Category Archives: God’s Love

October 30th 2017 – Apathy

“When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.” (Obadiah 1:11)

Apathy, detachment, disinterest, disregard… no matter what anyone calls it, it should never be an option for any follower of Jesus. In the book of Obadiah, God proclaims judgment on Edom because they stood by and watched Israel be destroyed and taken into captivity. They saw their brother in need and did nothing. Contrast this to Jesus who was active in our redemption.

(Philippians 2:7-8) “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Jesus intentionally left His throne and the glory of Heaven to walk in the pain and suffering of the world. He then purposefully gave up His life so that we could know forgiveness. He could have stayed in Heaven, but because of His great love for us and in obedience to the Father, Jesus acted. As followers of Christ, may we be active in loving, caring for and sharing with others. Who knows what a small act of kindness or encouraging word could do to change a life.

“The greatest danger to your future is Apathy.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus and His love and obedience. Because of His active role in my redemption, I can know forgiveness and grace. In the same way that You were intentional in the salvation of man, may I be intentional in ministering to those around me. Fill me with Your Spirit and equip me to be a light in this dark world. 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

October 27th 2017 – Wells Without Water

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“These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (2 Peter 2:17)

In the book of 2 Peter, the apostle Peter is sharing the sad truth about false teachers. In the description above, He calls them wells without water. What a brilliant way to describe someone who pretends to have the Truth of God. Imagine as people come to hear this Truth but are disappointed because there is no real living water to drink from. All they find is an well that contains no water.

The Truth is that God desires to give us His living water and make our lives fruitful. In order to do this, He calls us to connect with Him through His Son Jesus. This is not simply a religious routine, it’s a life-changing relationship. Jesus described it this way…

(John 15:5 )”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

As we spend time with Jesus in prayer, reading His Word and fellowshipping with His people, we will find ourselves living fruitful lives. The reason is simple; we are visiting the deep life-giving well of the Lord Jesus Christ. His well is filled to overflowing, and He welcomes everyone to drink deep and thirst no more.

“Without Jesus Christ, our life will be fruitless and wasted.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the refreshing water of life that is found in Jesus. God, You tell us that when we connect to this water, we will also have living waters coming from us. Fill my life to overflowing so that I would be a fruitful worker of the Kingdom. 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

October 26th 2017 – Commitment

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“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.” (John 19:17-18)

It is painful to consider what Jesus went through for us and to think about what He endured on our behalf. The remarkable truth I keep coming back to time and time again is that it was His decision. He decided to endure these things… the suffering, the beatings and the crucifixion. It is convicting because I know how little in comparison it has taken to rattle my endurance at times. I have never been beaten for Jesus much less crucified.

It comes down to each and every one of us making a commitment to Jesus. How far will you follow Jesus? Until it gets inconvenient, uncomfortable, or what about when it becomes painful? Are you willing to follow Him all the way? Let us follow our Jesus, who is so worthy, all the way until the end. Until we hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” God bless you as you follow Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,You have called me to a disciple’s life. I want to embrace that life, yet there are times when I look back. I am Your disciple. I will go where You lead me. Please help my faith I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Invitation:

Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13)

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.

If you have done this, 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..

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 24th 2017 – Love or Fear

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“for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.” (Galatians 2:12)

Are you afraid of people? While we often think of that question in terms of physical harm, the reality is that most of the time our fear of others is a fear of rejection or ridicule. This fear leads us to disobedience or apathy.

One of the primary examples of this is our fear to witness to others. We have the greatest news in the world and yet alot of people are afraid to share it because of what someone may think. Imagine if the apostle Paul was fearful of men. We would not have a large chunk of the New Testament or the spread of the Gospel. Paul put aside his fear of others because he had a healthy fear of the Lord. In other words, his love for the Lord trumped his fear of people. Step out today and be a witness. God is with you and He can use that one step of faith for something amazing.

(Proverbs 29:25) “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father , Thank You for Your love and grace. Help me to love others much more then fear. Give me boldness to tell the Truth about You. Lord, I want to extend the same grace You have given me to others. I need You. Please work in my life and in my heart. I surrender it ALL to You. 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

October 21st 2017 -You Are God’s Masterpiece

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“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” (Jeremiah 18:4)

A mound of clay, by itself, is not a very beautiful thing. It may have some minimal value but in the end, it’s still a pile of dirt. That is, until the potter gets a hold of it. Once the potter gets involved, this pile of dirt begins to take shape. As the potter presses in, the clay becomes thinner. The potter then reaches into the center and is able to scoop out all the excess clay within. While the clay began as a formless pile of dirt, it ends up as a beautiful masterpiece.

(Ephesians 2:10) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

When God found us, we were like the clay – dirty and formless. We may have tried to mold ourselves but only the potter is able to mold the clay. Once the Heavenly Potter came into our lives, He began molding and shaping us into the image of His Son, Jesus. With each firm press of His hand, we are changed. With every scrape of His tools, sin starts to fall from our life. This is our Heavenly Father at work and while it is painful, it is worth it. God knows what we need and He is the perfect potter who’s loving hands will sculpt our lives into something far greater than we could ever understand. All we have to do is let Him.

“God desires to make a masterpiece of your life.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for my resistance to Your hands in my life. I know that I need to be molded more into Your image, and I ask that You would place my life onto Your potter’s wheel. Carve off the sin in my life and shape me into a vessel that can be used for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 19th 2017 – Don’t Be Late

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“Now Israel pleads with me, ‘Help us, for you are our God!’ But it is too late. The people of Israel have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them.” (Hosea 8:2-3)

Have you ever gone looking for something but were unable to find it? Do you remember how frustrating it was to need something but to not be able to have it? What if that something or someone you needed was the key to a life and death situation? Would you seek more urgently or would you put it off hoping things turn out OK in the end? Sadly, many in our world are faced with the reality of sin and death yet never look to the One who holds the keys to life.

(Isaiah 55:6) “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.”

Our Heavenly Father stands over us desiring to rescue us from our sin. He made a way for us to be rescued through His Son, Jesus, who died in our place. His death and resurrection created a life raft to safety for anyone who would call on His name. The raft is there, but we must respond before it is too late. If you are reading this and do not know if you’ve responded to God’s offer of rescue and new life, then I encourage you to pray the prayer below. If you have experienced God’s saving power and the hands of rescue through Jesus Christ, then I challenge you to look for others sinking in darkness. Share the life-saving Truth of Jesus with them so that they too can be saved. Its as simple as sending this devotion to someone that God has placed on your heart.

“We should seek the Lord while we can find Him. One day, it will be too late.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I believe You died for me so that I could be forgiven. I believe You were raised from the dead so that I could have new life. I know I’ve done wrong things, and I’m sorry. Please forgive me and give me the power to follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus Name’ Amen.

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 18th 2017 – Real Love

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“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Love is a word that possesses incredible power. When a couple first speaks the word, it changes the dynamic of their relationship forever. On the other hand, when someone you love and care for tells you they no longer love you, it could impact your life for years. When someone you love dies, your heart grieves and love is what causes the pain and hurt you experience. We also can actually become emotionally and physically ill when we have our hearts broken from the loss of love.

Unfortunately, this word has many times been misunderstood. Our world sees love as a amped up version of lust but that’s not what God created love to be, and it’s not the example He has shown us.

(1 John 4:7) “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

Love is not morality or religion. It’s not something else to put on your to-do list. Rather, love is our motivation and it is seen perfectly in our Lord. In short, love is Jesus. In every second of His life on earth, Jesus was love and demonstrated that love. From his healing of the sick and feeding the hungry, to His correction of the Pharisees, Jesus’ end goal was love. You could do all the good deeds in the world, but without love they would be empty meaning nothing. Jesus loved others because He loved the Father. The same is true with us. As we love our Heavenly Father, we will be able to love others; even those who we feel may not be that lovable.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love. Because of Your love for me, I have forgiveness of sins and hope of heaven. Father, fill me with Your Spirit and help me to love others like You love me. Make me more like Jesus so that I can share Your grace and mercy with those around me. Use me today to show love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you want to know this love – true love — get to know God. He is ready to pour out His love on you, and He wants to teach you how to love others as He loves you.

Want to experience the essence of Real Love?

We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgment.God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that Hedied for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, wasburied, and rose from the deadaccording to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, “Jesus is Lord,” you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

What is your response?

Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus

Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus

I still have questions

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 17th 2017 – When God Closes Doors

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“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” (Acts 16:6-7)

Have you ever had God close a door that you thought was previously open? What was your reaction? Did you get upset and complain, or did you thank God for the closed door while praying about what to do? Prayer is a good thing. Paul exhorts us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but this doesn’t mean to stop looking for other open doors. You can pray while taking action. What did Paul and his crew do when the Lord closed a door? Did they sit around and moan to one another about how difficult it was to be a Christian and how they wanted to minister in Bithynia but the Lord would not let them? No, they didn’t! They kept moving forward as God revealed to Paul the door that He had opened.

(Acts 16:10)
“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Although God closed some doors for Paul and his group, God opened the doors to Macedonia in order that Lydia would be saved and the door to Europe would be opened to the Gospel. You see, sometimes the door that God closes opens the door to something awesome that He has in store. What should we do when God closes the door? Don’t try to kick down the door! Don’t try to sneak a peek. Instead, prayerfully try another door. Take a step of faith. The rest is up to God. Press forward.

(Philippians 3:13-14)
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

“Considder the fact that maybe God closed that door, because He knew you were worth so much more. God has so much more for you, Trust in Him”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for saving me. Thank You for allowing me to serve You in whatever way You have planned for me. Please forgive me for the times that I have tried to force open doors that You closed. Give me eyes to see the doors that You want me to go through and the courage to go through them. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 13th 2017 – The Marriage Test

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“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

Have you ever found yourself irritated with your spouse – not happy with him or her very much – even though you know you love your spouse? Most of us have had those days! It’s perfectly normal. No two people can live together for any length of time without once in awhile rubbing each other the wrong way.

What’s important is how you handle these kinds of times. If you let those feelings of hurt or disappointment take over – your marriage will suffer. You will create a rift in your relationship. So you have to make a choice. You have to decide to love. You may not feel loving, but if you decide to love, the feelings will follow.

You have to learn to demonstrate unconditional love to your spouse. Unconditional love is necessary for a strong marriage. Are you practicing unconditional love in your marriage? Here are some questions to consider:

* Have you accepted your spouse’s failures or weaknesses?

* Do you support your spouse, or do you see his or her weakness as projects to fix.

* Are you afraid to be honest because your spouse might not accept you?

There is a huge difference between unconditional love and conditional love. Conditional love blames a person, expects things in return, and asks for more. Unconditional love accepts the person, expects nothing in return and sacrifices.

Conditional love says:

* I will love you only if..

* I don’t know if I can handle the tough times. If things get too bad I’m outta here.

* I might not be able to forgive you if you tell me.

Unconditional love says:

* I will love you even if…

* I will stay with you no matter what. I will always love you, even in the tough times.

* I know I’ll still love you if you tell me.

Our spouse isn’t perfect and we were blessed to get to know them intimately and on a deeper level then others. We are the ones who sees all his or her faults and fears. What do you do with what you know about your spouse?

* Do you tease your spouse with hurtful words?

* Worse, do you tease your spouse with hurtful words in front of others?

* Do you put your spouse down?

* Do you withhold your love until your spouse corrects certain faults?

If you answered “yes” to a majority of these questions, you are loving conditionally and creating a huge rift in the fabric of your marriage. If you continue loving with conditions, it can at any moment become a large tear between you.

Conditional love creates a marriage in which each spouse is more concerned with getting his or her own way, instead of showing their spouse grace and love.

Your response and connection to your spouse are crucial to the health of your marriage and family. Your expression of unconditional love and acceptance is the force that will hold you together in the midst of the testing times in your marriage. Your standing with each other in the painful times as well as the good times is one of the primary elements of a great marriage.

If you love each other conditionally, you’ll end up living like two immature children – each trying to get your own way and resenting the other person when you don’t. You may still be married, but you’ll miss our on the joy of a great marriage. Also, husbands and wives who don’t get unconditional love in their marriage may look for it somewhere else. And while they’re looking for that unconditional love – they’re pulling away from their spouse.

Learning unconditional love is worth it, but it’s not always easy. Giving your spouse the security of your unwavering love requires grace, patience, affirmation of the good things, encouragement, respect and time. Even when you don’t feel like showing love, do it anyway. You need it; your spouse needs it; your marriage needs it..

Here are some tips on how to keep your dream marriage alive.

Talk through the issues. Communicate freely with each other and keep no inappropriate secrets.

Love each other deeply, without strings. Forgive your spouse when you are wronged and seek forgiveness when you offend.

Begin each day by asking, “What can I do for you?” Eagerly seek to discover and meet each other’s needs.

Hang tough. Pray without ceasing. Instead of caving in to difficult circumstances, face and conquer them.

Focus on Christ, and love your spouse. Consciously guard yourselves against threats and temptations that could pull your marriage apart.

Pray together daily. Stay close. Work at maintaining emotional, physical and spiritual closeness.

Keep the chemistry with your spouse alive. Be committed to keeping your relationship fresh.

Keeping your marriage strong, vibrant and fresh isn’t always easy. But if you put in the time and effort, you’ll discover how truly amazing your marriage can be.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Even before we got married, we had dreams for our future. Our lives were planned out. But soon we discovered that things tend to change. Life happens, and every once in a while you’re given a detour. Some of those detours were quick and easy. Others had us wondering what You were up to, where You were taking us, and how soon our trials would end, but through every change and every trial, Your love remained constant. Help us to trust in Your plan when it doesn’t match ours. Give us the strength to hold onto our faith when we can’t see the path. There isn’t a trial we can’t endure when we’re leaning on You. There isn’t a weight we can’t bear when You carry us through. Keep leading the way, Lord, and make our steps steady and sure, and Thank you for my spouse. In Jesus’ we pray. Amen.

SPECIAL NOTE

“Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife Tina today. (In picture above) I Love you. I am so blessed to have you in my life”

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 11th 2017 – A Gift of Grace

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“Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (Acts 15:10)

It is a sad reality that few Christians are willing to extend grace to one another as Jesus showed grace to us. On the day that we asked Jesus to forgive us of all our sins, He extended His grace toward us. God extends this same grace to each of us every day. What about your friends and family? Do they need grace? What about co-workers or maybe the person sitting next to you in church?

How quick we can be to call out the sin in others while we ignore the sin in our own lives. This shows just how poor our understanding is of what Jesus did for us. If we truly understand just how far down God had to extend His merciful hand to reach us, certainly we should be willing to reach out with the same grace to others.

Think about this. When we accept God’s grace for ourselves, but are unwilling to show grace to others, are we not claiming the gospel of grace for ourselves while charging the law to others? What pride! Colossians 3:12-13 nu reads, “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Be quick to show grace. Be ready to show mercy. After all, if when you look at someone else you see their sin, what do you think they see when they look at you? God’s grace is not only sufficient for us, it’s sufficient for us to show others.

“Grace is not just something we receive, it is also something we give.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace. Please forgive me for the times when I have not shown that same grace to others. Help me to show grace from now on so that others will see You in me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

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