Category Archives: Free Will

September 7th 2019 -Salvation By Our Faith In Jesus

“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

This is the verse that started the reformation. It is quoted in Romans, Galatians and Hebrews. We are not saved by works; we are saved by grace. In other words, the faith that does not change your life will not save your soul.

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Paul is speaking of everyone who believes. Once you are forgiven, you begin to do things that honor God and in that He reveals His righteousness to those around us. Faith should be living and active. If you believe in what Jesus said, it should affect your life. You should begin loving God and loving people and you should want to go to church and hang out with other believers. These things are an overflowing of your faith. It starts with faith and overflows to good works. If you do not see good works as a result of your faith, you should be concerned. If we stand on our own righteousness then we stand ashamed. If we accept Jesus as our Savior and we stand in His righteousness, then we stand not ashamed.

“We are not saved by our works. We are saved by our faith in Jesus.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me and saving me by grace through faith. I know I am saved because of You, Jesus died to purchase my salvation. Thank You that my salvation is not something I have to work for, but that it is by faith. Thank You for Your Grace. Lord, please show me opportunities to do good works in Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Interested in knowing Jesus personally? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 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

August 21st 2019 – Unconditional Love

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“I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.” (2 John 1:5-6)

Saying the words “I love you” is easy, but how many people do you love so deeply that you expect nothing in return from them.

Love is unending; love is not selfish because it asks for nothing in return; love is unmerited because it is not deserved; love is unconditional because it is not based on actions; and it is from God because it is not something that can be done in your own strength.

God loved you so much that even knowing you would turn away and very possibly never return His love, He still sent His one and only son to die for you.

Once you accept and understand this concept of love, you can grow into who God created you to be. How do you do this? By allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you, relying on the Word of God, and applying it your heart.

Then there will be a new life, new desires, new nature and a new heart.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

This unconditional love, when you understand it, will inspire you to respond to others in the same way. Love without expectation just as God did for you.

Unconditional love is not always easy. Loving another person when they can be hateful or mean to you can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love.

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Who are you struggling to love? Take the situation to the Lord and then look for an opportunity to show God’s love to that person. You’ll be amazed at what God will do!

“In growth and maturity, unconditional love is the test. Even the unbeliever loves when all is going well.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the love You have shown me. I know there have been times I have not loved others like I should, and I ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to show the same kind of unconditional love You have shown me because I desire to love You and to love 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

August 1st 2019 – The Path Ahead

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“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)

Pour all of your energy into trusting God. It is through trust that you stay connected and aware of God’s presence. Every step in your life journey can be a step of faith. Baby steps of trust can be simple for you, you can take them with almost unconscious ease. Giant steps of faith are another matter altogether. These steps require sheer concentration as well as a utter commitment to God.

We are all at stages in life, each of us have different temperaments, and different gifts we have developed from our individual life experiences.
Something that is a baby step for one person could be a huge step for another person. Do not judge others who hesitate in trembling fear before a act that might be very easy for you. Beware of of trying to impress others by acting like your giant steps are baby ones or vice or versa. If each of us would seek to please God above all else, our fears of others or judgments would vanish, as would any attempts to impress others.

“Focus your attention on the path just ahead of you, and one on the One that never leaves your side.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please continue to guide and direct our steps as we walk down life’s path. May we always seek you over all distractions. I praise you and all you have done in my life. I choose to seek and follow You as we continue to move forward from my current location on life’s path to where You Lord have destined me to be.
I love You, In Jesus’ name. Amen

Don’t walk down the path of life without Jesus by your side. If you have not accepted Him as your Savior, Click Here to read Four 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

July 31st 2019 – Be Truthful, Be Real!

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“I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” (1 Corinthians 2:3)

Paul is being very honest about himself in this verse. He is not trying to appear better than he really is. He isn’t covering up his weakness. In fact, in 1 Timothy 1:16 Paul proclaims that he is an example of God’s longsuffering. He is not a perfect man but a perfect example of God’s loving-kindness, grace and mercy.

At times, Christians act like we don’t have any problems. The problem with this is that it leaves an impression to those who don’t know Jesus. They see Christians pretending they are not messed up and assume that since they still struggle with problems, they don’t belong in church. In doing so, are we proclaiming God’s goodness or our own?

We need to proclaim God’s goodness by being open about our problems and proclaiming that it is the goodness of God that saves! That’s being real. It’s real life, demonstrating the real love and real hope of the real God. In your weakness, the Good News of Jesus Christ is made strong.

“We should be real with people and not portray some False Spirituality”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins and for giving me the opportunity to experience life more abundantly. Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. I want the offer of joy, hope and peace that only You can give. 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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 26th 2019 – Compromised

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“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

In today’s society, it can be difficult to live a life that calls for us to be different. We excuse away bad behavior and submit to pressures that weigh on us – and we compromise. We try to do things our own way and resist doing things God’s way. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If we seek Him humbly and turn from our wrongdoings we can have this intimate relationship with Him.” Zephaniah 1:1-6 Warns if we disobey Him, our lives will be consumed with ruin.

God longs for us to be obedient and to learn discipline, He desires a deep relationship with us. While we cannot live a perfect life, we can set our heart and minds on God and seek Him.

Are you living on the fence? Have you compromised in your relationship with Him or other Christians. What about in prayer or in time with Him and His Word? Are you willing to seek God and turn away from your own selfish ways? The day is drawing near when God will intervene in each of our lives. In our inability to offer Him anything, He still accepts you and me. God provides a way out through His Son, Jesus, as payment for our sins–for those who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

What will you decide today? If you have a relationship with Jesus and you have been compromising and in a backslidden condition, now is the time to reevaluate and focus your eyes back on Jesus.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He offers you the opportunity to decide to ask Him into your life, seek His forgiveness of your sins and live for Him.

Sit on the fence or reject Him and spend eternity separated from Him. This is an act of your will and no one can make the decision for you. The time is now.

“The warning still applies to us today.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the opportunity to examine my relationship with You. I have strayed, and I do not want to compromise my life anymore. I commit myself to You afresh. I admit that I am a sinner. I believe You sent Your Son to die for my sins.Right now, I ask for Your power to help me turn from my sins. Thank You for forgiving me and saving me. Help me to be a blessing to You and others with each day that You give to 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

July 24th 2019 – One

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“For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10:17)

The Body of Christ is truly amazing as millions of believers all over the world will come together today with one common goal of sharing the Gospel. When the church, the body of Christ, is functioning correctly, the world around it is blessed as people are fed, clothed and given the life-changing Truth of God’s Word. Unfortunately because of division, worldly pleasures or indifference, the church can lose sight of the lost as well as the One we are serving.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)

Before Jesus was arrested, He prayed asking the Father to make all believers one as He and His Father are One. When Christians come together as the body of Christ, we come together with different likes and dislikes, personalities and social statuses. We may even have some secondary doctrinal differences, but with all those differences, we have One unifying similarity. We have all been forgiven by a gracious God and we call Jesus Lord. With this as our banner, we can stand in unity as one body for the sake of the lost.

“There is a special relationship between people who are Christians.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the body of Christ. Thank You for loving brothers and sisters who are there to encourage and challenge me in my faith. I also thank You for the Lord for the very special people that You have brought into my life, I pray that You would help unite us as one so that we can be used in a powerful way to take Your Gospel to all the nations. 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

July 22nd 2019 – For God So Loved the World

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

When we think of Christ and the day He came to us, many of us may think of baby Christ lying in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph and shepherds. This is the foundation of the holiday we call Christmas. While we all have different perspectives on that day, there is one thing that Jesus Christ first arival on earth did. It brought and continues to bring the light that can change our lives – forever. It’s this, “For God so loved the world that He gave…”

The Maker of all creation gave to us. He did not give to us because we were worth it or because we had something to offer. He gave because He loved. The moment God became flesh was the most perfect act of love in history. Jesus left the glories of heaven and the throne of His Father and came into the tiny town of Bethlehem as a baby. With this act, God declared to all of humanity, “You are not alone.” Jesus did not come into Bethlehem bringing condemnation. He came so that He could give His life so that our sins could be forgiven. This is the greatest gift you will ever receive, but like all gifts you must open it first.

“Jesus came to save and forgive anyone who believes in Him, not to condemn them.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your precious gift. Thank You for sending Jesus into our world so that we can have hope. I understand that it’s because of His life, death, and resurrection that I can be forgiven of all that I’ve done. Father, help me to keep this as my focus and give me the boldness to share this good news with others so that they may come to know you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Seeking Jesus in your life?

Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13)

If you have not asked Jesus into your life you can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer.

Prayer is just talking with God. He knows your heart, so don’t worry about getting your words just right. Here is a suggested prayer to guide you:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you have done this, then congratulations! (Luke 15:7) says that when one sinner accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour the angels rejoice. So there’s a party going on in heaven right now over your decision! Remember this date as your “second birthday,” the day you were born into a new life in Christ! You have God’s Word that he answered your prayer.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

Seeing The Whole Picture

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“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (1 John 1:6)

Have you ever seen or heard of a photo mosaic? It’s a really large image made up of many, many smaller pictures. I always thought they were really cool, because each individual picture has a story of its own, but when you take a few steps back and look at the entire masterpiece, it is really something else.

“And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Jesus and implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:22-26)

God is in control, always. He has a reason for everything, though it may not be (immediately, or ever) revealed to us. In this passage, I find it noteworthy that Jesus decided to heal the man’s sight in two steps (instead of immediate complete healing).

For one thing, Jesus’ simple question (“Do you see anything?”) is a chance for Him to test and challenge the man’s faith. Is the man bold enough to honestly answer Jesus and tell Him that he only sees “trees walking around?” Is the man’s faith great enough to trust that Jesus has the power of complete healing? (How would you respond?)

Also, I think that Jesus’ two-step healing of the man’s sight is representative of a situation we often find ourselves in. Many times, we think we see the whole picture. We think that we know everything that is going on. However, we sometimes find that what we are looking at is just one little frame in the huge mosaic masterpiece. Our vision is equivalent to seeing people as trees walking around. We think we see it all, but God has so, so much more in store. He has so much more that He wants to show us. Ask Him to reveal more of His desire and His heart to you today.

“To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, fully open my eyes to your current condition–physical, spiritual, emotional, mental during this quiet time in Your presence. With this new sight and new life that You Lord have given to me, I ask you to give me eyes like yours, that you may see You at work everywhere, both on the micro and macro scale. When I feel like all I can see is vague shapes of you presence, I ask earnestly and boldly that You will reveal to me not only the bigger picture, but how my work can further Your kingdom. I love you Lord, 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

July 16th 2019 – 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?

“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.” (Romans 12:2)

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.

“If you are on the right path, it will almost always be heading up hill.”

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.

Don’t go walk the path of life without Jesus! If you have not accepted Him as your Savior, Click Here to read Four 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

July 8th 2019 – Be of Good Courage?

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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.

“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.” (Joshua 24:15)

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, who is 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!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I desire to choose You above everything else. Lord, give me courage to step out on to the battlefield to serve You and share your glorious message to others. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. God, use me to change someone’s life by directing them to 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

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