God’s Outrageous, Immeasurable, Inexhaustible Goodness
– “Because of Jesus, we are totally known and perfectly forgiven, legally
righteous and unconditionally loved.”
Saturday, June 29, 2019
The Secret to Breaking Free from Habitual Sin
The Secret
to Breaking Free from Habitual Sin – “When we are caught in habitual or
besetting sin, our problem, at its core, may be simple. What’s holding us
captive is a deceptive belief about what will make us happy.”
Making Quiet Time With God Relevant To Today
Making
Quiet Time With God Relevant To Today – “When we have
our time with God on a daily basis, it should be something that impacts the
rest of our day. If we are just reading something to accomplish a Bible reading
plan, stay up with a recent book, or fulfill an obligation, our time with the
Lord will be more obligatory than life-giving.”
The Majority of Gospel Work Is Done By A “Forgotten Army” Of Churches And Pastors
The Majority of Gospel Work Is Done By A “Forgotten Army” Of
Churches And Pastors – “None of our sacrifice and service in
the great spiritual battle we are fighting goes unnoticed by our commanding
officer. Nothing is forgotten by Jesus.”
Friday, June 28, 2019
What You Need To Know About Suffering
What
You Need To Know About Suffering – “Our suffering is more
powerfully shaped by what’s in our heart than by what’s in our body or the
world around us.”
12 Signs You Are a Modern-Day Pharisee
12
Signs You Are a Modern-Day Pharisee – “Here is the reality …
Pharisees still exist today. And nobody wants to be a modern-day Pharisee. It
just happens.”
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn (Their Sin)
Blessed Are
Those Who Mourn (Their Sin) – “May God soften our hearts to mourn our
moral bankruptcy so that we can marvel at his comforting grace.”
Lost in the Land of Uz: How to Read the Book of Job
Lost in
the Land of Uz: How to Read the Book of Job – “How am I supposed to
read the book of Job? That is our question. Here are nine guidelines.”
4 Principles for Making Critical End-of-Life Decisions
4
Principles for Making Critical End-of-Life Decisions –
“When you look at the Bible as a whole—what it teaches us about life and death
and God’s work in it, and our redemption through Christ—there are four key
principles that arise from Christian bioethics that can practically help us.”
Monday, June 24, 2019
The Danger of Over-Complicating Gospel Ministry
The Danger of
Over-Complicating Gospel Ministry – “The vast majority of
the work of the gospel in the world today is, as it always has been, done by
relatively uneducated church members who love Christ, rely on the power of his
Spirit, pray fervently, and have confidence that the simple gospel message
declaring Jesus to be Lord is God’s power for salvation.”
5 Myths About Marriage
5
Myths About Marriage –
“Paul David Tripp provides a word for those who may have misconceptions about
the purposes of marriage.”
The Transforming Power of God-Centeredness
The Transforming
Power of God-Centeredness – “You and I live a world that is saturated
with idols. From hobbies to entertainment, to workaholism, pornography, and
materialism, we are inundated with “gods” all around us. To be God-centered is
to have a biblical view of God.”
Christ Our Ransom
Christ Our
Ransom – “God will pay the ransom himself in order to receive us back
to himself. He has done this through Christ, who is our ransom.”
Saturday, June 22, 2019
God Doesn’t Need Our Permission to Do Anything
God Doesn’t Need Our Permission to Do Anything –
“If we’re going to ‘name and claim’ anything, may it be for your kingdom to
come and will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Safe to Feel Deeply: How the Gospel Redeems Our Feelings
Safe to
Feel Deeply: How the Gospel Redeems Our Feelings – “Jesus’s dying and
rising offers sanity and stability to our emotions in at least three ways.”
The Value of a Single Soul
The Value of a Single Soul – “Let
the world have its ticker tape parades, its popularity contests, its straw poll
politics and morals, it megastar and minor-soul ethic, and lets follow the
heart of our God after the individual believer, and the path of our Saviour who
drank the bitter cup that he might sup with individual believers gathered
together in his kingdom.”
Prayer & Polarization
Prayer
& Polarization – “Polarization has been trending
for a long time. Especially in politics, but also in education, religion,
economics, race, and more.”
Friday, June 21, 2019
Why God Made Your Mouth
Why God Made Your Mouth – “Even
when grace is doing its work of demolishing, building, and renovating inside
us, learning how to package that grace into words often takes practice.”
20 Scriptures to Pray as WORSHIP
20
Scriptures to Pray as WORSHIP – “You could use these
20 Scriptures to pray as worship as your prayers can quickly digress into
little more than a list of needs and wants.”
10 Things to Know about What the Bible Teaches on God and Human Government
10 Things to Know about What the Bible Teaches on God and Human
Government – God’s word has much to say on our relationship
to government.
Love & Believing the Best
Love & Believing the Best –
“One way that believing the best could be defined is this: erring on the side
of believing a favorable reality of another’s actions and attitudes as opposed
to suspicion or cynicism, until clear evidence shows otherwise.”
Sacred Weapons for Spiritual War: Wearing the Whole Armor of God
Sacred Weapons
for Spiritual War: Wearing the Whole Armor of God – “Paul advises the
Ephesians that there are certain things Christians must put off and others they
must put on.”
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Sleep Well for God is Awake
Sleep Well for
God is Awake – “Here are seven theological and
practical reminders to help you sleep like someone whose God is actually
alive. He’s risen. He’s risen, indeed!”
The Indispensable Value of Christ-Centered Courage
The Indispensable
Value of Christ-Centered Courage – “In Acts 7, we find a man with
convictional courage. His name was Stephen.”
Do Not Miss the Wisdom of Ecclesiastes – It is helpful every day
Do Not Miss the Wisdom of Ecclesiastes – It is helpful every
day – “Essentially, the Book explains how a Christian
must respond in a world where a) God is sovereign and b) the world.
The Whole Sin of the Half-Distracted Mind
The Whole Sin of the Half-Distracted Mind –
“The question you need to ask yourself is am I really willing to continue to
trade the sweetness of sustained fellowship with the Lord, a powerful prayer
life, and an eternal impact, for the passing pleasures of the perpetually
distracted mind?”
God’s 5 Purposes for Your Marriage
God’s
5 Purposes for Your Marriage – “Happiness rises and
falls for all of us, married or not. And happiness isn’t the real goal of life
anyway. Marriage isn’t about your happiness.”
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
A Prayer to Keep Me From What I Want
A Prayer to Keep Me From What I Want – “Dear
Father, please keep me from wanting life to serve my dreams and my wishes. Keep
me from trying to fit you into the narrative of my desires, even the ones I
think are good!...”
Never Surrender
Never Surrender
– “To all those still fighting such a war in their kitchens, living rooms,
bedrooms and dining rooms, I salute you and pray God will strengthen you in the
midst of your battle.”
Let Your Waiting Say “I Trust You”
Let Your Waiting Say “I Trust You” –
“Patience is not quite the same as waiting. While waiting is something we do,
patience is something we offer. We wait because we must — we have
little choice in the matter. But patience is our gift to our Father while we
wait.”
A Guide to Prevailing in the Battle of Prayer
A Guide to Prevailing in the Battle of Prayer –
“For Moody, the prayer warrior’s simple confidence is structured around nine
different attitudes—and actions—that must be present for the prayer to be
efficacious.”
The Most Epic Bible Study of All Time
The Most Epic Bible Study of All Time – “As
Jesus walked with those disciples on the Emmaus road, he interpreted for them
the golden thread of grace that holds every bit of the Old Testament together.”
Looking for the Good in a World of Bad News: God at Work through His Church
Looking for
the Good in a World of Bad News: God at Work through His Church – “As
we discard the clickbait caricatures, may we thank God for three beautiful things
we can see in his church today.”
LGBTQ Indoctrination Aimed At Kids
LGBTQ
Indoctrination Aimed At Kids – “Parents must start
having age appropriate conversations with their children from an early age.”
Is an Unborn Child a Parasite, Living off Another Person’s Body without Permission?
Is an Unborn Child a Parasite, Living off Another Person’s Body
without Permission? – “Some abortion advocates argue
that even if a ‘fetus’ is actually a person, that doesn’t change the fact that
one person does not have the right to use the body of another person against
their will (in this case, against the mother’s will). Therefore, she should
have the right to ‘evict’ the fetus from her body.”
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
The Test of True Worship
The Test
of True Worship – “Do you serve the Lord for his name’s sake? Or do you
only serve the Lord to receive blessings?”
Get Out! Tim Keller on the Exodus Story
Get Out! Tim Keller on the Exodus Story – “What
can we learn from the Red Sea crossing about Jesus and our salvation?”
Moved by All Our Sorrows: The Tender Compassion of Christ
Moved by
All Our Sorrows: The Tender Compassion of Christ – “Have you ever paused
to marvel at the compassion of Christ? What a wonder that when God himself
takes our own flesh and blood, and walks among us in our fallen world, he is
known for his compassion.”
You Need to Be Inconvenienced for Your Church
You Need
to Be Inconvenienced for Your Church – “Those who are hungry for Christ
consider it their joy to be inconvenienced for the sake of His church.”
Why We Can’t Divorce Jesus and the Church
Why We Can’t Divorce Jesus and the Church – “In
other words, to disassociate ourselves from the Church is to neglect Jesus’
wife, His body and his family. We can’t divorce Jesus and the Church because He
won’t let us.”
Monday, June 17, 2019
Love Is Not Heavy-Handed
Love Is
Not Heavy-Handed – “Whatever else we learn about church life, we learn
quickly that it will at times come with conflict. We are, after all, sinful
people attempting to share community with other sinners.”
Christians Need Gospel Audacity
Christians Need Gospel Audacity – “I want at
fever pitch the kind of audacity, boasting in weakness, and zeal that is
biblical—not the showy, worldly counterfeit.”
Stop Loving Your Spouse Too Much
Stop Loving Your Spouse Too Much –
“Every marriage is either Christian or idolatrous. And two married Christians
can be idolatrous, without even realizing it.”
Worship the Man
Worship
the Man – “The Holy Spirit gives us an ample
amount of proofs of the deity of Christ in Scripture.”
The Battle for Biblical Truth
The
Battle for Biblical Truth – John MacArthur writes a
helpful piece on the reliability of Scripture and how to interpret it rightly.
He gives helpful encouragement for coming to a rational understanding of God's
Word.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
We Will Sneer at Death
We Will Sneer at Death – “We can
die defiantly. We can look our last enemy square in the face, take one last
breath, hear one last pulse of our heart, and say this: I will breathe
again. This heart will beat again. This body will rise again. Because my sins
are gone and my Savior got up from that grave!”
Four Principles for a Powerful Prayer Life
Four
Principles for a Powerful Prayer Life – “If you will
learn to spend one hour a day with God, there is no telling what God may choose
to do with you.”
Friday, June 14, 2019
How to Know if You’re Saving Life or Prolonging Death
How to Know if You’re Saving Life or Prolonging Death
– “Here are four biblical principles that should affect our end-of-life
decision making.”
When Old They’ll Still Bear Fruit
When Old They’ll Still Bear Fruit –
“Growing old is really hard, but there are unique benefits that come to the
friends and family of those who age well in Jesus Christ.”
Let’s Anticipate the Incredible Experience of Worshipping in Heaven with All God’s People
Let’s Anticipate
the Incredible Experience of Worshipping in Heaven with All God’s People
– “Most people know that we’ll worship God in Heaven. But they don’t grasp how
thrilling that will be. Multitudes of God’s people—of every nation, tribe,
people, and language—will gather to sing praise to God for His greatness,
wisdom, power, grace, and mighty work of redemption (Revelation 5:13-14).”
Investing in Your Marriage Is Worth the Sacrifice
Investing in Your Marriage Is Worth the Sacrifice –
It’s tough to have a Christ-centered marriage in a child-centered world.
Praise or Worry
Praise or
Worry – “Praise is an action of worship where people repeat back to God
all the great things he is and has done.”
A Simple Way to Spend 45 Minutes a Day With the LORD
A
Simple Way to Spend 45 Minutes a Day With the LORD – Here
are some suggestions for growing your time with the Lord.
The Dirty Dozen: Some Thoughts on Why We Stink at Evangelism
The Dirty Dozen: Some Thoughts on Why We Stink at Evangelism –
“When I say that ‘we’ stink at evangelism, I’m not talking about all of you.
Some of you, I hope many of you, excel at sharing your faith with
non-Christians. But most of us do not. It may sound offensive, but let’s be
honest: we stink at evangelism. At least I do. But I don’t want to.”
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Why Is it Hard to Understand the Bible?
Why Is it Hard to Understand the Bible? –
“It’s the world’s all-time bestseller and the best selling book in every year
that sales have been recorded. Even so, the task of reading the Bible can
feel like putting together a massive jigsaw puzzle that is missing pieces!”
Stop Praying “Be With” Prayers
Stop
Praying “Be With” Prayers – “Search the Scriptures,
and you won’t find a prayer recorded that just asks God to ‘be with’ his
people. The prayers of the saints have far more weighty, far more spiritual
concerns.”
Ascension: The Present-Tense of the Gospel
Ascension:
The Present-Tense of the Gospel – “Why does Paul say
that in order to be saved we must confess Jesus not as Savior or Substitute or
Sacrifice, not as Son of Man or Son of God, but as Lord?”
When Moral Relativism Comes to Counseling
When Moral Relativism Comes to Counseling –
“Moral relativism is our culture’s precious grandchild now. It gets a pat on
the head and sugar for supper. It demands its way like 2-year-old. And it
barges into the counseling room. So how might you quiet it?”
Reading the Bible Upside Down
Reading
the Bible Upside Down – “The pope’s reported
rationale reveals an approach to Scripture that undermines its authority. His
approach is to do what you might call a hermeneutical headstand. He turns
things upside down.”
5 Questions to Ask When You Are Suffering
5 Questions to Ask When You Are Suffering –
“When he engages your suffering, the all-wise God typically creates a dynamic
interplay of five questions.”
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
7 Surprising Trends in Global Christianity in 2019
7 Surprising Trends in Global Christianity in 2019
– “Instead of evaluating Christianity based on a local or even national
perspective, a global vantage point can provide a better picture of the status
of the faith.”
What Is the Connection Between Worship and Feelings?
What
Is the Connection Between Worship and Feelings? –
“Worship is not a depiction of our feelings, but a declaration of our faith.”
The Danger of Roadblocks along the Avenue of Grace
The Danger
of Roadblocks along the Avenue of Grace – “Three specific ‘roadblocks’
listed below commonly derail God’s purposes for us in Jesus Christ.”
Are You an Eraser or Highlighter in Your Marriage?
Are You an
Eraser or Highlighter in Your Marriage? – In every
interaction we need to explore the difference.
10 Ways the Enemy Robs Us of Our Christian Joy
10
Ways the Enemy Robs Us of Our Christian Joy –
“The enemy often seeks to destroy our Christian joy so that our witness for
Christ loses its effectiveness. Here are some ways he seeks to rob us.”
5 Questions to Ask When You Are Suffering
5 Questions to Ask When You Are Suffering – “When he
engages your suffering, the all-wise God typically creates a dynamic interplay
of five questions.”
Rejoicing During Affliction and Unhappiness
Rejoicing
During Affliction and Unhappiness – “This is rejoicing in
affliction because you know that the affliction, no matter how great, is
producing something in you of greater value than a pain-free life.”
Spiritual Fruit Grows Slowly
Spiritual Fruit Grows Slowly –
“When Paul uses this metaphor, he is reminding his audience that spiritual
fruit is similar to physical fruit: both grow slowly.”
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Husbands, 8 Admonitions to Love Your Wife
Husbands, 8 Admonitions to Love Your Wife – “What
follows are eight admonitions to love our wives with respect to their
various facets.”
How to Get Excited Talking to Others About Jesus
How to Get Excited Talking to Others About Jesus
– “The bottom line is this: if we can’t—or don’t—talk about Jesus with our
believing friends and family, then we certainly won’t be able to talk about Him
with nonbelievers.”
7 Ways to Shepherd the Terminally Ill
7 Ways to Shepherd the Terminally Ill – “Let’s
consider seven aspects of shepherding the terminally ill.”
An Unexpected Strategy for Reaching the Muslim World
An Unexpected Strategy for Reaching the Muslim World
– “This is nothing radical or new. But guess what? People notice.”
A Vital Verse for Dads (How to Be a Good Dad)
A
Vital Verse for Dads (How to Be a Good Dad) –
“Is there hope for us dads, or should I add a reasonably-priced pitchfork to my
Amazon wishlist?”
A World Map or Literal Place Names
A World Map or Literal Place Names –
“Here’s a map of the world with the names of the countries replaced by their
literal translations.”
Monday, June 10, 2019
The Peril of Potted Plant Christianity
The Peril of Potted Plant Christianity –
Instead of being an isolated potted plant, Jeff Medders encourages believers to
pursue community as if it were a rooted garden, interconnected and
flourishing.
Is It Okay if I Don’t ‘Feel’ God?
Is It Okay if I Don’t ‘Feel’ God? – “The things
you fill your head with will eventually trickle down into your heart; your
emotions will be affected by what you put in your mind.”
Confession ≠ Repentance
Confession ≠ Repentance – “We shirk
repentance when we agree with the truth of our sin (confession) without
choosing the gospel-motivated response.”
What Does “Meaningless / Vanity / Futility” Mean in Ecclesiastes?
What Does “Meaningless / Vanity / Futility” Mean in
Ecclesiastes? – “It’s about the tedium, transience,
impermanence, and dissatisfaction God built into the universe.”
What Is a Family, Anyway?
What Is a Family, Anyway? – “What is a family?
It’s a simple question, but one that is surprisingly difficult to answer.”
Life Is Hard. Jesus Doesn’t Make It Easier
Life Is Hard. Jesus Doesn’t Make It Easier. – “When
life seems worse than expected, we’re told, ‘It gets better.’ But what if it
doesn’t?”
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Was He Too Prone to Wander? Robert Robinson (1735–1790)
Was He
Too Prone to Wander? Robert Robinson (1735–1790) – The hymn as a whole
is a great testimony to the grace of God that had saved him, notwithstanding a
heart that was “prone to wander.”
Seven Encouraging Reasons to Pray
Seven Encouraging Reasons to Pray –
“Here are seven reasons we pray which are meant to encourage you in your
pursuit of Jesus Christ.”
Why We Go To Church on Vacation
Why We Go To Church on Vacation –
“When we vacation, we don’t want to take a break from being who we are. We’re
grateful to be God’s children, and we enjoy being with our brothers and sisters
worshiping Him, no matter where we may roam.”
Nuclear Family or Church Family? Yes
Nuclear Family or Church Family? Yes – “In most
cases, the church won’t replace our nuclear family. Instead, we must let the
gospel reorient our family relationships—and in turn, these new priorities will
strengthen the church.”
Friday, June 7, 2019
Be the Church That Embraces Children, Not Just Tolerates Them
Be
the Church That Embraces Children, Not Just Tolerates Them – “There
are two kinds of churches. Those that embrace children, and those that tolerate
children.”
Here Are the Most ‘Post-Christian’ Cities in America
Here Are the Most ‘Post-Christian’ Cities in America
– “The research group Barna has just released their list of the most
“post-Christian” cities in America, and one region dominates the top 10.”
The Bible Passage People Mistake For Good News
The Bible Passage People Mistake For Good News –
“Despite its popularity, Ecclesiastes 3 may also be one of the most
misunderstood sections of the Bible. This is because people often interpret the
chapter as containing reassuring news about the balanced nature of the
universe. But really, the chapter is more of a lament, one that points to the
need for Christ.”
The Curse of “Whatever”
The Curse
of “Whatever” – “We continue to be surprised at being disappointed.
People have this problem called sin. Sin comes from rebellion to God. At its
root, rebellion starts with believing a lie.”
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Against Open Doors
Against Open Doors – “Sometimes a closed
door simply needs to be pushed on harder. Sometimes an open door needs to be
passed by. The wisdom and biblical principles that govern decision making
should always take precedence over providential ‘signs’ that Scripture never
bids us decipher.”
Three Strategies to Build Work Ethic in Your Kids
Three Strategies to Build Work Ethic in Your Kids
– “Here are three fundamentals to accomplish this in teens.”
Your Will Be done
Your Will
Be done – Ask boldly in your needs, but this statement from the Model Prayer
puts what happens next into perspective.
10 Questions for Examining Your Life
10 Questions for Examining Your Life –
“Examining your life is essential to your growth as a Christian believer.” Here
are a simple set of questions, drawn from the Ten Commandments.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Finding God in the Anxiety of the Waiting Room
Finding God in the Anxiety of the Waiting Room –
“In the uncertainty of a health crisis, the following gospel realities can calm
our anxious hearts, bringing us peace and hope.”
The Good Guys
The Good
Guys – While husbands and fathers have plenty of shortcomings and failures
of note. Here’s a good word about the men who are honoring the Lord in good
ways at home.
5 Loopholes We Use to Excuse Sin
5 Loopholes We Use to Excuse Sin – “For some of
us, our cry for God’s mercy is long overdue, but our evasions keep us from real
repentance. Here are five common loopholes we use to excuse sin.”
Immediate Aid, Eternal Relief
Immediate
Aid, Eternal Relief – “Christians care about all
suffering, especially eternal suffering.”
How to Pray for Your Unborn Child
How to Pray for Your Unborn Child –
Whether your unborn child or grandchild, these are helpful prayer prompts.
Less Is More
Less Is More – “Clutter is like zucchini on
Miracle Grow. It keeps spreading and multiplying. Once a treasured garment,
trinket, or gadget, now a dust-catching long-forgotten, space-taking bother.”
A Brief History of Spiritual Revival and Awakening in America
A
Brief History of Spiritual Revival and Awakening in America –
“America has a deep, rich history of revivals and awakenings.”
What We Lose When We Collapse the Four Gospels into One
What We Lose When We Collapse the Four Gospels into One
– “What do we lose when we collapse the four Gospels into one? I believe we
lose at least three things: the author’s unique perspective, the artistry of
the story, and the apologetic of the life of Jesus.”
Were Early Christian Scribes Untrained Amateurs?
Were Early Christian Scribes Untrained Amateurs? –
“The oft-repeated claim that early Christian scribes were unprofessional
and untrained simply does not fit with what we know about early Christian
manuscripts nor about early Christian literary culture.” It’s a common charge
to discredit the reliability of our Bible.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Retake Your Heart
Retake
Your Heart – “Jesus knows the human heart. He
made it, and then he took one himself when he became man. He knows, as both God
and man, how to furnish courage to a fearful heart.”
Praying for a President Is Not that Radical: Platt, Prayer, and Polarization
Praying
for a President Is Not that Radical: Platt, Prayer, and Polarization –
The outrage against David Platt's prayer for President Trump reveals more about
us than David.
Monday, June 3, 2019
The One Question We Would Have for Jesus
The
One Question We Would Have for Jesus – Joe McKeever does a
great job with this hypothetical scenario.
Dying to go to Church?
Dying to
go to Church? – “Going to church doesn’t make you a better person.
Going to church means that you get that you are a forgiven person.”
Why Christians Care About Every Injustice
Why
Christians Care About Every Injustice – “Christians
care about all injustice — especially injustice against God.”
Three Approaches to Ecclesiastes
Three Approaches to Ecclesiastes – “In
my observation, Ecclesiastes is second only to Revelation in the number of
competing interpretive approaches available to readers of the book.”
Are There Degrees of Sin?
Are
There Degrees of Sin? – “It’s clear that we have
different degrees of sin when we consider the warnings of Scripture.”
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Maintaining Spiritual Health throughout Life
Maintaining Spiritual Health throughout Life – “Maintaining
our personal relationship with the Lord, walking in steadfast moral obedience
to Him and actively serving Him all require ongoing attention and effort. If we
continue to work at the various areas of our Christian life, we’re able (with
God’s help) to maintain good spiritual health or even improve it.”
Guard the Gospel of God’s Grace
Guard the Gospel of God’s Grace – “In our
vigilance for the truth, we must also strive to grow in grace.”
Sometimes We Must Settle for Peace: Enduring Complexity in Relational Conflict
Sometimes We
Must Settle for Peace: Enduring Complexity in Relational Conflict – “He
would have to leave full justice to God. Sometimes, that’s the best we can do
too in complex situations.”
How and When to Offend
How and When
to Offend – “I want to bring the offense of the
gospel to bear on everyone I encounter...I want my speech and my behavior to
adorn the gospel, and to let its offensive truths do the offending.”
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