Author Archives: Rob Lavallee

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About Rob Lavallee

Rob Lavallee roblavallee@gmail.com

October 2nd 2016 – Never Give Up

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“of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks; of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them thirty-seven thousand with shield and spear;”
(1 Chronicles 12:33-34)

I recently watched a television show about the Pioneer 10 space probe. When NASA launched it in 1972, the primary mission of this satellite was to reach Jupiter, photograph the planet and its moons, take measurements and beam data back to earth. For 1972, this mission was deemed a very ambitious plan. Prior to this, no satellite had made it beyond Mars. Pioneer 10, however, didn’t know that. Over the next 20 plus years, Pioneer 10 kept plugging away, traveling more than 6 billion miles by 1997. The satellite passed Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto continuing out into the unknown reaches of our galaxy. That whole time, Pioneer 10 kept beaming back data with only an 8 watt transmitter…the equivalent power of a child’s night light.

Pioneer 10 defied all expectations of failure and plugged along doing its job in a way that exceeded its creator’s expectations. Too many times, I’ve seen Christians step up to serve the Lord, and when adversity hit, they quit. They decide they are not qualified or they don’t have the power or the energy. Yet, as Christians, we have within us the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of Jesus that “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Forget about adversity. God’s got it covered. Let’s do our jobs above and beyond. Let’s step up and serve our King. Failure is not an option. If  we were on our death bed, we still could be a witness for Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You that my past is pardoned and my future is secure! Lord, give me determination and ambition to step out and serve. Help me to make a difference in the church and in the lives of others. Empower me, Lord, to answer the call to do battle. May I never be satisfied to just coast along, but to be actively involved in reaching lost souls. I am a disciple of Christ! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

October 1st 2016 – Love Song

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I am continually amazed and grateful for the many ways God demonstrates His love to us. During my devotional time, I began to make a list of them and want to share them with you. I pray that you’ll be blessed as you are reminded of His great love.

He does not change. “I the Lord do not change” Malachi 3:6

His love is always sure. Seasons change, people change, the world is changing, but God never changes. We can rely on Him.

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5)

He is faithful. God is not moody or fickle. We are. People will love you for a while and then they don’t. But God is not like that. He sticks with you.

Whenever He asks us to obey Him, He also provides everything we need.”

“You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you.”(1 Thessalonians 5:24)

He is our protector. He is our shield. Our “always there” protector.

“So our hope is in the Lord. He is our help, our shield to protect us.” (Psalm 33:20)

It is so comforting to know that everything that comes our way has to go through “the shield around us” before it touches us.

He is always thinking about us.

“How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many thoughts turn towards me.” Psalm 139: 17

This is one of the neatest things. When you think about it–there are over 6 billion people in the world and He still thinks of you and me constantly. He is able to give us His undivided attention.

He is always with you. For He Himself has said,

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

He is never to busy for us. He never goes away, or takes breaks or a vacation.

When we are in trouble and think we are going under, we can be encouraged because,

“Underneath are His everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the many ways you show your love to us. Thank you, thank you, for loving and caring for us so much. Help us to love You more. Thank you for your written word, the Bible, your love song. 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 30th 2016 – Foolproof Directions

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“Yet surely My words and My statutes, Which I commanded My servants the prophets, Did they not overtake your fathers?” (Zechariah 1:6a)

Have you ever been on a trip to a brand new destination? You plan for months the things you’re going to do and the areas you want to visit. Finally, the day comes and you head out the door with directions in hand and a joy in your heart. Of course, a few hours later that joy is gone as you realize those directions were not as foolproof as you had thought.

Many people in the world seem to think that all roads and all religions lead to heaven and that truth is relative. While this may sound good to people, in practice it leads to frustration, bondage and separation from God. The good news is that God has revealed to us His Truth. His Truth is not dictated by man nor is it blown around by every fad or current event. His Truth is the rock, and we can place our lives on it and find peace for our souls. Maybe today you awoke to a life in turmoil and an uncertain future. Well, I am here to tell you that God has a future and hope for you. You can find out all about it in the Bible. It’s a story of love, grace and forgiveness. It’s also the ultimate guide book and much better than any directions you’d Google online.

“The revelation of God’s Truth can be that hope which sets you free.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, I woke up with questions, fears and uncertainty. Lord, give me a heart for Your Word. Help me to read it daily so that I can answer the questions of life and overcome my doubts and fears. Guide my life so that it is a reflection of You. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness, use me today. 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 29th 2016 – Ambassador For Jesus

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“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,”  (1 Peter 2:11)

Have you ever considered yourself a “Pilgrim” or a Ambassador in this world for Jesus? It can be a hard concept to grasp since all we’ve ever known is earth, but if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation, then the Bible says that your real home is in Heaven with Jesus. Because of this Truth, we are not so easily trapped by the things of this world because we know them to be temporary. Our job, money, possessions and even relationships are gifts from God for us to use during our time on this planet. Like the manna from Heaven during the time of Moses, these items are here for a moment for us to use, yet our home is not the desert. Instead, our home is the Promised Land of God. The things we have are good, but what God promises for us in Heaven are greater.

How does that Truth change your perspective on life? It is not that this life is meaningless; in fact this life is filled with even greater meaning when we realize the purpose of our time here. We are here to point to Jesus. While our home is in Heaven and we are here without our King, He has given us a command to tell others about His love and grace. While we can enjoy the blessings of this world, we should not be trapped by them because our purpose is great here on earth. Our purpose is to make much of our Lord who is eternal and His Word which will never change.

“When we live within the bounds of Scripture and in the power of Christ, we can change the world we live in.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the promise of Heaven and the blessings on earth. Give me an eternal perspective so that I can live as a ambassador on this earth, sharing the love of Jesus with everyone I meet. Help me not to be distracted by the things of this world but instead, give me a greater passion for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

September 28th 2016 – The Grip of His Grace!

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“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)

We tend to think about grace pouring down over us as a one time event. If it was a one time event, we are in trouble. You see, the grace of God is something that we need every day. We are told that the mercy of the Lord endures forever. That means it will never grow too small or be worn out. As we look at the life of Peter, we see a man who fell and then got up. There is a lesson in that for us. We often count ourselves out when the Lord has not counted us out. There is no one beyond the reach of His grace. If this includes Peter and his denials, it includes us and our misbehaviors. Though we struggle and though we sometimes fail, we can live in this knowledge. We have 24/7 access to His love and forgiveness. We live in the grip of His grace.

(Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

“be assured that as followers of Jesus, we can be forgiven of all our mistakes.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace, and may I run to Your throne of grace often. Please forgive me of every thing that hinders me in running the race. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to experience The Grip of His Grace and seek Jesus in your life, or recommit your life to Him, please click here

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 27th 2016 – Lay it on the Altar, Let It Go!

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“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, Abraham!” And he said, Here I am.” (Genesis 22:1-3)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

While it’s often a struggle to put everything on the altar, one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to understand how God will accomplish His plans. All He asks is that you surrender your will to His and trust that He will show you the way forward (Prov. 3:5-6). Abraham’s willingness to give up what was most precious to him came from his unyielding faith in the Lord’s trustworthiness.

However, if you tell God no because He won’t explain why He wants us to do something, we are actually hindering His blessing. But when we say yes to Him, heaven opens to pour out His goodness and reward our obedience. What matters more than material blessings are the things He is teaching us in our spirit. But don’t mistake His way of rewarding as being like a parent who withholds a treat until the child does as he’s told. Rather, obeying the Lord naturally positions us to receive what He is already trying to give us and accomplish in our lives. So, when we fail to trust Him and refuse to do what He says, we are the ones choosing to close ourselves off from those good things.

What has God asked you to do? Have you only partially cooperated? Or have you, like Abraham, given up your need to understand and then obeyed completely?

If the Lord says to give more than you think you’re able to give, know that He will provide. Whether things are running smoothly or the bottom has dropped out, He is always trustworthy. You can count on almighty God to keep His everlasting Word.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We go along each day, trying to run life our own way. We forget to let go and give You control. We often wonder why things aren’t going the way we want them to go. We forget to stop and ask what you want, Lord.  Please help us to give you control, Jesus. We want to follow you, and want what you desire for each of us.

Help us to realize that when you close one door, you open the one you want us to walk through. Help each of also to realize that what we desire may not be what is meant for us, or what is best. Often it will lead us away from what your great plans are for our lives.

Lord, let us accept each day as a gift. Let us follow the path you have chosen for each of us. Help us to be thankful for what you give us and not to worry about Our needs.

Help us, dear Jesus, be who and what you want us to be. Give us strength, faith and hope, and most of all, give each of us guidance every day. May we let go and give You all control.. In your precious name, Amen.

If you would like surender it all and seek Jesus, or re commit your life please click here

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

September 26th 2016 – The Strong Tower

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“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

The Name of Jesus, to us that believe in that Name, is a very strong place to be.  In His Name there is protection, in His Name there is provision, in His Name there is safety and even comfort.

It is to the Name of Jesus that demons must bow, it is in that Name that prayers are answered.  Let’s look at a few scriptures today that show us these great truths.

(Philippians 2:9-11) “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

(Mark 16:17) “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

(John 14:13-14) “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

These are just a few of the many Scriptures that show that all power is given in that Name.  No wonder satan tries to downgrade the Name.  But we, who are called by His great Name, love and respect His Name, THE NAME OF JESUS!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, we look to the power of Your name and proclaim that You are Lord and that through Your name we can cast out demons and can heal the sick. It is in Your Name that we also see our prayers answered.  Help me to understand Your Word so that I know how to defend against Satan’s weapons of destruction. Finally, thank You for the victory I have in  Your name “Jesus Christ”. No matter what Satan says or does, I cannot be taken from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

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.

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

September 24th 2016 – God Will Come Through

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“Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” (Esther 6:3)

In the book of Esther, Mordecai was in a hard place. He worked hard for the King and even helped save his life, yet because of one evil person, Mordecai’s life was threatened. While this may have been the case, there was good news coming for Mordecai. In fact, the very man who would love to see Mordecai dead, would be the man the King would command to honor Mordecai with a parade.

We can be definitely be encouraged by this story. Maybe it looks like things aren’t going well. You may be worshiping God, serving, giving and still the pieces aren’t coming together. But in the blink of an eye, the pieces will fall into place and God will show you His plan. His plan is far more glorious than any we can come up with. Today, be encouraged that God sees all that you do for Him. While we may have to endure hardships in life, the good news is that in this life and in the next God promises joy for those who trust in Him. He is faithful. He will come through in the end.

“As believers, we may for a season go unappreciated, but we will not be unrewarded.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 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. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

September 23rd 2016 – Satan’s Evil Plan, God’s Awesome Victory!

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“But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Satan is real and his tricks have been working for years. One of the greatest tricks is to disguise his work as “good” or even “religious”. Without an understanding of God’s Word, which is real Truth, many people are led away to follow after their own lusts. This is Satan’s plan, and it is the same plan he had from the beginning. He was tossed out of Heaven because He wanted to be God. With what authority he had been given, his pride led to his downfall. In turn, he desires that we do the same.

The enemy uses a powerful tool in our fallen human nature. We tend to be self-centered, self-sufficient, and independent of God. God says that type of belief and life will bring destruction, but following Jesus, will bring life and peace. There is part of you that does not want to submit to any authority. Not the authority of the Word of God, not the authority of any man of God or any leader, not even to the authority of God Himself or His plan for you. Rather than give into the enemy, trust in Christ and begin to love God and love others. Allow the Spirit to guide you into humble service and grace towards others. Use your gift and authority to defeat the enemy of your soul by living like Jesus. If you do, you will not give a foothold to Satan.

“Don’t  fall into Satan’s trap, learn the truth and Trust in God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the power You have given me through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the power to live for You and not for my own desires. Give me continued strength to resist the devil and to serve You. Help me to understand Your Word so that I know how to defend against Satan’s weapons of destruction. Finally, thank You for the victory I have in Jesus Christ. No matter what Satan does, I cannot be taken from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org