Category Archives: Grace and Mercy

April 30th 2017 – I Knit You Together

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repost from August 21st 2015

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:1-14)

When I read this verse, my mind wanders off to a turn of the century style living room, softly lit by a crackling fire. There is grandmother in this room, gently rocking back and forth in her maple rocking chair as she knits a sweater for a beloved grandson. I can see the expression on her face, as all her love is, for this moment focused on this new creation.

In her mind, she can picture how the sweater will look when it is finished, and the joy that it will bring to her grandchild’s heart. With anticipation, she continues to count (knit one, pearl two, knit one, pearl two) as the sweater begins take the form that she always imagined it to be. This project is not work for her, for it brings much joy to her soul and delight to her heart because each stitch is filled with love.

Now for a moment, think about how God knit you together in your mother’s womb. Our Father uses such a tender illustration of how He lovingly, and carefully created our being. He could have blasted us together, or snapped His fingers and we would have appeared, but He chose a more delicate process in which He could be intimately involved as He formed us in our mother’s womb…knit one, pearl two, knit one, pearl two. Stitch by stitch, loop by loop, each one of our parts was delicately and carefully crafted by Almighty God.

Your life is not the product of an impersonal evolution, but the result of a loving Father, who planned your creation before the foundations of the world, and took the time to knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are a masterpiece, and your very existence brings much joy to your Father’s heart.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for creating my inmost being. I know each strand of my DNA was fashioned by You, stitch by stitch, loop by loop, with a love that called me to life. I was created in love, and for love.  In my heart, I want to express my love back to you for being such a wonderful Father to me that You would knit me together in my mother’s womb. In the name of Your beloved Son Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Want to a personal relationship with Jesus? Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 22nd 2017 – Fractured Clay Jars

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“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12)

Whether they knew it or not, the church of Corinth was blessed because of Paul’s sufferings. The battles endured and hardships faced were all allowed by God so that Paul would be a great witness to the world. During this time in church history, there was a lot of suffering taking place, and as a result of that suffering, the Word of God was spread to more and more people. In fact, this continues today.

I believe we all could list out some areas where we suffered because of Christ. It may not be to the extent that Paul suffered, but trials are a part of the Christian life. That may not sound so great but think of it this way, when you’re going through a trial, someone else is watching you and can be blessed through your response. The Bible says we are like fractured jars of clay, or “cracked jars”. The more suffering and trials hit, the more we seem to crack.

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

The more we crack, the more Jesus is seen inside of us. God will use every situation in your life for good so rejoice in the hard times and look for those ways to shine… like a cracked jar with a brilliant light inside.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, While it may be hard, I want to thank You for my times of suffering. I know that each of these moments is being used to make me more like Jesus. Give me the strength and wisdom needed to be a witness for You even in times of suffering. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If ou 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

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 20th 2017 – Look To Jesus

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“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3)

There is just something about the name of Jesus!  His Name is the most beautiful of all names.  This verse shows us that Jesus radiates God’s very glory, and He expresses the very character of the Father.  Jesus said that he who has seen Him has seen the Father.  He and His Father are one.

The reason this is so important is that many times we do not fully understand God, because we have never seen Him.  But when we look into the Gospels and we read about Jesus, He shows us who God the Father is.  You see, Jesus was a healer, and a provider.  He let John lay His head on His chest.  Jesus is the One that calmed the storms and raised the dead.  He is the One who promised those that believe in Him that we will have eternal life.

When we understand that to look at Jesus is to see the Father, we know that the Father will heal us, and the Father will calm the storms in our lives.  He will provide for our needs, and He wants us to lay our heads near His heart and rest in Him.  You see, the Father loves us just like Jesus does.  The Father and Jesus are one, and the great love that Jesus showed by going to the cross to die for you and me is the same love that the Father in heaven has for us.

That is why Jesus said not to pray to Him, but to pray to our Father in heaven in His Name, and He will answer us.  So today, get to know the Father.  He loves you and cares for you.  To know Him is to know life.  So enjoy His presence in your life each and every day!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You in all circumstances Lord, Thank You for your overwhelming love that You have for me. I want to know my Father better and see all that my Father is, and the place that He wants to take in my life. Please help me share who You are to everyone. I pray this in Jesus’ glorious 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

April 15th 2017 – The Incredible Plan!

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But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” (Mark 16:6)

The fact is, Jesus could have escaped the crucifixion at anytime. As He was beaten, He could have stopped it. When the nails were piercing His sinless hands, He could have defended Himself, but He didn’t. In that moment, Christ chose you and I over His own well being. He knew He needed to make a payment for our sins, and so He remained on the cross. So call it what you will… an act of love, a plan of salvation or a martyr’s sacrifice. But whatever you choose to call it, don’t call it an accident. It was a lot of things, but it was anything but that. The cross was no accident, tragedy or conspiracy. It was a plan. And in a world of injustice, God once and for all tipped the scales in the favor of hope.

You see, God neither accepts our sin nor lowers the standard. Instead of ignoring our sin, He took it on Himself and sentenced Himself. God’s righteousness is still maintained, our sin is punished and we are redeemed. What an incredible plan. God paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt that we could not pay. God did what we could not do so we can be what we could not dare dream–to stand perfect and forgiven before God. The victory is already won, our past can be pardoned and our future can be secure. Death is disarmed. Failures are forgivable. Life can have real purpose. Did He die on the cross for your sins? You have to make that decision. He is the Savior of the world. The question is… is He your Savior?

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 have done wrong things, and I’m sorry. Today I lay is all at the foot of the cross. Please forgive me and give me the power to follow You all the days of my life. 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

April 11th 2017 – Call On The Professional

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“And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20)

A Psalmist wrote in the Bible, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” For someone who has been in the pit of despair and in the mud and the mire, I stand on the other side praising God for all that He has donein my life. Isn’t that what following God is all about? Not the mud and the mire, not the pit of despair; but God being faithful to save us.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” ( Psalms 34:18)

We all go through seasons in life that sometimes punch us in the gut and take the breath right out of us. Maybe it’s the death of a family member, a child abusing drugs, talks of divorce or even the loss of a job. One thing we can rest assured about, God will get us through. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Spend time in the Bible, praying and seeking the Lord. Don’t allow your troubles to determine the fruit God wants to produce in your life. When you are feeling down bless someone by helping them. Take a walk and spend time talking to God. The best remedy for despair and pain is to bless someone else. Remember, we plant the seed, someone else will come along and water it, and God will give the increase. The promise from Him is thirty, sixty, and some a hundred-fold fruit in our lives.

“There is no mistake that God can’t fix. There is no pit that God can’t pull you out of.”

“God can take what is broken and restore it into something beautiful!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promises. I am grateful that at times in my life You have fixed my mistakes. I am grateful that You have pulled me out of the mud and the mire at times in my life. Please help me in these desperate times Lord. Help me to also sow seeds into others lives and be a part of helping build Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, 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

April 4th 2017 – His Choice

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“I have loved you,” says the LORD. ” Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved;” (Malachi 1:2)

At the time of Malachi, the people of Israel had a checkered past with God. There were times of celebration and victory as God brought them out of Egypt and established them in the Promised Land. There were also times of hardship and discipline when they were exiled from their land, often because of their idolatrous behavior. During all these times, one thing remained the same. God still loved them and still called them His people.

The same is true today. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and His standard of perfection. We deserve nothing but punishment and yet God, who is rich in mercy, chooses to love us despite our past.

(Ephesians 2:4-5) “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),”

If you have asked God for forgiveness and know Jesus as your Savior, you are chosen by God. You are loved by the creator of the universe. Not because of what you can do for Him, but because He chooses to love you. What an amazing God. So if you find yourself wrestling with circumstances that are difficult and feel like God has stopped loving you, come to Him today and know that you are loved.

“God loves me because He chooses to love me. He didn’t “Choose to Leave”.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. I know that I have sinned against You. Lord, forgive me of my sin and create in me a new heart that desires You. Father, help me understand the amazing love You have shown me on the cross and may it motivate me to serve You and serve others better. Thank You for making the “Choice” to not leave. 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

God is Good, All the Time

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“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:3)

Can you imagine being part of the congregation of Israel as God entered the Temple? After years of preparation and hard labor the presence of God had come to rest with His people. What a glorious time. Imagine the celebration at that moment as the people began reflecting on all God had done for them. They may have thought back to the calling of a man named Abram in the land of Ur. Possibly, they cheered as they remembered their forefathers being brought out of Egypt and crossing the Red Sea. And as they stood in awe at that beautiful temple, they may have cheered Solomon while remembering his father David. Truly, the people of Israel had much to celebrate, but nothing was greater than the One who had brought them to this point.

(Psalm 107:1-2) “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,”

The children of Israel had seen God’s hand in every part of their nation’s history and were led to praise the Lord for all that He had done. If you are reading this, you have been blessed with eyes to see and breath in your lungs. You have also been blessed with technology that allows you to email and read this newsletter. Of course, the greatest blessing of all came in the form of Jesus Christ laying down His life on the cross so that you could be forgiven. Because of this act of perfect love and grace, we can stand with the children of Israel and proclaim that God is good, and His love endures forever!

“God is good all the time.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father , Thank You for Your amazing love. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins so that I could be forgiven. I believe that You have risen again and that one day, I will spend eternity with You in Heaven. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Here With Me – Mercy Me

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 25th 2017 – Throne of Grace

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Prayer is a mighty tool in the hands of a Christian. When we come to God in prayer, we step beyond ourselves and enter into conversation with the God of the universe. In the book of Hebrews, it states that we should “come boldly to the throne of grace.” Imagine… weak and broken, we can come to God’s throne with boldness knowing that He will hear us.

Unfortunately, many times we come to God with our wish lists and plans, all the while missing the greater blessing. As we come to God in prayer and lay before Him our thanks and petitions, we begin growing in our faith. As we share with Him our hearts desire, we find ourselves desiring His heart. Many times in prayer, it is not our situation that is changed, but rather it is ourselves. What joy to know that we can lift our voice to God and in return find hope, peace and a life forever changed.

“The goal of prayer is not to have God answer according to our desires, but for our hearts to be set to receive based on His desires.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me and allowing me to speak to You today. Because of Jesus, I am able to come to You directly and know that You are listening. Father, continue to change my heart and mind into that of Jesus. I lift up my family and friends who may not know You. Give me an opportunity to share the Gospel with them today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Looking to ask Jesus into your life? Read Below..

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, 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

March 23rd 2017 – I’m Sorry, But..

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“Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.” (Chronicles 10:2-3)

The books of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Chronicles parallel one another. It has been well observed that 1 & 2 Samuel are man’s perspective of these events while 1 & 2 Chronicles are God’s perspective. Most of the book of 1 Samuel (man’s perspective) chronicles the life of Saul, but in 1 Chronicles (God’s perspective), the life of Saul takes up just one chapter. Now, Saul was the first king of Israel. In man’s eyes, he was an important man, but not in God’s eyes. When we first meet Saul in 1 Samuel, he is hunting after his father’s donkeys, which he had lost. That is not a good indication of Saul’s character. Later on in 1 Samuel 13, we see Saul offering a burnt offering on his own.

(1 Samuel 13:11-12) “And Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.'”

Saul is coming up with excuses and throwing blame for what he did wrong. He was not a priest and sinned by offering the sacrifice on his own. When Samuel the prophet confronts Saul about it, he begins making excuses.

We are all fallen people. When we are approached with our own wrong doing, our first instinct is to cast blame and find excuses. How often do our apologies include reasons (because) and excuses (but)? When you mess up and need to apologize, just apologize. Don’t take from your apology by adding anything to it. Don’t try to find excuses for your wrong doing.

“Do not find excuses for your wrong doing.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Lord, I need Your forgiveness. Thank You for forgiving me. Please stop me when I try to make excuses for my sins, and help me to be quick to apologize to 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