Leading With God's Fear – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 29th July 2013

LEADING WITH GOD'S FEAR BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
The God of Israel Said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 2 Samuel 23:3

Read:
2 Samuel 23:1-4

(2 Samuel 23:1) Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

(2 Samuel 23:2) The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

(2 Samuel 23:3) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

(2 Samuel 23:4) And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

Open Heavens Message
In Exodus 1:15-21, a Pharoah who did not know Joseph came on board and passed a decree to kill all male Israelites that were born. we see here that ---link--power must be balanced---link--- with fear of God for it to be productive. It occurred to me that if we leave the government of our nation in the hands of someone who lacks the fear of God, we are all bound to pay dearly for it. Even unborn children and many innocent people will suffer for it. This is why we should obey 1 Timothy 2:1-3. Verse 2 of that scripture says we should pray,

''For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty''

That means the level of peace and quiet we experience in our nation is a function of number of quality prayers rendered on behalf of our leaders. Some believers tell you they are not interested in politics. They do not care who rules over them. Yet, they complain of excessive taxation, bribery and corruption, and misrule of such leaders. If you do not pray for those who lead you, then you have lost your right to complain. Beside those in secular government, you must equally prayerfully determine who becomes your next General Overseer, Senior Pastor or Pastor. If the wrong fellow takes up any of these ecclesiastical positions, you will surely suffer. Pray that God will never allow anyone who lacks the fear of God to rule over you. This also applies to the one who you accept to be your husband. If he lacks the fear of God, that home is doomed. Wake up today and start to pray! You would be amazed how much you can achieve through prayer. Your prayer can affect who governs you. Use this power to get the appropriate candidate that will bring joy to and it will be well with you. As a student, you can prayerfully ask for your right teacher, lecturer or supervisor that will be instrumental to your success. Start to ask the Lord for a leader with the fear of God from now on.

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 26-28

Action Point:
A leader who fears God is accountable to God and the people under him or her. Ask that only such leaders will govern your life and nation from now on.

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Secure Your Salvation – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Saturday 27th July 2013

SECURE YOUR SALVATION BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
Memorise:
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16

Read:
Philippians 2:12-16

(Php 2:12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

(Php 2:13)For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(Php 2:14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

(Php 2:15) That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

(Php 2:16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Open Heavens Message
If you are born-again, go further to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, walk in the Spirit. Do everything possible to retain the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Several years ago, I used to preach to my mother to give her life to Jesus, but she would tell me she has been a Christian before she was married to my father. Yet, I would ask her: “Are you really born-again?” When she could no longer stand the pressure, she asked me what I wanted her to do, so I led her to Christ. After this, I was worried about the genuineness of her salvation, so I told God I needed to see the evidence of her conversion especially because she was advanced in age; I wanted God to baptize her with the Holy Spirit before she dies, so that I can be certain she is born-again.

During a visit one afternoon, while praying for God’s help so that she would be baptized with the Holy Spirit that same day, I fell asleep. Two of my daughters visited and met me sleeping, so they went to ask mama whether she had been baptized of the Holy Spirit. They took some time with her and mama received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It was the noise that woke me. Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If you have, are members of you nuclear and extended families saved? If they are, praise God, but don’t stop at that; help them to receive the Holy Spirit. Luke 24:49 says,

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with the power from high”

The presence of the Holy Spirit will be a witness of conversion to Christ as well as make them witnesses of the power of the Gospel according to Romans 8:9 and Acts 1:8. Do not take for granted that you are saved or that your loved ones have given his or her life to Christ, take further steps to secure that salvation by having more of the Spirit of Jess Christ.

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 20-22

Action Point:
If you have not experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit, pray that the Lord will baptize you with His fire. You can also see your pastor to pray with you.

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Don’t Inhibit This Chemistry – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 26th July 2013

DON’T INHIBIT THIS CHEMISTRY BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Abide in, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4

Read:
John 15:1-5

(Joh 15:1)I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

(Joh 15:2)Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and everybranchthat beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

(Joh 15:3)Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

(Joh 15:4)Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Open Heavens Message
To succeed in life and in ministry as a believer, you must understand the relationship that exists between you and the Lord. You need to dully understand your rights, privileges and obligations. Today’s reading tells us that there is a tree-branch relationship between us and the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the tree – the Vine while we are the branches. If all is well with the tree, all will be well with the branches. If the vine is fruitful, the branches, all other things equal.

What passes through the vine also passes through branches. If the vine is fruitful, the branches too will bear fruit. For a branch to be unfruitful, while connected to a fruitful vine is a rarity except the branch is sick or detached from the vine. No branch produces fruit on its own except through the vine. As a believer in Christ, whatever is produced through you – be it physical or spiritual or otherwise is by the power of working in you, which is Jesus Christ.

Once in a while, it is possible for a branch to be sick. According to Psalm 107:17, sin brings affliction. The branch that goes into sin will end in affliction. But when this happens, Psalm 107:20 says as that branch repents, God will send His Word to deliver healing to the sick. Who is that Word? John 1:1,14 says it is none other than the Word that was in the beginning, Who was made flesh – the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, John 6:51 says to live, you must eat of His flesh. Beloved, being a branch of the Vine and a partaker of the flesh and blood of the Lord, you must know that there is a divine chemistry operating in you, which you must never allow sin to inhibit.

While you live free from sin and you take the Holy Communion in faith, John 6:56 says you and Jesus will co-exist in each other. This is a very powerful revelation. If you walk in this revelation, the divine nature becomes manifest in your human nature. Your weakness will be absorbed by His strength. Your limitation will be absorbed by His super-abundance, and you will gradually manifest His person. The chemistry that connects you with Jesus is so profound that you must not allow anything external to inhibit it. As long as your relationship with Him is unbroken, you will be able to access all that God has for you. Guard your link with Jesus jealously.

Bible In One Year:
Deuteronomy 17-19

Action Point:
List 20 things that happen or cannot happen to you knowing that Christ is in you and you are in Him

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Resisting Darkness – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 24th July 2013

RESISTING DARKNESS BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
The light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not john 1:5

Read:
John 1:45

(John 1:45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Open Heavens Message
We are enjoined to arise and shine in Isaiah 60:1. To shine could mean Fulfill your purpose. It could mean Resist darkness. John 1:5 says

“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

You are not saved to fold your arms and be idle, but to resist darkness. Paul fought the good fight of faith and a part of that fight is to resist evil. The more you increase the number of lights around a place, the less darkness you will have there. This is the wisdom in planting churches. The more churches we planted, the more forces of darkness will be driven away.

There was a time in my village that if a well-dressed individual was going there with a car, on arrival at Ife (South-West Nigeria), the fellow would have to park the car, change to a less flamboyant dress and unpolished shoes before heading for the village. On getting home, after greeting them, they may ask how long the visit would be, and then the individual would lie that he would stay for three days whereas he was already preparing to leave. When it is time to leave, if the way to the motor park is to the right, he will follow the left and after going some distance, the fellow would reconnect the road to the park.

Why all that pretense? It was because darkness was thick and prevalent in the area. If they discovered the fellow had achieved something in life, that visit might just be his last visit to the village. But today, things have changed because the light of God has shone over them.

Now, I can even visit in a helicopter and be seen by people, yet no evil is envisaged. If you are a light of this world, you will shine by resisting evil. Every soul you win to the Kingdom further reduces the pressure of sin and death upon the community where you are. Do all it takes to enlarge the coast of the Kingdom because in doing this, you will not only be shining, but also multiplying good in the midst of a dark world.

Bible In One Year
Ecclesiastes 7-9

Action Point:
Go out and win souls into God’s Kingdom and thereafter thank Him for His light that is spreading into those lives and community at large.

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Strike A Balance – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Monday 22nd July 2013

STRIKE A BALANCE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

Read:
Exodus 1:15-21

(Exo 1:15) And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one wasShiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

(Exo 1:16) And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

(Exo 1:17) But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

(Exo 1:18) And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

(Exo 1:19) And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

(Exo 1:20) Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

(Exo 1:21) And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

Open Heavens Message
Earlier, God had promised Abraham that through him, the whole world would be blessed. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Esau, and Jacob had 12 sons. By the time they got to Egypt, they were 70 in number. Thereafter God began to multiply them over a period of time to such an extent that they became a mighty nation within Egypt. The Egyptians however became afraid of them.

After all the Pharoahs that knew about joseph died, one came who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh came up with an evil strategy against the children of Israel. We ought to learn a new few lessons from these events. We know that changes are bound to occur as one government gives way for to another. Some will recognize and represent your interest while some others will not.

Yet, irrespective of the earthly government in power at any given moment, the divine government of the Most High God remains unchangeable. Since this divine government is the highest level of government, it can impose its will on all earthly governments. Therefore to remain relevant at all times, stay connected with the government of heaven.

I once asked God why He decided to hide so many truths in the Book of Exodus, and He replied that the Book of Exodus is the book of rapture. He said just as the children of Israel went en mass from Egypt so will the saints leave the world someday. Are you prepared for this glorious day? Remember there may be no notice other than a reminder like this one you are having now.

Moreover, we also learn how dangerous it is to have power without the fear of God. A man who can order the death of innocent babies is a dangerous fellow, which is why we must pray fervently that from now onwards, anyone without the fear of God will never rule our nations again.

Anyone in government who does not care about preserving the lives of those under him or her has failed in governance. When the righteous are in authority, joy should flood the city, state, or community. But if you claim to be righteous and those under you are in sorrow during your dispensation, you are a shame to the Body of Christ. How is your life bringing joy to others?

Bible In One Year:
Ecclesiastes 4-6

Action Point:
Using Psalm 72:7, pray that during your tenor in ministerial or secular affairs, the righteous will flourish and peace shall abound all through your sphere of influence.

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Mind Your Confession – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Sunday 7th July

MIND YOUR CONFESSION BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Proverbs 6:2

Read:
Numbers 14:26-31
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Numbers 14:26

How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Numbers 14:27

Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28

Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Numbers 14:29

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. Numbers 14:30

But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. Numbers 14:31

Open Heavens Message
Every seed sown has its time to speak. There are situation you may find yourself that only your seed will speak for you. At such a time may your account in heaven be found in credit. Some years ago, I had a friend who was a great support to my ministry. While praying one day, the Lord said, ‘Son, your friend is about to die within the next one week in London: go to him now’ I immediately bought a ticket and went to London to see and pray with my friend. It has been over 14 years since that incident and he is still alive because he had some credit with God. This is why irrespective of what anybody says, you cannot afford to be a bench warmer in God’s house.

Similarly, I had another friend who was also very supportive. Sometime in 1995, he heard in his ear that he should go and put his house in order because he was about to die. When he told me, I laughed it off because I knew I could talk it over with my Daddy that I still needed my friend’s support, being so useful to me. More than 16 years after, he still lives. Do you have a solid deposit with the bank of Heaven that you can draw from today? If not, take steps to build one.

A great lesson to be learnt from the Shunammite woman recorded in 2 Kings 4:18-26 is the need to be careful of what you say especially when going through a trying period. When this woman’s only son died, she was saying ‘All will be well’ and from there graduated to ‘All is well’. And all became well. She did not start to lament over her problem. Be careful with your tongue because it contains the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

Even when good may be coming your way, you can use your tongue to turn it off; your tongue can also become a snare (Proverbs 6:2). No wonder God asked Moses to tell the Israelites that it is what they said into His ears that He will do to them (Numbers 14:28). In those days, when it was difficult for us to make ends meet, I used to tell my wife that things will not continue to be tough for us, and that our tomorrow will be alright. What are you confessing about your tomorrow and today?

Bible In One Year:
1 Timothy 4-6

Action Point
Most of the things that come our way are products of our confession. Stop calling negative things to yourself!




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Like A Dream – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Friday 5th July 2013

LIKE A DREAM BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Psalms 126:1

Read:

Psalms 126:1-4
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Psalms 126:1

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. Psalms 126:2

The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Psalms 126:3

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. Psalms 126:4

Open Heavens Message
Sometimes, when the King of glory pays you a visit, things will happen so fast that you may think that you are dreaming. When Peter had such a visit, he thought he was dreaming. After the angel left him out of prison and finally vanished, that was when he realised it was no dream (Acts 12:1-11). A brother who never believed he could own a car in his life time received a great shocker one day when a relative bought him a car and asked somebody to deliver it to him. He asked: ‘Is this for me?’ the one who brought it said ‘Yes’. 

The man simply turned around and began to walk away. He thought he was dreaming. Psalm 126:1-3 says when God visited His people who were in captivity, their deliverance came like a dream. Then those who were full of sorrow became filled with might and laughter. The truth is: after waiting for long to receive a particular blessing, when the blessing is to come, it will be in a hurry, especially if there is a divine visitation influencing it. In the name of Jesus, your blessing shall come to you like a dream. That good desire that has been denied you for so long will be delivered to you this season. Your blessings are going to locate you in a hurry.

However, you may want to ask: How can I initiate a divine visitation? This can be done through prayer. Acts 12:5 says before Peter’s divine visitation, the church prayed without ceasing. Don’t give up on your prayers! Be persistent until God shows up. Also, high praises in the midst of that unpleasant situation can attract God’s visitation as was the experience of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25-26).

In addition, you can attract God’s visit when you give what nobody else has given. It could be money, time, dedication, etc. This was how Solomon attracted a divine visitation (2 Chronicles 1:6-12). Moreover, you can attract God’s visit by honouring God in different ways, particularly with your first fruits. God says He will honour those who honour Him (1 Samuel 2:30). Are you prepared to honour Him? Go ahead and provoke God’s divine visitation today!

Bible In One Year:

Psalm 37-39

Action Point
Ask that as many as are in various satanic bondages such as prostitution, alcohol, sodomy, drug addiction, masturbation, serial killing, etc. be liberated by the blood of Jesus.



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Little By Little – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Wednesday 3rd July 2013

LITTLE BY LITTLE BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. Ecclesiastes 11:5

Read:

1 Corinthians 10:11-13
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Open Heavens Message
It is good to know the weapons with which to engage the enemy, but this is not enough. It is important to also know the techniques of the enemy so that you will be guided on how to apply the weapons you have. The more I study the devil, the more I am convinced he is a good boxer. In boxing, there are three major types of blow; the jab, the hook and the uppercut. The average boxer aims at hitting the head of his opponent but he may not start there.

He starts with the jabs at the head, while the opponent is dodging these jabs, is stomach is exposed and the boxer capitalizes on this to give the hook on the stomach. If he succeeds in hitting the solar plexus in the stomach, the opponent tilts forward and the boxer gives the uppercut because the head is closer and most likely not protected.

This tells us something about Satan’s modus operandi, particularly in bringing down committed, Heaven-bound Christians. Although his goal is to completely severe the believer from his helper, so that members of the kingdom of darkness can do whatever they like with the fellow, he carries out this plan on a piecemeal basis. To succeed in this plan, the enemy can be very patient. The devil is satisfied with separating you from the vine little by little. As is commonly said, ‘Little drops of water make the mighty ocean’. This is why you must be concerned about your decrease in spiritual matters as little failings lead to a great fall.

If you are gradually accepting Satan’s excuse – it doesn’t matter, know that something is wrong somewhere. If you have moved from no lie to little lies once in a while, you are already heading for a fall. If your bible study has decreased, you are backsliding. If a little anger is now permitted by you, know that great anger is on its way. Never allow the little sins! Never give room for secret sins. No matter the size, sin is ultimately going to separate you from God your Ally. Take steps to know God more, obey Him and have more of Him. Little by little keep making efforts to grow in faith no matter how little effort is each time. Don’t stay at the same spot!

Bible In One Year:

Psalm 31-33

Action Point
People fall little by little and rise little by little. If you don’t want a negative surprise, watch little developments that are taking place in your life.



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You Will Make It! – RCCG Open Heavens Devotional Sunday 2nd July 2013

YOU WILL MAKE IT! BY PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

Memorise:

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2 Corinthians 11:29

Read:

2 Corinthians 11:23-30
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 2 Corinthians 11:23

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 2 Corinthians 11:24

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 2 Corinthians 11:25

In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2 Corinthians 11:26

In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 2 Corinthians 11:27

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:28

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 2 Corinthians 11:29

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 2 Corinthians 11:30

Open Heavens Message
The midwives of Exodus 1 did not fail God over the purpose for which He planted them at the general hospital. If they did not fail God in spite of their trying circumstances, you too will not fail God over His purpose for your life. If there was somebody who should not make, it was Paul. When he was on the side of the devil, he was Satan’s egg and the arrow head of Satan’s rebellion. But from the time he encountered the Lord Jesus, all hell broke loose: he faced all kinds of challenges. What are you going through? Paul has gone through worse situations. He has been exposed to worst kinds of danger – from the weather, men, beast and even so-called fellow believers (false brethren), yet he stood for Christ to the end.

A lesson from the life of Paul simply tells us that in spite of the level of hindrances, diversions, distractions and disturbances that come your way, if you truly want to finish strong, you will. Paul finished his course. By the grace of God, I will finish my course. Satan can use just about anybody including the leader that you so love and trust. If he wants to introduce a major hindrance on your way to finishing your assignment or making Heaven, he will stir up someone you never expected to hurt you to do something to you that will become a permanent hindrance to your progress.

It happened to Paul. Certain believers he thought were together with him set him up; but for the Lord who had been his trust, he would never have recovered. God helped him out and he pushed the incident aside and moved on. Are you a victim of the plans of so brethren? Are you still grieving over your losses and brooding over the pains? Receive grace and forgive them and move forward; if not, you have just terminated your progress and satan and with his demons will celebrate your defeat. Has your leader or leader’s wife offended you? Please forgive, release the fellow and move on. See the fellow and tell him or her how hurt you were by what he or she did, but that God has given you the grace and you have forgiven him or her. Nothing must take Heaven from you. You will finish strong. You will make it.

Bible In One Year:

Psalm 28-30

Action Point
Grace is the antidote to you problems and challenges. Ask God for more grace daily.



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