Tag Archives: Religion

January 23rd 2020 – We Should Examine Ourselves

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“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Have you ever met a Christian that believes they have the gift to identify sin in peoples lives or flawed doctrine in churches. I have yet to find it listed in scripture that this is actually a gift. Also I have yet to find the perfect church. The likely cause is that people are inperfect.

Although there are times to lovingly correct a brother or sister or even false teachings within a church, we should not be quick to condemn. Before we begin pointing our finger at someone else’s problems, we need to first examine ourselves.

“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

In Scripture, Jesus draws an absurd but poignant picture of someone with a giant beam of wood in their eye striving to remove a speck of dust from their friend’s eye. As we sit back and laugh at the imagery, the truth remains. Often, we believe we can ignore the sin in our life all the while condemning those who may be sinning in the same way. This leads to a life of hypocrisy and self deception. Instead, we should examine our own hearts and seek God for forgiveness. As we find freedom from our struggles, we will be fully equipped to care for our friends who need help removing the dust from their eye.

“We should examine ourselves, not others for problems.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. Help me to examine myself every day through Your Word and Your Spirit. Continue to shape me more into the image of Your Son so that I may help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here.

Interested in knowing Jesus personally? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 30th 2019 – Counterfeit Christians

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“Jesus presented another parable to them saying, the Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went away. But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.”(Matthew 13: 24-26)

Counterfeit money. It may look real. It might even be accepted as real, at least for a while. But the truth is, it’s not real. Eventually, that fake bill will be recognized for what it truly is and be destroyed.  The same can be true with our faith. We can create this flawless outer appearance: we look the part, we act the part, and to the untrained eye we appear to be the perfect Christian. But at the heart level, we’re simply fake.

Jesus spoke about this concept through a parable. Only instead of currency, Jesus used wheat and tares. For the agricultural community listening, everyone knew that tares were a weed closely resembling wheat. Still, the disciples asked Jesus to clarify.

As we continue the rest of the parable.

“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

“An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do.  Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” (Matthew 13:27-30)

Here is how Jesus explained this parable.

“Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”

Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! (Mathew 13:36-43)

So what does this parable represent? The wheat farmer is Jesus. And because Jesus is sowing the Gospel of salvation, that He died on the cross for our sins and rose again,  anyone who chooses to put their faith in Christ, are like the wheat.  But blending into the wheat are the tares – the counterfeit Christians who might act like and sound like true a believer, and yet, in their heart of hearts they have not given their heart and lives to Christ. Sometimes a counterfeit Christian might even be leaders of the church.

The parable says that the wheat and tares remained together in the field until the harvest when the wheat was gathered into the barn for safekeeping and the tares were burned. Jesus is explaining why the difference is not revealed until the end of time. For the TRUE followers of Jesus, eternity will be spent in Heaven, in the Kingdom of God, with Jesus. The counterfeit Christians and everyone else will find themselves in Hell.

It’s a heavy topic, but one that we can’t tip-toe around; because the harvest IS coming. The Book of Revelation,  chapter 14 offers great insight into what these final days will look like and it’s a pretty sobering picture. Thankfully, Jesus continues to sow the redemptive Truth of the Gospel in hopes that everyone might experience God’s grace and mercy. So, as God looks at your heart and life – are you wheat or tares?

Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your word and the wonderful way You reveal Yourself to me in it. I want to know You more and love You more. Please help me commit my heart to seek You and grow in my understanding of who You are and how much You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once follow Him but let society trick you to fall away? Don’t miss out on the most important journey you will ever take. 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

April 15th 2018 – Finding Real Rest

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“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

People all around us are seeking peace in their life. They seek that peace through entertainment, in relationships or even in drugs or alcohol. Some may even look to religion for peace, yet fail to find it because human religions are based on man working his way to heaven. There is no real rest for the person who seeks to earn peace through rules and regulations.

But, then came Jesus.

Jesus came into the world to live the life we could not. He was perfect, blameless and humble. He lived in obedience to God the Father and fulfilled the law. Then as He hung on the cross He cried out, “it is finished,” thereby completing our salvation. Now, we come to God by faith in Christ and we are accepted. It’s by His grace we are saved, not works. Unlike the man made religions around us, Christianity is God coming to mankind and offering salvation on His works not ours. All we must do is rest, by faith, in the One who died so that we could be forgiven.

“To be able to ‘rest in your faith’ or have peace, you must be trusting in Christ alone.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the work done on my behalf. Thank You that I do not have to work my way to Heaven, but instead can place my faith in the grace of Christ. Help me to remain in Your rest and to share this Truth with the 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

September 1st 2015 – Will I Recognize Jesus in a Raging Storm

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“And the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ” (Matthew 14:24–27)

As Jesus approached the storm-tossed boat, the disciples saw Him, but didn’t recognize Him. In fact, at first His presence added to their terror. They thought they were seeing a ghost.

Reading their first reaction made me think of the fear-inducing situations I’ve faced. How often has Christ been present in my storm, but I haven’t recognized Him? Was He wearing the face of a person I don’t like all that much? Did He come from a direction I didn’t expect?

Perhaps I was so weary from rowing against the wind, I expected nothing but more bad news. When Christ speaks, He seems to ignore the immediate problem, saying, “Take courage! It is I.” If I were the disciples, I think I would have liked to hear, “It’s okay, I’ll tell the storm to stop now,” or “I’ll get in and help you row from here.” Perhaps I’d even appreciate a six-step plan for getting safely to shore.

Instead Jesus offers one key thing: the truth that He is present. I want God to respond to my trials with explanations for their existence, clear step-by-step plans for solving them and even a few promises about the value of enduring them. Yet here Jesus gives the disciples the answer He often gives me: “I’m here.” Sufficient. The answer I need. The answer powerful enough to propel me from the boat and onto the water, as Peter discovered as the scene continued. Jesus doesn’t provide a weather report, a new sailing technique or an empty pep talk. He gives me first what matters most: Himself.

Prayer

Lord, we call upon You in the middle of this storm, That You give us the strength and will to bear our heavy burdens, until we can again feel the warmth and love of Your divine compassion. Be mindful of us and have mercy on us while we struggle to comprehend life’s hardships that come a storms of life

When fear and panic, shock and dismay are close by, so are you. Maywe always recconize you ,  Keep us ever in Your watch until these storms of life pass. In you precious name, Amen.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries