WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

 

Matthew 5:14

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." NIV

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." KJV

Jesus knew the darkness of the world, that it needed light. If we desire to be like Him, He will give us His light. This light is to be shown by deeds that are pure and consistent with the Christian walk. Through our actions, others will know if we have the light. Our light will expose darkness wherever we are. Those who see the light will glorify God or they will persecute us. It will be just the way it was with the True Light, Jesus.

Heavenly Father, how we thank You that You have made us light in this dark world. We pray that we will walk faithfully so that where we are the darkness will be exposed and the light will overcome all darkness. With You, all this is possible. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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PERSECUTED FOR HIS SAKE

 

Matthew 5:10

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." NIV

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." KJV

How many of us know what it is like to be badly treated because of our loyalty to Christ? More often, we are treated poorly through some inappropriate act of our own or we have encountered a rude person. With the world the way it is now, there will likely be a time when we will be persecuted for our Christian faith. When that happens, we can count ourselves blessed. Our Saviour did not wear a crown of roses when He walked this earth, He wore a crown of thorns. If we are His children, we will also wear a crown like His.

Heavenly Father, we thank You that we have not been persecuted as some of our brothers and sisters around the world. The day persecution happens to us is approaching as time comes to a close. Help us to wear the crown of thorns with joy and honor to be counted worthy to suffer for our Lord. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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OUR FATHER HOW AMAZING

 

Matthew 6:9

"This then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name."NIV

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." KJV

When we pray, we have the marvelous privilege of coming to the One who has power over all things, and dwells above all things, and knows all things. And yet we are told to call Him "Our Father." Amazing! Even more wonderful, we ask God to make His own name holy and to honor His own name. And then we merely talk to Him about our needs, our concerns, and our spiritual supplies. We can just talk to Him in His exalted greatness. Amazing!

Heavenly Father, our minds cannot conceive of Your greatness, it is far beyond what we can comprehend. Help us to never forget Your almighty power, presence, and knowledge or your unending love and greatness. Give us a hunger to merely talk with You in Your majestic splendor. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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OUR PART IN GROWING SPIRITUALLY

 

2 Peter 3:18

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (NIV)

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (KJV)

Some Christians believe that once they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, they can sit back and God will do everything to make them mature Christians. If things are going well in their lives, they believe God is pleased with them. If things are not going well at all, they think God is unhappy or has forgotten them. This is all so totally opposite of Biblical truth. It is our responsibility to be on guard so we can keep victory against the enemy. It is our responsibility to seek God through prayer, study of the Word, fellowship with other Christians. We are to live what we know to be right in His eyes so we can grow in faith and mature in our spirit.

Heavenly Father, help us to examine ourselves to see if we are lazy Christians, waiting for You to make us into fully mature children of God. If we find we are guilty, forgive us for expecting You to do what You have told us we are to do ourselves. Help us Lord to do our part so that we will stand strong and grow in Your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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FORGIVE US AS WE FORGIVE

 

Matthew 6:12

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." NIV

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." KJV

Being forgiven by our God is grace and mercy, not an automatic privilege. Do we have His mercy and grace? Without His mercy and grace, we cannot forgive others. With unforgiveness in our hearts, our prayers are hindered and God cannot pour His grace and mercy of forgiveness on us. Do we have His grace and mercy? God's forgiveness of our wrongs will not happen unless we show the grace and mercy of forgiveness to others. Are there resentments, grudges, and bitterness against others locked in our hearts? Forgiving is the key to God forgiving us. Do we have His grace and mercy of forgiveness?

Heavenly Father, we stand before You in need of Your forgiveness each and every day. Bring to our attention any unforgiveness we hold against another so that we can show grace and mercy to forgive. We cannot be holy and acceptable to You with unforgiveness in our hearts. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

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WHERE IS OUR TREASURE?

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." NIV "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." KJV Jesus tells us not to put our desires and confidence in material possessions and money. They will never satisfy us, nor make us secure. If we do, we will only want more and more, and none of the things will last. The lure and false brilliance of earthly treasure will dim the light of God in our lives. Our hearts stay where our treasure is and our souls follow our hearts. Only in the Kingdom of God where He is Master, Creator, Lord of all, will our treasures last forever. To put our treasures there, we exchange our earthly treasure and desires from our hearts into His hands. He will use them for His glory and we will have treasures in Heaven for eternity. Heavenly Father, please show us where we have allowed earthly treasures and desires to take our hearts away from You and Your kingdom. Help us to get our priorities where they need to be so that our treasures will be kept safe in Your kingdom. Remind us by the Holy Spirit to get our eyes off earthly things that will only last a short while leaving us empty. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.             ©2011 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

OUR EYES ARE OUR LAMPS

 

Matthew 6:22,23

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness." NIV

"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness." KJV

They eye is the window to the spiritual condition of our hearts. The closer we draw to God, the more His light comes through our window. The greater the light, the more it overpowers the brightness of the things from this world. The opposite is true. The more we are drawn to material and earthly things, the brighter they become. Then the things of God's eternal kingdom become darkened. We cannot have both the light of God and the darkness of this world. The one we favor will overcome the other. Are our eyes healthy and our body full of God's light?

Heavenly Father, it is such a comfort that You know us and our weaknesses. How grateful we are that You have given us eyes to see Your light so that the things of this world will not overcome us. Help us to keep our eyes on the light of Your truth so that our whole bodies will be full of Your light. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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REAL VS FALSE

 

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." NIV

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom, of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." KJV

False teachers claim divine inspiration, yet their inward natures have never been changed. They wear the costume of a sheep to appear holy on the outside. Followers of these teachers literally trade their souls for bad fruit because they are deceived and taught they can follow the narrow road with comfort and ease. Jesus teaches that these false teachers and their followers will not enter the kingdom of God because only on the outside do they appear religious. Inwardly they have no spiritual relationship with Him at all. He does not know them.

Heavenly Father, oh how we pray for forgiveness for listening to those who tell us easier ways to live the 'Christian life.' Give us discernment to know false teachers. Give us more hunger for Your Word that will help us rightly divide the word of truth. Open our spirits to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit that we will not stray from the Truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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HUMILITY NOT PRIDE

 

Luke 18:14

"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." NIV

"..for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." KJV

There were two people in the same place at the same time, but they had two very different attitudes toward themselves when they prayed to God. One openly and proudly proclaimed his righteousness to God. The other, in great humility and honesty, admitted his sinful nature and sought God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. When we pray do we compare ourselves to others and thank the Lord that we have more noticeable spiritual lives and success? Or do we compare ourselves to the life Jesus lived and quickly see how short we fall? God pours out His grace and mercy on those who are humble. He despises those who think highly of themselves.

Heavenly Father, search our hearts and reveal to us if there is pride there that brings shame to You. Help us to understand that wearing the cloak of humility will draw others to You and Your grace and mercy will pour into our lives in great abundance. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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LABORERS FOR GOD

 

Matthew 20:16

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." NIV

"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." KJV

We can be sure the Lord will reward us just as He promised. It will be much more than any of us deserve. Our part is to do what He asks us to do with gladness. Our part is to accept His grace with thanksgiving, no matter how long we have been working in His service. If our hearts are in the right place, we will be joyful that those who come into His service late in their lives or in the last times of earth made it into His vineyard. The Lord does not look at the length of time one works in His service. He looks at the spirit of the hearts of the workers.

Heavenly Father, help us to keep our hearts pure by being diligent in doing Your work as You tell us and not worry about the length of time we and others have been working. Give us joy when a soul comes to You in faith, even if it is the last minute of life, or even if it is the day before You return for us. Help us remember we are all Your children and we all have our work to do for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

BE PERSISTENT IN PRAYER

Matthew 18:7 "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?"NIV "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he hear long with them?" KJV How often have we prayed to God about a great need, but we still don't have the answers? Perhaps we wonder if He has even heard us. Maybe we start to think He doesn't really care. Why doesn't He answer us? It's so easy to get discouraged and just stop praying about the situations. Jesus teaches us that we should persist in our prayers and not give up. He is in control and He is always working to bring the answers in His way and His time. Faith is the key to persevere with confidence knowing that He is faithful and the answers will come. Heavenly Father, forgive us for getting impatient and discouraged when we don't see answers to our prayers. Help us to exercise our faith so we will be persistent and know the answer is on the way, Your way. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. ©2011 Daily Grace Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC drbobbijo@yahoo.com http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/ No Copyright Infringement Intended Personal Use Only

WHEN WE FAST

 

Matthew 6:17

"But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face." NIV

"But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face." KJV

Hypocrites can be characterized by their outer acts of "religion" becoming more important than the inward acts. Jesus says if you concentrate on the inward secret life with God, the outward acts will naturally follow. With fasting, a time of denying the physical self to focus only on Him, the things of this world become pale. What others think is no longer a concern. Our prayer life is greatly enriched and our faith strengthened. We will have an increased seriousness toward God and a tender conscience that detects the slightest entry of anything that would not be pleasing to Him. Fasting is a private act of worship and commitment between our individual selves and God.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing pride to enter into our walk with You. Guide us and lead us to forsake pride and practice our personal acts of communion with You so that no one else will know that it is happening. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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LIFE IS LIKE THE NET

 

Matthew 13:47-50

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore, Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." NIV

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." KJV

Fishing in Bible times, like the disciples who were fisherman, did what they call dragnet fishing. With this type of fishing, the net is wide and it scoops up everything lying or floating in its path. In the same way, the preaching of the Gospel brings a mix of individuals of every condition into the church. All of us, all of those who are swept into this net are being carried together through life toward final judgment. At the end of the age, we will be carefully separated by the angels into the good and the bad, the true believers and the pretenders. The true believers will be kept and will enter the eternal kingdom of God. The false pretenders will be thrown away for eternity into the lake of fire.

Heavenly Father, please help us to examine our souls to see if there is any false or deceptiveness within us. Cleanse us, Lord, that we may be found true and faithful when the day of Your judgment comes. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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STUDY STUDY STUDY

 

2 Timothy 2:15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." NIV

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." KJV

Being a Christian is not for the weak hearted or those who are lazy. The Lord Jesus Christ through the Father gave everything and had nothing in this world so that we who had nothing of real worth could have everything of God's. However, God does not force us to become new creatures. He commands us to choose who will be our master. When we choose Christ, we are told to study, prepare, and fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God so that we will be able to know the truth. Also, we will be able to share the truth and we will be able to discern the truth. If we obey this command to study and be approved workers of God, we will never be ashamed.

Heavenly Father, give us a deeper hunger for the Word of God. Help us to make a conscious effort to make time to be in the Word and in prayer. Show us ways to keep the Word in our hearts and minds, we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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WISDOM AND ITS FRIEND HUMILITY

 

Proverbs 15:33

"Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor."NIV

"The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility." KJV

Wisdom teaches us to fear the Lord. Wisdom is a gift from our Lord that we share with others so that they might walk in wisdom and reverence the Lord above all things. Some individuals, even Christians have a need to let others know just how wise they are and all the accomplishments they have achieved. This is not true wisdom at all. This is pride. The true wisdom that comes to us from our God never takes credit or boasts of accomplishments. True wisdom always makes us aware that we are nothing but earthen vessels through which God works. We stand humbly before Him along with our fellow humans in awe of a most miraculous thing He has just done through us.

Heavenly Father, help us to search our hearts to see if there may be pride lurking within us. Cleanse us Lord, so that we will walk in humility and Your wisdom will continue to flow through us. We ask for more of Your wisdom, Lord, that will further Your kingdom and keep us humbly in our place as Your servants. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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WE ARE A LIVING SACRIFICE

 

Romans 12:1

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." NIV

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." KJV

What is a living sacrifice? It is total dedication of ourselves to God. It is giving our physical body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus gave His body for us through death, we willingly give our living bodies for His service. We give our minds to Him so that He might transform our thinking through prayer and study of His Word. We give Him our will so that through obedience and faith, He changes us into victorious Christians. That is true worship and being a living sacrifice.

Heavenly Father, how we need Your forgiveness for holding on to those parts of ourselves over which we want to control. By Your grace, help us to give over to you every part of ourselves, that we might be available for Your service which is true worship. Make us living sacrifices unto You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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DON'T BE LUKEWARM

 

Revelation 3:15,16

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." NIV

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." KJV

Can we be honest with ourselves and search our hearts to see if we are lukewarm Christians? Complacency puts us and entire churches in a place where there is no clear cut stand for the things of God and a danger of falling for half truths, distorted spiritual thinking, and a sense of false security in the presence of impending danger and peril. Becoming zealous for the Lord brings rejection, ridicule, and persecution from the world. Being cold to the things of God brings total acceptance by the world. Being lukewarm is a compromise so we can remain comfortable in our own domains. Lukewarm compromise with the world is disgusting to God.

Heavenly Father, help us to examine ourselves so that we can know the level of zeal and hunger we have for You and the things of Your Kingdom. If we are lukewarm, forgive us and put the fire of the Holy Spirit within us so that we will be on fire for You. If we are cold or we are in contact with those who are cold, give us boldness to tell the good news of Your salvation, so that these might also catch the fire. Give us discernment to know those who are lukewarm and help them know this is the most dangerous place to be. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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LIVE AS STRANGERS HERE

 

1 Peter 1:17

".....Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." NIV

".....Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." KJV

As Christians, we are no longer of this world or the things that are in it. We are strangers and aliens in a foreign land. If we follow the teachings of the Lord, we will live with watchful eyes and careful steps so that we won't get pulled into the life this world would have us live. It is the evil one's goal to trap us in the sin and ungodliness in this world. If we live as strangers here, always alert, we will be able get past the treasures of this world and enter into the Kingdom of God that was made possible to us by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, we need your grace and mercy to live in this world of ungodliness and selfish pleasure. Help us to be on guard, living in reverent fear so that we don't get caught up in the things of this world. We need your help to live as strangers here so that we will make it to our home with You where we belong.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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RUN THE RACE

 

Hebrews 12:1

".....Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." NIV

".....Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." KJV

If we are standing firm in our faith and walking in love, we will be getting rid of those things in our lives that hinder our Christian journey. We will be turning our back on temptation and sin and we will be leaving behind relationships that are ungodly. It is much easier to run this race without these cumbersome hindrances. Much more so, we are to run this race. Yes, run. It takes effort and energy with the grace and mercy of God to run without giving up. There are so many things that will fall in our path that will tempt us to stop or slow down. With all the hindrances aside and our eyes fixed on our Lord, we will be able to run this race to the finish, where we will spend eternity with Him.

Heavenly Father, give us determination to get rid of those things that hinder our walk with You. Help us to keep our eyes on You so that we will run this race to the finish. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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WALK IN LOVE

 

2 John 1:6

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." NIV

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." KJV

How can we stand firm and walk at the same time? We stand firm in our faith not allowing anything to take us from our knowledge of the truth. We walk, or rather we live out our faith in love as Christ taught us to love. We are taught this love from the very beginning, when we are but children, singing 'Jesus loves me.' As we grow in Christian faith and maturity we learn to show that same love to others we meet as we walk along the path of this life. Our Lord commands us to walk in love, showing grace and mercy to everyone, the loving and the evil. Yes, this is His command to us. How well do we walk in love?

Heavenly Father, just as it can be difficult to stand firm with all the distractions around us, it can also be difficult to walk in love when there are so many ungodly people around. Help us to remember that You love them and died for them just as you did for us. Fill us with Your love, so that others will be drawn to you. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

           

©2011

Daily Grace

Bobbi Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC

drbobbijo@yahoo.com

http://insidetheshrink-dailygrace.blogspot.com/

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