“They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” (2 Peter 2:19)

Throughout our lives, we will be faced with various temptations. It could be in the form of a false teacher promising something unbiblical or an activity that appeals to our sinful nature but either way, it is empty in the end. One of the temptations the bible refers to is the “lust of the eyes”, and it has the power to cause us to become bitter, unhappy and resentful towards others. Another word we could use to describe this sin would be the word covetousness. When we look at the blessings of others and desire it for ourselves, we begin coveting. At that moment, we can begin secretly resenting that individual for nothing more than being blessed by God. It’s true, they probably don’t deserve it, but none of us do.

How can we battle the lust of the eyes? I believe we find the answer in the words of Paul found in (Philippians 4:11)  “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

Contentment is the key. Also, notice what Paul said, “I learned.” Paul did not start off content. Through the power of God, he learned to be that way whether he was in prison or enjoying the blessings of food and fellowship. This can be difficult at times but there is true freedom in learning contentment. If we can learn this, then no matter what happens in the crazy world, we will be joyful because we have God, and He is enough. As you begin your day, ask God to help you to be content. Don’t be surprised; however, if you find that your coworker gets a raise or a friend is able to buy a brand new car. Instead of getting upset because you didnt, choose contentment.

Rejoice with them and thank the Lord for graciously saving you. After all, if God can forgive us of all our sin, what more do we need?

“Contentment is a choice we must make”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the grace you have shown me. You have given me life and because of Christ, I know that I also have eternal life. Help me to be content with whatever You plan for my life. I desire to walk in peace and joy regardless of my circumstances. Use me today to share Your love with 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.” (Zachariah 3:11)

Enter the courtroom. There you stand before the Judge. He is perfect, holy and knows all of your sins and failures. Next to you is your accuser who also has your records and proclaims them to the judge with complete arrogance. Nothing you can say will stop the accuser’s words or make right the wrongs you’ve committed. You are helpless…

…But God.

Those two words change everything. In Zechariah’s vision, we catch a glimpse of the Gospel. We stand dirty before the Lord with nothing to offer or say, but God is not finished. He removes the filthy rags that are on Joshua, the high priest, and then places upon him rich robes. The same is available to us. We have nothing to offer God nor can we earn our salvation. We have nothing we can say to justify the sin in our lives BUT GOD has made a way for us to be cleansed of those sins and be clothed in His righteousness. Because of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we can know true forgiveness and hope.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Just like Joshua, I would stand before You dirty. Lord, I ask for your forgiveness. Please remove these filthy rags and place on me rich robes. I believe that because of what Jesus did for me, I can be made new. Fill me with Your Spirit and use me to share this message with 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

 

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

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

I once had a very diffrent life, I was a very successful businessman and president of corporation. I was married 15 years to my best friend, our children were happy, we owned a beautiful home and we were not in any debt. I enjoyed our life to the fullest.

One day, without any signs or warnings my wife leaves and my children and I. There was no explanation as to why or what have been done to make her want to leave. There had never been any fighting or arguments in our marriage. We did everything together, My children and wife meant everything to me.

It wasnt very long before I discovered that she had become involved with a professional con-artist that made an existence stealling peoples identies and breaking up familes for his financial gain.

Through fraud my business and personal accounts had been compromised an emptied, it put all of our employees at risk of loosing their jobs and the kids and I almost homeless.

The heartache, the stress caused me to have a hemorrhagic stroke that changed my life forever. I lost my vision for some time from hemorrhage eyes, ears and the feeling in right hand and leg. I suffered brain dammage, mostly to my ability to recall anything recent.

Life was by no means easy. Our innocent children suffered from abandonment and the loss of everything familiar to them.

The strife of the divorce took a toll on us, in a five year period my attorney’s fees alone were almost $400,000. In those 6 years that followed the kids and I eventually lost everything.

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

There are those in the world who would have looked at my situation and asked “How can a good God exist when someone especially children have to suffer like this.” There’s a problem with that thought; they can’t see God’s full plan. You see, because of my story of hardship, I am able to share comfort with those who have endured similar things. Also, as people hear the amazing story of what God has done in my life, how He sought me out and saved me. How He gave me the most wonderful wife and a new family, restored my mind and a miracle recovery. He gets the glory. In the end, my past sufferings (I gave you the short verson) have been used to draw men and women into a relationship with God. That, is worth every moment of pain I endured.

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

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the trials You have allowed in my life. Help me to patiently endure those hard times so that I can be used to comfort and minister to others in their times of need. 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

 

“And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.” (John 19:17-18)

It is painful to consider what Jesus went through for us and to think about what He endured on our behalf. The remarkable truth I keep coming back to time and time again is that it was His decision. He decided to endure these things… the suffering, the beatings and the crucifixion. It is convicting because I know how little, in comparison, it has taken to rattle my endurance at times. I have never been beaten for Jesus much less crucified.

It comes down to each and every one of us making a commitment to Jesus. How far will you follow Jesus? Until it gets inconvenient, uncomfortable, or what about when it becomes painful? Are you willing to follow Him all the way? Let us follow our Jesus, who is so worthy, all the way until the end. Until we hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” God bless you as you follow Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You have called me to a disciple’s life. I want to embrace that life, yet there are times when I look back. I am Your disciple. I will go where You lead me. Please help my faith. 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prayer:

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

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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

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 my friend 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

“Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death.” (1 Chronicles 22:5)

This is such an important ministry lesson. David, one of the greatest kings and one of the greatest leaders of Israel, asks God to allow him to build the temple, but God told him “no”
Nobody wants to be told “no”.
David proves the greatness of his leadership by setting aside his wants and begins to help. Instead of complaining, David begins to prepare so Solomon can build the temple.
Sometimes, God says “no”.
Sometimes, though we have the grandest of plans and the purest of hearts, God says “no” to our plans. What should we do then? Should we grumble and whine? Of course not! God wants us to help one another to build His kingdom. We should take joy in helping those who God has chosen. Kingdom builder’s work together in the roles God has uniquely gifted to each, and by such, live up to their God-given utmost potential… And God smiles.
“We are to help others build the kingdom of God as well. Kingdom builders are not concerned with who gets to do what; just that it is getting done.”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your Word and for giving me the opportunity to be a kingdom builder. Lord, I desire to be used in whatever capacity You would have me to serve. Help me to recognize the gifts and talents You have equipped me with and give me a boldness to put Your Kingdom first. I don’t want to be a spectator in the Kingdom. I want to be a world-changer. 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

“Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess;2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;3 the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.” (1 Chronicles 3:1-3

David had eight wives, twenty-one children, ten concubines and their children. That is a lot of children with a lot of responsibility. Although David was an incredible military leader, he was not a very good leader with his children. There are several instances recorded in the Bible where David should have disciplined his children, but he did not. We see the fruit of his slack in discipline with his son, Absalom, who led a rebellion against David.

In society today, Christian families are under attack. Our homes are a battleground for Satan. He does not bother with the neighborhood drug houses or bars because there is no struggle there, the enemy he has won those fronts. He wants to infiltrate Christian homes and cause strife and division. He wants to subvert and destroy what God has ordained.

(John 10:10) “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.”

This is why it is so important that we look to God for help in raising and disciplining our children. It is time for men to take a stand and be spiritual leaders in their homes. Satan likes nothing more than to find a Christian home with a weak spiritual leader.

Parent’s that means that if you have slacked off in attending church or neglected your prayer and devotional time, you have placed your family in the line of fire. But wait, you may ask. If I do these things, does that mean that we are safe from attack? Absolutely not! It does mean, however, that you and your family’s foundation are strong for when the attack does come. Take a moment to pray. Are you being the strong spiritual leader in your children’s lives? Are you attentive to what they are doing and who they are friends with? Are you paying attention to what the Holy Spirit is telling you about your children? If you are not certain, you need to ask God to point out the areas where you are slack.

“We should ask for God’s help in raising and disciplining our children.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the salvation by Your Son Jesus. Lord, I give all praise and glory to You for my family. Bless my family. Help me to lead my family with a strong foundation and help me to lead my children to You. Lord, give me courage when situations within my family are difficult. Help us to be long-suffering and gentle toward one another and fill us with Your Spirit of peace 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732

“

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.” (Acts 2:14)

One of the keys to studying the bible is not skimming pages or or reading it too quickly. Every word is important. In this verse, I want you to notice the phrase, “…standing up with the eleven.” Peter had denied the Lord not once, but three times. The disciples knew what Peter had done and yet accepted him back into the group.

It has been accurately spoken that the Christian army is the only one in the world that shoots its wounded. Think, for a moment, of those who have hurt you and wounded you. Perhaps someone wounded you at an important time in your life. Jesus, who has given you so much grace, now asks you to show others that same grace.

How many times should we give grace? Jesus told us 70 x 7. That totals 490 times, but Jesus meant even more than that. He meant an infinite number, or that we should keep showing people grace. By now, you may have thought about sending an email or a card or picking up the phone to speak to someone that needs grace from you. Freely give grace because you have been freely given grace.

You have received grace in your relationship with God. Give grace in your relationships with others.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace. You show it so abundantly to me and Lord, I should in turn show it abundantly to others. Please bring to my remembrance anyone that I need to forgive and show grace to and help others to show me grace as well. 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.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

P.O. Box 57284 Tucson, Arizona 85732