Lord Lift Me Higher

We Are Free From Condemnation

In these uncertain times, we all face challenges and trials. Scripture tells us that in this world we will have trouble, but be encouraged today because God has overcome the world, and disarmed it of the power to harm us! Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. His ways are higher than our ways, and He has promised to deliver us! Hallelujah!

Many of us feel stuck in our circumstances because we are looking at them from a natural perspective. This natural perspective is limited. It’s small. It’s only a fraction of what’s really going on. But if we’ll rise up to a higher level, we will see things the way God sees them. We’ll understand His purposes and see the way to victory!

Today, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, Jesus is the rock who is high than all your circumstances. When you call on Him, He will be with you. He will deliver you. He will lead you and guide you into the higher places He has prepared for you!

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2, NIV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, today I release every care and concern to You. Father, have Your way in my life with my circumstances and trials. God, have Your way in me. Help me, Jesus, to come up higher in every area of my life with You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

The Blessings Of Heaven

Since covid-19 many have forgotten how blessed they are because of loss, separation and sickness. When you become a follower of Christ, not only do you receive eternal life, but you are blessed with spiritual blessings, no matter the circumstances. Scripture tells us that we are blessed with every blessing in heaven. 

What are the spiritual blessings of heaven? Peace, joy, favour, abundance, grace, and so much more! You are blessed with earthly talents, and you are blessed with many spiritual blessings — most of all peace of mind!

Today, let this sink down into your spirit. God has given you talents, fulfillment, favour and abundance. You are blessed in the city, blessed in the field, blessed when you come and when you go. You are blessed with confidence and assurance that your God will do what He says He will do. Hallelujah! The Almighty will keep you safe and secure during these times. Think about all of the blessings that God has given you, and have a praise break and thank Him today!

“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ.”

(Ephesians 1:3, TLB)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I thank You for richly blessing me during these hard times. Father, help me not to take your blessings for granted. Teach me how to take praise breaks daily at work, at school and at home. God, help me to seek Your favour and live abundantly in Your love and blessings, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Change Your Seed, Change Your Harvest

How to Love the Sinner & Hate the Sin

Have you ever looked at a large, old tree and wondered how long it has been there? It’s amazing to think that at one point, that gigantic tree was merely a tiny seed. In the same way, our words and actions are seeds. As small as they may be, they can grow into massive, gigantic trees of success or failure. Remember, we will always reap a harvest of what we sow. Whether in thought, deed, word or finances. Do unto others what you would like them to do unto you.

In reflection, think about the types of seeds you have been sowing. Are you sowing kindness, encouragement, hope, blessings, and love? Then that’s what you’ll reap in the future. But if you’ve been sowing evil, criticism, judgment and anger, you’re probably already reaping a bad harvest. It’s time to start changing your seed.

Today, I encourage you to pray and ask God to help you uproot any negative seeds you may have planted in the past, those judgemental, critical, negative seeds, and begin sowing good seeds of kindness and love for your future. As you stay obedient to the Word of God, you’ll see those seeds grow. You’ll rise up higher, and enjoy the gigantic harvest of blessing God has promised you.

 “Don’t be misled–you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”

(Galatians 6:7, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, search my heart. Please show me any bad seeds in my life that need to be uprooted before they become gigantic. God, help me, by Your Spirit, to sow good positive seeds for my future. Use me for Your glory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

Get Ready For Your New Beginning

You Should Never Give up on Your Dreams

Living in unprecedented times because of Covid-19 and the rise of the anti-racism protests, gives us a chance to stick a pin, move away from our past, and move into a new future. Are you ready for a new chapter in your life? In order to move forward into the blessing God has for you, you have to be willing to let go of the old. The things that are behind you are not nearly as important as what is out in front of you. It’s time to get ready for the “new”!

Some unfair things may have happened during these strange times, things that you don’t understand; don’t look back, you haven’t come this far to stop now. Instead of allowing those things to hold you back, why don’t you let go and take a step of faith into the new?

Today, as we ease out of lockdown, it’s time to get a new, bigger vision; it’s time to get a new, fresher outlook; it’s time to rise up with a new attitude! Instead of settling where you are, pick up and move forward. Have the attitude that says, “I may not understand it; it may not have been fair, but I am not getting stuck on this page of life. I know God has a new chapter for me–a chapter filled with blessings, favour and victory!”

“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.”

(Luke 5:37, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Father, today I will trust You with my past, present and future, looking beyond lockdown to a new experience with You. God, give me wisdom to discern the seasons of my life, and teach me to embrace the new things You have in store for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

A Brighter Day

With our country and our world going through some dark times, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His truth and righteousness in every situation.

What is righteousness you may ask? Righteousness is simply being in right standing with God. Being in right standing with God happens when you surrender every area of your life to Him, and allow Him to do right things through you. It’s about following His will and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis.

Today, no matter how dark the times, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on you. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you. As you continue pursuing His truth and righteousness, as you continue to make His Word a priority, and not the distractions of the world, you will experience more of Him and His blessings. You’ll experience brighter days as you move forward in the plan He has in store for you!

“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” 

(Proverbs 4:18, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for my life. Father, I desire to be in right standing with You. Show me Your ways and teach me to walk righteously before You. Shine Your light in my heart and eradicate the world’s darkness. God, give me more strength to pursue the path You have in store for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Devoted!

As humans our commitment and our devotion is very short lived. We see that even today with covid-19 still around, we don’t seem to be as devoted to doing the basic things we did a few months ago. The same can be said about race issues, as we get devoted during incidents, but a few months on our commitment to the cause drops off. What are you devoted to in your life? Being devoted to something is simply being loyal by giving of your time, affection and resources.

Many people today are devoted to certain restaurants, television programs and even their cell phones. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but we have to examine our own hearts and see if we are being devoted to God, and to the people He has placed in our lives. Are we devoted to honouring others above ourselves like today’s scripture says? The world’s system says to “look out for number one–yourself,” but God’s system says “look out for others, and I will look out for you.”

Today, as you examine your own heart and life in regards to devotion and commitment, ask the Lord to show you ways that you can honour Him and others. One way is by simply being faithful to your word. Be a person of integrity and honour. Do what you say! As you live your life devoted to one another and honouring others, you are actually honouring God. He will repay you for your kindness and reward you in this life and in eternity!

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

(Romans 12:10, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I want to be a person of honour and integrity. Father, teach me to be devoted to others through my consistent support the way You want me to. God, fill me with Your love and help me to focus on my devotion to eternity. Help me not to be fragile in my devotion to the injustice that affects my community. I bless You and thank You for Your goodness and unwavering devotion in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Get A Bigger Blessing Bucket

Many churches have seen their numbers increase at weekend services, at prayer meetings, and at youth meetings since lockdown. Zoom, Google meets and Facebook have reached more people spiritually than at any other time in the history of the internet. Could it be that God allowed covid because He wants to enlarge our territory and also to increase our capacity?

Trials come to enlarge us and increase us. God has many blessings in store for you! He has favour in your future like you’ve never imagined. He wants to take you places that you’ve never even dreamed. But in order for us to partake of all these blessings, we have to increase our capacity to receive.

You may have heard me say this before, if you have a one gallon bucket and someone has fifty gallons to give you, the problem is not with the supply. The problem is that you don’t have the capacity to receive the fifty gallons. But, if you get rid of that small container and get something larger, then you will be able to receive more. It’s the same way with God. If we think we’ve reached our limits, the problem isn’t that God doesn’t have the resources or the ability. The problem is that our container is too small. So, God will allow trails like covid to stretch us. 

Today, we have to enlarge our vision and make room for the new things God has for us. After covid and lockdown our attitude should be, “yes, the economy is down, but I know God is still on the throne. I know wherever I go His goodness and mercy follows me.” When you have that kind of attitude, you’re increasing your capacity to receive in abundance, so get ready with your bigger blessing bucket, so that you can receive all He has in store for you.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back”¦”

(Isaiah 54:2, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I thank You in advance for giving me abundant blessings. Thank You Father that during Covid-19 you are, and have, increased my capacity to receive from You. God, I let go of limited thinking and old mindsets, and I open myself to everything You have in store for me. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Get Hope, Get Strength

As we protest against racism worldwide, many of us are tired and weary in a struggle that has taken generations. Are you feeling tired or weary? Do you need strength for today and the road ahead? The Scripture tells us that when we hope in the Lord, that’s exactly what we will get–strength! Therefore get hope, get strength! No hope leads to weariness and fatigue!

If you’ve grown weary and tired, overwhelmed by the cares of this world, it’s a clear sign that you need to change what you’re putting your hope in. Are you putting your hope in your job? The government? The economy? Another person? Or worldly organisations? All of these things will keep you focused on earthly things, making you mentally and physically tired. But when you hope in the Lord, you are investing in the Rock of Ages. He never gets weary! He is the only solid foundation for your soul, with a clear plan for your success.

Today, find strength by simply putting your hope in God. Declare out loud, God, I place my hope in You. I trust You are working in my life, even though at times I can’t feel or see You, I will rest in You. Now, feed your hope and faith by meditating daily on the Scriptures. As you renew your mind with the Word of God, you’ll find strength, you’ll find hope, and you’ll find His victory for all the days of your life!

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

(Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for renewing my strength as I put my hope in You. Father, help me to have a spiritual revival, because I’m tired of following earthly human ideologies that focus on secular issues. I declare today that I love You and trust You. I know that You are working in my life and in the life of others. God, please don’t allow me to get so distracted that I lose hope in You. Fill me with Your peace and joy as I wait on You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Trust God During The Delay

What a weekend. Lots of marching, lots of talking, and lots of emotion, and all these are all good. We cannot forget the spiritual element of fighting injustice. You may have been praying and standing on God’s Word for something and haven’t seen the results yet. The Bible has principles of what to do while waiting on the Lord, and how to make a God-given plan and develop faith as you wait.

Scripture says in John 11 verse 6, “When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.” One translation says, “He sat down.” Now, that was the opposite response to what Lazarus’s family was looking for. “Jesus, don’t sit down when we need You the most.” In other words, “God, don’t sit down when I’m fighting racial injustice, when my finances are this low.” “Don’t sit down when my problems are big.” However in the end, God not only healed Lazarus, He raised him from the dead! Hallelujah! You will get frustrated and even angry, but when you deal with God’s way, based upon His Word and prayer, your breakthrough will come even if God has to raise the dead!

Today, your mind may be telling you it’s a waste of time, it’s too late, it’s never going to happen, things will never change. No, you’ve got to know at times there is a God-given reason for the delay. God is planning something greater. You’re thinking of a healing, He is thinking of a resurrection. You may be thinking how I can survive, but God is thinking how you can thrive. Remember, His ways are higher than your ways, and you can trust that He is going to amaze you with His goodness in every area of your life!

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

(Isaiah 55:9, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I choose to trust in You even when I can’t trace You. Father, I trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I release all of my cares and concerns to You, knowing that You have a greater plan in store for me. God, give me the strength to hang in there during the time of delay, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

At Times Like These Create A God File

Watching the memorial service yesterday for George Floyd, I was left thinking about the joint  pandemic of racism and covid-19. It led me to ask this question – when things happen in your life that you don’t plan, do you find yourself trying to reason it all out, or looking for a place to file it all in your mind? What happens when you can’t find a “file” to put it in? What if you can’t make sense of it all?

This may be an answer: create a file in your thinking called an “I Don’t Understand It” file. When things come up that don’t make sense or you can’t figure out, instead of losing hope or becoming confused, simply put it in your “I Don’t Understand It” file and leave it alone by faith.

Today, especially at this time, don’t start moving forward with old frustrations. Don’t carry bitterness into your season of new beginnings. Don’t put a question mark where God has placed a full stop. Trust that He is good. Trust that He is working things out for your good. Keep believing, keep praying, keep hoping for the future. Let go of what didn’t work out and what’s causing you stress, and get ready for the new season God has prepared for you!

“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me.”
(Psalm 131:1, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, right now I surrender my unexplained  questions; I surrender my negative past; I surrender my frustrations; I surrender my need to have all the answers in my “God take care of it” file. God, I trust that You have all the answers, and You will reveal all things in time. Teach me not to stress and worry about world events, because you are still in control, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Meditation Is Part Of The Solution

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14, NIV)

One of the things that will bring you sanity during these chaotic times is meditating, particularly before you start your day, or at the end of the day. To meditate on something simply means to think about it, and let the meaning of it sink deep down into your heart. 

Meditation is a spiritual practice that’s encouraged throughout scripture. The key is to draw on God’s wisdom found in His Word, which is filled with the blessings and benefits of meditating on its principles. For example, meditating on God’s Word will give you spiritual, physical and emotional success. That’s exactly what God told Joshua as Israel got ready to enter the Promised Land.

Today, when everyone is looking for solutions and success, God’s definition of both of these is to know Him better. One way you can do that is to read and understand His Word. Another benefit of meditating on God’s Word is that it will help you keep your heart and mind right before Him, especially in these times. The Bible is like a mirror and a lens that accurately shows you where your heart really is, and how to move forward.

“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” 

(Joshua 1:8, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, You have said that Your Word is living and active. Father, help me have the appetite for meditating on Your Word daily, so I can live and be successful. God, today I pledge to spend time allowing this living Word to search my heart, and make sure I am right before You, moving forward with vision and vigour, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

God Refresh My Soul

During this lockdown because of covid-19, we’ve experience the hottest spring on record. On a hot day after exercise there is nothing more refreshing than having some crisp, cold water to drink when you’re dry, thirsty and tired! It refreshes, restores and revitalises. If quenching your thirst feels so good and invigorating, then imagine just how much better it feels to refresh your spirit and soul when you’re spiritually flat and mundane.

That’s what God had in mind when He stated that He desires for you to come before Him and plug yourself back into His unlimited strength and power. If you stay connected to Him He will refresh your soul, lift you when you’re down, and lead you into victories in your life. Hallelujah!

Today, not only will staying connected with God refresh your soul, the same should be true of your time with other believers who have His Spirit. It will be so exciting when church reopens and followers of Christ gather for worship and praise, it should be uplifting, refreshing and rejuvenating for everyone involved, people should leave the place different than when they came in because of God’s presence.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”

Pray With Me

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for being my shepherd. Father, give me a great desire to seek You daily, and get plugged in and stay plugged in, so my soul can be refreshed and my spirit filled with Your living water, so that I will never thirst again. God, I thank You also for the times I have had with fellow believers, hopefully this will become the norm again as lockdown is eased, and we’ll be able to refresh and uplift each other in ways we cannot know. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

It’s About Your Heart

With covid-19 I’m told that most people don’t even know they’ve had it, or show signs of infection on the outside. When you become a believer in Christ, He begins to work in and through you automatically. Inside, you are becoming a completely new person.

No one else around you may notice the change, at least not immediately, because people usually only see the outside of a person, and what they can see and hear. Sometimes, you yourself may not even see or feel the change. But the fact that you’ve accepted God and His grace, changes you from the inside out, and He is still changing you because you belong to Him. Don’t let people’s negative judgement of you stick or hurt, only God can see your heart.

Today, don’t be discouraged if others around you don’t seem to notice how hard you’re trying, and the work God is doing in your life. Just remember that a life-changing transformation has started on your inside. God sees the difference, He knows what’s inside you, and He is bringing victory to every area of your life. It’s nobody’s business but yours and God’s! Soon the world will know.

“…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

(1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your life-changing power and strength. Father, give me eyes to see myself and others the way You see them, from the inside out. Teach me not to judge others by what I see. God, help me not to get discouraged by what people say about me, because they really don’t know how hard I’m trying and how much You’re working on my inside, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Serenity is a Grace Gift

“This life is not a canvas of serenity dotted with seasons of trial and tribulation, but a canvas of struggle dotted seasons of serenity.” – She Reads Truth

Why do I get this so backwards all the time?

I walk through life seeking peace, happiness, calmness… perfection. Then I get all twisted up in self-righteousness and frustration when it gets hard, because “it’s not supposed to be this way.” Says who? The Bible straight up tells us that this life will not be easy. It tells us to expect the trials, the struggle, the mockery, and then get this… it tells us to rejoice about it.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…” Matthew 5:11-12

I don’t know about you, but I’m not very good at rejoicing in the struggle when I’m in the middle of an anxiety attack or feel like a lost and lonely soul with no community. Instead, it usually goes something like this:

God, You are so good and I will praise you no matter how hard it gets!

*it gets hard*

Oh Father, this is terrible! Why have you done this to me and why won’t you make it stop!?

I find myself in a place where I think I deserve a perfect life and it’s God’s fault for not giving it to me. Something gets twisted in my prideful, self-righteous mind that tells me everything should have gone my way and I should be perfectly happy and peaceful, and God took that away from me. Except that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

We are broken people who live in a broken world. It is cruel, unjust, depraved, and bent out of its intended shape. That means our time here is bound to reflect the brokenness. We’ve been given a canvas that is already ripped and spattered with dirt, blood, and tears. So why do we question when things get messy? It’s bound to happen. Jesus promised it would happen.

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:22 (emphasis mine)

When I step down from my pride-pedestal and humbly lay it at the Father’s feet, I see a new perspective. I see that I never deserved any kind of peace or happiness, because from the moment I was born, I had a sinful nature. As soon as I could speak, I slandered the name of my God. As soon and I could walk, I learned to wander from His Presence. I’ve faltered and stumbled and rebelled so many times, I never deserved to have any of the good things Jesus promises me.

To combine my canvas of a broken and messy life with my track record of sin, I can clearly see that the only thing I deserve in this life is struggle, trial, and temptation. Half of it is the result of my own sin, and the other half is simply the effects of a broken world.

And yet…

that’s not the end of the story.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (emphasis mine)

Now, I can receive the season of serenity as the most beautiful gift of grace. This grace that I could never deserve, given to me just when it feels like the trials will finally take me down. Jesus offers peace. He offers joy. He offers the victory that He has already won for us.

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” – Psalm 139:5

Hallelujah! What a sweet Savior I follow.

He’s preparing the way before me, guarding my back behind me, and walking beside me with His hand of blessing on my head.

So how do we make the leap from seeing seasons of serenity as a gift to rejoicing when we’re back in the midst of the struggle? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. It’s probably more like a series of stumbled baby steps.

But the one thing I know is this: It will end.

This ripped and messy canvas we live in will be restored to its original glory – and then some! Jesus promised to return and redeem us. To defeat the darkness once and for all so that His children may never again be burdened by loneliness, depression, anxiety, poverty, or any other struggle of this world. This is the hope that can carry us through the struggles. This is the reason I can rejoice when life is messy (which let’s be honest, is most of the time). Because I know it WILL GET BETTER.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed… that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
– Romans 8:18-20

Love and Kindness During This Pandemic

Covid-19 has brought out love and kindness in communities around the world. One translation of today’s verse (1Cor 13:4) says, “love looks for a way to be constructive.” In other words, love looks for ways to improve someone else’s life. Not just in word but in action. Love brings out the best in other people. Don’t just get up in the morning and think about yourself, or how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else’s life better.

Ask yourself, “who can I encourage today?” “Who can I build up?” Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. Someone in your live needs food, or a computer. I believe God will hold us responsible for the people He’s put in our lives. He’s counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends.

Today, how will you improve the lives of those around you? Will you give them confidence? Will you bring a smile to someone’s face? Ask the Lord to give you creative ways to invest in those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bring out the best in others, God will send people along your path that will build you up too, and help you move forward into the blessing He has in store for you!

“”¦love is kind”¦”

(1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for loving me and for being kind to me and my family. Father, thank You for believing in me and always building me up. I ask that You show me creative ways to encourage and build up the people around me. God, help me to be an example of Your love today, and always seek to lift the spirits of those I come into contact with during this difficult time, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

Created With Gift And Purpose

62 Reasons Why I Love My Mom

Covid-19 or your sin doesn’t take away your gift or purpose. God created and designed you for a specific purpose. God has placed gifts inside of you to equip you to fulfil your purpose. He knew that covid, disease and sin would be here, but He still blessed us with gifts and purpose. Do you know what your gifts are? What are you passionate about? What can you do better than other people? What would you choose to do if there were no obstacles? God wants you to develop and pursue the gift inside of you, because your gift is a part of your destiny.

The gifts God gives aren’t just for us. He gives us gifts to help build up other people. You have a specific role to play in the body of Christ and your community. That doesn’t mean God’s going to send you to a third world country or make you preach. But, there are people all around you that only you can reach. 

Today, are you using your gifts to build up the kingdom? Are you serving in your local church? Even if you are still discovering what your gifts and purpose are, you can simply take a step and volunteer. Everyone has something to give. You can give a smile, a handshake or an encouraging word. When you step out and serve others, that’s how you develop your gift and move forward in the destiny God has for you!

“Do not neglect your gift”¦”

(1 Timothy 4:14, NIV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, thank You for equipping me with gifts and a purpose to fulfil my destiny. God, thank You for walking with me and guiding me to this point in my life. Thank you that covid-19, disease or sin won’t take away my gifts, purpose or eternal destiny. Lord, please show me ways to develop the gifts You have given me, so that I can be a blessing everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

 

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