Category Archives: General Devotions

February 4th 2018 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 5 of 5)

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“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—  that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Today, as I wrap up this mini-series on why God choose us, I want us to look at how the Bible brings these verses out.  God looked down from heaven and He chose us in spite of all of our problens. Isn’t that great? We are chosen by the Great “I Am” to be a co-partner with Him, to help people and share His message of eternal salvation.  God could have just done it Himself, but He chose to work through us to let people see the light.

That’s why we can never boast in ourselves, because we know who we are.  We know where we came from, so our boast needs to always be of God.  As we looked at David, Rahab and Joseph these last few days, we could have looked at so many more in the Bible that started off badly, yet God took them on a journey and made something great out of them.

So today, don’t put yourself down. See yourself the way God your Heavenly Father sees you, “IN JESUS”!  That’s why He sees you blessed, because Jesus is blessed. That is why He sees you healed, because Jesus is healed.  Start seeing yourself the way God sees you and never forget from where you came, and yet, always remember where you’re going. Enjoy the ride, He brought you this far, He’ll get you to the finish line.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You have gotten me to the starting gate and I know that You will get me to the finish line.  It’s not about me, it’s about You, Christ in me, the hope of glory. Thank You for the precious gift of salvation. Your love and forgiveness have changed my life, and I desire to show that same kind of love and forgiveness within the relationships around me. Fill me with Your Spirit and instruct me by Your Word, so that I can live like Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 2nd 2018 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 3 of 5)

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The next person that I want us to look at in this series is Rahab.  Her story is found in Joshua 2.

You see, the Bible doesn’t give the occupation of every person, but it does tell us hers.  Rehab was a prostitute and yet God sent the spies to her house, I believe that the reason He did is because He saw that she had a pure heart, a heart of faith.  Here is what the Bible says about her.

(Joshua 2:1) “Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, “Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.” So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night.

Then we see in Hebrews that she is in the Hall of Faith with other great men and women of God.  (Hebrews 11:31) It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God.   For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

The thing that is so amazing is that she is in the lineage of Jesus.  That’s right, an ex-prostitute is in the line of Jesus.  See it for yourself. (Matthew 1:1) “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: (Matthew 1:5) Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,”

So you see that even when life throws you a lemon, you can go ahead and make lemonade with God’s strength.  We don’t know why she started in this lifestyle, all I know is that if you let God be God in your life, He can take the lowest part of you and make it His highest.

So today, don’t look at where you have come from, look at where you’re going to go.  With God on your side, how can you lose?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, If you are for me, how can I lose? Today, please take my low points and turn them into great opportunities to help others. I thank You that my steps are ordered by You, and that You Lord will open the good doors for me and shut the bad ones. I trust You and am so grateful for all that You do in my life., in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Never forger that God wants to free you, and save you of the slavery of sin. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, please click here to learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 1st 2018 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 2 of 5)

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“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

We looked at King David yesterday. Even though his father rejected him, God didn’t, and when it was time for Him to come to the next step, he was ready.  We see this in the great story of David and Goliath.  When David came to where the children of Israel were fighting the Philistines, he was immediately put down by his older brother.

(1 Samuel 17:28-30) Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did.

David didn’t let this discourage him.  He moved on with what he knew he had to do.  It should be the same with us.  There will be times that even our family members might not understand why we believe the way we do, but we need to be true to God and we will see that He will get us right where He wants us to be.

Discouragement will always come and at times it might come from where we least expect it, but we need to know that even like David, God is with us.  He promised He will never leave us or forsake us.  So today, if you feel discouraged or that no one understands, let me say this, “GOD DOES” and He will see that you get to the promised land that He has for you.

Remember, people look at the outside, but God looks at the inside.  Keep your heart pure, serve Him and watch Him line everything up in your life and get you into a position for success.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, My feet are ordered by You and I know that You will get me into the right place at the right time.  You guide my footsteps and my trust is in You. My faith is in You Lord, it gives me all the confidence I need. I love You, I paise You and trust You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Invitation:

If you are ready to ask Jesus into you life please pray the prayer with me below.

God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that way will eventually lead to death. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge that Your Son Jesus Christ gave His life for me on the cross at Calvary. I ask humbly to receive the forgiveness You have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer please email me and let me know. roblavallee@gmail.com

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 31st 2018 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 1 of 5)

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“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

When you look through the stories of the Bible, one thing stands out, and that is that God doesn’t do things like the world does.  He operates the way He wants to and nobody is going to tell Him differently.  We see this so clearly in the type of people that He uses.  He doesn’t go for the high and mighty, He goes for the low and humble, and makes them into who He wants them to be.  For the next few days I want us to look at different people in the Bible and see how God chose them and used them.

King David:  David was a young man that watched his father’s sheep.  One day when the prophet Samuel came to anoint one of his sons to be the next king of Israel, his father never even called him to come in to meet this great man of God.  Yet after Samuel went through all of David’s brothers he asked if there was another.  Look at what the Bible says:

(1 Samuel 16:10-12) Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”

David’s father might have passed him up, but God didn’t.  At times you might feel like you were passed up, but stay faithful and close to God your Father, because He is the one that has great plans for you.  He never misses the one that He wants and what He is looking for is a person with a pure heart.  So today, be that person.  Yes, why not you?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, It is You Lord that promotes and makes us strong, so today my trust is in You.  Lord God, You will get me to the place that You want us to be. Thank You for all you do. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

As King David faced Giants in his life, so will we. Don’t face them alone.. if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, please click here to learn more about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 30th 2018 – Just Because it’s Permissible..

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Just Because it’s Permissible.. Does it Edify Me?

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)

When I was in my twenties and even thirties, I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and never gain any weight. Because I was working in different locations everyday, my colleagues and I ate alot of fast food. I would often sypersize my meals. Day after day I would eat like that and never gain a pound. Now if I even think about some of these supersized combos, I put on weight. I just can’t do what I once was able to do.

(Hebrews 12:1) tells us, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.”

What may be a weight to one person isn’t necessarily a weight to others. Sometimes we’ll see another Christian doing something, and we’ll say, “Well, I’ll go ahead and do that too.” But what may not be a hindrance to another person can be a hindrance to you.

Sin is sin. And sin is the same for everyone. But there are certain things that some may have the freedom to do that others don’t have. So we have to look at those things and not simply ask whether they are permissible. We also need to ask whether they are edifying. It is not a matter of asking, “Is this allowed?” It’s a matter of asking, “Is this going to build me up?” So ask yourself that question.

The apostle Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23). In other words, just because something is permissible for a Christian doesn’t mean that you ought to do it. Maybe it could hurt you.

“What is ok for me is not always ok for others, we all have different struggles.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the power I have in Christ to identify what is good and what is bad for me. It’s with Your power that I can control my thoughts and my emotions, rather than them controlling me. Help me focus on my ow issues than others, help me identify what may be ok for me is not always ok for others. Please protect me from myself and my own destructive sinful nature. Help me forgive myself and seek You first. It is because of Your promises of hope and salvation that I can rejoice no matter what the situation may be. Thank You Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do 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..

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 21st 2018 – Comfort for a Broken Heart

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“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

The image of heartbreak describing the devastating emotional pain of a broken relationship transcends culture and is expressed in the same way in almost every language.  We feel the pain of grief, and separation deeply at the core of our soul. Ofter accompanied bybetrayal. It feels as if our heart really is breaking – because of course, it really is.

The right word at the right time can help us when we need comfort in our suffering. Here are 11 additional Bible verses with words that have the power to give that comfort.

1. (Job 5:11) “The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”

2. (Psalm 27:13-14) “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

3. (Isaiah 41:10) “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

4. (John 16:33) “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

5. (Romans 8:28) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

6. (Romans 8: 37-38) “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

7. (Romans 15:13) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

8. (2 Corinthians 1:3) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

9. (Philippians 4:6) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”

10. (Hebrews 13:5) “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

11. (Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God understands this experience because he himself has lived through a broken heart.  God has been a  lover. Through his love for us, he has endured unfaithfulness and desertion. God understands our loneliness and identifies with us. We can talk to him about this experience and ask him for help at our deepest point of despair – because he’s been there himself!

A prayer for those who have suffered a broken heart.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You care deeply for us,  I stand firm on Your promise that You are close to the broken-hearted.  I pray for all those who are crippled by broken relationships with their children. I pray for those that are experiancing the break-up of a marriage.  Or a loss due to death. Our hearts take the blow of disappointment.  We feel crushed because our hopes are and dreams become shattered.  God, heal our broken hearts.  We cannot fix our own wounds.  But you can.  If pieces of our heart have been lost, or are held captive by another, recover them and bring them back to us and miraculously “put us back together” so that our heart is whole again.  You are a mender of broken hearts. I ask for this miracle, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not asked Jesus into your life and experienced His Amazing Grace. Please Click Here to ask Jesus to be your Lord and savior.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 19th 2018 – In Hindsight Struggles

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“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Sometimes we think that certain things in life are bad, while other things are good. But as we get a little older, we have an advantage of being able to look back and see life in a much different way. We begin to realize that certain things we thought were good were actually bad, and certain things we thought were bad were actually good.

This is one reason David was described as a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14). He knew God was in control of His life. David reasoned that the things he was going through, even the hard times, were preparing him for what came next. And he was right. David was being prepared for the great responsibilities that would eventually rest on his shoulders.

(Ecclesiastes 3:11) says, “God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

I’m convinced that when we get to Heaven, we will have a completely different perspective on what happened to us in life. We will look back at some of the most difficult times in our lives and realize that God was at work, developing character, endurance, and, most importantly, Christ-like-ness in us.

Christians like to often quote (Romans 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” But very few people quote the verse that immediately follows: “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

God’s end game is to make us holy. God’s goal is to make us like Jesus.

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 continue to Carve off the sin in my life and shape me into a vessel that can be used for Your Kingdom. Thank You for loving me and that I don’t have to lean on my own striving or the hope that my best is good enough. Lord, I don’t want my best, I want Your best. Please help me to commit all my plans to You so I can be more like Jesus. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not asked Jesus into your life and experienced His Amazing Grace. Please Click Here to ask Jesus to be your Lord and savior.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

January 18th 2018 – One Of A Kind

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“I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.” (Haggai 2:29)

If you found yourself on trial as a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you? This poignant question is good for us to ask because it causes us to assess our walk with the Lord. While this is helpful, be careful not to fall into the trap believing that all Christians look the same.

We all have trusted in Jesus for salvation, but the work He has for us is often different. Look around you. Is there someone hurting or in need of God’s Truth? What are your skills or spiritual gifts? Are you using them for the glory of God? You see, each of us is created to glorify God, but we all do that in different ways. Each of us is at a different level in our Christian walk but we are all walking with the same person, Jesus. So this morning, look at your life and ask God to show you how you can show Him to others in a way that only you can. He’s saved you. He’s equipped you with your unique special gifts. Celebrate that your one of a kind.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating me the way that You have. Each aspect of me is part of Your creative Spirit. I pray that You show me how I can use my gifts for Your glory and for the furthering of the Gospel. Help me to walk outside my door and be ready to engage those around me for Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not asked Jesus into your life and experienced His Amazing Grace. Please Click Here to ask Jesus to be your Lord and savior.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

January 13th 2018 – Strength In My Weakness and Storms

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even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

We don’t know what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. Most commentators believe it was some kind of physical disability that he probably acquired after one of his multiple beatings or stonings. Whatever it was, the devil wanted to use it to get Paul down. And it worked. Paul got down on his knees and called on God. The devil wanted to drive Paul away from God, but instead the apostle seeked Him that much greater.

When we go through suffering and hardship, it can be so difficult at times. I have been dealing with a health issue this last year. Often there are times I don’t feel I can get up. But I do, I spend my time with the Lord every morning praising God, being in His presence before writing these devotions everyday. You want to know something, the fellowship I have had with God has never been sweeter. I have never been more dependent on Him. There are times I don’t think I can handle it, and then God gives me the strength that I need. And I have learned things that I would not have learned anywhere else. I don’t know the “why” of it all, but I trust God, cling to God, and rely on God.

Are you facing hardship and suffering today? Pour out your heart to God. He is trustworthy.

“Don’t try to face any situations of life without the Lord.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, It gets so hard trying to face the storms of life on our own especially when we feel weak. I need Your power and strength to face each one. Please continue to help and teach me to turn to You first. Help me learn to patiently endure the suffering and the hard times and honor You in the midst of them as I walk by faith. I lift up all of my troubles and faithfully trust in You Lord that you will guide us through the storms and calm the raging seas. In Jesus name, Amen

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

 

January 10th 2018 – If God Gave You A Watch

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“What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.” (Romans 3:1-2)

A.W. Tozer once said, “If God gave you a watch, would you honor Him more by asking Him what time it is or by simply consulting the watch.” God has provided us with the instruction book He authored and it is our responsibility to read it and heed it. Never forget that there are places in this world where simply possessing a Bible brings a death sentence. Many Christians have been martyred and continue to be in astounding numbers across the globe for the very thing which many of us take for granted.

God has blessed you with a Bible and with the freedom to read it. What shall you do with it? Is it simply a ‘coffee table’ book, a drink coaster or a paperweight? Does it sit unused on a bookshelf? The Bible, which God has given you, will keep you and your family from an abundance of pain and trouble. It can save your marriage, your children and even your life, but only if you read, study and apply it. It is the very Word of God.

(John 8:31-32) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

I want to encourage you to study your Bible. Make certain that you and your family faithfully attend a Bible teaching church. Get into the habit of praying and reading your Bible daily. Lead your family in prayer and devotions. Be diligent to do these things, and you will be amazed by the changes, miracles and blessings that are poured out on you and your family.

“There is a blessing and a responsibility in having a Bible.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me Your Bible. Please forgive me if I have been slack in reading and studying it. I ask You to give me a hunger for Your Word. Open my heart to receive Your counsel and do the things You tell me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org