Category Archives: Meekness and Gentleness

August 29th 2017 – Grip of Grace

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“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)

We tend to think about grace pouring down over us as a one time event. If it was a one time event, we are in trouble. You see, the grace of God is something that we need every day. We are told that the mercy of the Lord endures forever. That means it will never grow too small or be worn out. As we look at the life of Peter, we see a man who fell and then got up. There is a lesson in that for us. We often count ourselves out when the Lord has not counted us out. There is no one beyond the reach of His grace. If this includes Peter and his denials, it includes us and our misbehaviors. Though we struggle and though we sometimes fail, we can live in this knowledge. We have 24/7 access to His love and forgiveness. We live in the grip of His grace.

(Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

“be assured that as followers of Jesus, we can be forgiven of all our mistakes.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace, and may I run to Your throne of grace often. Please forgive me of every thing that hinders me in running the race. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 27th 2017 – He is Faithful

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 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

In Matthew 11 John the Baptist is in prison and sends disciples to ask Jesus “Are You the Coming one?” John the Baptist earlier had declared to crowds “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) But now he’s in prison questioning his circumstances and Jesus’ ministry.

Have you ever had that experience? Perhaps you have been in a dark and difficult prison of sorts wondering and questioning the Lord and His will for your life. Jesus reminds John of the work God has done through Him (Matthew 11:4-6). If you have been in those moments it’s key to turn to the Lord and see all the good work God has done in your life. Seek the Lord and think through the good, true, pure, and lovely things in our life that the Lord has done. Even when we are in moments when we feel faithless, He is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). We can rest in all that the Lord had done and is doing in our midst.

“We are loved by the Father and that love will never change”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father , I thank you that when I’m falling short in my mind, not understanding You or Your working in my life, that You still graciously see me through those moments. Please help me not forget Your wonderful works in my life. Help me continue to trust You to lead me no matter what season I’m in. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 22nd 2017 – Problems

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“Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land!” (Nehemiah 4:4)

It’s hard enough to be faced with a near impossible task, but what makes it harder is often the discouragement we find from others around us. Words like, “That can’t be done”, “You’re not able” or “It’s to difficult” ot actually plagues us as we stare down difficult situations. Faced with these issues, how should we respond? I believe there are four main ways we can address problem situations.

  • Talk to God first.
  • Talk to God about the problem.
  • Talk to God about the  “Problem” people.
  • Talk to God about a solution.

While there is often a need to discuss the problem, we must be careful not to let it lead into the problem overwhelming us. Why? Because our God is bigger than the problem. This is why talking to God should be our first response in difficult times. When we do, we can respond in forgiveness towards those saying hurtful things and then walk in wisdom to overcome the issue at hand. Remember, whenever God is moving, there will be spiritual attacks. Guard against the attacks. Guard against discouragement, division and gossip. The enemy can use people (even other Christians) to draw us away from our mission. The enemy not only draws us to do bad things, but keeps us from doing good things. Go to God first, and He will give you what you need to love others and live for Him.

“When you feel discouraged, spend time with God; spend time in worship and with other encouraging believers. Don’t quit!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,  Thank You for always being there for me in times of need. Give me the wisdom and strength to live for You and to ignore the voice of Your enemy. Help me walk through these situations in victory. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 21st 2017 – I’m Never Alone

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“Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.” (Psalm 17:5)

Have you ever felt like your faith was slipping, that perhaps God wasn’t with you in a given circumstance or situation? It’s important to know that if we have stumbled into sin, or have had others abandon us completely, there is one thing the Lord tells us in His Word we can count on. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior He will never leave us or forsake us. (Matthew 28:20). Even when we are faithless and have doubts He is faithful (see 2 Timothy 2:13). The Lord even breaks out the heavenly host to help us:

(Psalm 91:11-16)
“For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Whenever you are tempted by feeling the Lord isn’t near, please put your heart at rest in His promises. Thank God for all He has blessed you with and believe His truth is a fact of faith for you. As you meditate on whatever is true, pure, good, and lovely in the Lord be encouraged to know that even when you don’t feel Him, He has never let go of you.

“It is not your hold on Jesus that saves you. It is Jesus, Himself, what He did, what He has done, and His hold on you, that saves you.”

Prayer:

Lord, please forgive me when things cloud my ability to see that You are with me. Please give me the strength to see that truly You are always with me. Thank You for loving me so much that You died so I could have forgiveness and the eternal hope that I have in 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 17th 2017 – Hide and Seek

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If you seek me with all your heart you will find me”  (Jeremiah 29:13-14 partial)

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

The Lord encourages us to seek Him with all our heart and all our soul. If we do pursue Him with everything within us, He promises that we will find Him. I imagine this to be similar to a child’s game of hide and seek. When my children were young, they would love to play this game with me, They would turn towards the wall and close their eyes and count to ten.

In the mean time, I would scamper off into another part of the house to find a place in which to hide. At the count of ten, my children in much delight would begin their quest to find me. Their anticipation would build as they would open every closet door and look under every bed.

While the searching part of the game was always fun, it was the finding part that was the real climax! I never chose a place too hard for my children to find me. I loved the moment when the children would finally catch me. Our cry of “You found me!” and their cry of “I found you!” would happen simultaneously followed by a mutual celebration that the game was over.

The game wouldn’t have been fun if my intention was to hide so that my children would never find me. The fun is in being found. I think it is the same way in our relationship with God. When He calls us to search for Him, He never hides Himself so well that He cannot be found.

“If you seek Jesus with all your heart you will find Him.” Hint… He is Right Here —> Click Here

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am thankful that You do not make it difficult for me to find You, for You are never far away and are always happy to be found! I pray that I might pursue You with all my heart and my soul, all the while having a child-like anticipation of finding 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

August 10th 2017 – Fruit of the Spirit (8)

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We are on the 6th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

Meekness / Gentleness – “gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:23). “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

The biblical qualities of meekness and gentleness are misunderstood and undervalued in today’s society of extremes—where all too often people tend to angrily overreact or passively underreact.

As we read above, the apostle Paul lists “meekness” as the eighth attribute among the fruit of the spirit in (Galatians 5:23) he uses the Greek noun praotes or prautes— and “meekness” is the closest translation for the Greek word used here. (Similarly, the closest English translation for the related Greek adjective praos or prausis “meek.”)

We are to be meek (yielded, teachable, responsive) first of all in our relationship with God, and secondly meek (humble, gentle, respectful) in our relationships with people. To become this kind of person, God must tame and train us!

A word with a closely-related meaning is magnanimous, defined as “generous in forgiving; avoiding resentment or revenge; unselfish.”

Meekness is an important part of true love. “Love is patient, love is kind … It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

The Bible places great value on meekness. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) That’s a mighty big reward for being meek!

But since “meek” is no longer a popular or commonly used word, modern Bible translations frequently substitute the almost-synonymous word “gentle.” Scriptures quoted in this article are mostly from the New King James Version, which uses “meek” and “gentle” interchangeably.

However, be aware that gentleness refers mostly to actions, whereas meekness refers to attitude—one’s whole state of mind as well as actions. Meekness produces gentleness. This explains why meekness is one of the beatitudes—beautiful attitudes for which God promises blessings.

God is calling people out of such darkness to be “the light of the world”—to set the right example for others (Matthew 5:14)

That’s a tall order. But God is ever ready to help us. Pray earnestly for His help. And make a habit of reading God’s Word so it can transform your thinking and way of life.

Remember that an important part of being that shining light is having godly meekness and gentleness. And someday the whole world will be a peaceful and happy place. That someday is when Christ returns and the meek inherit the earth!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,we pray today that you would draw us into meekness. We pray that you would soften our hearts, that you would remind us of the gift of gentleness, that you would show us through Jesus how to live in love day by day. We pray that you would forgive us of our sins and open our eyes and hearts to forgiveness for others in our lives. We ask that you would help us to guard our speech, that the words we say would be life-giving and glorifying to you. We are so grateful for your refining fire in our lives. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org