Category Archives: General Devotions

March 6th 2020 – Jesus, Friend of Sinners

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

How was Jesus known when He walked this earth? He was known as “the friend of sinners.” We might think that sounds like a compliment now, but it surely wasn’t meant as a compliment back then.

Some members of the Jewish leadership establishment were appalled that Jesus would hang out with sinners.

No, He never compromised—this was our holy God in the flesh. But He loved these outcasts, this off-scouring of society, and they knew that He loved them. They were drawn to Him by that love.

We need to love people in the same way. Since we’re going to be persecuted, let’s be persecuted for the right reasons. Not for being self-righteous but for being righteous.

Jesus seeks us. read Luke 15:1-7 and John 18:9 Realize that in the midst of trial, trouble and temptation, He is there with you. Why? Because Jesus chose to be friends with us sinners. You may need to turn around to face Him. But I asure you, He wants to pull you out of your problems and liberate you from sadness, but before He does, He wants to walk with you through the valley. Even when you are in the valley of the shadow of death, He is there. May you know He is there to dry your tears, lighten your load and be a closer friend than any you have ever known. Loved one, right now take a few minutes out of your busy day and turn to Him. You will be glad you did. And so will He.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for seeking me and sticking by me through good times and bad times. You are the true friend. Sometimes, I become content to wallow in self pity. Please forgive me for that and humble me to allow You, through the hands of others, to comfort and even challenge me to trust you and Your promise. Please help me through the times of panic, the times when the pain is crippling and I can’t breathe. Hold me close Jesus when I feel all alone. Remind me that You are here and Love me when I am unable to see past the pain. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you trust Jesus enough with your life? You should, 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 and we will pray for you..

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 5th 2020 – Help For The Hopeless

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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, the 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!

“You are not helpless or hopeless. Your destiny is in your hands and in the hands of a God that loves you and wants to bless and protect you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I desire to choose You above everything else. I decide this day to serve You and to serve others. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. God, use me to change 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 4th 2020 – Speak Life, Not Death

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Then his wife said to him (job), “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)

In the Book of Job. (pronounced “Jobe”) It begins with an introduction to Job’s character, he is described as a blessed man who lived righteously in the Land of Uz. The Lord’s praise of Job prompted Satan to challenge Job’s integrity, suggesting that Job served God simply because God protected him. Satan caused much pain and greif for him, tormenting Job to try to break his faith.

We often think, well, Satan left Job’s wife alive because she was carnal. That could be. It’s interesting we are not told where she is in her faith before this statement. Maybe she was walking with the Lord before losing her wealth, her house and grounds, her children and is now watching her husband in pain. And maybe just giving in, she said “Curse God and die, I give up Job!”

This can happen to any of us. We all go through hard times, and it’s easy to speak poorly during those times. Be watchful of anyone speaking contrary to the Word, or speaking negatively in hard times. Be the person who speaks life, who speaks the truth, and speaks love. Allow God to use you to bring healing to others who are hurting, and to empower you to be a witness for His glory even while you are going through hard times.

“The beauty and strength of a marriage is that often when one is weak, the other is strong.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for empowering us through Your Spirit to speak life and blessings to others even during the hard times. Help us to be loving when it’s someone else hurting, and help us to speak wisely when we are hurting. We lift up to You all those in our life going through difficult situations, and ask You to use us to be a blessing in all of our 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

March 3rd 2020 – We Are Never Alone In Life’s Storms

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These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

When the Bible says that God will keep us, it doesn’t mean that He will always keep us from trouble. But it does mean that He will keep us while we’re in the midst of trouble.

When the Israelites saw the Egyptian army closing in on them at the Red Sea, God had allowed them to get into that situation. Why? It was so they would pray and see His glory on display. And then, when He answered them by opening up the Red Sea so they could walk through on dry ground, they saw that God walked with them through their difficulties.

God could have kept Daniel from the lion’s den. Instead, God kept Daniel in the lion’s den. God could have kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Instead, God walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Jesus could have kept the disciples from all the storms on the Sea of Galilee. Instead, He was with them as they went through the storms.

Maybe you are in trouble right now. Maybe you are frightened and unsure about your future. You don’t know what is going to happen next. Know that you’re not alone. God is with you in the midst of your troubles.

Sometimes I think we believe that we have the right to live easy, tranquil lives, and then one day we will die in our sleep. Everything will be nice, cozy, and comfortable. But the Bible doesn’t promise that. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). But He also said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Sometimes God will keep us from a problem. And sometimes He will let us go through the problem and will be with us in the storms of life.

“Jesus is our peace during the storms of life.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know I have made bad decisions in the midst of the storms in life. Please forgive me. I know some of the consequences of my bad decisions are still here. In the future, please help me to make better decisions. Please send others to help me through these tough times. I ask for Your peace to comfort me. I ask, Father, for Your power to strengthen me. When I want to run because I am afraid or hurt, I ask that You help me to stand. I know that You will guide me to grow through these things. Lord, I know You will be there to help me through every storm of life and even in the final storm of death, I wi praise You for Your peace and for Your promise of heaven. Help me to keep my mind focused on eternity so that I will not lose hope here on earth. Fill me with Your Spirit and use my life to share God’s peace with the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Trying to face a storm without Jesus will get very overwhelming, you may even feel all alone. He is waiting for you, ask for His help. If you do not know Him personally, I encourage you not to pass up the precious gift of His love and eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. Jesus loves us and wants to help us through the storms. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 2nd 2020 – Destination Heaven

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Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.” (John 14:1-3)

Heaven is an actual place.

It isn’t an “idea” or a “state of mind”; it’s a location, like Phoenx or New York City or Paris. We often think of Heaven in sort of a mystical way, and our minds gravitate toward the versions we have seen in childrens books or TV, where people in white robes floating around on clouds with a halos over their heads, strumming a harp.

How mundane! That is certainly not the Heaven of the Bible. The Bible uses a number of words to describe Heaven. One word it uses is paradise. In the Gospels, we’re told that Jesus was crucified between two thieves. When one of those thieves, in the final moments of his life, put His faith in Jesus, he said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” And Jesus replied, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)

Heaven is also compared to a city. In (Hebrews 11:10) we’re told that this city’s architect and builder is God Himself. And then (Hebrews 13:14) says, “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”

Now, we know that cities have buildings, culture, art, music, parks, goods and services, and events. Will Heaven have all of these things? We don’t know. But we can certainly conclude that Heaven will in no sense be less than what we experience here on earth with the exception of all things harmful or evil.

Heaven is also described as a country. (Hebrews 11:16) says, “They desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.”

Heaven is a paradise, a city, a country . . . and so much more that we can’t begin to wrap our limited minds around it. But one thing I do know: Jesus is expecting me, and He’s prepared a place for me. What more could I ask for?

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth and remember we can only get to Heaven by Jesus.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I believe You died for me so that I could be forgiven. I believe You were raised from the dead so that I could have new life. I know I have done wrong things, and I’m sorry. Please forgive me and give me the power to follow You all the days of my life. I also thank You for the hope You have freely given to me through Your Son Jesus. Lord, help my doubt when I cannot see. As I eagerly wait in expectation of Your coming, strengthen me to persevere in the calling You have laid before me. I know that all things work together for good to those who love You. Lord, I commit my life to Your purposes today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you trust Jesus enough with your life?You should, 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 don’t miss out on your destination to paradise! please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 1st 2020 – Attitude Adjustment

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“lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.” (1 Corinthians 1:15)

Paul, in writing this letter to the Corinthians, dealt with division inside the church. Any idea you may have that church is a perfect place, can often be shattered the moment you walk through the doors. It was the same in the early church. We all bring something valuable to the church, but because we are sinful people, we also add to the problems.

In this letter, Paul takes on people’s attitudes; their way of thinking. Do we need to be challenged today? Absolutely we do. Being saved does not mean we’re done being changed. We continue to be changed, and as we are, our ideas and concepts of what it means to be a Christian are challenged. God wants to adjust our attitude and if we are truly honest with ourselves, we are desperate for that change.

When we take a moment to look at challanging situations or even life in general, when we do so with a different attitude our perspective often will change. What may have seemed impossible now looks hopeful.

“God wants to give you an attitude adjustment.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who died for me so I could have life more abundantly. Lord, I confess to You that I am struggling. I have been looking to the world for answers rather than depending on You. I surrender my heart to You, Lord. Help me to make the changes You want for 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

February 29th 2020 – Never Alone

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“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:1-4)

We see in today’s scripture that the Shepherd leads, guides, helps, and loves us. Now, in verse 4, it changes from the Shepherd’s actions and love for us, to our own actions. You see, in life there are going to be times when we don’t listen so that we get ourselves in places we shouldn’t be. Here it’s called “the valley of the shadow of death”.

Have you ever had times like that? You find that the grass isn’t green and the stream is dirty and you say, “how did I get here?” You see that it was through your own decisions, or you didn’t take the time to listen to the Shepherd’s voice, that you opened doors that should have stayed shut.

Even in these times, even when we mess up, the Great Shepherd doesn’t leave us. No! He promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us. Never means never and here we see the same promise. I will fear no evil, why? FOR YOU ARE WITH ME! What a promise. When we mess up, we need to “fess up” and He, the Great Shepherd, forgives and restores.

Even when we open doors to the evil one, our Shepherd takes out His mighty rod and grabs hold of us with His wonderful staff and brings great comfort to our lives. What security, what comfort, what hope we have because of our amazing Jesus.

So take heart today that there is no sin too strong that the blood of Jesus can’t wash away. Rest in His loving arms and hear His heartbeat as you lay your head upon His chest. Know that He loves you and will always protect you against anything that the enemy might bring against you. He’ll even protect you when you open a door that you shouldn’t have.

“Although you may feel alone at times, You are never alone, God is right there waiting for us to call on Him.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blood of Jesus that has washed me white as snow. I thank You that no matter what comes against me or even when I’m walking in the valley, You are there to comfort and to restore. What a God I serve. 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

February 28th 2020 – 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 in this verse. He is not trying to make himself look 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 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

February 27th 2020 – Shine Brite

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“He must increase, but I mustdecrease.” (John 3:30)

John the Baptist’s disciples saw that many more people were going to Jesus and his disciples to be baptized (John 3:26). We also see this in other places in scripture as well. People want to be in the who’s who among Christians. It’s a temptation we all face from time to time, the need to be affirmed in ourselves, how we fair among other people, and in the body of Christ. Paul deals with this specifically challenging the believers in Corinth who were having their identity connected to a specific leader.

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:13)

The key for our growth is allowing ourselves to decrease in our own lives and let the Lord increase in our lives. John states that it is his joy that the Lord was coming on the scene more fully and that people were following Jesus now. Can you and I say the same thing? If someone else gets a promotion at work, if you become more unpopular and someone else is elevated to higher notoriety, or it seems that all the good you have done has been forgotten are you able to humbly rejoice? We are all faced with day to day struggles and challenges in these areas of our lives in our family, at work, school, and even in our serving the Lord in the body of Christ. The question is are we willing to let Him increase that we might decrease?

“He must increase but I must decrease is where real joy is found and the purity of the person of Jesus can be seen in us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please forgive me when I feel I need to be exalted for any reason. Please allow Your Spirit to work in my heart so that You may truly increase in all areas of my life. Please forgive me for getting out of hand from time to time with my attitude and with gossip. I Love you Lord and want people to see You in my life. I want Your presence to shine bright in 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

February 26th 2020 – Willing and Available

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“Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.” (Acts 13:3-5)

In the book of Acts, the progression of the life of Paul is revealed. Initially, we see Paul fighting against God. Paul is living out his life doing his ‘own thing’ when he meets God in a very real way. Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus began this progression where we see him begin to give his life over to God. The book of Acts allows us to watch first hand as we see this man give his life away. One danger is to look at Paul’s life and think, “Wow, that was great for Paul, but can my life really make a difference?” I used to ask myself the same question, but not anymore.

You see, one of the beautiful truths of God’s Word is that God will work through anybody who is willing. He is not looking for ability, but for availability. Throughout the Bible we see men and women accomplishing great and incredible things. These men and women had some of the same weaknesses and wanderings we do, yet the Lord used them to touch many lives. The most difficult part of this journey is the first step. I encourage you to take the first step. Step out in faith and begin to walk the incredible journey God has planned for you. You will look back in amazement at what the Lord will do. I know I do every day.

“We all should be ministers and make a difference in this world.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You tell us to pray for workers in the harvest. Lord, I want to pray that You make me a worker in the harvest. Whatever my gifts and abilities are I lay them before You now and ask You to work through me to help change this world. I know I am not saved through these acts of service, but because I am grateful for Your forgiveness, I desire to serve so others may come to know You. I am a Christian because someone cared. Now it is my turn. In Jesus’ precious and glorious name, Amen.

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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