Author: Jim

Adultery

Image result for adultery and divorce

The Bible talks about Divorce and Adultery 33 times, 15 times in the Old Testament and 18 times in the New. Just what is Adultery?

definition: voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse

Adultery is mentioned in Exodus 1 time – Leviticus 1 time – Deuteronomy 1 time – Proverbs 1time – Jeremiah 6 times – Ezekiel 2 times and Hosea 3 times.

The Bible uses Adultery as the physical act and Spiritual act of worshipping other gods.
Exodus 20:14  ⇨  1st Occurrence   7th Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.  
Leviticus 20:10  ⇨  Definition of Adultery
And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Adultery is mentioned in Romans 2 times and Galatians 1 time.

Paul writes to the Gentiles:
Romans 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

It is also mentioned in Matthew 5 times – Mark 3 times – Luke 2 times – John 2 times – James 1 time – 2 Peter 1 time and Revelation 1 time.

The Disciples wrote to the Jews:
Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mark 10:11-12 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Mark 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Luke 18:20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
John 8:3-4 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.|
James 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

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The Problem with Christians

"The Problem With Christians Nowadays Is...." - Faithlife ...

Salvation is a Gift (from God) Ephesians 2:8-9
It comes with many benefits:
Redeemed –Romans 3:24
Justified –Romans 5:1
Reconciled –Romans 5:10
No Condemnation –Romans 8:1
Glorified –Romans 8:30
Sanctified –1 Corinthians 6:11
Regenerated –Titus 3:5
Adopted –Ephesians 1:5
Under Grace –2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 2:8
Complete (in Him) –Colossians 2:10
Indwelt by the Father –Ephesians 4:6
Indwelt by the Son –Colossians 1:27
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit –Romans 8:9-11

So what’s the Problem with Christians? (BOOSN) Even though God through Christ gives us all the above we still have a problem because we Bring Our Own Sin Nature! Even though we become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we still have the old man (Romans 7:17-19), our old sin nature. As long as we have it, it’s going to try to control us.

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ARK of the Covenant Part 2

How was the ARK to be used:

It was used to lead the Jews into the promise land by going before them (Joshua 3, 4, 6).
It was used in leading them in battle to remind them God was with them (1 Samuel 4)

Fate of the Lost Ark Revealed? - HISTORY
Where was it to be kept:

Instructions as to where it would be kept:
Exodus 26:33-34 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

What became of the ARK …

Last mentioned in 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
Last prophecy is in Jeremiah 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

What did John see:

Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Today believers don’t need the ARK, the Lord Jesus is all we need.

The ARK of the Covenant will reappear during the TRIBULATION!

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Paul’s Missionary Journeys Part 3

We embarked on a ship hailing from Adramyttium, bound for the Asian ports, and set sail. On the following day we put in at Sidon [3], where Julius treated Paul most considerately by allowing him to visit his friends and accept their hospitality. From Sidon we put to sea again and sailed to leeward of Cyprus [4], since the wind was against us. Then, when we had crossed the gulf that lies off the coasts of Cilicia [5] and Pamphylia [6], we arrived at Myra [7] in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put us aboard her. For several days we beat slowly up to windward and only just succeeded in arriving off Cnidus [8]. Then, since the wind was still blowing against us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, and rounded Cape Salmone [9]. Coasting along with difficulty we came to a place called Fair Havens [10], near which is the city of Lasea.

(In spite of Paul’s warnings, the ship continued on its way) …… the majority were in favour of setting sail again in the hope of reaching Phoenix [11] and wintering there. Phoenix is a harbour in Crete, facing south-west and north-west. So, when a moderate breeze sprang up, thinking they had obtained just what they wanted, they weighed anchor, and coasted along, hugging the shores of Crete. But before long a terrific gale, which they called a north-easter, swept down upon us from the land. The ship was caught by it and since she could not be brought up into the wind we had to let her fall off and run before it. Then, running under the lee of a small island called Clauda [12], we managed with some difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. After hoisting it aboard they used cables to brace the ship. To add to the difficulties they were afraid all the time of drifting on to the Syrtis banks [13], so they shortened sail and lay to, drifting. (The writer of Acts then describes the terrible storm which finally casts them up alive on the shore of Malta) …. On the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were drifting in the Adriatic [14], about midnight the sailors sensed that we were nearing land.

After our escape we discovered that the island was called Melita [15]. (Paul’s stay on Malta is described) It was no less than three months later that we set sail in an Alexandrian ship which had wintered in the island. We put in at Syracuse [16] and stayed there three days, and from there we tacked round to Rhegium [17]. A day later the south wind sprang up and we sailed to Puteoli [18], reaching it in only two days. There we found some of the brothers and they begged us to stay a week with them, and so we finally came to Rome.

The brothers there had heard about us and came out from the city to meet us, as far as the Market of Appius [19] and the Three Taverns [20]. When we reached Rome [21] Paul was given permission to live alone with the soldier who was guarding him (where he stayed for at least two years after which he was either executed or released).

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Paul’s Missionary Journeys Part 2

General view of Paul’s Journeys

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Concluded; The Return to Jerusalem c AD 58

Taken from Acts 20:3b-12; 21:15 – Then (after staying in Greece [6]) when he (Paul) was on the point of setting sail for Syria the Jews made a further plot against him and he decided to make his way back (by land) through Macedonia [7]. His companions on the journey were Sopater a Beroean, two Thessalonians, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and two Asians. This party proceeded to Troas to await us there while we sailed from Philippi [8] after the days of unleavened bread. and joined them five days later at Troas [9], where we spent a week.

(At Troas, Paul’s lengthy teaching almost leads to the death of a young man Eutychus who goes to asleep and falls out of window!)

Meanwhile we had gone aboard the ship and sailed on ahead for Assos, intending to pick up Paul there since he himself had planned to go overland. When he met us on our arrival at Assos [10] we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene [11]. We sailed from there and arrived off the coast of Chios [12] the next day. On the day following we crossed to Samos [13], and the day after that we reached Miletus [14]. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus with the idea of spending as little time as possible in Asia. He hoped, if it should prove possible, to reach Jerusalem in time for the day of Pentecost.

(At Miletus he sent to Ephesus to summon the elders of the Church. On their arrival he addressed them. What saddened them most of all was his saying that they would never see his face gain.)

When we had finally said farewell to them we set sail, running a straight course to Cos [15], and the next day we went to Rhodes [16] and from there to Patara [17]. Here we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, and we went aboard her and set sail. After sighting Cyprus [18] and leaving it on our left we sailed to Syria and put in at Tyre [19], since that was where the ship was to discharge her cargo. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them for a week (the disciples warn Paul not to go up to Jerusalem). We sailed away from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais [20]. We greeted the brothers there and stayed with them for just one day. On the following day we left and proceeded to Caesarea [21] and there we went to stay at the house of Philip the evangelist (again he is warned of the dangers of returning to Jerualem). After this we made our preparations and went up to Jerusalem [22].

Taken from Acts 27:12 – 28:31 – (two years after Paul’s original arrest in Jerusalem [1] and his journey to Caesarea [2], Paul and some other prisoners were put in charge of a centurion named Julius.)

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Getting to Heaven is Easy Part 2

Your status after you believe …

Ephesians 1:11-14 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Things to quit doing …

Colossians 3:7-9 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

How to Live the Christian life …

Colossians 3:10-17 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.


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Believer’s Status Part 2   

What will we do with the Rewards
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Marriage of the Lamb
Revelation 19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Second Coming
Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Armageddon
Revelation 19:17-19 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
To Become a believer:
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-13

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David & Goliath Part 6

Image result for gods help

We need help in our Battles

Read the story found in 1 Samuel 17. (Have you gone thru the David & Goliath series 1-5? If not, review them first).
David had selected 5 smooth stones as he went to face Goliath and his 4 brothers. BIG PROBLEMS.
1 Sam 17:46 is the Key verse in the story of David and Goliath. “…that all the earth may knowth there is a GOD in Israel.” Always give God the glory.
David (with God’s help) defeated Goliath.
2 Samuel 21:15-22 is a summation of the Philistine wars. David won’t have to face all the Big Problems, he gets help from others.
We also need help in our Spiritual Battles – can’t always face them alone-
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

God’s word is our strength for victory.
1 Timothy 4:11-16 These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Near the end of David’s life he wrote the song (Psalm) in 2 Samuel 22 and also Psalm 18. He gives all the glory to God!

The Key to a successful (VICTORUS) Christian life – Know God’s word.
2 Timothy 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Here’s a list of Question to ask yourself (with scriptural answers):
  • How do I get to Heaven? John 14:6, Romans 10:9-13
  • I Believe there’s a God, am I a sinner? Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23
  • Won’t doing my best (obeying the law) get me saved? Ephesians 2:8-9
  • How do I receive Jesus as my Savior? John 1:12, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:13
  • How much do I owe God? Romans 5:8, Romans 12:2
  • How do I know God will forgive my sin? Romans 5:8, 1 John 1:9
  • What does God want me to do? Psalm 100, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
  • How do I know I will live for God? Psalm 23, John 14:1-3
  • How can I avoid temptation? Proverbs 3:6, 1 Corintians 10:13
  • Is it wrong to worry? Philippians 4:6
  • How do I know my life will be different? 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • How do I know God wrote the Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:21
  • Why did God write the Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16
  • Is it important to study the Bible? 2 Timothy 2:15

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David & Goliath Part 5

Follow thru to VICTORY

Read the story found in 1 Samuel 17.
(Have you gone thru the David & Goliath series 1-4? If not, review them first).
Lessons learned thus far:

  1. We all face Giants (Goliath).
  2. God has called us to Stand.
  3. Be yourself (be imitators of God).
  4. Chose your weapons well.

The last lesson we are drawing upon: FOLLOW THRU
(17:28) David could have backed down when his own brothers rebuked him.
(17:30) David could have backed down when the Israel army rebuked him.
(17:33) David could have backed down when King Saul tried to talk him out of it.
(17:38-39) David could have backed down when King Saul’s armor didn’t Fit.
Then David steps (alone) onto the Battle Field, FACE TO FACE WITH GOLIATH.

Image result for david faces goliath


v 41 even here, would anyone blame David for backing down, turning tail and running? Could anyone blame him or even accuse him?
v 42 Goliath distained him… (Christians are despised, distained by the world. If you’re a Christian and the world doesn’t despise, distain you, YOU’VE got problems).
1 John 3:13 Marvel not if the world hate you
John 15:19 You’re not of this world
John 17:14 … the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world…
Paul tells of how the world treated him (1 Cor 4:13-14) and in (1 Cor 1:27-28 we find God choosing things which are despised: foolish things, weak things, base things, things which are despised of the world.
v 43-44 Goliath puts his contempt to words,
v 45 David voices his stand for GOD. When you stand for God, you have no one to fear.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso ever putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Matt 10:28)
David was trusting in the LORD. He took one look at those weapons and called upon GOD.
v 46-47 Goliath had had his say and now David gives his version.
(remember the hymn Trust and Obey? “When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word what a glory he sheds on our way. While we do his good will he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey“).
v 48-50 THE FIGHT. David prevails. Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
But did David stop here? He had knocked down the Giant. NO, he FOLLOWED THRU.
v 51 He finished the battle, he killed the giant. He cut off his head.

When God calls us to a work, (1 Thes 5:24) He wants us to follow thru (Phil 2:12-13).
All it takes to FOLLOW THRU with God is TRUST, FAITH and OBEDIENCE. When God is with you (and He always is) YOU can have VICTORY.

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David & Goliath Part 4

Chose Your Weapons Well

Read the story found in 1 Samuel 17.
David has arrived at the battle to deliver a care package to his older brothers. He has seen the giant challenge Israel and even more God. He has decided that he will defend the challenge to (and honor of) God.
v 37 …and Saul said unto David “Go, and the Lord be with thee’.
King Saul wants to be part of this fight so he offers his armor and weapons to David. (Saul’s Pride) (of course he didn’t go to the fight).
v 38, 39 David tries his armor and arms and decides to use his own trusted weapons.
Remember WE are in a spiritual battle also. We need to be spiritually armed. Compare David’s weapons to our weapons.

David’s list of weapons:

1. A Staff
Image result for shepherd's staff

This testified that David was a shepherd. Our first weapon has got to be a good testimony. If we don’t have a testimony of salvation then we aren’t even in the battle, in fact we are on the other side. If our testimony is poor we will be like David’s brothers.

2. Stones, second in the list (see more later)
3. A shepherd’s bag
Image result for davids shepherd’s bag

This is where a shepherd carries all his valuables, his food. Without this pouch he’s have to carry everything in his hands and would have difficulty in defending himself. Our third weapon. This pouch is likened to our hearts. Here is where we store all things of value.

4. A sling
Image result for the staff of david and goliath

This is a very valuable weapon, it gives him the ability to reach out and slay the enemy. (Judges 20:16 illustrates how accurate these weapons are). Our forth weapon is our Bible, a two edged sword, a weapon to reach out.
Yes, David had his weapons. He had chosen them well. He knew how to use them and he was ready to meet his foe. Are your weapons ready to meet your foe?
What about weapon number 2? The stones v 40 …and chose five smooth stones.
Why smooth? (Round) they fly truer
Why 5 stones? He only needed one to fell the giant. Lack of trust? Nay, Goliath had 4 brothers (2 Sam 22:15-22) and David was prepared for them.

Image result for Goliath had 4 brothers

These stones became projectiles, they are what made the ling dangerous, without the stones the sling was a useless weapon, an empty threat. These stones are to David what Bible Verses are to Christians. The devil doesn’t care if you own a Bible, or 6 Bibles as long as you don’t use it. If you don’t know what your Bible teaches it as useless as a sling without a stone.

Let’s give names to these 5 stones:
1 ⟶ SALVATION: first you have to have it (Romans 10:9-13) and second you have to know you are saved (1 John 5:13, John 20:31).
2 ⟶ Forgiveness of Sin: How many Christians walk around depressed, defeated, because they have sinned! Get forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and live like it.
3 ⟶ Know His eternal presence: He is always with us. (Mathew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)
4 ⟶ Know His concern: He loves us and wants our best. (Romans 8:31-39)
5 ⟶ He wants us to be winners (Soul). Share your faith (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 24-26)

Paul says it best in Ephesians 6:11-17: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
It is a daily spiritual Battle. We need to stand, in the strength of the LORD, and He has provided the weapons.

Remember, you are already in the Battle.
The only question is, which side?

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