Category Archives: Obedience

April 11th 2018 – We Must Count the Cost

“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” (Luke 14:28)

It isn’t easy to be a Christian, especially a committed and growing Christian. It costs to follow Jesus. But it costs a lot more not to.

Jesus said to His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.“(John 15:18-19)

This is hard to accept if you have been a likeable person throughout your life and then become a Christian. You try to be loving and compassionate and helpful, and then people find out that you’re a Christian. So they give you a difficult time or make fun of you or spread lies about you. You think, This isn’t right I am not like that, I do care about them. But the fact is that now you are a representative of Jesus. And effectively you will be treated as He was treated. The Bible says, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

You don’t want to decide to follow Jesus like making an impulse purchase at the store.

When you decide to follow Christ, you need to count the cost. Jesus counted the cost when He went to the cross for you. He gave His life so you can be forgiven of your sin, so you can know that you will go to Heaven when you die.

He counted the cost for you. Will you count the cost and follow Him?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I praise You for the amazing love You have shown me. Thank you for the people that you have brought into my life that also exhibit the love of Christ. Help me count the cost and grasp onto the great truth of your love. I want to be able to love others in the same way. Strip me of any excuses and use me to reach others with the love of Jesus. In His 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

 

March 30th 2018 – Following Before Leading

“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan” (Proverbs 29:2)

I am convinced that there is really no such thing as the gift of leadership. Rather, there are many gifts that can be used to lead people, whether it is leading as a president or leading people in their walk with the Lord.

The true key to leadership though is knowing who your leader really is. As people come and go, the Lord has promised to be by your side and never forsake you. We are all called to follow, just as Christ called his first disciples to follow Him. And as we follow God, we become leaders of men… or fishers of men, depending on your choice of profession.

Leadership is something we become as followers of God and Christ. It is a lifelong process of learning and growing. The good news is that we already have all we need to follow before we can lead!

() “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, (A)and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (B) All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”

(1 Corinthians 12:20) “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”

What are your spiritual gifts? If you are unsure, consider asking your friends or you can take an assessment test online..

What contributions do you feel you can make to the Body of Christ? Consider sharing with someone who can keep you accountable with your growth in development of your gifts… like any muscle in your body, gifts can atrophy if not used regularly.

The body of Christ is not merely one part or another. Do you have a group of friends that exhibit different gifts than yourself and are there areas where you can exercise these gifts for the building of the body?

Following God can be hard at times. Turbulence is common in our walks with God. God promises each believer a gift of the Spirit, though the gift and quantity of gifts may differ. We all have at least one gift to be used for the building of the Body of Christ. Be encouraged that God has given you all the tools you need to be a leader in Christ!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are such a great leader, please continue to draw me close and not only guide me but may I continue to grow in the spirit of a leader! I pray to be humbled by the spirit so that I never forget to always follow You as I am leading others closer to meet You. I thank you for always showing up when I need your instruction. May they see Your love and wisdom flow in me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Seeking Jesus in your life?

Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13)

If you have not asked Jesus into your life you can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer.

Prayer is just talking with God. He knows your heart, so don’t worry about getting your words just right. Here is a suggested prayer to guide you:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you have done this, then congratulations! (Luke 15:7) says that when one sinner accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour the angels rejoice. So there’s a party going on in heaven right now over your decision! Remember this date as your “second birthday,” the day you were born into a new life in Christ! You have God’s Word that he answered your prayer.

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

March 27th 2018 – Disrespectful Children

“Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12)

Eli was a priest of Israel who did not train his sons to obey. Eli’s failure to properly train his children affected not only his own family very negatively, but also caused disaster for the nation of Israel.

If children are not trained to respect the word of their parents, they won’t properly respect anyone (including God) without first experiencing the painful consequences of their actions.

How important God considers training children to obey can be seen from the story of Eli and his sons. “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. (1 Samuel 3:13)

“So the sin of these young men was very serious in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt. Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Eli said to them, “I have been hearing reports from all the people about the wicked things you are doing. Why do you keep sinning? You must stop, my sons! The reports I hear among the Lord’s people are not good. If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?” But Eli’s sons wouldn’t listen to their father, for the Lord was already planning to put them to death. (1 Samuel 2:17,22-25)

Eli may have told his sons they were doing wrong, but they obviously had no respect for the word of their father and ignored his warning. Because God held Eli accountable for this, it must have been a result of his failure to train them to obey when they were children.

“Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel? ‘Therefore the Lord the God of Israel declares: I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (1 Samuel 2:29-30)

Because Eli did not make his sons do right, God held him accountable. God said Eli honored his sons more than he honored God.

Many parents have made the same mistake. They put their children, their desires, their happiness above everything else in life, including God. In that way they are actually worshiping their children by putting them above God.

“Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20)

Society believes that, only when we are children are we to obey our parents. However, Scripture instructs us to always Honor our parents no matter what our age may be. To honor primarily means to show respect and treat with special consideration.

“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: “If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)

Training children to obey is not primarily for the benefit of the parents, but for the benefit of the child. Not training your children to obey is actually child abuse.

It may seem easier at the time for a parent to let their child do whatever they want without restraining them or training them to do right. But that harms the child because it trains them to do wrong. As a result they are robbed of the peace and blessing they should enjoy.

God places primary responsibility on fathers to make sure their children are trained according to God’s Word. Mothers are not exempt from this responsibility, but God does hold fathers ultimately responsible.

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”(Ephesians 6:4)

(Note: if you fell short as a parent, don’t despair. God is merciful and gracious. So pray for your children and God will work in their lives.)

“Training is more than telling. Training is making sure someone does something correctly until it becomes a habit.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I lift up the parents of the young children, I pray that they would teach their children in Your ways, If they themselves do not know You, that they would seek You and ask You into their hearts. With this, their children would have a chance in such a sinful world we live. I Lift up the parents that continue to struggle with disobedient adult children, the one’s that are unable to provide for themselves, but yet won’t respect their parents. Beleive that they themselves are entitled to what ever it is that they want. I pray for peace for the parents that made the sacrifice, to do the best they knew how. May you place in the hearts of the disobedient children a heart for You Lord and a newly descovered respect for the Parents. I pray this 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

 

March 18th 2018 – What Do You Seek?

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” (John 1:38)

That’s the question we need to have answered in our lives isn’t it? “What do you seek?” Is it a better marriage, a promotion at work, more money, more notoriety or to see your kids walking with the Lord? Are we seeking the Lord’s hand of blessing more than we are seeking the Lord Himself?

They once asked Jesus where he was staying. He told them to come and see. Where is the Lord in our lives? The Lord is saying to come and hang with Him. We ask where. The cross!

(Luke 9:23-24) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

When we come to Jesus, not for His hand of blessing but for His will to be done in our lives. When we are willing to lay down our life for His sake, then He begins showing us things greater than we could possibly imagine. Later in this chapter, Jesus sees Nathaniel having devotions under the tree…

(John 1:50) Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Please prioritize the Lord in your devotional life. Jesus is taking note. He then tells us “You will see greater things than these.” When we lay our life down for His sake, we find that all we ever needed was Jesus.

“You don’t know that Jesus is all you need Jesus is all you have.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please help me continue to seek You because I want to know You not just what You can give me. Please forgive me when I fail in this. Give me the power of Your Spirit to set my devotion upon You and Your will for me. I thank You Lord because I can trust You’ll do even greater things with my life as I trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you want to experience the kind of Peace and Love that is only found in Jesus? Jesus died on the cross for you. He loves you and wants to help you. He wants to bring peace in your life. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, or need to ask him back into your life. Please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

March 13th 2018 – Don’t Let Sin Be Your Master

“Then the king of Egypt made Jehoahaz’s brother Eliakim king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt.” (2 Chronicles 36:4)

Throughout the Bible, we see Egypt presented as a picture of sin. It was a land of great wealth and power, but to Israel, it was a land of captivity and bondage. As Christians, we live in a world that is like biblical Egypt. The world desires to see us in bondage to its system. Whether you call it the “rat race” or “keeping up with the Joneses”, the world system will only leave you wanting more. We need to get off that road because it’s headed nowhere except over a cliff.

(Philippians 2:5) “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”

Instead of letting the world dictate our life, turn from the things and people that cause you to sin. We need to let God have control. Let the Word of God go into your eyes, your ears, your brain and your heart so that it will begin changing you from the inside out. Don’t be fooled by the “riches” of Egypt, rather experience the true riches of God.

“Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” (Romans 6:14)

“Change the way you think, and you change the way you live.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Give me eyes to see and a heart to receive Your Word. Help me to overcome the worldly way of thinking and instead begin thinking like Jesus. I pray that today would be the day that I change my life by walking in obedience to You. Help me to seperate myself from sin, from the things and people that cause me to sin. Seperate me noise and be still and quiet as Jesus often did. I trust You and am so greatful for all that You do in my life. I 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

 

March 9th 2018 – Obedience Our Gift to God

When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: “Go; take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry, for the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD.”(Hosea 1:2)

We often hear Christians say things like, “The Lord just wants me to be happy” or “God wouldn’t ask me to do anything that I can’t handle.” The truth is that God often asks His people to do what seems impossible. Hosea was told by God to take a wife that would cause him much pain. Abraham was told to sacrifice his only son, whom he called (laughter) and loved dearly. Mary, who was called most blessed among women, was required to stand by and watch her son die on the cross. These three, and many others in the Bible, were asked by God to do what we would think impossible for them; things that would bring pain and suffering. They had different circumstances, and different struggles, but the one thing they shared was obedience.

(Matthew 16:24-25) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Jesus went through incredible suffering and pain to free us from the bondage of sin. He did not die just so we could be happy. He did not give His life so that we could simply pursue our own selfish desires. He died to set us free and to give us the model of how to live free. He taught the disciples through His Word and led by example that our calling is to lay down our own lives for the sake of others.

Sometimes God ask of us to do something that we may not know how to do, or afraid of committing to. Step out in true obedience and the Holy Spirit will help you through it.

“Following Christ is hard, but it’s the least we can offer Him for the price He paid.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me so much that You were willing to die a horrible death and suffer the humiliation of my sins. Lord, I choose to follow You, wherever You lead me, because I love You. Jesus, help me to walk in obedience. Give me Your strength, power and love so that I can willingly lay down my life for others. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can show the love of Jesus to those 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.

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

March 6th 2018 – Make A Choice

“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.” (Joshua 24:15)

Are you trying to live in two worlds? If so, then I know something about you. I know you’re not really happy inside. When you spend time around other Christians, you’re sometimes uncomfortable because of your sin. On the other hand, when you’re doing things you know you shouldn’t as a Christian, then you have the conviction of that sin.

I have the answer: Stop doing that stuff. Make your choice. As Joshua said to the Israelites, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Every one of us must make that decision. No one make it for you, and you definitely can’t make it for me.

Are you in a relationship that is dragging you down (see 2 Corinthians 6:14)? Are you doing things that are weakening your resolve? Stop doing those things.

I’m not saying it is easy. We all get tempted. We all have a sinful nature. And as Christians we all have a God who will give us the strength to do what He has called us to do.

It really comes down to this: Do you really want to change? If you do, then God will give you that resolve. When the Lord came to Moses and spoke to him through the burning bush, Moses basically said, “I can’t do this. I don’t know what to say. I stumble over my words.”

But later in Exodus we see him facing off with the most powerful man on the face of the earth. That is because God gave him the strength.

In the same way, God will give you the strength to do what you need to do. Don’t live in two worlds. Make a complete commitment to Jesus.

God will sustain us as we make a decision to give it over to Him.  So today, try it.  Give it to God.  His shoulders are a lot bigger than yours and He is a loving and caring Father.  Trust Him and He will see you through.  Remember, He did it in the past and He will do it today and in the future.

Prayer:

Heavenly  Father, I put my trust in You Lord and I know that today, You will get me through what I’m going through.  Your living word has told me to cast my cares on You Lord and that’s what I’m going to do, trust and obey. Thank you for always being there for me. I love and Praise You. In Jesus’ Holy and Precious name, Amen.

Do you trust Jesus enough with your life? You should, Jesus died on the cross for you and me. He loves us and wants to help us. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior don’t miss out on making a choice today. It will change your life! please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

February 14th 2018 – The Purpose of a Compass?

What is the Purpose of a Compass?

“..the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:32)

The purpose of a compass is not just to give us knowledge about where we are when we are lost but to also guide us into the way we need to go. If you think about it – a compass is worthless if we do not comply with what our compass shows us.

In the Gospels Jesus introduces the apostles to the Holy Spirit. He tells them the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth. He calls the Holy Spirit the “Paraclete.” This word means: “One who comes along side us and attaches Himself to us for the purpose of assisting us.”

Jesus tells them that if they will love Him and keep His commandments He will ask the Father to give them the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-16).
So many believers miss this. The operative word when it comes to implementing salvation is “Believe.” But the operative word when it comes to knowing God through the Holy Spirit is “Obey.”

In profound simplicity the hymn writer expressed it this way: “But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay. For the favor He shows and the joy He gives are for them who will trust and obey. Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.”

Jesus said it even more simply and profoundly when He offered this invitation: “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) That’s why the last point on this compass is the most critical of all.

Are you willing to comply with what your compass shows you?

“Make the time to listen to His good direction through the Holy Spirit

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Open my eyes so that I can ask the tough questions in my life. Give me understanding on how to live out the Truth I believe. Shower me with Your grace when I stumble, and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can live for You. Today, I make a decision to listen to the voice of Your Holy Spirit within me. I know that You want me to hear Your voice, Help me make the time to be still and quiet so that I can hear You. so starting Today, I open my heart to have a heart to heart with You Lord. In Jesus’ name Amen.

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

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

 

February 9th 2018 – Thank You for Being Patient with Me

“But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Genesis 15:16)

God is responding to Abram in a dream after the promise that Abram had been given that his descendants would be as the stars in the heavens. God spoke to him showing that the Lord would be the one completing the promise. It’s interesting to note that the promise God gives concerning the land is hinged on allowing four hundred years longer for the people who lived there to dwell in it. God was graciously allowing time for them to change their ways and repent.

In (2 Peter 3:9) we are told “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Often our circumstances can cause us to respond with a shortsighted emotional reaction that can produce depression or or even anger and frustration . Usually this happens because things aren’t done in ‘our time’ or ‘our way’. Yet we see the Lord declaring to Abram not only am I going to fulfill my promise to you, but in addition to that I’m waiting on this whole other people group, the Amorites, to reach the point of no return before I give your descendants the land.

God is so patient with you and me. But He is also patient with everyone else. Could it be that He is inviting all of us to walk in the same patience and mercy that He has towards us with our spouse, kids, boss, co-workers, and even those we don’t get along with? God’s given us time to repent, now let’s get wisdom from Him so we can walk toward others helping them repent as well and redeem the time He has given us. As we see in Ephesians

(Ephesians 5:16-18) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit”

“God’s covenant with Abraham was not just for a nation, but for the nations. That covenant ushered in Jesus, who came with the promise of righteousness for each of us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being so patient with me. For always allowing me the opportunity to repent and turn to You so that I can be forgiven. Thank You for saving me. Lord, please help me have the same grace and patience with others that You have toward me. Help me Lord, to share with them that it is by Your goodness and grace that they have the chance to repent and receive Your forgiveness and salvation. I trust You to lead me and complete Your patient work in me for this. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

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

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

 

February 8th 2018 – When One Door Closes, Another Opens

The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.” (Isaiah 22.22)

Our Lord Jesus, is the One who can open doors for us and also close doors for us. What a comfort to know this.  Many times I come to a place of prayer, and I don’t know what to do, what decision to make? I pray this prayer.

“Heavenly Father, You said that You would open doors for me and also close doors for me.  I have this decision to make, and I’m not sure what to do, but my trust is in You.  I am believing that you will open this door if it’s Your will, and also shut this door if it’s not Your will. I thank you for this in Jesus Name”.

In a prayer like this, we put our complete trust in the will of God, which is always the best.  Now, in saying that, we have to accept what God knows is best for us, and that might not always be what we want. We might want what we just prayed about, but God knows the future and He only wants what He knows will be a blessing for you. It’s not always easy, that’s for sure, but if we could see into the future and see what our loving Father sees, then we would want His will.

The Bible says in (Psalm 37:23) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way”.  God has my back.  In fact, I want Him to have all of me.  So today, trust Him, as Lord and King of your life, and place yourself into His care and trust. Then, watch your steps line up with His good will for your life.”

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which God has opened for us.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You that my steps are ordered by You, and that You Lord will open the good doors for me and shut the bad ones. I trust You and am so greatful for all that You do in my life. I Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God has opened a door and  made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing relationship with Him. Click here to discover how you can find peace with Jesus.

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

2017-07-21-05-57-35

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org