Category Archives: Faith

November 28th 2017 – Crack of Dawn

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)

A very interesting thing happened to me yesterday. I stopped by the store to pick up some medicine for my friend who was feeling ill. On the way out I encountered a gentleman and we struck up a conversation. During the course of talking about how insane it is becoming all around us. Then, this very question was asked to me. “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?”

All humans, deep down inside know what is right and what is wrong. Unfortunately we choose to do certain things that are wrong. We know what the Bible says, but somehow we think that we are above it. Or it won’t happen to us. Therefore, we play around with sin. And sin ultimately plays around with us.

There are many people today that know that Bible prophecy is true. They know that God has foretold many of the events that are happening around us. But yet they continue to live as they please.

But you know what, the Lord’s coming draws closer and closer every day. The Bible says, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.” (Romans 13:12). It’s time for us to wake up!

One thing that always amazes me when I get up really early in the morning to pray and write these devotions. It’s pitch dark outside, But sure enough every day that sun slowly begins to rise. And when it was only darkness a few moments ago, suddenly it’s lightening up. And the next thing you know the sun is out and it’s lit up.

This is how our world is right now. It’s dark. And it has been dark for a long time. We say it will always be this way. No. The sun is beginning to rise. Christ is going to come back again. Be ready for His return.

“For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 24:27)

“Don’t wait until it’s too late!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we love and praise You for being who You are, (The One True God.) I thank You for loving me and for Your willingness to always welcome all with open arms if they only call out to You for salvation. Thank You for revealing to the significance of the prophesy of Your impending return. I know its not too late, and that salvation is still available to all that would choose to believe and ask You into their heart, leaving all of their old ways, (broken and full of pain) and being reborn a new creation with a clean slate and a fresh start. Praise You Jesus for dieing on the Cross to redeem us pay for our sin and give us this opportunity to ask You to save us In your precious name Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! “In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to 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

 

November 25th 2017 – The Garment of Praise

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3)

As the Thanksgiving weekend winds down and friends and family unfortantally get ready to depart back home. Many of us will experience a spirit of sadness. Maybe you went out on “Black Friday” and wittnessed people who, just the day before celebrated “Thanksgiving and Gratitude”. Now  in a mad frenzy to get whatever they can for the cheapest price, Often rude and inconsiderate. Or even worse, you made the mistake  to turn on the news and saw all the horific headlines. Its not hard to look around and feel a “spirit of despair”

Well Isaiah 61:3 prescribes a “garment of praise” for your condition. If you’re having trouble putting on that garment today, these words will get you focused on the names and attributes of your Creator. Our God is holy, loving, eternal and amazing beyond all of our comprehension. Let’s pray these words together and get our eyes off our sadness and all the worldly troubles, and focus on our heavenly Father who deserves our praise!

Garment-of-Praise

“When you are sad or feel despair, Don’t focus on it,  Put you sights on God with Praise and Worship!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You are my Creator and my Counselor, guiding me daily to make wise decisions. You are my Comforter in sorrow, pain, or distress. I praise you for drawing near to me when I draw near to you. You are the God who sees me and you are Eternal, Lord. You are my heavenly Father, and the father of the fatherless. How great are you and your faithfulness, God, day in and day out.

You are holy, yet you made a way for me to approach you. I praise you for being my Helper, and for your Holy Spirit’s conviction, correction, and protection in my life. You are invisible, but I see you with eyes of faith. You are the One who provides for all my needs. I praise you as my God who heals, and for being my faithful Shepherd. You are not just King, but you are King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. And yes, you are Jesus, the name above all names.

With my whole heart I praise you, God. You are Messiah, the soon and coming King. You are omniscient; you know all things. You are omnipresent; everywhere at all times. You are my Peace, my Protector, and the High Priest who became my Redeemer and Sacrifice forever. You died to set me free; you rose again and gave me victory over death. No longer am I enslaved in sin; you are my Salvation, my Rescuer and my Refuge. You give me hope within.

You are preparing a place for me so that one day I will live with you forever. Maybe then and only then will I be able to praise you adequately in a way not possible here on earth the way you truly deserve all my love, all my praise to you. How excellent is your name in which I pray! 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

November 21st 2017 – Miraculous Healing

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)

I believe that God continues to heal today. We know He has built into our bodies a natural process in which miraculously heals us over time. But I believe God can quicken the healing process.

I also believe that He can definitely do a miracle when we have been told there is no hope. I have seen  many of these miracles myself. God promises His healing touch and tells us that by His stripes we are healed. So we should ask God to heal us when we are facing sickness.

In James 5, we are given the scriptural pattern for healing: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

It is interesting that the Bible does not say, “Is anyone among you sick? Then go find a “faith healer.” I’m not suggesting that miracles didn’t take place in the early church because they certainly did. I’m not saying that healing wasn’t done by faith because it was. My point is that it never was the focus of the apostles. The early church didn’t follow signs and wonders because the signs and wonders followed them. This is an important distinction.

We can go to God and ask Him to heal. I thank God that healing is available to us today. But we make a mistake when we focus on act of healing. Instead we should focus on the proclamation of God’s Word and leave the miracles, healings, and the rest up to God to do as He sovereignly chooses.

“Choose to believe that God still heals miraculously!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, your Word speaks promises of healing and restoration and I thank you for the miracles You still perform today. Today I claim those promises over myself. I believe in the healing power of faith and prayer and I ask you to begin your mighty work in my life. Please reach down and surround me with supernatural peace and strength and increases my faith to have no doubt at all that all things are possible in you. Protect me from Satan’s lies and discouragement and let my miraculous healing begin. 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

November 19th 2017 – Worship with Unaffected Joy

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)

Just as something wonderful happens when God’s people get together and study His Word, something extraordinary happens when God’s people get together and sing His praises. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Now this verse is not saying that God only shows up when people worship, because God is omnipresent. But He manifests His presence in a very special way when His people lift up His name in praise and worship.

Did you know that the early church was a worshipping church. As we read above in Acts 2:46–47 it tells us, “They ate their food with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people”

The phrase “great joy and generosity” literally means (with unaffected joy) There was joy in the early church. They were vibrant. But they also had reverence. A few verses earlier in (Acts 2:43) we read “A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.”

There should be joy and reverence. Those are elements that should be in our worship. The Spirit-filled church will be a worshipping church, and the Spirit filled Christian will be a worshipping Christian.

Someone might say, “Well, I just don’t always feel like worshipping.” Do you think the first-century believers always felt like praising God? They were harassed. They were beaten. They were mocked. These Christians faced persecution on a massive scale, but they were thankful to God.

The Bible doesn’t say, “Give thanks to the Lord when you feel good.” Rather, it says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!” (1 Chronicles 16:34). That is how Job was able to worship God after calamity came knocking at his door.

“Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.” (Job 1:20).

“Sometimes worship can be a sacrifice. But we should still worship with unaffected joy “

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am in awe of Your unending, unconditional love. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection on my behalf, I am able to be free from the bondage of sin and future condemnation. You are so good to me, and I desire to respond with a life of surrender to you. Fill me with Joy and reverence, fill me with Your Spirit and help me to live a life of love and service for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Click to Watch – Kari Jobe (Forever)

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

November 18th 2017 – God’s Provision

“Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:32-33)

God promises to meet all our financial needs, if you sincerely ask Him for help, learn how to be content, practice giving in faith, maintain your integrity, and trust him with your life.

Worry is honesty just a form of not beleiving in God. Every time you worry, you’re acting like an atheist. You’re saying, “It all depends on me.” That’s just not what Bible the bible says.

Worry is a warning light that you doubt the love of God. Yet, the Bible says God “provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” (Psalm 111:5)

The book of Romans tells us that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay for our salvation. If God loves us enough to send his own son to die for you, don’t you think he loves you enough to take care of your bills?

Don’t you realize that any other problem is minor by comparison, that He solved your biggest problem when he saved you? The bottom line is really this: Am I going to believe that God will do what He says He will do — that he will provide for me?

Plain and simple, God wants us to trust in His provision for our needs, and sometimes that provision requires us to step out in faith and use what resources He has given us. It may not seem like a lot to us, but God can multiply the efforts when we trust Him.

“Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God–which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.” ( 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

“God Wants Us to Trust Him”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask that You increase within me your obedient spirit so that I may be obedient to Your instruction.  Help me Lord to walk by faith and not by sight.  I don’t always understand what You’re doing in my life, but I make a decision to trust You God, I ask in true faith that You will provide for my needs. place within me joy; peace and rest to endure all that comes my way. Right now, I make a decision to trust You Lord because I know that You’re in control of my life even when my life seems to be out of control. Lord, I thank You for clarity, guidance, provision and strength.  I pray and ask for these things 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

November 17th 2017 – Be at Rest!

“Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.”(Psalm 116:7)

We humans aren’t as unstoppable as we think we are. Every night, we have to stop what we’re doing and close our eyes and rest, even if just a few hours. We aren’t capable of finishing our creations in a day, a week, or sometimes, even in a year.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2-2-3)

Unlike God, we must break off our work and sleep before the 7th day. Individually, eash of us have to acknowledge our limitations and rest, even if inadequately, before getting up again for our work. Our progress comes in halting steps, our work never quite finished, so unlike the God who created the world in six days and then rested. Sleep is a physical humility, an acknowledgment of God’s greater power and our trust that He works and watches even when we’re unconscious.  It means believing that He gives to his beloved even in his sleep.

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” (Psalm 127:2).

So what happens when we get so busy that we don’t rest?

I’m talking about physical rest as well as mental rest. There are lots of health articles about the importance of reducing stress, and plenty of advice focusing on not worrying. And of course the doctor is always telling us that we need a good eight hours of a sleep a night. But – and maybe it’s just me – sometimes it’s tempting to wear my lack of sleep, my busy schedule, and my looming responsibilities like a badge of honor.

We secretly glorify the people who do it all, no matter the costs. Sure, we all have busy seasons with a new baby or the project due at work. But often, I think my refusal to rest is a symptom of self-sufficiency hardening into pride. The longer I’m awake, the longer I can control my environment and my results. It means less trusting that God will give me what I need and more time scraping together what I need and desire. Often, it means getting so busy doing things for God that we neglect our primary relationship with him.

The command to “be at rest” isn’t just for our benefit.  Rest is not a guilty pleasure we have to sneak. Instead, we need to think of rest as a grace-filled reminder that we are creatures of clay dependent on a much stronger God. Our energy levels wind down until we are forced to acknowledge that – surprise! – we can’t engineer our lives as much as we’d like to think. But that weakness allows God to make us a promise, in book of Matthew Jesus said the following.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

God can bless even our rest when we’re following him. And he wants us to rest as an acknowledgment of our human limitations. When we rest, we’re expressing our faith in God’s ability to bring to all things to completion.

“To be able to ‘rest in your faith’ or have peace, you must be trusting in Christ alone.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the work done on my behalf. Thank You that I do not have to work my way to Heaven, but instead can place my faith in the grace of Christ. Help me Lord to acknowledge in my own heart and mind that I can find true rest each night and not continue to carry such anxiety and stress. You did not create us to suffer. It is me that needs to realize that I make the choice each day to trust in You, or try to control my life  I understand  that in such crazy times, I need to completly lean of you for help and guidance. Help me to remain in Your rest and to share this Truth with 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 16th 2017 – Temporary Obstacles

“They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. Years later when Xerxes began his reign, the enemies of Judah wrote a letter of accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.” (Ezra 4:5-6)

In Ezra chapter 4, we find Israel in the midst of rebuilding the Temple. Yet while they were in the middle of this glorious project, their enemies began making things hard for them. Often in the middle of those obstacles in life, we begin believing that they will remain forever, that they will never end. Dont fall pray to that type of thinking, that is a lie. When you think that or believe that, you start to think, “Well, I have to do something!” You begin considering bailing on the situation, leaving the battle or quitting the fight. The reality is that often the temptation to run is worse right before the breakthrough.

Whether the obstacles are found in your marriage, your work place or even your church; trust the Lord and hold on tight. If there is nothing unbiblical happening and no physical threat, then trust the Lord and remain in the challenge. Too often, we can run from a church or family problem because we think it’s too much trouble to deal with, but remember there is a blessing in persevering to the end. Remember, the obstacles will come in life, but they are always temporary.

“Always remember that obstacles are seasonal or temporary, meaning they do not last forever.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I’m sorry for those times I have run from obstacles in life without fully seeking Your will. Help me to persevere through the difficult times so that I may experience the blessings of victory and rest at the other end. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I can be fully equipped to remain faithful to You and Your Word. 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

November 15th 2017 – I Belong to God’s Family

“Praise God for the privilege of being in Christ’s family and being called by his wonderful name!” (1 Peter 4:16)

Healthy families have family pride; members are not ashamed to be recognized as a part of the family. Sadly, there are many Christians who’ve never publicly identified themselves with God’s family by being baptized.

Baptism is not some ritual to forced on you as a child. You need to be consciously able to make the decision to follow Jesus Christ prior to Baptism. Just like accepting Jesus into your life it should not be delayed or postponed. It signifies your inclusion in God’s family. It publicly announces to the world, “I am not ashamed to be a part of God’s family.” Jesus commanded this beautiful act for all in his family.

For years I wondered why Jesus’ Great Commission gives the same prominence to baptism as it does to the great tasks of evangelism and edification. Why is baptism so important? Because it symbolizes one of the purposes of your life: incorporation into the fellowship of God’s eternal family.

Baptism declares your faith, shares Christ’s burial and Resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old life, and announces your new life in Christ. It is also a celebration of your inclusion in God’s family.

Your baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. It represents what happened the moment God brought you into his family.

Baptism doesn’t make you a member of God’s family; only faith in Christ does that. Baptism shows you are part of God’s family. Like a wedding ring, it is a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart. It is an act of initiation, not something you put off until you are spiritually mature. The only biblical condition is that you believe.

The Bible says, “Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11).

Being included in God’s family is the highest honor, the greatest privilege you and I will ever receive. Nothing else comes close. Why not pause right now and thank God that he included you?

Let that amazing truth sink in! Because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you.. If you haven’t been baptized as an expression of your faith in Christ, do so immediately, as Jesus commanded.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we love and praise you for being who you are, (The One True God.) I thank you for loving me and for welcoming me into your family with open arms. I am proud to be called a child of God. Thank You for revealing to me the significance of dieing to ones self, leaving all of our old ways and being reborn a new creation with a clean slate and a fresh start.  I pray tonight that anyone that has not publically announced thier faith through baptism would do so as soon as possible. In your precious name Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! “In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to 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

November 14th 2017 – When We Give

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

Many times we try to give what we think others might need, but as we see in this story, Peter didn’t have any money on him, he had something better.  He had the power of the Name of Jesus, and with that Name he was able to see a miracle happen.

So don’t always look for what you don’t have, look for what you do have.  What’s that in your hand?  You might say, well I don’t have a hundred dollars to give to the work of my church, but God will always say “what do you have?”  If you’ve got five and you’re willing to give that with a cheerful heart, God sees it just like it was a hundred.

You might say, well I don’t have the time to help in the children or teen ministry.  Yet maybe you can help on special events or once and a while.  “Give What You Have” and give it from your heart.  God our Father doesn’t look at the outside, He looks at the heart.

Do you remember the poor widow who gave the two pennies?  She had so little but Jesus said she gave so much.  Many try to say, so all I have to do is give a little like that poor widow did?  Well, no!  The scripture said she gave all that she had.  So what do you have today?  Give that and watch God give you such an increase that it will just amaze you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, I give what I have and I give it from my heart. You were never looking for us to give what we don’t have,  just to give what we do have. I have learned that as I give (not out of obligation, but wanting to give) more of my time, my talents, and my treasure, You God, always reward me with blessings much greater than what I freely gave to further Your Kingdom. You always amaze me Lord. Thank You for teaching me to give in this way.. In Jesus’ precious and glorious 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

November 13th 2017 – Cast Away Anxiousness

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:16)

I like the candor of Scripture. If the bible says “Don’t be anxious about anything,” we can be sure it’s because there are things that will cause us anxiety. This world is filled with evil, and it will touch our lives. Yet Scripture says, “Don’t be anxious.” Yes, there are things that cause anxiety, but anxiety doesn’t have to dominate us. How can that be? Because we are to give our anxieties to God with prayer and petition and thanksgiving, and then the peace of God will guard our hearts and our minds. God is the difference maker. Can you live your life apart from God? Certainly. But our thoughts and emotions are a battlefield, and when you invite God into your life He will fight that battle for you.

(1 Peter 5:7) “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

“When we filter our emotions through God’s Word, we will find peace, joy and the ability to persevere no matter the circumstance we face.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You asking for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Holy Spirit, I ask for Your intervention into my thoughts when I am feeling anxious. Remind me that the Father has promised to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to 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