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November 21st 2018 – When Its Hard To Forgive Others

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Learning how to forgive others is one of the most unnatural duties in the Christian life. It goes against our human nature. Forgiving is a supernatural act that Jesus Christ was capable of, but when we are hurt by someone, we want to hold a grudge. We want justice. Sadly, we don’t trust God with that. There is a secret to successfully living the Christian life, however, and that same secret applies when we’re struggling with how to forgive.

Understanding Our Worth

We are all wounded. We are all inadequate. On our best days, our self-esteem hovers somewhere between feeble and fragile. All it takes is disapproval, or perceived disapproval to send us staggering. These attacks bother us because we forget who we really are.

As believers, you and I are forgiven children of God We have been lovingly adopted into his royal family as his sons and daughters. Our true worth comes from our relationship to him, not from our appearance, our performance or our net worth. When we remember that truth, criticism bounces off us like a freeway pebble hitting a armored car’s front windshield. The trouble is that we forget.

We seek others’ approval. When they reject us instead, it hurts. By taking our eyes off God and His acceptance and putting them on the conditional acceptance of our boss, spouse, or friend, we set ourselves up to be hurt. We forget that other people are incapable of unconditional love.

Understanding Others

Even when other people’s criticism is valid, it’s still hard to take. It reminds us that we have failed in some way. We didn’t measure up to their expectations, and often when they remind us of that, tact is low on their priority list. Sometimes our critics have ulterior motives.

Some people try to be tall by cutting off the heads of others. They try to make themselves feel better by making others feel bad. You have probably had the experience of being put down by a nasty remark. When that happens, it is easy to forget that others are broken just like us.

Jesus understood the Brokenness of the human condition. No one knows the human heart like him. He forgave tax collectors and prostitutes, and forgave his friend Peter, for betraying him. On the cross, he even forgave the people who  killed him. He knows that humans, all humans are weak.

For us, though, it usually doesn’t help to know that those who have hurt us are weak. All we know is that we were injured and we can’t seem to get over it. Jesus’ command in the Lord’s Prayer seems too hard to obey: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Understanding the Trinity’s Role

When we have been hurt, our instinct is to hurt back. We want to make the other person pay for what they did. But exacting revenge steps over the line into God’s territory, as Paul warned,

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

If we cannot take revenge, then we must forgive. God commands it. But how? How can we let it go when we have been unjustly hurt?

The answer lies in understanding the Trinity’s role in forgiveness. Christ’s role was to die for our sins. God the Father’s role was to accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and forgive us. Today, the Holy Spirit’s role is to enable us to do those things in the Christian life we cannot do on our own, namely forgive others because God has forgiven us.

Refusing to forgive leaves an open wound in our soul that festers into bitterness, resentment, and depression. For our own good, and the good of the person who hurt us, we simply must forgive. Just as we trust God for our salvation, we have to trust Him to make things right when we forgive. He will heal our wound so we can move on.

In his book, Landmines in the Path of the Believer Charles Stanley says:

 “We are to forgive so that we may enjoy God’s goodness without feeling the weight of anger burning deep within our hearts. Forgiveness does not mean we recant the fact that what happened to us was wrong. Instead, we roll our burdens onto the Lord and allow Him to carry them for us.”

Rolling our burdens onto the Lord that’s the secret of the Christian life, and the secret of how to forgive. Trusting God, Depending on Him instead of ourselves. It’s a hard thing but not a complicated thing. It’s the only way we can truly forgive.

Who will you forgive today?  Maybe even yourself?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come to you today with an injured heart and ask that you would take this thorn from my side. Please remind me how you always forgive me and continue to love me even when I fail you and sin against you. Please give me compassion and love for the person I am struggling to forgive. Please continue to  lead me in you teachings so that I can reflect You more clearly in my everyday walk. I love You and thank You for you unconditional love. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 20th 2018 – Hope Is Real

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalms 27:13)

On my way home from work yeaterday, I saw these words written on a sign at a local church. It said, “Hope Is Real.” I thought about it and (needless to say) agreed with the statement. But as I pondered the simple little phrase, I realized that for many people hope is not real. I believe that is one of the most important gifts we can give to another person, the gift of hope.

You see, someone who is hopeless and alone usually cannot help themselves out of their situations. They have a great sense of loss and helplessness. We must come alongside and bring the good news of Jesus Christ and all that He has to offer.

“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)

One definition for hope is: To look forward to with confidence or expectation. We must bring the Word of God with all its hope to someone who does not know it is real. When we bring hope, we bring life. It is life changing to finally believe again. It is more than just asking God for something we so badly need; we must expect our miracle. Somewhere in the midst of asking, believing, and expecting God to answer, we will find what we are looking for.

I have felt for a long time that the biggest problem we have in the world today is there are so many people who have lost hope. There seems to be so many hurts, problems, sicknesses, troubles, financial issues, family problems, world issues, political concerns, etc. It seems the world has no hope.

Apart from God, it is an awful, hopeless place. But with God’s help, we can make it. I want you to know that whatever situation you find yourself in at this moment, there is hope. You may not be able to see or feel the hope, but it is there for you. How do we find the hope? There is only one place where hope can be found, and that is in Jesus Christ.

“Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” (Psalms 25:4-5)

Trust God. He wants you to trust Him. You need to agree with God about your situation. What does God say about who you are and what His will is for your life? Don’t go by your feelings. Instead we should remind ourselves that God only has plans for us that are good. Jeremiah helps us remember what God has to say about us. “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.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

We do not need to be disappointed and feel alone. We can have hope! God’s love in our hearts will ignite the flames of hope we have buried deep inside our hearts. God’s Word can encourage us as we read it with great anticipation and faith. Paul writes in Romans these words of encouragement:

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:5)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Here are a few key scriptures that help us to understand what we need to do. Words like “be strong, take courage, wait, reverently and worshipfully fear God, tarry for the hope, wait patiently for it, and be joyful in hope. They are all action words we need to work on. Read these scriptures out loud during your Devotion times. Watch how hope will come alive in your heart as you speak the Word of God over yourself and your situation.

“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!”(Psalms 31:24)

“Those who reverently and worshipfully fear You will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in Your word and tarried for it.” (Psalms 119:74)

“But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

I don’t want this to be just another Devotion. I want it to bring life to you. Pray out loud the words of hope into your life and your situations. I have hope! My hope is in the Lord! I will be strong and wait on the Lord. I trust God with my life and the life of my family. Speak these words every day. Hope Is Real. It comes from God! He has placed it in your heart. Speak it out and watch what God will do for you.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13)

“Hope can give us a fresh start, a new beginning.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I love You and give You praises for still being here and loving us in such a time like this. The world is so ungreatful and broken.. I know that I can often lose sight of Your love while I’m in the middle of hard times. Help me to be mindful of Your love, mercy, compassion and strength, especially hope, so that I can endure and even rejoice in my pain. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may live in your blessing of hope. 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

November 19th 2018 – Worship with Unaffected Joy

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)

Just as something wonderful happens when God’s people get together and study His Word, something extraordinary happens when God’s people get together and sing His praises. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Now this verse is not saying that God only shows up when people worship, because God is omnipresent. But He manifests His presence in a very special way when His people lift up His name in praise and worship.

Did you know that the early church was a worshipping church. As we read above in Acts 2:46–47 it tells us, “They ate their food with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people”

The phrase “great joy and generosity” literally means (with unaffected joy) There was joy in the early church. They were vibrant. But they also had reverence. A few verses earlier in (Acts 2:43) we read “A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.”

There should be joy and reverence. Those are elements that should be in our worship. The Spirit-filled church will be a worshipping church, and the Spirit filled Christian will be a worshipping Christian.

Someone might say, “Well, I just don’t always feel like worshipping.” Do you think the first-century believers always felt like praising God? They were harassed. They were beaten. They were mocked. These Christians faced persecution on a massive scale, but they were thankful to God.

The Bible doesn’t say, “Give thanks to the Lord when you feel good.” Rather, it says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!” (1 Chronicles 16:34). That is how Job was able to worship God after calamity came knocking at his door.

“Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.” (Job 1:20).

“Sometimes worship can be a sacrifice. But we should still worship with unaffected joy “

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am in awe of Your unending, unconditional love. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection on my behalf, I am able to be free from the bondage of sin and future condemnation. You are so good to me, and I desire to respond with a life of surrender to you. Fill me with Joy and reverence, fill me with Your Spirit and help me to live a life of love and service for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Click to Watch – Kari Jobe (Forever)

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

November 17th 2018 – Encourage One Another

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)

Have you ever seen children building sandcastles together in the sand? Typically, some kids likes to build while others may walk by and stomp on it, especially if they are siblings. One builds up and the other takes joy in tearing down. Why? Mostly, it is for the reaction. This often happens in school or the workplace. Christians can do this as well in church. It may be types of worship music, food and dress… all of these are minor issues that many love to argue. What does it do? It distracts from the Gospel.

(Romans 14:19) “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

Doing things just to offend or argue each other is wrong. God is at work in our lives at different speeds and at different times. You may say “I get it, why don’t they get it?” That is a prideful statement. It is quite probable that another brother or sister “get’s it” in other ways better than you do. That is how it works. We fit together and cause each other to grow. Serving in church but being prideful and snooty about it does not interest God. The church is made of individual people with individual gifts, and no one person is the whole church. We should build one another up and in turn, we will be encouraged as well. What if the church body, at large, really did what Romans 14:19 says? Let’s start and see.

“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. 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

November 17th 2018 – Fellowship With The Father

“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

When it comes to God, it’s important to understand the difference between our relationship and our fellowship with Him. Relationship is built upon grace. When we first come to God and ask Him to forgive us and trust in Jesus for salvation, we become His children. This is something that cannot be changed from that moment on. On the other hand, fellowship is grown through actions and time. In family relationships, you can hurt the fellowship you have with them, but they are still your family member. Just like that you can break fellowship with God by messing up. The prodigal son was allowed back home not to become a son again, but because he was a son. In order to be fully blessed with the fatherhood of God, we have to walk as His children and treat Him like our father.

(1 John 1:8-9) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t try and hide your sin from God. He knows you have done wrong. Instead, confess it to Him and then ask afresh for forgiveness. This moment of honesty and brokenness with God leads to abundant fellowship with your Heavenly Father. Be encouraged by your relationship with the Father so that your fellowship with God will be life-changing.

“God wants to manifest or reveal His holiness and love in and through our lives.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know that I have done wrong things and so I come to You today asking for Your forgiveness. I desire to fellowship with You without anything in the way. Fill me with Your Spirit and help keep my eyes focused on You, my King. 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

November 16th 2017 – Choose to Love

“Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

In 1 Corinthians 16:14, we find such a simple command. Simply put, we are to do everything with love. While this may appear simple in direction, it’s not simple in action. Because we are broken vessels in an evil world, it can be difficult to do everything with love. After all, our first reaction is to preserve ourselves. Our emotions, our lives, our stuff; these are the things we strive to maintain at all cost… and love demands we lose them for the sake of others.

(Galatians 2:20) “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

As Christians, we are no longer slaves to ourselves. We have been freed to love others just as Christ loved us. He is our great example as well as our strength. We cannot love rightly on our own. We must depend on Jesus. So next time someone in traffic causes you to see red, look to the cross of Christ and the blood that He shed for you. He died for us when we didn’t deserve it so now we can forgive others even when they don’t deserve it.

“You’re not living until you give your life away and start to love.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for Your love and grace. Because You loved me, I am able to love others in every circumstance. Give me strength to walk in obedient love and to look for opportunities to care for others around me. As Your love increases in me, may my selfishness decrease. 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

November 15th 2018 – Sharing His Message

Paul replied . . . “I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29)

In Acts 26, we find Paul sharing the gospel with King Herod  Agrippa and others. We also find some very important principles that we all can use when sharing our faith.

First, find common ground and build a bridge to your listener. Paul began his defense by saying, “I am fortunate, King Herod Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, for I know you are an expert on Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!” This was not flattery on Paul’s part. He was telling the truth. Agrippa was very knowledgeable and versed in the ways of the Jews. He knew all about Jewish culture and customs. He could have started by saying, “You are a wicked man, Agrippa. And everyone knows it.” But he didn’t do that. He built a bridge. He was respectful.

Second, use your personal testimony. Paul told Agrippa how he became a follower of Christ. He told his own personal story. There is power in your story, whether it is dramatic or not. Don’t glorify or exaggerate your past. Accuracy is important and so is truthfulness. Don’t boast about what you gave up for God, but what God gave up for you.

Thirdly, make Christ the focus. It is not about you. It is about Him. You only tell your story to point to His story. Your testimony is a bridge, not the destination. The destination is Jesus and His story.

When we share, we need to pray that God will open people’s eyes spiritually. There is nothing we can say, that will make a person believe. Conversion is a mystery and it is a work of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t understand why God would use someone as messed up as me to articulate His message. But the Holy Spirit can make that message resonate with the listener, if we are simply bold enough to share it.

“When we share our faith, we need to pray that God will open people’s eyes spiritually.”

Prayer:

Heavenly  Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You that in Your vastness as Creator of the Heavens and earth, You desire to know me. You call me to share with others. Lord, give me the mind of Christ so that I may see You and myself more clearly than I ever have. In Your grace and mercy, I am comforted to know that You have offered me forgiveness. Empower me the with a passion to tell others about You so I can reveal Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don’t know Jesus? Give Him a try, if you dont like Him, the devil will always take you back.

Prayer for Salvation

Jesus, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus’ precious name Amen.

If you prayed this prayer please Click Here and let us know.. We would love to pray for you and with you. Congratulations and welcome to Gods family.

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

 

November 14th 2018 – Rest In Faith

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

People all around us are seeking peace in their life. They seek that peace through entertainment, in relationships or even in drugs or alcohol. Some may even look to religion for peace, yet fail to find it because human religions are based on man working his way to heaven. There is no real rest for the person who seeks to earn peace through rules and regulations.

But, then came Jesus.

Jesus came into the world to live the life we could not. He was perfect, blameless and humble. He lived in obedience to God the Father and fulfilled the law. Then as He hung on the cross He cried out, “it is finished,” thereby completing our salvation. Now, we come to God by faith in Christ and we are accepted. It’s by His grace we are saved, not works. Unlike the man made religions around us, Christianity is God coming to mankind and offering salvation on His works not ours. All we must do is rest, by faith, in the One who died so that we could be forgiven.

“To be able to ‘Rest in Peace’ or more appropriately stated ‘Rest in Faith’ you must be trusting in Christ alone.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank ou for the work done on my behalf. Thank You that I do not have to work my way to Heaven, but instead can place my faith in the grace of Christ. 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

November 13th 2018 – How Jesus See’s You

“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.  There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.  (Luke 19:1-2)

According to the world’s standards for evaluating worth, Zacchaeus was a failure. He was extremely short; he was disliked by everyone because he was a tax collector; and he even hated himself.

He was not proud of what he had achieved in life because he knew he had cheated people to get where he was. He was powerful and had a lot of money, but he absolutely had no friends and was incredibly lonely.

But one day Zacchaeus’ life was completely changed because Jesus walked by and wanted to spend time with him, he realized how much he mattered to God.

When Zacchaeus learned that Jesus was coming to town, he wanted to see him, but he was too short to get a glimpse above the crowd.

“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”” (Luke 19:3-5)

That very moment when Jesus looked up and noticed Zacchaeus. Can you imagine how Zacchaeus’ felt? Did his heart start pounding, did he experiance butterflies deep in his stomach? Jesus was looking right at him, a small, despised, insignificant man.

Why did Jesus stop at that tree and look at him? Because He knew that’s exactly where Zacchaeus was.

God knows exactly where you are too. He knew where you were a week ago and he knows where you now and even where you will be tomorrow. You may feel like you’re stuck in a tree right now in your life. God knows where you are. You may feel like you’re out on a limb, Jesus knows. You may feel all alone, but Jesus stops and notices. You are not forgotten, you are not alone.

No tear has ever been hidden from Him. No hurtful word said to you has ever passed that he missed. No abuse has ever occurred that he didn’t see and grieve with you. He sees it all.

What is the price of five sparrows, two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

The greatest gift of love anyone can ever receive is attention. When you give people your time, you give them your life. When you pay attention to someone and look them in the eye, you are saying, “You matter to me. You are valuable.”

There is never a moment, never a second in your life that God is not paying attention to you. He notices you 24 hours a day because he loves you; you are valuable to him.

Don’t forget to call or visit your loved ones the fast approaching holiday’s and let them know that they matter to you. Make amends to the ones you may need to, and brighten the day of someone that wouldn’t expect you to call. Let them know that they matter and you still care.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the always noticing me no matter how insignificant I may feel in the world, how lonely I may be because family doesnt call or how screwed up I may get. Today I come to You with nothing but empty hands and a heart that desires more of You. Please Lord, take my life and do with it as you please. I trust You and desire to glorify Your name in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Please Watch this short video animation. (Forward this devotion to someone that needs to hear what is says)

Invitation:

If you are reading these devotions and are not a follower of Jesus Christ, please be aware that these seeds of scripture are being sown in your heart right now… I am praying that they start to take root in your heart and you come to know personally the greatest truth you will ever hear.. Jesus Christ died on a cross for you. He loves you and He cares for you. When you call His name and ask for His help, He will set you free..  Click Here if you would like to learn more about Gods salvation, or ask Him into your heart.

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

November 11th 2018 – Veterans Day

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

In the United States, Veteran’s Day is celebrated on November 11th; many other countries have similar days devoted to the honoring of their soldiers. In this devotion for Veterans Day let’s look at 2 Timothy 2:1-7 to discover the proper attitude for a soldier.

As far back in history we go, when cities and countries were formed, each found it necessary to protect themselves by developing an army of soldiers. The Bible records information about Kings and soldiers in the book of Genesis. The Bible also tells us in 2 Timothy that every Christian is a soldier of Jesus Christ.

God uses the illustration of the soldier to help us how to understand our responsibilities as soldiers in the army of God.

We know that soldiers have suffered and died throughout history to protect their own country. Many times God also calls the Christian soldier to suffer, and sometimes die for his faith. This should not come as a surprise to us. If you take the time to read the book of Psalms, you know that many of the Psalms of David are filled with laments over David’s suffering, especially when the enemies of God were devoted to killing him even when he had done nothing wrong.

When God calls us to suffer, we must cry out to God for help, for He alone can help us. You’ll find that the more you are consistently reading God’s Word and praying to Him, this becomes almost second nature. You will find yourself talking to the Lord throughout the day. I think that is exactly what Paul is referring to when he tells us to pray without ceasing.

What would happen in the midst of battle if each soldier decided to fight the battle the way he thought best. Chaos would soon set in. You would hope to fight against an army such as that because you would be guaranteed to win! The scripture tells us that the soldier seeks to please the one who enlisted him.

As a soldier of Christ, finish the battle! Don’t give up midstream’ don’t go back to the sins of your youth. Rather just as the athlete is not crowned until he competes according to the rules and finishes the race.

I pray that you will be a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ so that you too, will receive the Crown of Life at the end of your battle!

This Veterans Day, We salute all of the United States Military Veterans! God Bless you.

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Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for all of the people that have risked thier lives and the ones that paid the ultimate price so that we can be live freely in this nation. I also thank You Lord for the ultimate sacrifice that not only many of our veterans made for me, but You made for me…. Please bring healing to our nation Lord God. Also be with our leaders and help reunite and heal our precious country.  I pray that a great awaking  happens in this country and the people and  leaders of people fall to their knees in prayer and proclaim You Lord. That will truly make “America Great Again!” In Your glorious name, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org