Wednesday, July 19, 2017

But No Man Can Tame The Tongue. It Is A Restless Evil, Full Of Deadly Poison.

But No Man Can Tame The Tongue.
It Is A Restless Evil,
Full Of Deadly Poison.
Scripture
James 3
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Observation

With over a million words in the English language you and I have quite a lot of ammunition in our arsenal to do a lot of damage to those we love, if we allow our tongues free reign! Oh, if we could just keep our mouths shut just think how much trouble and and how much grief it would save us ... but we can't!
What we say when we are angry, what we say when our old nature is in control, those words once they leave our mouths, can haunt us and they can hurt us and worse yet, they can hurt others for a long, long, long, time!
Your mouth problem and my mouth problem is really a reflection of a more serious problem deep within our hearts!
Luke 6
45 A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Proverbs 12:18
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but wise words bring healing.
Here are some wise words that bring healing when used sincerely:
I am sorry.
Will you forgive me?
I love you!
Application
I will pay attention to what is coming out of my mouth because I know that it is from an overflow of my heart. How about you?
Prayer
    Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. May my conversation be gracious and attractive so that I will have the right response for everyone. I know that my heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked and without my life being constantly surrendered to You I will hurt people with what comes out of my mouth. (Psalm 19:14, Col. 4:6, Jeremiah 17:9 personalized)


Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 17; 2 Chronicles 28; Psalms 46; James 3



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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

But If You Favor Some People Over Others, You Are Committing A Sin.

But If You Favor
Some People Over Others,
You Are Committing A Sin.
Scripture
James 2
9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
Observation

“Prejudice”, not one of us is completely free from the evilness of it!
Red and yellow, black and white, the rich, the poor, those with special needs, and the mentally challenged, all of us are precious in His sight.
Jesus reached out to those who most people in His day looked down on. He reached out to the tax collectors, and prostitutes. He healed and touched the untouchables, those with leprosy, He healed the crippled and the deformed.
Jesus made a special effort to reach out to the Samaritans who were hated and were looked down on by His fellow Jews because they were a mixed race.
All of us have the tendency to think that we are better than someone else and all of us have the tendency to look down on others for whatever reason.

And that thought and that tendency my friend, comes straight out of the pit of Hell.

Application

I will ask God to search my heart and show me any prejudices that are lurking inside so I can confess them as sin. How about you?
Psalm 19
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that my heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. I know that because You have told me that in Your Word plus I know that just from experience. I don't want to look down on others. I don't want to think that I am better than someone else. I know where those thoughts come from and they are not from You. Help me to see people from Your perspective. Give me Your heart for those around me. Help me to be compassionate and loving like You are!

Jeremiah 17
9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked.
Who really knows how bad it is?


Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 32,33,34,35; James 2





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Monday, July 17, 2017

When Troubles Of Any Kind Come Your Way, Consider It An Opportunity For Great Joy.

When Troubles Of Any Kind
Come Your Way,
Consider It An Opportunity For Great Joy.
Scripture
James 1
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Observation
Trouble, Trouble, Trouble, life for all of us, is full of trouble! If you are not dealing with trouble at this very moment, then all I have say is that you better take a deep breath because trouble is coming your way!
Some troubles are not our fault or maybe not entirely our fault like for example: getting hit by a drunk driver, or our house getting struck by lightning, or our deteriorating health because we are getting older.
But some troubles that come our way are because of mistakes we make. We are the ones to blame. For example: our bad financial decisions, our bad behavior that has destroyed a relationship with someone we love, and our yielding to sinful pleasures.
The good news is this … that trouble, no matter what kind of trouble, whether it was our fault or whether we can blame someone else, troubles no matter what kind, they can all help us to be more like Jesus!
So … your troubles and my troubles… are an opportunity for great joy!
Application

I will try hard to look at my troubles as an opportunity for great joy! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, all the troubles, all of the brokenness that I experience, all give me an opportunity for great joy! Help me to see that today. Help me see things from Your perspective!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 29,30,31; James 1





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Sunday, July 16, 2017

May He Equip You With All You Need For Doing His Will

May He Equip You
With All You Need
For Doing His Will
Scripture
Hebrews 13
20 Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
21 may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Observation

This is my prayer for both you and for me today! May He equip us with all we need for doing His will. May He produce in us, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him!

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower us with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in our hearts as we trust in him. Our roots will grow down into God’s love and keep us strong.

And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

2 Peter 1:3
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.
Ephesians 3
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Application

I will pray these scriptures back to the Lord as my prayer. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me and all of those who read this blog with all we need for doing Your will. May You produce in us, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him!
I pray that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will empower us with inner strength through Your Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in him. Our roots will grow down into God’s love and keep us strong.
And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Now to You who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us! Glory to You in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen and Amen.


Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 25,26,27,28; Hebrews 13




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Saturday, July 15, 2017

For Our Earthly Fathers Disciplined Us For A Few Years, Doing The Best They Knew How.

For Our Earthly Fathers
Disciplined Us For A Few Years,
Doing The Best They Knew How.
Scripture
Hebrews 12
9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.
Observation

If my Dad were alive today and if I still had the chance to talk to him there is a lot of things that I would like to say to him. But one of the things that I would say to him is this, “Dad, I know that you did the best job you could trying to raise me.”

My Dad was not a follower of Jesus Christ and I really do think that he did the best that he knew how raising me for someone without Christ.

Looking back on my days as a Dad raising his kids, there are definitely a lot of things that I would do differently!

I was way too harsh in the discipline of my children. I was way too focused on work (the ministry) and didn't spend enough fun time with my kids.

And I didn't involve my kids enough in God's work for them to understand and love it and to understand why I did what I did.

I see things differently now that I am older and now that I am a Grandpa!
Family trumps everything! Or …
Or at least I believe that family should trump everything.
My brother Rick, and my two sisters Bea and Linda, and their families are so important to me. I love them so much. And Kathy feels the same way about her brothers and sisters and their families.
Kathy and her brothers and sisters get together every Sunday afternoon just to enjoy each others company! They have always done that and I love it.
Application

I will continue to try to be a good Dad to my grown kids and a good Grandpa to their children. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to love people like You love me. Help me to show the love of Christ to everyone I come in contact with. I know that I messed up in so many ways in raising my children, but You know that I did the best job that I knew how. Help me to be a good example to my grown kids and help me to be the very best Grandpa to my grandchildren. I pray that all of them would love You with all of their heart, all of their mind, and all of their soul! And help my children do a better job of raising their kids than I did!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 22,23,24; Hebrews 12

> 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.




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Friday, July 14, 2017

Only Fools Say In Their Hearts, “There Is No God.”

Only Fools
Say In Their Hearts,
“There Is No God.”
Scripture
Psalm 14
1 Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!
4 Will those who do evil never learn?
They eat up my people like bread
and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.

Observation

If you say in your heart, “There is no God”, then you my friend are a Fool! And I am going to add that if you are living your life like there is no God then you are my friend just as foolish as a Fool! Fools wouldn't think of praying to the Lord!
Proverbs 12:15
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
Proverbs 18:2
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
Proverbs 20:3
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs 29:11
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
Ephesians 5:15
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Application

I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart, mind, and soul. I will not depend on my own understanding. I will seek His will in all that I do. He will show me which path to take. I will not be foolish. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, show me when I am acting like a fool. Don't let me depend on my own understanding. Guide and direct my life today. Help me to live my life today in a way that pleases You.


Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 19,20,21; Hebrews 11; Psalm 14, Psalm 44; Proverbs 14



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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Let Us Think Of Ways To Motivate One Another To Acts Of Love And Good Works.

Let Us Think Of Ways
To Motivate One Another
To Acts Of Love And Good Works.
Scripture
Hebrews 10
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Observation

What can you do for someone else today? Here is a good principle to always remember: you and I reap what we sow.
Show love and kindness and you will get back love and kindness. If we are mean and ugly then we will get mean and ugly in return! It is called the law of the harvest!
I learned this from Dr. Waylon B. Moore when I was a young baby Christian many many years ago! Check out his website! Write him and ask him about the “Spiritual laws of the harvest” http://www.mentoring-disciples.org/
You want people to be nice to you then you will have to be nice to people.
You want people to listen to you and what you have to say, then you will have to take time to be quiet and listen to people first and what they have to say.
Lets think of ways to motivate others to acts of love and good works!
What can you do for someone today … take time to think about it ... what can you do for someone day that will motivate them to do acts of love and good works?
Application
I will do something for someone today to help motivate them to do acts of love and good works. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me put this verse into practice today and this week. Help me to motivate others to acts of love and good works. Help me to think about those around me more than I think about myself.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 15,16,17,18; Hebrews 10




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Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Worry Weighs A Person Down; An Encouraging Word Cheers A Person Up.

Worry Weighs A Person Down;
An
Encouraging Word Cheers A Person Up.
Scripture
Proverbs 12
25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Observation
Some definitions of worry: “to allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. Fret, be concerned, be anxious, agonize, overthink, brood, panic, lose sleep, get worked up, get stressed, get in a state, stew, torment oneself.”
Do anything of those definitions ring a bell?
If not for you then maybe someone you know? If so, then do yourself and someone else a favor, go find someone to encourage!
Worry can cause saggin', baggin', and dragin'!
Lets get out and cheer someone up today!
Lets make a phone call, send a text, write an email, Facebook message, or better yet, take the time to write and send a note by snail mail (because people still love to get cards delivered to them by his or her mailman)!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Application

I will find someone to encourage today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is so easy to become discouraged. There are so many things that can cause us to worry and that can weigh us down. Help me to think of someone that needs to be encouraged today and show me the best way to encourage them.

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9; Psalm 12, Psalm 42; Proverbs 12




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Tuesday, July 11, 2017

And He Will Be Called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His Government And Its Peace Will Never End.

And He Will Be Called: Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His Government And Its Peace Will Never End.
Scripture
Isaiah 9
6 For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
Observation

I don't know about you but I look forward to the day when Jesus rules and the government is on His shoulders. Jesus is not the prince of this world right now.

Satan is the prince and ruler of this world at the moment. So no wonder there is so much evil, so much corruption, and so much confusion!

But even though Jesus is not the prince of this world right now nothing happens that does not fit in to His ultimate plan.

Why?

Because Jesus Christ is the King of King and Lord of Lords and one day He is coming back to rule and His followers will rule with Him!

Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Iran and every country on this planet, including ours, are all part of God's master plan. Not one leader rises to power without our Heavenly Father's permission.

He puts them up and takes them out when He chooses. Nothing that happens on this planet is a surprise to Him.

He is in control. He is Sovereign. He is Lord.
John 12:31
31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.
Daniel 2:21
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.
Revelation 22:12-13
(Jesus speaking) “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Application

I will continue to look at what is happening in our world through the lens of the Bible. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are not surprised by the evil in this world. Satan is a master at deception, corruption and evil. He tricks people. They are hoodwinked and believe his lies. They are blinded from the Truth. I pray that You might open up their eyes so they can see things from Your perspective. Show them Your Truth. Thank You for letting me know through Your Word that You are in control right now and none of this craziness in our world goes by unnoticed by You. You are Sovereign. You are in control. You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and there in no God but You!

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 8,9,10; Hebrews 8




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Monday, July 10, 2017

When The Storms Of Life Come

When
The Storms Of Life
Come
Scripture
Proverbs 10
25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation.
Observation

It is not if the storms of life come but when they come! Will you and I be whirled away or will we be able to withstand the storms when they come? It all depends on whether we have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the anchor. He is the lasting foundation!

I don't know about you but I love a good thunderstorm! It is a reminder to me of God's awesome power! But to be in a powerful thunderstorm while out in the Gulf of Mexico fishing, now that is an entirely different story.


Maybe we are being clobbered with a category 5 hurricane or F3 tornado “life storm” right now? If we are what should we do?

I think we should check our spiritual life and make sure that we have a lasting foundation – a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ!

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
Psalm 34:19
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Application

I will trust the Lord as I go through the storms of life. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, remind me that every storm that comes into my life is an opportunity for me to trust in You. You are my shelter from the storms of life. You are my Protector. I will trust in You. Don't let me trust in myself. Don't let me put my trust anywhere else except in You. Nothing is too hard or too impossible for You.


Daily Bible Reading: Micah 5,6,7; Hebrews 7; Psalm 10; Psalm 40; Proverbs 10




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Sunday, July 09, 2017

This Hope Is A Strong And Trustworthy Anchor For Our Souls

This Hope
Is A Strong And Trustworthy Anchor
For Our Souls
Scripture
Hebrews 6
18 … Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Observation

Have you noticed that this world that we live in is out of control! It is in a downward spiral! Everyday we read or hear of bizarre and crazy things that happen all around us! And things seem to get crazier by the minute! It is becoming a more dangerous place by the second.

In a world like this my friend, you and I need a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls! We need Hope! His name is Jesus!

I don't have my head in the sand! I see what is going on! I see the evil, the hate, the injustice, the prejudice, the anger, and the violence that is happening around the world. I see it.

But I see it through the lens of the Bible. I see what is happening from God's perspective and so I have hope!

I know how it is all going to end.

I have read the last chapter of the Book. And because I know how it is all going to end I have hope. It is a strong and trustworthy anchor for my soul!

Romans 15:4
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.


Application

I have read the last chapter of the Book. And because I know how it is all going to end I have hope. And this hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for my soul! How about you?

Prayer

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 personalized)

Daily Bible Reading: Micah 1,2,3,4; Hebrews 6




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Saturday, July 08, 2017

O My God, Who Lives Forever, Don't Take My Life While I Am So Young!

O My God, Who Lives Forever,
Don't Take My Life
While I Am So Young!
Scripture
Psalm 102
23 He broke my strength in midlife,
cutting short my days.

24 But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever,
don’t take my life while I am so young!

Observation

If you are going through a rough time right now, if you are struggling with your health or maybe some other serious issue then this Psalm may be just what you need to pick you up! The Psalmist expresses to God just how bad he feels (take time to read it) then he ends the Psalm affirming and declaring the greatness of His God.

My heart attack did not come midlife for me, but it sure broke my strength 6 years ago at 60 years old. Everything changed!

Everything changed – except my God. He is the same forever and ever!

He loves me. He cares about every detail of my life.

And He loves you too!


Application

I will boldly come to God's throne of grace and I will pray with confidence knowing that God hears me and He wants to answer my prayers. How about you?


Prayer

Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen, and answer me quickly when I call to you. (Psalm 102:1-2 personalized)

Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 13,14; Psalms 100,101,102; Hebrews 5




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Friday, July 07, 2017

Then I Went Into Your Sanctuary, O God, And I Finally Understood The Destiny Of The Wicked.

Then I Went Into Your Sanctuary, O God,
And
I Finally Understood The Destiny Of The Wicked.

Scripture
Psalm 73
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

19 In an instant they are destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors.

20 When you arise, O Lord,
you will laugh at their silly ideas
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
and I was all torn up inside.

22 I was so foolish and ignorant—
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.

26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.

28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Observation

Sometimes I have to admit that I just don't get it. Sometimes I wonder why wicked people seem to prosper so much and those striving to live a godly life seem to struggle so much. Psalms 73 helped me out reminding me that there will be payday someday for those who desert God. God has put them on a slippery path and God will send them sliding over the cliff to destruction!

How foolish it is for us to think like that! The Psalmist realized that he had a bitter heart and he realized how foolish and ignorant he was to think like that!

He belonged to God and God was holding his right hand. God was going to take care of him. God was going to lead him to a glorious destiny!

He is going to take care of us too if we continue to put Him first!

Application

I know that God will guide me with His counsel and He will also lead me to a glorious destiny. How about you?


Prayer

Heavenly Father, You guide me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in Heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but You remain the strength of my heart; You are mine forever. Those who desert You will perish, for You destroy those who abandon You. But as for me, how good it is to be near You! I have made You the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. (Psalm 73:23-28 personalized)



Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 10,11,12; Psalms 73; Hebrews 4






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