Category Archives: General Devotions

November 3rd 2017 – Face to Face with God

“But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face-to-face” (Psalm 17:15)

I recently read an article, it stated that a baby’s sight is the last sense to develop. However, even before they can focus, newborns look toward faces. The study showed that infants also begin to read faces when they are very young. They feel positive vibes from a smile and smile back. If a mother frequently smiles and interacts with her newborn, the infant smiles in anticipation as soon as she enters the room.

Likewise, babies recognize when a face shows displeasure or disgust. If the Mom is preoccupied or angry and doesn’t return the smile, the baby’s smile will fade, the eyes look perplexed, and the face becomes blank. A baby learns to take cues from others in the room, especially its mother.

If infants don’t receive positive interaction during early development, they are stunted in personal interactions. As older children, they show little emotion in response to others. In some areas of the world, orphans sit alone in cribs and get little positive contact with adults. As a result, they are severely underdeveloped emotionally. Even physical growth is stunted. The study showed that Face to face interaction is completely necessary for healthy development.

As adults, we continue to watch faces. We subconsciously observe how people respond. We can tell if our audience is pleased, amused, delighted, or displeased. We see it in their faces, and we adjust. We sometimes will embellish our story for greater response, add more detail to support our view, or we end the conversation quickly. We take our cues from faces around us.

Maybe we’re created that way so we will properly relate to God.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. (Psalm 27:8)

David is the the only person in the Bible that repeatedly talked about God’s face. Likewise, David is the only one we’re told was a man after God’s heart. Do you think that David could have gained a heart after God’s heart because he was practiced in looking into the face of God? Could it be that David got his cues from God rather than from those around him?

If, like a baby, we look into God’s face for cues, He will lead us with His eyes. As we allow His eyes to guide us, our lives will reflect His righteousness. As a baby responds to loving parents, we will delight in His pleasure.

The problem is that sometimes we’re too busy to gaze into His eyes. We’re also distracted by gauging what our friends, our church and society think of us.

If we don’t seek the face of God, we’ll we be like those third world babies, trapped in a crib, stunted in our spiritual growth. We won’t reflect our God to the world. I don’t want to be stunted. I want to reflect the righteousness of God to those around me.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Help me turn my eyes to You and to gaze into Your eyes. Like David, I want to seek Your face, I want to live my life pleasing to You Lord. I want to see You smile. Thank You for giving me life and for being the ultimate Father. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 2nd 2017 – Seek Jesus In All Seasons

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“God has made everything beautiful for its own time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Life is full of up’s and down’s, sometimes we are going through mountains, and other times we go through valleys. We go through successes, and we go through failures.

With the weather, there are four seasons. But in life, there are many different seasons. And every season of life includes both good and bad times.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) identifies many different life experiences: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace”

Life is a combination of many seasons. All sunshine and no rain makes a dry baren desert, too much rain causes a flood. If you’re following God’s will, if you’re trying to live your life according to the way God wants you to live, then you’ll eventually see that these experiences can have purpose and value in your life.

You may think that the only time you’re in God’s will is when you’re in church or having a quiet time with the Lord.

You can be in God’s will as you’re at work. You can be in God’s will as you’re making dinner for your family. You can be in God’s will when you move to a new town or stay right where you are. There’s a time and season for everything.

When your going through a season and it seems like all hell is breaking loose, seek and lean on Jesus for peace in the storm. Scripture reminds us that “God has made everything beautiful for its own time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Because the Bible is saying that God can take even the bad things, and in the proper season, turn them around and use them for good in the way he intends.

You may be going through a season right now that is not beautiful. Your finances look bad. Your health looks bad. Your marriage or a relationship with your children looks bad. Maybe a friendship looks bad. Your forcast for the future looks like storms after storms.

But God can make something good out of it as you trust him with the broken and damaged pieces.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for the good seasons that You have blessed me with. And during the not so good seasons I will continue to seek You. Thank you Lord that with You we can victorious over every season, every storm, every broken relationship and every trouble or obstacle in life. Thank you that you have overcome sin, and death, and any evil that we may face today. And because of you, we too are overcomers. We too can have victory, and we can walk strong in your peace in every season and especially in the raging storms when my very survival looks hopeless. I trust in You that something good and beautiful will be revealed as I trust You with the broken and damaged pieces. 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

October 31st 2017 – Be Aware, Stay Alert!

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“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:7)

Reading through Mark chapter and relecting over this past year. This prophesy seeming more real now. In it, Jesus reminds us that when we see certain signs that indicate we are in, or are entering into the end times, we don’t have to be alarmed.

He reminds us that we will know these are prophetic words coming to pass when we hear of “wars and rumors of wars,” when we see certain events unfolding, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (Mark 13:8)

And also, in this one chapter where Jesus is telling us of all that’s to come, signs of the end times, He says this over and over, 7 different times throughout these verses…

He warns us to Be Aware.

His words are true are they are for now, right now, in this day and time, and throughout all future days until he comes again. May we be faithful, wise to listen, and may He help us to apply them to life:

“Watch out that no one deceives you…” (Mark 13:5)

“You must be on your guard…” (Mark 13:9)

“So be on your guard, I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23)

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” (Mark 13:33)

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.” (Mark 13:35)

“If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (Mark 13:36)

As believers, we have hope in Christ, we know beyond a doubt He is at work in this world and He will come again.

“Let’s keep working while it is still day…”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Praying for Your mercy through the storms and floods, through the earthquakes, through the fires, may You draw many to Youself in these final days. And may we be found living as light in a world that needs His great peace. I lift up the ones that may be feeling worried and fearful in these days. I pray that they choose to trust and believe that You are working in our world, even behind the scenes where we can’t fully see. I Ask that Your overwhelming presence of peace to fill their life today, and they ask for Your help in staying aware and alert. Pray that You our God will help us, as believers, to be a light to others who need His hope in dark times. 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

October 30th 2017 – Apathy

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“When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.” (Obadiah 1:11)

Apathy, detachment, disinterest, disregard… no matter what anyone calls it, it should never be an option for any follower of Jesus. In the book of Obadiah, God proclaims judgment on Edom because they stood by and watched Israel be destroyed and taken into captivity. They saw their brother in need and did nothing. Contrast this to Jesus who was active in our redemption.

(Philippians 2:7-8) “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Jesus intentionally left His throne and the glory of Heaven to walk in the pain and suffering of the world. He then purposefully gave up His life so that we could know forgiveness. He could have stayed in Heaven, but because of His great love for us and in obedience to the Father, Jesus acted. As followers of Christ, may we be active in loving, caring for and sharing with others. Who knows what a small act of kindness or encouraging word could do to change a life.

“The greatest danger to your future is Apathy.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus and His love and obedience. Because of His active role in my redemption, I can know forgiveness and grace. In the same way that You were intentional in the salvation of man, may I be intentional in ministering to those around me. Fill me with Your Spirit and equip me to be a light in this dark world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 27th 2017 – Wells Without Water

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“These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (2 Peter 2:17)

In the book of 2 Peter, the apostle Peter is sharing the sad truth about false teachers. In the description above, He calls them wells without water. What a brilliant way to describe someone who pretends to have the Truth of God. Imagine as people come to hear this Truth but are disappointed because there is no real living water to drink from. All they find is an well that contains no water.

The Truth is that God desires to give us His living water and make our lives fruitful. In order to do this, He calls us to connect with Him through His Son Jesus. This is not simply a religious routine, it’s a life-changing relationship. Jesus described it this way…

(John 15:5 )”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

As we spend time with Jesus in prayer, reading His Word and fellowshipping with His people, we will find ourselves living fruitful lives. The reason is simple; we are visiting the deep life-giving well of the Lord Jesus Christ. His well is filled to overflowing, and He welcomes everyone to drink deep and thirst no more.

“Without Jesus Christ, our life will be fruitless and wasted.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the refreshing water of life that is found in Jesus. God, You tell us that when we connect to this water, we will also have living waters coming from us. Fill my life to overflowing so that I would be a fruitful worker of the 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

October 26th 2017 – Commitment

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“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.” (John 19:17-18)

It is painful to consider what Jesus went through for us and to think about what He endured on our behalf. The remarkable truth I keep coming back to time and time again is that it was His decision. He decided to endure these things… the suffering, the beatings and the crucifixion. It is convicting because I know how little in comparison it has taken to rattle my endurance at times. I have never been beaten for Jesus much less crucified.

It comes down to each and every one of us making a commitment to Jesus. How far will you follow Jesus? Until it gets inconvenient, uncomfortable, or what about when it becomes painful? Are you willing to follow Him all the way? Let us follow our Jesus, who is so worthy, all the way until the end. Until we hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” God bless you as you follow Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,You have called me to a disciple’s life. I want to embrace that life, yet there are times when I look back. I am Your disciple. I will go where You lead me. Please help my faith I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Invitation:

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 lifeYou 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, 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.

Please take a moment to contact me at roblavallee@gmail.com, I would love to pray with you personally for this wonderful new journey you are on..

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 24th 2017 – Love or Fear

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“for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.” (Galatians 2:12)

Are you afraid of people? While we often think of that question in terms of physical harm, the reality is that most of the time our fear of others is a fear of rejection or ridicule. This fear leads us to disobedience or apathy.

One of the primary examples of this is our fear to witness to others. We have the greatest news in the world and yet alot of people are afraid to share it because of what someone may think. Imagine if the apostle Paul was fearful of men. We would not have a large chunk of the New Testament or the spread of the Gospel. Paul put aside his fear of others because he had a healthy fear of the Lord. In other words, his love for the Lord trumped his fear of people. Step out today and be a witness. God is with you and He can use that one step of faith for something amazing.

(Proverbs 29:25) “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father , Thank You for Your love and grace. Help me to love others much more then fear. Give me boldness to tell the Truth about You. Lord, I want to extend the same grace You have given me to others. I need You. Please work in my life and in my heart. I surrender it ALL 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

October 21st 2017 -You Are God’s Masterpiece

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“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” (Jeremiah 18:4)

A mound of clay, by itself, is not a very beautiful thing. It may have some minimal value but in the end, it’s still a pile of dirt. That is, until the potter gets a hold of it. Once the potter gets involved, this pile of dirt begins to take shape. As the potter presses in, the clay becomes thinner. The potter then reaches into the center and is able to scoop out all the excess clay within. While the clay began as a formless pile of dirt, it ends up as a beautiful masterpiece.

(Ephesians 2:10) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

When God found us, we were like the clay – dirty and formless. We may have tried to mold ourselves but only the potter is able to mold the clay. Once the Heavenly Potter came into our lives, He began molding and shaping us into the image of His Son, Jesus. With each firm press of His hand, we are changed. With every scrape of His tools, sin starts to fall from our life. This is our Heavenly Father at work and while it is painful, it is worth it. God knows what we need and He is the perfect potter who’s loving hands will sculpt our lives into something far greater than we could ever understand. All we have to do is let Him.

“God desires to make a masterpiece of your life.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for my resistance to Your hands in my life. I know that I need to be molded more into Your image, and I ask that You would place my life onto Your potter’s wheel. Carve off the sin in my life and shape me into a vessel that can be used for Your Kingdom. 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 17th 2017 – When God Closes Doors

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“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” (Acts 16:6-7)

Have you ever had God close a door that you thought was previously open? What was your reaction? Did you get upset and complain, or did you thank God for the closed door while praying about what to do? Prayer is a good thing. Paul exhorts us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but this doesn’t mean to stop looking for other open doors. You can pray while taking action. What did Paul and his crew do when the Lord closed a door? Did they sit around and moan to one another about how difficult it was to be a Christian and how they wanted to minister in Bithynia but the Lord would not let them? No, they didn’t! They kept moving forward as God revealed to Paul the door that He had opened.

(Acts 16:10)
“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Although God closed some doors for Paul and his group, God opened the doors to Macedonia in order that Lydia would be saved and the door to Europe would be opened to the Gospel. You see, sometimes the door that God closes opens the door to something awesome that He has in store. What should we do when God closes the door? Don’t try to kick down the door! Don’t try to sneak a peek. Instead, prayerfully try another door. Take a step of faith. The rest is up to God. Press forward.

(Philippians 3:13-14)
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

“Considder the fact that maybe God closed that door, because He knew you were worth so much more. God has so much more for you, Trust in Him”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for saving me. Thank You for allowing me to serve You in whatever way You have planned for me. Please forgive me for the times that I have tried to force open doors that You closed. Give me eyes to see the doors that You want me to go through and the courage to go through them. I pray this 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 16th 2017 – Cast Your Burden on the Lord

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“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)

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

Ever go through a day or a week when you’re discouraged and it seems like nothing’s going right? Well, be of good cheer, you’re not the only one. When we look through the Bible we see many of the great people of faith having times of discouragement.

Moses had it right to the top of his head with the children of Israel, yet he got through it. Elijah, after his great victory on Mount Carmel, had to fight a great bout of depression when Jezebel said that she wanted to take his life. He said (1 Kings 19:4)”… And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my father’s!”

Here is this great man of God, who just had this great victory over the prophets of Baal, and one lady, Jezebel, so intimidates him that he wants to die.

And it can be the same with us, we forget what the Lord did yesterday and we look at today and see this problem or this situation and we get discouraged. But this verse tells us to “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

God will sustain us as we make a decision to give it over to Him. So today, try it. Give it to God. His shoulders are a lot bigger than yours and He is a loving and caring Father. Trust Him and He will see you through. Remember, He did it in the past and He will do it today and in the future.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I put my trust in You Lord and I know that today, You will get me through what I’m going through. Your living word has told me to cast my cares on You Lord and that’s what I’m going to do, trust and obey. Thank you for always being there for me. I love and Praise You. In Jesus’ holy and precious 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

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