Category Archives: Joy and Happiness

September 23rd 2017 – Are You, Overburdened?

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“On the third day, we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.” (Acts 27:19)

Here is a cool fact, Did you know that ships have a line drawn along the hull to indicate their burden? If the line goes too far beneath the water, the sailors know there is too much cargo on board. This allows the sailor to take the necessary steps to avoid disaster. Wouldn’t it be great if we had indicators on us? In Acts 27, Paul, now a prisoner, was taken by ship to Rome where he and the ship’s crew encounter a mighty storm. In danger of shipwreck, the ship’s crew threw overboard the cargo they once had considered necessities. Timing and events can really change the way we look at things. We fill our lives with ‘tackle’ and ‘rigging’ that is not important to the eternal plan. Often, we get distracted by those things and cling to them rather than to God. We think… “Oh, I need this” or “I just can’t live without that,” but soon, overburdened, we hit a storm and sink.

(Hebrews 12:1) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”

What’s in your cargo hold? Are you carrying bitterness? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is your ship laden with shame? Are you hauling around guilt or sin? In (Matthew 11:28-30), Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Why carry burdens around when you don’t have to? Won’t you lay your burdens at the foot of the cross?

“Lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross, before you sink”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Please forgive me for my sins and show me the burdens I carry that You want to remove. There may be things I’m not aware of that are distracting me from the best that You have for me. Please show me these things so that I can give them over to You. 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

 

September 22nd 2017 – What Really Matters

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“Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to your tents, O Israel! Now see to your own house, O David!”
( 2 Chronicles 10:16)

In our world of twenty-four hour news stations and action packed live reporting, it’s easy to see and hear all the bad things happening in our country and the world. If we compound this with our own personal struggles and pains, we will easily find ourselves anxious or worse yet, hopeless. In 2 Chronicles 10, the people of Israel are trying to come to grips with the splitting of their nation. As they watch their kingdom crumble, they chose to look at their circumstance rather than their God.

(Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.”

No matter where we are in life, or as a Nation. We can always find something bad to focus on. Lately in the USA. Alot of what we hear from day to day is how much our is nation divided, All of the stories of slander and hate between political parties, racial rifts, hurricanes, earth quakes, famine and death, wars and rumors of wars. Definitely sounds like what the Bible predicts in the end of times.  Its easy at times for me to get caught up in it too.

What we need, is to flee from a constant intake of bad news and focusing on Satans plans. These things do nothing but cause division and pain. Instead, we should look to the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. As we set our eyes on Him we will find peace for our souls and life abundant.

“Follow only that which leads you to Jesus. Because honestly, that is what what matters. “

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. Help me to be discerning with what or who I listen to. May I always be mindful of Your goodness and grace. Thank You for my family, my friends and all of the ones that are in my life. Father, use me to share whatever is good and right with others that are around me. Lord, also please help me draw others to You. That is where they will find the truth, real hope and love. 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

 

September 13th 2017 – Shine Bright

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer:

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

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

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click here to learn more.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 11th 2011 – Garden of Your Heart

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“This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: ‘Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.’” (Jeremiah 4:3)

If you have every planted a garden, you know that seed does not do well on hard ground. No matter how many seeds thrown to the ground, they will just bounce around until they are either eaten or blown away. In order for the seeds to take root and produce fruit, they must actually enter into the ground which means the ground must first be plowed.

Plowing is not easy. It takes time and energy to break open the dry ground in order to expose and prepare the soil underneath. The same is true with our hearts. Apart from God, our hearts are sun dried and barren, but when we begin honestly looking into the Word of God, the Holy Spirit begins plowing our heart so that we will receive the Truths of God. Just like gardening, it can be hard but it is worth the effort. The more we take God’s Word to heart, the more God digs out rocks of sin and pride, while planting great promises. God desires to see our lives filled with the fruit of His Spirit, but we must first be willing to be broken. Don’t fight it, embrace it, and you will find great joy awaiting the other end.

“The Holy Bible is the Word of God and is our source for everything we need to know about God, ourselves and salvation.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the love that You have shown me and the promise that You can make me new. Give me the strength to trust You as you plow my heart. Open my heart to understanding and my mind to your Truth. Plant in me all that You desire and use me to be a vessel of your grace. 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

September 10th 2017 – His Amazing and Perfect Love

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“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”(Malachi 4:2)

The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures often centered on a common theme of the coming judgment for the people of Israel. In the book of Malachi, it is no different. This final book of the Old Testament brings a very real promise of coming judgment, yet in the midst of this proclamation is a message of hope and blessings. You see, the reality is that our sin is worthy of God’s judgment. We have broken His laws and deserve punishment, but God does not leave us there. Instead, He stepped down out of Heaven, in the form of Jesus Christ, and made a way for us to be saved from this punishment.

When Jesus died on the cross over 2000 years ago, He proclaimed to the whole world His love for mankind. Now because of this amazing love, we can find hope and a future in a relationship with Jesus. When we realize our sin and turn to God for forgiveness, He opens His arms wide desiring to shower us with His grace and mercy. This is the God of the Bible, both perfect in judgment and perfect in love. Do you know Him? If so, rejoice because the coming of the Lord brings healing and joy! If not, then come to Him today and find rest for your weary soul and love for all eternity.

“The day of the Lord brings healing & joy to those who fear the Lord.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and I pray that You would forgive me of my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that I could be forgiven. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to live a life dedicated to You. Thank You for Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have prayed this prayer, 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.

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

September 2nd 2017 – Grace & Peace

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“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:2)

Grace. It’s a word we use a lot in Christianity, but do we truly understand what it means? To some, grace is just a prayer you say before eating, but in reality, grace is a life changing experience. Each of us is born into this world with a problem. That problem is that we are enemies of God. Because of our sin, we are at war with God and therefore, we deserve punishment. This tension between us and God leads to frustration, anxiety and fear. After all, if I know that I have done bad things, how am I supposed to make up for them? Can I do good things to outweigh it? No. Can I punish myself to satisfy God? No. The only solution for complete peace with God is His grace.

(Ephesians 2:8) “For by grace you have been savedthrough faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

When we admit to God that we are sinners and believe in Jesus for forgiveness, we experience His grace. God gives us forgiveness, love and eternal rewards not because we are good, but because He is. This is grace. When we understand this grace, we have peace. Peace to know that God is with us. Peace even in the storms of life because we know that God is on our side. While the world uses drugs, alcohol, sex and money to achieve temporary peace, God offers eternal peace. This peace doesn’t come from us earning it, but from the perfect grace of a loving God.

“If you don’t know grace, you can’t know peace.”

“No God No Peace, Know God know Peace”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the grace that comes through Jesus. Because of this amazing grace, I can have true peace. No matter what today throws at me, I can know that Your love is true and Your forgiveness is real. May these Truths stay in the front of my mind and may You use me to share this peace with others today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Invitation:

Jesus, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long 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 name Amen.

If you prayed this prayer please  Click Here and let us know.. We would love to pray for you and with you. Congratulations and welcome to Gods family.

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

August 30th 2017 – Answer the Call

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“Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

Have you ever been called to do something? Maybe you received a call from a friend to help them move. You may have received the call from a family member or friend who needed advice. All those things are great, but did you know that as a Christian, you have been called by God? If you have a relationship with Jesus, then you are called by Him to change the world. This may be through personal evangelism, serving at your church, giving to the ministry or many other things. Whatever the call may be, all Christians should obey God’s call on their life.

A little over five years ago, God called us into a new adventure with this ministry.  He encouraged me to step out and start writing and teaching His word to others. From that moment over five years ago, God has increased the number from a couple of people reading each day, to days that have over 50,000 views, but more importantly, He has continued to change lives through the teaching of His Word. I didn’t know all the details, I just was obedient to His call. God told me to teach His word, He would take care of the rest.

As of yesterday we reached a total of “since we started” 24,208 people that have come to know Jesus personally, and these were the people that took the time to check the “I accepted Jesus” button or email us. All of this because we answered a call and partnered with Jesus. I had no idea that the call He had placed on my life would end up impacting people all over the world, but God did! We have never asked for or received any donations other than what we put in ourselves. We continue to work our full time jobs. God truly and faithfully does provide…

You honestly have no idea what God is going to do through your obedience to His call on your life. Take that step today. Walk in boldness and Faith and Trust the Lord, live for Him and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

“We are all called to be different in our lives, and we should be passionate and serious about that calling.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for saving me and changing my life. Today, I give my life to You and ask that You would use my life for Your glory and the good of others. Give me a passion for the lost and an opportunity to use my gifts and talents for Your Kingdom. You’ve called me to action, and I’m answering. 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

August 29th 2017 – Grip of Grace

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“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)

We tend to think about grace pouring down over us as a one time event. If it was a one time event, we are in trouble. You see, the grace of God is something that we need every day. We are told that the mercy of the Lord endures forever. That means it will never grow too small or be worn out. As we look at the life of Peter, we see a man who fell and then got up. There is a lesson in that for us. We often count ourselves out when the Lord has not counted us out. There is no one beyond the reach of His grace. If this includes Peter and his denials, it includes us and our misbehaviors. Though we struggle and though we sometimes fail, we can live in this knowledge. We have 24/7 access to His love and forgiveness. We live in the grip of His grace.

(Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

“be assured that as followers of Jesus, we can be forgiven of all our mistakes.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace, and may I run to Your throne of grace often. Please forgive me of every thing that hinders me in running the race. 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

August 26th 2017 – Tears to Diamonds

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“I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.” (Psalms 6:6)

How does pain hit us? How do we respond to it? It could come from the death of a precious loved one, the hardship of having someone betray you, continuous struggles or the sin you keep falling into that you hate. Perhaps you’ve had sorrow as King David did and had a child turn against you. Many of us, no matter how tough we are, have experienced pain that brought us to tears. How does God look at you and me during our struggles and when we’re weeping before Him?

(Psalms 56:8)
“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”

Our loving heavenly Father takes distinct note of when we cry. When we cry, we do not keep our tears, but they are captured by the Lord. Have you ever been bothered by seeing your child struggle, getting hurt, and crying? It is even more so with our Father in heaven who sent His Son to intercede with His tears on behalf of our struggles and sins. Jesus sowed tears of sorrow for our sin so that He could give us joy by defeating our sin (Psalm 126:3).

Take heart today by knowing God has taken note of our struggle, our prayer, our tears, and most importantly our sins, and we will ultimately be eternally freed if we have entrusted our life to Him.

(Revelation 21:4)
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

“Our tears will turn to diamonds in His nail scarred hand.”

“Diamonds are just coal that did well under pressure.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for capturing my heart, my sorrows, and my tears. Thank you for paying the ultimate price for my sin so that I can be eternally delivered from the sorrow of my sin and this sin stained world. I have great hope because of You Lord. Thank you for caring for me and remembering me even when I weep. Please keep reminding me that my tears are but for a moment, and you will wipe every tear I ever had away from my face. Please give me Your power to see and walk in Your joy since I know this day is coming. 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

August 17th 2017 – Hide and Seek

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If you seek me with all your heart you will find me”  (Jeremiah 29:13-14 partial)

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)

The Lord encourages us to seek Him with all our heart and all our soul. If we do pursue Him with everything within us, He promises that we will find Him. I imagine this to be similar to a child’s game of hide and seek. When my children were young, they would love to play this game with me, They would turn towards the wall and close their eyes and count to ten.

In the mean time, I would scamper off into another part of the house to find a place in which to hide. At the count of ten, my children in much delight would begin their quest to find me. Their anticipation would build as they would open every closet door and look under every bed.

While the searching part of the game was always fun, it was the finding part that was the real climax! I never chose a place too hard for my children to find me. I loved the moment when the children would finally catch me. Our cry of “You found me!” and their cry of “I found you!” would happen simultaneously followed by a mutual celebration that the game was over.

The game wouldn’t have been fun if my intention was to hide so that my children would never find me. The fun is in being found. I think it is the same way in our relationship with God. When He calls us to search for Him, He never hides Himself so well that He cannot be found.

“If you seek Jesus with all your heart you will find Him.” Hint… He is Right Here —> Click Here

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am thankful that You do not make it difficult for me to find You, for You are never far away and are always happy to be found! I pray that I might pursue You with all my heart and my soul, all the while having a child-like anticipation of finding You! 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