June 27th 2019 – Truth

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“Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, Also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. (Micah 2:1-2)

In the verse above, we see those in power taking advantage of the people. The world believes that it is acceptable to take advantage of others for gain of position or authority. If you are a leader in the the world or workplace, do you take advantage of the system to benefit yourself? Let’s step it down a notch and  make this more personal. Do you take advantage of your family, friends or co-workers for your benefit? When we get to know a person,  we also get to know how to set them off or manipulate them for what we want. That is ungodly and God does not bless the unbiblical practices of deception.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Even in times when it seems there is no other option but to bend the truth for your benefit, God always provides a way out. Taking responsibility for your actions is an important characteristic of a Godly disciple. God will always honor you when you take responsibility for your mistakes, even when it’s difficult. Live out the Biblical model that God entrusted to you in regards to your relationships even when it doesn’t make sense.

In the end, it comes down to your making a decision about Jesus. How far will you follow Jesus in your relationships? Until it gets inconvenient – uncomfortable – what about when it becomes painful? Are you willing to follow the Biblical model all the way? What will you decide? Gain for yourself or lay your life down for the sake of the Gospel?

“One characteristic of a Godly person is to do what is Biblical even when it causes personal hardship.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for continuing to do a work in my life. You have called me to live a disciple’s life, and I choose to honor You in living out the model You have set before me. Lord, when things get tough and I mess up, empower me with courage and strength to live out Your Truth and encourage 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

June 26th 2019 – Identity Crisis

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And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Right after this blessed moment of baptism God confirms Jesus identity and announces His pleasure. Shortly after this strong affirmation from God we find Jesus, in (Matthew 4:1-10), being tempted by the enemy after enduring a forty day fast. The enemy immediately challenges what God has spoken by saying ‘if You are the Son of God’.

Understand that the enemy’s first temptation often times is to get us to question our identity in Christ. When we receive God’s gracious, unearned gift of salvation our identity is sealed in the blood of Christ, which defeats the enemy. Could you imagine an 1st grade student coming home with the an ‘F’ on his/her report card and the parent saying “you are no longer my child, change your name and leave my house!” Of course not! Neither does the Lord dismiss you or I when we fail because His love never fails (1Corinthians 13:8).

If you were gardening and you saw a plant that was drooping and bent downward would you uproot the plant trash it and start over? Hopefully not. What a skilled gardener often will do is put a wooden stake in the ground next to it and tie the plant to it, leaving the plant dependent on the wood to grow. This is our life in Christ, leaning not on our own works, but on the grace that God purchased through Jesus Christ on that cross to help us to grow in Him.

“The enemy wants you to doubt who you are, whose you are, and to spend time trying to earn what you have already been given.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for dying for me so I could have identity in You as Your beloved. Please help me to continue to remember the grace You have shown to me at the cross that I might live for You, in good times and bad, all the days 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

June 25th 2019 – Pray with Hope and Expectancy

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“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

“The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him.” (Lamentations 3:25)

Sometimes I see God answer my prayers right away. I’m excited, thankful and ready to tell everyone about His goodness. Then, there are those other times when my prayers linger and miracles seem far away. As time goes on, I would start to doubt that God even heard me.

I didnt accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior until I was 37. When I was first learning how to pray and my prayers were answered quickly, I’d give Jesus praises,  tell everyone about it and then move on. But, if time went on and God didn’t show up, I’d get discouraged and frustrated. My waiting turned to worry. My perseverance shifted to sadness and disparity.

At times waiting on God to answer prayers was like playing a game. Who would last the longest? Would I continue to ask, plead and persevere? Or would I give up first because I was tired of waiting? Or maybe God would answer my prayers because He was tired of hearing all my whining and complaining.

Lord, why haven’t You answered my prayers? What are You waiting for? Can’t You see me struggling? You’re taking too long and I just don’t understand why.

I began to think God might be holding out on me. Maybe I wasnt deserving, He really didn’t care about me. Or, maybe my circumstances weren’t important enough to Him.

But as I grew in my relationship with the Lord and learned to understand His character, my attitude changed. I realized how much God loves me and knows the desires tucked deep inside my heart. He promises to meet my needs (Philippians 4:19), and His miracles are not a thing of the past.

Today’s key verse tells us that after we pray and ask God for a need, want or desire, we should wait with expectancy and hope.

You might be thinking, Rob, you just don’t understand. I’ve been waiting for God to answer my prayers for so long.

Maybe you’ve resigned to believing there’s no hope. Sure, you started out confident and faith-filled, but as time goes by you’ve started to wonder if any good can come from your circumstances. Maybe you’ve wrapped an invisible wall around your heart so you won’t be disappointed if God doesn’t come through for you.

I understand. I’ve been there. I’ve felt that way, too, and it’s a lonely place to live in each day. So what does it look like to have an attitude of hope and expectancy as we wait on the Lord to answer our prayers?

I’ve learned to intentionally shift my focus to three things:

(1) God’s Promises: I read Bible verses and speak them aloud daily. As the power of God’s Word weaves hope into my prayers, encouragement fills the empty places in my heart. I’m reminded once again of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.

(2) Praise & Worship: I listen to praise music throughout the day in my house, car and at work in my office. The lyrics and melodies splash over me with joy as I sing along. I sense God’s peace and pleasure and in those sweet moments, my worries fade, turning my doubts into confident expectancy.

(3) Thanksgiving: I thank God for the answered prayers and miracles in my past. I remember how God always came through in those tough times of great need, and I thank Him in advance for His answers yet to come.

If you’ve asked God for answers but find yourself waiting longer than you planned, take a moment now to thank Him in advance for His answer. Trust that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t give up. Look forward in hope and expectancy for Him to respond and remember that the Lord is good to those who seek Him.

“No matter how long it takes, when God works, It’s always worth the wait.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for remaining faithful to me. Help me have hope and expectancy as I wait for Your answers to my prayers. And during the extended times when you are waiting for the perfect moment to answer or just waiting on me to be ready, may I contine to give you my praises and wait with a heart of gratitude because your Grace is more then sufficent for me. I thank you for Leading me and Loving me.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Click here to watch “While I’m Waiting – John Waller

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

June 24th 2019 – Keep Your Eyes Focused

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“Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)

In the reality of Christianity, what do you bring to the table? There are really only a couple of possibilities – either you are bringing Heaven to earth, or you are not. It’s so easy to get caught up in today’s trials that we forget our Lord is triumphant. When your focus is on the world, you will be entangled in adversity. Focus on Jesus and the tribulations of this earth are short lived.

Have you ever spoken with someone who is fixated on all the troubles of their life? They bear a brand of defeat. Only the conquered should wear this badge of defeat. Christians are anything but conquered. Now, imagine someone –  a non-believer – observing a Christian enamored with this world and its caos. Would he see hope? Would this fellow be inclined to follow?

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Romans 8:24-25)

So, what do you bring to the table? What do you set before others for them to see? Is it Heaven or hell? Your faith is their evidence. If non-believers see you living out the substance of your faith they will know that your God is greater than this world’s woes.

If you are sitting at the station of this world waiting for a free ride on the gravy train you are sitting at the wrong station. That train, while tempting on the outside, has a only one destination, disappointment!

Christians, if the substance of your hope is what someone else has and not Jesus, then you need to review your faith because others already are.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

“Don’t focus on today’s groaning but on tomorrow’s glory.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the hope You have freely given to me through Your Son Jesus. Lord, help my doubt when I cannot see. As I eagerly wait in expectation of Your coming, strengthen me to persevere in the calling You have laid before me. I know that all things work together for good to those who love You. Lord, I commit my life to Your purposes today. 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

 

June 23rd 2019 – Always Loved

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I have loved you,” says the LORD. ” Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved;” (Malachi 1:2)

At the time of Malachi, the people of Israel had a checkered past with God. There were times of celebration and victory as God brought them out of Egypt and established them in the Promised Land. There were also times of hardship and discipline when they were exiled from their land, often because of their idolatrous behavior. During all these times, one thing remained the same. God still loved them and still called them His people.

The same is true today. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and His standard of perfection. We deserve nothing but punishment and yet God, who is rich in mercy, chooses to love us despite our past.

”But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (By Christ you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

If you have asked God for forgiveness and know Jesus as your Savior, you are chosen by God. You are loved by the creator of the universe. Not because of what you can do for Him, but because He chooses to love you. What an amazing God. So friend, if you find yourself wrestling with circumstances that are difficult and feel like God has stopped loving you, come to Him today and know that you are loved.

“God loves you because He chooses to love you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. I know that I have sinned against You. Lord, forgive me of my sin and create in me a new heart that desires You. Father, help me understand the amazing love You have shown me on the cross and may it motivate me to serve You and serve 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

June 22nd 2019 – Giving Others Grace

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“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Ephesians  1:1-2)

In his various letters to people or churches, grace always comes first in Paul’s greetings. It is always grace followed by peace. In his letters to Timothy and Titus he added mercy; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is a beautiful lesson for us. You see friend, we need God’s grace to have peace with Him. We, by His grace, are invited to believe in Jesus as our Savior and through our faith in Him we are saved. Now we are forgiven and at peace with God! Grace and then peace! God shows us great mercy and love in this.

“We have to know God’s grace before we can know God’s peace.”

You can have much greater peace in your life if you give more grace to all of the people in your life. Forgive those who have wronged or hurt you. Be merciful. Love. Give them grace like God gave grace to you… you will lighten your emotional load and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. You want more peace in a relationship? Put more grace in the relationship. Grace is like gravy, it goes on everything and makes everything better. Every relationship you have can be improved with grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for Your grace to me. Thank You for Jesus. I am sorry for the times I have lacked grace and destroyed peace. Please help me give grace to the people in my life. Show me how to be merciful and loving to them like You are to me. As I give grace, please bring peace to my relationships. 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

June 21st 2019 – Unforsaken

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“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Those are familiar words. Jesus spoke them from the cross, but they were first spoken by David when he was going through a severe trial.

Jesus Christ was forsaken that we might not be forsaken. God the Father forsook His Son on the cross when He was made sin for us.

But David says in, (Psalm 22:4-6) “Our fathers trusted You, and You took care of them; now I’m trusting You, and nothing seems to happen” We can envision David saying, “I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people” He did go through that. But our Lord went through it to an even greater degree. Can you imagine the Lord Jesus, who said, “I am the Good Shepherd,” saying, “I am a worm”? But He became a worm for us so that we might become the children of God.

We cannot be forsaken because the Savior was forsaken in our place. We can’t be forsaken because of His promise to never leave or forsake us. We cannot be forsaken because of His abiding and eternal presence with us. We cannot be forsaken because of His purpose to work all things together for good to those who love Him.

And what is His purpose? That we might be conformed to the image of His Son. David became a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he had to suffer to do it. In spite of your circumstances and feelings, remember: God will not forsake you.

When you go through trials, your circumstances and feelings can deceive you into thinking God has forsaken you. But the Bible promises us that He will never forsake you. Next time you feel forsaken, remember that God is always true to His Word and will accomplish His purpose of conforming you to the image of His Son Jesus Christ…

“God will not forsake you if you have asked Him to be you Saviour.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for never forsaking me and always being her with me, even when I don’t call on You for help. You are the one true God and I find strength everyday knowing that I can always call on You. Please continue to draw me close to You and strengthen me with you Holy Word. I Love You Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Watch “Adelaide – UNFORSAKEN (Official Music Video)” on YouTube

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

June 20th 2019 – It’s Not You, It’s Me.

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“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner–not even to eat with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)

Have you ever hear the classic break-up line”It’s not you, it’s me.” Maybe you’ve used or been handed that line before, but you know what? There’s some truth behind it. Deep inside, you know it’s the sin inside you. Relationships are complicated. They are complicated even more by the sin in your life. Are there rocky relationships in your life? Own the problem; look at yourself.

Whether at work, home or church, relationships are everywhere, and you are to be stewards of them. Relationships can promote your walk with Jesus or they can derail you – if you allow it. You are called to love the unlovable, but there are times when you will have to decide which relationships are healthy and which relationships are not. A relationship that is prompting you to sin and wander from your walk with Christ is not a good relationship.

There are some who think that if they get away from other people they will get away from the sin that’s in the world. Convents, monasteries and the like have all been built with this mindset. That’s not a solution. This only walls them in with their own sin while denying the world the “salt” in their lives. Jesus told you to be the salt of the world. You know what salt does? It makes people thirsty. You are to make this world thirst for a relationship with Jesus. If you withdraw from the world, this doesn’t happen.

You are a steward of the life God has blessed you with. Whether you participate in wrong activities or not, the decision is yours to make. God has called you, Christian, to be active in other’s lives and a part of that is confronting sin, with a heart of love. When this fails to happen, everyone gets hurt; feelings get bent, anger festers, and relationships become broken and shattered. Confrontation is uncomfortable. It’s not fun. But love requires us to step beyond the bounds of comfort because we love others. Thi is the calling of all Christians… to be leaders in the world.

“The main problem in our lives is the sin inside us. Often its just easier to blame the people around us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness of my sins. Even though I have done wrong things, You ask me to come to You. It is through Your payment for my sins that I can come to you in repentance. Lord, I am sorry. I ask that You help me to own up to the things I try to hide from You. Empower and equip me with the knowledge of Your will for my life. Lord, give me the power to live for You, and help me to walk in the newness of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

June 19th 2019 – Help Restore, Not Comdemn

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“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

The way some people behave, you would think that the Bible says, “If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should first gloat about it and make sure that you condemn him or her for it. Then proceed to tell as many people as possible.”

The Bible doesn’t say that, of course. Here is what it does say: “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1)

The idea is to lift up those who are overtaken by sin, not condemn them. The idea is to restore them, not destroy them. Notice this verse says, “You who are godly.” A truly godly man or woman will seek to restore such a person. In the book of (James 5:19–20) it says, “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

One day, God forbid, it could be you or me. We should never lower our guard or rest on our credit spiritually. No matter how long you have known the Lord, don’t think that you are above falling, because you could fall. Any believer could. That is why we want to always be moving forward, walking with God and progressing spiritually. We never want to coast along in neutral.

And if you know someone who has fallen into sin, then your goal should be to restore, not to destroy. Your goal should be to help him or her, because the next time it could be you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your correction in times when I have lost sight of You. Help me to correct others with wisdom and gentleness. Use me as a tool to bring restoration to those who need help along the way. 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

June 18th 2019 – A Glorious Seed Sown

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“So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-43)

A seed… such a tiny thing, yet out of it, the largest of all trees the giant redwood can grow. This is not unlike us. When we are born again, we are given a deposit of God’s Holy Spirit. This Spirit is the beginning of God’s transformation in our lives.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)

The amazing reality is that not only is God depositing His Spirit in us, He is preparing us for our heavenly bodies and fellowship with Him for eternity. As the Spirit of God begins changing us, we begin walking more and more in the Spirit. And as a result, we’re displaying the heavenly work happening within us. When at the end of our life the Lord finishes changing us, we will continue walking as spiritual men and women of God for all eternity.

“Heaven should get into us before we get into Heaven.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, It is amazing to think of the gift that has been planted in me. Through Your Holy Spirit, help me to live a heavenly life; one that is eternally minded. Keep me focused on what is important and allow me to share the gift of Christ and our glorious future with others. In Jesus’ glorious name, Amen

If you are reading these devotions and are not a follower of Jesus Christ, please be aware that these seeds of scripture are being sown in your own heart right now… whether this devotion was forwarded to you, are you happen to come across it. It’s no coincidence that you’re reading this today.

I am praying that Gods word start to take root in your heart and you come to know personally the greatest truth you will ever hear.. Jesus Christ died on a cross for you. He loves you and He cares for you. When you call His name and ask for His help, He will set you free.. Click Here if you would like to learn more about Gods salvation, or ask Him into your heart.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org