Wednesday, June 26, 2019
But Jonah Got Up And Went In The Opposite Direction To Get Away From The Lord.
But
Jonah Got Up
And
Went In The Opposite Direction
To
Get Away From The Lord.
Scripture
Jonah
1
1 The Lord gave
this message to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 “Get up
and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it
because I have seen how wicked its people are.”
3 But Jonah
got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.
He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for
Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from
the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.
Observation
Are
you, like the Prophet Jonah, going in the wrong direction?
I
am greatly encouraged when I hear stories about people who have
decided to stop running from God and have made the decision to live
for Him.
I
still have people close to me who are trying to live their lives like
God doesn't exist. And I might add that it is not working out very
well for them. But I know that God is constantly at work in their
lives and He is in hot pursuit of them.
Oh
yes, God is pursuing each and every one of us. He loves us. He wants
to bless us. He wants us to trust and depend on Him.
Obedience
and Blessing go hand in hand … so if you want things to change in
your life … live a life of obedience!
Matthew
7:28
But
anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it
is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.
Romans
6:16
Don’t
you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?
You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose
to obey God,
which leads to righteous living.
Ephesians
2:2
You
used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying
the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is
the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Application
I
know God loves me. I know that He wants me to live a life of
obedience.
How
about you?
Luke
11:28
Jesus
replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God
and put it into practice.”
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, I am so ready to see a change in the lives of some of the
people that are close to me. I am tired of seeing them miss out on
all the wonderful things that they could be experiencing. Oh, if they
would just turn their lives in Your direction. Lord, open up their
spiritual eyes. Help them to walk in obedience. None of us deserve
Your love. None of us deserve Your mercy. Work in their hearts so
they can also receive what they do not deserve.
Daily
Bible Reading: Jonah 1,2,3,4; 2 Timothy 2
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
The Spirit God Gave Us Does Not Make Us Afraid. His Spirit Is A Source Of Power And Love And Self-control.
The
Spirit God Gave Us Does Not Make Us Afraid.
His
Spirit
Is
A Source Of Power And Love And Self-control.
Scripture
2
Timothy 1
7
The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a
source of power and love and self-control.
Observation
What
are you facing today?
Let
me encourage you to dive into God's Word right now so you will be
able to have the strength to handle what is coming your direction!
The
Apostle Paul was encouraging his son in the faith, young Timothy, to
be strong. It is a good word for us too.
2
Timothy 1:7 reminds me of another verse,
“By
his divine power, God has given us everything we need
for living a godly life. We have
received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to
himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3
And
those two verses remind me of this verse,
“The
Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just
as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your
mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans
8:11
Whatever
you and I are facing today we can handle it through the power of
God's Holy Spirit who lives in us!
So
let's be strong in the Lord and not wimp out!
Application
I
will face whatever comes my way today with boldness.
How
about you?
Philippians
4:13
I
can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, give me the strength that I need to live out this day in a
way that makes You smile. Don't let me be afraid. Don't let me wimp
out. Fill me and control me with Your Holy Spirit, that same Spirit
that raised Jesus from the dead!
Psalm
46:1-3
1 God is our
refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Daily
Bible Reading: Joel 1,2,3; 2 Timothy 1
Monday, June 24, 2019
After All, We Brought Nothing With Us When We Came Into The World, And We Can't Take Anything With Us When We Leave It.
After
All,
We
Brought Nothing With Us When We Came Into The World,
And
We Can't Take Anything With Us When We Leave It.
Scripture
1
Timothy 6
7
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into
the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
9 But people who
long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish
and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love
of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving
money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with
many sorrows.
Observation
The
truly wealthy in this world is not the millionaires and billionaires.
The
truly wealthy are described in 1 Timothy 6:6. So let me ask you this
question, “Do you consider yourself to be wealthy?”
We
live in a culture that by design stirs up discontent. We are
bombarded with messages constantly trying to get us to buy something
else.
Storage
units are being built all over our city and probably all over the
country just to store all the stuff that we thought we had to have.
I
don't need to tell you that we don't need the biggest, the newest,
the fastest, or the prettiest anything to make us happy or content.
The
newest is only new for a day, shiny things quickly lose their shine.
None
of the stuff that we can acquire will bring us contentment. So if we
have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
Application
I
will focus my attention on my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, don't let me focus on the wrong things today. Help me to keep
my eyes on You. Help me to be content with what I have. I am blessed.
Because You are my Shepherd I have everything that I need. Help me to
be content.
I
pray for any person reading this blog today. Don't let them get
sidetracked with things that are not the most important. Help them to
keep You as the Number One priority of his or her life. Show them
that they can trust You to meet every one of their needs. Help them
to live godly lives. Help them to be content.
Daily
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 11,12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Listen
To Your Father,
Who
Gave You Life,
And
Don't Despise Your Mother When She Is Old.
I
now realize and understand that it was because my Dad wasn't a
Christian that he just didn't know how to love his wife or his kids
like God intended for a Dad to love his family. I
have forgiven him a long time ago for his lack of love.
Scripture
Proverbs
23
Observation
My
Dad, even though he mistreated my Mom, and didn't know how to really
love us, kids, he did teach me some very important things about life. My Dad
worked hard and didn't back away from a challenge.
I
have good memories of fishing with my Dad when I was very young in
elementary school.
It
was when my three siblings and I got older that my Mom and my Dad
started having serious problems.
I
now realize and understand that it was because my Dad wasn't a
Christian that he just didn't know how to love his wife or his kids
like God intended for a Dad to love his family.
I
have forgiven him a long time ago for his lack of love.
So
I now have 5 great kids and 15 wonderful grandchildren. It is my
prayer they live out Proverbs 23:22-25.
I
hope that each one of them realizes that even though Mom and Dad are
far from perfect, that we love each one of them very much.
Application
I
will try to live my life close to the Lord so that my children and my
grandchildren can see Jesus in me.
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, give me the capacity to love people, especially my family,
with Your Agape love. Don't let me be a stumbling block that would
keep them from a relationship with You. I pray for their salvation.
May each one of them fall in love with You.
Daily
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22,23; 1 Timothy 5; I added:
Psalm 23, Psalm 93; Proverbs 23
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Be An Example To All Believers In What You Say, In The Way You Live, In Your Love, Your Faith, And Your Purity.
Be
An Example To All Believers
In
What You Say, In The Way You Live,
In
Your Love, Your Faith, And Your Purity.
Scripture
1
Timothy 4
7 Do
not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales.
Instead, train yourself to be godly.
8 “Physical
training is good, but training for godliness is much better,
promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
10 This
is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the
living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all
believers.
12 Don’t
let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to
all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love,
your faith, and your purity.
Observation
The
Apostle Paul's words to young Timothy are good words for me!
“Physical
training is good, but training for godliness is much better!” “Be
an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in
your love, your faith, and your purity.”
So
even though I am pretty sure that getting up and getting 10,000 steps
in a day is important for me, taking the time to open up God's Word,
to read it and spend time alone with God is way more important!”
Maybe
you and I could cut down on the time we spend on Facebook and take
that extra time to spend a few minutes in God's Word!
Application
I
will read and spend time in God's Word every day.
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, help me to not neglect time alone with You every single day.
Give me an even greater love for Your Word. Show me things in Your
Word that You don't want me to miss. Show me new things each time I
open up the Bible. Don't let my love for You to grow cold.
Daily
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 8,9; 2 Chronicles 21; 1 Timothy 4
Friday, June 21, 2019
Do Not Be Afraid! Don't Be Discouraged By This Mighty Army, For The Battle Is Not Yours, But God's.
Do
Not Be Afraid!
Don't
Be Discouraged By This Mighty Army,
For
The Battle Is Not Yours, But God's.
Scripture
2
Chronicles 20
12 O our
God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army
that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are
looking to you for help.”
13 As all
the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones,
wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came
upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of
Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite
who was a descendant of Asaph.
15 He said,
“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King
Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid!
Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not
yours, but God’s.
16 Tomorrow,
march out against them. You will find them coming up through the
ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness
of Jeruel.
17 But you
will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still
and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of
Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against
them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”
Observation
I
love to read these amazing stories found in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles!
God has those stories recorded in the Bible for a reason. They are to
show me that He is able to take care of me. He will fight my battles
when I put my trust and my faith in Him.
He
will also fight your battles if you go to Him and ask Him for His
help.
So
let's admit to God that we are powerless to handle the situation.
Let's go to Him for help. Let's let God fight our battles!
What
battle are you facing today?
Take
time to take it to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for His help, for
the Lord is with you!
Application
I
will trust the Lord to fight for me today.
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, I need Your help today. Give me strength. Show me that I can
depend on You to fight my battles.
I
pray for any person reading this blog today. Help them to slow down
and take time to read Your Word today. Show them that they can trust
You with whatever is going on in his or her life. I am reminded today
that nothing is too hard for You. Impossible, is not in Your
vocabulary.
Daily
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 6,7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3
Thursday, June 20, 2019
I Urge You, First Of All, To Pray For All People. Ask God To Help Them; Intercede On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them.
I
Urge You, First Of All, To Pray For All People.
Ask
God To Help Them;
Intercede
On Their Behalf, And Give Thanks For Them.
Scripture
1
Timothy 2
I
urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them;
intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
2 Pray this
way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live
peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
3 This is
good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who
wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
Observation
Who
are we praying for? It is certainly okay to pray for ourselves
sometimes, but if that is the only person that we spend our time
praying for then we have totally missed it. God wants to answer our
prayers as we pray for the people that He has brought into our lives.
I
remember what the Prophet Samuel said “As
for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by
failing to pray for you ...” 1 Samuel 12:23
Thanks
to all of you who prayed with me for my friend Don Kennedy. He came
through surgery well. Please continue to pray for his complete
recovery!
Application
I
will pray for those that God places on my heart. I know that He is
working in their lives.
How
about you? Who are you praying for?
Romans
1:9
“God
knows how often I pray for you.
Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom
I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.”
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, I know that there is nothing more important for me to do than
to pray for those who You put on my heart. Help me not to get so
distracted with my own stuff that I neglect praying for those that
You want me to pray for. You are a good, good Father. You love to
answer our prayers. All You want from us is for us to trust You and
for think about others more than we think about ourselves. Help me to
do that today.
Thank
You for answering my prayer for my friend Don. Now help him to have a
speedy recovery! And I pray for his total healing.
I
pray for my daughter-in-law Dominique as she has our grand-baby
today. Be with her and my son Eddie as they have baby Eden!
Daily
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 4,5; Psalms 83; 1 Timothy 2
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
You Saw Me Before I Was Born. Every Day Of My Life Was Recorded In Your Book.
You
Saw Me
Before
I Was Born.
Every
Day Of My Life Was Recorded In Your Book.
Scripture
Psalm
139
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
Observation
Tomorrow
our daughter-in-law Dominque will give birth to our 15th
grandchild!
Yes,
tomorrow our newest granddaughter Eden will make her grand entrance
into this world.
My
prayer for her is that she will grow up knowing, trusting, and loving
God with all of her heart.
I
pray that my son Eddie and his wife Dominque will raise Eden with the
training and teaching of the Lord. Please pray for them today!
Ephesians
6:4
Fathers,
do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and
teaching of the Lord.
Application
I
will do my best to be a good example for my grandchildren and my
children. I want them to see Jesus in me.
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, our children are a gift from You. Help us raise them in a way
that helps them know and trust You. I pray for that You give my
children wisdom as they raise their children. Help them to see how
important it is to put You first in their lives. Don't let them their
life apart from You. Give them the ability to raise their children
with the training and teaching that comes from You.
Daily
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 1,2,3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1; I added: Psalm
39, Psalm 139; Proverbs 19
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Live Wisely Among Those Who Are Not Believers, And Make The Most Of Every Opportunity.
Live
Wisely
Among
Those Who Are Not Believers,
And
Make The Most Of Every Opportunity.
Scripture
Colossians
4
6 Let your
conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the
right response for everyone.
Observation
What
we say and how we say it does matter, especially when it comes to how
we act when we are around non-believers.
You
and I have the opportunity to be salt and light, a real influence,
but in order for that to happen, we need to carefully think about how
we live.
I
have just started reading the book, “MARRIAGE AFTER GOD Chasing
Boldly After God's Purpose for Your Life Together”,
and in one of the chapters the authors, Aaron and Jennifer Smith,
asked this question, “Am I the man that I am encouraging other men
to be?”
Am
I? Are you?
Application
I
will look for opportunities to share my faith.
I
will also think about my life and look for things that need to change
to make me a more effective witness for Christ.
How
about you?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, help me to be a more effective witness for You. Show me every
'thing' in my life that needs to change to make me more like Jesus.
Bring people into my life who I can encourage in their journey of
faith. Don't let me be a stumbling block to anyone.
I
pray today for my friends, Doug and Julia, as they grieve the death
of Julia's Dad. You are the God of all comfort and all compassion.
Help them and also help Julia's Mom and Julia's brother Phil as they
go through this time of grief and loss.
I
pray for my friend Don who is facing surgery tomorrow. Guide the
surgeon's hands. Take care of every detail of Don's life. Give him
and his wife Edith a supernatural peace that only comes with trusting
in You.
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4
Monday, June 17, 2019
Make Allowance For Each Other's Faults ...
Make
Allowance
For
Each Other's Faults ...
Scripture
Colossians
3
5 So
put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have
nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil
desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater,
worshiping the things of this world.
9 Don’t
lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature
and all its wicked deeds.
12 Since
God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe
yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness,
and patience.
13 Make
allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends
you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
15 And
let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as
members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be
thankful.
16 Let the
message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and
counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
Observation
In
a relationship it is the differences between a couple that attracts and draws a couple together, but as I have watched over and over again
it is also those differences that drive a couple apart!
Why
can't you get along? Why can't you make your relationship work?
I
think the answer can be found in Colossians 3:5-16.
What
is our big problem? Why is it so hard to live with someone?
The
short answer is this: You and I are sinners and the person who we
have committed to living with for the rest of our life is also a
sinner.
Plus,
Satan doesn't want you happily married and he will do everything in
his power to rip you and your spouse apart. Your spouse is not your
enemy. You have an enemy. His name is Satan.
Let's
not give our enemy, Satan, ammunition.
Tell
your spouse: I am a sinner. I am sorry. I love you. Will you forgive
me?
Colossians
3
12 Since
God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe
yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness,
and patience.
13 Make
allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends
you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Application
Today
is Kathy's birthday! It is her day. We will celebrate!
How
about you? What will you do special for your spouse or significant
other today?
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, it is so easy to blame our partner for our fusses and
disagreements. It is so easy for me to see the flaws in someone else
when I am totally unable to see my own. Help me, Lord. Show me each
and every time I mess up. Convict me when I sin. Don't let me blame
other people when I am the problem.
Help
me to live out Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the message about
Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each
other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
I
pray today for Kathy on her birthday. May Your face shine brightly on
her. Continue to use her in the lives of my children, grandchildren,
and so many others. Thank You for giving me such a wonderful wife and
best friend. You are so good.
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 20,21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3
>
I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy
lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
And Now, Just As You Accepted Christ Jesus As Your Lord, You Must Continue To Follow Him.
And
Now, Just As You Accepted Christ Jesus As Your Lord,
You
Must
Continue
To Follow Him.
Scripture
Colossians
2
6 And
now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must
continue to follow him.
7 Let your
roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then
your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you
will overflow with thankfulness.
10 So you
also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head
over every ruler and authority.
Observation
Salvation
is a one-time event, but Lordship is a daily choice that you and I
must make every morning. It is so easy to let the things of this
world get us sidetracked. Satan does not want you in church growing
spiritually every day.
He
knows how to get us sidetracked. He knows how to keep you from
growing spiritually. He is good at laying distractions in our way.
Maybe
you were growing spiritually and were very active in church, but
lately one thing or another has kept you from attending church. Maybe
your love for the Lord and your desire for the things of God has
grown cold because of one reason or another.
If
that is the case then let me suggest that you do what you already
know that you need to do.
Church
starts in a few minutes. Get dressed and get yourself to church.
Ask
God to rekindle that fire that you used to feel for Him. You accepted
Christ Jesus as your Lord, now you must continue to follow him.
Let's
get moving …
And
Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there!
Application
The
best thing that I can do for my kids, my grandkids, and my wife is to
keep my relationship with Jesus Christ as my number one priority.
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, don't let me get sidetracked. I don't want my relationship
with You to grow cold. Keep me away from stupid sins. Don't let the
evil one has his way in my life.
I
pray for my children and my grandchildren. Help them grow in their
relationship with You. I want them to experience all of the good
things that You have for them.
I
pray for any Dad that might be reading this blog. Help him finish
well. Help him to be the man of God that You want him to be. Give him
strength and give him the desire to keep You first in his life. Bless
him, Lord.
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17,18,19; Colossians 2
Saturday, June 15, 2019
We Also Pray That You Will Be Strengthened With All His Glorious Power So You Will Have All The Endurance And Patience You Need.
We
Also Pray That You Will Be Strengthened
With
All His Glorious Power So You Will Have
All
The Endurance And Patience You Need.
Scripture
Colossians
1
11 We
also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power
so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be
filled with joy,
12 always
thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance
that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
13 For
he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us
into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
Observation
Are
you at the end of your rope? Are you wanting to give up?
If
that describes you and describes just how you feel today then tie a
knot at the end of your rope and hang on! I am praying for you!
I
am praying that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power
so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be
filled with joy!
Life
is brutal. It is full of pain and suffering. God never intended for
us to live life without him. The Bible or Bibles that we have in our
house do us no good at all if we don't open them each day and spend
time alone with God.
I
also read in Kings and Chronicles today as part of my daily Bible
reading. Those books give me a clear picture of what life is like
when I neglect my relationship with the Lord and what life is like
when I repent and turn back and put God first.
Drama,
fighting, inner turmoil, defeat, hopelessness, sadness, and misery
are a pretty accurate description of life when God is not the main
focus of our lives.
Is
life a mess? Are you at the end of your rope?
Hang
on and look up!
Application
My
joy comes from my relationship with the Lord. He will sustain me.
How
about you?
Psalm
28:7
The Lord is
my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me,
and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in
songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm
34:8
Taste
and see that the Lord is
good. Oh, the joys of those
who take refuge in him!
Philippians
4:4
Always
be full of joy in the Lord.
I say it again—rejoice!
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, You know that my heart is heavy with concern for those close
to me who are living in turmoil. Drama, fighting, arguing, defeat,
harsh words, and turmoil seem to dominate their lives. It breaks my
heart. But I know that only You and a right relationship with You is
the only thing that can change their situation.
I
pray for those who are sick and who are feeling bad. Don't let them
operate on feelings. Give them strength today to trust in You in
spite of his or her illness. Help them to focus on relationships and
not on themselves. You know that I know personally how hard it is to
focus on others when you are hurting, but give them the strength to
do just that.
Daily
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1
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