Category Archives: Endurance

April 22nd 2017 – Fractured Clay Jars

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“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12)

Whether they knew it or not, the church of Corinth was blessed because of Paul’s sufferings. The battles endured and hardships faced were all allowed by God so that Paul would be a great witness to the world. During this time in church history, there was a lot of suffering taking place, and as a result of that suffering, the Word of God was spread to more and more people. In fact, this continues today.

I believe we all could list out some areas where we suffered because of Christ. It may not be to the extent that Paul suffered, but trials are a part of the Christian life. That may not sound so great but think of it this way, when you’re going through a trial, someone else is watching you and can be blessed through your response. The Bible says we are like fractured jars of clay, or “cracked jars”. The more suffering and trials hit, the more we seem to crack.

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

The more we crack, the more Jesus is seen inside of us. God will use every situation in your life for good so rejoice in the hard times and look for those ways to shine… like a cracked jar with a brilliant light inside.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, While it may be hard, I want to thank You for my times of suffering. I know that each of these moments is being used to make me more like Jesus. Give me the strength and wisdom needed to be a witness for You even in times of suffering. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If ou 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

April 19th 2017 – The Right Path

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“Those who follow the right path fear the  LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.” (Proverbs 14:2)

In life, there are some questions that we must ask ourselves. These questions can be hard because they cause self evaluations, yet they can be beneficial in the long run. As a Christian, one of those questions is, “Do the actions of my life reflect the words I speak and the Truths I believe?”

While it’s true that none of us will live perfectly, that should not mean that change is not occurring in our lives through our faith in Christ. After all, if I believe He forgave me of my sins, then I will become more likely to forgive others. If I believe that His Word is the source of life and direction, then I will base my life around the bible and not my own desires. In the end, our life will be a reflection of the things that are important to us.

As I get older many of the things that were once very inportant to me have changed. I ask myself was it all of the dissapointments and loss, or is my spirit growing more Christ like?

(Romans 12:2)  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

God still has alot of work to do in my life… I try so hard to live out my walk. I still fail, I still sometimes allow my anger to get the best of me when my values are questioned. The good news is that we are a work in progress as God works and molds our life.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Open my eyes so that I can ask the tough questions in my life. Give me understanding on how to live out the Truth I believe. Shower me with Your grace when I stumble, and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live for You. 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

April 16th 2017 – Risen!

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“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:30-32)

God offers all of mankind His mercy. Who are we to put limits on His mercy? When we choose not to minister the Gospel to another, we do just that. The definition of mercy is to not receive what you deserve. As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us remember that in no way did we deserve God’s merciful action. By no means did we merit Jesus’ suffering at the hands of the unrighteous and that He would bear the tremendous weight of our own sin on that cross. Through no power of our own, these events unfolded through the benevolent, merciful and loving Father which many want to push away. Let us commit ourselves to making sure that everyone hears God’s message of mercy to the broken. May all mankind hear the Gospel and make their choice. Let’s brace ourselves for our God given duties and make sure that the whole world hears.

“God is a loving and merciful God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being my God of mercy. I believe that Jesus is alive and accept Him as Lord of my life. May I live only for You. Purify my heart with Your Truth and guide me in the way of Your will for my life. May I always do what is pleasing in Your sight. 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

April 15th 2017 – The Incredible Plan!

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But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” (Mark 16:6)

The fact is, Jesus could have escaped the crucifixion at anytime. As He was beaten, He could have stopped it. When the nails were piercing His sinless hands, He could have defended Himself, but He didn’t. In that moment, Christ chose you and I over His own well being. He knew He needed to make a payment for our sins, and so He remained on the cross. So call it what you will… an act of love, a plan of salvation or a martyr’s sacrifice. But whatever you choose to call it, don’t call it an accident. It was a lot of things, but it was anything but that. The cross was no accident, tragedy or conspiracy. It was a plan. And in a world of injustice, God once and for all tipped the scales in the favor of hope.

You see, God neither accepts our sin nor lowers the standard. Instead of ignoring our sin, He took it on Himself and sentenced Himself. God’s righteousness is still maintained, our sin is punished and we are redeemed. What an incredible plan. God paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt that we could not pay. God did what we could not do so we can be what we could not dare dream–to stand perfect and forgiven before God. The victory is already won, our past can be pardoned and our future can be secure. Death is disarmed. Failures are forgivable. Life can have real purpose. Did He die on the cross for your sins? You have to make that decision. He is the Savior of the world. The question is… is He your Savior?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I believe You died for me so that I could be forgiven. I believe You were raised from the dead so that I could have new life. I know I have done wrong things, and I’m sorry. Today I lay is all at the foot of the cross. Please forgive me and give me the power to follow You all the days of my life. 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 24th 2017 – Strong Enough

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“That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Did you know that God uses the plans of the enemy for our good? God also can use the bad things, even the plans of the enemy for our blessings. Trials are used to bless us. You may ask, “How can this be?” After all, in the midst of pain, hardship and weakness, nothing seems right. That may be the case, but if we are in Christ, we can say exactly what Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul is saying, “In me, I am weak, yet in the Lord, I am strong.” Not just strong but, we are God strong. We think the most blessed person has it made. I can tell you this, no one has it made. Sometimes the most blessed person is the one who has been smacked the most by the enemy, but came out blessed because he has learned to lean on God. When we lean on God, we have unlimited power and authority to help us. In ourselves, we will never overcome anything. But in the power of Christ, we can overcome everything!

“When we think we can handle a situation, sometimes we are wrong. When we think the Lord can handle a situation or help us handle it, we are never wrong.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to You today admitting that I am unable to handle everything in my life. I confess that I am weak and come asking for your unlimited strength. I know the road may be hard, but I also understand that with You all things are possible. Overcome my weakness with Your power. I don’t simply want to be strong; I desire to be God strong. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Music Video “Strong Enough” – Matthew West

 

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 12th 2017 – Don’t Worry, God Cares

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“Remember, O LORD, what has come upon us; Look, and behold our reproach!” (Lamentations 5:1)

Prayer is something often spoken about in church and yet, it is seldom practiced on a regular basis. Some of this may be due to the misunderstanding of what prayer is and what it is not. When we come to the Lord in prayer, He desires that we come as the broken people we are. He desires that we bring our cares, our worries, our pains and suffering to Him because He loves us.

(1 Peter 5:6-7) “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

We don’t need to pretend with God. He knows our hearts and understands our weaknesses. When we come in honest conversation with Him, we can find peace and joy in that time of fellowship. God never meant for you to carry the weight of your life. It’s too much for any of us. Instead, He says to bring it to Him so that He can carry it for us. So when we come in prayer, we can come in joyful surrender knowing that God loves us and that He has our life in His hands.

“When the burdens of life overwhelm you, take them to God in prayer.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the blessing of prayer. I come to You with nothing but empty hands and a heart that desires more of You. Please Lord, take my life and do with it as you please. I trust You and desire to glorify Your name in all that I do. 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

February 25th 2017 – Never Alone

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“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:1-4)

We see in today’s scripture that the Shepherd leads, guides, helps, and loves us. Now, in verse 4, 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?   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.

“Although you may feel alone at times, You are never alone, God is right there waiting for us to call on Him.”

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..

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.scriptutalseeds.org

February 15th 2017 – Feeling Helpless or Hopeless?

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“Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” (Ezra 10:4)

God may be the director of the universe, but He has given us power to make decisions. You have a decision to confess your sins to Him and to ask for His forgiveness. You have a decision whether to serve the Lord, give to the Lord or share the Gospel with others. No matter who you are, you have an opportunity to change the world through your decisions.

(Joshua 24:15) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

As you read this devotional, there is a world filled with people who desire peace. They desire love. They desire hope in something greater than the economy, the president or their own ability. As a follower of Christ, we can make the decision to share with them how to change their life and those things by sharing the Gospel. We can serve them. We can offer them our time, resources and compassion. God will empower us to do mighty things, but we must decide to do it. Choose this day who you will serve, and do it!

“You are not helpless or hopeless. Your destiny is in your hands and in the hands of a God that loves you and wants to bless and protect you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I desire to choose You above everything else. I decide this day to serve You and to serve others. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. God, use me to change the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

January 6th 2017 – Obedience Our Gift to God

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When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: “Go; take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD.”(Hosea 1:2)

We often hear Christians say things like, “The Lord just wants me to be happy” or “God wouldn’t ask me to do anything that I can’t handle.” The truth is that God often asks His people to do what seems impossible. Hosea was told by God to take a wife that would cause him much pain. Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son, whom he called (laughter) and loved dearly. Mary, who was called most blessed among women, was required to stand by and watch her son die on the cross. These three, and many others in the Bible, were asked by God to do what we would think impossible for them; things that would bring pain and suffering. They had different circumstances, and different struggles, but the one thing they shared was obedience.

(Matthew 16:24-25) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Jesus went through incredible suffering and pain to free us from the bondage of sin. He did not die just so we could be happy. He did not give His life so that we could simply pursue our own selfish desires. He died to set us free and to give us the model of how to live free. He taught the disciples through His Word and led by example that our calling is to lay down our own lives for the sake of others.

“Following Christ is hard, but it’s the least we can offer Him for the price He paid.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me so much that You were willing to die a horrible death and suffer the humiliation of my sins. Lord, I choose to follow You, wherever You lead me, because I love You. Jesus, help me to walk in obedience. Give me Your strength, power and love so that I can willingly lay down my life for others. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can show the love of Jesus to those around 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 and want to quench yor unquenchable thirst. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 29th 2016 – Speaking Life to Others

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Then his wife said to him (job), “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)

In the Book of Job. (pronounced “Jobe”) It begins with an introduction to Job’s character, he is described as a blessed man who lived righteously in the Land of Uz. The Lord’s praise of Job prompted Satan to challenge Job’s integrity, suggesting that Job served God simply because God protected him.  Satan caused much pain and greif for him, tormenting Job to try to break his faith.

We often think, well, Satan left Job’s wife alive because she was carnal. Could be. It’s interesting we are not told where she is in her faith before this statement. Maybe she was walking with the Lord before losing her wealth, her house and grounds, her children and is now watching her husband in pain. And maybe in just giving in, she said curse God and die, I give up Job.

This can happen to any of us. We all go through hard times, and it’s easy to speak poorly during those times. Be watchful of anyone speaking contrary to the Word, or speaking negatively in hard times. Be the person who speaks life, who speaks the truth, and speaks love. Allow God to use you to bring healing to others who are hurting, and to empower you to be a witness for His glory even while you are going through hard times.

“The beauty and strength of a marriage, business partnership or friendship is that often when one is weak, the other is strong.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for empowering us through Your Spirit to speak life and blessing even during hard times. Help us to be loving when it’s someone else hurting, and help us to speak wisely when we are hurting. We lift up to You all those in our life going through difficult situations, and ask You to use us to be a blessing in all of our relationships. 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