Sunbeams Through My Window: Part 8

Sunbeams Through My Window: Part 8
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Jesus knew how much we needed Him. It was for this reason that He promised and sent the Holy Spirit. He sent the Holy Spirit to be in us (John 14:17), and also to come upon us with power (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit was sent to do in us everything that Jesus came to do for us.

When Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, He sent someone who is exactly like Him in nature and character. The Holy Spirit didn’t come just to influence us, but to change us, transform us, fill us, and empower us. He came so that we could live in Him, walk in Him and be led by Him every day (Galatians 5).

When it comes to living the Christian life we are not sufficient, but the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus has sent, is all-sufficient.

...be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18b NKJV).

#sunbeamsthroughmywindow #holyspirit #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

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

Promises of Deliverance

Promises of Deliverance
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Freedom and deliverance from sudden fear is found in the Lord, the Almighty God. The psalmist tells us, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4).

When does this freedom from sudden fear come? It comes as we renew and reaffirm our complete trust in the Lord and our complete reliance upon Him.

It is the Lord who said, "But now, thus says the Lord who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." Isaiah 43:1 NKJV

#freedom #deliverance #freefromfear #isaiah43 #psalm34 #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

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

My Morning Prayer: His Words for Today's Need

My Morning Prayer: His Words for Today's Need
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

His Words for Today’s Need
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

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

 

Do you need comfort? Let His words console you.

Do you need guidance? Let His words give you wisdom.

Do you need encouragement? Let His words bring you hope.

Do you need gladness? Let His words delight you.

Do you need stillness? Let His words speak peace to you.

Do you need confidence? Let His words build you up.

Do you need daily bread? Let His words feed your hungry heart.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Lord God, as I come to you in the quiet of this morning, help me turn my attention to You. You are amazing, and have created so much for my benefit, beyond what I could ever ask or think.

As I draw near to You and consider the things said above, open my hands as I release situations to You, and help me to have the courage and patience to sit at Your feet and seek Your word and Your will.

May I be comforted. May I be filled with wisdom and hope. May I delight in You, no matter what is going on around me. May I feel Your peace that passes understanding.

Father, increase within me. I want to be filled with You, and content in You. May Your will be done. In Jesus' name, amen.

#mondayprayer #mymondayprayer #prayer #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

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

Reflections From the Heart of God, Part 1

Reflections From the Heart of God, Part 1
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

All that God has done for you
is just the beginning
of all that He will do for you,
all that He will bring to you,
and all that He will be to you.

“…I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV

#reflectionsfromtheheartofGod #meetinginthemeadow #ephesians3 #roylessin

Reflections from the Heart of God, written by Roy Lessin © DaySpring Cards, Inc.  Used by permission. Photo by Marina Bromley, used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sunbeams Through My Window: Part 7

Sunbeams Through My Window: Part 7
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The life that Jesus has for us is not a copycat life. His life is an example to us, but it is an example that only He can live out through us. If we could live as Jesus lived, without Jesus, then we wouldn’t need Jesus. That is why Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

The Christian life is not an imitation, but a participation in Christ (“For we have become partakers of Christ…” Hebrews 3:14). The great dilemma of which we have been speaking resolves itself into most simple terms when we grasp the distinction between imitation and participation. For, what is impossible to me as an imitator of Christ becomes perfectly natural as a participant of Christ. -F. J. Huegel

Painters have made imitations of famous paintings, but an imitation is far from the real thing. The Christian life—Christ living His life in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit—is real life. The word “imitator” as it is used in Scripture means to be a follower. Paul said that we should follow him as he followed Christ.

Jesus said, “All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them” (John 12:26 NLT).

Follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11 NLT).

#sunbeamsthroughmywindow #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #followGod 

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

My Morning Prayer: God Uses You to Bless Others

My Morning Prayer: God Uses You to Bless Others
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley, Meeting in the Meadow

 God Uses You to Bless Others
-Roy Lessin

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. Colossians 4:6 AMPC

Salt is a delightful additive to our taste buds. Used in proper amounts, it enhances the foods we eat and brings out their unique flavors.

Like salt, there are those who bring a special seasoning of the Spirit to our lives. They add the seasoning of hope, faith, and encouragement into conversations and relationships. Their presence enhances our lives whenever we are with them. They say the words that are exactly what our hearts need to hear. Words of life, words of truth, and words of grace are words of salt that come from the heart of God.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father, God, thank You for creating each thing with intention and purpose. You are an awesome Creator, and I am blessed knowing that You have created things for my use and benefit and blessing.

Thank You for the people You have placed around me in my life—people who speak the wisdom of Your Word, remind me of Your truth, and sprinkle "God seasonings" of salt and light into my life. I want to be that person who speaks encouragement and hope into others too! Grow me, change me, make me into the person You have created me to be, for Your glory. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

#mymondayprayer #meetinginthemeadow #saltflavoring #blessings #beablessing #godusesyou #roylessin #marinabromley

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Prayer and photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Sunbeams Through My Window, Part 6

Sunbeams Through My Window, Part 6
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 NLT).

Whenever an eagle spreads its mighty wings and soars, whenever an eagle builds its nest in the heights, whenever an eagle dives from the heavens with its powerful talons extended, God is glorified.

You were made to be the praise of God’s glory, and you will reflect that glory as you live in the way that God has intended.

#sunbeamsthroughmywindow #meetinginthemeadow #eagles #glorifygod #roylessin

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

What Makes Prayer Possible?

What Makes Prayer Possible?
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

 

Each of us has a need to pray and we carry many requests in our hearts. But have you ever wondered why we can pray at all? How is it possible for us, who by nature are unholy, to come confidently and boldly before a holy God?

 

God does not hear or answer prayer based upon our merit. Thankfully, God has not left it up to us to earn our way into His presence. 

The way for us to come confidently and boldly to God in prayer is by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ blood is the perfect, complete, and eternally acceptable way into God’s presence. Without the blood of Jesus none of us could come before God and pray. 

 

We cannot add to Jesus’ blood atonement and we cannot diminish its power. Our good deeds do not gain us access to God, and our failures do not cancel our access. 

 

Whenever you draw near to God in prayer always keep your eyes of faith upon the blood of Jesus. If you look upon yourself, instead of Jesus’ blood, your prayer life will suffer and the devil will quickly accuse you of being unworthy, or tempt you to “do more” so you can become worthy.

 

How precious is the blood of Jesus. His blood cleanses you, covers you, and makes the throne of God a place of grace and not judgement.

 

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-23 KJV).

#whatmakesprayerpossible #grace #God #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

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

My Morning Prayer, God Hears and Answers Prayer

My Morning Prayer, God Hears and Answers Prayer
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

 

God Hears and Answers Prayer
-Roy Lessin

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up (Psalm 5:3 NKJV).

As you walk the paths of prayer you will be guided into everything that is true and right…into all that is best for you and others…into all that will take you to the highest expressions of His love. He will lead you by His way, by His words, and by His will. He will guide you down the paths that lead you straight to His heart. Each prayer He answers will be for your good and for His glory.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Thank You Lord, for being beside me in every moment of every day. Thank You for guiding me to things that are right and true, into circumstances and situations that will show me the expressions of Your love. Thank You for leading me by Your way, Your words, Your will. I know that when I ask You for bread, You will not give me a stone, but You will also not give me what I do not need...You give me what will be for my good, and Your glory. When I look forward into my day, or my week, it is like looking with a flashlight, and I may not understand why You do not give me everything I ask for. As I walk with You, I can look back as if shining a floodlight in my past and comprehend that You gave me what was best for me, what will grow me to be more like You in the future. Thank You for the gift of Your presence, the Holy Spirit. I need more of You every day of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.

#mymondayprayer #meetinginthemeadow #prayer #roylessin #marinabromley

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

The Word of God

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
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

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.

#wordofgod #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow 

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

Sunbeams Through My Window, Part 5

Sunbeams Through My Window, Part 5
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Jesus Christ has come to live His life in you through the person and power of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being (Ephesians 3:16 NIV).

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within you so that Jesus can live out His life through you. The Holy Spirit will show you Jesus’ heart; reveal to you His glory; and impart to you His nature. The Holy Spirit has not come to reform you, but to transform you into the image of Jesus.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you (John 16:7 KJV).

#sunbeamsthroughmywindow #Jesus #HolySpirit #imageofJesus #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow 

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

My Morning Prayer: Live in His Rest

My Morning Prayer: Live in His Rest
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

 

Live in His Rest
-Roy Lessin

In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid. Psalm 56:11 ASV

In your quiet times or busy times, God has a quiet place for you to rest.

As you gaze upon the waters of the Holy Spirit, you will see the reflection of His face. His waters are present to wash you, delight you, and refresh you. They will bring you rest from all your fears, worries, cares, and anxieties. In His quiet place there is no weight upon you, no confusion around you, and no clouds over you. It is the place where you can peacefully open your heart to Him.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father, God, I come to You in this quiet space You have brought me to. Help me to gaze upon the waters of Your Holy Spirit in my mind...to find Your face, to feel you wash me, delight me, and refresh me. Help me to find rest from my fears, worries, cares and anxieties. Let me feel the weight and confusion lifted from my shoulders and placed into Your arms, and all obstructions removed from my heart so I can open it up to You in prayer... (finish your prayer to Him in the quiet of your space...). In Jesus' name, amen.

#mymondayprayer #prayer #liveinhisrest #rest #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #marinabromley 

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

Is There?

Is There?
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32  NIV)

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?

#isthere #roylessin #devotional #meetinginthemeadow #godslove #godspeace

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