My Morning Prayer: The Importance of Faith

My Morning Prayer: The Importance of Faith
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley
 
The Importance of Faith
-Roy Lessin, A Place at His Table

What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see…. So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him (Hebrews 11:1, 6 NLT)
 
Faith is the hand that reaches up, takes ahold of God’s promise, and gathers in the spiritual treasures that are found in Christ.
 
What things are possible for you today through faith? All things are possible, because your faith is in the God who knows no impossibilities.

My Morning Prayer

-Marina Bromley

My sweetest Lord God, You alone know what the days ahead have in store. You alone know my wants and needs, my abilities, my realities. You hold the keys to the spiritual treasures I have not seen, Lord, open my eyes! Father, remind me of Your promises that are mine to claim. I come to You humbly laying these things at Your feet. Be at work in the circumstances that limit my abilities. Provide where I lack. Exceed where I limit. Be glorified in all these areas, and in every other area I now commit to You. I ask it all in Jesus' name. Amen.

#prayer #mymorningprayer #prayeranddevotion #aplaceathistable #roylessin #marinabromley #meetinginthemeadow 

©2023 Roy Lessin, A Place at His Table, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo and prayer by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

The Holy Spirit Book: Pentecost; Holy Spirit, Come!

The Holy Spirit Book: Pentecost; Holy Spirit, Come!
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Over 2,000 years ago, the promise God made to Jesus’ followers was fulfilled on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came upon them and filled them with His power.

“On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus’ resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:1-2, 4


The person, the purpose, and the power of the Holy Spirit is a promise God made to all believers.

“Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away--all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:39

If you have never received the baptism with the Holy Spirit, simply pray the following prayer from The Holy Spirit Book. Let today be your personal Pentecost. Holy Spirit, come!

Lord, how needy I am and how gracious and abundant You are in Your grace and provision for me. How thankful I am that I can continue to have more of You.

Thank you for fulfilling Your promise of the Holy Spirit and for all the ways He has come to minister to me and work through me. I am thankful for His presence and His power, and that You sent Him to be with me, to be in me, and to come upon me.

Holy Spirit, I want to receive Your complete ministry in my life.

Amen.

 

#theholyspiritbook #receivingtheholyspirit #pentecost #personalpentecost #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow 

©2023, 2017 Roy Lessin, “The Holy Spirit Book”. Used with permission, all right

Reflections from the Heart of God: Part 3

Reflections from the Heart of God, Part 3
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The God you trusted in the past
is the One who’s faithful still.
Trust Him now with all your heart
to be working out His will.
There’s nothing you are facing
that takes Him by surprise;
All the things concerning you
have not escaped His eyes.


His hand has been your covering
through every circumstance;
Everything will work for good—
nothing is by chance.
Let your faith abide in Him
just like a mustard seed,
And you will find His promise true
to meet your every need.

Wait on God to do His work
in His perfect time and way,
The answer may seem slow just now,
but He will not delay.
One day you’ll see the wisdom
that lead you from the start
Was given by your Father’s love
to draw you to His heart.

 
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart…(Psalm 27:14 NKJV).

#reflectionsfromtheheartofgod #devotional #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2023 Roy Lessin, DaySpring. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

My Morning Prayer: You Are My Peace, Part 2

My Morning Prayer: You Are My Peace, Part 2
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley

You Are My Peace, Part 2
-Roy Lessin, A Place at His Table

 
Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life's circumstances]. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16 AMP).    
 
Father, You are the author of peace…may Your peace be written upon my heart.
Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace…may Your peace rule over my heart.
Holy Spirit, You are the river of peace…may Your peace flow abundantly in my heart.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, may You write Your Peace upon my heart, and let it overflow into my life, my family, my home, my neighborhood, my workplace, my circumstances. Take hold of these things and cast out anything (in the powerful name of Jesus!) that causes angst and unbelief, conflict and despair, and root my heart and head in Your Word, the Bible. Let all other sources of rumors, opinions, even news, be silenced so that You are the loudest voice I hear speaking into my life, my circumstances, and the world around me—near and far away. I want to rest in You and Your promises. You have said that I will not walk alone, so let me see You, feel You, and know that You ARE with me, each step of the day. I love You because You first loved me. Let me show my love for You by loving others too, because You love them and want that no-one would perish. In Jesus' name. Amen.

#prayer #mymondayprayer #devotional #devotionandprayer #peace #Heismypeace #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #aplaceathistable #marinabromley

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

The Holy Spirit Book: Author Reflections

The Holy Spirit Book: Author Reflections
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

In the final chapter of the book, Roy shares with readers some personal moments from his own life that tell how, as a lifelong student of the school of the Holy Spirit, he began to hear His voice and learn His ways. The following is a condensed excerpt from a personal story he calls, “The River.”

After co-founding DaySpring Cards and writing greeting cards for sixteen years, I came to a place where I felt I had nothing left to give. Darkness and despair settled over me. Eventually I stepped out of the creative division of DaySpring and seriously considered leaving the company.

It was in that dark time that the Holy Spirit brought a new light of hope to my heart. He strengthened my faith and began to rebuild my courage to move on. I was asked to write a premium devotional book. For years I had desired to write a devotional book for DaySpring, but the greeting card demands never allowed me to do it. God was truly granting me a desire of my heart.

During the time I wrote my first devotional, God was resurrecting something creatively within me that I knew had died. He opened up my understanding to something that changed my entire outlook on the creative process. What God showed me was a beautiful, clear, wide, flowing river. The headwaters of the river began at the heart of God. The river was His Holy Spirit. “This is My creative river.” He said. “It is an eternal river, for everything about Me is eternal. I am the Creator and My creativity is eternal.”

My heart immediately responded to what God was showing me. That day, by faith, I stepped into God’s creative river.

When I stepped in, there were new things I discovered. One was that the river immediately touched me. It washed, cleansed, refreshed and renewed me.

The second thing I discovered was the vastness of the river. There was plenty of room for me to move about, and there was also an abundance of water for others. There was enough creative room for all who would come.

A third thing I discovered was that the things God was sending downstream to touch my life were not meant for me alone. Each thing was meant to move downstream to touch the lives of others.

A final thing I discovered was that there was no striving in the river, only a flow. I didn’t have to try and make things happen. The flow was God’s, not mine.

I knew that He alone was the source of all I did. This realization freed me from pressure, stress, and burnout. My experience in God’s river moved me to a new level of creativity, joy, and rest in the work that God had given me to do.

#theholyspiritbook #theholyspirit #authorreflections #roylessin #roylessinreflections 

© 2023, 2017 Roy Lessin, “The Holy Spirit Book”. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Reflections From The Heart Of God, Part 2

Reflections From The Heart Of God, Part 2
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

On Wednesdays we will feature devotional thoughts and scripture from Roy Lessin's DayBrightener, Reflections From The Heart Of God. We pray that they do encourage you in your faith and draw you closer to the Heart of God.
-Marina

God has a path for your feet to follow, a plan for your heart to discover, and a purpose for your life to fulfill.
As you walk with Him, you will see the beauty and wisdom of His ways.

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

#reflectionsfromtheheartofGod #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #dayspring #devotionalthought #scripture #jeremiah29

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. ©2005, DaySpring. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

My Morning Prayer: You Are My Peace, Part 1

My Morning Prayer: You Are My Peace, Part 1
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley
 
You Are My Peace, Part 1
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27 NKJV).
  
Lord, You are Jehovah-Shalom. Thank You for Your peace. Shalom peace. Perfect peace. What a precious gift You have given me through Your peace. Where would I be without the blessing of Your peace in my life?
 
Help me to know the reassuring, confirming voice of Your peace in my daily decisions and choices. I trust You to guide me and keep me with the peace that passes understanding.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Oh Lord, God, my heart is broken wide open for this broken, sinful world. Help me to remember that all sin and darkness comes from one source...the one who is Your enemy, the father of lies. His schemes are not surprises to You. You alone are right, and true, and light. You are love, perfected in the hands and feet of Jesus. Lord, in Your timing, bring Your peace to this brokenness. Bring healing to broken people, and let the balm of Gilead bring healing to our hearts, to those of us on the outside. Help us to be tenderhearted to all who are suffering, and to remember that there are believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ, living on every side of any border. If they are not a follower of You today, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, bring them into the fold tomorrow. We love You, God, and want to make heaven crowded. In Jesus' Name, amen.

...

#peace #mymondayprayer #youaremypeace #healing #roylessin #aplaceathistable #meetinginthemeadow #marinabromley #devotional #devotion #prayer

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

The Holy Spirit Book: The Promise for All Believers

The Holy Spirit Book: The Promise for All Believers
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The Holy Spirit is God’s promise for all believers.

The promise of the *presence* of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled when we receive our salvation by faith. The promise of the *power* of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled when we receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit by faith.

When we are born again, we receive a complete Holy Spirit and not a partial Holy Spirit. However, we do not receive the *power* of the Holy Spirit until Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit...this is Jesus’ gift to us that was promised by His Father.

“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the *promise* of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32-33

Another way we can see the distinction between the gift of the Holy Spirit’s *presence* in our lives and His *power* upon our lives is found in the following passage of Scripture:

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.’ And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit!’” John 20:21-22

In the above passage, Jesus breathed on them and they received within them the presence of the Holy Spirit. However, even though the Holy Spirit was now within them, Jesus further commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit’s power.

“And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has *promised;* but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

Even though it was Jesus’ will to send His people forth to do His work, He knew they were not equipped to go. Only He could make that possible by sending the Holy Spirit to empower them. His instruction to them was to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them before they went out to be His witnesses. His instruction is the same to us today.

His promise was not limited to a certain group at a certain time, then would go away. The gift of the baptism with the Holy Spirit was not just for the apostles or the early believers mentioned in the book of Acts. His promise was for each believer, in every generation, until His return. Our need of Him today, His fullness and His power is just as great, or even greater, than it was 2,000 years ago.

“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39

#theholyspiritbook #theholyspirit #thepromiseforallbelievers #roylessin

© 2023, 2017 Roy Lessin, “The Holy Spirit Book”. 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

On Wednesdays we will feature devotional thoughts and scripture from Roy Lessin's DayBrightener, Reflections From The Heart Of God. We pray that they do encourage you in your faith and draw you closer to the Heart of God.
-Marina

God’s hand is extended to you—
not to push you away, but to draw you close;
not to keep you at a distance, but to hold you near to His heart.

Show me your strong love in wonderful ways,
O Savior of all those seeking your help… (Psalm 17:7 TLB).

#reflectionsfromtheheartofGod #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #dayspring #devotionalthought #scripture #psalm17

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. ©2005, DaySpring. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

My Morning Prayer: Great Is the Lord

My Morning Prayer: Great Is the Lord
Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley, Meeting in the Meadow

Great Is the Lord
-Roy Lessin

Today, may you love Him as your Father,
Thank Him as your Creator,
Look to Him as your Guide,
Depend upon Him as your Protector,
Trust in Him as your Provider,
Seek Him as your Strength,
Yield to Him as your Lord,
Worship Him as your God,
Serve Him as your King.

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).

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley

Father, as David worshipped You in the Psalms, singing songs of Your goodness and greatness, let my heart worship You today. May I tell others of the things You have done. May I sing to You, and sing of You. May I exult in Your holy name and rejoice in You. May I seek Your strength, remember Your wonders and miracles, and the rulings You have given. I want to worship You with all I have and serve You with everything You have given me. May I bring glory to You today, and every day! In Jesus' name, amen.

#mymondayprayer #aplaceathistable #prayer #devotional #prayeranddevotion #roylessin #marinabromley #meetinginthemeadow

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Adapted from Roy's devotional book, A Place at His Table. Prayer and Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

The Holy Spirit Book: The Fullness of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Book: The Fullness of the Holy Spirit
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:4

Jesus experienced the power and the filling of the Holy Spirit in His own life and ministry (Luke 4:1). He also promised the power and the filling of the Holy Spirit to His followers. We need both the Scriptural understanding of Jesus’ promise as well as the personal experience of receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit.

There are many ways the Scriptures present the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of spiritual power and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The Bible uses a variety of words and phrases to describe this fulfillment. Two of these phrases are, “the baptism with the Holy Spirit” and “the filling with the Holy Spirit.” In Acts 2:4 we read that all the believers who were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Pentecost were also filled with the Holy Spirit at the same time. The experience of the baptism and filling with the Holy Spirit is God’s will for us. It should not be a mystery to us. It should not be a “guess so” or a “hope so” attitude, but rather, and “know so” reality, just as it was for the first believers.

When we read the account of Jesus baptizing His followers with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, we discover that two things happened simultaneously. One is that the Holy Spirit came upon them *outwardly* (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-3); the other is that the Holy Spirit filled them *inwardly* (Acts 2:4).

Although the baptism with the Holy Spirit and the filling of the Holy Spirit happened at the same time, each represents a different aspect and ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This two-fold ministry represents the work of the Holy Spirit in power and fullness. It is vital to our spiritual witness and our spiritual walk. The Holy Spirit coming upon us is for the purpose of anointing and empowering; the Holy Spirit filling us is for the purpose of enabling us to walk as Jesus walked and being conformed to his image. (I John 2:6, Romans 8:29).

When the Holy Spirit is poured out *upon us*, it is a one-time experience that does not need to be repeated. The filling of the Holy Spirit within us is a life-long process, where we keep on being filled. Another way to say it is, “One baptism and many fillings.”

“Be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

This verse can be translated from the original Greek text to mean, “Be filled, *and keep on being filled,* with the Holy Spirit.” The reason God’s will is so clearly stated in this passage is because this is God’s way of doing His work in us and through us. God is glorified in our lives when we have been emptied of ourselves and filled with Him.

#theholyspiritbook #theholyspirit #thefullnessoftheholyspirit #roylessin

© 2023, 2017 Roy Lessin, “The Holy Spirit Book”. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Kept

Kept
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
 The Lord is your keeper (Psalm 121:5 NKJV).
 
“God Almighty is in a position never to lose anything, because He’s able not to lose it.”
-A.W. Tozer
 
If you have placed your life into God’s keeping, you can be assured that you are being kept. God is your everyday, every moment Keeper. If He’s your Keeper, that means you’re kept. If you’re kept, it means God won’t stop keeping you.

All that you have committed to Him will be kept by Him. (2 Timothy 1:12)
 
Your heart and mind will be kept by His peace. (Philippians 4:7)
 
You will be kept from falling. (Jude 1:24)
 
You will be kept from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
 
You will be kept in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)
 
You will be kept by the One who never slumbers or sleeps. (Psalm 121:2-4)

 
You are kept by His watchful eye, His mighty arm, His strong hand, His sure Word, and His unshakable kingdom;
You are kept as a sheep is kept by its caring shepherd;
You are kept as a child is kept by its loving mother;
You are kept as an heir;
You are kept as a bride; 
You are kept for heaven;
You are kept for the marriage supper of the Lamb;
You are kept for all that God has prepared for you, and for all the things that will last forever!

#kept #godiskeepingyou #keptbygod #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

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

My Morning Prayer: The Lord’s Provision Is Complete

My Morning Prayer: The Lord’s Provision Is Complete
-Roy Lessin and Marina Bromley
 
The Lord’s Provision Is Complete
-Roy Lessin, from his book, A Place at His Table

In all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37 AMP).
 
For every hectic work day there is a quiet rest...
For every painful experience there is a healing touch...
For every negative feeling there is an abiding joy...
For every disappointment there is a certain hope...
For every turbulent storm there is a sure foundation...
For every doubting thought there is a calm assurance...
For every hurtful action there is a forgiving love.

My Morning Prayer
-Marina Bromley, Marina's Kitchen Table

Thank You, Lord, for the provisions You put in place before I even need them. Your quiet rest, healing touch, abiding joy—I need these things each moment of every day. Help me to reside with these gifts. The certain hope, sure foundation and calm assurance are all on stand-by in this broken world, and I need to utilize these gifts when my emotions are stirring up inside of me. And Father, help me to take the forgiving love that You have extended to me, and give it away to those who have wronged me. May Your forgiving love flow through me to all who are around me, that we may all know You better. I love You, Jesus and ask these things in Your precious name...amen.

#prayer #mymondayprayer #devotional #thelordsprovision #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow #marinabromley #aplaceathistable

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