Category Archives: Forgiveness

February 17th 2020 – The Mighty Anvil

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

It has been said that the Bible is an anvil that’s worn out many a skeptic’s hammer. This means that what the Bible says is completely true and unchanging. Let’s really consider what that means for a moment.

It means our sins can be forgiven:

“In [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)

It means we can become children of God:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12)

It means we can one day live in heaven forever:

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

These things and more are true for those who know Jesus as Savior. If you have trusted in Jesus, then read His Word and trust in these amazing promises. These are promises of love, joy and peace in this life and the next. The world will try and cause you to doubt the Truth of God’s Word, but throughout history, the Bible has remained unmoving. Trust in it and find rest for your soul.

“Jesus and the Bible are both completely reliable and trustworthy.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for the many promises found in Your Word. Help me take each one to heart and to allow Your Truths to change me. Protect me from the fears and doubts that can cloud my thinking, and give me boldness to stand on Your Word and to share it with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

 

February 13th 2020 – How Do We Trust Again

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)

Each time that he said that he was sorry, I honestly wanted to beleive that he meant it. I knew at that point he was sincere just like before, but part of me wanted to give up on trusting him altogether. Why trust someone who like so many times before will probabally let you down again? In fact, why trust at all? Why not just close my heart and keep it safe from any potential harm?

King David understood this struggle. In Psalm 28, David asks God for help. Many scholars believe that this was written at the end of David’s life. At this point, he knows what it is to hide from words and actions that harm. He understands how it feels to be surrounded by people who say they are loyal to him, but sometimes let him down.

Even at this late stage, it may have been tempting to shut everyone out and never trust again … not just the people who intentionally sought to harm him, but those who loved him and messed up. It might have even crossed his mind that he should trust no one at all.

Instead, in verse 7 we see David’s thoughts and attitude change and find him singing a beautiful song to his Heavenly Father. In this place of hurt and uncertainty, he reveals a secret: He can trust because God is trustworthy.

The Lord is our strength and shield.

Like a triple-plated silver shield, David needed God’s protection for his heart. David may have wanted to isolate, but God had handwritten a plan for his life. People were an integral part of that blueprint.

The reality is that people are messy. My son was a mess, his addiction had cost him almost everything. Sometimes I’m a mess, too. The actions he chose to do really did hurt me and I need to work through it, but God’s shield of protection allows me to see the areas where He was still working in me. It also offered His truth to counterbalance hurtful actions.This shield allowed me to approach him from a place of resolution, rather than a place of offense or retaliation.

It will soon be two years that my son has been clean and off of drugs.  I praise you in all that You do Lord, Thank you for giving me the strengh to get out of Your way and let you work in his heart..

Our hearts trust in the Lord and He helps us.

We need wisdom to know what to say, when to say it and when to hold those words back. God offers that guidance (James 1:5).

We need discernment over what is ours to fix and when to step back as God does His part (Psalm 55:22).

We need to know what to do when someone is destructive or unwilling to change, and how to transfer our trust to God in that hard situation, rather than take matters into our own hands. We can ask for hope and healing in our hearts while God performs His work in someone else’s heart.

Our hearts leap for joy, and with a song when we praise Him.

Conflicts, difficult conversations or poor behavior can make you want to give up or shut people out completely. In David’s case, trusting in God produced a strong foundation that led him out of seclusion and into a plan and a purpose.

Like David, have you been tempted to climb into a cave of isolation?

Do you sense God asking you to trust again? Maybe not even in a specific person, but in Him? In others? In the fact that He’s completely with you as you run after His plan for your life?.

 

“Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise and love You..but most of all I Trust You. In the past when someone has deliberately broken my heart, my response has always been to hide or build a wall. Thank You for wisdom, compassion and discernment as I trust in You first, Continue to give me the strengh to stay away from people that continually hurt me because they do not want to change. You show me how to trust others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

February 12th 2020 – Who Do You Belong To?

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:” (2 Corinthians 1:1)

“Who are you?” I’m not asking what your name is but rather who you are as a person. When faced with that question, usually our first response is something like, “I’m a teacher” or “I work as an engineer” but those answers are not who you are but what you do. To really see who you are you need to look past yourself and understand who you belong to.

Many people may not realize it, but we all are in one of two camps. We are either children of God or children of the devil. Now many may find that hard to believe, but Jesus made it clear in John 8:44 when he was speaking to the Pharisees. He said, “For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does.” In very clear terms, Jesus declares those who do evil to be of the devil. Well if that’s the case, how can any of us become children of God when we have all done evil? The answer is found in one name – Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sins with Him. They were buried never to be remembered. Now, when we ask Jesus to forgive us and believe in His death and resurrection, we are adopted into His family to become children of God.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (John 1:12)

So now that you understand the question, let me ask again… “Who are you and who do you belong to?”

“Our primary identity is not in what we do but in who we are or ‘whose’ we are.”

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Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned and done evil in Your sight. Today, I come to You and pray that You would forgive me of my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again and trust in His sacrifice for the forgiveness of my sins. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 10th 2020 – Open To God’s Correction

Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.. “(Hosea 4:1)

We should all be open to correction whether it is from the Bible, from a teaching or from a friend. None of us have it all right. Right and wrong is not determined by society or our culture. Just because things like gambling, abortions and drug use are now legalized. That doesn’t mean it is a good thing. Just look at society as an example. What was called abnormal when I was growing up 1970’s and 80’s is now considered normal. What was good is now bad and bad is now called good.

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

This is why we should always form our opinions and our choices in life on God’s Word.

We don’t always see the WHY we should or shouldn’t do something but that does not negate our responsibility to obey. Even if it’s hard, uncomfortable or even costly, we should be willing to change for the sake of our Lord and King. The good news is that when we walk in obedience, we will find great blessing. In fact, Jesus puts it this way in John 15…

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:10-11)

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“Discipline is correction. God’s correction is an act of love. Love is never punishment.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. I believe it contains the ways of life and the instructions I need to obey You. Help me to understand Your Word and give me the power to live it out. I desire to lay aside my plans or opinions for the sake of the Gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 30th 2020 – Attitude Adjustment

“lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.” (1 Corinthians 1:15)

Paul, in writing this letter to the Corinthians, dealt with division inside the church. Any idea you may have that church is a perfect place, can often be shattered the moment you walk through the doors. It was the same in the early church. We all bring something valuable to the church, but because we are sinful people, we also add to the problems.

In this letter, Paul takes on people’s attitudes; their way of thinking. Do we need to be challenged today? Absolutely we do. Being saved does not mean we’re done being changed. We continue to be changed, and as we are, our ideas and concepts of what it means to be a Christian are challenged. God wants to adjust our attitude and if we are truly honest with ourselves, we are desperate for that change.

When we take a moment to look at challanging situations or even life in general, when we do so with a different attitude our perspective often will change. What may have seemed impossible now looks hopeful.

“God wants to give you an attitude adjustment.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who died for me so I could have life more abundantly. Lord, I confess to You that I am struggling. I have been looking to the world for answers rather than depending on You. I surrender my heart to You, Lord. Help me to make the changes You want for me. 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 29th 2020 – The Door Is Still Open

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25)

“The fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” The New Living Translation puts it this way, “this will only last until the complete number of Gentiles comes to the Lord.” So, there are a fixed number of Gentiles who will come to the Lord and then that is it…no more.

Genesis chapters 6-8 is the record of Noah building an ark as God commanded, which spared him and his family from God’s judgment on the whole earth. The Bible says that once the ark was loaded with animals, Noah and his family were inside the ark for seven days before the flood waters came upon the earth. Now think about this, Noah, over the course of a hundred years, built a giant covered barge on dry land in preparation for a world-wide flood. “Where’s the flood, Noah?” “Looks like rain, Noah, you better hurry!” “You’re crazy, Noah!” Can you imagine the jokes and teasing he was enduring? Those who mocked him were the same people banging on the door when the floods hit. Unfortunately, the door to the ark had been closed by God. They had made their decision, and God honored it. Things, as they are now, will not last forever. The door is open now. There will come a day when that door is shut. Don’t wait until it rains friend, it may be too late.

“Things will not be as they are forever. A time is coming when it will all change. Don’t get left on the wrong side of the door.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. Your love is clearly revealed to me by the prophetic truths of the scriptures. Thank You for Your infinite grace and mercy toward me. Lord, through Your Word, You have reminded me afresh of the importance of living ready. I am surrendered to Your will to do the work of the ministry. Thank You for the church and the relationships that are built there. Like minded brothers and sisters struggling at times to get it right, just like me. Thank you for Your endless pursuit of me so that I would not be left behind when the door gets shut. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and have made the decision to ask Him into your heart. Here is a simple prayer to get you started.

Dear Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen.

If you have done this, then congratulations! (Luke 15:7) says that when one sinner accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour the angels rejoice. So there’s a party going on in heaven right now over your decision! Today you were accepted a new life in Christ! You have God’s Word that he answered your prayer.

What’s Next? Click Here to learn more about a new Life in Christ.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 23rd 2020 – We Should Examine Ourselves

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Have you ever met a Christian that believes they have the gift to identify sin in peoples lives or flawed doctrine in churches. I have yet to find it listed in scripture that this is actually a gift. Also I have yet to find the perfect church. The likely cause is that people are inperfect.

Although there are times to lovingly correct a brother or sister or even false teachings within a church, we should not be quick to condemn. Before we begin pointing our finger at someone else’s problems, we need to first examine ourselves.

“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

In Scripture, Jesus draws an absurd but poignant picture of someone with a giant beam of wood in their eye striving to remove a speck of dust from their friend’s eye. As we sit back and laugh at the imagery, the truth remains. Often, we believe we can ignore the sin in our life all the while condemning those who may be sinning in the same way. This leads to a life of hypocrisy and self deception. Instead, we should examine our own hearts and seek God for forgiveness. As we find freedom from our struggles, we will be fully equipped to care for our friends who need help removing the dust from their eye.

“We should examine ourselves, not others for problems.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. Help me to examine myself every day through Your Word and Your Spirit. Continue to shape me more into the image of Your Son so that I may help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here.

Interested in knowing Jesus personally? 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

January 21st 2020 – But, God!

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Two of the most important words in the entire Bible are “But God.” You and I were dead in our sins and trespasses… but God.rescued us.

Linda was an alcoholic and Steve was a heroin addict… but God… Charles was dying, but God… healed him.  The world needs to hear these words… but God. When I read local and world news, it becomes evident that this world is a complete mess… but God.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

We have to step out of our comfort zones and tell people one on one about Jesus. We have to get Bibles into the hands of those who don’t have them or who have never even seen one. We have to show the love of Jesus by bringing the Good News to those who have lost hope, to those who are living in the mess that has been made of this world. What mess have you made? God is in the business of fixing messes. God will break through the situation if you’ll allow Him. Maybe you know this. Too often we keep this to ourselves when we should be telling others.

“God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father Thank You for sending Your only Son to die for my sins. Please forgive me for times when I have selfishly kept the light of the Gospel to myself and please give me the courage and desire to tell others about the reason for my hope, which is Jesus. I pray this 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 18th 2020 – Spiritually Drowning

And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” (Ezekiel 37:3)

I have a important question, where are you spiritually right now? Are you frustrated? Are you tired? Devastated? Do you feel like your world is caving in and you just can’t handle it? Are you drowning… weary from crying? Do you feel spiritually numb or even spirtually dead?

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:21-24)

Living in such a time as we do. We can get battered and discouraged spiritually. We see people saying and doing unbelievable things. Even people we love can be abusive in their behaviours torward us. Its not hard to get in a place where our spirit and soul feel numb. Hope often sounds impossible… As a Pastor I hear many stories each week of people searching for hope in dry and desolate places.  Please do not think that Ministers of the Lord are exempt from feeling this way too. I go through times like this also. All it takes is taking my eyes off of Jesus, even for a moment.

Like Peter stepping off the boat into the water and walking torwards the Lord, as soon as he took his eye off Jesus he immediately sank into the water. At the point Peter prayed the shortest prayer..  “Lord save me!” Jesus reached His arm out and rescued Peter from drowning in the turbulent water.

In (Matthew 7:7-8) Jesus said this, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

What you surround yourself with is a good indication of where we seek. Take a minute to look at what surrounds you. Is it television, music, gadgets, computers… or maybe drugs and alcohol? There is no hope in these things. The only Hope is in Jesus. God’s promise lasts forever. We can live free of all of the numbness and not feel spiritually stale – I mean really live free, but it’s in Jesus and not in the world.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the hope You give to me in Jesus. Lord, help me to stay determined and not lose hope even when I find myself in a valley of dry bones. Remind me to feed upon Your Word. I give you all praise and glory for the promises You set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once have your eyes on him but got caught up in the world? Don’t miss out on the most important decision you will ever make.

Pray this prayer with me and start a new life, or recommit your life 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 need prayer Click Here to post a prayer request.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 16th 2020 – Adrift

“For if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.” (2 Chronicles 30:9)

Imagine. There you are adrift on a life raft with the beach on the horizon. You watch as the land slowly moves away, leaving you alone. While most of us have never been in this scenario physically, we often experience it spiritually. As we walk through life, we feel as though the Lord has left us, leaving us alone, but in reality, it is not the Lord who has left. In the situation with the life boat, is it the land that has moved? No. The land is steadfast and cannot move and so it is with God. He remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

In those times where we feel that God is far away, we should not believe the lie that God has rejected us. Instead, we should draw near to Him and rejoice in His loving-kindness. Our Father in Heaven desires a personal relationship with each of us. It’s in this relationship that we find strength, peace and hope. Our relationship with God is one founded on knowledge of His Word and communication through prayer These are not simply religious actions but our connection to the God of the universe. Draw close, my friend, and watch as the Lord draws close to you.

“When you feel God has drifted, it is not Him that moved, it is us”

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 at sea, 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. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once follow Him but now are adrift?

Pray this prayer and start a new life, or recommit 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 (Romans 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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org