Category Archives: General Devotions

August 12th 2018 – Temptations

“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.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

There it is, staring you down. It grabs hold of your attention and captivates your thoughts. It appears so harmless but in the end, it can be deadly. It is called temptation, and every one of us has to face it. The good news is that if you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, you don’t have to face it alone. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be freed of our bondage to sin while also finding strength to resist it through God’s Spirit. What an encouraging thought. When faced with temptation, the God of all creation provides a way out, the path to escape or the strength to bear it.

Unfortunately, this does not mean we always take that way of escape. Like someone staring at a bag of chocolates. often we stand gazing into temptation and wonder why we were not able to resist. In those moments when we fail, we can come to God and experience His forgiveness and grace all over again. This is the beauty of the Gospel. Yes, we must resist sin and flee from temptation but when we do fall short, we have a loving God who desires to forgive.

“When Tempted, God will always show you a way out. “

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. I know that I have done wrong and have sinned against You. Father, please forgive me and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can fight temptation. Lord, when I find myself in a tempting situation, open my eyes to the way out so that I can escape. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 11th 2018 – Gods Family

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“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.” (Galatians 1:11)

The Gospel changes everything. Not only does it change us, but it also unites us with other believers. Many of the differences that may have divided us before, fall away because of the love of Christ. This is why it is so important to meet together locally at church, and personally with each other. When we grow in unity with one another, it blesses our life and is a great picture to our community.

Where does this unity come from exactly? Well, we believe similar things, we share close to the same value system in love God, love people. In addition, we believe God created the earth and sky. Many people may think we are different because we have different skin colors, ways of dressing or ways of making a living? Unity may even be dependent on whether or not we have ink or tattoos on our body? But no matter what you look like or how you may have been raised in Jesus, we are called “one body”. As the body of Christ, we are a family that seeks to love unconditionally no matter how different we may be.

“When we meet together, we encourage each other with acts of love and fellowship..”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the church. Thank You for bringing me together with brothers and sisters in Christ. While I know I am not perfect, help me to love others equally and to encourage others no matter the differences. In You, the church is united. Please help me to remember that no matter what. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 10th 2018 -Timepiece of God

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“A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” (Daniel 9:24)

Daniel is seeking God based on a biblical promise concerning Israel’s captivity coming to an end (Daniel 9:1-3). God answered Daniel with a vision of what was coming to the nation of Israel in the future, specifically as it relates to 70 sets of 7 years laid out for the Jewish people. These prophesies include the the very date Messiah would enter Jerusalem. Sir Robert Anderson calculated this time of Messiah based on the numbers in Daniel 9:24-27 as exactly 173,880 days from March 14, 445 BC to April 6, 32AD. At that time, before entering Jerusalem on a donkey, (predicted in Zechariah 9:9) Jesus said this:

(Luke 19:41-42) “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”

Jesus lamented that the Jews, who had a clear prediction from Daniel hundreds of years earlier about His coming, didn’t understand that.

Have you ever missed God’s timing on issues in your life? God often has a clear word about our family, work, struggles, hopes, and dreams laid out in His word. Are we in a place of fellowship to listen to it? Are we genuinely seeking wise counsel from the Lord concerning His word in our lives? Have we asked God’s Spirit to rightly divide His truth into our lives specifically? Is He really Lord over all your life?

Jesus often expected His hearers to know the Word of God. He would say to us by the Spirit today “Have you not read?” (Matthew 12:3, 5, 26, 19:4, 22:31)

“Jesus expects us to know prophecy.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me a solid word from scripture that I can trust in. Thank you for confirming Your Word through fulfilled prophecy in the Bible. Please help me to be consistent in reading Your word and listening to Your Spirit in all I do, trusting that You will speak into 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

August 9th 2018 – God Still Heals

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“to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,” (1 Corinthians 12:9)

What do you think about when you hear the words “healing” or “miracle”? Depending on how you grew up, these words may spark memories. Some of us may remember the charismatic preachers on television or even roadside tent revivals. Even though they may have involved miraculous signs and wonders, others may simply reject the notion that miracles even occur today.

Regardless of what we have seen or heard, we must always remember to ask the question, “What does the bible say?” You see, what we believe is not dependent on our opinion or upbringing, but fully relies on what God has revealed to us through His Word.

As we look into the glorious and perfect Word of the Lord, we see that He has given us His Spirit to help spread the Gospel and minister to one another. In 1 Corinthians 12, we see that Paul clearly states that the Holy Spirit can empower us with the gift of healings and miracles. While these can refer to many things, we must understand that we have the chance to be part of one of the greatest healings of all time.

What could that be you ask? Simply put, it’s the dead coming to life. When we share with others the Gospel and they respond, they go from death to life, from condemnation to forgiveness, from being a child of the adversary to a child of the living God. Maybe you’ve never experienced that supernatural healing. God desires to forgive your sins and make you new. All you have to do is come to Him. Are you ready for healing?

“Don’t ever forget that God still heals. He heals us spiritually, physically and emotionally”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have done wrong in my life and I ask that You forgive me. Lord, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that He rose again. I come to You today and ask that You would create in me a clean heart and make me new. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to walk with You every day of my life. 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 30th 2018 – Quiet Time With God

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“I have…treasured his words more than daily food.” (Job 23:12)

Your quiet time with God is more than just a good idea, it’s vital to your spiritual survival. It’s also essential to your spiritual growth and maturity. You say, “But I go to church every week.” Can you imagine what would happen if you ate only once a week? The patriarch Job said, “I have…treasured his words more than daily food.” Peter described the scriptures as nourishing milk.

“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment” (1 Peter 2:2)

The writer to the Hebrews called the Word of God solid food.

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14).

Your quiet time is also like a spiritual bath. Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3).

You shower every day to stay clean and avoid body odors. It’s not easy to be around someone who smells bad, and you run the risk of offending them by telling them so. But if you love them you’ll do it. Jesus told Peter, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23).

Here’s the bottom line. Unless you protect your quiet time with God:

(1) You’ll be cut off from your source of strength, guidance, and wisdom;

(2) Your usefulness to God will be limited;

(3) You’ll be inconsistent in your Christian life.

You may say, “But I don’t have time!” You have the same 168 hours each week that everybody else has! And how you spend them is determined by what you think is most important. So if you think being in fellowship with God is important, begin to make time for it.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful and blessed for the time we spend together every morning. I pray that you would draw me even closer. I love you Lord and Thank you for guiding me through this life.. in your precious name, Amen.

If you would like to surrender it all and seek Jesus, or recommit your life to Him, please click here

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 29th 2018 – Against All The Odds

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“Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:3)

Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, faced a major dilemma. His enemies greatly outnumbered him. To make things even worse, his enemies had joined forces with the other enemies of Israel and were making plans to destroy him and his kingdom. Then one day a messenger came to King Jehoshaphat and warned him that massive army was seen headed his way, bent on his ddestruction. The rumors were true, It was now confirmed! It was hopeless. There was no way that he could meet this army with what he had. He was going to be destroyed. What did Jehoshaphat do? The Bible says that he “set himself to seek the Lord.” He prayed, “O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

The Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15–17).

Jehoshaphat and his army went out to meet their enemies, but did something nobody expected. He ordered his the worship team out on the front line armed with only their voices, the Bible says that when they began to sing and praise the Lord, the enemy started fighting among themselves and destroyed each other.

Maybe you are facing what seems like an impossible situation right now. You may not be able to see a way out. But God can. Call on Him. Then stand still and see what He will do.

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

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me for I am battling the inner demons of depression, sadness, and often hopelessness. Shine Your warm heavenly light down on me. I am in need of strength, courage and healing. Help me to be gentle with myself whenever I regress. Give me courage and strength to move forward following You way. Thank you for the special ones that love me, my family and friends. Guide me to find rest, happiness, and contentment in myself and in life. Today, I desire to choose You above everything else. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 26th 2018 – Identity Crisis

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And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Right after this blessed moment of baptism God confirms Jesus identity and announces His pleasure. Shortly after this strong affirmation from God we find Jesus, in (Matthew 4:1-10), being tempted by the enemy after enduring a forty day fast. The enemy immediately challenges what God has spoken by saying ‘if You are the Son of God’.

Understand that the enemy’s first temptation often times is to get us to question our identity in Christ. When we receive God’s gracious, unearned gift of salvation our identity is sealed in the blood of Christ, which defeats the enemy. Could you imagine an 1st grade student coming home with the an ‘F’ on his/her report card and the parent saying “you are no longer my child, change your name and leave my house!” Of course not! Neither does the Lord dismiss you or I when we fail because His love never fails (1Corinthians 13:8).

If you were gardening and you saw a plant that was drooping and bent downward would you uproot the plant trash it and start over? Hopefully not. What a skilled gardener often will do is put a wooden stake in the ground next to it and tie the plant to it, leaving the plant dependent on the wood to grow. This is our life in Christ, leaning not on our own works, but on the grace that God purchased through Jesus Christ on that cross to help us to grow in Him.

“The enemy wants you to doubt who you are, whose you are, and to spend time trying to earn what you have already been given.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for dying for me so I could have identity in You as Your beloved. Please help me to continue to remember the grace You have shown to me at the cross that I might live for You, in good times and bad, all the days of 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

July 25th 2018 – Open Our Spiritural Eyes

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“When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” (Mark 8:22-25)

I was listening to a sermon on the youtube. This guy was preaching on Mark 8. In that Scripture, Jesus spit in the man’s eyes and said, “What do you see?” The man said, “Men like trees, walking.” Then He touched him again and the man was healed. The preacher said, “See, even with Jesus it doesn’t always work the first time.” I couldn’t believe he said that! So I set out to find the meaning of that verse. I studied what Gods word said, and then I heard the Lord say, “Why don’t you just ask Me what it means?” Before I could even ask Him, the Lord began revealing the meaning to me. It wasn’t that it didn’t work the first time. It’s that before He opened the man’s natural eyes, He opened his spiritual eyes.

Let’s look deeper at what happened before this story in Mark 8. Jesus had just finished feeding 4,000 people with only seven loaves of bread and the Pharisees came to Him and said, “Show us a sign.” Jesus was probably thinking, Were you not just here for lunch? Talk about spiritual blindness! But it continued as Jesus and the disciples got on a boat. The disciples forgot to bring bread, and when Jesus said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,” they thought He was mad because there was no bread. Do you think Jesus, who just fed 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread, was worried about not having bread? He wasn’t talking about physical bread. He told them they didn’t understand what He was talking about because they have eyes but do not see. Then, as soon as they got off the boat, Jesus opened the eyes of the blind man. Do you see the symbolism there?

Maybe you’re thinking you need Jesus to open your spiritual eyes, too. The Bible says there is a veil over our eyes until we believe. But even after that, we must beware of our pride. If you read the Bible and think you know everything already, you won’t see anything. It wasn’t until I asked God to tell me the meaning of the story that I understood. If you take your Bible and pray, “Lord, I am blind without You. I can’t understand the Bible unless You show me,” then He will open your spiritual eyes, and things will begin to jump off the page.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We can’t truly see or hear without You. We want to receive spiritual sight today. We want Your words to jump off my Bible’s pages at us. Help us to see things in Scripture that we didn’t see before. We want You to speak to us through Your Word for our jobs, careers, families, marriages and our lives. We want to live by the Word of God, not by natural bread, alone. We love and praise You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 24th 2018 – Strong Hands

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“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.” (Zachariah 8:9)

When the world is looking for strength in a person, the ones that come to mind are our military professionals, emergency responders, athletes or the well known CEOs who exhibit power and endurance. These men and women work hard to push through and accomplish their goals. Granted we can learn from those who have done these things, yet God points us in a different direction when we are looking for strength. In Zechariah chapter 8, God tells Israel to “let your hands be strong,” but He does not just leave it at that. He points them to the source of their power.

“These words by the mouth of the prophets,”

God, in essence, is telling Israel to be strong because He has spoken promises over His people that can be trusted. When they face difficulty in rebuilding the temple or face trials from other nations, they can be strong because God said that He would one day bless them in a mighty way. This is great for Israel to hear, and yet this Truth is the same for us. Throughout the Scriptures, God has spoken promises over us. Each one can be held on to with complete confidence that it will come to pass, because they are the words of a God who cannot lie. These promises from God are to be trusted above our emotions, above our circumstances and above the wisdom of the world. These words from the Lord will drastically change our lives – if we believe them with all our heart and trust in the One who spoke them.

“When we are weak and hurting, Our strength is found in the Word of God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You today for the power of Your Word to change my life. Thank You for the promises of Scripture that are for my good. Thank You for the corrections in the Bible that help me to become more like Jesus. Teach me to trust in each one more and more each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 23rd 2018 – Help Restore, Not Comdemn

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“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

The way some people behave, you would think that the Bible says, “If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should first gloat about it and make sure that you condemn him or her for it. Then proceed to tell as many people as possible.”

The Bible doesn’t say that, of course. Here is what it does say: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1)

The idea is to lift up those who are overtaken by sin, not condemn them. The idea is to restore them, not destroy them. Notice this verse says, “You who are godly.” A truly godly man or woman will seek to restore such a person. The book of (James 5:19–20) says, “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

One day, God forbid, it could be you or me. We should never lower our guard or rest on our credit spiritually. No matter how long you have known the Lord, don’t think that you are above falling, because you could fall. Any believer could. That is why we want to always be moving forward, walking with God and progressing spiritually. We never want to coast along in neutral.

And if you know someone who has fallen into sin, then your goal should be to restore, not to destroy. Your goal should be to help him or her, because the next time it could be you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your correction in times when I have lost sight of You. Help me to correct others with wisdom and gentleness. Use me as a tool to bring restoration to those who need help along the way. 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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