Tag Archives: Challenges

March 19th 2020 – Deliverance and Strength

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“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”(Genesis 45:5-7)

Looking at the life of Joseph we see that he went through a lot of pain and suffering. In the book of Genesis Chapter 45, he is revealing himself to his brothers for the first time. Instead of being angry at them, he loves them. He even encourages them not to feel guilty or angry at themselves for mistreating him. If you are not familiar with the life of Joseph, his brothers had thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery. They went back to their father and told him that Joseph was dead.

Now, over 20 years later, Joseph had been betrayed by his brothers, enslaved, falsely accused of rape, and imprisoned. He also had been forgotten, lied to, and criticized by many people. In a nutshell, Joseph had it pretty tough, and not just for a couple years, but for over 20 years. Maybe you have experienced similar circumstances?

The truth is, we all are going to go through problems at some point in life. These problems could last for a short season or they could last for what seems like forever. What do we do? Well, Joseph was a great example. He recognized that God had allowed him to go through this situation to help the people around him. Joseph helped a whole nation not starve, and now people from other countries were coming for help as well. Because of him going through problems and keeping his focus on God, he was able to help in someone else’s great deliverance. Today, don’t focus on the problem, focus on the Father. He is not only going to bring you through it, but He is going to use it to help someone else that may go through something similar.

“The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” (Isaiah 45:24 partial)

“Our problems will always be smaller than our God. When we recognize this, we can become the  Inspiration of someone else’s deliverance and Strength from God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the promises of Your Word. I do pray that You help me during the difficult seasons in life. During those times, help me to focus on You. I need Your power and strength to face each one of lives struggles and dissapointments. Please continue to help and teach me to turn to You first. Help me learn to patiently endure the suffering and the hard times and honor You in the midst of them as I walk by faith. I lift up all of my troubles and faithfully trust in You Lord that you will guide me or even provide me with an extraordinary rescue.. Continue to give me the strength and help me to recognize how can I be someone else’s help. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Don’t go through life’s struggles alone. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

March 15th 2020 – Forgiven in Christ Our Lord

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“Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God” (Romans 15:15)

Satan loves to remind us of our past sins and failures. He finds great pleasure in bringing up things that God has long forgiven us of.

Revelation chapter 12:10 refers to Satan as the “accuser of our brethren.” That’s what he does, but not because he’s really got anything on us. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us that your sins have been separated from you as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). So, what does it profit the enemy to bring up what you’ve been forgiven of? He wants to distract you from following Jesus. If he can get you to listen to his accusations, maybe he can shame you into believing that you’ve crossed some line of forgiveness that doesn’t exist. That is his game and he is betting that he can pull you into it. Remember the words in 1st John

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Has Satan distracted you from following Jesus? Don’t believe his lies, and friend, in love, you need to quit listening to your enemy. You have got a great future ahead of you. Satan, on the other hand… well… his future is not so good because he will be thrown into the lake of fire. He will be destroyed. He knows it. So, the next time the enemy tries to remind you of your past, remind him of his future.

“We often forget what we should remember and remember what we should forget.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for the promise that one day, You will wipe the tears from my eyes and there will be no more death, sorrow or crying. Thank You that I can have peace through Jesus, no matter what trial or difficulties I am experiencing. Please forgive me for the times when I have surrendered my peace to a situation or problem and help me to live for You every day. I rejoice in knowing the future that lies ahead of me is so much better than the past that is behind me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you would like to know more about accepting Jesus in your life, Click Here to read “Four Simple Steps” to asking Jesus into your life.

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 13th 2020 – God, I Got This On My Own

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“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

Interested in experiencing forgiveness and love found in Jesus? Please click here to learn more about how to ask Jesus into your heart. 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 24th 2020 – Our Sinful Nature

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“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

When we solely act on our feelings it is very dangerous. If we always do what what we “feel like” doing, most times it will end up getting us in trouble. Following just our feelings will lead us into sin, and that can lead to broken relationships, depression, prison and even far worse. So the question is, “What filter do we use to help us control our thoughts and feelings?” While the world may say, “If it feels right do it,” God’s Word tells us that we don’t have the ability to know what is “right” without His direction. We need His guidance, through the Bible.

When we process our thoughts and feelings through the Bible’s instructions and God’s promises, we will be better able to replace the bad or harmful thoughts with those that are good and beneficial. Submitting to God’s Word and His Holy Spirit allows us to know what is good and right. It gives us hope in something greater than our own understanding and therefore, we walk in light rather than darkness. Jesus will walk with us if we allow Him to. We don’t have to be alone.

Do not take your dark brooding thoughts out and play with them. Do not sit and focus on what’s wrong. Don’t allow your desires to run away with you. Take your thoughts captive. Do not walk in fear. Fight the good fight. God will give you victory!

“Sometimes thoughts and feelings are great and good and holy; sometimes they are dark and brooding and torturous.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the power I have in Christ to overcome bad thoughts and harmful feelings. It is because of Your promises of hope and salvation that I can rejoice no matter what my situation may be. It’s with Your power that I can control my emotions rather than my emotions controlling me. Please protect me from myself and my own destructive sinful nature. Help me forgive myself and seek You first. Thank You Lord! In Jesus’ 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 please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

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

February 23rd 2020 – Is God Speaking to You?

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“then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),” (2 Chronicles 6:30)

Trials, hardships, frustrations–whatever they’re called, we all deal with them at one time or another. The good news is that God desires to speak to us during those times. It could be that you are surrounded by circumstances that are difficult, or you may have made bad choices which have led to a bad situation. In those times, remember the words of Jesus Himself…

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28)

Many times in life, we can’t hear the Lord, even when He is shouting to get our attention. It’s often in those times of struggle that He whispers and we hear His voice loud and clear. If today you find yourself in the midst of hardships, seek the Lord. Use this time to seek forgiveness and cling to the grace of God. Cry out to God and He will hear from heaven and pour out His love upon you in abundance. When we do this, God makes the most of our pain and can bring something good from something bad.

“Whenever something in life goes wrong, use the moment to ask forgiveness and draw closer to the Lord.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the life You have given me. Lord, I pray that when this life gets difficult that I turn to You. Help me draw closer to You whether I am enjoying blessings or walking through trials. Father, may each day and circumstance be used to make me more like Jesus. Forgive me of my sins and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can be used to build Your Kingdom. 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

January 24th 2020 – Facing Accusations

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“Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?” (2 Corinthians 12:16-17)

You can’t stop it from happening. You can try your hardest & do everything in your power to keep it from occurring but one day, it’ll happen. One day, someone is going to accuse you of something. You may have done anything wrong. Just look at Jesus. He lived a perfect life, healed people, raised the dead and taught about God’s love and yet, the religious leaders accused Him of all sorts of things. If it happened to Jesus, then it can happen to any of us.

So how do we deal with accusations when we cannot control those who accuse us? We control ourselves and live in such a way that when people accuse us, other people dismiss it as a lie. After all, what use is an accusation when your life speaks of integrity, love and charity? It may not stop accusations, but it will remove some of their power to destroy. Live for Christ and allow Him to defend you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know there are areas of my life that I can live with greater integrity and love. Help me to live for You in such a way that the accusations of others fall flat. Help me to be a witness to everyone who may be watching my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 18th 2020 – Spiritually Drowning

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And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” (Ezekiel 37:3)

I have a important question, where are you spiritually right now? Are you frustrated? Are you tired? Devastated? Do you feel like your world is caving in and you just can’t handle it? Are you drowning… weary from crying? Do you feel spiritually numb or even spirtually dead?

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:21-24)

Living in such a time as we do. We can get battered and discouraged spiritually. We see people saying and doing unbelievable things. Even people we love can be abusive in their behaviours torward us. Its not hard to get in a place where our spirit and soul feel numb. Hope often sounds impossible… As a Pastor I hear many stories each week of people searching for hope in dry and desolate places.  Please do not think that Ministers of the Lord are exempt from feeling this way too. I go through times like this also. All it takes is taking my eyes off of Jesus, even for a moment.

Like Peter stepping off the boat into the water and walking torwards the Lord, as soon as he took his eye off Jesus he immediately sank into the water. At the point Peter prayed the shortest prayer..  “Lord save me!” Jesus reached His arm out and rescued Peter from drowning in the turbulent water.

In (Matthew 7:7-8) Jesus said this, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

What you surround yourself with is a good indication of where we seek. Take a minute to look at what surrounds you. Is it television, music, gadgets, computers… or maybe drugs and alcohol? There is no hope in these things. The only Hope is in Jesus. God’s promise lasts forever. We can live free of all of the numbness and not feel spiritually stale – I mean really live free, but it’s in Jesus and not in the world.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the hope You give to me in Jesus. Lord, help me to stay determined and not lose hope even when I find myself in a valley of dry bones. Remind me to feed upon Your Word. I give you all praise and glory for the promises You set before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once have your eyes on him but got caught up in the world? Don’t miss out on the most important decision you will ever make.

Pray this prayer with me and start a new life, or recommit your life to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me!
In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to know. Click here to send us an e-mail or share your testimony.

If you need prayer Click Here to post a prayer request.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

January 17th 2020 – Game Plan For Sin

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“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Sin… a tiny word, a huge big problem. Think of all the problems in your own life caused by your sin. Think of all the problems in the world caused by the sin of others – wars, violence, stealing, laziness, and envy. On and on and on the list goes and grows. There is a saying, “Sin is the seed, and death is the harvest.” The bible has a lot to say about sin. It tells us that sin is not only the bad things we do, but also the good things we don’t do. When we fail to love, give or help, we are engaging in sin.

As long as we never do wrong and always do right, we don’t and won’t have a problem with sin. “Wow, that really helps!” That may sound easy to some. But the truth is, we are all sinners…

However God’s written word in the Bible tells us how to deal with past sins and how to deal with sin in the present and future. It is easier than you think. “Past sins,” you may ask? Ask for forgiveness.

His word tells us in (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

What about dealing with our present sins? (Hebrews 12:1-2) says that we should strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and that we should run with endurance the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the winning coach, who initiates and perfects our faith. Here is a awsome truth, one you can trust even on Aprils Fools day. Don’t tell God you have a big sin problem, tell the sin problem that you have a Big God. Think about life, think about Jesus, and keep your eyes on Him.

“Develop a game plan with Coach Jesus” how to beat sin when it shows up in your life!”

Prayer:

HeavenlyFather, Thank You for taking my sin upon You. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done and for the right I have failed to do. I confess my sins to You and ask for forgiveness. (Confess your sins, by act and by name to Him). Lord, thank You for helping me with my past and present sins. Help me to keep my eyes not on my sin, but on my Savior, Jesus. Help me to soar by casting off the weights of sin. Help me to live the life You have called me to live. I thank You for having a winning game plan for dealing with my Sin, 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

 

 

January 16th 2020 – Adrift

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“For if you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.” (2 Chronicles 30:9)

Imagine. There you are adrift on a life raft with the beach on the horizon. You watch as the land slowly moves away, leaving you alone. While most of us have never been in this scenario physically, we often experience it spiritually. As we walk through life, we feel as though the Lord has left us, leaving us alone, but in reality, it is not the Lord who has left. In the situation with the life boat, is it the land that has moved? No. The land is steadfast and cannot move and so it is with God. He remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

In those times where we feel that God is far away, we should not believe the lie that God has rejected us. Instead, we should draw near to Him and rejoice in His loving-kindness. Our Father in Heaven desires a personal relationship with each of us. It’s in this relationship that we find strength, peace and hope. Our relationship with God is one founded on knowledge of His Word and communication through prayer These are not simply religious actions but our connection to the God of the universe. Draw close, my friend, and watch as the Lord draws close to you.

“When you feel God has drifted, it is not Him that moved, it is us”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am grateful that You are the Rock that I can stand on and an ever present help in times of need. Lord, in those times I feel lost at sea, remind me of Your faithfulness and love. May Your Spirit lead me to draw close to You and trust in Your Word over my feelings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Did you once follow Him but now are adrift?

Pray this prayer and start a new life, or recommit to to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Romans 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me!
In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to know. Click here to send us an e-mail or share your testimony.

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

January 7th 2020 – Treacherous Waters

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“And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.” (Acts 27:30-32)

The worst time to ‘jump ship’ is when the water is rough. If you make a decision when the storms are raging, it is hard to make a clear choice. Yet, isn’t that when we often make life changing decisions, only to look back later, and discover we made the wrong one? We hear ourselves saying, “I am tired of this marriage,” “I am tired of my family,” “I am tired of my job,” or “I am tired of this church.” Weather the storms. When the storms get tough, do not bail out and give up. There is a huge blessing in pressing in.

In the verses above, Paul points out that the men ‘jumping ship’ were taking a selfish approach that ultimately would hurt them and the others. Be careful when you want to run my friend. Please don’t have ‘lifeboats’ for yourself as a way out. Do not keep the mind set that “If this doesn’t happen” or “if that happens, I am out of here.” Often, we walk into situations already planning our escape route or our way out. Of course in thinking like that, we soon have a reason (more like an excuse) to ‘jump ship’. Instead of looking for a way out, maybe we should look at these circumstances as a way in. We want to be more like Jesus… who obviously did not turn and run in the face of opportunity, offense or crisis. Look for the ‘growth opportunity’ in the storm to grow as a person, a believer, and as a follower of Jesus. You will soon find it.

“Don’t give up! Take up an attitude of expectancy that God will do exceedingly, abundantly, above, and beyond all you could ask or imagine!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know I have made bad decisions in the midst of the storms in life. Please forgive me. I know some of the consequences of my bad decisions are still here. In the future, please help me to make better decisions. Please send others to help me through these tough times. I ask for Your peace to comfort me. I ask, Father, for Your power to strengthen me. When I want to run because I am afraid or hurt, I ask that You help me to stand. I know that You will guide me to grow through these things. Lord, I know You will be there to help me through every storm of life and even in the final storm of death. Thanks God. 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.

Please take a moment to contact me, I would love to pray with you personally for this wonderful new journey you are on.  roblavallee@gmail.com

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