Category Archives: Endurance

February 5th 2020 – Like The Old Hymn Says

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)

There is this old hymn (song) we used to sing in the first church I attended. It went like this:

“Look to Jesus and believe, look to Jesus and receive”.  Isn’t that the truth?  When we look to Jesus, believing, He seems to get everything put together for us. I sure want my life to be a reflection of Him. The way that I see a reflection is by looking into a mirror.

This verse is telling us to look to Jesus, He is the One that began this work in us, and He is the One that will bring it to completion. The bible says it like this, “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”.  I like that.  What I have to do is fix my eyes on Him, and He will do the rest.  He started this work in my life years ago.  For some of you it could be many years, or just a few days, but it doesn’t matter.  What matters is that He is going to do a perfect work within us.

I always say it like this, “it’s all about Jesus.”  When I get me out of the way, and let Him be Lord and King of my life, everything just seems to work out.  When I try to make myself the king of my life, that’s when things just seem to go downhill.  You know, He made us, and He can sure finish this up in us.

So today, be encouraged.  He’s got your life in the palm of His big hand, and He won’t let you down.  He started it, and He will complete it. Isn’t that great?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, I am encouraged, because I see that what You Lord has started in my life, You will bring to completion.  This isn’t about me, it’s about You Jesus in my life and through the Holy Spirit in me, and You cannot fail. In Your 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.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 3rd 2020 – The Incredible Plan!

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?

“The only way you’re going to reach places you’ve never gone is if you trust God’s direction to do things you’ve never done.”

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.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 27th 2020 – God Is Calling, Will You Answer?

“Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

Have you ever been called to do something? Maybe you received a call from a friend to help them move. You may have received the call from a family member or friend who needed advice. All those things are great, but did you know that as a Christian, you have been called by God? If you have a relationship with Jesus, then you are called by Him to change the world. This may be through personal evangelism, serving at your church, giving to the ministry or many other things. Whatever the call may be, all Christians should obey God’s call on their life.

About 8 years ago, God called us into a new adventure with this ministry.  He encouraged me to step out and start writing and teaching His word to others. From that moment when we started writing and  posting daily Christian devotions on Scriptural Seeds, God has continually increased the number of people reading each day from a few, to sometimes over 30,000 a day. But more importantly, He has continued to change lives through the teaching of His Word. I didn’t know all the details, I just was obedient to His call. God told me to teach His word, He would take care of the rest.

Through this website / blog. There has been so many precious souls that have accepted Jesus into their life and been forever changed. All of this because I answered a call and partnered with Jesus. I had no idea that the call He had placed on my life would end up impacting people all over the world, but God did! Scriptural Seeds has never asked for or received any donations other than what we pay for ourselves. I continue to work my full time jobs and serve Jesus obediently each day. But God truly and faithfully makes this ministry possible each month.

The point is, you honestly have no idea what God is going to do through your obedience to His call on your life. Take that step today. Walk in boldness and Faith and Trust the Lord, live for Him and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

“We are all called to be different in our lives, and we should be passionate and serious about that calling.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for saving me and changing my life. Today, I give my life to You and ask that You would use my life for Your glory and the good of others. Give me a passion for the lost and an opportunity to use my gifts and talents for Your Kingdom. You’ve called me to action, and I’m answering. 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.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 24th 2020 – Facing Accusations

“Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?” (2 Corinthians 12:16-17)

You can’t stop it from happening. You can try your hardest & do everything in your power to keep it from occurring but one day, it’ll happen. One day, someone is going to accuse you of something. You may have done anything wrong. Just look at Jesus. He lived a perfect life, healed people, raised the dead and taught about God’s love and yet, the religious leaders accused Him of all sorts of things. If it happened to Jesus, then it can happen to any of us.

So how do we deal with accusations when we cannot control those who accuse us? We control ourselves and live in such a way that when people accuse us, other people dismiss it as a lie. After all, what use is an accusation when your life speaks of integrity, love and charity? It may not stop accusations, but it will remove some of their power to destroy. Live for Christ and allow Him to defend you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know there are areas of my life that I can live with greater integrity and love. Help me to live for You in such a way that the accusations of others fall flat. Help me to be a witness to everyone who may be watching my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

If you have never asked Jesus into your heart or want to recommit. Click here to learn more.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 18th 2020 – Spiritually Drowning

And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” (Ezekiel 37:3)

I have a important question, where are you spiritually right now? Are you frustrated? Are you tired? Devastated? Do you feel like your world is caving in and you just can’t handle it? Are you drowning… weary from crying? Do you feel spiritually numb or even spirtually dead?

“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. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:21-24)

Living in such a time as we do. We can get battered and discouraged spiritually. We see people saying and doing unbelievable things. Even people we love can be abusive in their behaviours torward us. Its not hard to get in a place where our spirit and soul feel numb. Hope often sounds impossible… As a Pastor I hear many stories each week of people searching for hope in dry and desolate places.  Please do not think that Ministers of the Lord are exempt from feeling this way too. I go through times like this also. All it takes is taking my eyes off of Jesus, even for a moment.

Like Peter stepping off the boat into the water and walking torwards the Lord, as soon as he took his eye off Jesus he immediately sank into the water. At the point Peter prayed the shortest prayer..  “Lord save me!” Jesus reached His arm out and rescued Peter from drowning in the turbulent water.

In (Matthew 7:7-8) Jesus said this, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

What you surround yourself with is a good indication of where we seek. Take a minute to look at what surrounds you. Is it television, music, gadgets, computers… or maybe drugs and alcohol? There is no hope in these things. The only Hope is in Jesus. God’s promise lasts forever. We can live free of all of the numbness and not feel spiritually stale – I mean really live free, but it’s in Jesus and not in the world.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the hope You give to me in Jesus. Lord, help me to stay determined and not lose hope even when I find myself in a valley of dry bones. Remind me to feed upon Your Word. I give you all praise and glory for the promises You set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once have your eyes on him but got caught up in the world? Don’t miss out on the most important decision you will ever make.

Pray this prayer with me and start a new life, or recommit your life to Jesus.

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.

If you need prayer Click Here to post a prayer request.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 14th 2020 – What Flavor Are You?

“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Often, when we minister to others, we will find ourselves put to the test. Certainly Paul experienced this as he traveled place to place sharing the Gospel. What’s important about those times of trial is that it usually exposes the reality of our hearts.

I personally am very particular when it comes to drinking tea, I am not a big fan of any of the red teas, however I like the green teas. When we want to know the flavor of a particular tea is, we pour very hot water on it to find out what it taste like. This is also true with our lives. God knows what sins or attitudes dwell inside our hearts, but often times, we don’t until we are backed up against a wall. Not only does it reveal our own heart, but trials can also show who our true friends are. If all these things are true, why do we often run from trials? Instead, let’s endure them with watchful eyes looking for areas in need of God’s miraculous changing power. As we do, we will continue to be molded more and more into the image of Jesus.

“Trials often reveal in our life and relationships what’s really in our heart.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for trials in life. While it may be hard to say that in the middle of suffering, I am thankful that You use those times to help me. Give me eyes to see the truth of my heart’s condition and the wisdom and strength to apply Your Word to those areas. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life?

If not, pray this prayer and start a new life in Christ.

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.

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

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 13th 2020 – Strong Enough

“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.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 12th 2020 – Would You Like To Get Well?

When Jesus saw him and knew how long he had been ill, He asked him, “Would you like to get well?” (John 5:6)

What an awesome question! The Lord Jesus has such a way with words! No dancing around the issue. He cuts right to the heart of the matter. Would you like to get well? Would you? That is His question to you today. That is His question to your neighbors and to your friends and family who do not know Him. That is His question to those who ridicule Him in the media and the press. That is His question to those who speak out against Him and even persecute those who believe in Him. That is His question to all of humanity.

He is not just talking about physical wellness here. Jesus is talking about our very soul being cleansed, our guilt being purged and our sins forgiven. He is talking about wellness of the mind, soul and the spirit in addition to wellness of Your body. There is nothing wrong with you that He cannot fix. His death on the cross offers all of these benefits. The amazing thing is that no matter what you’ve done, how you’ve done it or who you’ve been… the offer stands as firm today as it stood yesterday and the day before. The question… Would you like to get well? What’s your response?

If you have not accepted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, or have been out of fellowship with Him, please pray this simple prayer below with me.

Dear Lord Jesus, I believe in You. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again in three days defeating death. I have sinned. I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. Please give me the power to live for You all the days of my life. Thank You for forgiving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“There is nothing wrong with us that Jesus cannot fix.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, an internal and external cleansing of all my failures, mistakes and broken promises. Thank you for all of Your promises, and that you never break them. Thank You for Your healing of my life; all of it. I give it to You. Use my life for Your glory. 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.

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 11th 2020 – Strengh in our Storms

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. Endurance then develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.” (Romans 5:3-5)

Life is filled with storms of one kind or another. In the midst of those storms, we tend to respond as if God has somehow been caught off guard. The storm makes no sense. We can’t explain why terminal illness strikes Godly people. We all face them..The anguish of a broken marriage or the overwhelming heartbreak of a prodigal child drives us to doubt God’s purpose, plan and provision. The fear of financial ruin paralyzes us. God understands.

The Bible is filled with men and women who were storm survivors – people of God who endured great pain and weathered intense life storms because they chose to follow Him. The Apostle Paul, known for persecuting and murdering Christians, was forever changed when he met Jesus Christ. While God gave him a life of great power and eternal impact, it was also a life filled with great storms. Paul learned to “patiently” endure the troubles, hardships and calamities that came his way.

Because grain was a precious food source to the Romans, threshing grain was a natural part of every day in ancient Rome. In pictures of early Rome, one man is always seen stirring up the sheaves while another rides over them in a crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels. Sharp stones and rough bits of iron were attached to these wheels to help separate the husks from the grain. This simple cart was called a “tribulum” from which we get our word “tribulation.”

No Roman ever used his tribulum as a tool of destruction – only refinement. God uses our trials and storms as tools of refinement to build in us endurance. The word “endure” comes from two Greek words that when combined, give the meaning “to remain under.” It is the capacity to stay under the load, to remain in the circumstances without running away or looking for the easy way out.

The purpose of every storm is to purify and cultivate endurance. Like Paul, we may sometimes feel as if we are being torn to pieces under the pressure of circumstances. But his challenge to the Romans compels us to re-examine our perspective and response to each storm we face.

Endurance is never passive. It is the picture of a soldier staying in the heat of the battle under terrible opposition but still pressing forward to gain the victory.

There are few things that we can count on in this unpredictable life – but we can count on storms to come. We can also count on God’s continual and unfailing strength for those storms. When the hard times come and when bad things happen, we do not have to wonder where God is. Instead we can hold on to the promise that is found in (Jeremiah 16:19), “Lord, you are my strength, and my protection. You are a safe place for me to run in times of trouble.”

Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and face the storms of life.

No matter what storm rages in your life today – no matter how fierce the winds or how high the waves may be – where you are is no surprise to God. Heaven is not in a panic. Keep your gaze on Him and your glance on the raging waters. “Lash yourself” to Him, and He will supply everything you need to stand firm in the storm.

“Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchor!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, It gets so hard trying to weather the storms of life on our own. I need Your power and strength to face each one. Please teach me to turn to You first. Help me learn to patiently endure the hard times and honor You in the midst of them as I walk by faith. I lift up my mom and faithfully trust in You Lord that you will guide us through the storms and calm the raging seas. In Jesus name, Amen.

Facing the raging storms of life without Jesus will get overwhelming. 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.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here and we will pray for you..

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

January 8th 2020 – Testimony of Life

“And when Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Hadad died also. And the chiefs of Edom were Chief Timnah, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.” (1 Chronicles 1:50-54)

Remembering where you came from and where you are going makes up your individual, one-of-a-kind testimony. There is power in the testimony of your life. Revelation 12 talks about believers overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. So, what if your past does not include the seedier things of life? Well, the Bible is clear that we we were all on a death row sentence. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Through His grace and the faith-gift of God, He saves us. Once saved you are a child of God – a priest and a king. There are two people in the Bible who are called both a priest and king – Jesus and you. Now, you are saved and will spend eternity with God.

In a world that is wracked with fear and uncertainty, people need to hear your testimony. Share it and talk about it. Share not in a prideful or bragging way, but out of the joy of your heart. Your testimony could be the very thing that leads someone else to come to Jesus. It might be what they have been waiting for.

“Remember where you came from, who you are and where you are going.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We love You and Praise You in all circumstances. Thank You for the gift of Your Son. I am so grateful for the grace and mercy You have given me. Lord, I want to be a vessel used to glorify Your name. Give me the boldness to share my testimony without fear and uncertainty. Give me the spirit of humility so that I may be used to minister in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don’t go through life without Jesus. If you do not know Him personally, accept 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

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

SmartSelect_20191210-062853_Gallery

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org