Category Archives: Faith

December 18th 2018 – God Is Love

“Then the LORD said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the LORD still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.” (Hosea 3:1)

Have you ever taken time to truly think about God’s love? In Hosea, we get a glimpse of this love through the lives of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer. Gomer has continued to commit adultery against her husband, yet God tells Hosea to go and love her again. You see, this is not just a story about marriage and it’s not just an image of Israel. This is also a picture of the Gospel.

Like Gomer, we all have continued to walk away from God. We chase after other things to make us happy or fulfill our lives all the while forgetting the One who truly loves us. If the story ended there, we would be in a hard situation, but like Gomer, we have a heavenly Father Who was willing to buy us back. How did He buy us back? God purchased us from the slavery of sin with the blood of His Son Jesus. You see, while we were in bondage to our sinful ways, Jesus stepped out of heaven, walked to the cross and died in our place. When He died, He buried our sins with Him. When He arose, He pronounced freedom to all who would trust in Him. His reason for doing this for us is simple. God loves us.

“God is love”

If you have never experienced the love of God through a relationship with Jesus then come to Him today. He will never turn you away. You can pray a prayer a simple but effective like this…

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned. Today, I come to You and ask that You would forgive me of my sins. I believe Jesus died for me and that He rose again. Fill me with Your Spirit and use me for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen

If you have read this prayer and believed in your heart, then congratulations!

(Luke 15:7) says that when one sinner accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Savior the angels rejoice. So there’s a party going on in heaven right now over your decision! Remember this date as your “second birthday,” the day you were born into a new life in Christ! You have God’s Word that he answered your prayer.

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

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 17th 2018 – God Is Worthy Of Our Worship

“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”(Matthew 2:10-11)

The wise men, these followers of the stars, met the Lord Jesus Christ who created the stars. The Magi were magicians occultists, yet God reached into their dark world with a star to bring them to their Creator.

Matthew’s gospel tells us, “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

Everyone worships at Christmas. There is no exceptions to this. Christians worship. Atheists worship. Skeptics worship. Politicians and even individuals of specific polital parties worship. Everyone worships at Christmas, but not everyone worships God at Christmas. Some worship material things, which they never seem to have enough of. Others worship their bodies. Others worship their families. But everyone worships something or someone.

The wise men worshiped Jesus. And what does it mean to worship? Our modern word worship comes from the old English word worthship. We worship the One who is worthy. A god of our own making isn’t worthy of our worship, but the true God is worthy of worship and our praise.

Two words often are used in the Scriptures to define worship. One word means to bow down and do homage, which speaks of reverence and respect. The other means to kiss toward, which speaks of intimacy and friendship. So when we put these two words together, we get an idea of what worship actually is. To worship is to bow down and have reverence, and it is also to have tender intimacy.

Jesus was born, He died, and He rose from the dead so that you and I could come into a relationship with Him and become God’s adopted children. Simply put, we should worship the Lord because He deserves it every day of the year.

“Everyone worships at Christmas, but not everyone worships God at Christmas.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am in awe of Your unending, unconditional love. Because of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection on my behalf, I am able to be free from the bondage of sin and future condemnation. You are so good to me, and I desire to respond with a life of surrender to you. Fill me with Joy and reverence, fill me with Your Spirit and help me to live a life of love and service for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 14th 2018 – Great Joy of Forgiveness

” And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Romans 5:11)

The Hebrew word for atonement is kaphar which means “to cover.” In the Greek, the word is katallage (kat-al-lag-ay’) which means “to make one.” The New King James Version of this verse uses the word reconciliation and the New Living Translation reads, “making us friends of God.” Christ’s death can put away our sins and we can be one with Him.

There are two states we can be in; friends with God or enemies of God. What makes the difference? The difference is made by whether we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior or, in our hardheartedness we have rejected His offer of friendship.

Many Christians walk around with a frown, acting like they’ve been baptized in a toliet. Where’s the joy? Christian, you should have great joy because you are forgiven. If you are having a bad day, think about God’s great joy of forgiveness and your day will get better. If you are already having a good day, thinking of this joy will turn your good day into a great day. If you are having a great day, hold on to keep from flying!

(Psalm 32:1) “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!”

“We should have great joy because we are forgiven.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for forgiving me. I have joy knowing that I am Your friend. What joy it is to know that what I ‘cannot do’ has been done by Jesus and that what I ‘cannot pay’ has been paid by Jesus. Lord, help my joy overflow to others in such a way that they cannot help but know who my Father is. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 13th 2018 – From Broken to Beautiful

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”(Jeremiah 29:11–13) – my personal life verse

Have you ever dropped a glass and watched it break and scatter across the floor? There was nothing you could do but sweep it up and throw it away. You also might remind yourself not to go barefoot any time soon since splinters of glass sometimes linger.

Can you relate this scenario to a crushed and broken heart? It may have felt like it shattered into a million pieces. You probably felt it would never mend. The hurt was just too deep; too painful.

“Time heals all wounds,” but at the moment of the brokeness and pain, it is impossible to believe. As days go on you look for brighter days, but as you view life through a soul that sees only gray, You feel numb.

Painful events generate broken hearts: the death of a loved one, children gone astray, a relationship gone wrong or  perhaps loved ones turned against you with no reguard for your heart. In any event, you do not feel like you can go another moment, let alone another day. You may ask yourself, “Am I depressed, oppressed, or just one big mess?”

I have had my life, my dreams and my heart broken and crushed quite a few times… when I was in my early twenties, I lost my childhood sweetheart, one of my best friends died, as well as my father within a few months of my life. Their loss was very painful, the brokeness and loneliness I was experiencing was more then I could deal with. Within a year I met someone and got married. I built a new life, dreams and a family. I was blessed with starting a very successful business that I operated for many years. After 15 years of a awesome marriage, with no warning, My wife abandoned not only myself but our children. With all of my dreams broken and the emense pain of loss and betrayal, I experienced a time of feeling suicidal. I had to be strong for my children, however the stress and pain eventually caused me to have another lifechanging event, a stroke that almost took my life. Throughout the process I discovered how codependent I was. I was trying to deal with the pain on my own and instead, generated more distress bitterness and anger.

Five long years I struggled. Knowing that I couldn’t handle any of this pain any longer, dealing with continued thoughts of ending my life. I attended a faith based 12 Step goup. Shortly after, gave my life Jesus, and asked for His help to put my life back together. I had allowed God to place me up on the Potter’s wheel and said, “Lord you have to fix me. I can’t do it myself.”

Only God can mend your brokenness. He is the Potter and His specialty is molding us and shaping us. We need to remain on the Potter’s wheel to be restored, but often we run to others. It is wonderful to get support from a godly friend or prayer with your Pastor, but this should be in addition to, not a substitute for time alone with the Lord.

My life has been restored, I have wonderful friends personally and at work, I just celebrated 8 years married to such an amazing new wife! One that I trust, one that Loves God! I also have a family again which I longed for. Thank you Lord for Your promise and answered prayer!

Don’t delay! if you find yourself shattered, Only Jesus can truly mend your broken heart, broken body or broken life into someting beautiful.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for taking a shattered and scattered life and like a broken glass, when someone would normally throw it away. You Lord fashioned me back together. I love you Lord. Thank you for the sweet wife that you brought into my life 8 years ago, Thank you for bringing my children to know you and thank you for my friends.. As your word says, You indeed carried me through devastation and restored my life… even thought life continues to be hard at times. I am greatful that You are here for me every step of the way. Accepting You as my Lord and Savior was the greatest decision I ever made. Thank You for Your endless pursuit of me. I love You Lord. In Your precious name, Amen.

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Click here  to discover how you can find peace with God.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 12th 2018 – Glorify Him

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,” (1 Corinthians 10:31-32)

Can you imagine what it would feel like to do everything for the glory of God? Everything, not just our worship on Sunday mornings, but every aspect of life dedicated to glorifying our Lord. As you step out of bed in the morning, your mind is praising the Lord for His mercies. As you eat, you are thanking God for the food He has provided. As you sit in a traffic jam, you are singing praises to God for your life and that opportunity to be still and know He is God. Yes, anything and everything can be a sweet offering to our Lord when we purpose in our hearts to glorify His Name.

Of course, many people may not appreciate your attitude or work diligent work ethic. Don’t let it bring you down, it won’t matter because you’re doing it for the glory of God and not for the approval of others. Your purpose and meaning are to glorify our Lord and He is blessed as you serve Him with all your heart. So whatever you do in the course of your day, set your mind on glorifying God and watch as He uses you to be a blessing to others and a witness of His grace.

Do all that you do for the glory of God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your amazing grace and the love You have shown me. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and equip me to do everything for Your glory whether great or small. May my heart and mind be focused on You today and use me to share Your goodness with a world in need. May my life bless You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

 

December 10th 2018 – God, I Got This On My Own

“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’” (John 20:26-27)

We have all heard the comments, “get it together,” “straighten up,” or the ever classic, “as the good book says, the Lord helps them that help themselves.” Eventually, we heard it enough that we believed it. First, I have read the good book from cover to cover several times and let me assure you, it does not say that. Second, the Lord helps those that ask for His help.

If you are still determined to make it on your own, or get yourself cleaned up, or fly right or that you can fix the problem, whatever term you want to use, the Lord will let you try. The moment you realize you need the Lord’s help, He will be there to help, though not when you are over the trial, but while you are in the trial. To think that He comes to us after we get through the tough stuff is to paint Him as a fair weather friend. Beloved of God, it is you that the Lord longs to walk with through the storms of life. Call out to Him right where you are, just as you are and He will become even more real to you. The Lord loves you enough to take you just as you are, and thankfully He loves you too much to let you stay that way.

“Jesus will come to us right where we are and as we are.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I’ve tried it my way and my way doesn’t work. I need Your help in my life. Whatever things I’m trying to do on my own outside of You, I completely surrender to You. Please help me. Thank You for being the here for me always. Forgive me for not listening to You when I have heard the answer to my situation many times. Forgive me for choosing my way over Yours. I confess that am just a sinner and do not know more then You Lord. Please strenthing my faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 8th 2018 – A Case For Christ

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:5-7)

The Bible mentions several people involved in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is something that you rarely, if ever, find in fairy tales and folklore. You find Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimethea, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and five hundred other witnesses. Either this was the most cleverly arranged hoax ever perpetuated on the world, even fooling Roman politicians and Jewish spiritual leaders, or it really was the most pivotal event in human history.

The intriguing thing to note is that how you look at this tells how you look at heaven, hell, life, death, faith, love and forgiveness. There were five hundred witnesses and some of them were famous. There was overwhelming and undeniable proof!

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are historically recorded events. Based of the eye whitness statements, and evidence. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would stand up in a court of law.

Millions of lives today have changed because of this, including mine. The calendar itself forever changed with the birth and death of Jesus (BC and AD). The church would forever after worship on Sunday. Are you still waiting for more information? You have enough information to make an educated decision, but it still requires a step of faith. Take the chance. I did. My life was forever changed for the better. Today can be the start of a brand new life for you. Ask God to forgive you right now and He will.

“Jesus claimed the power to heal illness and He claimed He had the power to forgive sins. (Fact) He did it and still does!”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Thank You for dying for me so that I could be forgiven. Thank You for being resurrected, and that 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. 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, your life will never be the same.

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

If you are seeking Jesus in your life Click Here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 5th 2018 – Jesus Hold Me Close

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15)

Jesus asked two very insightful questions of Mary at this point: “Why are you weeping?” and “Whom are you seeking?” Often in life, we find ourselves in a place where we feel like crying and other times find ourselves in tears. Jesus sees those tears and wants to dry them… if we will let Him.

We need to allow Jesus to do just that. Sometimes it happens through the hands and wisdom of others, but either way He wants to tend to our tears. Whatever the circumstance, life threatening Illness, brokeness of a marriage or loss of a loved one, spouse or child. Jesus is the answer to our pain..He will comfort us.

Sometimes though, we become strangely comfortable with pain and sadness. They become almost like old familiar friends. Jesus wants to be the better friend. For some, it may mean breaking a cycle long established and for others, it may mean coming out of a short season of pain.

Seek Jesus. Realize that in the midst of trial, trouble and temptation, He is there with you. You may need to turn around to face Him. He wants to pull you out of your problems and liberate you from sadness, but before He does, He wants to walk with you through the valley. Even when you are in the valley of the shadow of death, He is there. May you know He is there to dry your tears, lighten your load and be a closer friend than any you have ever known. Loved one, right now take a few minutes out of your busy day and turn to Him. You will be glad you did. And so will He.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sticking by me through good times and bad times. You are the true friend. Sometimes, I become content to wallow in self pity. Please forgive me for that and humble me to allow You, through the hands of others, to comfort and even challenge me to trust you and Your promise. Please help me through the times of panic, the times when the pain is crippling and I can’t breathe. Hold me close Jesus when I feel all alone. Remind me that You are here and Love me when I am unable to see past the pain. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you have never asked Jesus into your heart. Click here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 4th 2018 – Marriage Is From Heaven

“When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” (John 2:29-10)

Jesus, along with five of His disciples, came to the wedding in Cana. Mary told Jesus that there was a need because the wine had run out. In the custom of a Jewish wedding, running out of wine could have very bad implications. First, wine was a symbol of joy and blessing (See Psalm 104:15). To run out of wine would be as though the joy had run out. Secondly, running out of wine would make the groom, who was responsible for providing for the celebration, seem unfit to provide for his bride. The sentiment was, if you can’t provide wine for your own wedding how can you expect to provide for your spouse? Last of all, in this period you could be taken to court and prosecuted for not providing wine at your wedding.

Jesus stated that His hour had not yet come to be revealed as the Messiah. As we read in John 2:4, Honoring his mother Mary, Jesus called on the servants to do two things, fill the stone water pots used for ceremonial cleansing, and draw out water to be given to the head waiter of the feasts. The servants witnessed this first private miracle of Jesus. There is a lesson in this. As we are serving and the Lord is leading us step by step, we will be a witness of Jesus doing miracles. This not only blessed the servants but also blessed the entire group who had come to celebrate the wedding feast, especially the couple.

Never forget that Jesus blesses marriages. His first miracle was at a wedding feast. As we serve Him, God desires to bless us. But not with just a regular old sour wine kind of joy, but with an excellent joy of a fresh and new wine  “not fermented” that we have never experienced before. The Bible talks about us re-examining our first love with Jesus along with those things we did when we experienced that love (Revelation 2:4).

If you are married, do not get fixated on the problems that come through your marriage. Instead, rejoice in the new depth of experience that the Lord is desiring to produce in you as you serve Him. The Lord is continually refining us, not so we get upset with all our impurities in the marriage, but so that we can look forward to the faith that is more precious than gold.

“When we experience the heat of our trials in marriage and in life it’s a golden opportunity for us to be purified (made more golden then we have ever been)”

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You want to produce in me a deeper sense of Your joy and love. Lord, please give me the grace to see the problems and persecutions that sometimes come in my family and in this world as golden opportunities to trust in You – to experience from You a whole new level of joy and peace. Forgive me when I get in my flesh instead of depending on Your Spirit. I thank You that I can trust You to lead me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Special Note – Happy Anniversary to my sweet wife Tina! I love you!

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you have never asked Jesus into your heart. Click here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 3rd 2018 – In His Steps We Were Called

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

None of us likes to suffer. There is nothing pleasant about struggling with difficult people or dealing with persecution for your faith. Yet, the Christian is not one that can really be separated from suffering. In 1 Peter, the apostle calls believers to patiently endure harsh treatment from their authorities. He was speaking to slaves about masters, but we would understand it better in terms of employee and employer.

Why would God call us to suffer under another person’s authority? It could be for many reasons, but the main one is that our patient, loving endurance during those times can be used by God to bring that person to Christ. When we act in love despite being faced with hate, we declare to the world that we are different. This causes people to consider the words we say and the message of hope we speak. In reality, our loving suffering may be the tool God uses to save a soul. That may be hard to imagine, but our God is no stranger to using difficulties to produce deliverance. This is illustrated best in the life of Jesus. He suffered under the authority of man, even to death, and yet it was for our salvation. Now He calls us to endure so that others may see Christ in us.

“We should follow the steps of Jesus, being willing to suffer for the sake of others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I do not enjoy suffering, especially because of those around me, yet I ask that You would use my life in those situations to display Your love and grace. Give me the power through Your Holy Spirit to show love and not hate. Help me to be willing to endure rather than fight back. Thank You for the gift of everlasting life that was purchased on the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you have never asked Jesus into your heart. Click here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org