Category Archives: General Devotions

February 4th 2019 – God’s Love is Eternal and Never Fails

“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Have you ever thought about love in the light of eternity? One day all that we know here on earth will be changed. When Christ appears in all His glory, heaven will come to earth and our lives, homes, bodies and relationships will change forever. Yet, there is one thing that will never change. That thing is love. When we see Christ face to face, we will no longer need faith. As we glimpse the realities of heaven all around us, we will no longer cling to hope of a better day. But love will never disappear. The love that created the world and gave life to humanity will still sustain the saints in heaven. The love that walked out of heaven and went to the cross is the same love that prepared a place for us for all eternity. And, the same love that strengthens us in this life is the same love that welcomes us into the next. This love never fails, never wavers and never grows weary. This love is the love of God.

(1 John 4:19) “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Because this love will always remain, let us begin loving even now. We will spend eternity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, so why not love them now? As we love each other with the love given to us through Christ, the world will see it and desire the same. When they do, we can point them to the never-ending source of love, Jesus.

“Love releases the power of the Spirit in our lives and in our churches.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the love You have shown me. Help me to love others in the same way You have loved me. Use me today to share the love of God with someone I see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Watch “Lauren Daigle – You Say (Official Music Video)” on YouTube

Experience love like no other. If you do not know Him personally, I encourage you not to pass up the precious gift of His love and eternal life He promises. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. Jesus 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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 2nd 2019 – Willing and Available

“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 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 1st 2019 – The Power of the Holy Spirit

“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 8:18-19)

In this passage, Simon thought he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit. Simon wanted this power so that he could impress others. That is not what the power of God is for. The power of God is given that we may live for Him. We have the power of God that our lives might demonstrate God’s work changing us. We should be good stewards by using our power and resources to reach people. We should want to encourage people in their faith. Throughout the Bible, we see Jesus using His power to touch lives, and He did so without weird displays. I believe this gives us our model of what using that power looks like. Why do you desire supernatural power? Hopefully it is to bless others. How do you use your God given resources? Is it to bless and reach others? I hope that it is. With what we have been given, we can make a difference in the hereafter by making a difference in the here and now.

“The Holy Spirit Gives us Limitless Power”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, All the good things in my life have come from You. My life, my strength, my wisdom, and all that I am or hope to be is a gift from You. I want to use my power, strength, and resources to reach a lost and dying world. We know from Your life, Jesus, that You cared about people. As I follow You, help me to care for others. Help me to use what You have given me wisely as a good steward to reach others. In Jesus’ name Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you have never asked Jesus into your heart. Click here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 30th 2019 – Fruits of the Spirit

“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Even in life’s darkest hours, the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, can bring the light of God’s joy to the darkest corners of disappointment. Because the Holy Spirit is alive within us, joy will sooner or later bubble to the surface. The Spirit’s very presence is our reminder of two truths: that Jesus was raised from the dead and poured out the Spirit on us when we became his followers (Titus 3:3-7) and that God has assured us of sharing his glorious future with us (2 Corinthians 1:22). Where the Holy Spirit finds a home, there we will find joy. Thank God we are that home! (John 14:1-23)

“Fruit is always the miraculous, the created; it is never the result of willing, but always a growth. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift of God, and only He can produce it. They who bear it know as little about it as the tree knows of its fruit. They know only the power of Him on whom their life depends.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I welcome you into my home. Until I can come home and be with you, I thank you for making your home within me through the Holy Spirit. I thank you for the joy that is mine knowing that you live in me until I can come and live with you. In Jesus’ name I thank you and praise you. Amen.

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Click here  to discover how you can find peace with God.

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

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 27th 2019 – Prayers Aligned with Gods Will

“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)

Imagine if God were to come up to you and say, “Ask whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” That is actually what happened to King Solomon. But because Solomon had his priorities in order, he responded in the right way. He said,

“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:7-9)

Solomon’s answer pleased God, and God gave him what he asked for. You might wonder, Would God ever do that for me? Yes, He would. But let’s not miss the condition. Jesus said, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7).

If you are walking in close fellowship with God, and His Word is at resident in your heart, then you will pray for things that bring God glory. If you are praying for self-indulgent things, then it would be doubtful that you are maintaining a living communion with Him and that His Word is at home in you.

“Prayer is aligning ourselves with the will of God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your patients and love. I praise You for Your continued patience You have with me. May my prayers always along and please You! Help me not get caught up in the caos that’s all around me, help me get caught up with You Lord “My Father”.  I look forward to my fellowship with You, and am greatful for all You have done for me.  Your gift of love and salvation is the greatest gift I could ever receive. Thank you for my friends and family. Continue to fill me with Your Spirit and use my life to share God’s peace 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 and want to quench yor unquenchable thirst. Click Here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

January 25th 2019 – Show Me The Truth

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

In the verse above, we see those in power taking advantage of the people. (Sound familiar?)  The world believes that it is acceptable to take advantage of others for gain of position or authority.

Are you are a leader government, or in the workplace? Do you take advantage of the system to benefit yourself?

Let’s make this even more personal. Do you take advantage of your family, friends or co-workers for your benefit? When we get to know a person, we know how to set them off or manipulate them for what we want. That is ungodly and God does not bless the unbiblical practices of deception.

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

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

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

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

Prayer:

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

Don’t be deceived by the world. You will continue to be blinded and not see the truth until you have Jesus in your life?

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

“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.

January 24th 2019 – In Who or What Do You Trust In?

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29)

Who or what are you trusting in? Do you trust in rituals or Jesus? Do you place your trust in baptism, catechism, confirmation or church membership? If your trust is in these things, then my im sorry to tell you, it is misplaced. Do you think you are a Christian because you go to church or because your parents were Christians? None of these things mean you are a Christian. The Apostle Paul says we should examine ourselves to make certain we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Faith leads to works, not the other way around. If you are counting on works, you need to re-evaluate. God is concerned with the inward man, not with outward pomp or show.

“So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.” (Joel 2:13)

God is interested in the heart, the inward you. He is not interested in our outward traditions or rituals. So test yourself, what works are in your life? ”

You may say, . “I thought it wasn’t about works.” if you have repented and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the ‘outward works’ should change according to the ‘inward working’ of the Spirit of God in you. Let your heart be softened, and let your actions be changed; not placing your confidence in your own works, but in the work that God is doing in you.

“Let your heart and your actions be changed.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Help me to place my trust in You. Change my heart so that my actions reflect the work You are doing in me. Thank You for working in me so that I may be a blessing to 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 23rd 2019 – 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 ‘be at rest’ 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 22nd 2019 – Call On The Professional

“And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20)

A Psalmist wrote in the Bible, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” For someone who has been in the pit of despair and in the mud and the mire, I stand on the other side praising God for all that He has donein my life. Isn’t that what following God is all about? Not the mud and the mire, not the pit of despair; but God being faithful to save us.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalms 34:18)

We all go through seasons in life that sometimes punch us in the gut and take the breath right out of us. Maybe it’s a terminal illness, the death of a spouse or family member. Possibly a child abusing drugs, talks of divorce or even the loss of a job. One thing we can rest assured about, God will get us through. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Spend time in the Bible, praying and seeking the Lord. Don’t allow your troubles to determine the fruit God wants to produce in your life. When you are feeling down bless someone by helping them. Take a walk and spend time talking to God. The best remedy for despair and pain is to bless someone else. Remember, we plant the seed, someone else will come along and water it, and God will give the increase. The promise from Him is thirty, sixty, and some a hundred-fold fruit in our lives.

“There is no mistake that God can’t fix. There is no pit that God can’t pull you out of.”

“God can take what is broken and restore it into something beautiful!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your promises. I am grateful that at times in my life You have fixed my mistakes. I am grateful that You have pulled me out of the mud and the mire at times in my life. Please help me in these desperate times Lord. Cast out all fear, cast out all doubt in my life. Heal me of my brokenness. Help me to also sow seeds into others lives and be a part of helping build Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen..

Watch “Zach Williams – Fear Is a Liar (Official Music Video)” on YouTube

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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 20th 2019 – A Modern Parable of Urgency

“Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.” (Psalm 32:6)

Jesus often relied on parables in to compare something in everyday life to a spiritual truth. However, many of us have trouble understanding Jesus’ parables because we don’t belong to the culture for which they were written. Sometimes the importance of the spiritual truth is diluted, if not misunderstood. Often because not everyone can relate to the everyday example to which Jesus compares it to. The fact is if Jesus walked among us today, His parables would emphasize the same spiritual truths, but use situations and circumstances to which we could immediately connect.

I don’t think you’ll have any trouble understanding this modern parable.

A couple and thier two children are vacationing in the Gulf of Mexico, Their tenage daughters were playing on rafts out in the ocean bay. All were unaware that a major storm was brewing several hundred miles out in the Gulf, even though the undertow was already beginning to show the early symptoms that a storm was on the way.

These two teenage girls drifted out beyond the breakers and one of them lost her float. Her sister told her to hold on to the raft until help arrived, but no one seemed to be noticing that they needed help. Meanwhile, the undertow repeatedly overpowered the girls, only to relinquish its strength long enough for them to get her head back above the water and catch her breath.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a lifeguard appeared. However, he was struggling to overcome the power of the undertow as well and told the girls that if they drifted out beyond the next row of breakers, there would be no swimming back.

I’m not going to drag out the suspense. The lifeguard managed to get the girls safely back to shore, but I couldn’t let the spiritual truth in this story go to an early grave.

This parable is told in the context of our own culture; consequently, most of us have no trouble understanding its connection to the burden of sin and the timing of salvation in the life of an unbeliever. Indeed, as Paul put it, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 6:23) However, what many of us fail to understand what Paul means when he said, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation”. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Each of us knows a unbeliever, maybe they  trust in false doctrines or they can’t decide when it is time to open their heart to Jesus. While they will freely admit that they sometimes feels God’s pull, but they dont think they need God right now. “There’s plenty of time left before I need to make that decision,” they may tell you.

They may be deadly wrong. God told the Prophet Isaiah, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

The truth is that God will not wait on us to come to him. When He knocks, it may be our only opportunity to answer His call. His Word constantly reminds us that it is He who decides who may come to him; and it is He who will decide when it is time to shut the door. That’s why Jesus said, “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us’. But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from’.” (Luke 13:25)

 

I sure am glad that when I was drowning in an ocean of sin, a lifeguard appeared to let me know that if I got out much farther, there may be no coming back!

After all, “For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. (John 3:17)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, these are such tedious times. Never before in society have we witnessed times where the prophet’s signs are unfolding daily right before our eyes. Times where all things that are Godly and good are banned and sin is being leaglised everywhere we look. Lord, I thank you for Your persistent pursuit of me to come to know You as my Lord and Savior. I thank You for the Holy Spirt and how my eyes were opened when I accepted You personally into my life. I ask humbly as nothing more then a peasant servant, that you would reveil a sense of urgency in the hearts of people that you lead into my life. Help open their eyes to the truth of your Holy word. That they would be curious to seek the answers to why there is still a empty void in thier life. We were created to Love you, and seek You Lord.. The enemy has created such confusion with his lies. But Your word warns us of that. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; but You come that we may have life, and have it abundantly.”

I praise You for your promise, Your Love and I pray that today is the day that my friend truly opens the door of thier heart that You would be invited to come in before it’s too late. In your Holy and 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org