Tag Archives: Endurance

October 8th 2018 – Cast Away Anxiousness

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:16)

I like the candor of Scripture. If the bible says “Don’t be anxious about anything,” we can be sure it’s because there are things that will cause us anxiety. This world is filled with evil, and it will touch our lives. Yet Scripture says, “Don’t be anxious.” Yes, there are things that cause anxiety, but anxiety doesn’t have to dominate us. How can that be? Because we are to give our anxieties to God with prayer and petition and thanksgiving, and then the peace of God will guard our hearts and our minds. God is the difference maker. Can you live your life apart from God? Certainly. But our thoughts and emotions are a battlefield, and when you invite God into your life He will fight that battle for you.

(1 Peter 5:7) “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

“When we filter our emotions through God’s Word, we will find peace, joy and the ability to persevere no matter the circumstance we face.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You asking for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Holy Spirit, I ask for Your intervention into my thoughts when I am feeling anxious. Remind me that the Father has promised to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 26th 2018 – When God Closes Doors

“Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” (Acts 16:6-7)

Have you ever had God close a door that you thought was previously open? What was your reaction? Did you get upset and complain, or did you thank God for the closed door while praying about what to do? Prayer is a good thing. Paul exhorts us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but this doesn’t mean to stop looking for other open doors. You can pray while taking action. What did Paul and his crew do when the Lord closed a door? Did they sit around and moan to one another about how difficult it was to be a Christian and how they wanted to minister in Bithynia but the Lord would not let them? No, they didn’t! They kept moving forward as God revealed to Paul the door that He had opened.

“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10)

Although God closed some doors for Paul and his group, God opened the doors to Macedonia in order that Lydia would be saved and the door to Europe would be opened to the Gospel. You see, sometimes the door that God closes opens the door to something awesome that He has in store. What should we do when God closes the door? Don’t try to kick down the door! Don’t try to sneak a peek. Instead, prayerfully try another door. Take a step of faith. The rest is up to God. Press forward.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

“Considder the fact that maybe God closed that door, because He knew you were worth so much more.  God has so much more for you, Trust in Him”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for saving me. Thank You for allowing me to serve You in whatever way You have planned for me. Please forgive me for the times that I have tried to force open doors that You closed. Give me eyes to see the doors that You want me to go through and the courage to go through them. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

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

If you have never asked Jesus into your heart or want to recommit. Click here to learn more.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 24th 2018 – Strong Hands

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building.” (Zachariah 8:9)

When the world is looking for strength in a person, the ones that come to mind are our military professionals, emergency responders, athletes or the well known CEOs who exhibit power and endurance. These men and women work hard to push through and accomplish their goals. Granted we can learn from those who have done these things, yet God points us in a different direction when we are looking for strength. In Zechariah chapter 8, God tells Israel to “let your hands be strong,” but He does not just leave it at that. He points them to the source of their power.

“These words by the mouth of the prophets,”

God, in essence, is telling Israel to be strong because He has spoken promises over His people that can be trusted. When they face difficulty in rebuilding the temple or face trials from other nations, they can be strong because God said that He would one day bless them in a mighty way. This is great for Israel to hear, and yet this Truth is the same for us. Throughout the Scriptures, God has spoken promises over us. Each one can be held on to with complete confidence that it will come to pass, because they are the words of a God who cannot lie. These promises from God are to be trusted above our emotions, above our circumstances and above the wisdom of the world. These words from the Lord will drastically change our lives – if we believe them with all our heart and trust in the One who spoke them.

“When we are weak and hurting, Our strength is found in the Word of God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You today for the power of Your Word to change my life. Thank You for the promises of Scripture that are for my good. Thank You for the corrections in the Bible that help me to become more like Jesus. Teach me to trust in each one more and more each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 10th 2018 – Reignited

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

Have you ever watched a fire begin to burn down to the point that all you have left are coals? It looks as though there is no fire actually left, because the coals may be under a layer of ash. You can’t really see much. But when you take a fresh log and toss it on top of those coals and stir it around a bit, suddenly it ignites, and you have a whole new fire going.

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). That phrase stir up the gift means to fan it into full flame.

There may be live coals in your life, but you have allowed the fire to go down. You haven’t been using the gifts that God has given you, the talents He has given you. It’s time to fan them into full flame again. It’s time to be reignited. It’s time to say, “Lord, how can I use what You have given me for Your glory until You return?”

It’s easy for our Christian faith to go stale. We say the right words and go through the right motions while having a cold heart toward God. One thing that causes our faith to become stagnant is we forget that Christianity is not about a set of ideas; it’s about the most important person in all history – Jesus Christ, who came from heaven to earth not only to provide a way for us to escape hell after we die, but also to show us a better way of living before we leave this world.

We need to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. If we will humble ourselves and take what we have and offer it to God, if we are willing to do what He has set before us and be faithful in the little things, then He will give us more to do.

Any time you take a chance, you can fail. But it’s better to try than to never have anything happen in your life. I would rather try and fail than never try at all.

“It’s time to be reignited.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love for me and the faith that has grown in my heart. I ask that You fan my flame and ignite my faith into a towering infernal for you Lord! I want to use my life and talents to please You. Help me share Your love and the message to others. Keep my heart full of faith during in the often trials of my life, that I may be on fire to inspire others and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Seeking a personal relationship with Jesus?

If you do not know Jesus personally,  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

May 13th 2018 – Identity Revealed

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.” (Job 23:10-11)

When you go through a hardship, it will either make you bitter or better. I have discovered that it is usually one or the other. And guess who dget to make that decision? You do! You are the one who gets to choose whether you will be will become bitter when things get tough by turning against the Lord. Or you will get better by trusting in the Lord.

Sometimes people who have experienced a tragedy in their lives will say, “I’ve lost my faith through this.” Proclaiming that reveals that their faith wasn’t real to begin with. If you are a real believer, your faith will not go away when hardship hits. It will get stronger. The faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. Tragedy reveals who the real believers are.

Suffering helps us grow spiritually and makes us stronger in the faith. It takes our faith from the realm of theory to reality.

Often, it’s easy to talk about our faith. But it’s another thing to live by it. A lot of believers will boast about the number of years they have known the Lord and how many verses they memorized. That is all good. But when your faith is tested, we will find out what you are really made of.

“Suffering does not create character; it reveals it!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am grateful that You are the Rock that I can stand on and an ever present help in times of need. Lord, in those times I feel lost and alone in times of hardship or tragedy, remind me of Your faithfulness and love. May Your Spirit lead me to draw close to You and trust in Your Word over my feelings. Thank You for Your strength and comfort during tough times. Please help me to praise You even in the difficult situations.  Starting now, I choose to express great joy because You love me! Please help me to be an encourager today to the others who are are going through a test. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once follow Him but your faith was weak and turned your back on Him in a time of hardship?

Pray this prayer and start a new life, or recommit yourself to to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to know. Click here to send us an e-mail or share your testimony.

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

March 3rd 2018 – We Are Never Alone In Life’s Storms

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

When the Bible says that God will keep us, it doesn’t mean that He will always keep us from trouble. But it does mean that He will keep us while we’re in the midst of trouble.

When the Israelites saw the Egyptian army closing in on them at the Red Sea, God had allowed them to get into that situation. Why? It was so they would pray and see His glory on display. And then, when He answered them by opening up the Red Sea so they could walk through on dry ground, they saw that God walked with them through their difficulties.

God could have kept Daniel from the lion’s den. Instead, God kept Daniel in the lion’s den. God could have kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Instead, God walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Jesus could have kept the disciples from all the storms on the Sea of Galilee. Instead, He was with them as they went through the storms.

Maybe you are in trouble right now. Maybe you are frightened and unsure about your future. You don’t know what is going to happen next. Know that you’re not alone. God is with you in the midst of your troubles.

Sometimes I think we believe that we have the right to live easy, tranquil lives, and then one day we will die in our sleep. Everything will be nice, cozy, and comfortable. But the Bible doesn’t promise that. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). But He also said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Sometimes God will keep us from a problem. And sometimes He will let us go through the problem and will be with us in the storms of life.

“Jesus is our peace during the storms of life.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know I have made bad decisions in the midst of the storms in life. Please forgive me. I know some of the consequences of my bad decisions are still here. In the future, please help me to make better decisions. Please send others to help me through these tough times. I ask for Your peace to comfort me. I ask, Father, for Your power to strengthen me. When I want to run because I am afraid or hurt, I ask that You help me to stand. I know that You will guide me to grow through these things. Lord, I know You will be there to help me through every storm of life and even in the final storm of death, I wi praise 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. Fill me with Your Spirit and use my life to share God’s peace with the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Trying to face a storm without Jesus will get very overwhelming, you may even feel all alone.  He is waiting for you, ask for His help. If you do not know Him personally, 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. Jesus loves us and wants to help us through the storms. 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..

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 24th 2018 – Sweet “Lemonaid” Pie

“But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (Genesis 39:21)

No matter what stage you are in life right now, chances are tough situations have hit you out of nowhere. It happens to all at some point in life. Maybe, you are a young adult and didn’t realize that it was going to be this hard to get started. Your marriage or relationship could have hit a difficult time. With retirement around the corner financial issues could have altered your future. The reality is that, in life, things happen that can affect us spiritually and mentally. Don’t Lose Faith! It’s not over. God will bring you through it.

Reading about the life of Joseph, I am sure he felt the same way. He had been betrayed by his brothers, thrown in a pit, and sold into slavery. If that wasn’t enough, he was falsely accused of sexually harassing Potiphar’s wife. He could have given up on life, but instead he realized that no matter the circumstance, the Lord was with him.

Our circumstances in life might change, even change quickly, but God holds all time in His hands. The Bible tells us that He is the Alpha and Omega (Rev 22:13). We are told that God exalts those who humble themselves before Him (James 4:10).

When life gives you lemons, make “Sweet Lemonaid Pie!” (See recipe below) Turn to the Lord and trust in Him. He will bring you through it.

“Knowing whose you are, is to know who you are. This enables you to know how to react and what to say, when trouble comes, wherever you are.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for encouraging me. Help me to know my identity in You and trust You more. Thank You Lord. I pray these things in the name of Jesus, Amen.

A special recipe – Sweet Lemonaid Pie

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

 

February 4th 2018 – Why Would God Choose Us (Part 5 of 5)

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—  that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Today, as I wrap up this mini-series on why God choose us, I want us to look at how the Bible brings these verses out.  God looked down from heaven and He chose us in spite of all of our problens. Isn’t that great? We are chosen by the Great “I Am” to be a co-partner with Him, to help people and share His message of eternal salvation.  God could have just done it Himself, but He chose to work through us to let people see the light.

That’s why we can never boast in ourselves, because we know who we are.  We know where we came from, so our boast needs to always be of God.  As we looked at David, Rahab and Joseph these last few days, we could have looked at so many more in the Bible that started off badly, yet God took them on a journey and made something great out of them.

So today, don’t put yourself down. See yourself the way God your Heavenly Father sees you, “IN JESUS”!  That’s why He sees you blessed, because Jesus is blessed. That is why He sees you healed, because Jesus is healed.  Start seeing yourself the way God sees you and never forget from where you came, and yet, always remember where you’re going. Enjoy the ride, He brought you this far, He’ll get you to the finish line.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You have gotten me to the starting gate and I know that You will get me to the finish line.  It’s not about me, it’s about You, Christ in me, the hope of glory. Thank You for the precious gift of salvation. Your love and forgiveness have changed my life, and I desire to show that same kind of love and forgiveness within the relationships around me. Fill me with Your Spirit and instruct me by Your Word, so that I can live like Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 5th 2018 – Life’s Struggles

“He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, a man of considerable insight and understanding. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Saul and Barnabas said. He was trying to turn the governor away from the Christian faith.” (Acts 13:7-8)

In this story, we see the governor torn between Saul and Barnabas, who meant him well, and Elymas who tried to keep the governor from hearing about God. I believe we can relate to this in the many struggles in our own lives. We want to hear the Word of God, like during a teaching, but sometimes we allow ourselves to be talked out of it.

Some of the things that can make a huge difference in our spiritual growth is reading the bible, going to bible studies and reading devotions. It encourages us, challenges us, and the bible studies allows worship and fellowship with one another. It is obvious why the enemy of our souls would not want us in that kind of environment. He will try to use our friends, family and loved ones to keep us from church, serving, giving, praying and reading the Bible. Above all the noise; however, the voice of Jesus rings true. Come to Him and He will give you rest. The world says ‘get’, Jesus says ‘give’. The world says focus on ‘you’. Jesus says focus on ‘others’ and upon Him. Be careful what voice you listen to. It is very important.

“If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Help me to hear Your voice over all the outside noise in my life. Lord, it seems that others in this wotld try to pull me down or keep me in sin. Help me during those weak moments to know what You would say to me. Help me to hear and respond to Your voice and know that I am forgiven. Help me to fellowship with and love others around me. Thank You for continuing to call me. In Jesus’ 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

“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