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.

My Monday Prayer: A Prayer of Thirst

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

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 NKJV

Lord, I thirst for you. I long for more of your life-giving, spirit-refreshing, heart-fulfilling, thirst-quenching, life-changing waters of life. In this thirsty land, in these dry places, amidst these empty wells of this world I come to you and drink.

Thank You for promising to satisfy my thirst, to fill my cup, and to cause it to run over. Thank You for giving me pure, undefiled, living water. Thank You for the water that comes from beneath Your throne, from the well of Your Son, from the river of Your Spirit, and from the water of Your Word.

Lord, I come to You, the Fountain of living waters. I turn from every broken cistern which cannot hold water. I welcome Your gracious invitation to come to Your waters and drink freely— without money, without price, without labor, without strife. I drink of You, I drink from You, I drink because of You.

Lord, I drink now. I drink by faith. I drink with thanksgiving. I drink because You have said, “"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters" (Isaiah 55:1 KJV).

Scriptures: Isaiah 55:1-2, Jeremiah 2:13, Revelation 22:17, Revelation 22:1, John 4:4-15
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.

Fret-Free Friday: Today We Pray

Fret-Free Friday: Today We Pray

Hello friends!

Sometimes it eases our worrying to know that someone else is praying for us. Let’s share our burdens and lift each other in prayer today. Please leave your requests below in the comments, and use the emojis or leave a prayer to show that we have prayed for someone.

Have a blessed day!

-Marina

Jeremiah 33:3

Jeremiah 33:3
-Roy Lessin

Jeremiah 33:3 is a well known promise that invites each of us to pray. I believe it’s a vital promise for the time in which we live. Many people today are worried and fearful. Many wonder what to do. Jeremiah 33:3 tells us to pray.

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” -Jeremiah 33:3

Here are 3 things that Jeremiah 33:3 tells us about prayer:

1.  Prayer is calling upon God. God invites us to call upon HIM exclusively. No one else. 
2.  ONLY God hears prayer and ONLY God can answer prayer.
3.  We will see God do great and mighty things BECAUSE we have prayed.              

“No one, however long he has lived a life of prayer, is immune to the enemy’s attack on his confidence that prayer “works.” It is worth remembering, when delays tempt us to quit praying, that He is listening patiently. He is listening. He will act.”
-Elizabeth Elliot

As you pray-
Pray in the Spirit.
Pray to the Father.
Pray in the name of Jesus-
In His authority. In His victory.
Pray God’s promises.
Pray His names.
Pray with a thankful heart as you wait for Him to do great and mighty things.

#meetinginthemeadow #pray #jeremiah333

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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 Change

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

Father, change me. Change my heart to love you more deeply, change my mind to know you more fully, change my will to serve you more completely. Change me from the inside out. Change my interests, my motives, my desires—may the things that are the most important to you, be the things that are the most important to me.

Jesus, change me. Bring your mighty rivers to the dry places of my soul. Feed me with the living bread that can satisfy my hungry spirit. Immerse my heart in the fountains of your all-redeeming love. Change my ashes into beauty, my sorrow into song, my restlessness into peace, my darkness into light. May the pathway you want me to walk in, be the pathway I fully follow.

Holy Spirit, change me. Be my Teacher—if I am to know truth it must come through your revelation; if I am to have understanding it must be heard through your voice; if I am to have clarity it must be seen through your light; if I am to have wisdom it must be known through your instruction; if I am to experience change it must come through your power. May the anointing of your abiding presence be the oil that is poured upon me. 

Scriptures: Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Psalm 40:3, Isaiah 43:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15
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#prayer #mymondayprayer #meetinginthemeadow

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

Fret-Free Friday: Letting Go

Fret-Free Friday: Letting Go (Fret-Buster 10)
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

What do we do with the things we can't fix, the decisions we can't control, the events we can't attend, the opportunities we can't respond to, and the circumstances we can't change? Should we get angry, frustrated, anxious, disappointed, grumbly, or discouraged? Thankfully, there is a better response! The response is like a two-sided coin. One one side the coin says "Let Go," and on the other side it says "Let God."

"Letting go" is when you find release;
"Letting God" is when your heart finds peace.

"Letting go" is when you seek His best;
"Letting God" is when your heart finds rest.

"Letting go" is when you choose His will;
"Letting God" is when your heart is still.
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"God, I have let go, but I'm falling!" I cried out in fear.
"Do not be troubled," He lovingly replied. "I am underneath you, and you are falling into My everlasting arms!"
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God is too powerful to lead you to a place of defeat;
Too wise to bring wrong things into your life;
Too caring to leave you without comfort;
Too observant to miss a detail;
Too loving to withhold anything that is good.

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Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (1 Peter 5:7 AMP).

Once we give our worries to God, He doesn't want us to worry about how He is going to take care of them. He is God almighty. He knows how to take care of us. We can leave the details to Him.
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#fretfreefriday #fretbusters #meetinginthemeadow #lettinggo

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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.

Is There?

Is There?
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? -Romans 8:32

Is there a deeper love than God’s love for you?
Is there a kinder favor than God’s mercies?
Is there a greater gift than God’s salvation?
Is there a wiser decision than following Jesus?
Is there a better purpose than glorifying the Lord?
Is there a stronger foundation than Jesus’ words?
Is there a sweeter reassurance than God’s peace?
Is there a higher destination than heaven’s home?
Is there a richer treasure than the Lord’s presence?
Is there a surer hope than Jesus’ return?
Is there?

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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 Comfort

Our Monday postings are presently focused on prayer. Not teachings or meditations on prayer, but actual prayers based upon God’s Word. We encourage you to pray each prayer by faith for your own life, and for the life of a loved one or friend...It could be just the prayer they need this coming week...it could be just the prayer WE need. 

-Marina and Roy
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My Monday Prayer: Prayer of Comfort
Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Through the tears, Oh God, I bring my hurting heart to You. I cry out with all that is within me, to You, the One who is my comfort and my Comforter. You know my weeping, You see my sorrow, You hear my cry. My tears drop upon the pages of Your book that hold the promises of hope and comfort that You have written for me to lean upon. Thank You that You have drawn close to me to gather my tears and keep them in Your bottle; to assure me that you will not forget about me or be indifferent to what I am going through.

Jesus, You wept, You are acquainted with grief, You were wounded, You were rejected, You were a man of sorrows. As my High-Priest, You have born my burdens, You have carried my sorrows, You have compassion upon me. Thank You for praying for me with an understanding, all-encompassing, never-failing love.

Holy Spirit, thank You that you have come…sent by Jesus, to me, for me, as my Helper and Comforter. I receive Your ministry of love, tenderness, and mercy. Draw me close to the healing heart of Jesus, to the embracing arms of the Father.

Lord, how great, how good, how compassionate You are. Thank You for Your promise to wipe away all tears from my face. Thank You for being my true Comforter, the One who renews, refreshes…the One who restores and keeps my soul.

Scriptures: Psalm 23, 56:8, 116:8, 126; Isaiah 25:8; John 14:26-27; John 16:7; 2 Corinthians 1:3-6; Hebrews 5:7, 7:26
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©2021 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Fret-Free Friday: Have Faith

Fret-Free Friday: Have Faith (Fret Buster 9)
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads...And when they stood still, they let down their wings. A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings (Ezekiel 1:22-25). (emphasis added)

"Flapping wings" is a good picture of activity. It can be good activity—even activity in diong the Lord's work. However, we all need times when we quiet ourselves before the Lord. "Letting down the wings" means quieting ourselves and being still before the Lord so we can hear His voice. It's a very good thing to be still and know that He is God. We need to become good listeners.

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid (Isaiah 12:2). 

Have faith in His wisdom to guide,

in His love to direct,

in His power to sustain,

in His faithfulness to fulfill.

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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.