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December 10th 2018 – God, I Got This On My Own

“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’” (John 20:26-27)

We have all heard the comments, “get it together,” “straighten up,” or the ever classic, “as the good book says, the Lord helps them that help themselves.” Eventually, we heard it enough that we believed it. First, I have read the good book from cover to cover several times and let me assure you, it does not say that. Second, the Lord helps those that ask for His help.

If you are still determined to make it on your own, or get yourself cleaned up, or fly right or that you can fix the problem, whatever term you want to use, the Lord will let you try. The moment you realize you need the Lord’s help, He will be there to help, though not when you are over the trial, but while you are in the trial. To think that He comes to us after we get through the tough stuff is to paint Him as a fair weather friend. Beloved of God, it is you that the Lord longs to walk with through the storms of life. Call out to Him right where you are, just as you are and He will become even more real to you. The Lord loves you enough to take you just as you are, and thankfully He loves you too much to let you stay that way.

“Jesus will come to us right where we are and as we are.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I’ve tried it my way and my way doesn’t work. I need Your help in my life. Whatever things I’m trying to do on my own outside of You, I completely surrender to You. Please help me. Thank You for being the here for me always. Forgive me for not listening to You when I have heard the answer to my situation many times. Forgive me for choosing my way over Yours. I confess that am just a sinner and do not know more then You Lord. Please strenthing my faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 9th 2018 – Don’t Be Apathetic

“In the day that you stood on the other side-In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, When foreigners entered his gates And cast lots for Jerusalem–Even you were as one of them.” (Obadiah 1:11)

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Apathy, detachment, disinterest, disregard… no matter what you call it, it’s not an option as a follower of Jesus. In the book of Obadiah, God proclaims judgment on Edom because they stood by and watched Israel be destroyed and taken into captivity. They saw their brother in need and did nothing. Contrast this to Jesus who was active in our redemption.

(Philippians 2:7-8) “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

A spiritually apathetic person needs to remember this; he should think back to the time when he sensed the warmth and closeness of Christ’s presence. He should realize that he can return to that state of fellowship. Then he needs to repent;  he needs to see his spiritual apathy as sin and confess that sin to God (1 John 1:9). Finally, he needs to renew; that is, he must cultivate a renewed commitment to the Lord—not just serving the Lord, but knowing Him, praising Him, and fellowshipping with Him. He should start again, if he has discontinued it, daily Bible reading and prayer. He should let the indwelling Holy Spirit empower him so his life will display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). And he should fellowship with a Bible-believing local church (Hebrews 10:25).

Satan loves apathy. We must stay alert to the temptations of the old nature, the world, and the evil one. We must never lose the sense that God is always with us and in us. “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). As we begin to worship and praise the Lord and let Christ control our lives each day, we will rediscover a life of adventure filled with joy and eternal purpose. We will wonder how we ever became spiritually apathetic in the first place.

Don’t ever forget that; Jesus intentionally left His throne and the glory of heaven to walk among the pain and suffering of the world. He then purposefully gave up His life so that we could know forgiveness. He could have stayed in heaven, but because of His great love for us and in obedience to the Father, Jesus acted. As followers of Christ, may we be active in loving, caring for and sharing with others. Who knows what a small act of kindness or encouraging word could do to change a life.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus and His love and obedience. Because of His active role in my redemption, I can know forgiveness and grace. In the same way that You were intentional in the salvation of man, may I be intentional in ministering to those around me. Fill me with Your Spirit and equip me to be a light in this dark 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 Click Here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 8th 2018 – A Case For Christ

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:5-7)

The Bible mentions several people involved in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is something that you rarely, if ever, find in fairy tales and folklore. You find Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimethea, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and five hundred other witnesses. Either this was the most cleverly arranged hoax ever perpetuated on the world, even fooling Roman politicians and Jewish spiritual leaders, or it really was the most pivotal event in human history.

The intriguing thing to note is that how you look at this tells how you look at heaven, hell, life, death, faith, love and forgiveness. There were five hundred witnesses and some of them were famous. There was overwhelming and undeniable proof!

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are historically recorded events. Based of the eye whitness statements, and evidence. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would stand up in a court of law.

Millions of lives today have changed because of this, including mine. The calendar itself forever changed with the birth and death of Jesus (BC and AD). The church would forever after worship on Sunday. Are you still waiting for more information? You have enough information to make an educated decision, but it still requires a step of faith. Take the chance. I did. My life was forever changed for the better. Today can be the start of a brand new life for you. Ask God to forgive you right now and He will.

“Jesus claimed the power to heal illness and He claimed He had the power to forgive sins. (Fact) He did it and still does!”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, Thank You for dying for me so that I could be forgiven. Thank You for being resurrected, and that I could have a new life. I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins. Lord, I have done wrong things, and I am sorry. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Please give me the power to live for You, all the days of my life. Amen.

Congratulations, you just made the best decision you will ever make or recommitted yourself to, your life will never be the same.

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

If you are seeking Jesus in your life Click Here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 7th 2018 – Sometimes God Says No…

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

This is such an important ministry lesson. David, one of the greatest kings and one of the greatest leaders of Israel, asks God to allow him to build the temple, but God told him “No”

Nobody wants to be told “No”. David proves the greatness of his leadership by setting aside his wants and begins to help. Instead of complaining, David begins to prepare so Solomon can build the temple.

Sometimes, God says “No” Sometimes, though we have the grandest of plans and the purest of hearts, God says “No” to our plans. What should we do then? Should we grumble and whine? Of course not! God wants us to help one another to build His kingdom. We should take joy in helping those who God has chosen. Kingdom builder’s work together in the roles God has uniquely gifted to each, and by such, live up to their God-given utmost potential… And God smiles.

“We are to help others build the kingdom of God as well. Kingdom builders are not concerned with who gets to do what; just that it is getting done.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your Word and for giving me the opportunity to be a kingdom builder. Lord, I desire to be used in whatever capacity You would have me to serve. Help me to recognize the gifts and talents You have equipped me with and give me a boldness to put Your Kingdom first. I don’t want to be a spectator in the Kingdom. I want to be a world-changer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

If you are seeking Jesus in your life Click Here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 6th 2018 – Glory To God In The Highest

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14)

Can you imagine being there on that day?  Here these shepherds were minding their own business, when all of a sudden these beautiful angels appeared to them and spoke these words to them, and to us: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14)

God’s heart for us is peace and goodwill.  God desires our hearts to be full of goodwill, and full of peace.  God is not into bringing torment to us.  He gave us a Savior, Jesus Christ!  God, the Father, loves us so much that while we were still lost and in our sins, Jesus came and set us free!  Jesus did not come to hurt us or knock us down.  He came to lift us up, and to empower us to do great things!  Jesus said that He came to seek and to save those that were lost.

So during these last few weeks leading up to Christmas, make a decision not to get caught up with all the stuff of this world. Get caught up in in Jesus, let His love and goodness get all over you.  See how much He loves you, by hearing these words that the angels spoke to the shepherds on that day so many years ago: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  Enjoy Him, because He wants to enjoy you!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, This Christmas season, help me not get caught up in the caos of society, help me get caught up with You Lord “My Father”.  I am going to enjoy You, and thank You for all You have done for me.  You gift of love and salvation is the greatest gift I could ever receive. Thank you for my friends and family.Continue to 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 and want to quench yor unquenchable thirst. Click Here to learn more.

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 5th 2018 – Jesus Hold Me Close

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15)

Jesus asked two very insightful questions of Mary at this point: “Why are you weeping?” and “Whom are you seeking?” Often in life, we find ourselves in a place where we feel like crying and other times find ourselves in tears. Jesus sees those tears and wants to dry them… if we will let Him.

We need to allow Jesus to do just that. Sometimes it happens through the hands and wisdom of others, but either way He wants to tend to our tears. Whatever the circumstance, life threatening Illness, brokeness of a marriage or loss of a loved one, spouse or child. Jesus is the answer to our pain..He will comfort us.

Sometimes though, we become strangely comfortable with pain and sadness. They become almost like old familiar friends. Jesus wants to be the better friend. For some, it may mean breaking a cycle long established and for others, it may mean coming out of a short season of pain.

Seek Jesus. Realize that in the midst of trial, trouble and temptation, He is there with you. You may need to turn around to face Him. He wants to pull you out of your problems and liberate you from sadness, but before He does, He wants to walk with you through the valley. Even when you are in the valley of the shadow of death, He is there. May you know He is there to dry your tears, lighten your load and be a closer friend than any you have ever known. Loved one, right now take a few minutes out of your busy day and turn to Him. You will be glad you did. And so will He.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sticking by me through good times and bad times. You are the true friend. Sometimes, I become content to wallow in self pity. Please forgive me for that and humble me to allow You, through the hands of others, to comfort and even challenge me to trust you and Your promise. Please help me through the times of panic, the times when the pain is crippling and I can’t breathe. Hold me close Jesus when I feel all alone. Remind me that You are here and Love me when I am unable to see past the pain. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

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

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 4th 2018 – Marriage Is From Heaven

“When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” (John 2:29-10)

Jesus, along with five of His disciples, came to the wedding in Cana. Mary told Jesus that there was a need because the wine had run out. In the custom of a Jewish wedding, running out of wine could have very bad implications. First, wine was a symbol of joy and blessing (See Psalm 104:15). To run out of wine would be as though the joy had run out. Secondly, running out of wine would make the groom, who was responsible for providing for the celebration, seem unfit to provide for his bride. The sentiment was, if you can’t provide wine for your own wedding how can you expect to provide for your spouse? Last of all, in this period you could be taken to court and prosecuted for not providing wine at your wedding.

Jesus stated that His hour had not yet come to be revealed as the Messiah. As we read in John 2:4, Honoring his mother Mary, Jesus called on the servants to do two things, fill the stone water pots used for ceremonial cleansing, and draw out water to be given to the head waiter of the feasts. The servants witnessed this first private miracle of Jesus. There is a lesson in this. As we are serving and the Lord is leading us step by step, we will be a witness of Jesus doing miracles. This not only blessed the servants but also blessed the entire group who had come to celebrate the wedding feast, especially the couple.

Never forget that Jesus blesses marriages. His first miracle was at a wedding feast. As we serve Him, God desires to bless us. But not with just a regular old sour wine kind of joy, but with an excellent joy of a fresh and new wine  “not fermented” that we have never experienced before. The Bible talks about us re-examining our first love with Jesus along with those things we did when we experienced that love (Revelation 2:4).

If you are married, do not get fixated on the problems that come through your marriage. Instead, rejoice in the new depth of experience that the Lord is desiring to produce in you as you serve Him. The Lord is continually refining us, not so we get upset with all our impurities in the marriage, but so that we can look forward to the faith that is more precious than gold.

“When we experience the heat of our trials in marriage and in life it’s a golden opportunity for us to be purified (made more golden then we have ever been)”

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You want to produce in me a deeper sense of Your joy and love. Lord, please give me the grace to see the problems and persecutions that sometimes come in my family and in this world as golden opportunities to trust in You – to experience from You a whole new level of joy and peace. Forgive me when I get in my flesh instead of depending on Your Spirit. I thank You that I can trust You to lead me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Special Note – Happy Anniversary to my sweet wife Tina! I love you!

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

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

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

December 3rd 2018 – In His Steps We Were Called

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

None of us likes to suffer. There is nothing pleasant about struggling with difficult people or dealing with persecution for your faith. Yet, the Christian is not one that can really be separated from suffering. In 1 Peter, the apostle calls believers to patiently endure harsh treatment from their authorities. He was speaking to slaves about masters, but we would understand it better in terms of employee and employer.

Why would God call us to suffer under another person’s authority? It could be for many reasons, but the main one is that our patient, loving endurance during those times can be used by God to bring that person to Christ. When we act in love despite being faced with hate, we declare to the world that we are different. This causes people to consider the words we say and the message of hope we speak. In reality, our loving suffering may be the tool God uses to save a soul. That may be hard to imagine, but our God is no stranger to using difficulties to produce deliverance. This is illustrated best in the life of Jesus. He suffered under the authority of man, even to death, and yet it was for our salvation. Now He calls us to endure so that others may see Christ in us.

“We should follow the steps of Jesus, being willing to suffer for the sake of others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I do not enjoy suffering, especially because of those around me, yet I ask that You would use my life in those situations to display Your love and grace. Give me the power through Your Holy Spirit to show love and not hate. Help me to be willing to endure rather than fight back. Thank You for the gift of everlasting life that was purchased on the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

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

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

December 2nd 2018 – A Potent Prayer Life

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” (Daniel 6:10)

We often hear people talk about this thing called prayer. We may toss it out as a blessing to folks who are going through a difficulty or when a sudden need crops up. None of that is wrong, but a good question to ask ourselves is how we can have a potent prayers. Most of all, an effective life of prayer where we experience authentic intimacy where we genuinely hunger, thirst, and actually experience fellowship with the living God.

There is a lot we can lean from the prayer life of Daniel the prophet. You see, Daniel was consistent and faithful for more than 70 years of his life in prayer. He prayed according to God’s word, humbled himself on his knees, had a set appointment three times a day without distraction to pray, and he gave thanks to God for all God had blessed him with. He prayed not only because of any specific trial, but because he had a real relationship with God as a priority.

We can get easily distracted from prioritizing our time with the Lord. Prayer becomes something we only do in a crisis, but in order for us to have a real relationship with God we need to give him the rightful place and time in our lives.

(1 Peter 4:7) The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

“Our prayer life shouldn’t be relegated to just crisis control. It’s meant to be consistent communion and connection with Christ.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,  please give me the grace to make and keep time set aside to worship, connect, and dialogue with You in prayer. Please forgive me when I push aside that time and donít take it seriously. Help me to hear from You according to Your word and allow You to speak into my life that I might commune with You always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to request a prayer Click Here

Have you ever received Jesus as you Lord and Savior? If you do not know Him personally,you will never be truly free. 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

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Rob Lavallee

 Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

 

December 1st 2018 -Help For The Hopeless

“Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” (Ezra 10:4)

God may be the director of the universe, but He has given us power to make decisions. You have a decision to confess your sins to Him and to ask for His forgiveness. You have a decision whether to serve the Lord, give to the Lord or share the Gospel with others. No matter who you are, you have an opportunity to change the world through your decisions.

(Joshua 24:15) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

As you read this devotional, there is a world filled with people who desire peace. They desire love. They desire hope in something greater than the economy, the president or their own ability. As a follower of Christ, we can make the decision to share with them how to change their life and those things by sharing the Gospel. We can serve them. We can offer them our time, resources and compassion. God will empower us to do mighty things, but we must decide to do it. Choose this day who you will serve, and do it!

You are not helpless or hopeless. Your destiny is in your hands and in the hands of a God that loves you and wants to bless and protect you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I desire to choose You above everything else. I decide this day to serve You and to serve others. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. God, use me to change 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.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org