“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13)

The twelve men that Jesus first called into His ministry were a rough-cut crew. Like rough-cut lumber they they had flaws, some were green, some warped, some didnt mesure up. But these are men we call saints today. Over time, we have venerated them. Forever enshrined in stained glass, they are like comic book superheroes, but from the Bible. We think of them with no shortcomings, no imperfections or flaws. They are the spiritual elite.

And how could they not be? These saints spent three close and personal years walking and talking with, and following Jesus.

A young girl was asked in her Sunday school class what a saint was. Thinking of those stained glass pictures, she said, “They are the people the light shines through.”

Is that not what all of us are called to be? We are to “let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works . . . So, what is a saint? A saint is a true believer.

But who exactly were these saints? These apostles that Jesus called? These men who changed the world? The more we get to know these men, the more human we see they are. Sometimes we think of them as one-dimensional characters, perched on pedestals. But any honest look at their stories in the pages of Scripture would reveal otherwise.

They weren’t scholars. They weren’t religious sages. The fact of the matter is, they were quite ordinary. They were hopelessly human, remarkably unremarkable. But they were available and obedient to the our Master’s call.

This is just one of the many reasons that I know that the Bible is truly the Word of God! It is a completely honest book. It gives us our heroes in full view “flaws and all”. Seing the flaws in these men  Jesus chose does not discourage me, but quite the opposite. It gives me hope as a flawed person.

“Despite our flaws, God can use you and me.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father” Thank you for not ever giving up on me, even in times when I’ve struggled and have tried choosing my own way. I ask that You Lord, would continue to fuel my hunger for Your word and more of You in my life. Your knowledge of me goes beyond my comprehension. Please help me to exercise my faith, knowing that Your purpose for my life is for my good, and Your pleasure. Like your chosen apostles, Help me choose to follow You with all my heart, even if its just one step at a time. Thank You for Your reassurance along the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you 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

www.scripturalseeds.org

“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do” (Ephesians 6:1)

Today, many of us will gather again in worship and celebrate Mother’s Day. We will cook our mothers dinner or take them out to eat. We will seek to spoil them in the same way that they have spoiled us. We will express our thanks for all that our mothers have done for us. We will thank God for how our mothers have shown to us a glimpse of what God’s grace and love are all about.

But Mother’s Day is not always a happy time for everyone. For some, it will remind them of the loss of their mother. For some, it will be a reminder of how they have not been able to be a parent. For some, it will remind them that their relationship with their mother has not been healthy and has hurt them in some deep way.

My hope and prayer for those who will struggle today is that they will experience the love of God who longs to hold them and comfort them in their grief. My prayer is that they will experience the love of God in a way that they perhaps never experienced with their own mothers. I pray that they will experience the love of Jesus who speaks of how he longs “to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.” (Matthew 23:37)

So, for those of you celebrating Mother’s Day with your mothers, thank God for the gift of love and grace shown to you through them. Let your mothers know how special they are.

For those of you being celebrated todaas mothers, rejoicing in your children, thank God for the gifts and blessings God gave you and know how much we appreciate all that you have done.

For those of you who have been like a mother to others – even without ever having children of your own – may this day bring recognition of your caring and love that you have shown.

And for those of you who grieve this weekend, reminded of a mother who is no longer with you, may God surround you with comfort and love. For those of you who grieve this weekend because you have lost a child, whether through miscarriage or stillbirth or premature death, may God hold you even closer and may you know that God holds your child even now in everlasting arms.

For those who struggle today, because you are not a mother, whether by your own choice or by infertility, I pray for God’s strength and encouragement. May you know what a gift you are, just for who you are.

And for those of you who have complicated relationships with your mother, who did not feel the love of a mother growing up, who may not have ever known their mother, we pray that you may know God’s love in a special way, in a way that goes beyond the imperfections and hurt that we as human beings often show to one another.

As for me, and many others who have lost, or are taking care of their Moms in the final stages of life. I lost my mother on July 2nd 2016. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my Mom.  I take with me, an image of a mother that spent the last 4 years of her life extremely ill, and a season of my life that for most would have seemed completely overwhelming. Circumstances providing for her care that required everything that I had and then some, all while working a full-time job. As hard as it was, Know that as overwhelming and hard as it seems, it also can be a very special blessing. I will never regret this time, It allowed me to show my mom how much I loved her and that she was not alone. That her struggles were also mine. It also brought me into a closer relationship with Jesus, leaning on Him for strengh when I had no more of my own to draw from. Thank you Lord.

That is love, the best of love that we as human beings show to one another, a love that lets us see only a glimpse what God’s love is all about.

I miss you Mom..

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for our Mothers and the precious life that You Lord gave to us through them. I lift those that are hurting to You today, comfort them and hold them close. Remind them of the safety and security as a child being in their mom’s arms. Show them that they can experience this type of love everytime they seek You. I lift up those who are in difficult relationships, that today You will heal them. For everyone else that will be with their mothers today, remind them to cherish these times, and set aside any type of indifference. That they would have an abundance of blessing, healing and joy on this mothers day. In Your precious name, Amen.

Do you 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

www.scripturalseeds.org

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Sin… a tiny word, a huge big problem. Think of all the problems in your own life caused by your sin. Think of all the problems in the world caused by the sin of others – wars, violence, stealing, laziness, and envy. On and on and on the list goes and grows. There is a saying, “Sin is the seed, and death is the harvest.” The bible has a lot to say about sin. It tells us that sin is not only the bad things we do, but also the good things we don’t do. When we fail to love, give or help, we are engaging in sin.

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

However God’s written word in 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.

His word tells us in (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

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.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the winning coach, who initiates and perfects our faith. Here is a awsome truth, one you can trust even on Aprils Fools day. Don’t tell God you have a big sin problem, tell the sin problem that you have a Big God. Think about life, think about Jesus, and keep your eyes on Him.

“Develop a game plan with Coach Jesus” how to beat sin when it shows up in your life!”

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.

Do you 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

www.scripturalseeds.org

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

How was Jesus known when He walked this earth? He was known as “the friend of sinners.” We might think that sounds like a compliment now, but it surely wasn’t meant as a compliment back then.

Some members of the Jewish leadership establishment were appalled that Jesus would hang out with sinners.

No, He never compromised—this was our holy God in the flesh. But He loved these outcasts, this off-scouring of society, and they knew that He loved them. They were drawn to Him by that love.

We need to love people in the same way. Since we’re going to be persecuted, let’s be persecuted for the right reasons. Not for being self-righteous but for being righteous.

Jesus seeks us. read Luke 15:1-7 and John 18:9 Realize that in the midst of trial, trouble and temptation, He is there with you. Why? Because Jesus chose to be friends with us sinners. You may need to turn around to face Him. But I asure you, He wants to pull you out of your problems and liberate you from sadness, but before He does, He wants to walk with you through the valley. Even when you are in the valley of the shadow of death, He is there. May you know He is there to dry your tears, lighten your load and be a closer friend than any you have ever known. Loved one, right now take a few minutes out of your busy day and turn to Him. You will be glad you did. And so will He.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for seeking me and sticking by me through good times and bad times. You are the true friend. Sometimes, I become content to wallow in self pity. Please forgive me for that and humble me to allow You, through the hands of others, to comfort and even challenge me to trust you and Your promise. Please help me through the times of panic, the times when the pain is crippling and I can’t breathe. Hold me close Jesus when I feel all alone. Remind me that You are here and Love me when I am unable to see past the pain. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you 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

www.scripturalseeds.org

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4)

If you want to experience revival in your life, then hang out with a brand-new believer. It is the best thing you can do for your own spiritual health. A brand-new believer is all charged up and has questions that will have you digging back into the Scriptures again. You stabilize that new Christian, and he or she reenergizes you. Everyone benefits.

On the other hand, if you hang around with jaded Christians, with those who have even become cynical, then you probabally need to find some new friends. Sometimes people worry about new believers not changing quickly enough, but I am more concerned with older believers who have stopped changing altogether. They are settled in their ways. Maybe they have traded in old vices like immorality, drinking, drugs, or profanity and replaced them with new ones like gossip, bitterness or self-righteous pride. Another big one is disappointment with God for what they feel He may owes them, such as unanswered prayers.

I find it interesting that at least 75 percent of the Christians who personally share their faith have been believers for five years or less. In other words, most people who come to Christ through personal evangelism have done so because someone young in the faith shared the gospel with them.

I think this is because new believers are still discovering what God has done for them. They are still excited about it. As we get older in the faith and have walked with the Lord for a time, we start taking these things for granted sometimes. That means we need revival. We need to be brought back to that place where we once were, where we realize how important it is to share with others what Jesus has done for us.

If we have no desire to share our faith, then we need to experience Revival!

“Revived people are evangelistic people because their evangelism is a result of excitement and gratitude to the Lord”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the Bible. It is through these pages that we find life and light. Within Your Word, there is the story of our salvation in Christ and instruction on how we can live victorious lives. Teach me Your ways and help me grow in wisdom and understanding. Father, we pray not for shallow selfish ends, but for Your great glory and kingdom. Cause us to come to You in true humility, brokenness and contriteness of heart. May this be time Lord, that this nation falls on its knees in prayer. In Jesus’ Glorious and Holy Name. Amen!

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

What an amazing statement. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  It doesn’t say I hope God did.  It sure doesn’t show God trying to prove that He did.  It just says, He did it.  One thing is sure, and that is, that God is sure of Himself.  We need to just believe it His way, and everything works out.

When you think about what this verse has in it, that God, with His Word created everything that we can see, and the things that we cannot see. He made the stars, the planets, the moons that circle the planets.  He made every living thing, from human to animals to angelic.  He made it all.

God, our heavenly Father is truly amazing, and one day we will share in this wonder of His.  It says in (1 Corinthians 2:9) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Now that should get your hope and expectation going.  God has given us little glimpses of heaven and the new earth, things like streets of gold, no pain or sickness, the lion laying with the lamb.  One day it will all happen and we will live before Him and with Him.  One day we will see our Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to hear Him say, “Well done you good and faithful one”.  Yeah, that’s going to be heaven right there. So go ahead, look at all God has created because He created it for you and for me.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God!” 

Prayer:

My Heavenly Father, You made all of this world for us to live in and enjoy.  You gave us dominion to live a life of abundant blessing. Today, I choose that life over the life of sin and death. I thank you for saving me from destruction and death and restoring my life that I would have a new beginning. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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 it’s the greatest decision you will ever make.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

www.scripturalseeds.org