101506

40 Days of CommUNITY
Reaching Out Together

“At some point you and I must decide if we are going to impress people or influence them—you can impress from a distance—you influence close up.” (From the Chet’s Creek’s Transformation, October 15, 2006)


1 Corinthians 13:4 AND Mark 6:36:44 (Monday) “MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS”
1 Corinthians 13:4 “…love is kind.” (NIV)
Mark 6:36-44 “Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages ! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five--and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
40. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.” (NIV)
1) Remember, a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned how my friend stated that being a Christian was simply a matter of good manners? (Of course, by Christian she meant that you had accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.) I think she may have had this passage in 1 Corinthians 13:4 in mind. Do you think kindness falls into the “good manners” category, or, is there more to it?
2) Most of you will not be able to participate in our church’s current focus, “Forty Days of CommUNITY”. This is the second mission thrust for the “Purpose Drive Churches”, as lead by pastor, Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church in California. I have to share with you his insights into Mark 6:36-44: (This is paraphrased, of course!)
i) “The disciples of Christ were astute and compassionate enough to “see” the need! These people (5,000 men, but probably just as many women and children) needed substance—tangible, concrete nourishment! Probably, the disciples did, too! However, their sight was limited—earth bound! Wisely, they came to the Source of all miracles, even though they weren’t truly expecting a miracle! Oh, a miracle was going to take place, but Christ was going to move upon His disciples in such a way that they would actually participate in that miracle:
(1) God sends them out to take inventory ( take note of available resources)
(2) In faith and obedience, they offer Him what they had (Becoming available. For us that offering is our lives!)
(3) God moves the disciples to organize! (Vision, or a plan)
(a) Ah, now this is where God steps in to receive all the glory! Oh, how I pray that you realize that this is exactly what God does in each believer’s life!
(i) He take takes the loaves and fishes that the disciples gathered
(ii) He blesses the offering
(iii) He multiplies the resources and uses them to His glory—always to His glory!
3) Okay, I’m back! I like how this word, kindness, taken from the Greek, chrestotes, is defined: usefulness, i.e. moral excellence (in character or demeanor): gentleness, good(-ness). Hmm. Moral excellence!
a) Kindness motivates God in our behalf:
i) “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36) He breaks the bread and fish (much like He breaks us to use us for His purposes)
ii) “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:8-10)
iii) “…God's kindness leads you toward repentance.” ( Romans 2:4)
iv) “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you…” (Romans 11:22)
v) “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)
vi) “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7)
b) Kindness is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit
i) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
c) Kindness is the God-graced response of believers:
i) “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:4-10)
ii) “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
iii) “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
iv) “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
v) “Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:23-26)
vi) “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (Titus 2:3-5)
vii) “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Peter 1:3-9)
4) I hope you noticed that while kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit of God, it is also developed, learned—a personal choice, even for believers! (Titus 2:3-5) According to 2 Peter 1:3-9, kindness is to be added to one’s faith! Oh, make every effort!
a) According to Titus 2:3-5, what is the greatest way a person learns a new or different behavior?
b) Who has set the greatest example of kindness for us?
5) How many times is kindness linked to love, mercy and compassion? to forgiveness?
6) According to these passages in Question 2, what are some hindrances to kindness? (Ephesians 4:31-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 2 Timothy 2:23-26; Titus 2:3-5)
7) Walking in kindness, or any other of the attributes of the Holy Spirit can sometimes be very difficult, but 2 Peter 1:3-9 gives us four essential sources from which we can draw the strength to accomplish God’s will and purpose four our lives:
a) God’s divine power
b) Our own personal knowledge of God
c) Our calling by God
d) God’s very great and precious promises
James 1:22-27 (Tuesday) “DON’T JUST LISTEN…DO!”
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (NIV)
1) What is that perfect law that we look into that gives us freedom to walk in God’s ways? (1 John 4:16-19)
2) This passage in James is very closely related to the one above in 2 Peter 1:9. Forgetfulness! Beware, dear ones! Sinners we once were and sinners we still are! Thank God, that Jesus is called the “Friend of sinners! (Matthew 11:19)
a) Have doubts about that statement, please read Romans 3:10-18! Oh, that’s where grace steps in and rescues us all through Jesus Christ our Lord!
3) When we think of love, we forget that love is not only to be extended to our brothers and sisters in Christ, or even to a lost and dying world. Love is also meant for us! Like a healing mirror, God’s Word reveals our hearts—the good and the bad! God’s Word is never used for condemnation towards the believer! No, God uses His holy Word for our cleansing and to free us from our sin; from our filthy habits, and from our own lack of love! How else can we ever hope to reach others, offering them forgiveness, hope and love if we don’t first experience that same forgiveness, hope and love for ourselves? No, as God’s sons and daughters must constantly graze into God’s holy mirror and see His truth—not what we think we look like, or how we may remember we looked from a previous time in our lives! Let God show us the ugly, dark things of our “now”! The things we don’t want to admit, or the things we want to hide from—if that were possible! Remember Adam and Eve in the garden? Oh, child of God, we so need God’s light! That’s where we find the freedom this verse is talking about! See the sin, and let God’s Word change our darkness into light! This is impossible to accomplish on our own—look back to the sources we are given in 2 Peter 1:3-9 (Monday’s Question 6). They are available for every single situation in our lives!
4) Another component of love is hearing! When God’s truth really and finally sinks in, we must listen with our hearts, agree with God that what we are saying, doing or thinking is sin, and move forward to the change(s) He is calling us to. Remember, He is the source of our strength!
5) Possibly the most important element of love is in the doing! It’s in the doing that we are promised blessing! What blessing are you looking for today? A million bucks? A fine new automobile? A palatial home? Fancy clothes? Nice. Oh, but the blessing of God is His stamp of approval on our lives! His Amen to us! We’ll be blessed in all that we do! Wow!
6) I hope you know that religion is man’s idea of reaching up to God—much like trying to build our own tower of Babel! Mercy, love, kindness, and forgiveness, and grace is God reaching down to man through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ! One leads to death. One to eternal life! Again, a choice!
a) God the Father considers man’s attempts at “religion” as worthless! All of man’s efforts—gifts to charity, the outward appearances of “righteous” living, long-winded, pious prayers. These are mere “works”, inspired by a feeling of “I ought to”. God’s “agape” love for us inspires the heart attitude of “I want to”! Big, big difference! God laughs at such foolishness! You see, those “works” are most often for others to see and approve of. The danger lies in that man begins to fools himself with the lie called “good works”! God “sees” the source of all motivation—our hearts! That’s where the true source and proof of God’s love is—in our heart actions! When we chose to “want to”, that is a faith driven action inspired by the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit
Colossians 4:5-6 (Wednesday) “BE COURTEOUS TO UNBELIEVERS”
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (NIV)
1) This passage is speaking of our actions toward “outsiders”. Who would you consider an “outsider”?
a) What opportunities are we to make the most of?
2) What does it mean to have our conversations full of grace and seasoned with salt?
a) Grace, in Greek is charis, (sounds like care, doesn’t it) is literally translated as having a manner or acting in a manner that is concrete and/or literal! Beloved, in the most concrete, substantial and literal way possible, God’s grace renders us as accepted, justified, redeemed, righteous. Grace is God’s free gift to us—it cannot be earned! Grace is the God-influence upon the heart, and its reflection toward life, and even includes our gratitude towards God and others!
i) The first mention of grace is Psalms 45:2. In the Hebrew grace, chen, means, kindness, favor, well-favored or even, beauty. The Greek word for grace, charis. Interestingly, both chen and charis are first mentioned to describe the freely given, unearned or merited favor (grace) that God the Father bestowed upon His Son, Jesus Christ!
ii) God bestows grace (often translated favor)
(1) Psalms 84:11
(2) Jesus Christ showed His favor (grace) toward us in that He exchanged His glory and riches for our poverty and sin (2 Corinthians 8:9)
iii) God extends His loving grace to:
(1) The humble (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6)
(2) The wicked (Isaiah 26:10)
iv) God’s grace offers:
(1) salvation, redemption and forgiveness (Psalms 69:13; Ephesians 1:7)
(2) life (Proverbs 8:35; Hebrews 2:9)
(3) our mates (Proverbs 18:22)!
(4) protection (Jonah 4:2)
(5) mercy (Micah 7:18; Hebrews 4:16)
(6) our own sense of thankfulness toward God (2 Corinthians 2:14; 8:16)
(7) abounding love (2 Corinthians 9:8)
(8) strength for adversity, suffering, sorrow (2 Corinthians 8:1; 12:9-1)
(9) kindness (Ephesians 2:7)
(10) a revelation to the mystery of the gospel of Christ (Ephesians 3:2-6)
(11) us a calling, purpose and a ministry or service (; 2 Timothy 1:9)
(12) each of us a measure of God’s grace and love (Ephesians 4:7)
(13) encouragement and comfort (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
(14) faith, love and knowing for Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Timothy 1:14)
(15) empowers us (2 Timothy 2:1)
(a) by setting our minds for action; by being self-controlled; by setting our hope on Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13)
(16) heirship with Christ (Titus 3:7)
(17) joy! (Philemon 1:7) (yes, same word, “charis”)
v) Again, we grow in grace as we:
(1) Obey and trust in God (Proverbs 3:1-8)
(2) Seek grace (Proverbs 11:27)
(3) Act wisely (Proverbs 14:35)
(4) Step into those good works and service HE has prepared for us (2 Corinthians 9:8; Hebrews 12:28)
(5) Draw close to our holy, awesome God (Hebrews 4:16)
vi) Hindrances to God’s grace:
(1) Pride (Proverbs 3:7; James 4:6)
(2) Root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15)
(3) False teachings (Hebrews 13:9)
(4) Envy (James 4:5)
3) In the New Testament (Greek), “grace” is most often translated as “gracious loving”. In other words, for the believer, we are to extend the same grace to others that God has so freely bestowed upon us! Now, here is how you and I “grace” one another:
a) With our conversation (Colossians 4:5-6)
i) Oh, our conversation, the Greek word is logos, entails much more than our speech! No, conversation can be applied to our thoughts, our motives, our reasoning, our cause(s), our preaching, our questioning(s), our actions, and, oh, yes, our works! Oh, beloved, this word, logos, is the same word John the Beloved apostle used to describe Christ! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “ He is to be our Logos—our message of hope to the church and to the world! Jesus is the Supreme example of living a life of Godly conversation toward others! We show Godly conversation to others by:
(1) Bestowing the same God grace given so freely to us (mercy, love, hope, forgiveness) to others (Proverbs 22:11)
(2) Offering Godly wisdom (Ecclesiastes 10;12)
(3) Building up one another (Ephesians 4:29)
b) Grace is also sometimes translated as mercy. As children of the Living God, we are to bestow merciful grace to others! (Micah 6:8) Funny, I was just reading “Captured by Grace” by David Jeremiah and he has some wonderful insights as to how mercy finds its fullness and completion through the grace of Almighty God. He writes:

Mercy withholds the knife from the heart of Isaac.
Grace provides a ram in the thicket.

Mercy runs to forgive the prodigal son.
Graces throws a party with every extravagance.

Mercy bandages the wounds of the man beaten by robbers.
Grace covers the cost of his full recovery.

Mercy hears the cry of the thief on the cross.
Grace promises paradise that very day.

Mercy pays the penalty for our sin at the cross.
Grace substitutes the righteousness of Christ for our wickedness.

Mercy converts Paul on the road to Damascus.
Grace calls him to be an apostle.

Mercy saves John Newton from a life of rebellion and sin.
Grace makes him a pastor and author of a timeless hymn. (Amazing Grace!)

Mercy closes to door to hell.
Grace opens the door to heaven.

Mercy withholds what we have earned.
Grace provides blessing we have not earned.

c) Having a desire to honor Christ through our eagerness to help others! (2 Corinthians 8:19)
d) Joyful generosity—first to the Lord, then to others! (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
e) Giving (2 Corinthians 8:1)
f) Our prayers (2 Corinthians 9:14)
g) Having a gracious answer ready for anyone who asks about Christ (Colossians 4:6)
i) Okay, this is where our “saltiness” comes in! We extend God’s grace to others, but our “salt” is meant to add “flavor” to our message of what they need most—God! Read Job 6:6. Are we unseasoned egg whites? Or, are our lives, our conversations (thoughts, words, and actions) favorable, appealing, even, succulent to others?
ii) So, what is “salt”? Salt comes from the Hebrew root word, malach, which literally means to pulverize! Salt is to be so applied, rubbed into everything we say, think and do that it breaks down and actually vanishes—becoming tempered, ingrained into our very beings! In other words—we, our natural selves, no longer exist! Ah, the flavor of God in us!
iii) Please read God’s words to Jerusalem in Ezekiel 16:1-14, especially verse 4. What was she, Jerusalem, not rubbed with at her birth?
(a) Salt was commanded by God to be among of the ingredients of the fragrant oil that anointed the priests of God! Remember, today, that’s you and me! (Exodus 30:30-37) I hope you noted this oil could only be used for the benefit of the priests!
(b) God commanded that salt be added to any offering(s) given to His glory (Leviticus 2:13) What does Romans 12:1 say we are to offer up to God?
(c) Salt is an everlasting covenant of God with His people (Numbers 18:19)
(d) Salt heals (2 Kings 2:19-22)
(e) Salt refreshes and gives life (Ezekiel 47:9)
(f) Salt gives peace (Mark 9:50)
(g) God gives salt without limit (Ezra 7:21-22)
(i) Beloved, we are God’s salt—a flavoring offered to the world! (Matthew 5:13) We flavor the world by offering and, yes, by displaying, God’s grace, love, mercy and forgiveness! We are born-anew to do think, say and do everything as a visual, concrete appeal—as the cry of our hearts revealing the true heart of God—not condemnation, but rather His deep desire to reconcile the world to Himself! (2 Corinthians 5:20)
iv) We must have God’s living water flowing through us in order for our saltiness to produce fruit (Ezekiel 47:1-14). In this passage I hope you noted the plenty—the abundance! Fish caught, fruit trees blossoming! That’s us! This is the abundant life God has for each and every one of us! Fishers of men, bearing much fruit for the Lord!
v) Salt, in the hands of God, Who is a consuming fire, can also be an object of His wrath:
(1) Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24)
(a) What does Deuteronomy 29:23 tell us became of those wicked cities
(2) Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26 )
(3) Those who turn from the Living God (Jeremiah 17:5-6)
(4) Moab (Jeremiah 48:9)
(5) Hell (Mark 9:41-49)
1 Peter 4:7-11 (Thursday) “SERVE WITHOUT GRUMBLING”
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (NIV)
1) “Love covers a multitude of sins.” What does this statement imply?
2) Have you ever covered a sin in someone’s life? Have someone been “gracious” in covering yours?
3) Did you notice the link between being “clear-minded” and “self-controlled” and having the ability to pray—for yourself and for others? What impact do you think those two disciplines have on prayer and why?
4) Our actions, even those freely given, that are only endured through grumblings are worthless! (As Rick Warren puts it, useless noise!) Oh, this is a very natural response because sometimes we can be put upon, stressed, feel like we are being stretched at both ends, not really “wanting” to do a thing. Where does this scripture passage tell us to find the ability to be hospitable, offering our gifts and talents to administer God’s grace—not matter the situation? I can’t help but ask, “Do you think Jesus Christ ever felt these same ways?”
5) Oh, I wish that every word that came out of my mouth was a God-word! Don’t you? Do we ever pause, pray and listen before we open our mouths? Have you ever found yourself uttering words that you just KNEW God was speaking through you? Has someone ever spoken God-words over you? What was your response? How did those words make a difference—did they? Please share!
6) The reason we do not rely upon ourselves—why self-effort and/or “good works” are worthless is that the glory (if there is any) goes to us—and not to our Creator-God! Remember, it is Christ in you! We always draw from the Source! To HIM be the glory!
1 John 3:16-19b “SHOW…THEN TELL!”
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth…” (NIV)
1) We draw from the Source and we live out our lives following after the example of the Source!
a) What does John 21:25 tell us about how Jesus Christ constantly laid down His desires, His needs, His wants to help others?
b) What does John 14:12-21 reveal to us about God’s plan for His church?
c) How do we, as believers, lay down our lives from our brothers and for the world?
i) Jesus calls it “washing one another’s feet”. ( John 13:13-17) What does “washing” mean to you? Could this be one way of “covering one another’s sin?” (John 13:6-10)
ii) Jesus commanded us to “love one another”. (John 13:34)
(1) We show this love by:
(a) Being devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
(b) Honoring, or preferring others above ourselves (Romans 12:10)
(c) Living in harmony, peace, with one another (Romans 12:16)
(d) Do not pass judgment upon one another (Romans 14:13)
(e) Accept one another (flaws and all) (Romans 15:7)
(f) Instruct one another in righteousness (Romans 15:14)
(g) Be in holy agreement with one another (1 Corinthians 1:10) No divisions!
(h) Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
(i) Be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)
(j) Be kind, compassionate and forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32:Colossians 3:13)
(k) Speak soothing balm to one another (Ephesians 5:19)
(l) Submit ourselves one to another (Ephesians 5:21)
(m) Admonish one another in wisdom (Colossians 3:16)
(n) Encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13)
(o) Spur one another on to love and good God-deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
(p) Regularly meeting with one another (James 4:11)
(q) Be sympathetic towards one another (1 Peter 3:8)
(r) Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9) (Without grumbling!)
(s) Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
d) Love one another is mentioned 10 times in the New Testament—3 times by the Savior (That’s a God number!) Love is that perfect law! We are to walk in that law—to our brothers and sisters in Christ and to the world! Why? (John 13:35)
e) People know truth! People can distinguish truth from noise, or unflavored, unsalted egg whites! The difference in words and actions? It’s in the doing!

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