We can pray for the impossible. I really don't have any trouble doing that! I don't even mind waiting for a while - and even a while longer - and even a while longer still. I can keep praising God and being hopeful. But then as time multiplies, although I do not give up in any way, it gets harder and harder to be so expectant.
A guess Abraham must have felt the same way waiting for the birth of his long awaited son. I guess Joseph did too languishing in prison. I guess we all do at times when nothing much seems to happen.
So what can we do? God is faithful. He does not change. I have discovered I can continue to praise Him, continue to worship Him for who He is - for His sovereignty - His power - His love - His grace. For who He is! And this is enough for I know that my issues in the hands of such a God will not go unnoticed. He knows. He cares. And He can accomplish anything if it part of His will. So I can rest in trust.
What a great place to be!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Praying for the impossible!
Once you believe you know God's will for a situation - even if it seems impossible - it no longer is. Now it is solely a matter of praying God's idea from the spiritual realm where it is already a reality into our natural realm where it becomes tangible and therefore a reality to us.
We must always start with God's will - not our own ideas no matter how well intentioned they may be - and then begin to pray with the power of the Holy Spirit. In this place Jesus' words, 'If you ask anything in My Name. I will do it'(John 14:14), become a reality.
If we are asking in Jesus Name it obviously has to be for something He has initiated and He would sign His Name to!
'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.' (Luke 11:9)
And when God's timing is perfect, we see the impossible materialize before our eyes.
We must always start with God's will - not our own ideas no matter how well intentioned they may be - and then begin to pray with the power of the Holy Spirit. In this place Jesus' words, 'If you ask anything in My Name. I will do it'(John 14:14), become a reality.
If we are asking in Jesus Name it obviously has to be for something He has initiated and He would sign His Name to!
'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.' (Luke 11:9)
And when God's timing is perfect, we see the impossible materialize before our eyes.
The Impossible!
Don't you love it when something seems impossible?
Especially when it is something God has asked you to do. Why? Because you know you can't do it in your own strength, you know your skills, talents and resources are not enough to achieve it - so it has to be God!
'With God nothing will be impossible' (Luke: 1:37)
Why is this? Because He has the strength, the knowledge, the wisdom and all the resources in the world at His disposal and you are in His family.
If you want to know more about this all-resourceful God I recommend my book KNOW GOD MORE as this is what it is all about. It will build your faith.
Have a wonderful Christmas and My God bless you in a new and surprising way.
Especially when it is something God has asked you to do. Why? Because you know you can't do it in your own strength, you know your skills, talents and resources are not enough to achieve it - so it has to be God!
'With God nothing will be impossible' (Luke: 1:37)
Why is this? Because He has the strength, the knowledge, the wisdom and all the resources in the world at His disposal and you are in His family.
If you want to know more about this all-resourceful God I recommend my book KNOW GOD MORE as this is what it is all about. It will build your faith.
Have a wonderful Christmas and My God bless you in a new and surprising way.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Discernment
How do we grow in discernment?
I prayed for this for years knowing I needed it. Then God showed me this scripture -
'The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart' (Heb 4:12)
I realized the more I hid God's word in my heart through reading and studying the Bible I would be able to tell what was of me (my soul: including my will, emotions and thoughts) and my spirit where God resides and His Holy Spirit speaks to me.
In other words I would be able to tell the difference between my thoughts, Satan's lies and what God was telling me. What a relief!
I prayed for this for years knowing I needed it. Then God showed me this scripture -
'The word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart' (Heb 4:12)
I realized the more I hid God's word in my heart through reading and studying the Bible I would be able to tell what was of me (my soul: including my will, emotions and thoughts) and my spirit where God resides and His Holy Spirit speaks to me.
In other words I would be able to tell the difference between my thoughts, Satan's lies and what God was telling me. What a relief!
Recording God
How do you record what you believe God is saying to you?
Do you keep a journal - a spiritual diary?
Do you write down your prayers with following pages blank to record answers?
A few years ago as part of my journaling I began pausing and waiting in God's presence after laying my praise, concerns and petitions at His feet - to listen quietly.
Within this listening time I write these words at the top of a page -
"Is God saying?"
And then I begin to write down what I think God is saying to me.
Sometimes these times have produced wisdom far beyond my capacity and discernment and have left me wildly surprised.
Sometimes I have wondered if it is God or me who is speaking.
Sometimes I have received clear direction on the path I am to follow.
Sometimes I receive comfort and reassurance about my journey.
It is time and patience that proves the truth or fancy of these messages.
Try it yourself.
Ask God what He is saying to you and then record what you believe He is telling you - then wait for confirmation.
Always remember that whatever God says will always be in agreement with Scripture and His nature.
Do you keep a journal - a spiritual diary?
Do you write down your prayers with following pages blank to record answers?
A few years ago as part of my journaling I began pausing and waiting in God's presence after laying my praise, concerns and petitions at His feet - to listen quietly.
Within this listening time I write these words at the top of a page -
"Is God saying?"
And then I begin to write down what I think God is saying to me.
Sometimes these times have produced wisdom far beyond my capacity and discernment and have left me wildly surprised.
Sometimes I have wondered if it is God or me who is speaking.
Sometimes I have received clear direction on the path I am to follow.
Sometimes I receive comfort and reassurance about my journey.
It is time and patience that proves the truth or fancy of these messages.
Try it yourself.
Ask God what He is saying to you and then record what you believe He is telling you - then wait for confirmation.
Always remember that whatever God says will always be in agreement with Scripture and His nature.
Why Do People Choose Darkness?
Have you ever noticed, ladies, what happens to your face under bright flourescent light?
All my flaws show up bright and sparkling!
Candlelight is so much more kind. It's gentle and tolerant and adds a lulling atmosphere that is so easy to relax in. Candlelit resturants are endlessly more inviting that harshly lit ones and candlelit friendships can be so much more fun.
Yet candlelight doesn't change reality. Once the sun rises we are all exposed.
Spiritually it is no different.
God's light reveals truth that can jerk us back to reality. His motivation is always to restore and heal. Sadly some prefer to hide in their illusions and fantasies. They are afraid of what they must face, afraid and unwilling to do what they know they must do if they allow themselves to be confronted by the truth. And they work hard to avoid this happening. It is all a choice. Yet eventually no one will be able to hold back the dawn.
God has a way of letting His truth be known.
All my flaws show up bright and sparkling!
Candlelight is so much more kind. It's gentle and tolerant and adds a lulling atmosphere that is so easy to relax in. Candlelit resturants are endlessly more inviting that harshly lit ones and candlelit friendships can be so much more fun.
Yet candlelight doesn't change reality. Once the sun rises we are all exposed.
Spiritually it is no different.
God's light reveals truth that can jerk us back to reality. His motivation is always to restore and heal. Sadly some prefer to hide in their illusions and fantasies. They are afraid of what they must face, afraid and unwilling to do what they know they must do if they allow themselves to be confronted by the truth. And they work hard to avoid this happening. It is all a choice. Yet eventually no one will be able to hold back the dawn.
God has a way of letting His truth be known.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Waiting in Anticipation
The waiting attached to any excitng day is always the hardest. I remember waiting to fly to Paris to visit my youngest daughter. Can you imagine anything more exciting!
This kind of waiting is very energizing. It builds excitement, anticipation, strength, resolve, increases planning and preparation. It's amazing what you can organize that has been left to languish for months. And it builds faith.
I wonder if this is how Joshua felt as he approached the Red Sea with all the Israelites in tow? Or how he felt as they marched around the walls of Jericho? And that moment before they burst into shout - I wonder if his heart was almost bursting in anticipation and expectation?
God did not disappoint!
Let your wait achieve its work. Nothing is wasted in God's kingdom.
This kind of waiting is very energizing. It builds excitement, anticipation, strength, resolve, increases planning and preparation. It's amazing what you can organize that has been left to languish for months. And it builds faith.
I wonder if this is how Joshua felt as he approached the Red Sea with all the Israelites in tow? Or how he felt as they marched around the walls of Jericho? And that moment before they burst into shout - I wonder if his heart was almost bursting in anticipation and expectation?
God did not disappoint!
Let your wait achieve its work. Nothing is wasted in God's kingdom.
God's will versus mine
Today is raining - in little bouts with short reliefs inbetween.
The latest short relief gave me enough time to walk along two beaches to my favourite cafe - before the next bounty dribbled from the sky. By then I was sitting in peace drinking hot chocolate hoping for the next reprieve - just long enough to walk back to my car. It doesn't always work ofcourse. It's a little like praying for car parks! The traffic and sadly the weather rarely revolve around my desires or timetable.
However in the spiritual realm this is how God promises to work. He says as we seek Him first and His righteousness He will add everything else. Perhaps it won't include everything we want, or at least everything we think we want, but it will definitely include everything we need to achieve His will in our lives - to achieve His desires.
And this can even include the weather and the traffic if necessary!
So how can we know the difference? How can we develop our capacity to know His desires instead of just wanting our own?
Prayer is the place we can learn to tell the difference. As we listen we can recieve revelation from His heart, we can understand His desires and as we submit to Him they will become ours.
The latest short relief gave me enough time to walk along two beaches to my favourite cafe - before the next bounty dribbled from the sky. By then I was sitting in peace drinking hot chocolate hoping for the next reprieve - just long enough to walk back to my car. It doesn't always work ofcourse. It's a little like praying for car parks! The traffic and sadly the weather rarely revolve around my desires or timetable.
However in the spiritual realm this is how God promises to work. He says as we seek Him first and His righteousness He will add everything else. Perhaps it won't include everything we want, or at least everything we think we want, but it will definitely include everything we need to achieve His will in our lives - to achieve His desires.
And this can even include the weather and the traffic if necessary!
So how can we know the difference? How can we develop our capacity to know His desires instead of just wanting our own?
Prayer is the place we can learn to tell the difference. As we listen we can recieve revelation from His heart, we can understand His desires and as we submit to Him they will become ours.
Effort in Abundance?
Where is our effort in this abundant life? What part do we need to play?
We have to put the nets out and then we have to haul them in - In other words we need to be obedient to everything we believe God is saying to us. So there is still always work to be done. But the difference is that when working with God (and remember God is always working, He never goes on holiday)the strength, resources, in fact everything comes from His warehouses in heaven.
And becasue of this He gets the glory!
He won't share His glory with you or me or anyone else so don't try and snatch a little for yourself. It will turn to dust and run through your fingers.
Yet, when we do things His way, He says His fruit will remain forever!
We have to put the nets out and then we have to haul them in - In other words we need to be obedient to everything we believe God is saying to us. So there is still always work to be done. But the difference is that when working with God (and remember God is always working, He never goes on holiday)the strength, resources, in fact everything comes from His warehouses in heaven.
And becasue of this He gets the glory!
He won't share His glory with you or me or anyone else so don't try and snatch a little for yourself. It will turn to dust and run through your fingers.
Yet, when we do things His way, He says His fruit will remain forever!
Abundant Life
God doesn't want us to pretend because He wants us to enjoy abundant life. And we can't do this if we won't engage in the reality of life.
But what is God's way to this abundant lie?
Obviously when we die we enter into it - but it's for now too.
When considering the story of the disciples fishing it becomes clearer.
Jesus was in Simon's boat preaching and when He had finished Jesus told him to put his nets out again. Simon replied, 'We've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets.' It was no sooner said than done - a huge haul of fish, spraining the nets past capacity.' (Luke 5:5,6Msg).
They had been fishing all night obeying maritime laws, doing everything right, they were experienced, this was their job. But they had been fishing in their own strength and knowledge.
Then Jesus said a 'word'.
His words are miraculously creative. He only had to say a word to create the world, to bring light. His words bring the power for their fulfillment.
The disciples caught so many fish they couldn't haul the nets in alone.
This is God's way when we walk in obedience to His word.
Listen and hear His voice.
Once you have His word - obey - and the abundance will be there.
Truly!
But what is God's way to this abundant lie?
Obviously when we die we enter into it - but it's for now too.
When considering the story of the disciples fishing it becomes clearer.
Jesus was in Simon's boat preaching and when He had finished Jesus told him to put his nets out again. Simon replied, 'We've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets.' It was no sooner said than done - a huge haul of fish, spraining the nets past capacity.' (Luke 5:5,6Msg).
They had been fishing all night obeying maritime laws, doing everything right, they were experienced, this was their job. But they had been fishing in their own strength and knowledge.
Then Jesus said a 'word'.
His words are miraculously creative. He only had to say a word to create the world, to bring light. His words bring the power for their fulfillment.
The disciples caught so many fish they couldn't haul the nets in alone.
This is God's way when we walk in obedience to His word.
Listen and hear His voice.
Once you have His word - obey - and the abundance will be there.
Truly!
Pretense
Pretense builds a wall around you. You may think you are fooling everyone else and even protecting yourself but actually you are the one who is trapped.
Yes, being real does make you vulnerable. But the more you know God the more you will be willing to be vulnerable. Why? Because you will not ony know that He is with you to strengthen you, bring truth, help, guide, protect and deliver you but also that He has the character to know what is right and the power to do it.
If He is like this and does all these things then what does vulnerablitiy on your part matter?
In fact a person without secrets, who is not oversensitive, who takes responsibility for their foibles and doesn't blame everone else is a much stronger person even though they may be vulnerable. So much so that is can actually annoy some people!
Are you up for the challenge? BE REAL! BU!
Yes, being real does make you vulnerable. But the more you know God the more you will be willing to be vulnerable. Why? Because you will not ony know that He is with you to strengthen you, bring truth, help, guide, protect and deliver you but also that He has the character to know what is right and the power to do it.
If He is like this and does all these things then what does vulnerablitiy on your part matter?
In fact a person without secrets, who is not oversensitive, who takes responsibility for their foibles and doesn't blame everone else is a much stronger person even though they may be vulnerable. So much so that is can actually annoy some people!
Are you up for the challenge? BE REAL! BU!
What does repentance look like?
What does repentance really mean?
Is it just confession of your wrong doing? Is it being sorry and doing it again tomorrow? Is it being oh so sorry we have been caught and don't like the consequences?
Repentance is very poorly understood. It simply means turning around - that's turning around 180 degrees away from whatever it is that is offending God and your conscience and what is limiting your life and then walking toward God doing things His way.
Stop fooling yourself! God isn't fooled!
It's time to stop pretending and be real.
Is it just confession of your wrong doing? Is it being sorry and doing it again tomorrow? Is it being oh so sorry we have been caught and don't like the consequences?
Repentance is very poorly understood. It simply means turning around - that's turning around 180 degrees away from whatever it is that is offending God and your conscience and what is limiting your life and then walking toward God doing things His way.
Stop fooling yourself! God isn't fooled!
It's time to stop pretending and be real.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
God's searing passion
To know God more means to enter into His world - His supernatural world -
Where His ways are so vastly different from ours
Where His standards are so much higher
Where His grace is so much wider and deeper
And His love all encompassing
Yet His love is not sentimental. He never winks,laughs or smiles at your sin. He hates it with a furious hatred and He loves you with such a searing holiness and passion that He will never tolerate your sin. Never! Stop thinking He won't mind. He does!
Do you realize that your sin actually causes Him pain?
As God watched all the debauchery, lies, deceit, pompousness and arrogance in Noah's day we are told 'He was grieved in His heart' (Gen 6:6)
It's time to deal with this honestly. It's time to repent!
Where His ways are so vastly different from ours
Where His standards are so much higher
Where His grace is so much wider and deeper
And His love all encompassing
Yet His love is not sentimental. He never winks,laughs or smiles at your sin. He hates it with a furious hatred and He loves you with such a searing holiness and passion that He will never tolerate your sin. Never! Stop thinking He won't mind. He does!
Do you realize that your sin actually causes Him pain?
As God watched all the debauchery, lies, deceit, pompousness and arrogance in Noah's day we are told 'He was grieved in His heart' (Gen 6:6)
It's time to deal with this honestly. It's time to repent!
God Revealing Himself
God often gives us experiences so He can reveal more about Himself. We need to know about Him intimately to have an intimate relationship with Him. It's no good just knowing about Him - in our head - we need to actually know Him in our experience.
It's surprising how many Christians don't! If they did they would not get themselves into the situations they do.
This is why I wrote 'KNOW GOD MORE' - to help people know who the Bible says God is not just who we may like to think He is. This is why there are so many scripture references in the book - so you can check it out!
He is revealed as a loving, outrageously different, sometimes furious, patient, holy, kind, sovereign, gracious and totally surprising God who we really can trust.
I hope you are like me and just yearn to know Him more and more.
It's surprising how many Christians don't! If they did they would not get themselves into the situations they do.
This is why I wrote 'KNOW GOD MORE' - to help people know who the Bible says God is not just who we may like to think He is. This is why there are so many scripture references in the book - so you can check it out!
He is revealed as a loving, outrageously different, sometimes furious, patient, holy, kind, sovereign, gracious and totally surprising God who we really can trust.
I hope you are like me and just yearn to know Him more and more.
Our Creative Father
The beach is calm today and silver grey. Little ripples caress the surface making it resemble crushed velvet.
So peaceful and calm.
Yet underneath there are fish swimming, crabs crawling under rocks and other strange creatures. I discovered gulls had brought a blue eel-like fish to the beach for lunch. One swallowed his catch in successive gulps not wanting to share. I have no idea how he fitted it in - it was sooo loooonnng!
On the beach insects flit and crawl around grains of sand, more gulls glide through the air and human beings walk, run and generally mind their own business or make a nuisance of themselves depending on their personalities.
And God created it all! He is watching it all!
How He must love beauty! He certainly knows how to form it - and has planted it in our heart to seek and enjoy.
There is beauty in almost everything no matter how knarled, old or obscure. It peeps from seemingly impossible places
Seek it and enjoy His handiwork.
So peaceful and calm.
Yet underneath there are fish swimming, crabs crawling under rocks and other strange creatures. I discovered gulls had brought a blue eel-like fish to the beach for lunch. One swallowed his catch in successive gulps not wanting to share. I have no idea how he fitted it in - it was sooo loooonnng!
On the beach insects flit and crawl around grains of sand, more gulls glide through the air and human beings walk, run and generally mind their own business or make a nuisance of themselves depending on their personalities.
And God created it all! He is watching it all!
How He must love beauty! He certainly knows how to form it - and has planted it in our heart to seek and enjoy.
There is beauty in almost everything no matter how knarled, old or obscure. It peeps from seemingly impossible places
Seek it and enjoy His handiwork.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
God Who Makes a Way
The God who makes a way when there is no way is - God my Banner.
How has He made a way for you when the path seemed blocked by ill health, circumstances or evil people?
He can blaze a way down any track no matter how impossible this may seem. Jesus says
'with God all things are possible' (Matt 19:26).
Time and time again a few years ago I kept thinking God was telling me to have an ultrasound. Why? There was no history of breast cancer in my family. But when my next routine mammogram appointment came along I asked for an ultrasound. The mammogram showed nothing but the ultrasound revealed Grade 2 cancer. I was in hospital having surgery within a week.
God had gone before me, being my Banner and made the way straight almost definitely rescuing me from the jaws of death.I was told if it had been left for a year to show up on the next mammogram it probably would have spread!
God is my Banner - He is yours as well!
How has He made a way for you when the path seemed blocked by ill health, circumstances or evil people?
He can blaze a way down any track no matter how impossible this may seem. Jesus says
'with God all things are possible' (Matt 19:26).
Time and time again a few years ago I kept thinking God was telling me to have an ultrasound. Why? There was no history of breast cancer in my family. But when my next routine mammogram appointment came along I asked for an ultrasound. The mammogram showed nothing but the ultrasound revealed Grade 2 cancer. I was in hospital having surgery within a week.
God had gone before me, being my Banner and made the way straight almost definitely rescuing me from the jaws of death.I was told if it had been left for a year to show up on the next mammogram it probably would have spread!
God is my Banner - He is yours as well!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
God as Healer
When I discovered God as my healer I was sick! That was a shame because I hate being sick! But I was - for three long years - with a viral infection that was an inflamation of the brain that I had contracted from getting water in my ear in a swimming pool in Thailand. I collapsed in Singapore and came home to New Zealand dizzy, finding it hard to focus, difficult to move and extremely tired. And I stayed this way day after day, year after year. It was especially difficult because I had three young children to care for.
God told me He would heal me. He gave me scriptural confirmation and I prayed earnestly, beggingly (if there is such a word) everyday, many times a day. But nothing happened! Where was God my Healer who had promised to heal me?
He came in His own time after three years. After my husband had an affair and left us. And in the turmoil and grief and sleepless nights when I should have been getting worse I cried out to Him. "How am I going to cope?"
He said (and to this day I do not know if it was outloud or not), "I shall sustain your health".
God had spoken and within a week in spite of all the pain and grief I was completely healed.
God is my Healer!
God told me He would heal me. He gave me scriptural confirmation and I prayed earnestly, beggingly (if there is such a word) everyday, many times a day. But nothing happened! Where was God my Healer who had promised to heal me?
He came in His own time after three years. After my husband had an affair and left us. And in the turmoil and grief and sleepless nights when I should have been getting worse I cried out to Him. "How am I going to cope?"
He said (and to this day I do not know if it was outloud or not), "I shall sustain your health".
God had spoken and within a week in spite of all the pain and grief I was completely healed.
God is my Healer!
Provided For
When I needed to know God as my Provider I discovered I was in need. Strange that!When you think about it of course there is no other way to discover you have a provider! It's the place of not knowing where your next hot chocolate is coming from, or more importantly if you can provide for your children, or what's around the corner while at the same time knowing you can't cope - not really! Or at least don't feel as though you can. You just don't have the energy let alone anything else!
In this place God steps in. He revealed Himself and, for me, I knew not only that I was not alone but also that I was loved. I had a DADDY in heaven who owned everything and was big and powerful enough to do something. And most amazing of all I discovered He is very generous.
As they say - It's all about who you know!
In this place God steps in. He revealed Himself and, for me, I knew not only that I was not alone but also that I was loved. I had a DADDY in heaven who owned everything and was big and powerful enough to do something. And most amazing of all I discovered He is very generous.
As they say - It's all about who you know!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Peace in action
When I prayed for peace one year, knowing God is the 'God of Peace' (Romans 15:33),I experienced the most tumultous year you can imagine. Yet strangely and surprisingly it was through this hectic, busy, noisy, overwhelming year that God revealed Himself to me as the God of Peace.
I discovered that within chaos, as I sit with Him, walk with Him and talk with Him it is as though I am enveloped in a cloud of His protective Presence, and I experience, I know, peace regardless of my circumstanes.
He has drawn me here endless times even through difficult times such as having breast cancer, radiotherapy, being between homes with nowhere to live - just so many occassions. And the peace is real. It is so deeply ingrained, so deeply felt that it cannot be disturbed. It is solid, comforting and otherworldly because this is what it is. It is God's peace within me - not my peace!
God's ways are so different from ours they never cease to amaze me.
I discovered that within chaos, as I sit with Him, walk with Him and talk with Him it is as though I am enveloped in a cloud of His protective Presence, and I experience, I know, peace regardless of my circumstanes.
He has drawn me here endless times even through difficult times such as having breast cancer, radiotherapy, being between homes with nowhere to live - just so many occassions. And the peace is real. It is so deeply ingrained, so deeply felt that it cannot be disturbed. It is solid, comforting and otherworldly because this is what it is. It is God's peace within me - not my peace!
God's ways are so different from ours they never cease to amaze me.
God's continual revelation
God's continual revelation never ceases to amaze me. For years He has been revealing different aspects of His character to me and not just in words.
Each revelation has been cemented in experience.
Surely this is the only to way to get to know anyone!
Words are good, they can be very helpful and be brimming with truth but do they follow through with action? This is the question! Do they become reality?
Endless people have let me down in this area - seriously! And I believed them!
BUT
I have found God's words do become action - everytime!
Each revelation has been cemented in experience.
Surely this is the only to way to get to know anyone!
Words are good, they can be very helpful and be brimming with truth but do they follow through with action? This is the question! Do they become reality?
Endless people have let me down in this area - seriously! And I believed them!
BUT
I have found God's words do become action - everytime!
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