Category Archives: Endurance

October 3rd 2017 – Hope in the Midst of Pain

Leave a reply

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)

Lamentations is a difficult book because of the images of suffering that fill its pages. Yet, in the very middle of Jeremiah’s words of pain and suffering are words of hope. In fact, it is as if the prophet simply turns a corner in his mind and begins thinking of God’s character and nature rather than his circumstances. It’s at that moment where we read these words, “Therefore, I have hope.”

In a broken world, hope can be hard to come by. Each day, we are face to face with tragedy, sickness and death, but it is within this reality of pain that God brings hope. This hope is not founded on our situation or ability; our hope is founded on God. How can we have hope in God? Because He is all powerful, all knowing, never-changing, and He loves us. This means that no matter the pain, God is there. No matter the difficulty, God is guiding us and using that difficulty for our good. If you find yourself in the middle of hard times, do not fear, because the maker of heaven and earth is with you. Draw close to Him, and He will help you to live in hope, not fear.

“In life, we should think more about how great God is and less about how great our troubles are.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I love You and give You praises for still being here and loving us in such a time like this. The world is 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 so that I can endure and even rejoice in my pain. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may live in hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

If you prayed the prayer above. Click here and select the acknowledge button at the bottom. We would love to pray with you and for you.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 29th 2017 – Shaken Not Forsaken

1 Reply

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:1-2)

At the beginning of Psalm 13 David feels that God has forsaken him. Has that ever happened to you? Do you let your problems make you despondent, discouraged, and disillusioned? Honestly, that couldn’t be further from the truth for those of us that have received the salvation of the Lord. We see David acknowledging this as he continues…

(Psalm 13:5-6)
“But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

You see, when we accepted the sacrifice of Christ we received the forgiveness of sins and the promise that we’d never be forsaken by God. Jesus ultimately experienced separation from Father God for the first time on that cross on our behalf when He cried out “my God my God why have you forsaken me?” Now, once we realize in our heads and hearts this reality, our trust in His mercy causes us to rejoice in our salvation! Our eyes can now be enlightened by the Spirit of God to see how rich we truly are in Christ. Count those blessings friend and allow the Lord to encourage you with all He has done for you!

“Sometimes we forget what we should we remember, (the good done by someone, by others, sometimes by us) and remember what we should forget (the wrongs done by someone, by others, sometimes by us).”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for enduring all things for me on the cross. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. Please give me the power to remember the blessings that You have poured out into my life through Christ and help me to walk after You with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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

If you prayed the prayer above. Click here and select the acknowledge button at the bottom. We would love to pray with you and for you.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 27th 2017 – Wars and Rumors of Wars

Leave a reply

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

Recently we have been wittnessing a deranged madman threating the United States and our allies with his attomic bombs.  The United Nations is trying to reason with Kim Jong-Un without any success. This is the type of man not reasonable. A couple of years back he had his own uncle and defense minister publicly executed with an anti-aircraft gun for falling asleep during a military meeting. His inability to reason and threats to the US, is like he is on a sucicide mission.

The reality is, this kind of behavior is just not normal from the head of a countries leader. We realize more and more that we cannot put hope in man’s ability to not make war. North Korea even told the U.S. that he has declared war on the US and plans to attack us with bombs and biological warfare.

We are witnessing a time where we are seeing everyday people walking around like zombies, drugged out of their minds. Blatant Sin is more evident than any other time I have seen. Earthquakes one after another, huricanes with such unbelievable power, wars and rumors of war.

When we read the Bible it helps us to take the blinders off to the things happening in the world. It helps us to understand that we are in the last days. Understanding the Bible will also bring us hope!

“The Bible gives us hope and knowledge. If we have no Bible, we have no knowledge, we have no hope. If we have no hope, life becomes a daunting task.”

When we study the Bible, God reveals all kinds of information to us. God removes our ignorance through revealing the Bible to us. With receiving the Bible, we receive knowledge, we receive hope and we receive forgiveness.

We do not have to be without hope, we can know Him who gives hope. We do not have to be without knowledge, we can know Him who gives knowledge. We do not have to be without forgiveness we can know Him, who gives forgiveness. Jesus.

Do you want to know Jesus? Are these things missing from your life? Rededicate your life to the Lord right now.

Pray something like this from your heart…

Dear Jesus,
I believe You died for me so I could be forgiven. I believe You were raised from the dead so I could have a new life. I have done wrong things, and I am sorry. Please forgive me for all those things. Please give me Your Spirit and Your power to live for You the rest of my life. Amen.

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

If you prayed the prayer above. Click here and select the acknowledge button at the bottom. We would love to pray with you and for you.

Congratulations, welcome to the family.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

September 26th 2017 – Put “It” Down

Leave a reply

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,” (Ephesians 4:26)

Ephesians 4 is packed with so many treasures.  (Ephesians 4:31-32) “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

The words ‘you’ and ‘your’ are used many times in Ephesians chapter 4, so it is speaking to ‘you’ as a believer. It says “don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.” Now, this could be your anger, which is the main and plain meaning, but if you don’t ask for forgiveness for things, then your sin works to separate you from God. So whether you need forgiveness, or you need to forgive somebody in obedience to the Lord and forget your wrath, do it before sundown.

I was recently reading Psalm 4 thsn looked up Ephesians 4. It’s interesting that Psalm 4 contains the only verse similar to Ephesians 4:26 that I have found.

(Psalm 4:4) “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Are you nursing any wounds? Are you holding on to any unforgiveness? Bitterness? Offense? Did you get offended by someone and instead of putting the offense down, you are carrying it around? You can’t do that. It gives place to the devil in your life.

This world is getting worse by the day and you can’t be tied up and weighed down by the past. The Bible says ‘don’t let the sun go down on your wrath’. Now here’s a cool little tidbit. How do we count our days? Well, we say that it goes to midnight and then the next day starts. Man came up with that. It’s not in the Bible. Actually in the Bible, in Genesis Chapter 1, verse 5 and many other verses, it says “the evening and the morning were the first day,” “the evening and the morning were the second day,” “the evening and the morning were the third day.”

*The biblical day ends at sundown.

*At sundown you begin the next day.

The verse says don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, anger or unforgiveness. Ask God to forgive you, forgive others and forgive yourself before this day ends and before you start your next day. Do it everyday. Because of God’s grace and Jesus death on the cross we can be forgiven! And as we walk in forgiveness we are empowered to forgive others.

“God wants to deliver us out of His wrath and anger, and the consequences of it.”

Prayer:

Heavenly father, I ask that you please forgive me for holding on to offenses, for letting the sun repeatedly go down on my wrath. I’m sorry. Thank you for Jesus and the forgiveness I have in Him. Father, show me any place where I have allowed a root of bitterness to get established in my heart and remove it. I choose to trust and obey. Help me to forgive others as you, in Christ, have forgiven me. 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

September 25th 2017 – Unlimited Resource

Leave a reply

“He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.” (Nahum 2:1)

Tests and trials are a part of life and often push us to our limits in so many ways. During these times, what do you turn to? Do you first run to others seeking those who feel the same way you do? Do you find yourself to be anxious because you are constantly looking down the road of life waiting for the next attack? Maybe you run to your money or addiction to seek answers or comfort. Whatever the case may be, the truth is, when we do not run to God first, we will not last long.

As followers of Christ, we have the unlimited resource of wisdom and power available to anyone. He is our Father God and He desires to help us in times of need. We may be able to limp along on our own wisdom and strength for a time, but when we trust in the Lord’s strength and His infinite wisdom, we will never grow weary. Today you will encounter difficult situations. Don’t be surprised by them but simply use them as an excuse to draw closer to God. Need wisdom? Ask the Father. Desire strength? Find it in Jesus.

“When you aew faced with a problem, seek God first before relying on your own wisdom or strength.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your generous love for me. I am so grateful that I can run to You in times of need and You will hear my cry. Father, I ask for Your strength and wisdom today. No matter where I find myself I ask that You would guide my steps and use me for Your purposes. 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

September 20th 2017 – Trusting God

Leave a reply

“But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.” (John 6:6)

Praise the Lord that we don’t know everything that is going to happen because that keeps our lives hopeful. Uncertainty can also be frustrating, because we want to know everything but we can’t. There are things we go through that surprise us and catch us off guard. There is, however, nothing in your life that catches God off guard or surprises Him.

The things we are dealing with right now, at this moment, God knew before we even came on the scene. That can be pretty mind blowing, but here is the kicker… He also knows how we are going to get out of our tough situations. He saw the curve ball coming long before you did and He prepared us for what He already saw coming. He knows what fruit this trial is going to produce in each of our lives. For our benefit, He allows this trial or that test to proceed. But, take heart and be strong. While we may wonder how it works out and what happens next, we can trust in our God because He knows all along what He is going to do.

“We don’t know everything, but God does.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your provision of growth in my life. You love me so much that You do not want me to remain who I am but to grow in Your good gifts. What an incredible comfort it is to know that my Father in Heaven knows who I am and who I will be and will see me through the changes. Thank You. I pray this 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

September 16th 2017 – Guided By His Grace

Leave a reply

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (1 Peter 1:13)

From the beginning of 1 Peter 1, the apostle Peter has been encouraging believers with wonderful promises from God. He reminds them of their living hope in our risen Savior and the future that we have waiting for us in Heaven. In this verse, Peter encourages us to respond to the promise of a new life in Christ and our future glory. How? By guarding our minds, emotions and hearts.

To ‘gird up the loins of our mind’ is to put away any wrong thoughts that may try to work their way into our thinking. Rather than thinking from a human perspective, we should think biblically. Peter also mentions that we should be sober. In other words, we should not allow our emotions to lead us, we should lead our emotions. Finally, he calls us to rest on grace. In order to guard our hearts, God calls us to remember the Gospel. Remember the love of God that was demonstrated on the cross. Remember the power of God to raise Christ from the grave so that we can have new life. With the Spirit’s power, these Truths will help us live a life of godliness and grace.

“God does not command holiness from Christians as a means to gain His acceptance. He commands us to be holy because We Are Holy.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the wonderful gift of salvation that You have given to me through Christ. Because of Your wonderful grace, I desire to live for You. Give me the power and wisdom to guard my mind, emotions and heart. 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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 12th 2017 – When Battles Come Upon Us

Leave a reply

“As water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil, so you destroy a person’s hope.” (Job 14:19)

What hope has been destroyed in your life? Perhaps a dream or wish for your job, marriage, family, or relationship that was not fulfilled? Is there something that the Lord has done or is allowing that you are fighting against?

Job was a just and blameless man before God (Job 1:1) yet God allowed him to be tested by the enemy (Job 1:6-12). Throughout scripture we see a variety of trials and hardships coming upon God’s people. Some the Lord delivered them from and others the Lord allowed His people to endure through. What does God want us to do when we are going through these battles that come upon us?

(Psalm 103:1-5)
“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”

When the battles seem to be occurring all around you and you don’t know where to go or what to do, take the time to remember all He has done for you. Trust Him in spite of what you see. Trust that He is able to do above and beyond what we ask imagine or think. Keep coming back to His word declaring His promises over you. Keep going to fellowship, counsel, and interaction with the body of Christ. Continue to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and He will make your path clear and straight in due season. Our hearts and lives in Christ are all about seeking to grow in trusting in the Lord no matter what seasons of life may come. As we do this we find the special blessing that God has for us.

“We often pray for God to protect and remove us from the battle. He calls us instead to trust Him in it.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding my steps and keeping me from placing my hope in anything that is not from You. I pray that you’ll give me the power to remember all the good you are doing in and through my life no matter the circumstances. Please give me the strength to live for You and trust in You in all the ways You have set before me. 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

September 9th 2017 – Will You Recognize Jesus in the Middle of the Storm?

Leave a reply

“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 didn’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:

Heavenly Father, 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 Jesus’ precious and glorious name, Amen.

Are you in the middle of a storm? call out to Jesus, ask Him into your life.

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

September 6th 2017 – I’ll Not Fear

Leave a reply

“though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4)

We see in all of these verses so far that the Shepherd leads, guides, helps, and loves us. Now, in this verse, it changes from the Shepherd’s actions and love for us, to our own actions.  You see, in life there are going to be times when we don’t listen so that we get ourselves in places we shouldn’t be.  Here it’s called “the valley of the shadow of death”.

Have you ever had times like that?  You find that the grass isn’t green and the stream is dirty and you say, “how did I get here?”  You see that it was through your own decisions, or you didn’t take the time to listen to the Shepherd’s voice, that you opened doors that should have stayed shut.

Even in these times, even when we mess up, the Great Shepherd doesn’t leave us.  No! He promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us. Never means never and here we see the same promise.  I will fear no evil, why? His written word “FOR YOU ARE WITH ME!” What a promise.  When we mess up, we need to ‘fess up and He, the Great Shepherd, forgives and restores.

Even when we open doors to the evil one, our Shepherd takes out His mighty rod and grabs hold of us with His wonderful staff and brings great comfort to our lives. What security, what comfort, what hope we have because of our amazing Jesus.

So take heart today that there is no sin too strong that the blood of Jesus can’t wash away. Rest in His loving arms and hear His heartbeat as you lay your head upon His chest. Know that He loves you and will always protect you against anything that the enemy might bring against you.  He’ll even protect you when you open a door that you shouldn’t have.

Remember, once you have accepted Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior, He will never leave you or forsake you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blood of Jesus that has washed me white as snow.  I thank You that no matter what comes against me or even when I’m walking in the valley, You are there to comfort and to restore.  What a God I serve. In Jesus precious name. Amen..

Don’t walk the the valley alone, choose 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