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May 4th 2017 – God’s “Biggest and Best” Blessings

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“The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.” (Acts 22:30)

“Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” (Acts 23:1)

We see in the next seven chapters, Acts 22 to 28, Paul is either on his way to court or prison or is in court or imprisoned. If anyone would have had the right to mope around and complain about his problems, it would have been Paul… but he didn’t. He could have been an ‘Eeyore’ and said, “I guess I’ll never get out of here.”Instead, he used those times by praying to God and and encouraging others. Did you know that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while in prison?

Paul wrote, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:11-12)

How could Paul write this in the face of such overwhelming difficulty? He continues by saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

That is the key. We often hear slogans such as, “Do your best and let God do the rest.” Our best isn’t even close to God’s best. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, stop and ask God to make it the best. Don’t settle for the little, Ask God for His “biggest and best”. Trust God with today, and He will lead you into tomorrow’s blessings.

“Ask God to make the best out of whatever situation you are in.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You that I don’t have to lean on my own striving or the hope that my best is good enough. Thank you for family and for the special ones you brought into my life. Lord, I don’t want my best, I want Your best. Please help me to commit all my plans to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 3rd 2017 – From Broken to Beautiful

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“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”(Jeremiah 29:11–13) – my life verse

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

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

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

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

I have had my life, my dreams and my heart broken and crushed quite a few times… when I was in my early twenties, I lost my childhood sweetheart, one of my best friends and my father within a few months of my life. Their loss was very painful, the brokeness and loneliness I was experiencing was more then I could deal with. Within a year I met someone and got married. I built a new life, dreams and a family. I was blessed with starting a very successful business that I operated for many years. After 15 years of a awesome marriage, with no warning, My wife emptied our bank accounts and abandoned not only myself but our children. With all of my dreams broken and the emense pain of loss and betrayal, I experienced a time of feeling suicidal. I had to be strong for my children, however the stress and pain eventually caused me to have another lifechanging event, a stroke that almost took my life. Throughout the process I discovered how codependent I was. I was trying to deal with the pain on my own and instead, generated more distress bitterness and anger.

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

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

Don’t delay! if you find yourself shattered, Only Jesus can truly mend your broken heart, broken body or broken life into someting beautiful.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for taking a shattered and scattered life and like a broken glass, when someone would normally throw it away. You Lord fashioned me back together. I love you Lord. Thank you for the sweet wife that you brought into my life 6 years ago, Thank you for bringing my children to know you and thank you for my friends.. As your word says, You indeed carried me through devastation and restored my life… even thought life continues to be hard at times. I am greatful that You are here for me every step of the way. Accepting You as my Lord and Savior was the greatest decision I ever made. Thank You for Your endless pursuit of me. I love You Lord. In Your precious name, Amen.

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

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

May 2nd 2017 – Serve Others

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“But even so, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them.” (Acts 14:18)

How often we take our focus off God and place it on men. For instance Paul is not Saint Paul in the religious sense; rather he is a Saint because he is new in Christ Jesus who forgave him of his sins. God did great things through Paul and Barnabas who were just people like you and me – people who had the mind of Christ. When we think of people as super heroes, we deceive ourselves in thinking they did things that we could never do, but you know what? God still does great things through people today.

Jesus said that He did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). If we are to “arm ourselves also with the same mind” (1 Peter 4:1), then we must serve others. Paul exhorts us saying, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:5). What is your attitude toward serving others?

God wants to use you to do awesome things. People who forsake their own needs and wants by serving others demonstrate their focus is on Jesus. The kind of humility that it takes to deny yourself in order to serve others is unnatural to man, but through the incredible work of God it is made possible. There are more opportunities to serve others than there are of being served. What does that say about individuals willing to let others serve them, but never serve others? It speaks volumes about their focus. Have you positioned yourself to serve or to be served?

“Get your eyes off of people and put them on Jesus.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Please forgive me for the times when I’ve taken my focus off of You and placed it on people. Please give me a heart to serve You by serving others. I want to be Your humble and obedient servant. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

 

May 1st 2017 – Lighting the Candle

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

The Christian life is a life of darkness and of light. At one time, our hearts were darkened, but through the grace of God, they were enlightened. In essence, we move from being people of darkness to people of the light. This is not because we are special, but because God so loved us that He made a way for us to be transformed through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Sometimes as lights, we forget that we were once in darkness, and we begin mocking those who are still blind. Too many Christians are just cursing the darkness and standing around talking about what is wrong with the world, with the lost, with believers and with the church. They are unwilling to help change things. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14 that we are “The light of the world.” That’s us, the church. We are the “city on a hill” that is shining out into the darkness. The world is really.messed up because of sin. We are not called to curse the sinners, but we are called to light a candle. Today is the day. Light a candle of God’s love. Show kindness, love and grace to someone today. With one candle at a time, we will change the world.

“Its always better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am sorry if I have spent more times cursing the darkness and less time lighting candles. I believe You are the Light and have called me to shine. Give me the power to serve, give and love like You do. Help me so that I may be filled with more of Your light and less of the darkness. 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

April 29th 2017 – Mountains – My God is Bigger

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“As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:36-37 )

I have had the opportunity to speak with and pray for those who are in the midst of monumental life changing challenges. It might be unemployment, eviction, addiction, separation, divorce or even death. Whatever it is, for those going through it, it seems to be a Mount Everest of a challenge. One thing I’ve noticed is that those who dare to take on mountains often triumph while those who survey the towering heights and presume defeat… buckle. Colossal cliffs teach the deepest lessons – the kind you never forget.

(Genesis 22:8) “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”

From the stable to sacrifice, Jesus knew His mountain. Awaiting Him at the top were false accusation, humiliation, torture, pain, suffering and death on a cross. For us, our Savior set His jaw and pressed forward. Jesus made the greatest climb to Calvary.

Willingly, Jesus took that hill. He knew what was waiting, and He went. It was His joy to do so. He did it to purchase you and change your destiny. Because Jesus made His ascent, we can climb our mountains with victory in hand. The next time you see a mountain looming in the distance, remember, you’re a conqueror. With Jesus, you will take that hill.

” Dear Problem, My God Is Bigger! – Don’t climb your mountains without Jesus.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We love You and praise you Lord in all circumstances. Thank You for loving me first. It is through You that I do not have to fear the difficulties of this world and that I have everything I need for the challenges of life. Please forgive me for times when I’ve stalled in the face of trials instead of relying on You. 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

 

April 28th 2017 – Seek God in all Things

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“Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.” (1 Corinthians 15:36)

I was recently invited to a pre-screening of a movie called All Saints. It was based on a true life story about a wilted and dying church. The congregation had dwindled to less than the dozen people. The reason this had happened is that they, at one point stopped praying and worshiping to the Lord. To illustrate this, even the communion set was in packed away in a dusty old box in the basement. What was a thriving Community Church 50 years ago, now without seeking God, it had become a handful of old cranky and fruitless people.

The story continued, a new Pastor shows up with direction from his diocese to inventory the church, close it down and sell the property. God however gives the Pastor a new direction, brings him the refugee helpers to accomplish the mission at hand, saving the church.

What will he do? Try to please the diocese and shut down the Church? Try to serve his congregation and the community by saving the church? The real question is, will he seek God’s help to accomplish the mission given to him?

His answer may really supprise you?

Let’s look at a biblical application of this story in our lives. When we ask Jesus to forgive us and are born again, we are like that seed planted into the ground. As that seed lies in the soil, it becomes something new, something with amazing potential for growth. Likewise, when our lives are given completely to Jesus, there is unlimited potential to the number of lives we could reach. The Lord looks down onto our lives and knows the number of times we will fall, the number of times we will have victory and the number of lives we will change. He knows and will provide the needed power; the question is… are you ready to produce? Are you ready to grow and be fruitful? Are you ready to ask for Gods help! When you give your life to Christ and submit to Him in obedience, you will see amazing things happen, not because you are the perfect seed, but because He is the perfect gardener. Trust Him and watch the harvest unfold before your eyes.

“Anyone can count the seeds, plant the seeds, we can even try to water them by hand. But only God can give life to the seeds, provide living water and produce the “Good” harvest!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the continuous love that You have shown me. Thank You for Jesus and the gift of salvation that comes through Him. Lord, I praise You for these things and ask that You would help me to grasp the impact that my life could have when it is dedicated to You. I ask that You fill me with Your Spirit and use me to be fruitful for Your Kingdom. Help teach me and others that without placing You first in our lives, seeking Your help and direction, we will never have all that God intends for us. 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

April 26th 2017 – Visions From God

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“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.” (Daniel 7:1)

It was a time of rumblings in the kingdom of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had been dead for at least 15 years. His successors had been in bloody power grabs leading into this time when Daniel received a vision from the Lord. Daniel, in many ways was outside of the public eye, yet in Daniel chapter 7, he receives one of the most amazing prophetic visions from the Lord in all the Bible.

Perhaps you have found yourself in an obscure situation, feeling like you want to start over somewhere else. Perhaps like the apostle Paul you have been, or at least felt like you have been in prison to a situation or circumstance. Like Daniel in obscurity Paul received many letters from the Lord to write to the churches he had planted. These letters are part of the New Testament we have today. Did you know that you can also see a vision from the Lord in the middle of your situation? As long as you are willing to pursue Him with all your heart He will be faithful to work in you and with you even in the most trying times.

(Daniel 7:13-14) “As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

Isaiah also saw a vision of God’s throne in Isaiah chapter 6 where he was given a mission to be a witness on behalf of the Lord. Isaiah felt himself unworthy to deliver God’s message so He was given a sign in the vision that encouraged him to fulfill his mission. When God imparts a vision of himself into our lives it invokes a change upon all that we are, conforming us into the image of Jesus and empowering us to know Him and make Him known. Take the time to be persistent with the Lord in prayer, diligently digging in His word and faithful in fellowship with other believers in Christ. It is in our walking after Him in these things that our vision of Him is enlarged in such a way our lives will be eternally impacting.

“A real vision will change your perspective, change the way you speak and change your heart toward God and toward others. So Don’t run from it, engage in it!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are willing to impart to me Your will and vision for my life even when I’m not in the best of circumstances. Please forgive me when I lose sight of You. And please continue to give me the power to pursue You with all my heart. I know that You will give me the vision to see You as I walk after You in faith. 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

April 25th 2017 – The Power of Prayer

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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)

Prayer is powerful! God hears all of our prayers, and He delights in receiving our raw, honest, passionate prayers. Prayer is key to touching God’s heart, you have the power to impact God’s heart! Many struggle with praying because they feel that their intercession is not much more than empty cries to an invisible God, who seems distant. But remember: What goes up must come down! Sometimes we can feel like our prayers shoot only as high as the ceiling and then bounce back unheard and unanswered. But God loves being in relationship with you. He promises that He will hear us and answer, because that is what friends and family do for each other. Relationship is built through spending time together and enjoying each other’s company. God made us to be in relationship with Him, and He absolutely loves it when we spend time praying and talking with Him.

As we approach God, we must remember that our ultimate goal in prayer is not to have our prayers answered, but to encounter God Himself. We do not want to treat Him like a vending machine that produces goods at our will. We are in a relationship, where fellowship and intimacy are not based upon the number of hours we “put in” with God. Rather, intimacy is the time we spend with God. Prayer cannot just be storming the gates of Heaven with a list of requests. It is an incredible honor to rest in the knowledge that the omnipotent, ever-powerful God of the Universe has one joy above all others, and that is to spend time with YOU! Prayer is the overflow of intimacy with God. As we spend time with Him in worship and thanksgiving, resting in His presence, we are refreshed in the knowledge of what Christ has done for us and the love God has for us. Our prayers become part of a continual conversation with Him as we partner with His good will for our lives and the lives around us.

Spend some time with God, focusing simply on enjoying His company. In this time, share with Him the desire of your heart.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I want to have a passion for Your presence. Please remove from me any fear of being passionately set apart for You. I ache to know You more! Teach me to pray the prayers that stir Your heart. I want to minister to You in my devotional life. I want my heart to bless Your heart and give You the love that You deserve! In Jesus

“Our prayers are powerful and effective to touch God’s heart and to destroy anything that stands in the way of His Kingdom coming.”

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

April 24th 2017 – Nicodemus at Night

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Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

In the quietness of the night Jesus is approached by Nicodemus a rich religious ruler and teacher in the nation of Israel.  Jesus looks at Nicodemus eye to eye and tells him he must be born again. Nicodemus is confused. After all he is in the highest ranks in terms of the influence he has as a teacher of God’s Word. Jesus continues to appeal to the very confused Nicodemus explaining that he must be born of the Spirit. Jesus goes on later to explain that the Spirit is blowing like the wind and we can neither detect nor see where it comes from.

(1 Peter 1:23) “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.”

When a person claims to be born of God there should be some evidence of Christ becoming more of a regular part of their nature. When we plant an apple tree in the ground we get apples. When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is planted in your heart by faith and you have confessed to Him to receive His forgiveness and Spirit you get more of Jesus in your life.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11) “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

It’s true that we continue to struggle with our sinful nature as Christians. Paul speaks about this in Romans 7 and even toward the end of his life he declares himself the chief of sinners. That’s not because he went unhinged in sin, but as Christ grew in him he saw how far away he was from being like Jesus in everything.

This resulted in him relying on Jesus’ mercy and grace even more than he ever had before. Is Christ growing in you more and more? If not, could it be that you need to heed the words of Jesus more seriously than you thought?

(John 3:7) “So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.”

“There is a distinct difference between ‘the struggle’ with sin as a believer and the blatant disregard of God’s Word. He knows if we are His or not.”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I acknowledge that You sacrificed Yourself and died for my sins and that You rose from the grave so that I could have eternal life. Please forgive me of all my sins and come into my heart and be my Lord, my God, and my Savior. Please give me the power of Your Spirit to live for You all the days of my life. In Your heavenly 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

April 23rd 2017 – Bold as a Lion

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“Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty. The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.” (Daniel 6:21-23)

Daniel had been consistent for 70 years of his life praying faithfully unto the Lord three times a day facing toward Jerusalem. Daniel was also performing with profound excellence his work for King Darius. The government officials (Daniel’s coworkers) were filled with envy toward Daniel because of his success. They tricked King Darius into passing a law to pray to no one but the king, which ultimately led Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den.

Daniel obeyed God’s word and is now being persecuted for doing so. Have you ever wholeheartedly stepped out to obey the Lord and found yourself being ridiculed? Let me encouage you not to be discouraged. You see, there is a greater lion than the ones we may face in our lion’s den of persecution-the Lion from the tribe of Judah, Jesus. The enemy prowls like a lion seeking to discourage and destroy us, but the Lord has disarmed him at the cross.

(Colossians 2:14-15) “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

The enemy’s mouth has been shut and rendered powerless over us through Christ. Not only that, but when we absorb Christ in our hearts and lives we can be encouraged and infused with that same power of forgiveness and the resurrection spirit of Christ in us. By the Lord imparting to us His righteousness we can be made as bold as a lion. We no longer need to fret, be fearful, or let our hearts be troubled for Christ has overcome the world for us and will see us through times of persecution as well.

“The Enemy prowls like a lion. – Never forget that Jesus is the real lion and Jesus gives us the boldness like a lion.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your power to overcome the enemy in every aspect of my life. Please forgive me when I allow myself to be persuaded by the difficulty of my circumstances. Fill me with that same powerful Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead to make me bold as a lion. 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