Category Archives: Repentance

January 7th 2018 – Toxic Unforgiveness

You forgave the guilt of your people – yes, you covered all their sins. .” (Psalm 85:2)

After a recent conversation with an Assist Attorney general. I was curious and did some research on attorney’s in general. I discovered something that I did not know about the country I live in (United States of America). Not only do we have more laws, we also have more people on probation or in prison, and more mariages ending in divorce then any other country.

We also are the most litigious society on the face of the earth, with about 80 percent of the world’s attorneys living in here in the US. More people graduate from law school than from any other professional academic course of study in the entire nation. And what do attorneys do? They Sue and Defend, for the most part, because there is no forgiveness. We’re not willing to say, “It’s all right. I forgive you.” The Justice system doesn’t even forgive a person have served the sentences imposed and paid their dept in full.

And what is really toxic is our unwillingness to accept responsibility for our own actions and our unwillingness to forgive. It’s worse than toxic; it’s sinful. Let this not be said of us, God’s people! Unforgiveness will eat you up spiritually and, in many ways, bring your spiritual life to a standstill.

Unforgiveness is choosing to hate. It produces bitterness, anger, rage, anxiety, and even depression. Simply put, it is sin.

Instead, we must forgive. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is like taking a piece of pottery and smashing it into a thousand pieces. There is no way it can ever be put together again.

God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness and truth, and forgiving of iniquity, transgressions and sin.(see Exodus 34:6-7). That is our God! He forgives.

You might say, “What my spouse did to me is unforgivable. Even if God forgives them, I’m just a person. I’m flawed. I can’t forgive like that.”

If you want to become like Jesus, then you should reflect His character. God has said that if you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9).

God has said it. And as His spiritual child, you can do the same.

“We cannot withhold forgiveness for any reason or excuse.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending your only begotten Son to die and rise again so that I could be forgiven and saved and adopted into Your family. Thank you for Jesus. Please forgive me for the times of speaking against others and holding onto unforgiveness and anger from the past. Father, I am sorry and I choose to forgive those who have wronged me and I choose to speak good and pleasant and edifying things about others. Help me to always be kind and tender hearted. I need Your help Lord, strengthen me. I also ask You for wisdom and grace to do this. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Click here  to discover how you can find peace with God.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 24th 2017 – The Real Purpose of Christmas

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:1)

This is always a busy time of year for almost everyone. For us as Christians, it’s been a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus. We marvel at the fact that God humbled Himself and was born in a cave. But why did He come?

First, Jesus Christ came to proclaim good news to the spiritually hurting, to preach the good news to us.

He came to heal the broken-hearted. Isnt it interesting that with all the advancements in medical science, they found ways to reduce and even remove pain. But there is pain relief or cure for a broken heart.

Jesus came to set people free who are bound by sin. Jesus came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need.

He came to lift up those who have been crushed by life. He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to lift us from the physical realm of the senses to the spiritual realm to show us that there is more to life.

He came to give His life for us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He came to die.

On this evening over 2000 years ago ,Jesus Christ came to this earth for you and me. So we can come to Him to give our lives purpose and meaning, to forgive us of our sins, and to give us the hope of Heaven beyond the grave. Christmas is not about trees and flashing lights or shopping and presents. Christmas is not about the gifts under the tree. Rather, Christmas is about the gift that was given on the tree when Christ died there for our sins and gave us the gift of eternal life.

“Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You that You would leave heaven to come, suffer and die for me. You are the Gift of all Gifts. Sometimes I have neglected the gift that You gave, forgive me. Lord, I have been blessed by You. Thank You for Your incredible plan for my salvation. I will continue to give all of my life to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Salvation is a gift from God, not a reward.

Ask God for your Gift!

Eternal Salvation is a gift from God that will enable you to spend eternity in Heaven. To receive this gift, you need to accept Christ into your life by confessing with your mouth,  a prayer of salvation. You must also repent and turn away from your sins and begin living a life that is pleasing to God. If you feel you have done too many bad things for God to forgive you, you are wrong. Jesus died a brutal death on the cross for the sins of all mankind.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Whether you are old or young, rich or poor, a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murder and so on, if you truly repent with a sincere heart and accept Jesus, YOU WILL BE SAVED…. Say a Prayer of Salvation & Ask Jesus Into Your Heart Now!

“Heavenly Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 19th 2017 – Making Room For Jesus

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

It is the season where we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; when God became Man. His reception was not a glorious one by any standard. Our Lord and Savior, the Creator of the universe, was born in a barn and lain in a feeding trough because there was no room for Him in the inn. Before we judge the people of that day for not making room for Him, ask yourself, are you making room for Him? Are you making time to spend with Him, time for fellowship with others who know Him, to worship Him and to learn of Him from the bible? Or is there a sign written on your heart and life that says ‘no room’. My prayer for you in the busyness of this Christmas season and in the coming year is that you would make room for Him in your life and in your heart.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us so much that You would come as one of us, not in ritual and splendor even though You could have, but You came in simplicity and humility. Lord, if there is any way that I have failed to make room for You in my heart and life, I ask You to forgive me and to show me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Invitation:

Salvation is a gift from God that will enable you to spend eternity in Heaven. To receive this gift, you need to accept Christ into your life by confessing with your mouth,  a prayer of salvation. You must also repent and turn away from your sins and begin living a life that is pleasing to God. If you feel you have done too many bad things for God to forgive you, you are wrong. Jesus died a brutal death on the cross for the sins of all mankind.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Whether you are old or young, rich or poor, a liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murder and so on, if you truly repent with a sincere heart and accept Jesus, YOU WILL BE SAVED…. Say a Prayer of Salvation & Ask Jesus Into Your Heart Now!

“Heavenly Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 13th 2017 – What If I Gave Everything

Listening to worship music yesterday, this song came up in my playlist… what a question to ask ourselves.

“What If I Gave Everything”

Written by Mark Hall of Casting Crowns

All my life I longed to be a hero
My sword raised high, running to the battle.
I was going to take giants down
Be a man you would write about
Deep in my chest is the heart of a warrior

So why am I still standing here
Why am I still holding back from You
I hear You call me out into deeper waters
But I settle on the shallow end
So why am I still standing here

So afraid what it might cost to follow You
I’d walk by faith if I could get these feet to move
But I don’t want to live that way
I don’t want to look back someday
On a life that never stepped across the line

So why am I still standing here
Why am I still holding back from You
You’ve given me a faith that can move a mountain
But I’m still playing in the sand
Building little kingdoms that’ll never stand
I hear You call me out into deeper waters
But I settle on the shallow end

I’m so tired of standing here
What if I gave everything to You

What if I gave everything
What if I stopped holding back from You
Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters
What if I gave everything
What if I stopped holding back from You
Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters
I want to see some mountains move

Ready to give everything
Say goodbye to standing here.

(What would our lives look like? How blessed would we be if we actually gave everything of us to God?)

Read the lyrics above then click here to watch video.

Please share this devotion.

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

December 12th 2017 – Early Riser

“I love those who love me; And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.” (Proverbs 8:17)

I wake up every morning knowing I need to spend time reading the Scripture and praying. But it’s so easy to jump into the details of my day without first taking time to be with the Lord.

Whenever I do that, when I start tackling the day without spending time with Him. I’m really saying that I can handle things on my own. I don’t need God.

Sometimes I get the sense that God may be saying, “You want to handle this day by yourself? Go ahead.” At best, it’s an empty, fruitless day lived for myself. And at worst, I end up in some big messes!

We need to learn from King David. Even though he was a busy leader, he made a point to spend his first of the day with God.

(Psalm 5:3) “O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice”

When I start the day by humbling myself and admitting that I can’t do things on my own, I can count on God to carry me through the day. Has He heard your voice today?

“Seek Him first”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me make time to seek You first every morning. I don’t want to continue have fruitless and empty days trying to do things on my own. May I seek Your devine guidance and counsel each morning. I praise and Love 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

December 11th 2017 – PRAY

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God is looking for a separate people, a people set apart unto Himself, a special people who will not get all caught up in the things of this world, but will be a treasure unto Him.  In this verse we see God talking to us and not to the evil ones in the world.  He is saying that “If my people”, that’s me and you.  We are the people of God and if we, the people of God, are doing things that are not pleasing to Him, then we need to change some stuff or we’re not going to see healing in our land.

If you read the book of Daniel, when he came to pray to God, he didn’t say that it is everybody else’s fault.  He said we have sinned.  He included himself in the sins of the nation, and here God is telling us to do the same thing.  Look again at what it says. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”.

God is not looking for “perfect people”, but ones that would humble themselves, pray, seek Him and turn from their wicked ways. The amazing thing is that if we would do this, God will bring healing to our land.  So this verse shows us that we are responsible for what’s going on in the world. We need to do our part and if we do, God will do the rest.

So today, let’s take a few minutes and ask God, our dear Father, to show us things in our lives that He wants us to change.  Let’s be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us and make a decision to walk in His ways.  Not only will it bless us but it will bless a lost and hurting world.

“Prayer is the nearest approach to God and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, through Your Holy Spirit, reveal to me the things that are hindering me from being a blessing to this world. I lift up our country and pray that a spiritual revival of sweep across the United States and the farthest reaches of the Earth.. I do believe that this would happen if your people would pray. It all starts with us Lord, we need to share Your word and introduce them to You. May we give compassion and help to hurting. In Jesus Precious name, Amen.

November 5th 2017 – The Cross

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

This true story and was reported about a couple visiting a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the young woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?”

What an analogy of what so many people seek today “a cross without Jesus.” They want a cross without any offense, a cross without any consequences, one that will look cool as a fasion accessory. But if we could travel back to a time the cross was used in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and horrific symbol of death. It would have been the worst image imaginable to actually see someone hanging on a cross.

The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to be a humiliating death of the person on it. The crucifixions were held on the outside edges of the Roman cities. The served as visual warnings to anyone who would oppose the rule of Rome.

If there was any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like this? If there had been any other way we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it.

“If being a good person” or “living a good moral life would” would get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did, because there was and is no other way. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the Cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world.

If you were ever tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the Cross. Jesus gave His very life for us.

“Jesus’s sacrifice the cross, allowed for such a horrific symbol of death to now be seen as a beautiful symbol of His Sacrifice, His Message and His Love for us.”

There is no decision more important, accepting Jesus will absolutely change your life. It did mine. I couldn’t imangine where my life would have been without Him.

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

 

November 28th 2017 – Crack of Dawn

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)

A very interesting thing happened to me yesterday. I stopped by the store to pick up some medicine for my friend who was feeling ill. On the way out I encountered a gentleman and we struck up a conversation. During the course of talking about how insane it is becoming all around us. Then, this very question was asked to me. “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?”

All humans, deep down inside know what is right and what is wrong. Unfortunately we choose to do certain things that are wrong. We know what the Bible says, but somehow we think that we are above it. Or it won’t happen to us. Therefore, we play around with sin. And sin ultimately plays around with us.

There are many people today that know that Bible prophecy is true. They know that God has foretold many of the events that are happening around us. But yet they continue to live as they please.

But you know what, the Lord’s coming draws closer and closer every day. The Bible says, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” (Romans 13:12). It’s time for us to wake up!

One thing that always amazes me when I get up really early in the morning to pray and write these devotions. It’s pitch dark outside, But sure enough every day that sun slowly begins to rise. And when it was only darkness a few moments ago, suddenly it’s lightening up. And the next thing you know the sun is out and it’s lit up.

This is how our world is right now. It’s dark. And it has been dark for a long time. We say it will always be this way. No. The sun is beginning to rise. Christ is going to come back again. Be ready for His return.

“For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 24:27)

“Don’t wait until it’s too late!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we love and praise You for being who You are, (The One True God.) I thank You for loving me and for Your willingness to always welcome all with open arms if they only call out to You for salvation. Thank You for revealing to the significance of the prophesy of Your impending return. I know its not too late, and that salvation is still available to all that would choose to believe and ask You into their heart, leaving all of their old ways, (broken and full of pain) and being reborn a new creation with a clean slate and a fresh start. Praise You Jesus for dieing on the Cross to redeem us pay for our sin and give us this opportunity to ask You to save us In your precious name Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! “In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

November 20th 2017 – Don’t Be Apathetic

“In the day that you stood on the other side-In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, When foreigners entered his gates And cast lots for Jerusalem–Even you were as one of them.” (Obadiah 1:11)

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Apathy, detachment, disinterest, disregard… no matter what you call it, it’s not an option as a 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) “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

A spiritually apathetic person needs to remember this; he should think back to the time when he sensed the warmth and closeness of Christ’s presence. He should realize that he can return to that state of fellowship. Then he needs to repent;  he needs to see his spiritual apathy as sin and confess that sin to God (1 John 1:9). Finally, he needs to renew; that is, he must cultivate a renewed commitment to the Lord—not just serving the Lord, but knowing Him, praising Him, and fellowshipping with Him. He should start again, if he has discontinued it, daily Bible reading and prayer. He should let the indwelling Holy Spirit empower him so his life will display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). And he should fellowship with a Bible-believing local church (Hebrews 10:25).

Satan loves apathy. We must stay alert to the temptations of the old nature, the world, and the evil one. We must never lose the sense that God is always with us and in us. “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). As we begin to worship and praise the Lord and let Christ control our lives each day, we will rediscover a life of adventure filled with joy and eternal purpose. We will wonder how we ever became spiritually apathetic in the first place.

Don’t ever forget that; Jesus intentionally left His throne and the glory of heaven to walk among 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.

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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 12th 2017 – Being Willing and Obedient

“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” (Isaiah 1:19-20)

Ancient Hebrew poetry often comes with parallel statements, “If and Then” and these two are pretty straightforward. Breaking down the verses in Isaiah 1:19-20,  If you are willing and obedient toward God, then you will get the best. But if you resist Him and rebel, then you will be devoured by the sword. Being willing isn’t enough. Being obedient isn’t enough. We have to be both willing and obedient. Have you ever been obedient, but you haven’t been very willing? Or you may have been outwardly obedient, but inwardly your heels were dug in and you were grinding your teeth. The opposite of willingness and obedience is resistance and rebellion, and that is not a good place to be. We can be passive and rebellious or even compliant and rebellious, but being “devoured by the sword” is surely an outcome to be avoided.

“We have authority over our will, so let’s choose to be willing and obedient.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for the times I have been disinterested in Your plans and purposes for me. I ask forgiveness for the times I have turned my back on You and chosen my own way. I acknowledge today that You are Lord of all that I am and all that I have, the Sovereign God who will lead me on a path of Kingdom service and blessing if I will allow You. Give me a willing and obedient heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org