Category Archives: The Good News

March 12th 2019 – The Daily Grind Part 1 of 3

Love in Action

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Paul wrote the book of Romans as a set of instructions to the body of Christ.” (Romans 12:9-10)

Have you ever tried to put together something you bought out of a box? There are instructions but most of us believe we don’t need to spend the time to read and follow them. Only later to realize we have to go back to read and correct what we didn’t get right. The book of Romans is the whole picture of how we are to be with everyone. What was written then still holds true today. Putting these instructions into your life will benefit you and others to make it thru the hardships and the daily grind that we all face. It’s an endless gift of comfort and love.

If you do not know the All Loving Lord, my prayer is that you reach out and seek Him. The deepest love you will ever experience while on earth is from Him. In return, you will learn to have a love for others. It is what the Lord called us to do. Jesus said this. Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-the greatest of these is love.”(Corinthians 13:13)

“Love and say it with your life!”

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I am so grateful for Your love and grace. Because You loved me, I am able to love others in every circumstance. Thank you for Your written word which gives me instruction on how to live my life. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit which guides me and encourages me. Give me strength to walk in obedient love and to look for opportunities to care for others around me. As Your love increases in me, may my earthly ways decrease. In Your holy name, Amen.

Watch “Come To Jesus – Chris Rice (Lyrics)” on YouTube

Do you want to experience a love unlike any other? Jesus died on the cross for you. He loves you and wants to help you. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

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Cinda “Zoe” Christiansen (Guest Writer)

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 11th 2019 – Love Like Jesus

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

In 1 Peter 4, the apostle uses an interesting word to describe the love we are to have for one another. He says we are to have a “fervent” love. In the Greek, this word means “stretched out” and carries with it a picture of a runner straining for the finish line. It’s a vivid image of a love that never quits.

Peter commands Christians to work hard at loving each other. The Greek word translated as “deeply,” “earnestly,” or “fervently” is ektenē, used to describe the muscles of an athlete straining to win a race. Peter writes that Christians should do this “above all.” A follower of Christ must make demonstrating the love of Jesus to others his or her first priority. This is always a requirement, but especially crucial during seasons of suffering.

What does this “stretched out” love look like? Peter answers this question with the next quote, “Love will cover a multitude of sins.” In other words, a fervent, stretched-out love is a love that forgives no matter the cost. Like the marathon runner that continues despite the burning in his lungs and the cramps in his muscles because he desires to achieve the goal, so we should endure the pain of rejection and the harsh words of those around us with a love in our hearts and a forgiving spirit. How can we love like this? We can love this way because Christ first loved us. He loved us even though we are sinners. He loved us, even when we rebelled against Him. He loved us with stretched out arms on the cross. Let’s love each other in the same way. Let’s Love like Jesus, because His love never quits!

“For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.” (John 13:35)

“We should stretch ourselves in order to love one another. This means being willing to forgive no matter the cost.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your love and ask that You would help me to love others in the same way. Help me to forgive often, love unconditionally as You love me and serve those around me. Use my fervent love to draw others to Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you want to experience a love for you that never quits? Jesus died on the cross for you. He loves you and wants to help you. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 9th 2019 – Glorify God With How We Speak

“Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” (Romans 3:13-14)

A forest fire can start by very simple means. All it takes is one small spark landing on dry timber and quickly lives are displaced or even destroyed. James reads,

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5)

When I was a young boy I lived in Northern California, The forest was incredible and so were the infamous “California Redwoods” Trees so massive that they were as big as round as a full size pickup is long.. One of the scariest things I remember the about living there is the massive forest fires. If you have ever witnessed a forest fire like I have, then you have probably noticed that the embers can soar to incredible heights and travel enormous distances – far greater distances than you would think.

The words that come out of our mouths also can do the same. Words of gossip and cursing travel far and wide causing destruction wherever they go, whether to the heart of a child or to the ears of an adult. Words of grace; however, build up, encourage and glorify God. Our words can hurt people; they can derail lives, ruin reputations and sidetrack the work of God. They can also glorify God and lead people to Him. The things that we say carry much farther than we may ever know and once we speak them, we cannot take them back. Speaking again of the tongue, the book of James continues,

“With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10)

“Do you speak words that build up or words that destroy? I think we are all guilty of that at times. We should however seek to glorify God with what we say.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Please give me the power to speak grace into the lives of others. By my own strength, my words are polluted. By my own strength, my words can destroy. By Your strength, my words can build and encourage. I want to glorify You in my speech. I pray this 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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 8th 2019 – Time to Shine

“These divisions of the gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served at the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 26:12)

Will you rust or will you shine? Time does interesting things to us, our bodies and our relationships. We seem to have this preconceived idea that time will always help us sort things out. That with time it somehow helps our priorities to rise to the top and solves our problems. Honestly, it really doesn’t. We think that time heals all wounds and yet time can often wound all our heals. We have to decide on a daily basis what is important. Is God important to you? If God is important to you, then His Kingdom priorities become your priorities. When we say we are following Jesus, this should describe an active and ongoing relationship with Jesus. Jesus said we are the light of the world. Actually, He said “YOU” are the light of the world. As you serve God, your light shines.

“If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:14-16)

“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. (Daniel 12:3)

Serve God and let your light shine in a cold, dark and hurting world. As your light shines, it will change your life, change the world and give spiritual light and sight to your family, friends and loved ones. So your call… shine like the stars forever or rust like an old nail. You are called to shine. Shine on loved one, shine on… forever.

“It is when we give our lives to the work of the Kingdom that we shine the brightest.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the opportunity and reminder to shine for You. I am grateful that You have gifted me with unique abilities and talents to serve in Your Kingdom. Thank You for giving me the power to choose. Lord, my choices affect the souls of men and women whose lives are eternally hanging in the balance of my decision. I want to give my life away and shine like a star in the night sky. At times, I am fearful of being wounded and hurt in the battle, but Lord, if You could change the world with eleven disciples I know You can use me as I stand with other believers. Empower me with Your strength to encourage, pray, support, serve, love and give to others. I want to do all I can to reach all I can. I choose to let my good works shine and serve in the house of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Watch “Shine – Matt Redman” on YouTube

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

March 5th 2019 – Threshold

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”(2nd Corinthians 5:8)

The belief of the Greeks during the time of Jesus and Paul was that death swallowed up everything including life, people and animals. The Bible reverses that and says that life swallows up death and victory swallows up death.

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

“these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.” (2 Corinthians 5:4)

How awesome is this? Life’s greatest unknown, death, is both life’s greatest enemy and greatest fear, yet it is turned upside down and inside out by our God. Jesus not only turned death into victory, but also the tomb into a changing closet. Instead of fear, death can reveal a deep confidence and trust in God. The more you read the Bible, the stronger this confidence becomes (Romans 10:17).

“We are fully confident.” The two thieves that faced death with Jesus tell us an interesting story. One taunted and teased Jesus, and the other asked Jesus for forgiveness. The big question is, “Which thief are you?” Jesus said to the one who asked for forgiveness, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

There is nothing to fear about paradise, and there is nothing to fear about heaven or the journey there.

“For the believer, death is the threshold of heaven.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for dying for me on the cross so that I could be forgiven. Lord, sometimes I do not understand heaven and death, but thank You for reminding me in Your Word that I have nothing but victory to look forward to. 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 27th 2019 – (a•new*) our Minds to Break Free from Bondage

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is anew creation: the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

* A·new əˈn(y)o͞o/ adverb literary

In anew or different, typically more positive, way. “HE had begun anew, ” once more; again.“tears filled her eyes anew” synonyms:again, afresh, another time, once more/again, over again “may we please begin anew?”

When it comes to breaking free from bondage, I have found that many people often dread the work that comes with being free…And to be honest, I completely understand!  I don’t know about you, but just hearing the phrase, “breaking free from bondage” seems strenuous and down-right uncomfortable! This is especially true for many people when it comes to the certain areas such as theese. Quitting addictions, losing weight, or even reaching a health or fitness goal.

After years of working with people, and experiencing change in many areas of my own life, I have come to find that the reason change often seems so difficult is that we are trying to make it happen backwards! The bible says, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7), this means that if you are ever going to experience freedom in any area, you are going to have to start to see yourself as free on the inside before you see it on the outside.

I have learned that lasting change in any area truly starts and takes place right in between our ears, or in our minds. We must realize that we have an enemy, the devil, and he can only attack us in one area, in our minds, and he does so with lies and deception. One of the most common lies that the enemy tries to get us trapped in is to make us think that we are, (and will always be) slaves and in bondage to things. He comes at us with this lie because he knows that as long as he can get you to believe that you are a slave to a certain habit, behavior, or thing, you will never be able to break free, which is right where he wants you to stay.

The good news is that Christ came to set us free from ALL bondage! In fact, if you are born again, the Bible says you are ALREADY free. “Whom the son has set free, is free indeed” (John 8:36).  This means that when you ask Jesus to be your Savior, that you are free from the power that sin once had over you.

I like to think of it it like a person who is in a jail cell with the door locked, and when Jesus comes along, He comes and unlocks the door, and says, “come on out, your free!” But just as we are about to step out, the devil says “wait, who told you that you could leave? You are not really free, and you never will be. You will be in bondage to this thing, habit, or lifestyle forever!” And so, the born again believer stays in the jail cell, with the door wide open, when all they needed to do was take a step out into freedom!

Taking this step into freedom does require action on our part, and it takes effort to a•new* our minds with God’s Word, and learn our identity in Christ.  The first step often requires us humbling ourselves before the Lord, and repenting of our behaviors that are not glorifying to Him, and ask for His help to change, maybe even a make public confession to people that can hold us accountable. Jesus will always be there to respond to our cry, and He is a good Father that loves and desires to take our hand and lead us into freedom.

The next step is getting into the Word of God, and asking God to a•new* our minds, and help us to see ourselves as the overcomer that He has created us to be. It also means praying specifically about the things that we desire change in on a daily (sometimes multiple times a day) basis!

This process of walking into total freedom can often happen in steps and stages, like peeling back layers on an onion. The reason for this is simply because many of us have lived in bondage to things for many years and it often takes time for our minds to be renewed, and our hearts to respond to the Lord and change. The important thing to remember however, is that God has already given you everything you need to walk in total victory and freedom in every area of your life, and the very first step is to see yourself as you truly are in Christ…totally and completely set free!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Your word tells us that our flesh lusts and wages war against our spirit. I am not to gratify the lusts of my flesh. I will walk by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Father, You know at times, we will struggle with the temptation to gratify the desires of our flesh. I understand that lust is saying, “I must have this at once.” Much of this battle is in my mind and thought life. Because of loneliness and inner pain at times, we may entertained lustful fantasies in our minds and thoughts. This only increased the desire for us to gratify our flesh. At times, this battle has been more than we could stand and we may have given in to the lust of our flesh. I ask You, Father, reveal to us any ways in which we have broken your moral laws. I also pray for a breakthrough in the life of who you may lead my way today. I pray for continued guidance and verbal articulation of your word. I love you Lord .. in Jesus’ name Amen.

(Please pray this prayer for Repentance and Salvation)

Father God, I am truly sorry. I repent and ask You to forgive me. I want to follow you and ask you (into) or (back into) my life. I acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me all my sins are forgiven in His name. I repent and cancel all access to my life by evil spirits. I claim the blood of Jesus over me as my protection. I command all evil spirits that have entered my body or mind, to leave me now in Jesus’ name. I now make a new commitment to guard my eyes and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. I will walk by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I will work to take control of my body and anew my mind, not giving into fleshly lusts. I will depend on the Holy Spirit to help me accomplish this, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

February 25th 2019 – Believe God

“The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies. Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!”  And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.” (John 4:49-50)

How much stress and trouble could we avoid if we simply did what the father in John chapter 4 did? What if we stopped in the middle of crummy circumstances and sticky situations and chose to believe the Word that Jesus has spoken to us? Many of us read the news online or watch it on tv and believe it. Many of us read stuff on the internet and believe it. We read the Bible and sometimes we think, “Well, that doesn’t apply to me or my situation.”

Sometimes we believe our emotions, fickle though they are, over the Word of God. We listen to the skeptics and the naysayers. We listen to our experiences as well as our faulty interpretation of events. Of all the things that we can listen to and believe, the Word of God is the most reliable. It has proven its sturdiness many times through the centuries. It has outlasted all of its critics and still stands ever faithful and true. Many voices are calling out for your attention. Which one will you choose to act on and believe? I choose to believe Jesus and the Word He has spoken to me.

“Everything is possible for the person who believes!” (Mark 9:23)

“We need to trust God, the Word of God and believe the Bible.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your steadfast love. Thank You that Your Word has stood the test of time and remains the source of truth and light for every situation in our lives. Please continue this work of opening my heart up to the amazing faithfulness of Your Bible. I pray 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

February 22nd 2019 – Who Is The Holy Spirit

“However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].” (John 16:7)

We talk about Jesus, we talk about the Father, but we seem to forget the one that Jesus said to wait for, the one that would fill us with the power of God.  We seem to forget to acknowledge Him as part of the Godhead, yet He is as much God as God the Father and our Lord Jesus.  So let’s take a little time and get to know Him.

Jesus, in this verse, tells us that it is expedient that He goes away so that the Holy Spirit would come.  I don’t know about you but I would say, “No way, I need and want Jesus!”.  I would like to have been physically there with Jesus, like Peter, James and John was.  Yet Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is like Himself and can be at all places at all times.

You see when Jesus walked on this earth He lived in an earthly body like yours and mine, so if He was in Jerusalem, then He wasn’t in Rome.  Yet when we look at the Holy Spirit, He is Omnipresent, He exists everywhere.  There is no place in heaven, on earth, or in the universe that He is not there.  He is Omnipotent, He is all powerful, and He is Omniscient, He knows everything that there is to know.

So today, living inside each and every person that has received Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior is Almighty God, the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told us that He is coming to be our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby.  This is such amazing truth that we should take a few minutes right now and thank Him for living in us and helping us each and every day.  The scripture also has promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us. What a wonderful gift from God.

“When we pray for the Spirit’s help … we will simply fall down at the Lord’s feet in our weakness. There we will find the victory and power that comes from His love.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank and praise You for the precious gift that i have inside of me, I have the all powerful, all knowing and always present Holy Spirit to help me in my life journey.  God You are so good to me.  I ask that you would continue to fill me daily with so much love and faith the it spills over. I pray that when others speak to me that they will notice Your Holy Spirit present in my life… please continue to use me to share your gosple.

I Praise You for each and everyone of the people that have had the faith to choose you Lord. I will never forget the day I chose to follow You and experienced the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit into me. I truly did not understand, Iwas blinded and in bondage until you set me free.  I love you… in Your precious name. Amen.

If you have never made the decision to ask Jesus into your life, please consider what you are missing. JESUS is the greatest gift I have ever experienced. My life has never been the same. I would not ever want to life any other way. Please click here to learn more..

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

February 18th 2019 – Be The Example

And I said: “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, And you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?” (Micah 3:1)

Today’s society is fast paced and full of busyness. But what are we busy doing? Is it trying to live life with a mission to better ourselves? Any of us who have tried to live this kind of life know that we are never satisfied even when we achieve our goals. If we have a relationship with Jesus, is it not for us to know justice? If we claim to be a follower of Jesus, we have a responsibility to live a Godly life everywhere we go. God has showed us that life is not about us, it’s about knowing Him, loving Him and loving others. If anyone should know that, it is the body of Christ – those who have been forgiven of their sins. Now that God has blessed us with His forgiveness, He desires that we share His love with others. The world needs us to be an example of living the Bible so that they too are drawn to Christ. They need answers, and for us to say we are “Christians” and live our life in pursuit of personal gain would only be a contradiction to who we say we follow.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith… Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

So let’s stand before God often and ask Him to reveal things in our life that are not pleasing to Him. As we do that, the world will not have any stones to throw. They will be drawn to Jesus and living their life for Him just like we should.

“The world is looking for answers, not for hypocrites.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins. Help me to live a disciple’s life wherever I go. Please remove those things that are not pleasing to You so others are not confused. Thank You Lord, for using me to change lives for eternity just like you changed mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 16th 2019 – God Uses Imperfect People

But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62)

If anyone had a reason to doubt God’s love for them, it was Cephas. Cephas, also known as Peter, he had denied Jesus three times. Peter had turned his back on the very Son of God who he had seen raise the dead and heal the sick. Yet, Jesus did not reject Peter. Instead, He lifted Peter up and restored him.

This is one of the many reasons I love God’s Word, because it’s real. The writers of scripture did not blot out the shortcomings of Peter. God’s Spirit did not inspire the writers to only record the good actions of God’s servants. Instead, we read through scripture the stories of imperfect men and women who God uses despite their shortcomings.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

As fragile as jars of clay, all our cracks and broken edges reveal the power within. Peter did not have the power in himself to admit relation to Jesus, but years later he endured much pain and suffering for his King. This is the power of God to change a life and to use us to impact those around us. Praise God that He uses imperfect people to work out His perfect plan.

“God chooses people that are not perfect to follow Him, to tell others about Him and to lead others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love. Thank You for dying for a sinner like me and for using me to share this news with others. Help me to overcome my weaknesses with Your power as well as to stand in Your grace when I stumble. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org