Category Archives: Ask Jesus into your heart

May 26th 2018 – The Abused Spouse

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Do you, or have you ever known someone suffering from verbal and physical abuse from a spouse or someone they are dating? The truth is that 1 in 3 have been in an abusive relationship in their lifetimes.

I was stunned when I read the statistics, but the fact is that many people being abuse do not say anything for many years, if at all. The reason is that the abuser invokes such negative emotions into the victim. They feel shame, fear, anger and grief brought about by the painful words and physical abuse.

Shame is a pervasive feeling of being inadequate as a human being. Every area of family violence causes shame. For example, children growing up in homes where a parent is committing adultery feel ashamed of their adulterous parent’s behavior and are similarly ashamed of the faithful parent who is trying to keep it a secret.

Spouses and children of alcoholics are ashamed of their loved ones drinking and the chaos it creates in their homes. When verbal abuse and labeling take place, shame becomes a dominant motivation for doing anything possible to avoid the continual reminders of inadequacy.

Shame leaves us with a strong sense of being uniquely and hopelessly different and less than other human beings. It isolates and alienates us. We may feel that we can never live up to the expectations of those close to us, or that the reason we were abused was related to some inadequacy within us that caused and perpetuated the abuse.

Consider this …

Shame occurs in secret and isolates its victims, keeping them from challenging their feelings. God’s light allows us to begin to challenge our early assumptions and distorted perceptions. It exposes the destructive decisions shame breeds and sets us free from the lies we never before challenged.

God’s light comes through prayerfully studying Gods word through the Holy Bible, absorbing the scripture, believing them for yourself. God loves you and wants to heal your emotions. When you made Jesus Lord of your life, you became a child of your perfect heavenly Father. And the Bible promises there is no condemnation in Him. Jesus does not condemn you. Ask Him to help you see yourself as He does–loved by Him, precious to Him.

Scripture says that we are the Bride of Christ

How Does Jesus Love His Bride? (Remembering that the below reference to Her is all of us, and by no means am I stating that Jesus got married)

Jesus did not use verbal and emotional abuse to destroy his bride’s self-esteem. He bestowed on her great value by coming to be her servant and giving his life to save her.

Jesus did not tear down his bride to make her feel weak and powerless. On Pentecost he filled her with his own power.

Jesus did not isolate his bride out of fear she would fall in love with someone else. He wants to give her his love so she can love others. He sent her into the world to live her destiny and promised to walk with her, giving her support and encouragement, even to the end of the age.

Jesus did not treat his bride like a door mat, walking on her to prove his superiority. He elevated her, even to be seated with him in the heavenly realm, in a place of authority.

Jesus did not yell at his bride or call her names. He calls her his Beloved and rejoices over her with singing.

Jesus did not raise his voice to drown out what his bride is trying to say. Instead, his ear is attentive to her prayer.

He did not look at her with contempt or hate, or glare at her from a distance. He smiles when he sees her because he sees her without spot or blemish. He sees how beautiful she is and knows it’s his love that has washed over her and made her beautiful.

Jesus did not use his strength to manhandle his bride. His strong right arm lifts her up and defends her against aggressors. He uses his strength and power to fight for her, not against her.

Jesus did not ever grab his bride aggressively, slap her to shut her up, or beat her into submission. Instead he took the abuse for her; he was the one who was humiliated, spit on and beaten. He submitted to death so she could live. He offers healing and comfort to her when she’s in pain, he makes her strong when she feels weak, he weeps with her when she weeps, and he wipes away every tear from her eyes because he’s gentle and kind.

Jesus did not threaten to hurt her when he gets home. Instead, his plan when he comes again is to sweep her off her feet, raise her up to meet him in the air, and forever be with him in the amazing mansion he is preparing for her in heaven.

This is no fairy tale. This is how a husband is to love his wife. Mutual submission and respect naturally flow in the relationship that is focused on loving and serving one another.

Take a moment to read God’s instruction for loving your husband or wife. Ephesians 5:21-33This scripture should never be used as ammunition to keep women in submission to abusive men or to demand that they respect someone who is disrespectful. Using scripture in that way is spiritual abuse. This passage is about mutual, life-changing, empowering love.

Telling a woman she has to submit to abuse only reinforces her victim identity and empowers an abuser to continue in sin. Both are in bondage and there is a much greater chance the marriage will end in pain or even tragedy. God has a different plan – one that sets both free to step into a new identity.

Below are some resources if you are a victim in the United States. Outside the USA please reference local domestic resources or your church.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 http://www.thehotline.org/about-us/contact/

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I have suffered for so long with this shame. Help me to overcome the lies and see nothing but Your truth. Give me strength and help me feel loved and not shame. Remind me that I am beautiful in Your eyes and you are always with me. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for the promise that You will never leave me. Help me to trust in you. Increase my faith and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live in great expectation of what You have in store for me. Bring loving people into my life that will love me and encourage me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you would like to seek true peace in your life, try seeking Jesus. click here to learn more

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 25th 2018 – Do We Deserve Heaven?

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“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

I have a very important question today? What do you have to do in order to be righteous with God? Do you have to die a martyr’s death before God will allow you into paradise? Do your good deeds need to outweigh your bad deeds for God to allow you into heaven? Do you have to be at peace with nature when you die so that God will allow you into Heaven? What if you have done enough works, will God then allow you into Heaven? The answer is No to all of the above. Man pridefully wants to play a part in his own salvation. We invent hurdles to jump, thinking we can earn God’s approval. I don’t want what I’ve earned because according to Romans 6:23 I’ve earned death. I need God’s grace.

(2 Corinthians 5:21) “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

Every world religion is based on what you have to do to convince God you deserve to go to Heaven… that is, except one – Biblical Christianity. You see, the Bible tells us that God has already done everything for you. Your part is simply to accept Jesus’ gift to you. He did the work, dying on the cross for your sins. You don’t have to reach for God because He’s already reaching out for you. Please don’t reject Him.

“God has done everything needed for us to be at peace with Him, All we have to do is ask for His forgiveness of our sins, accept His love, try to live our life in a way pleasing to Him”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Thank You for dying for me so that I could be forgiven. Thank You for being resurrected so I could have a new life. I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins. Lord, I have done wrong things, and I am sorry. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank you for allowing me in Heaven when my body dies, even though I don’t deserve it. Please give me the power to live for You all the days of my life. Amen.

Congratulations, you just made the best decision you will ever make or recommitted yourself to the greatest cause…the cause of Christ. If you just made that decision, check out New Believers, What’s Next? and please let us know of your life changing decision.

Please forward this to anyone if you are unsure of their faith in Jesus

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 21st 2018 – I Believe God, Do You?

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“Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” Acts 27:25

As the storm threatened and the boat pitched back and forth, when it looked as though everyone was going to drown, the apostle Paul encouraged the others on board: “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (Acts 27:25).

Those are not the words of a person in denial or out of touch with reality as some unbelievers might say. The fact is that Paul uttered them when they were still in the worst of the storm, with no tangible hope. They had the hope that had been given to Paul by God, the promise they would be delivered, but there was nothing visible to indicate that it really was going to happen.

This was faith, you see. It is faith when we can say, as things are unraveling around us, “God is in control. I know He is going to get me through this, and I know that He is faithful.” Paul was confident. He knew that God was the Master of his circumstances and the Captain of his boat. He knew that God was in control.

There was a time when Jesus told the disciples to launch out into the deep for a catch of fish, after they had been fishing for many hours and hadn’t caught a thing. Peter said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5). The word that Peter used for Master is a unique nautical term that means “Captain of this boat.” Then the Bible tells us they caught so many fish, their nets were breaking.

So here is the question: Are you willing to let Him be the Captain of your boat? Are you willing to say, like Paul, “I believe God”?

“Faith is knowing God is in control, even when things are unraveling.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask that You increase within me your obedient spirit so that I may be obedient to Your instruction. Help me Lord to walk by faith and not by sight. I don’t always understand what You’re doing in my life, but I make a decision to trust You God, In these storms, I ask that You place within me your spirit of hope, peace and rest. Help me to endure all that comes my way. Right now, I make a decision to trust You Lord because I know that You’re in control of my life even when my life seems to be out of control. Lord, I thank You for clarity, guidance, provision and strength. I pray and ask for these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 20th 2018 – God Will Come Through

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“Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” (Esther 6:3)

In the book of Esther, Mordecai was in a hard place. He worked hard for the King and even helped save his life, yet because of one evil person, Mordecai’s life was threatened. While this may have been the case, there was good news coming for Mordecai. In fact, the very man who would love to see Mordecai dead, would be the man the King would command to honor Mordecai with a parade.

We can be definitely be encouraged by this story. Maybe it looks like things aren’t going well. You may be worshiping God, serving, giving and still the pieces aren’t coming together. But in the blink of an eye, the pieces will fall into place and God will show you His plan. His plan is far more glorious than any we can come up with. Today, be encouraged that God sees all that you do for Him. While we may have to endure hardships in life, the good news is that in this life and in the next God promises joy for those who trust in Him. He is faithful. He will come through in the end.

“As believers, we may for a season go unappreciated, but we will not be unrewarded.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your faithfulness and for the promise that You will never leave me. Help me to trust in you. Increase my faith and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live in great expectation of what You have in store for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?

If you do not know Jesus personally, I encourage you not to pass up the precious gift of His love and eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. He loves us and wants to help us. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 18th 2018 – Stop Making Excuses!

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“Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” (Jeremiah 1:6-7)

God knows everything about us… what we’ve done, what we will do – it’s a hard thing to really grasp. In spite of all this, He still wants to use us. Many times God’s plan for our lives does not jive with our own plan for our lives. We may say things like, We are too young or too old, we might feel were not gifted in some skill, one that we think we need to answer God’s request. Maybe we think it’s going to cost lots of money.

What do we do then? Jeremiah wanted God to accept the excuse that he’s too young and inexperienced to do what God has called him to. God on the other hand, God knew exactly what Jeremiah was capable of. He chose Jeremiah not because of what Jeremiah wanted to do, but because of what He could do through Jeremiah.

Have you been handing God excuses? “Lord, I know You want me to do this but…” How can you say “Lord” and “but” in the same sentence? You certainly shouldn’t. It’s one or the other. Either He is Lord of your life or He isn’t. If you are throwing out excuses not to do what God has asked you to do, maybe you need to consider just who is Lord of your life?

“God’s will leads to blessing; our selfish will leads to destruction.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Forgive me for times when I’ve given You excuses instead of hearing, believing and doing. Please show me areas of my life where I am saying “but” to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 17th 2018 – Contagious Faith

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“Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” (2 Chronicles 14:11)

In life, we are all faced with difficulties and trials. Whether it is a struggle within us or a struggle with another person, we often find ourselves beat up and deflated. This is why it is vital for any believer to surround themselves with people who are courageous at heart. These are men and women who know the obstacles but are not stopped by them. Friends, who may be challenged by life, but their faith in God overpowers their fear.

All too often, we can find ourselves surrounded by those who seem more apt to throw a pity party than a pep rally. In these times, we need to seek out those who will be an encouragement and strength during our times of weakness. As we fellowship with Christians who are empowered by their faith and set on fire through the Spirit, we will find ourselves igniting with hope and courage. A steady diet of courageous fellowship leads to a life that is blessed and growing. This is the life Christ came to give us – an abundant life.

“Courage and Faith are Contagious.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love for me and the hope I have in You. Help me to seek out those who can encourage me in my walk with You. May I surround myself with those who love You and are full of faith so that I may be on fire to inspire others and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Relationship with Jesus?

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 15th 2018 – Finding True Peace

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“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 )

People all around us are seeking peace in their life. They seek that peace through lots of different ways. For some, it’s entertainment, for others it could be relationships, food or even in drugs or alcohol. Some may even turn to religion for peace, yet fail to find it because human religions are based on man working his way to heaven. There is no real rest for the person who seeks to earn peace through rules and regulations.

But, then came Jesus.

Jesus came into the world to live the life we could not. He was perfect, blameless and humble. He lived in obedience to God the Father and fulfilled the law. Then as He hung on the cross He cried out, “it is finished,” thereby completing our salvation. Now, we come to God by faith in Christ and we are accepted. It’s by His grace we are saved, not works. Unlike the man made religions around us, Christianity is God coming to mankind and offering salvation on His works not ours. All we must do is rest, by faith, in the One who died so that we could be forgiven.

“To be able to ‘rest in your faith’ or have peace, you must be trusting in Christ alone.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the work done on my behalf. Thank You that I do not have to work my way to Heaven, but instead can place my faith in the grace of Christ. Please give me rest and an abundance of peace in my life. Help me to continually seek You in my life, because it is in You where I will find true peace. Today open up opportunities to share this truth with the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to seek true peace in your life, try seeking Jesus. click here to learn more

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 14th 2018 – The Encounter

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Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” (John 4:13-15)

Have you ever felt you messed up so badly that it left you believing God wants nothing to do with you? If your answer is “yes,” then you’re in good company, because we all have. We’ve all made poor choices and bad decisions. A bad decision can cost you your marriage, job, friendships and even your peace of mind.

But, if you’re willing to admit you’ve messed up, you’re a prime candidate for an encounter with Jesus. In fact, He specializes in ministering to messed-up people. One of the many things I love about Jesus is that He gravitates toward those who are typically ignored, ridiculed, hated and rejected.

One of the greatest examples of this is found in the book of John. In chapter 4, Jesus encounters a woman at a well. This nameless woman meets Jesus while she performs one of the most mundane tasks in her messed-up life, drawing water out of a well.

She quickly learned a lesson we all need to know as well, a shameful outcast can become loved and accepted when we let Jesus clean up our mess-ups and radically change our lives. Jesus wants to clean up our mess-ups so much that He will break down every possible barrier to do so.

For example, to meet the woman at the well …

Jesus overcame a cultural barrier. Jesus traveled through a region that His people, the Jews would always avoid. Jesus saw culture, not as a barrier to compassion, but as a bridge to ministry.

Jesus overcomes moral barriers.

This woman carried a terrible reputation. She had been married five times and was now living with a man who wasn’t her husband. With that type of track record, everyone in her community knew about her, and no man would dare to speak with her openly in public. No man, except Jesus! Jesus engaged with this woman, and we see her fess up to her mess-up.

Unfortunately we live in a culture that teaches us to hide our mess-ups and call them anything except the sins that they are. Jesus demonstrated through the woman at the well, that He will forgive us when we are willing to confess our sin to Him.

Jesus is not intimidated by our past.

He sees beyond our failures and offers us a faithful future. You could never do anything so bad that it would cause God to love you less.

If you’re reading this today and feel like Jesus wants nothing to do with you, I want you to know that He will break every possible barrier to reach you. Jesus is so serious about the task that He left heaven and came to earth to restore anyone who is willing to be cleansed. Today, you can meet with Jesus, bring Him your mess-ups, and allow Him to clean you up.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Please destroy every possible barrier that could keep me from You. Help me to quickly fess up to my mess-ups, so that I can receive the wonderful forgiveness that is only found in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you would like surrender it all and seek Jesus, or recommit your life please click here

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 13th 2018 – Identity Revealed

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“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.” (Job 23:10-11)

When you go through a hardship, it will either make you bitter or better. I have discovered that it is usually one or the other. And guess who dget to make that decision? You do! You are the one who gets to choose whether you will be will become bitter when things get tough by turning against the Lord. Or you will get better by trusting in the Lord.

Sometimes people who have experienced a tragedy in their lives will say, “I’ve lost my faith through this.” Proclaiming that reveals that their faith wasn’t real to begin with. If you are a real believer, your faith will not go away when hardship hits. It will get stronger. The faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. Tragedy reveals who the real believers are.

Suffering helps us grow spiritually and makes us stronger in the faith. It takes our faith from the realm of theory to reality.

Often, it’s easy to talk about our faith. But it’s another thing to live by it. A lot of believers will boast about the number of years they have known the Lord and how many verses they memorized. That is all good. But when your faith is tested, we will find out what you are really made of.

“Suffering does not create character; it reveals it!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am grateful that You are the Rock that I can stand on and an ever present help in times of need. Lord, in those times I feel lost and alone in times of hardship or tragedy, remind me of Your faithfulness and love. May Your Spirit lead me to draw close to You and trust in Your Word over my feelings. Thank You for Your strength and comfort during tough times. Please help me to praise You even in the difficult situations. Starting now, I choose to express great joy because You love me! Please help me to be an encourager today to the others who are are going through a test. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once follow Him but your faith was weak and turned your back on Him in a time of hardship?

Pray this prayer and start a new life, or recommit yourself to to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to know. Click here to send us an e-mail or share your testimony.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 12th 2018 – Correcting the Correct Way!

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“Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the LORD your God as before.” (Joel 2:14)

God has a plan for everything. We may not appreciate it at the time, but God will even use correction to take us to that next step in life or even our ministry. Like children, we all end up straying out of line from time to time. Whether we grow weary from the fight or simply lose sight of Christ, we can fall into error. This is where loving correction is important.

God’s desire for correction is to restore us into right standing with Him. This should also be our motivation when we approach brothers and sisters in Christ. Our desire is to see them blessed as they walk in obedience. When we correct without a true desire to see the person restored, we can come across bitter or judgmental and end up driving that person further from Christ. When we walk in humility and approach them with loving concern and a gentle spirit, we will often find them open to what you have to say. Whenever you find yourself faced with the task of correction, pray often and trust the Lord to work through you.

“Correction without restoration will leave your life or mission unfulfilled in purpose.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your correction in times when I have lost sight of You. Help me to correct others with wisdom and gentleness. Use me as a tool to bring restoration to those who need help along the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you don’t know Jesus personally, Consider Asking Jesus into your heart and to reveal Himself personally to you. Click here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

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