Tag Archives: Love

August 12th 2019 – Sharing Your Faith

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Sharing our faith is critical for every Christian. After all, this is what Jesus commands us to do, and if we have been changed by the Gospel, why wouldn’t we want to share it? That being said, we are never called to be combative in sharing the Truth. We are to be bold and unwavering in speaking the Truth, but we should do so in meekness and respect.

When Peter is writing in the book of 1 Peter, he is talking to a church that is suffering. It would make sense that they would want to stand up and fight off those who are oppressing them, yet Peter calls for them to endure persecution with a readiness to share their faith. Not just share, but for them to do so in a gentle and respectful way. Peter says, “Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
(1 Peter 3:16)

A peaceable life, matched with a powerful message has the power to bring conviction and repentance. So try love others in such a way that even when you share hard truths, they will see your good works and glorify God.

Persecution is not an excuse to be mean-spirited or combative. Christians are called to suffer with meekness so that others may see their life and be saved.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for saving me and empowering me with the Holy Spirit so that I can live for You. Use my life to shine Your love and Truth to everyone around me. Give me a desire to share Jesus with everyone even though it may lead to persecution. Help me to be bold yet loving as I share the Good News of the Gospel with a hurting 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 3rd 2019 – Fruit of the Spirit (p1)

Fruit of the Spirit – Part One of Nine

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Fruit of the Spirit” is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life.  these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.

We learn from scripture that these are not individual “fruits” from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one of nine “fruit” that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ.

The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian’s transformed life. In order to mature as believers, we should study and understand the attributes of the ninefold fruit:

So for the next eight days we will be discussing the The Nine Biblical Attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit. The first of this series is Love.

“Love ”

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).

Through Jesus Christ, our greatest goal is to do all things in love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

“Fruit of the Spirit = Visible Growth in Jesus Christ”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I welcome you into my heart. Until I can come home and be with you, I thank you for making your home within me through the Holy Spirit. I thank you for your Love, and the gift of Love that you gave to me. The “True Essence of Love” is not possible without the presense of Your Holy Spirit in me. I love You Lord.. In Jesus’ name I thank you and praise you. 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

 

July 21st 2019 – Overflow of Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Rather than much commentary on this beautiful blessing, Let’s share the joy of this blessing and the confidence of our hope with those we love! And may this blessing be yours during this time of Thanksgiving. May hope be yours because of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit within you!

“Hope can give us a fresh start, a new beginning.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for living hope, my living Savior who conquered death and the Holy Spirit’s living presence within me assuring me that I will share in glory with you. I thank you that my hope is not just a wish for something in the future, but it comes with the deep assurance that what I hope in will happen. I love You and give You praises for still being here and loving us in such a time like this. The world is so ungreatful and broken.. I know that I can often lose sight of Your love while I’m in the middle of hard times. Help me to be mindful of Your love, mercy, compassion and strength, especially hope, so that I can endure and even rejoice in my pain. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may live in your blessing of hope. Thank you for opening up new doors for my future, 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

July 17th 2019 – The Good Farmer

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2)

What an amazing and loving Heavenly Father we have.  He is always at work within us to help us grow up.  Many people look at verse two and see the words “takes away” and think that God gets rid of those who do not bear fruit.  That is not what it is saying.  This verse means that God lifts up those who are having problems bearing fruit and works with them.

A wise farmer doesn’t destroy his branches, he lifts them up, cleans them, and reties them to the vine.  Our loving Father does the same thing.  He is out for our best and will keep working with us to produce much fruit.

Remember, good trees naturally bring forth good fruit. We are good trees planted in the house of the Lord. If you love God and you have accepted His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ then God’s love is poured out on you. God is working on the inside to help you produce a great harvest that will last you throughout all eternity.

It’s important to know that it’s not what you do, but it’s letting Him do the work within you. Too many times, we say, “I need to do this or I need to do that” before God will work in my life; it’s just being legalistic. God wants to do the good work within you and as He does and good things develop within your heart, you will see that these fruits of the Spirit will become obvious to others.

If you let God do this pruning within you, you will see that the fruits of love, joy, and peace will start growing, and you’ll look back and say, “Is this really me?” Remember, the fruits of the Spirit are not works of law but gifts of grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for always being “The Good Farmer”, Its Your pruning that produces good fruit in my life. I welcome the planting of the seeds through Your Word to grow and live in me. As I do, You will clean my heart so that the fruits of the spirit can operate big time within me.  I praise You for all that you do in my life. In Jesus’ 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

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 15th 2019 – Make That Call

“and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15)

When we go through major disappointments in life, our natural reaction is to pull back and isolate ourselves. We want to handle it ourselves. We want to keep our losses, our failures, our mistakes and crises a secret. We want to withdraw. This really is a terrible idea.

When going through these types of struggles is also when you need your friends the most. You need to accept help from others. God doesn’t intend for you to handle all the pain and stress in your life by yourself. We were wired for each other. We need each other. We’re social beings. The first thing God said in the Garden of Eden is, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” We’re made to be in relationships.

Job 6:14 says, “When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them.”

There will be times in your life when you are in so much pain you will say, “I don’t even believe in God right now!” You need to have friends who will come alongside you and say, “That’s OK. We’ll believe God for you right now.”

There will come a time when you’ll say, “I don’t have any faith right now. I’m full of doubt.” That’s when you need your friends to step in and say, “That’s OK. We will have faith for you. We will trust God for you in this.”

“By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). What is the law of Christ? It’s this: Love your neighbor as yourself. The Bible commands us to help each other. Every time you help somebody who’s going through pain, you are fulfilling the law of Christ.

Trying to handle your trouble yourself will only make you more tired and stressed out. You need to accept the help of others and let your friends carry you through it.

Our Lord Jesus is only a call away, And He already knows the trouble your having. He is already calling out to you. Answer His call,

“Give Jesus a try….if you don’t like Him, the enemy will always take you back!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for my friends and loved ones. Thank You for the amazing comfort that I can find in You. Please refill my spirit because I feel so broken at times. I praise you for not forsaking me in times like these. Because of Your love, I can have peace and forgiveness for all my sins. Because of Jesus, I am free from the penalty of sin and no matter what happens on this earth, I will be healed and loved for all eternity. Father, help me to remember these things and to pass them on to those who are thirsting for Your refreshing comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Seeking Comfort from Jesus?

Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13)

If you have not asked Jesus into your lifeYou can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer.

(Prayer is just talking with God. He knows your heart, so don’t worry about getting your words just right. Here is a suggested prayer to guide you:)

Seeking Jesus? Pray this prayer with me.

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you have prayed this prayer, 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.

Don’t go through disappointments in life alone. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, 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

June 23rd 2019 – Always Loved

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

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

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

”But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (By Christ you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

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

“God loves you because He chooses to love you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. I know that I have sinned against You. Lord, forgive me of my sin and create in me a new heart that desires You. Father, help me understand the amazing love You have shown me on the cross and may it motivate me to serve You and serve others. 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 13th 2019 – Reignited

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

Have you ever watched a fire begin to burn down to the point that all you have left are coals? It looks as though there is no fire actually left, because the coals may be under a layer of ash. You can’t really see much. But when you take a fresh log and toss it on top of those coals and stir it around a bit, suddenly it ignites, and you have a whole new fire going.

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). That phrase stir up the gift means to fan it into full flame.

There may be live coals in your life, but you have allowed the fire to go down. You haven’t been using the gifts that God has given you, the talents He has given you. It’s time to fan them into full flame again. It’s time to be reignited. It’s time to say, “Lord, how can I use what You have given me for Your glory until You return?”

It’s easy for our Christian faith to go stale. We say the right words and go through the right motions while having a cold heart toward God. One thing that causes our faith to become stagnant is we forget that Christianity is not about a set of ideas; it’s about the most important person in all history – Jesus Christ, who came from heaven to earth not only to provide a way for us to escape hell after we die, but also to show us a better way of living before we leave this world.

We need to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. If we will humble ourselves and take what we have and offer it to God, if we are willing to do what He has set before us and be faithful in the little things, then He will give us more to do.

Any time you take a chance, you can fail. But it’s better to try than to never have anything happen in your life. I would rather try and fail than never try at all.

“It’s time to be reignited.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love for me and the faith that has grown in my heart. I ask that You fan my flame and ignite my faith into a towering infernal for you Lord! I want to use my life and talents to please You. Help me share Your love and the message to others. Keep my heart full of faith during in the often trials of my life, that I may be on fire to inspire others and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Seeking a personal relationship with Jesus?

If you do not know Jesus personally,  I encourage you not to pass up the precious gift of His love and eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. He loves us and wants to help us. 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

June 7th 2019 – Trust God and Believe

“…who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith; he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” (Romans 4:18-19)

Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old. Think about that. What God was promising was not possible, yet it was possible because God promised it. Like the illustration above says, “God has a plan, do you trust Him?”

Many times in my life, I was faced with situations where I could not see how it could possibly work out. Time and again, I saw God come through and it built my faith. What has God brought you through? Think for a moment of all the situations that God has brought you through. Let your faith fight your fear. Do not be controlled by fear because when you fear, you are not controlled by faith. You have to make the choice. Will you choose faith or will you choose fear?

“We need to believe and trust in God even when it doesn’t make sense.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You in all circumstances, You that You are a God who keeps His promises. You tell us in Your bible that all things work together for good to those who love You. What an incredible promise! Lord, please help my faith and give me the occasion to help encourage another in their faith. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have you ever acknowledged Jesus as you Lord and Savior? If you do not know Him personally, I encourage you to believe and trust Him and not to pass up the precious gift of His love and eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. Jesus loves us and wants to help us through the storms. 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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

June 4th 2019 – Strong Hands

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.” (Zachariah 8:9)

When the world is looking for strength in a person, the ones that come to mind are our military professionals, emergency responders, athletes or the well known CEOs who exhibit power and endurance. These men and women work hard to push through and accomplish their goals. Granted we can learn from those who have done these things, yet God points us in a different direction when we are looking for strength. In Zechariah chapter 8, God tells Israel to “let your hands be strong,” but He does not just leave it at that. He points them to the source of their power.

“These words by the mouth of the prophets,”

God, in essence, is telling Israel to be strong because He has spoken promises over His people that can be trusted. When they face difficulty in rebuilding the temple or face trials from other nations, they can be strong because God said that He would one day bless them in a mighty way. This is great for Israel to hear, and yet this Truth is the same for us. Throughout the Scriptures, God has spoken promises over us. Each one can be held on to with complete confidence that it will come to pass, because they are the words of a God who cannot lie. These promises from God are to be trusted above our emotions, above our circumstances and above the wisdom of the world. These words from the Lord will drastically change our lives – if we believe them with all our heart and trust in the One who spoke them.

“When we are weak and hurting, Our strength is found in the Word of God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You today for the power of Your Word to change my life. Thank You for the promises of Scripture that are for my good. Thank You for the corrections in the Bible that help me to become more like Jesus. Teach me to trust in each one more and more each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 19th 2019 – I Knit You Together

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer:

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