Category Archives: Faith

June 28th 2019 – Unhindered

“If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:12)

Paul had given up everything for the sake of the Gospel. He had been imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked and snake-bit, but he still remained steadfast in declaring Christ crucified. Even in his letter to the church of Corinth, we see a man who is willing to continue the race even if all support falls out from underneath him. How could he do this? Simple. He knew the God He served.

When we step out in obedience to God, we don’t always know what may happen next. He may lead us to share the Gospel with someone even though we don’t know how they will respond. Sometimes, we may give to our church while not knowing how it will affect our budget for the week. Whatever the situation, there is one unchanging element – God. He is still the same God who provided for Paul despite the lack of those who gave. He’s still the same God who protected Paul while adrift at sea. He is the same God who gave His own Son to die for our sins in the ultimate act of love. Listen closely, because He is God, we can step out in faith and experience a life like no other. Because He is God, we have the freedom to serve Him with all our hearts.

“When we give our lives to God, only then do we discover maximum freedom.”

Prayer:

Heavenly father, Thank You for all that You have done for me. Thank You for Jesus and the gift of salvation. Lord, because of that gift, I am now free to serve You with all my heart and soul. Remove the fear and doubt in my mind. Help me to give all of my life to You and use me for the work of Your Kingdom. 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

June 27th 2019 – Truth

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“Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, Also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. (Micah 2:1-2)

In the verse above, we see those in power taking advantage of the people. The world believes that it is acceptable to take advantage of others for gain of position or authority. If you are a leader in the the world or workplace, do you take advantage of the system to benefit yourself? Let’s step it down a notch and make this more personal. Do you take advantage of your family, friends or co-workers for your benefit? When we get to know a person, we also get to know how to set them off or manipulate them for what we want. That is ungodly and God does not bless the unbiblical practices of deception.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Even in times when it seems there is no other option but to bend the truth for your benefit, God always provides a way out. Taking responsibility for your actions is an important characteristic of a Godly disciple. God will always honor you when you take responsibility for your mistakes, even when it’s difficult. Live out the Biblical model that God entrusted to you in regards to your relationships even when it doesn’t make sense.

In the end, it comes down to your making a decision about Jesus. How far will you follow Jesus in your relationships? Until it gets inconvenient – uncomfortable – what about when it becomes painful? Are you willing to follow the Biblical model all the way? What will you decide? Gain for yourself or lay your life down for the sake of the Gospel?

“One characteristic of a Godly person is to do what is Biblical even when it causes personal hardship.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for continuing to do a work in my life. You have called me to live a disciple’s life, and I choose to honor You in living out the model You have set before me. Lord, when things get tough and I mess up, empower me with courage and strength to live out Your Truth and encourage others. 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

June 26th 2019 – Identity Crisis

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And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Right after this blessed moment of baptism God confirms Jesus identity and announces His pleasure. Shortly after this strong affirmation from God we find Jesus, in (Matthew 4:1-10), being tempted by the enemy after enduring a forty day fast. The enemy immediately challenges what God has spoken by saying ‘if You are the Son of God’.

Understand that the enemy’s first temptation often times is to get us to question our identity in Christ. When we receive God’s gracious, unearned gift of salvation our identity is sealed in the blood of Christ, which defeats the enemy. Could you imagine an 1st grade student coming home with the an ‘F’ on his/her report card and the parent saying “you are no longer my child, change your name and leave my house!” Of course not! Neither does the Lord dismiss you or I when we fail because His love never fails (1Corinthians 13:8).

If you were gardening and you saw a plant that was drooping and bent downward would you uproot the plant trash it and start over? Hopefully not. What a skilled gardener often will do is put a wooden stake in the ground next to it and tie the plant to it, leaving the plant dependent on the wood to grow. This is our life in Christ, leaning not on our own works, but on the grace that God purchased through Jesus Christ on that cross to help us to grow in Him.

“The enemy wants you to doubt who you are, whose you are, and to spend time trying to earn what you have already been given.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for dying for me so I could have identity in You as Your beloved. Please help me to continue to remember the grace You have shown to me at the cross that I might live for You, in good times and bad, all the days of my life. 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

June 25th 2019 – Pray with Hope and Expectancy

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“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

“The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him.” (Lamentations 3:25)

Sometimes I see God answer my prayers right away. I’m excited, thankful and ready to tell everyone about His goodness. Then, there are those other times when my prayers linger and miracles seem far away. As time goes on, I would start to doubt that God even heard me.

I didnt accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior until I was 37. When I was first learning how to pray and my prayers were answered quickly, I’d give Jesus praises, tell everyone about it and then move on. But, if time went on and God didn’t show up, I’d get discouraged and frustrated. My waiting turned to worry. My perseverance shifted to sadness and disparity.

At times waiting on God to answer prayers was like playing a game. Who would last the longest? Would I continue to ask, plead and persevere? Or would I give up first because I was tired of waiting? Or maybe God would answer my prayers because He was tired of hearing all my whining and complaining.

Lord, why haven’t You answered my prayers? What are You waiting for? Can’t You see me struggling? You’re taking too long and I just don’t understand why.

I began to think God might be holding out on me. Maybe I wasnt deserving, He really didn’t care about me. Or, maybe my circumstances weren’t important enough to Him.

But as I grew in my relationship with the Lord and learned to understand His character, my attitude changed. I realized how much God loves me and knows the desires tucked deep inside my heart. He promises to meet my needs (Philippians 4:19), and His miracles are not a thing of the past.

Today’s key verse tells us that after we pray and ask God for a need, want or desire, we should wait with expectancy and hope.

You might be thinking, Rob, you just don’t understand. I’ve been waiting for God to answer my prayers for so long.

Maybe you’ve resigned to believing there’s no hope. Sure, you started out confident and faith-filled, but as time goes by you’ve started to wonder if any good can come from your circumstances. Maybe you’ve wrapped an invisible wall around your heart so you won’t be disappointed if God doesn’t come through for you.

I understand. I’ve been there. I’ve felt that way, too, and it’s a lonely place to live in each day. So what does it look like to have an attitude of hope and expectancy as we wait on the Lord to answer our prayers?

I’ve learned to intentionally shift my focus to three things:

(1) God’s Promises: I read Bible verses and speak them aloud daily. As the power of God’s Word weaves hope into my prayers, encouragement fills the empty places in my heart. I’m reminded once again of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.

(2) Praise & Worship: I listen to praise music throughout the day in my house, car and at work in my office. The lyrics and melodies splash over me with joy as I sing along. I sense God’s peace and pleasure and in those sweet moments, my worries fade, turning my doubts into confident expectancy.

(3) Thanksgiving: I thank God for the answered prayers and miracles in my past. I remember how God always came through in those tough times of great need, and I thank Him in advance for His answers yet to come.

If you’ve asked God for answers but find yourself waiting longer than you planned, take a moment now to thank Him in advance for His answer. Trust that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t give up. Look forward in hope and expectancy for Him to respond and remember that the Lord is good to those who seek Him.

“No matter how long it takes, when God works, It’s always worth the wait.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for remaining faithful to me. Help me have hope and expectancy as I wait for Your answers to my prayers. And during the extended times when you are waiting for the perfect moment to answer or just waiting on me to be ready, may I contine to give you my praises and wait with a heart of gratitude because your Grace is more then sufficent for me. I thank you for Leading me and Loving me.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Click here to watch “While I’m Waiting – John Waller

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

June 23rd 2019 – Always Loved

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I have loved you,” says the LORD. ” Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved;” (Malachi 1:2)

At the time of Malachi, the people of Israel had a checkered past with God. There were times of celebration and victory as God brought them out of Egypt and established them in the Promised Land. There were also times of hardship and discipline when they were exiled from their land, often because of their idolatrous behavior. During all these times, one thing remained the same. God still loved them and still called them His people.

The same is true today. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and His standard of perfection. We deserve nothing but punishment and yet God, who is rich in mercy, chooses to love us despite our past.

”But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (By Christ you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

If you have asked God for forgiveness and know Jesus as your Savior, you are chosen by God. You are loved by the creator of the universe. Not because of what you can do for Him, but because He chooses to love you. What an amazing God. So friend, if you find yourself wrestling with circumstances that are difficult and feel like God has stopped loving you, come to Him today and know that you are loved.

“God loves you because He chooses to love you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. I know that I have sinned against You. Lord, forgive me of my sin and create in me a new heart that desires You. Father, help me understand the amazing love You have shown me on the cross and may it motivate me to serve You and serve others. 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

June 22nd 2019 – Giving Others Grace

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“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Ephesians 1:1-2)

In his various letters to people or churches, grace always comes first in Paul’s greetings. It is always grace followed by peace. In his letters to Timothy and Titus he added mercy; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is a beautiful lesson for us. You see friend, we need God’s grace to have peace with Him. We, by His grace, are invited to believe in Jesus as our Savior and through our faith in Him we are saved. Now we are forgiven and at peace with God! Grace and then peace! God shows us great mercy and love in this.

“We have to know God’s grace before we can know God’s peace.”

You can have much greater peace in your life if you give more grace to all of the people in your life. Forgive those who have wronged or hurt you. Be merciful. Love. Give them grace like God gave grace to you… you will lighten your emotional load and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. You want more peace in a relationship? Put more grace in the relationship. Grace is like gravy, it goes on everything and makes everything better. Every relationship you have can be improved with grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for Your grace to me. Thank You for Jesus. I am sorry for the times I have lacked grace and destroyed peace. Please help me give grace to the people in my life. Show me how to be merciful and loving to them like You are to me. As I give grace, please bring peace to my 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

June 18th 2019 – A Glorious Seed Sown

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“So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-43)

A seed… such a tiny thing, yet out of it, the largest of all trees the giant redwood can grow. This is not unlike us. When we are born again, we are given a deposit of God’s Holy Spirit. This Spirit is the beginning of God’s transformation in our lives.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

The amazing reality is that not only is God depositing His Spirit in us, He is preparing us for our heavenly bodies and fellowship with Him for eternity. As the Spirit of God begins changing us, we begin walking more and more in the Spirit. And as a result, we’re displaying the heavenly work happening within us. When at the end of our life the Lord finishes changing us, we will continue walking as spiritual men and women of God for all eternity.

“Heaven should get into us before we get into Heaven.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, It is amazing to think of the gift that has been planted in me. Through Your Holy Spirit, help me to live a heavenly life; one that is eternally minded. Keep me focused on what is important and allow me to share the gift of Christ and our glorious future with others. In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen

If you are reading these devotions and are not a follower of Jesus Christ, please be aware that these seeds of scripture are being sown in your own heart right now… whether this devotion was forwarded to you, are you happen to come across it. It’s no coincidence that you’re reading this today.

I am praying that Gods word start to take root in your heart and you come to know personally the greatest truth you will ever hear.. Jesus Christ died on a cross for you. He loves you and He cares for you. When you call His name and ask for His help, He will set you free.. Click Here if you would like to learn more about Gods salvation, or ask Him into your heart.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

June 17th 2019 – Love Lessons

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“Teacher,” he asked, “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-39)

If you want your life to count while we are here on Earth, we have to focus on it. We have to decied on whats inportant. We don’t have time for everything, and not everything is of equal value.

Jesus said there are two things that are more valuable in life than anything else: loving God and loving each other.

Have you ever wondered why God put us here on Earth to begin with? Why didnt He send us straight to heaven when he created you and me? We are only here for 100 years at the most, and you’re going to live for eternity in Heaven or Hell. And that is all determined by Accepting Jesus os our Savior or not.

The Bible is very clear that God put us here on Earth to do two things: to learn to love God and to learn to love other people. Life is not about a accumulation, accomplishment, or achievement. It’s not about all the things the world tells us life is all about. You can’t take our cars and houses with us. But you are taking your character and you everlasting ability to love.

Today is the day the majority of the world relfects on expressions of love for our spouses, and if your not married, then that special person your interested in.

Biblical Truth:

Any successful marriage is built upon the biblical truth that God designed each of us with five purposes in mind: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions.

It is important to have is a marriage centered on Christ, specifically focused on glorifying God.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The he added, “The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your [spouse] as you love yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)

In this sense, you worship God when you love and sacrifice for your spouse. That brings pleasure to God, and any time you give pleasure to God, you’re worshiping him. Read through Romans 12 with a view of what its applications would mean to your marriage:

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:10)

God put us on Earth for 80 to 100 years so we can learn to love Him with all of our heart and learn to love others. Life is one giant “Love Lesson♡♡!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I want to glorify my love for You by loving my spouse as you have expressed Your love for me. I never knew true love until You taught me how to love. I am so greatful for the blessings that You have provided for me. I thank you for my spouse and I pray that I can express Your love through me. In Your precious name, Amen.

Experience a love like no other.

If you do not know Jesus 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 and struggles in life. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

June 13th 2019 – Reignited

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“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

Have you ever watched a fire begin to burn down to the point that all you have left are coals? It looks as though there is no fire actually left, because the coals may be under a layer of ash. You can’t really see much. But when you take a fresh log and toss it on top of those coals and stir it around a bit, suddenly it ignites, and you have a whole new fire going.

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). That phrase stir up the gift means to fan it into full flame.

There may be live coals in your life, but you have allowed the fire to go down. You haven’t been using the gifts that God has given you, the talents He has given you. It’s time to fan them into full flame again. It’s time to be reignited. It’s time to say, “Lord, how can I use what You have given me for Your glory until You return?”

It’s easy for our Christian faith to go stale. We say the right words and go through the right motions while having a cold heart toward God. One thing that causes our faith to become stagnant is we forget that Christianity is not about a set of ideas; it’s about the most important person in all history – Jesus Christ, who came from heaven to earth not only to provide a way for us to escape hell after we die, but also to show us a better way of living before we leave this world.

We need to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. If we will humble ourselves and take what we have and offer it to God, if we are willing to do what He has set before us and be faithful in the little things, then He will give us more to do.

Any time you take a chance, you can fail. But it’s better to try than to never have anything happen in your life. I would rather try and fail than never try at all.

“It’s time to be reignited.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love for me and the faith that has grown in my heart. I ask that You fan my flame and ignite my faith into a towering infernal for you Lord! I want to use my life and talents to please You. Help me share Your love and the message to others. Keep my heart full of faith during in the often trials of my life, that I may be on fire to inspire others and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Seeking a personal relationship with Jesus?

If you do not know Jesus 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. 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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

June 8th 2019 – Foolish? Offensive?

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“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

There are many websites, books, movies and other things portraying the message of the cross as foolish. People pursue legal action to remove the cross and its meaning. Why? Because the cross offends those who do not want to hear the message. Jesus Christ came and died for our sins, and that’s offensive?! Yes, we are all sinners. “Well, that is just so judgmental.” No, it’s the truth. People don’t want to hear it. Jesus and the cross demand that we admit our failings. We cannot admit we are sinners and yet cling to our pride.

Pride feels so good, doesn’t it? “Look at me. I am a self-made man. Come and be amazed by my shiny pride.” No, unfortunately you are an incomplete and malfunctioning created being without Jesus in your heart. In spite of your pride, He stands knocking and waiting for you to open the door and ask Him in. It’s an incredibly simple plan that requires an incredibly simple response of child-like faith and a King David sized heart of boldness.

“The fact people think we are foolish is evidence that they are perishing.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the invitation of the cross. I know my sins have separated me from You, Lord. I ask that You forgive me of all of my sins. Give me the power to live for You all the days of my life. Thank You that You have made my relationship with You so simple. In humble faith, I give You my weaknesses and flaws and ask that Your glory be revealed in 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

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