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Searching for "death" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "50" to "75". (111 found)

2010-07-08 - Desire's Journey - The Grand Affair (part 5)

God create male and female in his own image - Genesis 1:27
Gender is how we bear the image of God

God does not have a body so it must be at the level of the soul

Men bear the image of God in their dangerous, inviting strength
Women bear the image of God tender and beautiful
God is the source of all masculine power and feminine allure

It is the nature of love to be generous
Married couples long to have children - want others to share in their happiness
There is no joy like a reunion - there is no sorrow like the sorrow of separation

Jesus tells us to not to fear death
Jesus makes a statement at Lazarus' funeral - if we a are his, we will never die - John 11:26
His tears for Martha and Mary and all who suffer loss and our inablility to see beyond it

God is not the God of dead but of the living - Luke 20:38

 



2010-08-23 - Waking Dead - Life to the Full
Christ died for us but he also raised for us
His resurrection was as much for us as his death was

Count yourself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus - Romans 6:11

God made us alive with Christ - Ephesians 2:5

We received our sinful nature from Adam - now we receive a good and holy nature from Christ

God plan is not to just forgive you but restore you
Make a good tree and its fruit will be good - Matthew 12:33
The covenant has two parts: I will give you a new heart and spirit, remove the heart of stone and flesh - Ezekiel 36:26

I have come that they may have life and it to the full - John 10:10


2010-11-10 - Contagious Christian - Dorcas' Service Approach
Dorcas was "always doing good and helping the poor" - Acts 9:36
She well-known for her loving acts of service
She made robes and articles of clothing for widows and other needy people in her town

It was very difficult to see her activity without seeing the love of Christ that inspired
Her work was so important that when she died a premature death, God sent Peter to raise her from the dead

People who take on this approach find it relatively easy to servers others
Often those who are quite and enjoy expressing compassion through action

No one fits perfectly into just one approach and you probably use all of them one way or another
God has designed diversity on His team and each member is stronger in some styles than others

A team of Christians who are made up of different styles will strong because they can reach virtually every type of seeker

2010-11-16 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part I)
Before you can bring the message to others, need to make sure we clearly understand we understand the message ourselves
Making the message clear will need us to be able to illustrate it for those we talk to

God
Three aspects of God we need to look at:
  1. God is loving - Out of compassion He made us and still desires to have a relationship despite our sin against him
  2. God is holy - He is absolutely pure and is separate from everything impure
  3. God is just - He is a perfect judge who will dispense justice to everyone fairly
Us
God made us without sin but we abused our freedom and became evil
Sin requires God to pronounce upon us the death penalty - both physical and spiritual
This is separation from God via hell
We are helpless to change this

Christ
God had the power and authority to devise a plan for our salvation
Christ died and suffered the death penalty debt for us and
  • Expressed the love of God
  • Upheld the holiness of God
  • Satisfied the justice of God
He offered us His forgiveness and friendship
You don't deserve it, we didn't pay for it, we can not earn it

He paid a debt He did not owe
I owned a debt I could not pay

2010-11-18 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part III)
The Bridge Illustration



  • He made us
  • We matter to God
  • He wants to have a relationship with us
  • We rebelled against God
  • Our sins separate us from Him
  • Attempts to reach Him fall short - Romans 3:23
  • Our sins desire death - Romans 6:23
  • There is much trouble apart from God - people need to understand their lostness
  • Christ died so we have relationship restored - 1 Peter 3:18
A common response is to go back and think about it for a while
Other times God has prepared their hearts through someone else
We need to give them this freedom

2010-11-28 - Mission - Baptizing Them
Heaven is a place of continual celebration

God original place for us was to with him in a state of perfection
  • He created us in his own image - Genesis 1:27
  • Satan with sin, drove a wedge between us and God
  • Sin destroyed our relationship with God and one another - Isaiah 59:1-2
  • He grieved that he had made man - Genesis 6:6

God had a radical plan to bring back into a relationship with him and to destroy the power that Satan had over us

To this point, most Bible-believing world would agree

What about baptism?
Marginal matters are not in the Great Commission
Paul included in his list of "seven ones" - Ephesians 4:4-6
We are united in baptism with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus - Romans 6

The master deceiver and father of lies has changed the road signs and send many to spiritual dead ends

2010-11-30 - Mission - Repentance
Both Luke 24 and 2 - message of repentance and forgiveness is mentioned in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus

The message to Preach

1. Repentance

God wants the cross to reveal how disgraceful and disgusting sin is
To motivate us to radical and rapid change
Is there an example of repentance in the Bible that is not radical and rapid?
Repentance is the first and foremost call to change to change our mind (metanoia)

Paul preached they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance with their deeds - Acts 26:20
You can only change your action for a period of time without ever really changing your mind
Change your mind, you will change your action rapidly and radically

Baptism happened rapidly and radically because his heart was ready to change - Acts 8
Would we have have baptized the Ethiopian the same day?
What did Philip see? Unmistakable signs of godly sorrow
As soon as someone has repented, he is ready for baptism

2010-12-20 - Worlds Wisdom vs Gods Wisdom (part II)
Before we go on:  What is the “world’s wisdom”?
  • If you asked a person who is street smart or the person on Wall Street or just a person who watches a lot of TV, what is at the heart of the world’s wisdom about how to live?
    • “Look out for number one.”
    • “Get what you want.”
    • “Get the power, the pleasure, the control you want.”
    • “Get the money.”
    • “Protect yourself.”
    • “Guard your rights.”
    • “Maintain your independence.”
  • And so what is at the center of man’s wisdom? Self! (See 2 Timothy 3:2)

Matthew 16:24-26
  • What is Jesus’ message? How is it the opposite of the world’s message?
    • Deny self– “disown” (Matthew 26:34). We renounce our old self, our old approach to life.
    • Take up the cross (instrument of death). Die to ourselves.
    • Follow Jesus. Make his life our model. Jesus life is a demonstration of his message.
  • What does Jesus say will be the bottom line for those who “save their own lives”? For those who foolishly lose their lives for him?
Final thoughts
  • What is everything on the left side (world’s wisdom) called? Sin.
  • What is everything on the right side (God’s wisdom) called? Love.
  • How have you lived according the world’s wisdom?
  • Have you ever made a decision to renounce it?
  • Which side was Peter still on (though he was religious)?
  • Which side are you on?


2010-12-26 - Saved by Grace through Faith (part II)
Ephesians 2:1-10
  • What condition are we all in? We are dead in sins and transgressions.
  • How much can a dead man do to improve his own condition? What then is the only way we can be saved?
  • What do you learn about God in his passage? His love? His mercy? His grace?
  • What is the condition of receiving what God has done on our behalf?
  • We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is obedient trust in God (James 2:14-18).
  • Here we trust what God has done in Jesus as the grounds of our salvation and commit our lives fully to him. While we can never do enough good works to save ourselves, what are we saved for?
  • Saving faith is “worked out” in ways that bring glory to God and attest to a Christ-centered life.

Romans 3:21-26
  • Having shown that Gentiles (non-Jews) are sinners in Romans 1 and Jews are no better off Romans 2, Paul summarizes his argument here.
  • Is it possible for anyone to be “good enough” to be saved?
  • Illustration: a plane goes down half way between Hawaii and California. Everyone must swim for the coast. Can some swim much further than others? But what eventually happens to them all? So with us, no one’s own efforts are enough. All fall short. So how are we saved?
  • God justifies those who “have faith in Jesus” (v26).
  • Saving faith is not in ourselves but “in his blood”—that is, in the death of Jesus on our behalf (v25).

Titus 3:3-8
  • When we humbly consider our own sinfulness, it becomes obvious that we are saved because of God’s mercy, not because of righteous things we have done.
  • Those who have trusted God for salvation, however, will devote themselves to doing his will.
  • God’s grace is AMAZING! He generously accepts us as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
  • To enter into this saving relationship with God, we must be washed of our sins and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
  • We will look more at the conditions of accepting God’s grace in the coming studies.


2010-12-29 - Baptism into Christ (part I)

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

  • God’s plan to bring salvation to the world culminated in the death, burial and resurrection of his Son,Jesus Christ.
  • This is the heart of the “gospel” or good news about Jesus.
  • Draw picture - Through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is now available.
  • In this study we will look at the Bible’s teaching about baptism, a crucial link between Christ’s sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins.

Acts 2:36-41

  • The first proclamation of the good news of Jesus after his departure.
  • What did Peter instruct those to do who believed the message about Jesus?
  • When do we receive the forgiveness of sins? The Holy Spirit? (More on this later.)
  • Those who accepted this message were baptized, thus they were saved.
  • Let’s look at some passages that describe more fully what takes place in baptism…

Romans 6:1-4

  • In baptism, we are united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection.
  • Through baptism, we die to sin and are raised to a new life.


2010-12-31 - Baptism into Christ (part III)

Sinner’s Prayer? 1 Peter 3:21

  • Some claim that a person needs only to pray a “sinner’s prayer” or “ask Jesus into his/her heart” in order to be saved.
  • This is the predominant view in the evangelical Christian world. However, this is not the message that was preached in the Book of Acts.
  • Everyone was called to repentance, faith and baptism, and as Peter wrote here, “baptism now saves us” by the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Acts 22:7-16

  • After encountering Jesus, repenting, praying, fasting (Acts 9:9-11), being healed, and being called by God,
    Paul remains in sin.
  • What was left for him to do?
  • Why the urgency - what is so pressing about the need for baptism?
  • What remains for you to do or think about before you are ready to be united with Christ in baptism?
Finish picture - The benefits of salvation made available at the cross become real for us when we participate in his death, burial and
resurrection.

2011-01-04 - Holy Spirit (part I)

Acts 2:36-38 - At baptism, we are not only forgiven by Jesus’ death to begin a new life, we are also filled
with the Holy Spirit.

John 3:1-8 - Jesus taught that we must be born again via water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

John 7:37-39 - After Jesus’ glorification (crucifixion, resurrection and ascension), God sent his Spirit to
flow from within us like streams of running water. Previously (Old Testament), the Spirit came upon
people. Now, he dwells within us.

John 16:5-15 - One of the primary roles of the Spirit is to convict us (and the world) with regard to sin,
righteousness, and judgment. He does this in harmony with (though not exclusively through) his Word,
which he gave to the Apostles as they were guided into all truth.



2011-02-16 - Sin and Repentance - Kansas City (part III)

Romans 6:23

  • We deserve death because of our sins but God is willing to forgive us in spite of who we are (God's gift to us)
  • Question: After studying these scriptures, would you say the Bible describes your heart in response to your sin more like the Pharisee or the Sinful woman?

John 3:1-7

  • Question: What did Jesus say MUST happen in order for someone to be born again?
  • Question: We should born of what? Spirtual birth not a physical birth - not being religous but living a righteous life
  • Question: What do we need to have convictions on in order to be born again?

Acts 2:22-24

  • Jesus is God's son (miracles prove it)
  • Jesus died for our (YOUR) sins
  • God raise Jesus on the 3rd day
  • Question: So how should we respond to the fact that our (YOUR) is why Jesus died on the cross?

Acts 2:36-41

  • Repent and be Baptized (wall is removed)
  • Then we can have a relationship with God (what happens at baptism)

Romans 6:1-4

  • Question: What are you baptized into? If you were baptized into Jesus' death, what else does that allow us to have? New Life
  • You can go from the heart of the Pharisee to the heart of the Sinful Woman by understanding the forgiveness through Jesus
  • Encouraged to write a letter to God thanking him for forgiving you of your sins (write the sins out)

 



2011-02-19 - Cross of Christ - Kansas City (part III)
Pain of Not Being Appreciated
Matthew 27:1-31
  • Pilate could have released Jesus but he was more concerned with pleasing people than pleasing God
  • Think of all the people that shouted "crucify him". People who he healed, fed, etc. How do you think Jesus felt?
  • They released a murderer instead of Jesus (many said they believed he was the son of God but still this)
  • Share: Pilate tried to escape responsibility by washing his hands but denying the truth does not remove the sin
  • They beat Jesus again, to the point he did not look human - Isaiah 52:14
  • Question: Why do you think Jesus was still willing to go through this for you? (Because he loves you). He is not even at the cross yet.
Pain of Being Separated from God
Matthew 27:32-54
  • Jesus was beaten so badly that he couldn't even carry his own cross
  • v46 Jesus hung on the cross for hours (slow tortuous death) but yet he screams out loudly 
  • Share: Jesus had never been separated God (since the beginning of time they were united)
  • Share: Once Jesus took on YOUR sin, he was separated from God (Wall of Sin  = Isaiah 59:1-2)


2011-02-20 - Cross of Christ - Kansas City (part IV)
Pain of Bearing our Sin
1 Peter 2:19-25
  • Jesus suffered for you and me because he loves us that much (willing to take our pain)
  • Not only did Jesus bear the physical pain but the emotional and spiritual pain as well.
  • This pain and separation from God was more than he could take (lead to his overwhelming death)
  • Question: How do you feel about the fact that Jesus went through all this for you? How does it make you feel toward Jesus?
  • Question: Did you know that Jesus loved you this much? How does it make you feel toward Jesus?
  • Question: How do you feel about your sin now that you know what Jesus went through?
Our Responsibility Towards the Sin in our Life
2 Corinthians 7:8-13
  • Worldly Sorrow = feel bad because you did wrong and/or got caught doing something
  • Godly Sorrow = repentance, earnestness, eagerness to clear yourself, longing, concern, indignation, alarm, ready to see justice done
  • Share: God wants you to respond by repenting of your sin and showing love to him because he loved you first - 1 John 4:19


2011-03-05 - Jesus is God (part II)
Examples showing the deity of Jesus:
  • Knew Hearts of the Pharisees - Matthew 12:25; Luke 5:22; Luke 6:8; Luke 7:39-40
  • Knew Plot of Judas - John 6:70
  • Knew Problems of his disciples - Luke 9:46-47
  • Knew Sincerity of the one scribe - Mark 12:24
  • Knew Thoughts of the Scribes - Matthew 9:3-4
  • Knew Whereabouts of Nathanael - John 1:48
  • Omnipotent - Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 3:13; John 14:20
  • Omnipotent over Death - Luke 7:14-15; Luke 8:54-56; John 11:4
  • Omnipotent over Demons - Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 8:28-32


2011-06-18 - Mind of Christ - Discipleship (part III)
Christ’s word teaches us about discipleship

Luke 14:25-35

1. Large crowds followed Jesus

2. Jesus has already called them disciples (Luke 9:18,23). Now He says they cannot be His disciples unless they meet this standard. Why does He change? Because before this they had been curious disciples, possibly convinced disciples, but not committed disciples. Now He wants them to go the full measure. We see, then, how the term disciple goes through an evolutionary process during the ministry of Christ, the story of the gospels.

3. The terms of discipleship are all-encompassing.
  • An unrivaled love for God. “We must love Jesus more than any relationship” - Luke 14:26
  • An unceasing death to self. “We must love Jesus more than ourselves” - Luke 14:27
  • An unqualified giving up of everything. “We must love Jesus more than anything” - Luke 14:33
4. The primary teaching of this passage is that discipleship is:
  • More than membership in a crowd of followers.
  • More than curiosity about Jesus.
  • More than being willing to listen to Christ’s words.
  • More than being convinced of Christ divinity.
  • Being committed to Christ so that He is Lord of your life.


2011-07-26 - Mind of Christ - Servant (part II)
The nature of a servant

A. He is emptied of self interest

  • Philippians 2:6-7, 19-22, 24-30
  • A servant does not consider his work of serving as a humiliation. Not ashamed of being thought as inferior. It is his place and work to serve others.
B. He voluntarily humbles himself before others.
  • Philippians 2:6-8 - Humbled himself and became obedient to death
  • Reason we often do not bless others by serving them is that we wish to address them as their superiors in grace or gifts or at least their equals.
  • Matthew 3:14 - John tried to deter his humility
  • Micah 6:8 - LORD require us to walk humbly with our God
  • 1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another


2011-08-01 - Mind of Christ - Servant, Washing Feet (part II)
The washing of the disciples feet was illustrative of Christ’s life and ministry
  • Acts 10:38 - How he went around doing good and healing all
  • Mark 1:29-41, 6:30-56 - Taking care of the needs around him
  • 2 Corinthians 8:9 - Became poor so we could become rich
  • Philippians 2:6-8 - Taking on the nature of a servant
The washing of the disciples feet is illustrative of Christ’s death on the cross.
  • Isaiah 53 - He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows
  • Matthew 20:28 - Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve
  • Galatians 1:4, 2:20 - Gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age
  • Ephesians 5:2, 25 - Gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering
No calling we have received will make us more like Christ than that of being a servant

2011-08-20 - Fearing God - Holy Justice, Holy Mercy
But God does not leave Isiah devastated

We tend to think of justice in a positive sense - child murdered and the community wants to see justice
The murder does not want to see justice

The wages of sin is death - in this sense we don't want to see justice done
God's justice is both holy and perfect
God always wants to give mercy
He can not be lenient and can not violate His own justice

The solution is Christ - he reconciled God's justice and mercy
The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all - Isaiah 53:6


2011-08-29 - Fearing God - A Father's Pain
God uses 3 descriptive words to describe what Abraham is suppose to do - Genesis 22:2
Without perfection, Abraham's test would be similar to Jesus' death

1. Take your only Son

God promised that he would be a father of many nations - Genesis 17:5
Jesus would be a savior of many nations
Jesus was the one and only Son of God - Hebrews 11:17

2. Issac - God given name to him

God named Jesus before he was born - Matthew 1:21

3. Whom you love

This is my Son, whom I love - Matthew 3:17

The difference: Abraham was out of obedience for a loving God
God sacrificed His Son to save an unloving people

God spared Abraham's son but did not spare His own

2011-09-26 - Proverbs on Advice - Seek Help
Proverbs 15:22 - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War.
  • It was the Union’s first decisive victory over the Army of Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee.
  • He had led his forces into the northern states taking an offensive posture in the war.
  • When the Union army followed him into Pennsylvania, he found a spot on the map where several roads joined at an intersection called Gettysburg.
  • General Lee did not know the number of Union soldiers he was facing.
  • These numbers should have been discovered and reported by his cavalry leader Jeb Stuart, but he was nowhere to be found.
  • Stuart, without orders from General Lee, had decided to go on a raiding expedition.
  • The cavalry was the eyes of the army. Without the counsel of his cavalry leader Lee was blind.
  • Unprepared, Lee went on to lose the battle at Gettysburg. It was just the victory Lincoln had been looking for

Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls but many advisers make victory sure.

In the life of a disciple we need eyes all around us (we are in a spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood but against the dark forces of this world).
  1. We need our cavalry “brothers & sisters” giving us advice and counsel
  2. They tell us where the enemy is and how strong his forces are.
  3. They help equip us to do battle with the enemy.
  4. They fortify us when we’re lacking in zeal
  5. We need these people in our lives.

Five lessons to learn about advice...

1. Seek Advice

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death

Proverbs 18:15  - The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, the ears of the wise seek it out

If we were going to buy a car for the 1st time, most of us would seek a lot of advice.
  • We would ask others what kind of interest rate we should look for, how many miles per gallon, the resale value, look at consumer reports, etc…
  • We go to counselors for help (family & career), therapist, on and on
Question: Why do we seek out spiritual help in our lives like we do in so many other areas?

If we need help in other areas (that’s good) surely our spiritual life is more important because it has an eternal destination (good or bad)
  • We need to find people who are spiritually mature and gone through such experiences in life
  • These men and women can give us godly advice that will help us mature spiritually
Discipling relationship isn’t just a good idea it’s one key to our spiritual victory

2011-10-05 - Genesis 5 - Genealogies (part I)

Summary

Adam's line was: Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Observations

Genesis 5:2 - He created them male and female and blessed them
It has always been God's intention to bless each and every one of us. And we do have many blessings!! But do we see them? We can not be grateful toward God unless we step back and look at all the great things he has done for us.

Genesis 5:22 - Enoch walked with God 300 years
Through the family line which is described here, God stops the pattern of listing the names of children and ages of important events to mention   Enoch's walk with God. Because of the obvious age limitations we have today, It was a walk longer than we will ever see with God on this earth - probably greater than 4 times. Can you imagine the faith and persistence he must have had?

Genesis 5:24 - then he was no more, because God took him away
Enoch did not see death but rather he was taken up to heaven. Along with Elijah [2 Kings 2:11], they were are the only two mentioned in the Bible to have gone directly to see him. How and why this happened, I am not sure but it does show God felt these relationship were very special to Him.

Personal Application

The challenge for me is simple: To finish the race [Acts 20:24] with great faith and perseverance. But not just to get by but to have a relationship with God that shines before others. When people talk about me, do they stop and mention my relationship with God like the Bible does with Enoch? What does God say about my faith?



2011-10-07 - Genesis 7 - The Flood (part II)

Summary

Noah and his family went into the ark with two of each creature. It rained for forty days and forty nights and the earth was covered.

Observations

Genesis 7:1 - I have found you righteous in this generation
Of all the people, God considered Noah the most righteous among his generation. God knows our thoughts [1 Chronicles 28:9] , motives, and sees our actions. What has God found us to be?

Genesis 7:16 - Then the LORD shut him in
In the end, it is God's call when things should start and end. It was God who decided what to close the ark's door and He shut the door. Same is true for either our death or judgement day. God will call the shots. Now is the time where we call the shots. To either follow him or not.

Genesis 7:20 - covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet
Assuming mount Everst (29,029 feet) existed back in these time, the flood was quite deep. Nothing could have survived that much water. Even if you limit your focus to just earth - God's power is tough to comprehend.

Genesis 7:23 - Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out
Besides Noah, his family, and the animals on the boat, every living creature was killed. Sometime thoughts enter our minds that there is some kind of gray area between good and evil where we can live our lives. On that day, there were only those inside the boat and those outside of the boat. No one lived in the middle.

Personal Application

I need to look for what I see as gray areas in my life. When I am neither hot nor cold [Revelation 3:16], I am not aware of where I am.



2011-10-19 - Genesis 19 - Sodom is destroyed

Summary

Angels took Lot out of Sodom. The city was destroyed by fire and Lot's wife was turned to salt. His daughters had children for him.

Observations

Genesis 19:14 - But his sons-in-law thought he was joking
What fatal mistake?!? When Lot urged his son-in-law to leave the city, they did not take him seriously. Lot was urgent, they were laid back. It cost them their lives. There are times to joke around but not in life and death situations. What are we not taking serious that we should? What are the cost(s) if we don't start taking these things seriously?

Genesis 19:22 - I cannot do anything until you reach it
God is love and love is patiently waiting on us to change. There is a time for judgement but God is holding on us to turn to him. Here God was holding back just long enough for Lot to leave the area before destroying it. One of the many ways God relates this idea to us is in the parable of the weeds. He explains that we grow among weeds and he tolerates the weeds only because of the harvest. Once the harvest comes, the wheat is harvested and the weeds are thrown into a fiery furnace [Matthew 13:42].

Personal Application

By nature, I am a jokester. I have love to laugh - there is a time for everything. I need to learn how to take the important things seriously. When I hear a call from God to repent, not sure my immediate reaction is to change. I make excuses about doing things in the near future or lie to myself that I am doing OK. The costs are too great not to hear and obey the call.



2011-12-02 - Guarding Your Heart (part I)
Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.

We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
  • Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
  • Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
  • Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
  • Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
  • Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
  • 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak


2011-12-11 - Day 8 - The Hope of Glory
1 Corinthians 15:19
  1. Why does your hope in Christ go beyond this earthly life?
  2. Why are we as Christians to be pitied if there is no eternal life?
1 Corinthians 15:42-58
  1. What is the mystery Paul tells us (vs.51)?
  2. Why do we normally fear death - and why should we no longer be afraid of dying?
  3. Why should we work for the Lord? What will happen when we give ourselves completely?
  Colossians 3:1-4
  1. When were you raised with Christ?
  2. What should you be thinking about from now on?
  3. What things should you stop thinking about so much?
Application: Think for a while about what heaven will be like. And don't forget to thank God every day for the opportunity to go to heaven!

2012-01-22 - Ministry - With Jesus, You Will Not Stand Alone
John 8: 1-11

Compromising circumstances were not sufficient evidence, as the Jewish law required witnesses who had seen the act. Imagine what this woman felt in the midst of an angry crowd eager to trap Jesus, she was caught in the act of adultery! She was humiliated and alone. The incident was staged to trap Jesus since the Romans did not allow the Jews to carry out death sentences. So if Jesus had said to stone her, he could have been in conflict with the Romans. If he had said no to stone her, he could have been accused of not being supportive of the law.

So Jesus started to write on the ground, we could only imagine what he wrote, it could have been the list of sins. Then without disagreeing with the law he gave them a qualification to cast the first stone, it was whoever was without sin instead of whoever is without the sin of adultery. As Christians, even though we know that God sees all sins the same, we categorize sin and fall in to Satan's trap of self-righteousness. We forget that deceit, bitterness, envy and anger are just as bad as sexual immorality or murder.

Jesus showed the woman compassion, mercy and also commanded her to leave her life of sin. We can only imagine the woman's sense of relief and gratitude. Her life will never be the same again. At the worst point of your life Jesus stood up for you, instead of letting you be condemned.

Questions:
  • What are three areas of your life that you need to be shown compassion and mercy in?
  • Do you extend compassion and mercy to others who struggle in the same areas?


2012-02-09 - Ministry - Jesus Stayed Focused Amidst Challenges
Matthew 14:13-21

How do you respond to bad news? Do you get angry? Faithless? Hard hearted? Self-piteous? When John the Baptist's disciples came to Jesus to tell him that his predecessor and cousin had been beheaded (Mt.14: 12) Jesus "withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." When Jesus withdrew it wasn't to indulge in his emotions, but to call on his Father in heaven for the strength to handle pressure. Jesus didn't withdraw to escape the demands of the ministry. His dependence on God made it possible for him to deal with pain and still meet the needs of those around him. "Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (Mt.14: 14)
It's a temptation for me - when I am feeling all the pressures from my life - to place limits on how much I love and serve others. Even though Jesus had just received news of his cousin's death, he didn't get irritated with the demands of the crowds. He healed their sick, then fed them. He didn't "send them away", as his disciples had suggested earlier. If we want to have impact like Jesus did, we must treasure our solitary time with God so that we can remain focused of the needs of others.

At some point today or this week, you are going to be confronted with a challenge to give when you really do not want to. You may have to stay up late, get up early, or give in an uncomfortable, inconvenient way. Respond with a spiritual perspective. Respond with compassion.

2012-02-11 - Ministry - Even While Suffering
John 19:17-27

As we read the passage, particularly v25-27, it is compelling the even in the throes of pain, Jesus is taking care of his relationships. It would have been easy for him to neglect this as he was busying suffering and dying. It is easy for us as we are in transition spiritually or physically to forget to care of our relationships. This can really hurt people make them feel as though we do not care. Why did not Jesus take care of all of this earlier? Why did he get this done before everything got more harried? The scriptures are silent on this but maybe Jesus wanted to see which of his followers
would remain near the cross right up until the end. Mary, formerly without her husband Joseph and now, witnessing the death of her eldest son, was sure to be hurting. Jesus saw in John the compassion and love that He knew his own mother really needed. I think he also knew that John would be for her the closest thing to her own son, Jesus. It is convicting about how much Jesus considered and thought about relationships, even while suffering on the cross.

Questions/Followup
  • Are you building and growing relationships?
  • Are they deepening through openness, prayer, and discipleship?
  • Pray for at least three people you want to build a deeper relationship with. Pray for them.


2012-02-27 - Fear of Failure - God Encourages Those Who Fail
by Yvonne San Juan - Ministry Intern: San Francisco Church of Christ

1 Kings 19:1-9

Elijah felt like a complete failure. He was tired of running, alone, and so discouraged that he preferred death. Elijah had just been a part of a great victory where God demonstrated his power to the people and they saw rain for the first time in many years. He faced a new challenge as the Queen wanted to kill him, and he ran away. God didn't let Elijah fail; he encouraged Elijah with food and rest. God reminded him there were others that were faithful to God and Elijah was not alone. God enabled Elijah to keep on going when Elijah felt like he had had enough. Through failure, I have learned to call to God in prayer, and to be completely honest with Him, just like Elijah. I have also decided to be completely open about my struggles with my friends, and to not go through my failures alone. Also, reading about godly people who have failed in the Bible has given me hope and encouragement during the hard times that when I fail, God still loves me.

2012-10-14 - Prayer of the Righeous - Carrying Me
Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates Jesus comfort he want to provide
He carries his lamb close to his heart - Isaiah 40:11

God's journey toward us:
  • He runs through the fields
  • He crawls on his knees to pick us up
  • He throws open his arms to forgive
  • He carries us home in his arms

Arms of comfort

At Lazarus' death, the angels tenderly bring him to God - Luke 16:19-22

A child who is not regularly cuddled is deeply damaged

As a mother conforms her child, so I will comfort you - Isaiah 66:13

Sometimes we doubt and ours lives are frantic and full of activities and without the peace of God
God promises to take hold of the hands of kings - Isaiah 45:1
...and his people - Isaiah 42:6

Mary and Martha - Martha was too busy with the details of life to spend time with Jesus - Luke 10
She missed the peace that passes understanding
Time in prayer is time when we can quiet our anxious soul

Be still my soul and know that I am God - Psalms 46:10
God will give us rest - Matthew 11:28



2013-01-25 - Prayer of the Righeous - God is a Consuming Fire (part III)

When we pray, let us give God the respect he deserves

A holy God requires us to be righteous

  • David cried out to God and praised him but he cherished sin in his heart and God did not listen - Psalms 66:16-20
  • Israelites tried to attack Ai, but they failed because God did not bless because Achan took some devoted things - Joshua 7:1-5
    • Joshua fell face down before God
    • God explained why they were not being blessed and that they need to destory the devoted things
  • People prayed during the three year famine - 2 Samuel
    • God responded that the Israelites had violated their pledge of putting the Gibeonites to death
    • God expected them to keep their word even through it was made hundreds of years eariler in Joshua 9
    • David made admens and God did ended the famine - 2 Samuel 21:4

All the prayer in the world will not get through to God if it is not uttered from a pure heart

 



2013-09-06 - Consistency through Consecration

Consecration, which means to clean something up and then dedicate it to God.

Cleansing your life and home from any stumbling blocks or evil influences and then presenting yourself and your family into God’s hands.

If there are influences in your home that dishonor God or are pulling you or your family members away from God, you should seriously consider removing them.

King Hezekiah rose to the throne after the death of Ahaz,
He threw out man-made idols and reestablished the worship of God as the centerpiece of his leadership - 2 Chronicles 29:5-6

  • Where sin has crept into your life - repent
  • Where bitterness has taken root in your heart - forgive
  • Where lies have been woven into the script - seek truth
  • Where traditions have taken precedence - start fresh
  • Where problems have tried to steal and malign - pray
  • Where hindrances are piling up - consecrate and dedicate your family to God

There is nothing greater, more fulfilling, or more important than living with this goal in mind.



2014-03-18 - Teach Them to Fear the Lord (part II)

The fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil - Proverbs 16:6

How one may avoid the snares of death - Proverbs 14:2

Fear of the Lord causes our other fears to go away

  • Wisdom, counsel, and understanding begin with the fear of the Lord - Proverbs 8:14
  • Wealth, honor, and fruitfulness follow the fear the Lord - Proverbs 8:17-19
  • The fruits of humility and a proper hatred of pride and evil from this fear - Proverbs 8:13

How blessed is the man who fears the LORD - Psalms 112:1-2

Prayerfully ask God to help us develop a strong fear of the Lord

Training them to fear the Lord sets them up to live with incredible wisdom and success:

  • He is omniscient and always watching them - Proverbs 15:3
  • They will reap what they sow - Galatians 6:7
  • He will judge them one day - Romans 14:12
  • He is a great rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and obey Him - Hebrews 11:6


2015-03-08 - Approach to Life

Living means living for Christ - Philippians 1:21

Death is near the top of most people's list of fears

Death for the believers is nothing more than moving on to new location

Paul faced the distinct possiblity of death but there is no hint of fear in his letter

He knew

  • If he lived, could continue his work
  • If he died, he would simply move to his new location in heaven - Phippians 1:21-24

Paul couldn't decide which of the options he preferred

Paul never forgot God superinteneded everything that happened to him

When you live free from the fear of death or life, you will never have to worry about what lies ahead.

 



2015-03-25 - Hope

Jeremiah: Great is his faithfullness and his mercies begin afresh each morning - Lamentations 3:22-24

He surveyed th ruins of the once great city of Jerusalem

Jeremiah saw death and destruction all around and felt a pain we can only imagine

He found it within himslef to speak to his one Source of hope

Jeremaih recognized God had granted him life and could hope for better things from the hand of his heavenly Father

Where do you place your hope when you or loved ones encounter pain and difficulty?



2015-03-29 - Peer Pressue

Micaiah replied, "As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say" - 1 Kings 22:13-14

King Rahab reluctantly called for Micaiah, who was in prision at the time

He was pressured to to agree with his other prophets, aka "yes" men

Micaiah courageously refused and told the truth from God - The battle would mean Ahab's humiliation and death

He refused to drive off the edge of the "cliff" and instead set an example of faithfulness in the face of pressure



2015-04-13 - True Friend

Jonathan loved David as he loved himself - 1 Samuel 20:17

God appointed David as Saul's successor 

This made King Saul jealous and he made serveral attempts on David's life

Jonathon stood up for his friend David - warning and encourging him whenever his father sought to harm David

Jonathan would normally had ascended to the throne after his father's death

How was it possible that Jonathan, who should have been the most mad about the appointment of David, was the one who helped his replacement?

Jonathan loved David as he loved himself - he sacrificed himself for his friend

Do you have a friend like Jonathan? Are you a friend like Jonathan?

Who is a good candidate for a Jonathan-David friendship? What would it take for you to develop such a relationship?



2015-04-19 - Loyalty

Ittai: I will go wherever my lord the goes, no matter what happens - 2 Samuel 15:21

He was one of 600 Gittites who were natives of Gath

They accompanied KIng David out of Jeruslem as they fled Absalom

Ittai vowed that he, his men, and their familes would follow the depoed king wherever he went even if it meant death

Following King David meant trading the safety and comfort of Jerusalem for the dangers of the dessert

Ittai followed and remain loyal to David and he richlly rewarded Ittai for it

David made Ittai command of 1/3 of Israel's army - 2 Samuel 18

God blesses your loyality to Jesus Christ

In what ways can you demonstracte that loyalty this week?



2015-05-02 - Passion for Justice

I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil -  1 Kings 21:20

Elijah courageously and steadfastly pronouned judgement on Ahab who conspired to have Naboth stoned to death

Ahab misused his position as king and Elijah confronted him face to face

Elijah had a passionate sense of commitment to God's justice

When he saw a terrible wrong commited to an innocent man, he could not stand by and do nothing

Are you willing to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves?



2015-05-11 - Shining Lamp

Full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God - Acts 7:55

Nothing prompts change likea man's courage in the face of potential personal loss. Stephen had that kind of courage.

Religous leaders hoped persecuting Christians would put a stop to this new religious movement, exactly the opposite happened

Stephen willingly died for what he believed in and he contributed greatly to the spread of the gospel message

At the scene of Stephen's murder stood a young Pharisee named Saul - the same Saul God miraculously converted

Stephen's courage and faith in the face of death apparently made a lasting impression

Pauls bold preaching would change the world forever - Acts 22:19-20

Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. Is your lamp shining today?



2015-05-28 - Contrary to Popular Opinion

Leaders plotted to kill Zechariah and King Joash order that they stone him to death - 2 Chronicles 24:21

Sometimes we must stand against even the strongest public opinion

Zechariah encourages Joash and the people to return to the LOrd and warned them of the consequences of their idolity

You have abandoned the Lord, and now he has abandoned you! - 2 Chronicles 24:21

That wasn't what the king or his subjects wanted to hear

Zechariah paid with his life for his willingness to buck public opinion



2015-05-30 - Passion for God's Word

He taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accurcy - Acts 18:25

Apollos loved to teach the Word of God in the synagogues 

His limitation  was he did not fully understand the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection

He finally received understanding from Aquila and Priscilla and from then on, Apollos cound not stop

He moved to Corinth to be with Paul and some of the believers credited him with starting the church - 1 Corinthians 1

Apollos became a great teacher and preacher because he had the passion for God's Word that all men of God need



2015-07-05 - Bottomline Wisdom

My final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

There is in hte heart of every man a God-shaped void

Solomon had it all, but he eventually concluded that those things were not enough - which amounted to exactly nothing

His life was empty

Solomon asked God for wisdom and became the wisest man who ever lived

Despite God's warnings, Solomon drifted from the Lord and turned to other gods

Without God, life amounts to nothing but birth, lots of hard work, and death

When you make Jesus Christ central to everything, even everyday events have meaning and significance



2015-08-06 - Hearing God

What are you doing here, Elijah? - 1 Kings 19:13

With all the noise life makes, it can be difficult to hear God

Although he had preached and performed miracles, the people refused to listen Elijah

Elijah had death threats and was hiding in a cave in fear and despair - desperately needing to hear from God

God wanted to speak to Elijah:

  1. Told Elijah to come out the cave
  2. A windstorm arose
  3. A earthquake
  4. A fire

All were forerunners of the rela deal was to follow - then Elijah heard God's voice and poured out his broken heart and then just listened

Can you hear God above life' everyday noise?

 



2015-08-07 - Bonds of Friendship

My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death - Mark 14:33-34

Jesus had 12 disciples but among them he had 3 who he called friends and had a special bond with Jesus - Peter, James, and John

The trio only was present at:

  • Transfiguration when Jesus revealed his glory - Matthew 17
  • When Jesus raised the daughter of a synagigue leader from the dead - Mark 5
  • Gethsemane when Jesus faced his night of anguish and pain - Mark 14

It later had a far reaching effect:

  • Peter founded and led the churchin Jerusalem
  • John wrote a gospel and four other book of the Bible

Peter, James, and John enjoyed a special relationship with Jesus and it helped make the biggest impact for Christ in the world



2015-08-11 - The Spin

Amos is hatching a plot against you right - Amos 7:10

In an attempt to quiet Amos and his message, Amaziah accused him of treason against Israel

Amzaiah had put his own spin on Amos' words about the death of Jeroboam and Zechariah

Some will always attempt to spin the words and actions of godly people and their unpopular message

Amos knew he was preaching an unpopular message and Amaziah would go to great lengths to stop him



2015-08-29 - Real Men Do Cry

Then Jesus wept... "See how much he loved him!" - John 11:35-36

Jesus was never afraid to show his emotions

He knew how the saga of Lazarus' death would end that day and the people would winess a spectacular miracle - yet he cried as he approached his firend's tomb

Reason for tears?

  • Felt other pain
  • Death had invaded his friend's lives
  • Disappointment from their lack of faith

Jesus was perfect in love, holiness, and his ability to express emotion



2015-09-07 - Breaking Barriers

We are akk here waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you - Acts 10:33

People tend to honor those who first do something of note

Roman military officer Cornelius broke a few barriers of his own when place his faith in Jesus

When Peter visited Cornelius, the apostle explained everything to him and he accepted his words

They saw that God intended salvation through Jesus for the Jews and Gentiles - Acts 10:44-45

Jesus' death and resurrection broken down the long standing barrier between God and man and between the Jews and Gentiles



2015-09-30 - To Go Ahead

I have fought the good fight, I  have finished the race - 2 Timothy 4:7

Paul contemplated his own end, he knew:

  • The futility of trying to earn God's favor
  • Faithful service would prepare him for God's staggering blessings
  • He had remained faithful to his calling
  • What lay ahead of him beyond the executioner's sword

He felt at peace with his imminent death and did not see his life as his own - 2 Timthoy 4:6

Nothing in this life can compare with what awaits you in heaven as a follower of Jesus Christ



2015-10-26 - Message Make the Man

While I was with you I would forget everything expcet Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:2

People who encoutered Paul understood what was most important to him: Christ sin-defeating death and grave-defeating life

He spent most of his life observing the Jewish laws and traditions but now everything was about Christ

Paul made it a point to forget everything else besides Christ:

  • Impressive Education
  • Impeccable religious pedigree
  • Personal wisdom

Paul had more education and experiences more than anyone but chose to focus on one simple message of faith and love

Does your life convey the simple message that Jesus loves them?



2015-11-01 - Secure in Love

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love - Romans 8:38

Through difficult times we are tempted to think God must really hate me

Some have the misguided idea of the relationship between difficulties and God's love

Paul opposed such thinking through his suffering that most of us can not imagine

He never saw his suffering as an occasion to doubt God's love for him

Can anything ever separate us?

  • Trouble
  • Calamity
  • Persecution
  • Hunger
  • Danger
  • Threatened with death

No! Despite these things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ - Romans 8:37



2015-11-07 - Right Now

So he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel - 2 Samuel 15:6

David forgave and reinstated Absalom after murdering his brother

In his desire to have what he wanted right now, he lost everything

After David welcomed him back, Absalom began to plotting to kill his father so he could take the throne of Israel

He beagan his treason by first winning the people's hearts and minds

Absalom temporarly succeeded but in the end David's troops defeated him and he died a painful death

Despite of Absalom's talents, leadership skills, and potential, his impatience messed up his chance at greatness

  • No sons
  • No legacy of godly leadership
  • A stone memorial he built for himself - 2 Samuel 18:18

 



2015-11-14 - No Middle Man

I have always been faithful, single-minded, always doing what pleases you - 2 Kings 20:2-3

Hezehiah had been deathly ill for some time and was setting all his affairs in order because his illness was terminal - 2 Kings 2:1

Isaiah had a special connection to God and it would be tempting to plead his case directly with Isaiah

When Isaiah told Hezehiah he was about to die, he went to his private place of prayer and talked directly to the Lord

Hezehiah didn't ask to extend his life but reminded God he had been a good and faithful servant

God decided to extend Hezehiah's life

Hezehiah's willingness to straingth to God saved his his life



2015-11-18 - Rise to the Occasion

He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus's body - Luke 23:52

Joseph rose to the occasion as a member of the Jewish council

He was a "good and rigteous man" who kept his discipleship a secret our of fear of his fellow council members

Somehow he had the courage to approach Pilate and get permission to remove Jesus' body from the cross so that he could be buried

Joseph rolled a large stone against the tomb to protect Jesus' body from vandals and grave robbers

The newly emboldened Joseph extended to Christ the honor due to him in death



2015-11-29 - Stop Doubting

I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands - John 20:25

Thomas rallied his fellow disciples to follow Jesus into Judea, "Let's go and die with Jesus" - John 11:16

The days following Jesus' death, Thomas was spiritually drained and refused to believe Jesus was alive while others had seen him

After eight days, his Master appeared to him - "Put your finger here and look at my hands" - John 20:27

In his joy at finally seeing the resurrected Jesus - "My Lord and my God!" - John 20:28



2015-12-09 - Don't Miss Your Chance

You missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram - 2 Chronicles 16:7

Like so many kings of Judah, Asa started out doing good things for his kingdom

Prophet Azariah: The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! - 2 Chronicles 15:2

Asa trusted and obey God at first but later he failed by relying on humans instead of God

He showed his true colors when he entered into an agreement with Syria to stand against Israel

Asa refusal to rely solely on God contributed to his death

He developed a foot disease - he went to his doctors rather than first seeking God's help - 2 Chronicles 16:12

Where do you turn in yout times of need?



2018-02-15 - Plain Truth

The people were shocked at the plainness of Jesus' words

Had he been silent or pretended to ignore matters he was fully aware of - he would have been a liar like the men with whom he was struggling

Was it not the duty of Jesus to inform them of their condition? What else could a sincere friend do?

There was no bitterness in Jesus' language? It was calm statements of a horrible fact

Jesus' unquestion loyalty to truth gives his words a value which no other person's words possess

Jesus holds nothing back - what is thinks, he says - what he feels, he declares

He declares all things as they are

This is the man we want. A man like this can be a refuge in the time of a storm

What he assers concerning the principles of a victorious life, we can act upon, never doubting

When he tells us to do something, we can do it knowing it is the best thing

When he warns us against a course of action, we can shun it, knowning that in that direction lies death



2020-01-20 - Trust - A matter of perpective

"Trust in God" can seem easy at times but when trouble hits, justice seems dead and love seems to vanish, many are appalled nature's "heartlessness" and "indifference"
And came to the conculsion that God either does not know or does not care

Jesus saw these same situations as evidences of God's love, his long-suffering patience, and willing to allow the lost to find him
Century after century, God has sent the world prophets, apostles, heros and saints to proclaim the message of heaven to bewildered and sinful man

Countless people trusted God only to discover when evil fotune came, that trust was not as strong enough to stand the shock

Trust shapes perpective

Many things can blot out our trust in God:

  • Disappointment
  • A dream that has come to nothing
  • Central ambition may fail
  • Persecution
  • Misunderstanding/misrepresentation of men
  • Overcome with failure

Jesus had all of the dark experiences it is possible to have

He has a message to commicate that would drive away gloom and woe the world to him

Jesus trust was unbroken despite many rejections and even his own men forsaking him

His death appeared to be a heart-breaking failure, but rather a victorious outcome for us
 



2020-03-21 - Friendly with the Rich and Powerful too

Jesus was best know being friendly to the poor, bad and sick but he was also was a brother to the rich and powerful too - He was a brother to every man

There was more said about the Bible about the poor than they rich because Jesus was able to nearer to the poor than the rich:

  • Rich men are always inaccessible
  • Rich men always surround themselves with barriers

Jesus was as friendly to Nicodemus as he was to the poor woman at the well

He was as brotherly to  Zaccheus as he was to the poor beggar in Jerusalem

When Jesus went to be baptized, John would not do it because it was for the sinner but the good. Jesus wanted to participate because he wanted to be counted amoung men.

Jesus knowing the other side and he could help but tell them something about the great God in world they were living

The rich man in the parable of Dives and Lazarus: the rich man did not go to hell because of his fine clothes or riches - it because of his heart- not tender; sympathy did not go out to a brother's need

Abraham was rich and went to heaven because he had a brotherly heart

Jesus was too brotherly for people to understand

Jesus - If I can not help them with my life, I will help them with my death



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