Category Archives: Serving Others

March 8th 2020 – Love Like Jesus

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And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

In 1 Peter 4, the apostle uses an interesting word to describe the love we are to have for one another. He says we are to have a “fervent” love. In the Greek, this word means “stretched out” and carries with it a picture of a runner straining for the finish line. It’s a vivid image of a love that never quits.

Peter commands Christians to work hard at loving each other. The Greek word translated as “deeply,” “earnestly,” or “fervently” is ektenē, used to describe the muscles of an athlete straining to win a race. Peter writes that Christians should do this “above all.” A follower of Christ must make demonstrating the love of Jesus to others his or her first priority. This is always a requirement, but especially crucial during seasons of suffering.

What does this “stretched out” love look like? Peter answers this question with the next quote, “Love will cover a multitude of sins.” In other words, a fervent, stretched-out love is a love that forgives no matter the cost. Like the marathon runner that continues despite the burning in his lungs and the cramps in his muscles because he desires to achieve the goal, so we should endure the pain of rejection and the harsh words of those around us with a love in our hearts and a forgiving spirit. How can we love like this? We can love this way because Christ first loved us. He loved us even though we are sinners. He loved us, even when we rebelled against Him. He loved us with stretched out arms on the cross. Let’s love each other in the same way. Let’s Love like Jesus, because His love never quits!

“For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.” (John 13:35)

“We should stretch ourselves in order to love one another. This means being willing to forgive no matter the cost.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your love and ask that You would help me to love others in the same way. Help me to forgive often, love unconditionally as You love me and serve those around me. Use my fervent love to draw others to Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you want to experience a love for you that never quits? Jesus died on the cross for you. He loves you and wants to help you. 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..

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 5th 2020 – Help For The Hopeless

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“Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” (Ezra 10:4)

God may be the director of the universe, but He has given us power to make decisions. You have a decision to confess your sins to Him and to ask for His forgiveness. You have a decision whether to serve the Lord, give to the Lord or share the Gospel with others. No matter who you are, you have an opportunity to change the world through your decisions.

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

As you read this devotional, there is a world filled with people who desire peace. They desire love. They desire hope in something greater than the economy, the president or their own ability. As a follower of Christ, we can make the decision to share with them how to change their life and those things by sharing the Gospel. We can serve them. We can offer them our time, resources and compassion. God will empower us to do mighty things, but we must decide to do it. Choose this day who you will serve, and do it!

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

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I desire to choose You above everything else. I decide this day to serve You and to serve others. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. God, use me to change the world. 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

February 16th 2020 – Stirring of the Heart

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“And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.”(Acts 19:23)

The people of Ephesus either loved Paul or hated Paul. Why? Paul had a holy restlessness, a stirring in his heart that drove him to great lengths to share the Gospel message. It is important we understand that Christianity is not just about getting along with everybody. All of us are individually gifted and crafted for a unique purpose, but it doesn’t end there. If we do not use our gifts, it profits no one. In the same way, if our relationship with one another does not transform us, it’s not much of a relationship. Ministry changes people. It puts people together in situations that are often uncomfortable and stretches us in ways that we never thought possible. It causes us to drop our masks and be honest with one another.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

We are to think about one another and how we can love and encourage one another. We are to stir up (Encourage) love and good works in one another. This is not always going to be comfortable, and it is not always going to be received in the way that we intended. Maybe that’s why the very next verse in Hebrews reads,

“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

I find it interesting that the verse telling us to stir up love and good works in one another is followed by a verse telling us to stay in fellowship. Why? Well, sometimes we can be offended by another’s encouragement. We’ve been chugging along thinking we’re doing great and then someone offers a word of encouragement that stirs up our heart. Without taking time to pray about it, we make a decision to leave or disconnect from fellowship.

One of the resources God has provided for meeting our needs is other believers. When we sacrifice fellowship for comfort, we’re like an antelope separated from the herd. Suddenly, it’s not a question of ‘if’ we will be attacked, but ‘when’ we will be attacked.

“Don’t run from ministry, engage in it as a team..”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for the family that You have placed around me. Please give me a burden for the lost. Give me a burden to minister and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please take away any fear I have of doing this, and forgive me for the times when I have neglected to do this. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 7th 2020 – Locate Your Spiritual Passion

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“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Paul tells the church of Corinth to “examine themselves as to whether you are in the faith.” In the same way today we should take some time to examine ourselves as well. In the military before soldiers go into battle, two soldiers will stand in front of each other and check to make sure they are each equipped for the battle.

Do you know that you are facing battle, spiritually speaking?

Since we are in a battle, obviously at times we need to examine ourselves. So what does it look like for us to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith? I see these as “Spiritual Passions”, or more appropriately the spiritual disciplines to help us examine our lives in Christ. At times, we should take a look at these passions or principles to see where we are spiritually with the Lord. Taking a survey, if you will, of each principle and rating ourselves on a 1-to-10 scale: 10 meaning you are walking in this maturely and 1 pointing to the need to step up in this area.

Let’s look together at these:

Worship – This is not just something you do at church on Sunday mornings, but worshiping the Lord in everything we do. Whether you are at work, home with your family, or serving in your local church these things are a form of worship. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Read/Study – As we grow in Christ our main point of hearing from the Lord is through His Word. We want to be followers of Jesus, and the best way to do that is having our noses in the Bible “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2nd Timothy 3:16)

Fellowship/Family –  Fellowship is a great privilege, possible whenever it occurs; in church, Bible studies, prayer meetings, home groups, with roommates or family. It is how God meets our needs–it is His “supply line” “For wherever two or three people have come together in my name, I am there, right among them!” (Matthew 18:20)

Prayer – Jesus died not for just our sins, He died for a relationship with Him. There is nothing more important than a life of prayer. ” Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:28-30)

Serving – If you have received Christ in your life you are called to ministry. The term “full-time ministry” is really misused as we are all in full-time ministry. We get to serve the King of kings with the gifts that He gave to us as the church. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) 

Giving – We see scripturally the practice of the tithe to our local church body, but more than being concerned with the financial aspect of that is giving away our selfishness. We are called to support the work of the ministry whether through the tithe or offerings. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Evangelism/Discipleship – We get to share the Gospel, invite people to church and help raise others up in the faith. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Where are you with these Spiritual Passions? Looking at these passions in our personal walk will help to identify areas of weakness in our lives. Once we see the weaknesses, then we begin to grow in our relationship with Christ because we want to be more Christ-like.

The Bible is clear that our salvation is by grace alone, through faith, by Christ alone. These are just great disciplines to help us examine whether we are in the faith. Remember, we are all growing in Christ and are in different areas of that growth so extend grace to yourself and extend grace to others.

Take this opportunity see where you are at right now in your walk with Christ.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me enough to sacrifice Your Son to be able to wash away my sins and have a relationship with You. Thank you for Your Word that shows me the way to live a Christ centered life. Thank you for Your Spirit that allows me to live a life that shows You to a lost and dying world. Please help me to continually examine my life and make sure I am not neglecting one of these areas of spiritual growth. 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, pleaseClick Hereand we will pray for you..

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 27th 2020 – God Is Calling, Will You Answer?

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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.

About 8 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 when we started writing and  posting daily Christian devotions on Scriptural Seeds, God has continually increased the number of people reading each day from a few, to sometimes over 30,000 a day. 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.

Through this website / blog. There has been so many precious souls that have accepted Jesus into their life and been forever changed. All of this because I 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! Scriptural Seeds has never asked for or received any donations other than what we pay for ourselves. I continue to work my full time jobs and serve Jesus obediently each day. But God truly and faithfully makes this ministry possible each month.

The point is, 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 26th 2020 – Fruit of the Spirit

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“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Even in life’s darkest hours, the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, can bring the light of God’s joy to the darkest corners of disappointment. Because the Holy Spirit is alive within us, joy will sooner or later bubble to the surface. The Spirit’s very presence is our reminder of two truths: that Jesus was raised from the dead and poured out the Spirit on us when we became his followers (Titus 3:3-7) and that God has assured us of sharing his glorious future with us (2 Corinthians 1:22). Where the Holy Spirit finds a home, there we will find joy. Thank God we are that home! (John 14:1-23)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I welcome you into my home. Until I can come home and be with you, I thank you for making your home within me through the Holy Spirit. I thank you for the joy that is mine knowing that you live in me until I can come and live with you. In Jesus’ name I thank you and praise you. 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

January 23rd 2020 – We Should Examine Ourselves

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“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Have you ever met a Christian that believes they have the gift to identify sin in peoples lives or flawed doctrine in churches. I have yet to find it listed in scripture that this is actually a gift. Also I have yet to find the perfect church. The likely cause is that people are inperfect.

Although there are times to lovingly correct a brother or sister or even false teachings within a church, we should not be quick to condemn. Before we begin pointing our finger at someone else’s problems, we need to first examine ourselves.

“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

In Scripture, Jesus draws an absurd but poignant picture of someone with a giant beam of wood in their eye striving to remove a speck of dust from their friend’s eye. As we sit back and laugh at the imagery, the truth remains. Often, we believe we can ignore the sin in our life all the while condemning those who may be sinning in the same way. This leads to a life of hypocrisy and self deception. Instead, we should examine our own hearts and seek God for forgiveness. As we find freedom from our struggles, we will be fully equipped to care for our friends who need help removing the dust from their eye.

“We should examine ourselves, not others for problems.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace. Help me to examine myself every day through Your Word and Your Spirit. Continue to shape me more into the image of Your Son so that I may help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here.

Interested in knowing Jesus personally? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 22nd 2020 – Im Blessed! To Be a Blessing

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“Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12)

The key to walking in a blessed life is not what you may be thinking. The key to experiencing the blessings of God is not to seek out the blessings, but to be the blessing. When we give to others through our time, energy, finances or caring for them, we are being a blessing and in return, we find ourselves blessed.

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

This life is not about us gaining everything we can, but it is more about us giving everything we can for the sake of God’s Kingdom. We should give joyfully, generously, proportionately and consistently to the Kingdom of God so that more and more people may find hope in Christ. At times, we may give beyond what we believe we are able, but we will find that God will care for us. When we do give like that, it shows our love for God. That kind of giving shows our desire to help the poor and the spread the Gospel. Giving of ourselves and our resources guides us into a deeper relationship with Christ because Jesus had the same attitude of giving. After all, He said that He did not come to be served but to serve. He did not come to be given much, but He came to give it all on the cross. Let’s be like Jesus and begin giving our lives so that others can be saved.

“One of the keys to walking in a blessed life is to know you are supposed to be a blessing and be a source of blessings to others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Lord, I know at times I do not recognize the day to day blessings around me. I humbly give thanks for You and all that have done for me. Thank You for the blessings You have given me. Help me to put my focus and trust in You and not on myself. I recognize that all blessings come from You. I ask You to give me faith to see You in everything and everybody. I desire to use those blessings to care for others and to share the Gospel. Open my eyes for opportunities to give of my time, energy and finances for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you do not know Jesus personally, Give yourself the greatest gift you could possible ever receive. 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 20th 2020 – Be the Salt, Be the Light

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“I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must turn from their sins and turn to God–and prove they have changed by the good things they do.” (Acts 26:20)

We often describe our Christian walk by the things we don’t do. We may say things like, we don’t drink or do drugs, we don’t gamble or use foul language. In fact, for some of us, not doing these things is an incredible testimony of God’s supernatural work in our lives. But we should also consider the things that we do.

In (Matthew 22:37-40) Jesus told us that we should love God and love others. You are not an accident; you were created with a divine purpose to be a blessing to others. You were created to hear the call, respond and be fruitful. In short, you were created to help God change the world. We know the things we shouldn’t do because we would be ashamed of them. But why are we not ashamed of the things we don’t do? Jesus called the man who did not use his talent wicked and lazy. If you fail to do something, you choose to fail at God’s plan for your life.

“This is faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13)

Please take a moment and reflect. What are you doing to spread Gods love?

“It is what we ‘do’ that shows we are followers of Jesus, as well as what we ‘don’t’ do.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I love You and want to serve You by serving others. Please give me eyes to see where and how I may be a blessing to others. Give me love for those around me. Please forgive me for times when I’ve done nothing. Please forgive me for not always being a good witness to Your presence in my life. Help me be the Salt and the light! 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 19th 2020 – Ministering and Comforting Others

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“Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him.” (1 Chronicles 19:2)

One of the great blessings of being a Christian is to minister and comfort others, especially when they are in deep pain.

Sometimes though, it feels like the weeds of our own bad decisions choke out our ability to do so. Sure, we must deal with earthly consequences of our sins, but that in no way prohibits us from being able to show God’s peace and love to others. In the throes of our own pain, we are comforted with God’s words saying:

“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.” (Romans 8:28)

Because of our past experiences, each of us are uniquely qualified to minister to others. According to the Bible God has specific plans for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10). Our Father God carries the title of “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). He is training us to minister and comfort others.

“…who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

So don’t ever count yourself out of ministry because of the mistakes or your past. The same merciful embrace God gave you in your day of distress could become the hug you share with others in their day.

“The measure of someone’s greatness is not the number of servants he has, but the number of people he serves.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the grace You give me. Help me not to carry around the woundings of my past, but to lay them down at Your feet. Lord, I want to extend the same grace You have given me to others. I need You. Please work in my life and in my heart. I surrender it ALL 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