June 1, 2021 (Tuesday)
Our Thoughts
“Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
– 1 Peter 1:13-16
Memory Verse: “Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:13)
A discipline of our thoughts and desires is very difficult. We should not let evil and negative thoughts control our heart. We should create a good path that our thoughts may follow. By thinking about hopeful things, we create a path that leads to hope. The Spirit will help us. The Spirit will expand our minds. We will be able to see greater things.
Lord, may your Spirit guide my thoughts. Amen.
June 2, 2021 (Wednesday)
God’s Love
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”
– Roman 5:6-8
Memory Verse: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)
Christ sacrificed his life not for the godly but for the ungodly. This is God’s love. God showed the true nature of God’s love. It is radically different from human love. Human love is often a response or a reaction to the attitude of people we love. But God’s love flows from the very nature of who God is. God is love.
Lord, thank you for loving me with your unconditional love. Amen.
June 3, 2021 (Thursday)
Ask, Search, and Knock
“‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
– Luke 11:9-10
Memory Verse: “For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:10)
Asking, searching, and knocking should be our attitude towards life. Every problem we face, every challenge we confront, every situation we encounter, demands us to respond. Let us not back down. Let us ask God to help us. We will know how to respond. God will open the door for us.
Lord, grant me the courage to live my life, asking, searching, and knocking. Amen.
June 4, 2021 (Friday)
God’s Faithfulness
“So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Memory Verse: “So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)
We can never be too confident with ourselves. There may come times when we are tested. When we are tested, we experience our weaknesses. Our confidence loses its power and it cannot help us go through our trials. Let us remember that God is faithful. God will not let us be tested beyond our strength and will provide the way out.
Lord, thank you for being faithful to me. Amen.
June 5, 2021 (Saturday)
Validation
“As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’”
– Mark 12:38-40
Memory Verse: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places.” (Mark 12:38)
Let us build confidence within us with God’s love. Our confidence should come from the fact that God has accepted us. We don’t need to have the desire to show off. We don’t need to prove how important we are. Our importance doesn’t need to be validated by others. We are precious children of God. We are very important to God as we are.
Lord, thank you for accepting me as your child. Amen.
June 6, 2021 (Sunday)
Be Renewed Day By Day
“So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Memory Verse: “Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Let us focus on what cannot be seen. As we get older, we see wrinkles and white hairs. We see our weak body. That is what we see but we don’t see what is going on within us. Let our inner nature be renewed day by day. Let us focus on what is within us. Love, joy, hope, faithfulness, inner passion, humility – these things will never grow old. They are renewed day by day.
Lord, thank you for renewing me day by day. Amen.
June 7, 2021 (Monday)
God’s Consolation
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Memory Verse: “For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)
The more sufferings we experience, the more consolation we receive. Our God is God of consolation. The power of consolation is greater than the power of sufferings that oppress us. We are not afraid of sufferings anymore because we know that there will be consolation. God touches our wounds with his hands and heals them. That is God’s consolation.
Lord, thank you for your consolation. Amen.
June 8, 2021 (Tuesday)
Come To the Light
“‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:14-16
Memory Verse: “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” (Matthew 5:15)
We are called to be the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. When darkness comes and surrounds us, let us not be drowned in the darkness. Let us come to the source of the light, God. God will shine his light upon us and darkness cannot engulf us. Come to the light.
Lord, help me to come to the light whenever darkness surrounds me. Amen.
June 9, 2021 (Wednesday)
Love
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
– Matthew 5:17-2
Memory Verse: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)
The greatest commandment is love, Jesus taught us. The greatest righteousness is love. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill its essence, that is love. Our world is suffering from hatred, violence, intolerance, and prejudice. We need to uphold the importance of love that Jesus showed us through his life. Love is the essence of human life and the necessity of our survival.
Lord, please teach me and fill me with your love. Amen.
June 10, 2021 (Thursday)
Power
“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Memory Verse: “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Power comes from God. God empowers those who believe. We don’t get discouraged when things do not work out as well as we want. It is power not to lose our focus. It is power to persevere. When we follow the truth, we will encounter many oppositions. These oppositions prove that we are doing something that matters. God will give us power to carry out what we believe.
Lord, empower me with your spirit. Amen.
June 11, 2021 (Friday)
Knowing God
“Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”
– Jeremiah 9:23-24
Memory Verse: “Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth.” (Jereimah 9:23)
Knowing Christ is the most important thing in life and everything else is simply rubbish, St. Paul said. Ultimately what remains at the end is knowing God and everything else will disappear. Our goal in life is knowing God and being known by God. When we have that knowledge, we will not be shaken in any circumstances.
Lord, I want to know you. Please show me your way. Amen.
June 12, 2021 (Saturday)
Knowing God
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”
– Matthew 5:33-37
Memory Verse: “Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)
We use our words not only to defend ourselves but also to disguise ourselves. When words become tools to disguise ourselves, we become lost in those lies. Let our words come from our heart. May our words become expression of our heart. Then we will be on the journey to find the truth and the truth will set us free.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen.
June 13, 2021 (Sunday)
Walk By Faith
“So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:6-9
Memory Verse: “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Let us walk by faith, not by sight. When life is dark and therefore we cannot see anything that is ahead of us, our faith will be our light. It will guide us through the darkness. Faith shines brighter in darkness when sight becomes dimmer in darkness. We will be confident when we walk by faith even in times of trouble and crisis.
Lord, I will walk by faith, not by sight. Amen.
June 14, 2021 (Monday)
The True Strength
“We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
– 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
Memory Verse: “(We are treated) as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:10)
How we look to others is not as important as who we really are. Let us build inner character. This will give us strength to persevere through all kinds of situations. When people insult us, don’t let the insult destroy us. Instead of looking strong, let us be strong.
Lord, in you, I find the true strength. Amen.
June 15, 2021 (Tuesday)
Be Perfect Through Love
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
– Matthew 5:43-48
Memory Verse: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
Being perfect does not mean to be flawless. Only love makes us perfect. When we love even our enemies who hate us, we are close to perfection. We don’t decide who to love. Love does not discriminate people we love. God’s grace falls on everyone, both on the good and the evil. That is what God’s love is like. Let us love with God’s love. That love will make us perfect.
Lord, teach me your love. Amen.
June 16, 2021 (Wednesday)
Emmanuel
“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
– Matthew 6:6-8
Memory Verse: “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)
God knows what we need before we ask him. So, we realize that the ultimate purpose of prayer is not to get what we need. The ultimate purpose of prayer is to be with God, talk with God, and enjoy time with God. God sees what is deep within our heart. As we interact with God, God will let us see what is deep within our heart. God will give us the confidence of Emmanuel (God-with-us).
Lord, thank you for always being with me. Amen.
June 17, 2021 (Thursday)
Not To Be Shaken
“For God alone my soul waits in silence;
– Psalm 62:1-2-5-6
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
Memory Verse: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.” (Psalm 62:2)
Let us wait in silence. In stillness, know that God alone is our rock and our fortress. We will not be shaken.
Lord, thank you for being my rock and my fortress. Amen.
June 18, 2021 (Friday)
Treasures
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
– Matthew 6:19-21
Memory Verse: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19)
The more we try to possess, the more we will be anxious. The more we let go of what is important to us in God’s hands, the more we will feel secure. God knows what is important to us and he will take care of it for us. When we leave our children, our health, and our well-being in God’s hands, God will keep them safe. Being generous with those who are in need is to store our wealth in heaven.
Lord, thank you for taking care of what is important to me. Amen.
June 19, 2021 (Saturday)
The Power of Christ
“Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”
– 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Memory Verse: “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Humility is our strength. Our weaknesses make us become humble and through our humility, the power of Christ will dwell in us. But our pride makes us hide our weaknesses. Our pride allows room for our weaknesses to dominate and paralyze us. When we humbly acknowledge our weaknesses before Christ, he will allow his power to dwell within us.
Lord, thank you for your power that dwells within me. Amen.
June 20, 2021 (Sunday)
God Among Us
“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
– Job 38:1-4
‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.”
Memory Verse: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” (Job 38:4)
God is beyond our comprehension. God works among us but we do not perceive it. God is behind us and we do not see him. Even when we feel God’s absence, God is not absent. God is right here with us and takes care of us. Let us trust God even in our most vulnerable moment.
Lord, I praise your greatness. Amen.
June 21, 2021 (Monday)
Judgment
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.”
– Matthew 7:1-5
Memory Verse: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
Judgment blinds our eyes. When we judge others, we become blind to our own faults. It takes away our ability to see ourselves. It takes away the opportunity to grow out of our shortcomings.
Lord, I present myself before you. Please mould me in your image. Amen.
June 22, 2021 (Tuesday)
Appreciation
“‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.”
– Matthew 7:6
Memory Verse: “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.” (Matthew 7:6)
Being able to appreciate what is precious is a special gift. We have learned to take things for granted and we often forget the value of what we have until we lose them. Let us appreciate precious things in our lives: our family, our friendship, health, and peace. More than anything else, let us appreciate God who always loves us and cares for us.
Lord, thank you for all the precious things you have granted in my life. Amen.
June 23, 2021 (Wednesday)
A Good Tree
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.”
– Matthew 7:15-20
Memory Verse: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18)
Fruit does not exist for itself; it exists for others. Our existence that makes other lives abundant is fruitful existence. As we care for other people, God will give us wisdom to help those who are in need. This is a way to become a good tree. Being mindful of others’ needs should be our spiritual discipline.
Lord, help me always to be mindful of the needs of others. Amen.
June 24, 2021 (Thursday)
God’s Righteousness
“Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
– Psalm 85:9-13
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.”
Memory Verse: “Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.” (Psalm 85:9)
For those who seek God’s righteousness, God’s glory will dwell in them. Let us seek God’s righteousness. God’s righteousness will go before us and pave a path for us. Lord will give what is good and our life will be abundantly blessed.
Lord, I seek first your righteousness and your truth. Amen.
June 25, 2021 (Friday)
Desire of Our Heart
“The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
– Romans 13:12-14
Memory Verse: “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)
Trying to gratify desires of the flesh is foolish because we can never achieve full gratification. As we pursue gratification of the flesh, we become empty and unhappy. Human greed brings about war and death. Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pursue what is right and good. Our heart will find happiness and satisfaction will fill our heart.
Lord, may my heart be filled with your goodness. Amen.
June 26, 2021 (Saturday)
Do Not Judge
“Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will be accountable to God.”
– Romans 14:10-12
Memory Verse: “Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?” (Romans 14:10)
No one is good enough to judge others. When we judge others, we don’t simply see their flaws but we paint them with the flaws they have and despise them. We do not have the ability to see a whole person. Only God can. Let us humbly accept each other.
Lord, fill me with your compassion and mercy. Amen.
June 27, 2021 (Sunday)
Generosity
“Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”
– 2 Corinthians 8:7-9
Memory Verse: “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)
The core of Jesus’ ministry was to be giving. He gave his life to make our life abundant. He came to give us life, life of fulness. There is power hidden in giving. Our giving makes others enriched. In return, we become enriched. That is the economy of salvation.
Lord, help me to live a life of generosity. Amen.
June 28, 2021 (Monday)
Desire of Discipleship
“Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. A scribe then approached and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’”
– Matthew 8:18-22
Memory Verse: “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” (Matthew 8:19)
Our journey is a journey to follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is our desire but the desire alone is not enough. There is a cost to following Jesus. God will give us the strength to overcome hardships that come with discipleship. God will give us the wisdom to know what to do. But if our desire to follow Jesus is genuine, it will not remain simply as desire. God will use our desire to make us a disciple.
Lord, I desire to follow you. Amen.
June 29, 2021 (Tuesday)
Pursue What Is Right
“For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.”
– 1 Peter 2:19-21
Memory Verse: “If you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval.” (1 Peter 2:20)
Suffering for doing what is right is noble. When we suffer for doing what is right, God will give us confidence not to be discouraged. He will give us strength to persevere. This kind of suffering will build character within us. Let us pursue what is right and let us not be discouraged when we face hardships in doing what is right.
Lord, help me to follow your footsteps of the cross. Amen.
June 30, 2021 (Wednesday)
God, My Refuge
“Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
– Psalm 91:9-12
the Most High your dwelling-place,
no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”
Memory Verse: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11)
Let us make God as our refuge. God will send his angels to guard us in everything we do. Let us honor God and do what is good. We will be protected. Seeking God’s righteousness gives us confidence. Let us not try to please mortal human beings. Let us please God who cares for us and protects us.
Lord, thank you for being my refuge. Amen.
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