Tag Archives: Joy and Happiness

September 28th 2019 – God’s Family

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.” (Galatians 1:11)

The Gospel changes everything. Not only does it change us, but it also unites us with other believers. Many of the differences that may have divided us before, fall away because of the love of Christ. This is why it is so important to meet together locally at church, and personally with each other. When we grow in unity with one another, it blesses our life and is a great picture to our community.

Where does this unity come from exactly? Well, we believe similar things, we share close to the same value system in love God, love people. In addition, we believe God created the earth and sky. Many people may think we are different because we have different skin colors, ways of dressing or ways of making a living? Unity may even be dependent on whether or not we have ink or tattoos on our body? But no matter what you look like or how you may have been raised in Jesus, we are called “one body”. As the body of Christ, we are a family that seeks to love unconditionally no matter how different we may be.

“When we meet together, we encourage each other with acts of love and fellowship..”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the church. Thank You for bringing me together with brothers and sisters in Christ. While I know I am not perfect, help me to love others equally and to encourage others no matter the differences. In You, the church is united. Please help me to remember that no matter what. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 24th 2019 – The Path That God Leads Us Down

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Keep walking along the path God has chosen for you. Your desire to live close to Him is a delight to the Lords heart. He could grant the riches of our spiritual desires, but that may not be what God has for you or me. Together with God we can forge a pathway up this high and mighty mountain in front of us.

The journey may be arduous at times and we may become week, soon with Gods help we will be to the top of that mountain. But for now, sometimes our walk is difficult and heavy. All He requires from us to do is take the next step, clinging to His hand for strength and direction.

We will never know what is around the bend if we stray from our path, stay on the path that God has selected for you, you are closer then you know to where God wants to lead you.

Focus your attention on the path just ahead of you, and on the One that never leaves your side.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please continue to guide and direct our steps as we walk down life’s path. May we always seek you over all distractions. I praise you and all you have done in my life. I am so blessed that you love me and continue to guide me on my path. May I be receptive to Your direction, seeking You always at each fork on life’s path. I choose to seek and follow You on the path to where You Lord have destined me to be. I know that you have such wonderful plans for our lives and want us to reach our destiny, Amen.

Don’t walk down the path of life without Jesus by your side. If you have not accepted Him as your Savior,  Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 23rd 2019 – Rightly Dividing God’s Word

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

To rightly the divide the Word of God it takes times of reading it, meditating on it, and also studying it.  Each way opens up the truth of the Word.  I look at the Word of God like a miner seeking for gold. Yes, he might get lucky and find some on the top, but most gold takes a lot of digging and working.

When we open our Bibles and start reading it, sometimes things can jump right off of the page and we are amazed and we get all excited.  But there are other times that we read the Word and nothing really hits us.  That’s when we need to ponder and chew on it for a while.  Do it during the course of the day.

You might say, how do I do that? Here, let me show you a couple of different ways.  When you find a verse that speaks to you write it down or put it on the wallpaper on your phone, then, throughout the day look at it, say it a few times and think about what it’s saying to you personally.

Before I got a Smartphone, I used to write scriptures on 3 by 5 cards and carry them with me, or hang them in places I would go, like a mirror, or on the door of the fridge.  Be creative and you will see that you will be digging up nuggets before you know it. His Word will be rightly divided in your life and you will be used for the kingdom of God, who is not ashamed.

“One who uses the Bible as his guide never loses his sense of direction”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Starting today, I’m going to be a doer and a digger of the Word.  I’m going to let the Your Holy Word have first place in my life and study it so that I can rightly divide it and not be ashamed. I also ask that you allow me to experience Your word visually while reading and meditating on it. Give me insight and understanding on the scriptures. We ask this in Jesus 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 10th 2019 – Incomprehensible Love

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them, Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I am awake, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17-18)

Have you ever tried to count the grains of sand on the seashore? For those of you who may have tried, you now know it is absolutely impossible! There are so many in just a scoop of your hand that it becomes incomprehensible to think that we could even begin to count them.

In this scripture verse, the psalmist tells us that God’s thoughts toward us even outnumber the grains of sand on the seashore! What imagery. The Father, who created you and who numbered all your days, is thinking about you all the time. He never stops thinking about you…And they are not thoughts of condemnation and judgement, but thoughts of absolute love and adoration. How precious are His thoughts toward us.

In our limited understanding, this is just too good to be true…but it is true. God is thinking about you right now!

“Jesus thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, it amazes me that your thoughts toward me outnumber the grains of sand on the seashore. And your thoughts towards me are loving thoughts! I pray that I might be able to receive this truth into my heart, so that I might be able to simply respond with loving thoughts back to you. I thank You for your sacrifice of your Son Jesus, it was the ultimate expression of Your love for us. Please forgive us for the times when we have questioned your love for us. I believe that You love us and have demonstrated that love once and for all through the cross. I pray that the truth of Your love for us will be the bedrock of my faith even during the times when I don’t feel loved. Wash me clean and use me for Your kingdom today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Interested in experiencing Gods Incomprehensible love for you?  Click Here 

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

September 9th 2019 – Be An Encourager

“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” (Acts 23:11)

In the world we have many talkers, yet so few encouragers.  Here we see Paul is going to have to give a witness of our Lord in Rome and Jesus, the greatest encourager of all, stood by Paul and lifted him up.  In life there are times when we get down and we need people that will lift us up.  In saying that, remember, there are people all around us who need a pat on the back or a good hardy handshake, and encouragement.

It’s so easy to look at the mistakes that people make and the little things that people do wrong and continually point them out, but what would happen if we looked at the things people did right and commended them?

What would happen to a husband or wife if they encouraged each other instead of looking at the mistakes that are made?  What would happen if when our children mess-up, instead of harping on the mistake, we encouraged them to do better?

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:10-11)

You see, in this negative world, people always try to find the worst in others instead of looking at the best.  Have you ever read some reviews on a book or movie or an item and you see reviews for one star, and then others with five stars, and you wonder, are they looking at the same product?

It’s the same with us.  We can look at the same person and one will see the best in them and the other will see the worst.  I pray today that we will start seeing the best in others.  That we will start believing the best and helping people become all that God would want them to become.  Let’s start with the people we love and go from there.  Come on, what do you say?  LET’S BE ENCOURAGERS.

“Encourage each other and build each other up!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the many individual gifts that make up the body of Christ. Lord, help us to put off disagreements and value others. Forgive us when we have caused division and strife. Today forward, I’m going to make a decision to be an encourager, to believe the best in others.  I’m going to stop looking at all the little mistakes and see the big picture.  God you believe in them and so do I. Give us the spirit to be a blessing to someone else 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

August 18th 2019 – Search and Rescue

“And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” (2 Corinthians 1:10)

Often when we are walking in the midst of a suffering, we may believe that God will rescue us, but it’s still difficult to fully trust Him. As we read the verse above, it’s almost like God knew we would struggle to trust Him and so He makes sure to emphasize His ability to rescue. In 2 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes of rescue three times:

  • Did Rescue
  • Will Rescue
  • Will Continue to Rescue

You see, God’s plan is not to leave us in the middle of pain and hardship forever. He won’t allow us to walk into a dark valley and then leave us there to wander aimlessly without end. The truth is, HE WILL RESCUE. In fact, even if we were to walk in suffering the rest of our lives, we can know as a follower of Christ that He will rescue when He comes again. When we realize this, we don’t really need to know why He is doing it, but only that we can trust He is in control and will be with us until the end. Whatever door He opens or whatever door He closes, we can trust Him. He is good, all the time.

“Our faith is really growing when we don’t know what God is doing, and we still trust Him.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love that is so great that You would rescue me in my times of need. I also thank You for using my hard times for my benefit. Help me not to despair in difficult times but rather to rejoice because I know that my rescue is on 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 12th 2019 – Sharing Your Faith

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Sharing our faith is critical for every Christian. After all, this is what Jesus commands us to do, and if we have been changed by the Gospel, why wouldn’t we want to share it? That being said, we are never called to be combative in sharing the Truth. We are to be bold and unwavering in speaking the Truth, but we should do so in meekness and respect.

When Peter is writing in the book of 1 Peter, he is talking to a church that is suffering. It would make sense that they would want to stand up and fight off those who are oppressing them, yet Peter calls for them to endure persecution with a readiness to share their faith. Not just share, but for them to do so in a gentle and respectful way. Peter says, “Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
(1 Peter 3:16)

A peaceable life, matched with a powerful message has the power to bring conviction and repentance. So try love others in such a way that even when you share hard truths, they will see your good works and glorify God.

Persecution is not an excuse to be mean-spirited or combative. Christians are called to suffer with meekness so that others may see their life and be saved.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for saving me and empowering me with the Holy Spirit so that I can live for You. Use my life to shine Your love and Truth to everyone around me. Give me a desire to share Jesus with everyone even though it may lead to persecution. Help me to be bold yet loving as I share the Good News of the Gospel with a hurting world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

August 6th 2019 – Fruit of the Spirit (P4)

We are on the 4th day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

Patience (Longsuffering) — We are “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Patience” in Galatians 5:22-23 literally means “long temper,” in the sense of “the ability to hold one’s temper for a long time.” The NKJV translates it “longsuffering.” A patient person is able to endure much pain and suffering without complaining. A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing. Since it is a fruit of the Spirit, we can only possess patience through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

God is patient with sinners. (Romans 2:4) says that God’s patience leads to our repentance. (Romans 9:22) points out that only God’s patience prevents Him from destroying “the objects of his wrath.” Paul glorifies the Lord for His “unlimited patience” that saved him, “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:16). Peter highlights the patience of God in (1 Peter 3:20), pointing out that God had immense patience with the evil people of Noah’s day, delaying judgment as long as possible

The opposite of patience is agitation, discouragement, and a desire for revenge. God does not want His children to live in agitation but in peace (John 14:27). He wants to dispel discouragement and replace it with hope and praise (Psalm 42:5). We are not to avenge ourselves; rather, we are to love others (Romans 12:19; Leviticus 19:18).

God is patient, and His Spirit produces the fruit of patience in us. When we are patient, we leave room for God to work in our hearts and in our relationships. We lay down our schedule and trust in God’s. We thank the Lord for what and whom He’s brought into our lives. We let God be God.

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

“Today, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved” 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace and for being so patient with me. Father, help me to walk with patience and grace and to share Your love and mercy with others. In this world of pain, help me to trust in You even when I may not understand all that is happening around me. 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

August 4th 2019 – Fruit of the Spirit (P2)

We are on the 2nd day of a 9-day journey to learn about all of the fruit of the Spirit – the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that come from God.

What is the Fruit of the Spirit?
When you think of the word fruit, you probably think of something like an apple or a banana, right? Well when Paul talks about the “fruit of the Spirit” he is not referring to piece of fruit that you might eat with your lunch. What Paul has in mind here is what comes out of a person who has been filled with the Holy Spirit.

Lots of things and situations can make us happy, but what does it mean to have joy? True joy comes from knowing and following Jesus, and God gives us joy as one of the fruit of the Spirit.

Jesus said to His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). That sounds almost too good to be true! How can we experience this fullness of joy?

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Unfortunately, the world has a shortage of joy and a surplus of fear, worry, discouragement and depression. Even the “pursuit of happiness” and obsessive pleasure-seeking do not bring deep and lasting joy.

Biblical joy—the true joy—comes from filling the spiritual void with good relationships, primarily an intimate relationship with the One who is pure joy. Jesus put it this way: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit”(John 15:5). That fruit includes much joy!

What then? Our unique joy begins because Christ lives in us. (Galatians 2:20). He tells us to “rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). We then have an intimate relationship with the One” Psalms 43:4 calls “God my exceeding joy.” In His presence “is fullness of joy” (Psalms 16:11).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I welcome you into my heart. I thank you for your Joy and Happiness, and the spiritual fruits that you gave to me. True Joy is not possible without the presense of Your Holy Spirit in me. I love You Lord.. In Jesus’ name I thank you and praise you. Amen.

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

July 27th 2019 – Wait A Minute, Something Is Missing

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Were you robbed? Has your joy been stolen? No deadbolt was compromised, no alarm system was set off, you just know at some point your joy had been taken from you. Was it all of a sudden or was it a gradual sinking into despair, so subtle a shift you barely noticed until it was too late?

The enemy is that despised thief who steals from us. He tries to mess with us and take everything good in our lives Jesus painstakingly suffered and died for us to have.

Through the blood of Jesus at His crucifixion we have complete authority over the enemy . No matter what he tries to do to us, we will always win! The Bible says that Jesus died for us to have a blessed, full, and happy life.

The enemy has no place in our lives, he is below us, he is under our feet. When we feel ourselves getting down, depressed, frustrated or fearful, we must be armed and ready for battle. We must know The Word of God so we are constantly equipped with the necessary defense!

“God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

This scripture clearly states that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow even those from under the earth. The enemy must bow down to Jesus, and he must flee!

How do we get back those things the enemy steals from us? How do we restore and maintain our joy? The good news is that God is in the restoration business. He will give us back double for our trouble and beauty for our ashes!

The story of Job in the Bible is an amazing example of God’s pure loving kindness and faithfulness. The enemy took everything from Job, his family, his home, his wealth, his joy and his health. All through this trial, Job praised God and never gave up. Because of his faith, God restored everything back to Job. He gave Job so much more than he ever lost for the trouble and anguish he had to endure. Job let his faith be bigger than his fear and he got his joy back and was completely restored in every way!

The Bible says where there is pain in the night, joy comes in the morning. We are to have the mind of Christ and be completely transformed in God’s image. God says He will fight your battles for you and you will not even have to lift a finger in your own defense! The great I AM is never too busy or on a God hiatus. He’s always ready to fight for us. Call on Jesus … Jesus!!! He will never leave you or forsake you. He rescues you in times of trouble. He will honor you and deliver you from all evil. He will always cause you to triumph and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. With God you are always more than a conqueror!

When you are feeling down and feel your joy and peace slipping away, get in the presence God and boldly confess that the joy of the Lord is your strength. Pray continuously and trust that God can and will perfect all that concerns you. He will fight for you always … all ways!

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with JOY in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Grant to us the royalty of inward happiness, and the serenity which comes from living close to You. Renew in us the sense of joy daily, and let Your eternal spirit dwell deep in our souls and bodies, filling every corner of our hearts with light and grace. Continue to fill us with all that is good so that we will reflect You Lord in our daily lives. I give praise to You for all you have blessed me with. 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