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My Soul Thirsteth for God

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As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1, 2.

The heart that has once tasted the love of Christ, cries out continually for a deeper draught, and as you impart, you will receive in richer and more abundant measure. Every revelation of God to the soul increases the capacity to know and to love.—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 20.

The cry of Christ to the thirsty soul is still going forth, and it appeals to us with even greater power than to those who heard it in the temple on that last day of the feast. The fountain is open for all. The weary and exhausted ones are offered the refreshing draught of eternal life.—The Desire of Ages, 454.

The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; they are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest, agonizing faith men lay hold upon the mighty arm of power.

True faith and true prayer—how strong they are! They are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith is trusting in God,—believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these.—Gospel Workers, 259.
With God at Dawn p. 204
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Larry, Mike’s dad, who is having knee replacement surgery this morning. Rose
—-Please pray for Ron as he is driving a long way today and the truck he is driving is acting up. He’s been trying be get his boss to fix it but so far it hasn’t been fixed. Rose
—-Please pray for my sister, judith. She is having problems with her sciatic nerve and is in a lot of pain. Jean
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Dear Friends,

Ronnie Jay and I have always enjoyed collecting rocks. On the many hikes we have taken in our lives, we have always stuffed our pockets full of rocks that looked pretty to us. Most of them were worthless, but we liked them. It didn’t matter to us if we didn’t know the name of many of them, we have kept them for years. Before we moved to Kansas Ronnie Jay and I had many more beautiful rocks that we could enjoy collecting.
When Ronnie Jay was twelve or thirteen, he went with some friends on a hike. As they were climbing on some small cliffs, he found a rock that he thought was a frilly, black, fossil of a fern. He was very happy to have found it. When he showed it to my friend Darlene, she smiled and explained that it was not a fern a fern at all. It was a dendritic mineral crystal that is fern-like in its growth. This type of mineral is formed when water rich in manganese flow along the naturally occurring faults and fissures in certain types of rock. It was very pretty, but that did not change the fact that it was not what it appeared to be.

So it is in the Christian life. There are many who look like Christians, act like Christians, and talk like Christians, but their heart is far from our Wonderful Saviour. Jesus, with sadness in His voice, said; “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matt 15:8

“The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matt 13:24-30

How often we are like those servants. We might think we can tell who the tares are and who is the wheat, but only God really knows. Jesus tells us, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” Matt 7:1 Again He explains, “Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24 How many times we judge according to the appearance but later find that we were so wrong. We do not know the heart. We do not know the background of that person. But God takes these things into account when He judges. “The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there.” Ps 87:6

Paul writes, “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” Rom 2:2-11

May we be careful not to judge one another’s motives for only God knows what is in the heart. (1 Sam 16:7) May we make “our calling and election sure” this day. May we lead others to our Righteous Judge, our Saviour is my prayer.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/JHsALkcXBec/my-soul-thirsteth-for-god.html

I Will Meditate in Thy Precepts

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I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalm 119:15, 16.

Thoughts and meditations upon the goodness of God to us would close the avenues of the soul to Satan’s suggestions. God’s love for us is proved daily; yet we are thoughtless of His favors and indifferent to His entreaties. He seeks to impress us with His Spirit of tenderness, His love and forbearance; but we scarcely recognize the marks of His kindness, and have little sense of the lesson of love He desires us to learn. Some, like Haman, forget all God’s favors, because Mordecai is before them and is not disgraced; because their hearts are filled with enmity and hatred, rather than love, the spirit of our dear Redeemer, who gave His precious life for His enemies.

We profess to have the same Father, to be bound for the same immortal home, to enjoy the same solemn faith, and to believe the same testing message; and yet many are at strife with one another like quarrelsome children. Some who are engaged in the same branch of the work are at variance with one another and therefore at variance with the spirit of Christ.—Testimonies for the Church 4:222.

Let the student take the Bible as his guide, and stand like a rock for principle, and he may aspire to any height of attainment. All the philosophies of human nature have led to confusion and shame when God has not been recognized as all in all. But the precious faith inspired of God imparts strength and nobility of character. As His goodness, His mercy, and His love are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will be the perception of truth; higher, holier, the desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought.—Testimonies for the Church 8:322.
With God at Dawn p. 202
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that the people who want to buy my mobile home and some other items, will follow through and actually buy them. Pray also for my dad’s upcoming knee surgery. It is on the 21st. Mike
—-Please pray for Jesse and his wife. He has gone to fight a fire in a neighboring state. Pray also that they will give their hearts completely to the Lord. M
—-asking for prayers for my aunt, who is very sick in the hospital. Kacy
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Dear Friends,

When I was a little girl, I spent most of my time with my grandfather, Edwin Harmon. From the moment he came home from work, until I went to bed, I followed him everywhere. No matter what he did, or where he went, I loved to be with him.

When he sat at the dining room table and made change purses from pungent Moroccan leather, he would help me to make one too. He would also explain how leather was made and how to tell a good quality leather by its smell. I watched him clean fish at the kitchen table whenever he had gone fishing. He used this opportunity to explain anatomy as he pointed out the fish’s still-beating heart and various other organs. When he was very tired from working as a bookbinder all day, he would sit in his blue, overstuffed chair and read. That is, he would read until I came into the room. Then he put his magazine down and tell me wonderful stories of his life in bygone days, or teach me how to make shadow pictures on the wall. When he ate his bedtime snack of aged cheese and crackers or crackers and milk or ketchup and bread, I did as well. I listened to him as he explained how these things were made. No matter what he did, he would explain it to me. I listened intently to his every word.

This is the kind relationship our Heavenly Father yearns to have with us. Our Great Creator desires to spend quality time with us. He wants us to desire to spend our time with Him as well. He longs for us to listen to His voice, to hear our response, to interact with us throughout the day. He desires to have us ask Him anything, to talk with Him about our perplexities, to bring our joys or our sorrows to Him. He promises to walk beside us, to lead and guide us. “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” Isa 48:17; 30:21; Ps 25:8, 9

Jesus bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. . . . If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23 Just before His final moments, Jesus prayed, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 7:24 That close walk can begin today. It is our choice.

May we have as close and loving a relationship with our Dear Father in Heaven as I had with my grandfather. May we read God’s Holy Word and keep what is written therein because we love Him. May we “trust in the LORD with all [our] heart; and lean not unto [our] own understanding. In all [our] ways [may we] acknowledge him, and he shall direct [our] paths.

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/F_2CH5NFJtg/i-will-meditate-in-thy-precepts.html

Blessed Is He that Readeth

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Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is it hand. Revelation 1:3.

When a real love for the Bible is awakened, and the student begins to realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, he will desire to seize upon every opportunity for acquainting himself with God’s Word. Its study will be restricted to no special time or place. And this continuous study is one of the best means of cultivating a love for the Scriptures. Let the student keep his Bible always with him. As you have opportunity, read a text and meditate upon it. While walking the streets, waiting at a railway station, waiting to meet an engagement, improve the opportunity to gain some precious thought from the treasure-house of truth.

The great motive powers of the soul are faith, hope, and love; and it is to these that Bible study, rightly pursued, appeals. The outward beauty of the Bible, the beauty of imagery and expression, is but the setting, as it were, for its real treasure—the beauty of holiness. In its record of the men who walked with God, we may catch glimpses of His glory. In the One “altogether lovely” we behold Him, of whom all beauty of earth and heaven is but a dim reflection…. As the student of the Bible beholds the Redeemer, there is awakened in the soul the mysterious power of faith, adoration, and love. Upon the vision of Christ the gaze is fixed, and the beholder grows into the likeness of that which he adores….

The springs of heavenly peace and joy unsealed in the soul by the words of Inspiration will become a mighty river of influence to bless all who come within its reach.—Education, 191, 192.
With God at Dawn p. 199
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Mary who is losing her sight. Rose
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Dear Friends,

Every evening when I was a child, I would sit on my grandfather’s daybed and listen to the stories that he would tell of his youthful adventures. There were still vast areas of woods and wild animals that roamed the Pennsylvanian countryside in those far-off days. He would tell of the many times that he would wade out into a stream and sleep on large, flat rocks that stuck out above the surface of the water. In this way, he could keep away from the mountain lions that prowled about. I had always lived in Michigan, so some of the things he described were difficult for me to visualize. I had never seen rocks large enough or flat enough to sleep on. One of the places he described was a valley between two mountains. The trains stopped for water there and huge, flat rocks sat in the river that ran along side of the tracks. I listened to the story about this place, but it seemed so unreal.

Eventually, I grew up, got married, and had a child. The story of the sleeping rocks was crowded into a corner of my mind. In the process of time, we moved to Pennsylvania. Some of Grandfather’s stories began to come to my mind. We moved to Tank, a tiny community of five houses. The people of that place said that it was named Tank because the trains used to stop at a water tank to fill the train’s reservoir with water in order to make the steam that the it needed to continue along its way. As we took a walk one day, we saw the remains of that old, crumbling water tank alongside what had been a railroad track. The track ran through this narrow valley in the Nescopeck mountains, right beside a river. As we stood on the bridge looking down into that river I suddenly noticed the large, flat rocks sticking out above the surface of the water. They were, indeed, large enough and flat enough to sleep on. With delight I looked upon the very stones that my grandfather had slept on so long ago. I wanted to stay there forever to feel close to the only person who took time for me when I was a little girl.

In the Bible, God has given us glimpses of a Heavenly Country, a wonderful country, a glorious country. It is hard for us to imagine the wonders and beauties of that place; for “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor 2:9 Holy men of old were pointed to the reward of those who serve our Loving Saviour. John says, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Rev 21:1-5

What a wonderful place to look forward to! Truly, in our Great Creator’s “presence is fullness of joy; at [His] right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Ps 16:11 How happy we will be! God’s Holy Word does not describe a reward where we will be sitting upon a cloud, strumming a harp, bored to death. No! That is what some people have been told so, naturally, they don’t want to go there. Isaiah tells us, We “shall build houses, and inhabit them; and [we] shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. [We] shall not build, and another inhabit; [we] shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock:” Isa 65:21-25 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” Isa 11: 6, 7

Think of it! We shall dwell in that peaceful land throughout all eternity and follow Jesus wherever He goes. (Rev 14:4) We will walk beside the river of life and eat fruit from the tree of life. “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev 22:1-5

With awe, we will see Him in all His majesty and beauty. With joy, we will hear precious truths from His own lips. We will desire nothing better, for we shall have more than our heart can desire and be filled with all love and happiness and peace. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen!

Rose

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/hxa0ezsev3s/blessed-is-he-that-readeth.html

If Two Shall Agree, It Shall Be Done

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Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19.

The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity, and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them.—Testimonies for the Church 5:210.

Strive earnestly for unity. Pray for it, work for it. It will bring spiritual health, elevation of thought, nobility of character, heavenly-mindedness, enabling you to overcome selfishness and evil-surmisings, and to be more than conquerors through Him that loved you, and gave Himself for you. Crucify self; esteem others better than yourselves. Thus you will be brought into oneness with Christ. Before the heavenly universe, and before the church and the world, you will bear unmistakable evidence that you are God’s sons and daughters. God will be glorified in the example that you set.

The world needs to see worked out before it the miracle that binds the hearts of God’s people together in Christian love. It needs to see the Lord’s people sitting together in heavenly places in Christ.—Testimonies for the Church 9:188.

God calls upon His faithful ones, who believe in Him, to talk courage to those who are unbelieving and hopeless. May the Lord help us to help one another, and to prove Him by living faith.—Testimonies for the Church 8:12.
With God at Dawn p. 197
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Prayer Requests
—-My husband may have a leak in his small intestines. Please pray that he does not have to have another surgery. Rachelle
—-Please pray for Jake, Emily, Easton, Trevor, Aubrey and Aspen. M
—-Prayers please for one of my favorite students and his family, as he has started having seizures this spring. We need a miracle! Tanya
—-Please pray for my daughter Jennifer and family. They just got 48 hour eviction notice. She lost her section 8 because miscommunication because of covid and losing her ss for 6 months so now being evicted. She has nowhere to go. Except my camper. Please pray for a miracle. Debra
—-I have an unspoken prayer request. Buck
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Dear Friends,

I have a love/hate relationship with the cell phone! It’s comforting to have one if I have any car trouble because I can call for help. Yet, that is not the primary use for my little device. No matter where I am, by just a press of a button, I can speak with those who are dear to me. Through the cell phone I can find answers to questions as they come to mind. Yet, it can become such a time-waster. It can become a distraction from the important things of life. Still, if I forget my cell phone, I go back and get it whenever possible. Without it, I feel very disconnected and lonely.

So it is with prayer and Bible study. No matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, we can breathe a prayer to our Loving Saviour. No matter where we are, no matter what we are doing, we can meditate upon His Holy Word. Do we feel as disconnected and lonely when we get so busy that we forget to pray or study the Scriptures as I do when I have forgotten my link to hearing my children’s voice? Do we stop whatever we are doing when we realize that we have not kept in contact with the Great King of the Universe?

Think of it! He, who is worshiped and adored by all the beings in His vast universe, longs to hear our voice raised to Him in thanksgiving. He, Who is the ruler of all, is so very near to us that He walks beside us joining us in the joys the sorrows that come our way. He, Who is Omniscient, speaks to us through the Holy Word He inspired holy men to write long years ago. (2 Tim 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:21) He, alone, can help us in our trials, yet, how often we get so busy with our daily life that we forget to study His Word and to “pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17

Just as David, when he watched over his father’s sheep, lifted his voice in prayer and thanksgiving to his Good Shepherd, so will our hearts be united with God’s Great Heart of Love as we keep our mind focused upon Him throughout the day. Just as he was filled with love and gratitude when he meditated upon our Great Creator’s tender watchcare over us, so will we. He declared, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” “The LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.” Ps 5:3; 55:17; 6:8,9

May we daily hear God’s voice speaking to us as we meditate upon His Holy Word. May we bring to Him all of our sorrows, all of our joys, all of our cares, all of our heartaches, (we cannot weary Him) knowing that if we allow Him to, He will untangle the tangled up mess that we have made of our life. May we, like David, exclaim, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Ps 42:1

Rose

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/Tpy0qcJcYOE/if-two-shall-agree-it-shall-be-done.html

Secret Prayer Will Be Answered

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But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6.

Family prayer and public prayer have their place; but it is secret communion with God that sustains the soul-life. It was in the mount with God that Moses beheld the pattern of that wonderful building which was to be the abiding-place of His glory. It is in the mount with God—the secret place of communion—that we are to contemplate His glorious ideal for humanity. Thus we shall be enabled so to fashion our character-building that to us may be fulfilled the promise, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before the throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his peace. All the promises of God’s Word, all the power of divine grace, all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance.—Gospel Workers, 254.

God reads the hidden thoughts. We may pray in secret, and He who sees in secret will hear, and will reward us openly.—Messages to Young People, 247.

We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the vine, we are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine, we have no strength…. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure.—Early Writings, 73.
With God at Dawn p. 196
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Evelyn and her husband. She contracted covid while helping a neighbor who had it. They are elderly so are in more danger of complications or death from it. M
—-Prayers for my friend Peach. Someone has taken her camera and she needs it for her job. She had lots of things on the SD card, hours and hours of work she desperately needs. Prayers that it comes back to her and prayers for peace as she continues with her pregnancy. Jennifer
—-I’m asking for prayers for my sister-in-law Linda. She’s in critical condition & not doing well. Praying for healing… nevertheless, may God’s will be done. Becky
—-Please pray that David will be healed from depression. Buck

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/DUSmlxMRHQU/secret-prayer-will-be-answered.html

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