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March 23rd 2017 – I’m Sorry, But..

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“Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.” (Chronicles 10:2-3)

The books of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Chronicles parallel one another. It has been well observed that 1 & 2 Samuel are man’s perspective of these events while 1 & 2 Chronicles are God’s perspective. Most of the book of 1 Samuel (man’s perspective) chronicles the life of Saul, but in 1 Chronicles (God’s perspective), the life of Saul takes up just one chapter. Now, Saul was the first king of Israel. In man’s eyes, he was an important man, but not in God’s eyes. When we first meet Saul in 1 Samuel, he is hunting after his father’s donkeys, which he had lost. That is not a good indication of Saul’s character. Later on in 1 Samuel 13, we see Saul offering a burnt offering on his own.

(1 Samuel 13:11-12) “And Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.'”

Saul is coming up with excuses and throwing blame for what he did wrong. He was not a priest and sinned by offering the sacrifice on his own. When Samuel the prophet confronts Saul about it, he begins making excuses.

We are all fallen people. When we are approached with our own wrong doing, our first instinct is to cast blame and find excuses. How often do our apologies include reasons (because) and excuses (but)? When you mess up and need to apologize, just apologize. Don’t take from your apology by adding anything to it. Don’t try to find excuses for your wrong doing.

“Do not find excuses for your wrong doing.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Lord, I need Your forgiveness. Thank You for forgiving me. Please stop me when I try to make excuses for my sins, and help me to be quick to apologize to 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 21st 2017 – Sinful Nature

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“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

When we solely act on our feelings it is very dangerous. If we always do what what we “feel like” doing, most times it will end up getting us in trouble. Following our just our feelings will lead us into sin, and that can lead to broken relationships, depression, prison and even far worse. So the question is, “What filter do we use to help us control our thoughts and feelings?” While the world may say, “If it feels right do it,” God’s Word tells us that we don’t have the ability to know what is “right” without His direction. We need His guidance, through the Bible.

When we process our thoughts and feelings through the Bible’s instructions and God’s promises, we will be better able to replace the bad or harmful thoughts with those that are good and beneficial. Submitting to God’s Word and His Holy Spirit allows us to know what is good and right. It gives us hope in something greater than our own understanding and therefore, we walk in light rather than darkness, and He will walk with us if we allow Him to. We don’t have to be alone.

Do not take your dark brooding thoughts out and play with them. Do not sit and focus on what’s wrong. Don’t allow your desires to run away with you. Take your thoughts captive. Do not walk in fear. Fight the good fight. God will give you victory!

“Sometimes thoughts and feelings are great and good and holy; sometimes they are dark and brooding and torturous.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the power I have in Christ to overcome bad thoughts and harmful feelings. It is because of Your promises of hope and salvation that I can rejoice no matter what my situation may be. It’s with Your power that I can control my emotions rather than my emotions controlling me. Please protect me from myself and my own destructive sinful nature. Help me forgive myself and seek You first. Thank You Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do trust Jesus enough with your life? You should, 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 and we will pray for you..

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 20th 2017 -Holding a Grudge

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“The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?'” (Obadiah 1:3)

In the book of Obadiah, the prophet is proclaiming judgment on the nation of Edom. This nation and God’s people of Israel have a history full of conflict starting at the birth of Jacob and Esau. For hundreds of years what began with deception on the part of Jacob continued with violence as Israel and Edom locked horns in an extended bout of sibling rivalry. If Edom had forgiven Israel and turned to the Lord, they would have found freedom rather than bondage to their bitterness.

While you may not be fighting with another nation, maybe you are harboring resentment towards a friend or even a family member who offended and wronged you. Now, like Esau, we may desire revenge and will stop at nothing to get it. Holding a grudge may make us feel empowered, but it does nothing but rob us of joy.

(Matthew 6:14-15)  “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

When we step outside ourselves and forgive others as God has forgiven us, we find freedom from the trap of contempt. Forgiveness does not mean that we have to continue to allow the offenders to continue to slaughter us with continuous pain. In those cases we may need to establish boundries so we are not enabling their behaviour to cause our hearts to get hard and isolate ourselves with stone walls. Lift them up to your Father in heaven and pray for them (as hard as that may be), forgive them just as Jesus forgave us.

When we offer them forgiveness, it also opens the floodgates of God’s forgiveness in our own lives so that we may find rest for our souls and the perfect joy of the Lord.

“We need to practice active forgiveness, even the ones that perpetually hurt us. Lift those up and pray for them, even when it’s hard too.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for forgiving me of my sins. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. If I am holding any grudges or bitterness, show me so that I can practice active forgiveness. 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

March 19th 2017 – Don’t Dwell Alone

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“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.'” (Mark 1:40-44)

We see in the Hebrew Scriptures that people with leprosy had to dwell alone. That person couldn’t be around others.

“He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:46)

Once someone showed themselves to the priests and the priests declared that person leprous they had to leave the camp. They couldn’t hug their family bye, they couldn’t touch anyone. No one touched them. This leper comes to Jesus and what does Jesus do? Jesus could heal with just words, but not this time. I wonder how long it had been since someone had touched this guy? Remember, you didn’t touch anyone with leprosy. And let’s talk about why Jesus actually touched him. When Jesus touched him it was Jesus taking the leprosy from him. Leprosy was a picture of sin, and when you had it you had to leave the camp.

Just as Jesus took the leprosy, Jesus can take our sin. Sin makes you feel alone. When you mess up during the week, you don’t feel like going to church, do you? You don’t feel like hanging out with those that could possibly encourage you. But as you mature in Christ you start to realize that is when you need fellowship the most. Do not, do not … turn away from those who could encourage you. When you feel like staying away, don’t follow your feelings, be lead by your faith. Fellowship, serve, give… go against your feelings.

“Fellowship will drive you away from sin or sin will drive you away from fellowship.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Don’t allow me to pull away from fellowship with other believers. Thank you for giving us the body of Christ. Thank you for sacrificing your son for our sins. Help me to serve, to fellowship and to give to increase your kingdom. Continue to make the desires of my heart things that please 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 18th 2017 – Wells Without Water

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“These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (2 Peter 2:17)

In the book of 2 Peter, the apostle Peter is sharing the sad truth about false teachers. In the description above, He calls them wells without water. What a brilliant way to describe someone who pretends to have the Truth of God. Imagine as people come to hear this Truth but are disappointed because there is no real living water to drink from. All they find is an well that contains no water.

The Truth is that God desires to give us His living water and make our lives fruitful. In order to do this, He calls us to connect with Him through His Son Jesus. This is not simply a religious routine, it’s a life-changing relationship. Jesus described it this way…

(John 15:5 )”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

As we spend time with Jesus in prayer, reading His Word and fellowshipping with His people, we will find ourselves living fruitful lives. The reason is simple; we are visiting the deep life-giving well of the Lord Jesus Christ. His well is filled to overflowing, and He welcomes everyone to drink deep and thirst no more.

“Without Jesus Christ, our life will be fruitless and wasted.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the refreshing water of life that is found in Jesus. God, You tell us that when we connect to this water, we will also have living waters coming from us. Fill my life to overflowing so that I would be a fruitful worker of the Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Invitation:

Have you ever eacknowledged Jesus as you Lord and Savior? If you do not know Him 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. 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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 17th 2017 – Church Is Not A Place

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“you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

Churches come in all shapes and sizes. Some are traditional buildings with steeples and stained glass. Other churches may have been formed out of vacant warehouses or grocery stores.  While we may see many types of church buildings, we must always remember that the biblical church is not a building at all; it’s the people of God. That is why we created this web based ministry. We wanted to be a stepping stone to people that are technology savvy, but may not be able to or not ready to walk through the doors of a church building.  Throughout the last four years we have been amazed how God has used this ministry.

The Greek word for church is “ekklesia” which means, “called out”. This is used to refer to the church of God as people who have been called out of the world to love and serve Jesus Christ. We have been born again into this amazing family of believers who care for one another despite our differences. In reality, the church is not something that we get to define, but it is a family set up by God for His purpose. We may meet in local buildings all over the world, but we are united under the name of Jesus Christ. He is our foundation, He is our Lord.

“The church is NOT a place; it’s people that have accepted Jesus and try to live and love like Jesus.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the church. I know that You have given us the church for our good. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ, even when we may disagree. May we always keep our eye on You. Give us unity so that we can show God’s love to a world in desperate need of it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once follow Him but are not living your life the way you should? Don’t miss out on the most important decision you will ever make.

Pray this prayer with me and start a new life with Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Maybe you have been living in a way that is not Christian like, recommit today to to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness and help.

Salvation Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me!
In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to know. Click here to send us an e-mail or share your testimony.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 16th 2017 – Inspire Someone Today

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“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”(Acts 9:27)

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,” (Acts 4:36)

Barnabas was used by God to encourage Saul. He could have turned away from Saul in disbelief, but instead he encouraged him. Encouraging another person is one of the easiest and most effective ways to influence someone’s walk with the Lord. We pray for one another, but often the person may not know we are praying for them. It is only when we give them encouragement that they know. Do you like being encouraged? Of course you do. We all like to be encouraged. In fact, we all need encouragement. It only takes a few moments of time to inspire someone. A small amount of effort can make all the difference in the world. The next time you need encouragement, look for the opportunity to give encouragement to someone else.

“Inspire someone with encouragement”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Please use me to encourage someone today. Help me to look for someone that is down or hurting. Give me the strength to encourage them in the things of the Lord. For some people, this may be pointing to the fact their sins could be forgiven. For others it may point to the fact that their sins have been forgiven. Give me the strength to encourage others in the same way that I would want to be encouraged. Thank You. In the name of Jesus, 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

March 15th 2017 – God’s Blessing is Ours

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Originally published 01/19/16 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

“that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,” (1 Corinthians 1:3)

There’s a story of a young man, getting ready to graduate High School, who approached his father about a graduation gift. “Dad,” he said while pointing to a red Ford pickup in a magazine, “This truck is what I want. It would be the best graduation gift you can give me.” The father looked at his son, gave him a hug and took the magazine and put it on his desk. A few weeks later, father and son met together at a favorite restaurant. Dad said, “My boy, I’m so proud of you. I’ve got something for you and it’s the best present I could ever give you.” The son could hardly stop from grinning because he just knew his dad was going to pull out a set of keys. Instead, his father placed an old, worn bible on the table. “Son, this is my Bible. It’s meant everything to me and I know it will to you as well. I want you to have it.” His son looked at the Bible, visibly disappointed. He took his eyes off his father, shook his head and left the restaurant, leaving his father and the Bible behind. Years passed with no communication between the two. Then one day, word came that his father had passed away. The son returned  to his father’s home to settle the estate. As he looked through his father’s desk, he noticed the Bible sitting in its own spot beside a picture of him and his father in happier times. He picked the Bible up, and as he did a piece of paper fell to the ground. Looking closer, he realized it was a cashier’s check for the red Ford truck he had wanted. It had been tucked inside the Bible that his father wanted to give him so many years ago.

We dont realize it, but you and I are so blessed, and the crazy thing is we usually don’t even notice it. We are just like the son in this story who didn’t realize the blessings that were already his. Please don’t overlook blessings because you are focused on what you don’t have. You know how many people in this world wish they were able to live the way we do? Even in hardship and pain, you and I are blessed because we are an heir through Jesus to the riches of our Father in Heaven. God has blessed you and me, Let’s give Him thanks and praise.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Lord, I know at times I do not recognize the day to day blessings around me. I humbly give thanks for You and all that You have done for me. Help me to put my focus and trust in You and not on myself. I recognize that all blessings come from You. I ask You to give me faith to see You in everything and everybody. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you do not know Jesus personally, Give yourself the greatest gift you could possible ever receive. 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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 14th 2017 – The Handwriting on the Wall

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“And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
(Daniel 5:25-28)

The King Belshazzar was definitely afraid. The fingers appeared out of nowhere in the midst of a party where he defiantly mocked the God of Israel,  and also celebrated the false gods of Babylon. We can all easily look at this and think, ‘The King was worshiping idols’. But we know in the word, that coveting leads to idolatry.

(Ephesians 5:5-7) “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

Is there anything that we put before the Lord? Is He first in your time, talent, treasure, and circumstances? If not, then what is first? No matter how good it may be or noble that thing is, if it is before the Lord it is considered an idol. Perhaps the Lord has revealed something to you this morning that you have allowed to slip into being in front of the Lord.

Are you reading His writing from His word before He issues His corrective and loving judgment against that idol? The Lord loves us so much that He graciously many times allows us to judge ourselves in light of His truth before bringing a corrective hand into our lives.

(1 Corinthians 11:31-32)
“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.”

“Beware of the corrosion, corruption, and compromise that comes from covetousness.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for revealing Your righteous judgements and truths to me from Your Word. Please forgive me when I prioritize my time, talent, and treasure towards something else instead of You first. Please give me the grace and the ability to be Your disciple that I may allow Your Spirit to direct me and to be disciplined to walk in Your truths continually. 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

March 13th 2017 – Who’s Your Scapegoat?

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“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

We may hear a husband say I’d be doing awesome things for the Lord if it wasn’t for my wife. Or a wife may mutter the complaint, if it wasn’t for my careless husband I’d be a better follower of Jesus. Perhaps we may think if it wasn’t for having to deal with my kids or boss I could give my whole heart over to God and serve Him. Don’t be fooled, it is a trick and a trap for us to find ourselves given over to other things first. As good and noble a blessing marriage, family, and a career may be they are not to be priority number one.

In the Hebrew Scriptures we see, as a part of the feast on the Day of Atonement, there was a release of a Scapegoat by the priests to take away the sins of the nation. Often we have our own ‘scapegoats’ that we pass off as our reason for lack of service to God’s Kingdom. Yet we see that Jesus upon His death on the cross tore the veil of the temple. This veil guarded the Holy of Holies where only the high priest could go once a year into the presence of God. It was extremely thick and torn from top to bottom to show it was God’s work, so that the presence of almighty God was now opened up to us. He removed His veil so we could have fellowship with Him. Now we, the bride of Christ, those who put our faith in Him, have to choose to remove our ‘veils’ our ‘scapegoats’. God has removed His veil. Why do we still wear ours? This is the key to our Spiritual Growth and surging forward in the power of Christ. Removing those things that have priority over the Lord in our lives. Only then can we see all the glory of His presence and be empowered to love and serve our spouses, families, and coworkers effectively for the kingdom.

“We miss out and our loved ones miss out, when we don’t follow the Lord in our lives.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for removing the veil that was between You and me so that I can come into fellowship with You. Give me the courage to prioritize You first in my life so that I too may remove my veil and scapegoats that I use to excuse myself from seeing and following You. I thank You for what You have done so I can boldly come before the throne of Your Grace to receive Your help in my time of need. Help me continue to walk in Your power as my number one priority. 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