Category Archives: Forgiveness

April 21st 2017 – Coming Back Soon!

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“then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,” (2 Peter 2:9)

Since Adam and Eve was cast out of Eden for disobeying God’s command. (Genesis 2:16-17) The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Ever since, the world has been in a battle of good and evil. We see people do evil deeds and desire to see justice done. Sometimes, we can even get impatient waiting for justice. After all, wouldn’t it be best for God to get rid of all the evil people that commit sin in the world?

Fact is, if He did, then none of us would be here. The reality is that God’s grace is on us all. He is perfect in his justice and will punish those who do evil. However, He is also full of mercy and desires that none should perish. Peter puts it this way…

(2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

One day, God will return to punish evil, but until then, He is giving evil people time to turn to Him for forgiveness and grace. Because of His patience, men like the apostle Paul went from being a hater of Jesus and His followers to being the greatest missionary to walk the planet. That same change is happening all over our world as people’s hearts are changed by the Gospel.

“God is patient in judgment. He will punish or reward in (His perfect time) Don’t wait until it’s too late!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace and for being so patient with me. Father, help me to walk in that grace and to share Your love and mercy with others. In this world of pain, help me to trust in You even when I may not understand all that is happening around me. Please help me share with my friends and family, that have not trusted in You to be their Saviour.  Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not asked Jesus into your lifeYou can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer.

Prayer is just talking with God. He knows your heart, so don’t worry about getting your words just right. Here is a suggested prayer to guide you:

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! 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.

Please take a moment to contact me at roblavallee@gmail.com, I would love to pray with you personally for this wonderful new journey you are on..

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 16th 2017 – Risen!

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“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:30-32)

God offers all of mankind His mercy. Who are we to put limits on His mercy? When we choose not to minister the Gospel to another, we do just that. The definition of mercy is to not receive what you deserve. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us remember that in no way did we deserve God’s merciful action. By no means did we merit Jesus’ suffering at the hands of the unrighteous and that He would bear the tremendous weight of our own sin on that cross. Through no power of our own, these events unfolded through the benevolent, merciful and loving Father which many want to push away. Let us commit ourselves to making sure that everyone hears God’s message of mercy to the broken. May all mankind hear the Gospel and make their choice. Let’s brace ourselves for our God given duties and make sure that the whole world hears.

“God is a loving and merciful God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being my God of mercy. I believe that Jesus is alive and accept Him as Lord of my life. May I live only for You. Purify my heart with Your Truth and guide me in the way of Your will for my life. May I always do what is pleasing in Your sight. 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

March 21st 2017 – Sinful Nature

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“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

When we solely act on our feelings it is very dangerous. If we always do what what we “feel like” doing, most times it will end up getting us in trouble. Following our just our feelings will lead us into sin, and that can lead to broken relationships, depression, prison and even far worse. So the question is, “What filter do we use to help us control our thoughts and feelings?” While the world may say, “If it feels right do it,” God’s Word tells us that we don’t have the ability to know what is “right” without His direction. We need His guidance, through the Bible.

When we process our thoughts and feelings through the Bible’s instructions and God’s promises, we will be better able to replace the bad or harmful thoughts with those that are good and beneficial. Submitting to God’s Word and His Holy Spirit allows us to know what is good and right. It gives us hope in something greater than our own understanding and therefore, we walk in light rather than darkness, and He will walk with us if we allow Him to. We don’t have to be alone.

Do not take your dark brooding thoughts out and play with them. Do not sit and focus on what’s wrong. Don’t allow your desires to run away with you. Take your thoughts captive. Do not walk in fear. Fight the good fight. God will give you victory!

“Sometimes thoughts and feelings are great and good and holy; sometimes they are dark and brooding and torturous.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the power I have in Christ to overcome bad thoughts and harmful feelings. It is because of Your promises of hope and salvation that I can rejoice no matter what my situation may be. It’s with Your power that I can control my emotions rather than my emotions controlling me. Please protect me from myself and my own destructive sinful nature. Help me forgive myself and seek You first. Thank You Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do trust Jesus enough with your life? You should, 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 and we will pray for you..

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 20th 2017 -Holding a Grudge

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“The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?'” (Obadiah 1:3)

In the book of Obadiah, the prophet is proclaiming judgment on the nation of Edom. This nation and God’s people of Israel have a history full of conflict starting at the birth of Jacob and Esau. For hundreds of years what began with deception on the part of Jacob continued with violence as Israel and Edom locked horns in an extended bout of sibling rivalry. If Edom had forgiven Israel and turned to the Lord, they would have found freedom rather than bondage to their bitterness.

While you may not be fighting with another nation, maybe you are harboring resentment towards a friend or even a family member who offended and wronged you. Now, like Esau, we may desire revenge and will stop at nothing to get it. Holding a grudge may make us feel empowered, but it does nothing but rob us of joy.

(Matthew 6:14-15)  “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

When we step outside ourselves and forgive others as God has forgiven us, we find freedom from the trap of contempt. Forgiveness does not mean that we have to continue to allow the offenders to continue to slaughter us with continuous pain. In those cases we may need to establish boundries so we are not enabling their behaviour to cause our hearts to get hard and isolate ourselves with stone walls. Lift them up to your Father in heaven and pray for them (as hard as that may be), forgive them just as Jesus forgave us.

When we offer them forgiveness, it also opens the floodgates of God’s forgiveness in our own lives so that we may find rest for our souls and the perfect joy of the Lord.

“We need to practice active forgiveness, even the ones that perpetually hurt us. Lift those up and pray for them, even when it’s hard too.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for forgiving me of my sins. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. If I am holding any grudges or bitterness, show me so that I can practice active forgiveness. 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

March 15th 2017 – God’s Blessing is Ours

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Originally published 01/19/16 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

“that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,” (1 Corinthians 1:3)

There’s a story of a young man, getting ready to graduate High School, who approached his father about a graduation gift. “Dad,” he said while pointing to a red Ford pickup in a magazine, “This truck is what I want. It would be the best graduation gift you can give me.” The father looked at his son, gave him a hug and took the magazine and put it on his desk. A few weeks later, father and son met together at a favorite restaurant. Dad said, “My boy, I’m so proud of you. I’ve got something for you and it’s the best present I could ever give you.” The son could hardly stop from grinning because he just knew his dad was going to pull out a set of keys. Instead, his father placed an old, worn bible on the table. “Son, this is my Bible. It’s meant everything to me and I know it will to you as well. I want you to have it.” His son looked at the Bible, visibly disappointed. He took his eyes off his father, shook his head and left the restaurant, leaving his father and the Bible behind. Years passed with no communication between the two. Then one day, word came that his father had passed away. The son returned  to his father’s home to settle the estate. As he looked through his father’s desk, he noticed the Bible sitting in its own spot beside a picture of him and his father in happier times. He picked the Bible up, and as he did a piece of paper fell to the ground. Looking closer, he realized it was a cashier’s check for the red Ford truck he had wanted. It had been tucked inside the Bible that his father wanted to give him so many years ago.

We dont realize it, but you and I are so blessed, and the crazy thing is we usually don’t even notice it. We are just like the son in this story who didn’t realize the blessings that were already his. Please don’t overlook blessings because you are focused on what you don’t have. You know how many people in this world wish they were able to live the way we do? Even in hardship and pain, you and I are blessed because we are an heir through Jesus to the riches of our Father in Heaven. God has blessed you and me, Let’s give Him thanks and praise.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Lord, I know at times I do not recognize the day to day blessings around me. I humbly give thanks for You and all that You have done for me. Help me to put my focus and trust in You and not on myself. I recognize that all blessings come from You. I ask You to give me faith to see You in everything and everybody. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you do not know Jesus personally, Give yourself the greatest gift you could possible ever receive. 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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 20th 2017 -The Door is Still Open

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“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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

 

February 16th 2017 – Grace First

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“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Ephesians  1:1-2)

In his various letters to people or churches, grace always comes first in Paul’s greetings. It is always grace followed by peace. In his letters to Timothy and Titus he added mercy; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is a beautiful lesson for us. You see friend, we need God’s grace to have peace with Him. We, by His grace, are invited to believe in Jesus as our Savior and through our faith in Him we are saved. Now we are forgiven and at peace with God! Grace and then peace! God shows us great mercy and love in this.

“We have to know God’s grace before we can know God’s peace.”

You can have much greater peace in your life if you give more grace to all of the people in your life. Forgive those who have wronged or hurt you. Be merciful. Love. Give them grace like God gave grace to you… you will lighten your emotional load and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. You want more peace in a relationship? Put more grace in the relationship. Grace is like gravy, it goes on everything and makes everything better. Every relationship you have can be improved with grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for Your grace to me. Thank You for Jesus. I am sorry for the times I have lacked grace and destroyed peace. Please help me give grace to the people in my life. Show me how to be merciful and loving to them like You are to me. As I give grace, please bring peace to my relationships. 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.scriptutalseeds.org

February 13th 2017 – Choose to Love

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“Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

 

In 1 Corinthians 16:14, we find such a simple command. Simply put, we are to do everything with love. While this may appear simple in direction, it’s not simple in action. Because we are broken vessels in an evil world, it can be difficult to do everything with love. After all, our first reaction is to preserve ourselves. Our emotions, our lives, our stuff; these are the things we strive to maintain at all cost… and love demands we lose them for the sake of others.

(Galatians 2:20) “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.”

As Christians, we are no longer slaves to ourselves. We have been freed to love others just as Christ loved us. He is our great example as well as our strength. We cannot love rightly on our own. We must depend on Jesus. So next time someone in traffic causes you to see red, look to the cross of Christ and the blood that He shed for you. He died for us when we didn’t deserve it so now we can forgive others even when they don’t deserve it.

“You’re not living until you give your life away and start to love.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for Your love and grace. Because You loved me, I am able to love others in every circumstance. Give me strength to walk in obedient love and to look for opportunities to care for others around me. As Your love increases in me, may my selfishness decrease. 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.scriptutalseeds.org

February 3rd 2017 – God Keeps His Promises

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“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25)

Our God is a keeping God. He may keep some secrets, but He also keeps His promises. His faithfulness is without end. God establishes us as His children according to the generous outpouring of His love through Jesus Christ. He keeps us secure in His hand from which no power can snatch us away.

(John 10:27-30) “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Where man fails to keep promises made to God, our Father never fails in His promises to us. He establishes us and won’t let go. What have you promised God that you have neglected to do? While you are less than faithful to the Lord, He is ever faithful to you. Don’t you think you owe Him more of a commitment than that? The things we do reflect the commitments we honor. Would your family say you were committed to serving God? What about a stranger?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins. I want Your fresh mercy and grace. Lord, I am available to do the work You have called me to do. Help me, Lord, to share the simple Truth of Your Word with others. 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

February 2nd 2017 – It’s Not You, It’s Me

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“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner–not even to eat with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)

 

Have you ever hear the classic break-up line”It’s not you, it’s me.” Maybe you’ve used or been handed that line before, but you know what? There’s some truth behind it. Deep inside, you know it’s the sin inside you. Relationships are complicated. They are complicated even more by the sin in your life. Are there rocky relationships in your life? Own the problem; look at yourself.

Whether at work, home or church, relationships are everywhere, and you are to be stewards of them. Relationships can promote your walk with Jesus or they can derail you – if you allow it. You are called to love the unlovable, but there are times when you will have to decide which relationships are healthy and which relationships are not. A relationship that is prompting you to sin and wander from your walk with Christ is not a good relationship.

There are some who think that if they get away from other people they will get away from the sin that’s in the world. Convents, monasteries and the like have all been built with this mindset. That’s not a solution. This only walls them in with their own sin while denying the world the “salt” in their lives. Jesus told you to be the salt of the world. You know what salt does? It makes people thirsty. You are to make this world thirst for a relationship with Jesus. If you withdraw from the world, this doesn’t happen.

You are a steward of the life God has blessed you with. Whether you participate in wrong activities or not, the decision is yours to make. God has called you, Christian, to be active in other’s lives and a part of that is confronting sin, with a heart of love. When this fails to happen, everyone gets hurt; feelings get bent, anger festers, and relationships become broken and shattered. Confrontation is uncomfortable. It’s not fun. But love requires us to step beyond the bounds of comfort because we love others. Thi is the calling of all Christians… to be leaders in the world.

“The main problem in our lives is the sin inside us. Often its just easier to blame the people around us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins. Even though I have done wrong things, You ask me to come to You. It is through Your payment for my sins that I can come to you in repentance. Lord, I am sorry. I ask that You help me to own up to the things I try to hide from You. Empower and equip me with the knowledge of Your will for my life. Lord, give me the power to live for You, and help me to walk in the newness of life. 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