Category Archives: Hope

May 2nd 2019 – Every End is a New Beginning

“Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the West and the East, to the North and the South; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lordis in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Genesis 28:10-17)

So this was the end result of Jacob’s scheming and stealing away of the birthright from his brother Esau. Esau was out to kill Jacob for his treachery, and so Jacob had to flee. Leaving everything behind, Jacob sets out fearfully towards an uncertain future, He certainly had not planned for things to end up like this.

Yet even as this story comes to an end, Jacob discovers that he is just beginning another story. In the time of darkest prospects, God gives to Jacob the brightest promises. One moment Jacob fears to look ahead at all, and the next moment Jacob has everything in the world to look forward to. In his fear and loneliness, God comes to Jacob and promises to be with him. In this revelation, Jacob confesses, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it”

We stand today at an apparent ending of a story, at the coming to an ending of a life. Somehow we are always caught by surprise by the endings. We have not expected or planned for them. Like Jacob, we dread to look to a future that is no future. We too are fearful, apprehensive, and perhaps, not a little bit angry.

Yet do we have any beginning in our situation? What bright promise do we have? Can the Lord be in this place of antiseptic and blood and tubes and machines? Could it be that this place of dying “is none other than the house of God . . . the gate of heaven?”

God came to Jacob at a desperate time in his life in a desert place and promised to be with him. The presence of God was the assurance of the new beginning. Through Christ, God has promised also to us that he will be with us always

“and that nothing can separate us from his love” (Matthew 28:20)

“We do have beginning and hope and future, though in this place we may not know it. We pray that we may know it.” (Romans 8:38-39)

“Our quitting point is God’s beginning point. God specializes in giving people a fresh start.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we confess that you, as Creator, are the beginning of all things. As Almighty God, you are also the ending of all things. At this time we see the ending more clearly, and we are afraid and unsure, and we do not understand. Lord, let us know your presence with us. Give us the assurance that there is some new beginning, some future in you. Show your love in this place and give us peace and promise. 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, pleaseClick Here and we will pray for you..

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 30th 2019 – Reign Within

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life– the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:1-4 )

Our life, our fellowship with the Father, is all because of Jesus. When you make Jesus the Lord of your life and the power of the Holy Spirit comes within you it changes everything.

It is a complete life changing experience. You see, when I try to do things on my own,  I have my own limited human power to help me overcome. But when I let His life live within me, I’m letting the life of the Eternal One, the very life of God Himself, His reign within me.

Think of it like this. We live in a world of computers. If I wanted to figure out some very complicated problem with my own mind, I would struggle to find the answer, maybe never figure it out at all. Now if I put the information into a computer that has the program to figure it out, it will get done in no time. So it is with us. Our Heavenly Father has been here forever and knows the answer to all of life’s problems. He wants us to fellowship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when we do, all of a sudden it seems like things that seemed so big seem to get in line.

So today, don’t look to the problem, look to the Greater One Who lives within you. Fellowship with Him. Give Him a place of dominance in your life and watch how everything in life gets in line.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Today, I look to the You who lives within me. when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. I thank You and love You Jesus, Amen.

Watch “Breathe – Michael W. Smith”

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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 26th 2019 – Our Deepest Pains

“Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” (2 Corinthians 1:6)

If you knew that the pain a friend was facing would lead them to God, would you remove the pain if you were able? If you understood that the heartache of a loved one would result in the salvation of their soul, would you allow it to happen? If you realized that the suffering that you are dealing with right now meant that God would use you to comfort another person, would you refuse to endure it? These are difficult questions but they are important ones to ask. If God is good and can be trusted, doesn’t that mean He has a plan and purpose for everything, even our pain?

I once had a very different life, I was successful measured by the world standards, owned a corporation. Had a wonderful marriage, our children were happy, owned a beautiful home and we were not in any debt. I enjoyed life to the fullest.

One day, without any signs or warnings life was turned upside down because my wife of 15 years decided that she wanted to live a single life and left the children and I.

Life was by no means easy. Our innocent children suffered from abandonment and the loss of everything familiar to them. A few months later I had traumatic brain injury related to a stroke I suffered from all the stress.

There were friends and family who saw it as a tragedy. After all, I had to endure surgeries, and years of therapy and difficulties just to be able think correctly.

There are those in the world who would have looked at my situation and asked “How can a good God exist when someone especially children have to suffer like this.” There’s a problem with that thought; they can’t see God’s full plan. You see, because of my story of hardship, I am able to share comfort with those who have endured similar things. Also, as people hear the amazing story of what God has done in my life, how He sought me out and saved me. How He also gave me a wonderful new wife, new friends and a miracle recovery.

He gets the glory. In the end, my past sufferings (I gave you the short verson) have been used to draw men and women into a relationship with God. That, is worth every moment of pain I endured.

“Every pain in life can find meaning by learning to comfort others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the trials You have allowed in my life. Help me to patiently endure those hard times so that I can be used to comfort and minister to others in their times of need. Thank you for your presence when I am facing battles. I pray that the wounds I received during these tough times, cause me see and respond to the world more like Jesus did and not how the fleshly side wants to react. I ask that these trials would cause me closer to grow closer to Him. I understand that You something’s let us hurt, knowing that there is beauty and purpose in the pain. Thank you for those pains and for that hurt. Lord God, thank you for the lesson that you will reveal in my trials. 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. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 25th 2019 – Spiritual Pride

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1)

In Romans chapter one, we learn about the unrighteousness of man. In chapter two, Paul addresses our self-righteousness; our desire to consider ourselves better than everybody else. Nobody wants to be called self-righteous, yet we are so quick to judge others. We need to be aware of your own weakness and sinfulness. If you think that once you became a Christian you stopped sinning, you should check out the passage below:

“If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place.” (1 John 1:8-10)

Judge yourself. If you look long at the sins of others and not enough at your own sins, you will develop spiritual pride, which is a stench to God. Have you ever looked at someone and thought there is no hope for them? Well then, you are making the statement that the mercy of God is limited. You are pridefully saying that your sins are covered, but another’s are not. Every person, whether we deem them good people or not, needs God’s saving power and grace. Stop and think… How much have you been forgiven? Does this mean we cannot speak into other’s lives? Absolutelywe can and should, but not in condemnation. Just as God has heaped His grace so abundantly on you, in discernment you can speak into someone’s life from your experiences with an attitude of love, peppered with grace. You cannot condemn someone and offer hope at the same time. The moment we start to condemn people is the moment we forget our mission. What is our mission? Our mission is to tell people about Jesus.

“Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

“pridefully Seeing the Sin in others does not root out the Sin in us”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for forgiving me of my sins. I am so grateful for Your grace. Please forgive me for times when I, in my own pride, look at someone else and condemned them in my mind. Please give me opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Thank You. 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. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 23rd 2019 – Safe and Secure with Jesus

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

I want you to really know how safe and secure you are in God’s presence. If you have asked Jesus personally into your life, you are on your way to heaven. There is nothing that can prevent you from reaching that destination. When you eventually leave this life, you will have the pleasure to see Him face to face, and your Joy will be off the charts by any earthly standards. Even now, you are never separated from Him, though you must see God through eyes of faith. He will walk with you till the end of time, and onward into eternity.

Although there are times that we may not always feel His presence in our lives. Here are just a few of God promises:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)

“May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us.” (1 Kings 8:57)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

We may choose to leave God, but He will never leave us.  No matter how bleak the situation, no matter how empty the feeling comes, God will never leave you!  His promises are true.  His word is above all!  We can move forward because, He goes before us.  And if God be for us, who can be against us? 

When you forget that He is with you, you may experience loneliness or fear. It is through awareness of His Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings. Practice discipline of walking consciously with Jesus through each and every day.

“God’s promise, Safe and Secure in His presence”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for walking with me and giving me peace. I surrender each day to you that you will use me to help others get to know you. My you continue to mold me into the person you have destined me to become. I love you Lord. In jesus’ name. Amen.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?

If you do not know Jesus 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. 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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 20th 2019 – He Loved Us First

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

Do you understand what this means? While we did not love God, He loved us. While we did not look for God, He looked for us. The love of God is an active and seeking kind of love. His love is looking for ways to express itself toward us. When He paints a beautiful sunset, He is expressing His love toward us. When He speaks through the pages of His Word, that is His love toward us. When He was dying on the cross, He was proclaiming to a lost and dying world that He had a very real and undying love for us. For God so Loved the World… it doesn’t get any better than this.

“Always Remain close to your creator and pray when you are in difficulties, God loves you irrespective of your situations or circumstances. Never depend too much on anyone; because even your own shadow disappears when you are in darkness but God never leaves you!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the beauty of Your creation and the way You express Your love for me through it. Thank You for searching for me. Thank You for finding me and thank You for speaking to me. Thank You, my Savior, for saving me. I pray this 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 18th 2019 – Pride Destroys Relationships

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” (1 Philippians 2:3)

Pride destroys relationships. It shows up in so many ways, like criticism, competition, stubbornness, and superficiality. Another problem with pride is that it’s self-deceiving. Everybody else can see it in us but us. When you have a problem with pride, you often don’t see it in your life.

“Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin”  the Message Bible puts it this way. “First pride, then the crash — the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Pride destroys relationships, but humility is the antidote to pride. Humility builds relationships. The Bible says in (1 Peter 3:8) “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble”

How are you and I going to grow in humility? It happens by letting Jesus Christ begin to control our thoughts and hearts and attitudes and reactions. He’s got to be a part of this.

“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person” (Ephesians 4:23-24)

How do you become a new person? How do you start to think in a different way? The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to have more humility, spend time with Jesus Christ. He is humble. He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to spend time with him in prayer and reading his Word and talking to him. He is humble, and as you get to know him, you’ll become more like him.

“Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves …. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (Philippians 2:3,5,6)

No one has done anything more humble than Jesus, coming from Heaven to Earth to become a man, live for us, give his life for us, and be resurrected for us. When you spend time around him, it makes you more humble, and that builds your relationships..

“Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes” John Ruskin

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace. Please forgive me for the times when I have let my pride outshine my grace.  Help me to show grace from now on so that others will see You in me. I lift up the broken relationships in my life because I let pride get in the way. Help to humble my heart and ask for forgiveness when needed and soften my heart to extend grace and forgiveness to others. Keep me my old ways.  I pray this 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 17th 2019 – Magnify My Faith and Wisdom

So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
(Esther 5:4)

The book of Esther is an amazing book. While not mentioning the name of God, it clearly displays the work of God in the life of His people. Esther was one of those individuals who was given power and placed in a role to change history. Sometimes, we think that following God means random acts of faith. While faith is crucial, we must also remember that we are called to be wise in our actions.

In Esther 5, Esther is using great wisdom. She has a hard message to take to the King, but rather than blurt it out at the wrong time, she is preparing herself and the king for the important conversation. People say, “I don’t have to use wisdom, I am using faith.” God gives us wisdom, creativity and intelligence to use. Esther used the wisdom, guided by faith, to bring about amazing results for the people of Israel. Are you walking in wisdom? Do you consider all the options; make a plan of action for your life, ministry or family time? We all could be more like Esther, intentional in our actions and lead by God’s wisdom. Even today, let’s prepare ourselves for ministering to others and then step out with faith to get it done.

“The fear of the LORD isthe beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holyisunderstanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

“When we walk in faith, wisdom and boldness, incredible things can happen.” 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Bible that helps me understand how I am to think and act. Help me to grow in wisdom and to be intentional with my life. In the times when You prompt me to act, please magnify my faith, especially when I don’t completly understand. Give me opportunities to step out in boldness to love, give and share my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to seek true peace in your life, try seeking Jesus. click here to learn more

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

April 15th 2019 – From Pain To Passion

“How fair and how pleasant you are, O love, with your delights!” (Song of Solomon 7:6)

Within the book of Song of Solomon, we encounter the dramatic love of Solomon and his bride. We also encounter their first fight. Yet, it seems that as soon as the fight begins, it ends. It does not end in simple tolerance of one another, but it ends with that renewed passion & desire. This leaves us asking, “How can other marriages move from pain to passion so quickly.” The answer is simple yet sometimes difficult to live out. It’s the two main biblical principles of forgiveness and love. When a marriage has a foundation of active forgiveness and genuine love, there may be conflict, but it won’t remain long.

So how do we bring these two elements into our marriages? Again, the answer sounds simplistic but without Christ, it is impossible. To live within these elements of love and forgiveness, we must choose to be loving and forgiving. Today, choose to forgive your spouse for anything they may do. Choose to love them despite their faults and failures. Choose to love them like Christ loves us in that while we were still sinners, He died for us. That is true love. Even in view of our weakness, Jesus chose to forgive us of everything. In light of this great love found in Christ, we too can learn to love and forgive in our relationships. When we do, we will be equipped to move quickly from pain to passion in our marriages.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

“It is impossible to live a life of continual, active forgiveness without a relationship with Christ.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

April 14th 2019 – I Loved You At Your Darkest

“I blasted you with blight and mildew. When your gardens increased, Your vineyards, Your fig trees, And your olive trees, The locust devoured them; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the LORD.” (Amos 4:9)

Often in the Scriptures, we read of the judgments of God and gasp as we see Israel and other nations suffering under the Lord’s power. While the judgments of God are difficult, we must understand that all through the Old Testament God is showing grace and mercy. In the prophets, He calls for people to turn from their wicked ways and He will forgive them. You see, while God’s discipline can often seem extreme, His love is just as potent.

“But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Love to the Extreme – that is what the God of all creation has shown towards us. While we were steeped in sin and suffering under the weight of condemnation, He stepped out of heaven and gave His life for ours. The punishment that we deserved was placed upon Jesus on the cross. Each strike of the nails that pierced His hands was done so that we could know forgiveness. Each cruel word and slash of the whip on Jesus’ body happened so that we could spend eternity with Him. All we have to do is come to Jesus seeking forgiveness and trusting in Him for salvation. As we do, we take part in the greatest love anyone could ever know.

“God goes to extreme measures to reveal His love for us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have done and sometimes do wrong. Today, I come to You and ask that You would forgive me of all my sins. I confess that Jesus is Lord and I believe that He died for my sins and was raised from the grave three days later. Lord, make me a new creation and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayerClick Here

Have you ever received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If you do not know Him personally, you will never truly be able to experience Love to the Extreme!. 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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org