Forgiven, Part 7: Holiness

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, and give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth. For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name. O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things. His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me. Let them bring me to Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places. But as for me, by Thine abundant lovingkindness I will enter Thy house, at Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee. Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in holy array. 
Hebrews 4:15, Psalm 138:2, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 5:7, Ephesians 1:4, Psalm 29:2

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Jesus Christ is more than a prophet, a teacher, or a good man. As the God-man, He was tempted in all points as we are, but He was without sin. He is God incarnate; Immanuel, God with us; the Word become flesh; the only begotten of the Father that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. One of the great miracles of God is that He forms His life within us. Only He can take an unholy person, place that person back into the world, and empower that person to live a holy life.

Holiness is to our spirits what good health is to our bodies. Holiness is healthiness. It is the song within us that declares, "It is well with my soul." Holiness is beauty. It is the beauty of God's character seen in the face of Jesus Christ. Holiness is love. It is the cup of the Lord's blessing of goodness, kindness, gentleness, and love being poured into our empty vessels. We become healthy because He is healthy...we become beautiful because He is beautiful...we become loving because He is love.
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Lord,
Thank You that everything about You is good, pure, and right. Thank You that Your way is true and righteous altogether. I want to follow You in truth and walk on the straight paths You have for my feet. I rejoice in Your cleansing, Your renewing, and Your healing presence within me. 
Amen


Written by Roy Lessin. ©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission, all rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 6: Strength

Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you, He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. On God my salvation and my glory rest. The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. The Lord will give strength to His people, the Lord will bless His people with peace. 'Your locks shall be iron and bronze, and according to your days, so shall your leisurely walk be.' 'Do not fear, for I am with you, do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy...

Psalm 55:22, Psalm 71:26, Psalm 62:7, Psalm 29:11, Deuteronomy 13:25, Isaiah 41:10, Jude 24

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We cannot, in our own strength, live the life God wants us to live. It is not only difficult, it is impossible. Salvation is of the Lord. We cannot save ourselves or keep ourselves from the power of sin. He is the one who lifts us out of the pit of despair and sets our feet on the rock of Jesus Christ.

The life God has for us is an exchanged life—we exchange our own way for His perfect will...our selfish plans for His holy purpose...our soiled garments for His robes of righteousness...we exchange our weakness for His strength...our fear for His power...our emptiness for His fullness.

It is when we become poor in spirit that we can become rich toward God. Because His arms are around us, we can be assured that He will never leave us or release His hold upon our lives. What would be considered impossible for us becomes possible with God—we cannot, but He can, we have not, but He possesses all things. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 
...
Lord, 
I know if there is anything good that comes from my life it will be You doing it in and through me. I thank You that You have the power to save me and to keep me close to You. I believe You have me in Your hands and will keep me close to Your heart. You are my hope, my fortress, and my strength.
Amen

Written by Roy Lessin. ©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 5: Redemption

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. 

Luke 1:68, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Romans 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 1:7

We needed a redeemer—someone who would buy us back from the captivity of sin and Satan over our lives. Jesus Christ is the only one who could pay the ransom that would free us from Satan's hold. There was only one price that could be paid to deliver us—the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. 

A young boy once made a beautiful toy sailboat out of wood. When he finished creating the boat, he took it to a nearby lake to sail. The boy was thrilled with his creation and proudly placed it in the water. The boat was all the boy had hoped it would be. All was well until a strong gust of wind blew the boat out of the boy's reach and out into the lake. In just a few minutes the boat was lost. Several weeks later when the boy passed a toy store, he noticed a sailboat int he window. Upon closer examination, the boy discover it was his boat. "That's my boat in your window," the boy said to the store owner, "and I'd like it back."

"I'm sorry," said the store owner, "but I own the boat now. If you want it, you'll have to buy it." When the boy found out the price for the boat, he went home and sold all he had to buy the boat back. After returning to the store with the full payment, the boy took the boat to his heart and said, "Little boat, you are twice mine now. I made you and I bought you."

And because of our redemption we are twice the Lord's—He made us and He bought us back with His blood. 

Lord, 
I am not my own. You have bought me with the price of Your own blood. I want to glorify You. Thank You that I am Your property and that Satan has no claim on me. I rejoice in the freedom I have in Jesus Christ. How blessed I am! You love me so much that You gave all You had to buy me back from the slavery of sin. 
Amen.

Written by Roy Lessin. ©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission, all rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 4: Grace

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden. But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Luke 4:18, James f:6, Titus 2:1, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8

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The beauty of the Gospel is what we discover when broken by sin, we turn from the darkness of our own way to the light of Jesus Christ. We don't find a God of indifference who cares nothing about us, but a God of compassion and tender mercy. We don't find a God who is distant or unable to reach us because of His holiness, but a God who has totally identified Himself with our needs. we don't find a God of wrath who must be appeased, but a God who extends His grace and forgiveness to us freely.

Grace is the kindness and favor of God extended to you. It is nothing you can earn or deserve. Grace is God saying to you, "You can do nothing to save yourself; there is no need to even try because I have done it all. I have given My Son to die for you, and He has made the perfect sacrifice for your sin. Come and receive My free gift."

In grace there is no debt, no works, no bondage, no striving, no weight, no burden. Grace is favor and acceptance. Grace is the absolute bounty of God poured generously upon you with the oil to heal your wounds...the power to renew your strength...the goodness to restore your soul...the love to make all things new. Grace is the outstretched arms of God embracing you in His love.
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Lord,
I marvel at Your grace. There is nothing I have done for You, yet You have done everything for me. I come to You broken, knowing You can make me whole...I come to You empty, knowing You can make me full...I come to You bound, knowing You can set me free. I come as a child in simplicity and faith to receive Your free gift of grace. Pour Your generosity upon me and make me whole. 
Amen

Written by Roy Lessin. ©2002, 2019, DaySpring. Used with permission, all rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 4: Grace

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Luke 4:18, James 4:6,Titus 2:1, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8
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The beauty of the Gospel is what we discover when, broken by sin, we turn from the darkness of our own way to the light of Jesus Christ.  We don’t find a God of indifference who cares nothing about us, but a God of compassion and tender mercy; we don’t find a God who is distant, unable to reach us because of His holiness, but a God who has totally identified Himself with our need; we don’t find a God of wrath who must be appeased, but a God who extends His grace and forgiveness to us freely.

Grace is the kindness and favor of God extended to you. It is nothing you can earn or deserve. Grace is God saying to you, “You can do nothing to save yourself, but you don’t need to because I have done it all. I have given my Son to die for you, and He has made the perfect sacrifice for your sin. Come and receive My free gift.” In grace there is no debt, no works, no bondage, no striving, no weight, no burden. Grace is favor and acceptance. Grace is the absolute bounty of God poured generously upon you with the oil to heal your wounds...the power to renew your strength...the goodness to restore your soul...the love to make all things new.

...

Lord,
I marvel at Your Grace. There is nothing I have done for You, yet You have done everyting for me. I come to You broken, knowing You can make me whole...I come to You empty, knowing You can make me full...I come to You bound, knowing You can set me free. I come as a child in simplicity of faith, and receive Your free gift of grace. Pour Your generosity upon me and make me whole.

Amen


Written by Roy Lessin. ©2002, 2019, DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 3: Repentance

He (John) came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' But go and learn what this means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. And hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.' 'I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.'

Luke 3:3, Acts 20:21, Luke 18:13, Matthew 9:13, Mark 2:17, Luke 15:7
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When we come out of our darkness into the light of Jesus Christ, we become broken by our sins. The light shows us that we are not whole but shattered...not worthy but guilty...not rich but bankrupt...not confident but desperate...not mighty but lowly...not holy but unclean. The light leaves us totally exposed—we see ourselves as God sees us, and the revelation breaks our hearts and shatters our pride. We don't seek to be patched or fixed up but to be made new. We realize we have no covering to hide in...no offering to hope in...no works to glory in. We are undone. We are sinners.

Our sorrow for our sins may bring remorse, but our repentance is more than remorse; our sorrow for our sins may lead us to restitution, but our repentance is more than restitution, our sorrow for our sins may create a desire to make resolutions, but repentance is more than resolutions.

Repentance means being sorry enough for our sin to stop, convicted enough by our sin to turn from it, broken enough from our sin to be willing to change. It is our repentance that turns us toward the Light. It is our need of Him that draws us to the light. It is our faith in Him that clothes us in the light. Our only covering is His righteousness...our only hope is His mercy...our only glory is the light of His holy love.
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Lord,
At the heart of my sin is the desire to have my own way. I choose to turn from my way to Your way...from my plans to Your purposes...from my independence to Your Lordship. I am sorry for the ways I have hurt You. As I turn to You, I hope in Your mercy, Your truth, and Your love. I place my life in Your hands for You to make me into the person You have created me to be.
Amen
Written by Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. ©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Forgiven, Part 2: Guilt

As it is written, 'THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE.' But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 3:10, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:21

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It was the darkness and rebellion of our sin that sent Jesus Christ from heaven to earth on a mission of redemption. He came as light into the darkness, but those in the darkness were not able to understand it. He came even though we didn't know how desperately we needed Him. He came as a physician who didn't wait for office calls, but lived among us to seek and save those who were being destroyed by the plague of sin. He didn't die as a martyr or a reformer; He died as the spotless, sacrificial lamb, willing to make atonement for our sin. The mallet and the spikes were in our hands while goodness and mercy were in His...rebellion and deceit were in our character, grace and truth were in His...hardness and coldness were in our hearts, tenderness and compassion were in His. Jesus was the perfect offering for our imperfections—taking our judgement, bearing our sorrow, tasting our death, triumphing over our hell, and seeking to take us captive with the awesome power of resurrection life. ... Lord, I know my sin sent You to the cross. I thank You that You didn't just die for the world; You died for me. I know I am the guilty one. Everything I deserve was placed on You. I come to You without excuse, knowing I am fully responsible for my own sin. Thank You that through Your wounds I have found mercy and by them I can be healed. Amen

©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Forgiven: Darkness

The next several posts, in preparing our hearts for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, we will feature a favorite DaySpring publication entitled "Forgiven, Heart Reflections by Roy Lessin." This book was originally created to be used as a "book-style tract," offering the Gospel in a way that an unbeliever would come to understand what we, as Christians, believe. 

Each post will include several scriptures, written in a paragraph style with their references below, a reflection, and a prayer. Please feel free to share this content with your friends who may not fully understand the meaning of Easter, or why we celebrate. 

We pray that as you read, reflect and pray through the writings presented, your hearts will be turned towards Jesus, and your faith renewed. 

Grace and Peace,
Marina
For Roy Lessin, and Meeting in the Meadow

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'This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.' 'To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' 'Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace.' 

1 John 1:5, II Corinthians 4:6, Acts 26:18, Luke 1:78-79 (Emphasis added)

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Spiritual darkness is the absence of God's truth in our hearts and lives. We can have an education and still be in darkness. We can study philosophy and religion and still be in darkness. We can go to church or do social work in our community and still live in darkness. We can be sincere or be tolerant of others and what they believe and still be in darkness.

Darkness is unbelief. Darkness is deception, keeping us from the knowledge of God. Darkness is separation, keeping us from the fellowship of God. Darkness is isolation, keeping us from the presence of God. Darkness is something we should treat as an enemy yet when we are in sin, we treat it as a friend. We like darkness—it hides us from being exposed for who we really are. The sin in us runs deep, and the darkness is our cloak. 

Although we may be hiding from Him, He is not hiding from us. Jesus seeks us out in our darkness. He is standing near us, clothed with white garments...covered with glory...reaching out with arms of mercy...inviting us into the marvelous light of His forgiveness and love. 

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Lord, 

Deliver me from the darkness of my own way. Place Your truth within me so I may know You and Your ways. I want to come out of my hiding and walk with You in Your light. I know that nothing is hidden from You; You know me inside and out. I release every lie and deception that has kept me from You. Thank You that You can take me from the kingdom of darkness and place me into the kingdom of light. I welcome Your light and love into my life. 

Amen

©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission. All rights reserved. 

Prayers of Promise: The Benefits of Growth: Spiritual Blessings

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Ephesians 1:2–4 NKJV

Reflect on this statement, inspired by today’s Scripture, and let it guide you into prayer:

I pray that my children will be blessed with every spiritual blessing that You have made available to them through their relationships with Your Son. May Your life be in them, Your hand be on them, and Your favor be over them. Work in them and through them.

Prayer

Father, how gracious You are, how blessed I am, how rich is my portion, and how full is my cup! You are the perfect Father—loving, caring, providing, giving, sheltering, making a safe place, a restful place, a thriving place for me and my children to come to and abide in.

Thank You that the best place, the highest place, and the most secure place for us to be is in Jesus Christ. I pray that my children will be blessed with every spiritual blessing You have made available to them through their relationships with Your Son. May Your life be in them, Your hand be on them, and Your favor be over them. Work in them and through them.

Give all of us quiet hearts that trust in You, humble hearts that depend upon You, grateful hearts that receive from You, joyful hearts that worship You, true hearts that honor You, giving hearts that express You, pure hearts that glorify You, and faithful hearts that please You.

Give all of us quiet hearts that trust in You.

This was an excerpt from Prayers of Promise: God’s Life-Changing Promises to Pray Over Your Children by Roy Lessin— a book designed to guide you in prayer over your children.

Today...

God greets you with new mercies…begin there;

He welcomes you to the throne of grace…pray there;

He guides you in the paths of peace…walk there;

He will be your strength…live there;

He will care for you…rest there.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds. Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given, you children of His servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, His chosen ones.

Psalm 105:1-6 NLT

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