Tag Archives: Abuse

September 15th 2019 – What Are You Worth?

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“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

A priest was having dinner with a family that had adopted a small child through the church. The family had composed of a father, mother, and a 10-year-old boy. After dinner, the adults discussed the son and the adoption: The Father said “The child was just a small poor helpless orphan when we first saw him. He was dirty and in rags, he smelled. And his shoes-they were the worst of all. The uppers were ripped and the soles had holes. We gave him new clothes, but kept those shoes to remind him how bad off he was before us. Whenever the boy complains or misbehaves, I get those shoes out to help him remember just where he came from.

His father had told both priest and boy, just how much he was worth to his father. Throughout this child’s life,  he was reminded time and time again. He also was told that he probabally would never amount to anything. I don’t need to tell you how bad this little boy was hurt or how it affected his adult life.

What are you worth?

In the eyes of the world, we are probably not worth very much. When we breathe our last, our passing won’t be marked by half-mast flags, elaborate funeral corteges, and a multitude of speakers to sing our praises.

It’s not likely that Jewish media will run a cover story or that CNN or FOX will break in with a special news bulletin. There is quite a contrast between the way others perceive our value and the way God loves us.

So that we might be saved, our Heavenly Father sent His holy Son on a mission of mercy. Born in Bethlehem, Jesus became one of us. Ignored by those He had come to save and rejected by many, He spent every day of His life for us.

But Jesus did more than live for us. He also suffered and died for us. Carrying all the sins we had committed; He was arrested, abused, condemned, and crucified. Jesus made this great sacrifice all because the Father wished to call us His children and adopt us into the family of God.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

So what are you worth?

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:16)

Jesus shows you. The Father tells you. You are worth the life of God’s own Son!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to be able to comprehend the incredible value You place on my life. I receive the love gift of Your Son Jesus as the price You paid in order to purchase my redemption. I acknowledge that my worth does not come from what I do or where I came from, but simply because of Whose I am. Because of Jesus, I am accepted as Your child and am Your most treasured possession. In the name of Your beloved Son Jesus’ I pray, Amen.

God loves and wants only the best for His children.. If you have not accepted Jesus, or would like to take this time to reconnect with Him, Please Click Here.

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

April 30th 2019 – Reign Within

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“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life– the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:1-4 )

Our life, our fellowship with the Father, is all because of Jesus. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life and the power of the Holy Spirit comes within you it changes everything.

It is a complete life changing experience. You see, when I try to do things on my own,  I have my own limited human power to help me overcome. But when I let His life live within me, I’m letting the life of the Eternal One, the very life of God Himself, His reign within me.

Think of it like this. We live in a world of computers. If I wanted to figure out some very complicated problem with my own mind, I would struggle to find the answer, maybe never figure it out at all. Now if I put the information into a computer that has the program to figure it out, it will get done in no time. So it is with us. Our Heavenly Father has been here forever and knows the answer to all of life’s problems. He wants us to fellowship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when we do, all of a sudden it seems like things that seemed so big seem to get in line.

So today, don’t look to the problem, look to the Greater One Who lives within you. Fellowship with Him. Give Him a place of dominance in your life and watch how everything in life gets in line.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, I look to the You who lives within me. when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. I thank You and love You Jesus, Amen.

Watch “Breathe – Michael W. Smith”

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 10th 2018 – Sin…Not So Fun After All!

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“It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24-25)

There can be an initial excitement when we commit sin. Of course, it doesn’t last long. The Bible says that Moses “chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25) The Bible also says “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

When you get away with something and nothing happens, there is an initial euphoria. You think, They lied to me, it’s actually fun. It will be fun . . . at first. It could be exciting and fun to take a selfie  with a train coming. . . until the train actually hits you. The same is true of sin. It can be pleasurable for a time until it destroys you or your life.

The first time you get away with whatever it is you shouldn’t have done, you think, This is pretty cool. I can be a Christian and still do all of this stuff too. You believe you are getting away with it and that you can actually have the best of both worlds. You’ve convinced yourself that you can live a double life. You might even say that you feel good about it. But your feelings can mislead you. And it will all come crashing down.

Sometimes when God doesn’t bust us right away for our stupidity, we think we can always get away with it. When we don’t reap the immediate consequences of a sin, we might even, in our deranged thinking, rationalize what we are doing. Yet (Ecclesiastes 8:11) says, “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” Don’t confuse God’s grace with His permission, and even worse, His blessing.

As long as we never do wrong and always do right, we don’t and won’t have a problem with sin. That may sound easy to some. But the truth is, we are all sinners…

However the Bible tells us how to deal with past sins and how to deal with sin in the present and future. It is easier than you think. “Past sins,” you may ask? Ask for forgiveness.

(1 John 1:9-10) “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. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”

What about dealing with our present sins? (Hebrews 12:1-2) says that we should strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and that we should run with endurance the race God has set before us.

“Sin will blind you, and then it will find you. Your sin will find you out.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for taking my sin upon You. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done and for the right I have failed to do. I confess my sins to You and ask for forgiveness. (Confess your sins, by act and by name to Him). Lord, thank You for helping me with my past and present sins. Help me to keep my eyes not on my sin, but on my Savior, Jesus. Help me to soar by casting off the weights of sin. Help me to live the life You have called me to live. I thank You for having a winning game plan for dealing with my Sin, In Jesus’ name, Amen

Looking to ask Jesus into or recommit your life to Him? Read Below..

Jesus says “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” (1 John 11-13)

If you have not asked Jesus into your life, You 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..

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

March 10th 2018 – Reign Within

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“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life– the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:1-4 )

Our life, our fellowship with the Father, is all because of Jesus. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life and the power of the Holy Spirit comes within you it changes everything.

It is a complete life changing experience. You see, when I try to do things on my own,  I have my own limited human power to help me overcome. But when I let His life live within me, I’m letting the life of the Eternal One, the very life of God Himself, His reign within me.

Think of it like this. We live in a world of computers. If I wanted to figure out some very complicated problem with my own mind, I would struggle to find the answer, maybe never figure it out at all. Now if I put the information into a computer that has the program to figure it out, it will get done in no time. So it is with us. Our Heavenly Father has been here forever and knows the answer to all of life’s problems. He wants us to fellowship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when we do, all of a sudden it seems like things that seemed so big seem to get in line.

So today, don’t look to the problem, look to the Greater One Who lives within you. Fellowship with Him. Give Him a place of dominance in your life and watch how everything in life gets in line.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, I look to the You who lives within me. when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. I thank You and love You Jesus, Amen.

Watch “Breathe – Michael W. Smith”

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

January 20th 2018 – Sin…Not So Fun After All!

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“It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24-25)

There can be an initial excitement when we commit sin. Of course, it doesn’t last long. The Bible says that Moses “chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25) The Bible also says “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

When you get away with something and nothing happens, there is an initial euphoria. You think, They lied to me—it’s actually fun. It will be fun . . . at first. It could be exciting and fun to take a selfie  with a train coming. . . until the train actually hits you. The same is true of sin. It can be pleasurable for a time until it destroys you or your life.

The first time you get away with whatever it is you shouldn’t have done, you think, This is pretty cool. I can be a Christian and still do all of this stuff too. You believe you are getting away with it and that you can actually have the best of both worlds. You’ve convinced yourself that you can live a double life. You might even say that you feel good about it. But your feelings can mislead you. And it will all come crashing down.

Sometimes when God doesn’t bust us right away for our stupidity, we think we can always get away with it. When we don’t reap the immediate consequences of a sin, we might even, in our deranged thinking, rationalize what we are doing. Yet (Ecclesiastes 8:11) says, “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” Don’t confuse God’s grace with His permission, and even worse, His blessing.

As long as we never do wrong and always do right, we don’t and won’t have a problem with sin. That may sound easy to some. But the truth is, we are all sinners…

However the Bible tells us how to deal with past sins and how to deal with sin in the present and future. It is easier than you think. “Past sins,” you may ask? Ask for forgiveness.

(1 John 1:9-10) “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. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”

What about dealing with our present sins? (Hebrews 12:1-2) says that we should strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and that we should run with endurance the race God has set before us.

“Sin will blind you, and then it will find you. Your sin will find you out.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for taking my sin upon You. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done and for the right I have failed to do. I confess my sins to You and ask for forgiveness. (Confess your sins, by act and by name to Him). Lord, thank You for helping me with my past and present sins. Help me to keep my eyes not on my sin, but on my Savior, Jesus. Help me to soar by casting off the weights of sin. Help me to live the life You have called me to live. I thank You for having a winning game plan for dealing with my Sin, In Jesus’ name, Amen

Looking to ask Jesus into or recommit your life to Him? Read Below..

Jesus says “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” (1 John 11-13)

If you have not asked Jesus into your life, You 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..

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

December 7th 2017 – True Healing Comes by the Way of the Cross

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“Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”  So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,  and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”  (Exodus 15:23-26)

In the Old Testament, Jesus had not come as a human yet, but His Holy Word had already come. We know from the Word of God that on the cross, Jesus not only took our sins, but He also took our sicknesses and diseases.

(1 Peter 2:24) talks about this tree.  Look at it, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed”.

When God showed Moses a tree, he cast it into the water and the water was made sweet.  This is a type of our Jesus, He hung on the tree for you and for me.  And when we cast ourselves on Him, we are made whole.  I believe this is total wholeness, spirit, soul and body.

So today, look at the tree, and let your sins be cast on it, let your sicknesses be thrown on Him.  It is through the blood that Jesus spilled on the tree, the “cross”, that we are made well not only spirituality but physically!   What a great God we serve.

“True Healing comes by the way of the Cross, whether it is Healing for yourself, others or this Country. ask for Jesus in and allow Him to start to heal.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, At The cross You blood spilled Your blood for me.  The work of Calvary was a complete work, a work that was completely done in me.  Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the that tree (cross) and bearing all of my shortcomings so that I can be whole, so I can be healed, so I can be set free because of what you sacrificed on the tree… I love You and trust You Lord. I will not take my eyes off you… in Your precious 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

520-256-9738 cell

roblavallee@gmail.com

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

October 4th 2017 – God Still Heals

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“to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,” (1 Corinthians 12:9)

What do you think about when you hear the words “healing” or “miracle”? Depending on how you grew up, these words may spark memories. Some of us may remember the charismatic preachers on television or even roadside tent revivals. Even though they may have involved miraculous signs and wonders, others may simply reject the notion that miracles even occur today.

Regardless of what we have seen or heard, we must always remember to ask the question, “What does the bible say?” You see, what we believe is not dependent on our opinion or upbringing, but fully relies on what God has revealed to us through His Word.

As we look into the glorious and perfect Word of the Lord, we see that He has given us His Spirit to help spread the Gospel and minister to one another. In 1 Corinthians 12, we see that Paul clearly states that the Holy Spirit can empower us with the gift of healings and miracles. While these can refer to many things, we must understand that we have the chance to be part of one of the greatest healings of all time.

What could that be you ask? Simply put, it’s the dead coming to life. When we share with others the Gospel and they respond, they go from death to life, from condemnation to forgiveness, from being a child of the adversary to a child of the living God. Maybe you’ve never experienced that supernatural healing. God desires to forgive your sins and make you new. All you have to do is come to Him. Are you ready for healing?

“Don’t ever forget that God still heals. He heals us spiritually, physically and emotionally”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have done wrong in my life and I ask that You forgive me. Lord, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that He rose again. I come to You today and ask that You would create in me a clean heart and make me new. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to walk with You every day of my life. I love You Lord. 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

June 10th 2017 – Our Deepest Pains

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“Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” (2 Corinthians 1:6)

If you knew that the pain a friend was facing would lead them to God, would you remove the pain if you could? If you understood that the heartache of a loved one would result in the salvation of their soul, would you allow it to happen? If you realized that the suffering that you are dealing with right now meant that God would use you to comfort another person, would you refuse to endure it? These are difficult questions but they are important ones to ask. If God is good and can be trusted, doesn’t that mean He has a plan and purpose for everything, even our pain?

I once had a very diffrent life, I was a successful businessman and president of corporation. I was married 15 years to my best friend, our children were happy, we owned a beautiful home and we were not in any debt. I enjoyed our life to the fullest.

One day, without any signs or warnings my wife leaves my children and I. There was no explanation as to why or what had been done to make her want to leave. There had been very few disagreements in our marriage. We did everything together, My wife and children meant everything to me.

It wasnt very long before I discovered that she had become involved with a professional con-artist that made an existence stealling peoples identies and breaking up familes for his financial gain.

Through fraud my business and personal accounts had been compromised an emptied, it put all of our employees at risk of loosing their jobs and the kids and I almost homeless.

The heartache and the stress caused me to have a hemorrhagic stroke about 3 months later that changed my life forever. I lost my vision for some time from hemorrhage eyes, ears and the feeling in right hand and leg. I suffered brain dammage, mostly to my ability to recall anything recent.

Life was by no means easy. Our innocent children suffered from abandonment and the loss of everything familiar to them.

There were friends and family who saw it as a tragedy. After all, I had to endure surgeries, and years of therapy and difficulties just to be able think correctly.

There are those in the world who would have looked at my situation and asked “How can a good God exist when someone especially children have to suffer like this.” There’s a problem with that thought; they can’t see God’s full plan. You see, because of my story of hardship, I am able to share comfort with those who have endured similar things. Also, as people hear the amazing story of what God has done in my life, how He sought me out and saved me. How He also gave me the most wonderful wife and a new family, restored my mind and a miracle recovery. He gets the glory. In the end, my past sufferings (I gave you the short verson) have been used to draw men and women into a relationship with God. That, is worth every moment of pain I endured.

“Every pain in life can find meaning by learning to comfort others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the trials You have allowed in my life. Help me to patiently endure those hard times so that I can be used to comfort and minister to others in their times of need. 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

September 25th 2016 – The Abused Spouse

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“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – (Romans 8:1)

Do you, or have you ever known someone suffering from verbal and physical abuse from a spouse or someone dating? The truth is that 1 in 3 have been in an abusive relationship in their lifetimes.

I was stunned when I read the statistics, but the fact is that many people being abuse do not say anything for many years, if at all. The reason is that the abuser invokes such negative emotions into the victim. They feel shame, fear, anger and grief brought about by the painful words and physical abuse.

Shame is a pervasive feeling of being inadequate as a human being. Every area of family violence causes shame. For example, children growing up in homes where a parent is committing adultery feel ashamed of their adulterous parent’s behavior and are similarly ashamed of the faithful parent who is trying to keep it a secret.

Spouses and children of alcoholics are ashamed of their loved ones drinking and the chaos it creates in their homes. When verbal abuse and labeling take place, shame becomes a dominant motivation for doing anything possible to avoid the continual reminders of inadequacy.

Shame leaves us with a strong sense of being uniquely and hopelessly different and less than other human beings. It isolates and alienates us. We may feel that we can never live up to the expectations of those close to us, or that the reason we were abused was related to some inadequacy within us that caused and perpetuated the abuse.

Consider this …

Shame occurs in secret and isolates its victims, keeping them from challenging their feelings. God’s light allows us to begin to challenge our early assumptions and distorted perceptions. It exposes the destructive decisions shame breeds and sets us free from the lies we never before challenged.

God’s light comes through prayerfully studying Gods word through the Holy Bible, absorbing the scripture, believing them for yourself. God loves you and wants to heal your emotions. When you made Jesus Lord of your life, you became a child of your perfect heavenly Father. And the Bible promises there is no condemnation in Him. Jesus does not condemn you. Ask Him to help you see yourself as He does–loved by Him, precious to Him.

Scripture says that we are the Bride of Christ 

How Does Jesus Love His Bride? (Remembering that the below reference to Her is all of us, and by no means am I stating that Jesus got married)

Jesus did not use verbal and emotional abuse to destroy his bride’s self-esteem.  He bestowed on her great value by coming to be her servant and giving his life to save her.

Jesus did not tear down his bride to make her feel weak and powerless.  On Pentecost he filled her with his own power.

Jesus did not isolate his bride out of fear she would fall in love with someone else.  He wants to give her his love so she can love others.  He sent her into the world to live her destiny and promised to walk with her, giving her support and encouragement, even to the end of the age.

Jesus did not treat his bride like a door mat, walking on her to prove his superiority.  He elevated her, even to be seated with him in the heavenly realm, in a place of authority.

Jesus did not yell at his bride or call her names.  He calls her his Beloved and rejoices over her with singing.

Jesus did not raise his voice to drown out what his bride is trying to say.  Instead, his ear is attentive to her prayer.

He did not look at her with contempt or hate, or glare at her from a distance.  He smiles when he sees her because he sees her without spot or blemish.  He sees how beautiful she is and knows it’s his love that has washed over her and made her beautiful.

Jesus did not use his strength to manhandle his bride.  His strong right arm lifts her up and defends her against aggressors.  He uses his strength and power to fight for her, not against her.

Jesus did not ever grab his bride aggressively, slap her to shut her up, or beat her into submission.  Instead he took the abuse for her; he was the one who was humiliated, spit on and beaten.  He submitted to death so she could live.  He offers healing and comfort to her when she’s in pain, he makes her strong when she feels weak, he weeps with her when she weeps, and he wipes away every tear from her eyes because he’s gentle and kind.

Jesus did not threaten to hurt her when he gets home.  Instead, his plan when he comes again is to sweep her off her feet, raise her up to meet him in the air, and forever be with him in the amazing mansion he is preparing for her in heaven.

This is no fairy tale.  This is how a husband is to love his wife.  Mutual submission and respect naturally flow in the relationship that is focused on loving and serving one another.

Take a moment to read God’s instruction for loving your husband or wife. Ephesians 5:21-33 This scripture should never be used as ammunition to keep women in submission to abusive men or to demand that they respect someone who is disrespectful. Using scripture in that way is spiritual abuse. This passage is about mutual, life-changing, empowering love.

Telling a woman she has to submit to abuse only reinforces her victim identity and empowers an abuser to continue in sin.  Both are in bondage and there is a much greater chance the marriage will end in pain or even tragedy.  God has a different plan – one that sets both free to step into a new identity.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I have suffered for so long with this shame. Help me to overcome the lies and see nothing but Your truth. Give me strength and help me feel loved and not shame. Remind me that I am beautiful in Your eyes and you are always with me. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for the promise that You will never leave me. Help me to trust in you. Increase my faith and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live in great expectation of what You have in store for me. Bring loving people into my life that will love me and encourage me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org