Category Archives: Spirtual Warfare

January 4th 2018 – Shattered and Scattered

1 Reply

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfareb and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:11–14)

Have you dropped a glass and watched it shatter and scatter across the floor? There was nothing you could do but sweep it up and throw it away. You might remind yourself not to go barefoot any time soon since splinters of glass sometimes linger.

Can you relate this scenario to a broken heart? It may have felt like it shattered into a million pieces. You probably felt it would never mend. The hurt was just too deep; too painful.

“Time heals all wounds,” but at the moment of the shattering, it is impossible to believe. You look for brighter days, but your view is through a soul that sees only gray. You are numb.

Painful events generate broken hearts: the death of a loved one, children gone astray, a relationship gone wrong or  perhaps loved ones turned on you with no reguard for your heart. In any event, you do not feel like you can go another moment, let alone another day. You may ask yourself, “Am I depressed, oppressed, or just one big mess?”

I have had my life, my dreams and my heart “shattered and scattered”  … when I was in my, I lost my childhood sweetheart, my best friend and my father within a short period of my life. Their loss was very painful, the brokeness and loneliness I was experiencing was more then I could deal with. Out of fear of being alone, I met someone that year and got married. I built a new life, dreams and a family. I worked very hard and eventually started a very successful business that I operated for many years. After 15 years of a awsome marriage, with no warning, My wife emptied our bank account, and abandoned not only myself but our children. With all of my dreams broken and shattered again, I had to be strong for my children, however I discovered how codependent I was. I was trying to deal with the pain on my own and instead, generated more distress bitterness and anger.

Five long years I struggled. Knowing that I couldn’t handle any of this pain any longer, dealing with thoughts of ending my life. I attended a faith based 12 Step group. Shortly after, gave my life Jesus, and asked for His help to put my life back together. I had placed myself up on the Potter’s wheel and said, “Lord you have to fix me. I can’t do it myself.”

(Jeremiah 17:14) “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”

Only God can truly mend your brokenness. He is the Potter and His specialty is molding us and shaping us. We need to remain on the Potter’s wheel to be restored, but often we run to others. It is wonderful to get support from a Godly friend or prayer with your Pastor, but this should be in addition to, not a substitute for time alone with the Lord.

“Only God can truly mend a broken heart, so don’t delay if you find yourself in need of repair.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for taking a shattered and scattered life and like a broken glass, when someone would normally throw it away. You Lord fashioned me back together. I love you Lord.

Thank you for my sweet wife that you brought into my life 7 years ago, Thank you for bringing my children to know you and thank you for my friends.. As your word says, You indeed carried me through devastation and restored my life… even thought life continues to be hard at times. I am greatful that You are here for me every step of the way. Accepting You as my Lord and Savior was the greatest decision I ever made. Thank You for Your endless pursuit of me. I love You Lord. In Your precious name, Amen.

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Click here  to discover how you can find peace with God.

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

 

 

December 30th 2017 – Through Rough Waters

1 Reply

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)

It was a simple statement. “Let us cross over to the other side.” Many of the disciples had sailed the Sea of Galilee before. They had fished the waters and endured some of the bad weather that often came onto the sea. Yet when Jesus asked them to cross over to the other side, they were not aware of the lesson in faith that Jesus was about to share with them.

(Mark 4:37-38) “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’”

While crossing to the other side, Jesus fell asleep on the boat. During his nap, the disciples experienced a terrible storm. I may not be a sailor, but I know that the water should remain on the outside of the boat and in this instance, it wasn’t! Frightened by the event, the disciples woke Jesus up and expressed their fear. Immediately, Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and the sea became calm. You see, the disciples had lost sight of Jesus’ words. He told them before leaving that their destination was “the other side.” He didn’t promise them still waters the whole time, but he did tell them they would get to their destination. The same is true with our lives. If you have been born again, then you have been given the promise of “the other side.” Nothing can take that from you.

Jesus promises to be with us, God says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2). In the storm you are in right now, God is with you. He is walking with you through it.

Storms will come into every life. The rain will fall and the wind will blow. You might have a rough voyage, but you will get to the other side.

“Jesus is our peace during the storms of life. He is there with us through the rough waters.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your peace and for Your promise of heaven. Help me to keep my mind focused on eternity so that I will not lose hope here on earth. Thank you  for Your promise to never leave me. Fill me with Your Spirit and use my life to share God’s peace with 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 27th 2017 – In Who Or What Do You Trust In?

Leave a reply

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29)

Who or what are you trusting in? Do you trust in rituals or Jesus? Do you place your trust in baptism, catechism, confirmation or church membership? If your trust is in these things, then my im sorry to tell you, it is misplaced. Do you think you are a Christian because you go to church or because your parents were Christians? None of these things mean you are a Christian. The Apostle Paul says we should examine ourselves to make certain we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Faith leads to works, not the other way around. If you are counting on works, you need to re-evaluate. God is concerned with the inward man, not with outward pomp or show.

(Joel 2:13) “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.”

God is interested in the heart, the inward you. He is not interested in our outward traditions or rituals. So test yourself, what works are in your life? ”

You may say, . “I thought it wasn’t about works.” if you have repented and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the ‘outward works’ should change according to the ‘inward working’ of the Spirit of God in you. Let your heart be softened, and let your actions be changed; not placing your confidence in your own works, but in the work that God is doing in you.

“Let your heart and your actions be changed.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Help me to place my trust in You. Change my heart so that my actions reflect the work You are doing in me. Thank You for working in me so that I may be a blessing to others. 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

 

December 26th 2017 – Let There Be Light

Leave a reply

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

In the beginning God spoke into the darkness and created the light. This light was the beginning of a new world. Like our world, we all begin in darkness because of our sinful nature. This is why during Christmas we celebrate with such excitement because the Light has come into our darkness. Two thousand years ago in a stable in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ came in the form of man. He, who had created light in the beginning of time, was now on our earth as a light to men.

What great news! The Lord of all creation has come to bring light and life to men. As we give our lives to Jesus, He speaks into our lives and light bursts forth in brilliant beams. This light transforms us from the inside and we are made new. As you celebrate with family and friends this Christmas, look at the lights around you and remember ‘The Light’ of the world. As you do that, remember that He has come to make us lights to this world as well. What an honor, to be given the Light of God to share with others who are in darkness. Surely, this is what Christmas is all about.

“Shine as bright lights that illuminate the darkness.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Christmas and the light given to men through Your Son, Jesus. Father, forgive me of my sins and fill me with Your light so that I may share You with this dark world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Living in the dark? Looking for meaning and direction? 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

December 13th 2017 – What If I Gave Everything

Leave a reply

Listening to worship music yesterday, this song came up in my playlist… what a question to ask ourselves.

“What If I Gave Everything”

Written by Mark Hall of Casting Crowns

All my life I longed to be a hero
My sword raised high, running to the battle.
I was going to take giants down
Be a man you would write about
Deep in my chest is the heart of a warrior

So why am I still standing here
Why am I still holding back from You
I hear You call me out into deeper waters
But I settle on the shallow end
So why am I still standing here

So afraid what it might cost to follow You
I’d walk by faith if I could get these feet to move
But I don’t want to live that way
I don’t want to look back someday
On a life that never stepped across the line

So why am I still standing here
Why am I still holding back from You
You’ve given me a faith that can move a mountain
But I’m still playing in the sand
Building little kingdoms that’ll never stand
I hear You call me out into deeper waters
But I settle on the shallow end

I’m so tired of standing here
What if I gave everything to You

What if I gave everything
What if I stopped holding back from You
Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters
What if I gave everything
What if I stopped holding back from You
Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters
I want to see some mountains move

Ready to give everything
Say goodbye to standing here.

(What would our lives look like? How blessed would we be if we actually gave everything of us to God?)

Read the lyrics above then click here to watch video.

Please share this devotion.

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

December 9th 2017 – God Knows

Leave a reply

“But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.” (John 6:6)

Praise the Lord that we don’t know everything that is going to happen. Why? Because that is what keeps our lives hopeful. However, uncertainty can definitely be frustrating, mainly because we want to know everything but we can’t.

There are things we go through that surprise us and catch us off guard. Sometimes we go through so much, we start expecting it around every corner. Remember, that is not from God. Also never forget that nothing in your life catches God off guard or surprises Him.

The things we are dealing with right now, at this moment, God knew before we even came on the scene. That can be pretty mind blowing, but here is the kicker… He also knows how we are going to get out of our tough situations. He saw the curve ball coming long before you did and He prepared us for what He already saw coming. He knows what fruit this trial is going to produce in each of our lives. For our benefit, He allows this trial or that test to proceed. But, take heart and be strong. While we may wonder how it works out and what happens next, we can trust in our God because He knows all along what He is going to do.

“We don’t know everything, but God does.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your provision of growth in my life. You love me so much that You do not want me to remain who I am but to grow in Your good gifts. What an incredible comfort it is to know that my Father in Heaven knows who I am and who I will be and will see me through the changes, Thank You!

Thank You for the people in my life. The ones that You often Move through, I can see Your Holy Spirit in. They are great examples of Your love for me. I praise You for answered prayers. 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

roblavallee@gmail.com

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 8th 2017 – Wounds, Things Don’t Automatically Get Easier

Leave a reply

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

One of the things that baffles us about God, is that once we decide to follow Him, He doesn’t spare us from going through difficult times even though He can. He is the God who allows wounds and also heals them.

The most solid followers of Jesus you know, the ones with deep Christ like character, have more then likely gone through difficult times while following Him. That’s because the wounds that come from difficult times grow in us deep faith. God uses wounds to grow us. Wounds make us wiser.

When we’ve been hurt, on the other side of the pain we’re more compassionate toward other people. We can empathize more. In the same way, wounds make us more forgiving, more understanding, more gracious, slower to judge. Wounds kill our pride yet grow our compassion. Specific wounds enhance specific virtues. Walking through death brings us the value of life. Sickness helps us value health. Hard times like those put life in perspective and make us value things that really matter. Sometimes we keep getting hurt doing the same thing or being with the same person. We experience the pain and over and over, this may be a lesson that we have not learned yet. Trust in God that He will carry you through it.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 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

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

roblavallee@gmail.com

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 7th 2017 – True Healing Comes by the Way of the Cross

Leave a reply

“Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”  So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,  and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”  (Exodus 15:23-26)

In the Old Testament, Jesus had not come as a human yet, but His Holy Word had already come. We know from the Word of God that on the cross, Jesus not only took our sins, but He also took our sicknesses and diseases.

(1 Peter 2:24) talks about this tree.  Look at it, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed”.

When God showed Moses a tree, he cast it into the water and the water was made sweet.  This is a type of our Jesus, He hung on the tree for you and for me.  And when we cast ourselves on Him, we are made whole.  I believe this is total wholeness, spirit, soul and body.

So today, look at the tree, and let your sins be cast on it, let your sicknesses be thrown on Him.  It is through the blood that Jesus spilled on the tree, the “cross”, that we are made well not only spirituality but physically!   What a great God we serve.

“True Healing comes by the way of the Cross, whether it is Healing for yourself, others or this Country. ask for Jesus in and allow Him to start to heal.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, At The cross You blood spilled Your blood for me.  The work of Calvary was a complete work, a work that was completely done in me.  Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the that tree (cross) and bearing all of my shortcomings so that I can be whole, so I can be healed, so I can be set free because of what you sacrificed on the tree… I love You and trust You Lord. I will not take my eyes off you… in Your precious 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

520-256-9738 cell

roblavallee@gmail.com

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 6th 2017 – When Situations Seem Bleak

Leave a reply

“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” (Acts 12:5)

How can you cultivate hope when life looks bleak?

The book of Acts chapter 12 opens with a challanging scenario “It’s Bleak!” James has been executed, and Peter has been arrested by King Herod. Next, he was going to be killed. But then we read that “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (verse 5). The church took this seriously and began to pray. So God sent an angel to deliver Peter from prison, and the story has a much happy ending.

Feeling like there is no hope is one of the most challenging emotions to manage. After all, why would someone even try when he believes there is no hope, and correspondingly, no possibility for things to improve?

Maybe you are facing a bleak scenario right now. Maybe you have received some bad news from your doctor or are facing a difficult situation at work. Maybe there is a problem in your family. Maybe things have gone from bad to worse, and you don’t know what to do. Pray about it. Get your Christian friends to pray about it with you. Bring the situation before the Lord, because with God, all things are possible. God can take impossible situations and turn them around for His glory.

Trust God!

Personal Prayer Request.

I personally am facing a bleak situation in my life, which also includes my sweet wife. A series of unavoidable events happened in my life that turned our life upside down. These events came in the form of spiritual attacks. The enemy has been orchestrating opposition around every corner for a very long time, I can actually relate to the book of Job. I do trust and seek the Lord daily. I keep pushing forward, in prayer and praying for others even writing devotions daily (for years) in the midst of the chaos. But I feel weak, exhausted and often feel at Loss. I know God loves me, I know God can help us with the circumstances. I now petition the Church Body to pray for my wife and I. That by some miracle the circumstances could change and we could have a time of relief and not total opposition.  If you feel led to reach out to me, my contact info is listed below. Thank you for your prayers.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we call upon You in the middle of this storm, That You give us the strength and will to bear our heavy burdens, until we can again feel the warmth and love of Your divine compassion. Be mindful of us and have mercy on us while we struggle to comprehend life’s hardships that come a storms of life. When fear and panic, shock and dismay are close by, so are you. May we always recconize you , Keep us ever in Your watch until these times of opposition of life pass. Thank you for the Church Body. In Jesus’ precious and 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

520-256-9738 cell

roblavallee@gmail.com

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

 

 

November 5th 2017 – The Cross

Leave a reply

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

This true story and was reported about a couple visiting a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the young woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?”

What an analogy of what so many people seek today “a cross without Jesus.” They want a cross without any offense, a cross without any consequences, one that will look cool as a fasion accessory. But if we could travel back to a time the cross was used in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and horrific symbol of death. It would have been the worst image imaginable to actually see someone hanging on a cross.

The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to be a humiliating death of the person on it. The crucifixions were held on the outside edges of the Roman cities. The served as visual warnings to anyone who would oppose the rule of Rome.

If there was any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like this? If there had been any other way we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it.

“If being a good person” or “living a good moral life would” would get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did, because there was and is no other way. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the Cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world.

If you were ever tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the Cross. Jesus gave His very life for us.

“Jesus’s sacrifice the cross, allowed for such a horrific symbol of death to now be seen as a beautiful symbol of His Sacrifice, His Message and His Love for us.”

There is no decision more important, accepting Jesus will absolutely change your life. It did mine. I couldn’t imangine where my life would have been without Him.

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