank You for making it available to me now, when I need it most.

Your grace brings me riches in my poverty; sufficiency in my inadequacy; abundance in my lack. I thank You for being so gracious—for Your heart of grace that is reaching out, for Your throne of grace that invites me in, and for Your gift of grace. Thank You for Your only begotten Son, who has embraced me in His arms of mercy, and who brings to me the fullness of grace and truth.
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.

Fret-Free Friday: A Quiet Heart

Fret-Free Friday: A Quiet Heart
Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

We can learn something important from the way of a mother with a frightened child. A child's response to fear is not a whimper. It's a wail. The mother's response is not casual or indifferent. No, it is instant and intense. Love moves into action, and not with just explanations or reasoning but with everything within its power to quiet, to comfort, and to reassure. The arms of a mother's embrace speak louder than any words the child can hear in that moment of fear.

The mother's voice is also soothing. "Shhh, it's okay now. Mommy's here. It's okay." These words are all the child needs to know. Her gentle words and loving arms bring the reassurance that helps the child become calm. 

God's words can be likened to the words of a caring mother to her fearful child. The language in Psalm 46:10-11 is simple, the words are few, the impact is instant, the result is profound. His words tell us all we need to know to settle down, still our fears, quiet our hearts, and reassure us. Hear His encouraging voice: "Be still. Release all your concerns and quiet your heart. You are okay. I am here. You are safe in the shelter of My arms."

Be still, and know that I am God...The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:10-11
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

The Word of God

The Word of God
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The times we live in provide strong reminders of how important it is for us to focus our lives upon the things that matter most. The Word of God is one of those things. I encourage you to stay in the Word. Be a faith-reader of what is written. Let it be your daily bread. Here are some of the reasons why...

The Word of God. It is a book like no other. It is a living book. Its words can live in you. It is your rock to stand upon, your bread to dine upon, and your path to walk upon.

It  tells a love story that has no end, an adventure story filled with courage, a redemption story that saves the soul, and a faith story that demonstrates the impossible things only God can do.

No argument can undermine its truth;
No doubt can lessen its authenticity;
No opposition can destroy its foundation;
No skepticism can weaken its transforming power;
No darkness can overcome its penetrating light.

It is a lamp you can carry and a light that will shine upon your face. It will build you up and hold you up. It is your anchor, your plumb line, and your unshakable foundation upon which you can build your life.

It is there with grace, receive it; there with comfort, welcome it; there with  hope, trust it; there with guidance, follow it; there with joy, celebrate it; there with love, embrace it.

Come thirsty and drink from its fountain.
Come hungry and feast at its table.
Come poor and discover its treasures.
Come weak and draw from its strength.
Come seeking and learn of its wisdom.
Come needy and experience its promises.
Come lost and find your way home.
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.