Category Archives: Love

November 11th 2019 – Happy Veterans Day

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

In the United States, Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th; many other countries have similar days devoted to the honoring of their soldiers. In this devotion for Veterans Day let’s look at 2 Timothy 2:1-7 to discover the proper attitude for a soldier.

As far back in history we go, when cities and countries were formed, each found it necessary to protect themselves by developing an army of soldiers. The Bible records information about Kings and soldiers in the book of Genesis. The Bible also tells us in 2 Timothy that every Christian is a soldier of Jesus Christ.

God uses the illustration of the soldier to help us how to understand our responsibilities as soldiers in the army of God.

We know that soldiers have suffered and died throughout history to protect their own country. Many times God also calls the Christian soldier to suffer, and sometimes die for his faith. This should not come as a surprise to us. If you take the time to read the book of Psalms, you know that many of the Psalms of David are filled with laments over David’s suffering, especially when the enemies of God were devoted to killing him even when he had done nothing wrong.

When God calls us to suffer, we must cry out to God for help, for He alone can help us. You’ll find that the more you are consistently reading God’s Word and praying to Him, this becomes almost second nature. You will find yourself talking to the Lord throughout the day. I think that is exactly what Paul is referring to when he tells us to pray without ceasing.

What would happen in the midst of battle if each soldier decided to fight the battle the way he thought best. Chaos would soon set in. You would hope to fight against an army such as that because you would be guaranteed to win! The scripture tells us that the soldier seeks to please the one who enlisted him.

As a soldier of Christ, finish the battle! Don’t give up midstream’ don’t go back to the sins of your youth. Rather just as the athlete is not crowned until he competes according to the rules and finishes the race.

I pray that you will be a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ so that you too, will receive the Crown of Life at the end of your battle!

This Veterans Day, We salute all of the United States Military Veterans! God Bless you.

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Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for all of the people that have risked thier lives and the ones that paid the ultimate price so that we can be live freely in this nation. I also thank You Lord for the ultimate sacrifice that not only many of our veterans made for me, but You made for me…. Please bring healing to our nation Lord God. Also be with our leaders and help reunite and heal our precious country.  I pray that a great awaking  happens in this country and the people and  leaders of people fall to their knees in prayer and proclaim You Lord. That will truly make “America Great Again!” In Your glorious name, Amen.

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 6th 2019 – YOUnique Gifts & Talents

“For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

God has uniquely gifted you in special ways because He has special things for you to do. Enjoy the calling God has gifted you with, but be careful where your eyes wander. It can be easy to begin coveting another’s gifts. When we get wrapped up in envy, we can neglect our own calling, pridefully telling God that He gave us the wrong gifts. Ask yourself, on who does pride misplace your reliance? Pride is a dangerous thing, and it has wrecked many a man despite the best intentions.

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (Romans 12:3)

So, how do you explore your gifts? You won’t unearth much sitting on your couch. Pray and ask God how you can help. Through serving the Lord, you will begin to identify those things God has equipped you to do. As you use your gifts, you will discover and develop skills you didn’t know you had. Gifted musicians spend hours practicing; the more you use your gifts the more gifted you become. Are you faithfully using your gifts?

“We have all been given gifts by God. We should develop our gifts for the glory of God and to bless others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for uniquely gifting me with talents and resources. Lord, I want to use my gifts for You. I want to experience the joy You have for me. Lord, I know I have been ungrateful for the gifts You have given me. Forgive me. Forgive me for being so distracted by what others are doing and not focusing on what You have blessed me with. I offer You all 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 1st 2019 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 3 of 5)

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.

“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. (Joshua 2:1)

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..

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 31st 2019 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 2 of 5)

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.

“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.” (1 Samuel 17:28-30)

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 I would love to set up a time and pray with you. roblavallee@gmail.com

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

 

October 27th 2019 – Church, Hospital For Sinners or Museum for Saints

“And to the sons of Aaron they gave one of the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands, Hilen with its common-lands, Debir with its common-lands, Ashan with its common-lands, and Beth Shemesh with its common-lands. And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its common-lands, Alemeth with its common-lands, and Anathoth with its common-lands. All their cities among their families were thirteen.” (1 Chronicles 6:57-60)

I was recently discussing with an acquaintance about how aweful it has become to receive the proper healthcare since the creation of the affordable healthcare act. I explaind that I was personally speaking from experience after having to deal with health related problems myself the last few years. I was basically verbally attacked by this guy, he attacked my character, my faith, he absolutely lost his mind. All of this for sharing my personal experience.

I have a strong beleive system and alot of faith. I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I love our Country. But I am also still a sinner, I am still dealing with many thorns in my side. This was one of these moments where my flesh and my faith met at a crossroad. I had to walk away from my conversation with this guy because if I had stayed there, he may have had to seek medical attention himself.

In my quiet time this morning repenting for my actions the Lord corrected my heart.

Jesus equated hating someone with murder because murder is what lurks in the heart of all who hate. Jesus also equated lust with adultery because adultery is what lurks in the heart of all who lust. It is a heart issue. Without physically committing murder, we have still done so because it is in our heart. Sin has many tentacles and it will find its way into all the cracks we leave open in our lives. Who can say they have never hated? Who can say they have never lusted, lied or stolen? We all need a refuge.

The church is a hospital for sinners and not a museum for saints. The perfect church does not exist because all churches are made up of people and all people have sinned (Romans 3:10, 23).

The church is a refuge where murderers, adulterers, liars and idolaters come to the One who can forgive our sins, Jesus. When the church puts on an air of righteousness and unobtainable holiness, we cease to be a refuge and become a museum instead.

“So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.” (Hebrews 6:18)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for providing Your Son as a refuge for my sins. Lord, I need You. Through You, I can lay down the chains of my past and lay hold of the hope You have set before me. Help me to be strength to others. Give me the ability to use my gifts and talents to draw others closer to 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

October 26th 2019 – Live an Abundant Life

“So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)

Satan never has a good day. He is completely miserable, and he wants to make you miserable too. He will offer you fun, that turns into immense sorrow, laughter that turns into tears and temporary pleasure that turns into a life of pain and possibly into an eternity of pain. God’s word tells us that we must resist.  Satan wants to destroy our life and kill us, God desires to give more of life and offers a eternity with Him.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

In order for us to resist the devil, we must first allow Jesus to change us from the inside out. You can go through the motions and do all the right things, but if you don’t let Jesus change the old ways, you are being deceived and being cheated of beautiful and abundant life. Don’t allow the enemy to gain control. Submit to God and allow His Spirit to help you and direct you in His ways..

“God can bless you, wherever you are.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know there have been times I have allowed the enemy to pull me away from Your best. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear You more clearly through Your Word, Your Holy Spirit and other believers. I want Your ways, not the enemies ways! In Jesus Name, Amen.

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 23rd 2019 – In This World But Not Of This World

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” (1 Peter 1:1)

Whenever you think of aliens, you probably have images of flying saucers and little green men. While that concept is farfetched, the concept of being an alien is not. In 1 Peter 1, Peter describes the church at that time as “pilgrims”. This could also be translated as “foreigners” or “aliens”.

The idea is that they are not of this world. In this statement, Peter is affirming an important Truth for all believers. This earth is not our home. When we believe in Jesus for salvation and are born again, we are born into a new nature. We begin thinking & acting differently. While our bodies may be here on earth, our thoughts are on Heaven where we will one day live. Even our bodies are referred to as “tents” because they are simply temporary dwelling places.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) 

If we are of Heaven, how are we supposed to live in this world? The answer is that we live for God. We invest our time, energy, finances and anything else we have on earth into eternal things. God wants us to enjoy the blessings of this planet, but we should never hold on to them as if they are all we have. When Heaven is in our view, we can give our lives away without fear because we know that no matter what, Heaven waits for us on the other side.

“While Christians may live on earth, our eternal home is in Heaven.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the hope of Heaven and the promise of an eternity with You. Help me to remember Heaven is my home so that I can find peace even in difficult times. Lord, please use my time, money and other resources for the Kingdom of God. Today, I desire to live for eternity. 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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 22nd 2019 – Do Everything In Love

“Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

In 1 Corinthians 16:14, we find such a simple command. Simply put, we are to do everything with love. While this may appear simple in direction, it’s not simple in action. Because we are broken vessels in an evil world, it can be difficult to do everything with love. After all, our first reaction is to preserve ourselves. Our emotions, our lives, our stuff; these are the things we strive to maintain at all cost… and love demands we lose them for the sake of others.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

As Christians, we are no longer slaves to ourselves. We have been freed to love others just as Christ loved us. He is our great example as well as our strength. We cannot love rightly on our own. We must depend on Jesus. So next time someone causes you to see red, look to the cross of Christ and the blood that He shed for you. He died for us when we didn’t deserve it so now we can forgive others even when they don’t deserve it.

“You’re not living until you give your life away and start to love.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for Your love and grace. Because You loved me, I am able to love others in every circumstance. Give me strength to walk in obedient love and to look for opportunities to care for others around me. As Your love increases in me, may my selfishness decrease. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 18th 2019 – Teach Me to Love Like Jesus

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 14:28)

Have you ever showed attitude toward someone? Maybe a cheek or a cold shoulder? We treat people with whatever emotion and feelings we have at that very moment. Sometimes we’re sad and seek comfort from those around us. Other times we’re just angry and all we want to do is find someone to blame and take our anger out on. But the worst feeling of all? Not feeling loved and not wanting to love in return. Lucky for us, we have Jesus who taught us how to love and how to treat others. How did Jesus love? Let’s see.

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”. (Phillipians 2:1-11)

How do you treat the people around you?

Take a moment to think about this for each of the following categories: family, friends, neighbors, random classmates, strangers, your teacher or you boss.

How did Jesus treat others?

How did Jesus treat those times of anguish and pain? How encouraged are you to live with that loving mindset?

I will say that, for myself, I don’t always treat others right. Sometimes I feel spiteful. Sometimes I feel lonely or hurt. Other times I’m just angry and or just wretched. So what can you do when you’re in that state? Going to God isn’t always option 1, but it should be. Paul instructs us to do nothing out of selfish ambition, but to do things with others’ interest in mind. I know I don’t always “consider others better than myself”. Or I don’t treat them like I should.

But think about Jesus. He took all that pain and lowered himself to the standing of a servant. He loved and he served. He saved and then, He lived. That’s how we must live. There’s a song that goes something like this; “We live, we love, we forgive and never give up, cause the days we are given are gifts from above, so today remember to Love.

“Jesus gave us the commandment to Love one another. As He has loved us, so we need lto show compassion and love to others. If you dont know how, ask Jesus to teach you to love like He does.”

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, you are so awesome, you never cease to amaze me. I praise you for my wife, my family and my friends that express their love into my life everyday. Please teach me to live my life by loving others like You Love me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

October 15th 2019 – Seeing the Whole Picture

“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.” Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t go back into the village on your way home.” (Mark 8:22-26)

Have you ever seen or heard of a photo mosaic? It’s a really large image made up of many, many smaller pictures. I always thought they were really cool, because each individual picture has a story of its own, but when you take a few steps back and look at the entire masterpiece, it is really something else.

God is in control. Always. He has a reason for everything, though it may not be (immediately, or ever) revealed to us. In this passage, I find it noteworthy that Jesus decided to heal the man’s sight in two steps (instead of immediate complete healing).

For one thing, Jesus’ simple question (“Do you see anything?”) is a chance for Him to test and challenge the man’s faith. Is the man bold enough to honestly answer Jesus and tell Him that he only sees “trees walking around?” Is the man’s faith great enough to trust that Jesus has the power of complete healing? (How would you respond?)

Also, I think that Jesus’ two-step healing of the man’s sight is representative of a situation we often find ourselves in. Many times, we think we see the whole picture. We think that we know everything that is going on. However, we sometimes find that what we are looking at is just one little frame in the huge mosaic masterpiece. Our vision is equivalent to seeing people as trees walking around. We think we see it all, but God has so, so much more in store. He has so much more that He wants to show us. Ask Him to reveal more of His desire and His heart to you today.

“Sometimes God lets you be in a situation that only He can fix so that you can see that He is the One who fixes it. Rest. He’s got it.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, fully open my eyes to your current condition–physical, spiritual, emotional, mental during this quiet time in Your presence. With this new sight and new life that You Lord have given to me, I ask you to give me eyes like yours, that you may see You at work everywhere, both on the micro and macro scale. When I feel like all I can see is vague shapes of you presence, I ask earnestly and boldly that You will reveal to me not only the bigger picture, but how my work can further Your kingdom. 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org