DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, September 1, 2023
Psalm 33:12 — Happy is the nation whose God is the
Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
61:10 — My whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the
garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.
Ephesians
4:23-24 — Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and ...clothe yourselves with
the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness
and holiness.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I’m
a little fuzzy on the details. I can’t remember how it came about, but I woke
up in the book storage closet of our one-room school. I was under a pile of
books that seemed to have fallen off the shelves. I don’t remember why they
fell, but I remember that the door was open. I could see the other students,
who didn’t seem to be in the least alarmed or surprised. As my foggy thinking
cleared and I started removing books, I discovered a most embarrassing fact—I
was stark naked! There was something I needed to do, but if I moved out from
under that pile of books, I’d be exposed to the whole school! Then Rosemary
Peterson came by to pick up a book. She didn’t seem shocked at my position or
my condition. She acted as if everything was as normal as could be. Then Zeke
nudged me, and I woke up with a start, checked to see that I had clothes on,
and breathed a sigh of relief—it was only a dream! One fine day we will find
ourselves stark naked before the throne of God—exposed to all of heaven. God,
in His grace, will clothe us with the garments that will not have to hide our
exposed sinfulness but will shine forth with the radiance of God’s true
holiness! Are you ready for a new set of clothes?
PRAYER
Gracious
Lord, my clothes hide nothing from You, day or night. My apparel or my play-acting
does not blur your vision. Before You, I am fully exposed. Thank You for
forgiving my sinful nature and my puny efforts to hide behind the “books” of
this world. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Psalm 33:12 — Happy is the nation whose God is the
Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
78:3-4 — Things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us,
we will not hide them from their children.
Matthew
19:14 — Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
When
I was growing up, I thought my parents knew everything. They knew all the big
words I had trouble sounding out. They knew how to check my arithmetic. They
knew all the stuff I was learning in science and history. I could ask them just
about anything, and it seemed like they knew the answers. But by the time I got
into high school, I was baffled that Mom, who could add a dozen numbers or
multiply big figures in her head, didn’t have a clue about algebra! And Dad,
who could build a piece of machinery out of junk, didn’t know the details of
biology! The same blinding revelation dawned on our youngest son when he
discovered that his mother had not met Abraham Lincoln; several years later,
she didn’t understand business law! There are many subjects about which we may
be ignorant because we have never studied them, but the one subject about which
we should each have intimate knowledge is our relationship with our Lord. If we
can’t explain it so that a little child will understand it, we probably don’t
have it, to begin with. We don’t have to be super intelligent in any field of
study, but we do need to pass on to our children what is most important to our
(and their) eternal life. So, how smart are you in the one subject that really
counts?
PRAYER
All-Knowing
God, the more we learn, the more we know we need to learn. As scientists expand
our knowledge of the Universe and the molecular structure of the atom, help us
to explore and expand our relationship with You, and get to know Jesus more
intimately. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, September 3, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
30:15 — In returning and rest, you shall be saved.
Romans
8:25 — If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
We
spent the morning climbing Mt. Hanson, the tallest mountain in the known world.
On the way to the top, we fought off a pack of wild dogs, a lion or two, and a
bunch of headhunters. The stampeding buffalo just about stopped us, but we were
able to scare them into running the other way before they could trample our
bodies into the dirt. By the time we reached the peak, we were truly exhausted
and finished our remaining food and water. We could see our home base several
hundred miles away and wondered if we could ever make it back alive. However,
after a brief rest, we made the journey, arriving just before lunch. The “cook”
made us wash up before she would let us into her kitchen to feed us. We ate
without a word, lay down on our “camp cots,” and fell asleep. When we awoke, we
were refreshed and ready for another adventure. That was the typical pattern of
my summer days when I was seven or eight, with minor changes in destination and
enemy. Our journey through this lifetime has us weary, worn, and in need of
rest too. The good news of each day is God’s invitation to return to Him for
rest and renewal in His Spirit. No matter what the detours, nor how fierce the
enemy, God’s grace is our great Hope! Need a break?
PRAYER
God
of refreshment and renewal, give us the energy and the imagination to face
every enemy and every obstacle with confidence and assurance that You are with
us all the way. Create in us new and inspired hearts and a willingness to serve
You with joy as brothers and sisters of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, September 4, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name
great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
140:12 — I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy and executes
justice for the poor.
James
2: 8-9 — You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the
scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show
partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
It’s
interesting to watch mothers. In the animal world on our farm, mothers could
become fierce fighters if they thought any of their offspring were in danger or
were being harmed. I have been on the receiving end of more than one hen’s
vicious beak and claws from thoughtlessly picking up one of her chicks. I
nearly lost a hand to a sow who didn’t appreciate my capturing one of her
piglets to give it some medicine. I was wise enough to see the warning signs
from a cow that didn’t want me messing with her calf. Most human mothers (and
fathers) also exhibit those same single-minded protections for their children.
Is it any wonder God is so insistent that we treat the needy and oppressed
among us with the justice and compassion of a loving mother? Every child of God
- even “the least of this my brothers or sisters”—lives under the protective
shelter of a fiercely jealous and loving God. How well have you been caring for
the needs of “God’s little chicks” - the helpless, the homeless, the
hurting?
PRAYER
Loving
and protective God, You watch over Your own and have given us the
responsibility for being Your hands in our world. Therefore, guide us to those
You want us to help and protect, and give us the courage and resources needed
to do so in Your holy name. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
64:1 — O that you would tear open the heavens and come down!
Matthew
24:13 — The one who endures to the end will be saved.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I
was seventeen. I had my license and the use of a car. There was a nice cool
pool in town, and I knew many of my friends would be there, but I was
responsible for hauling oats from the field, unloading and elevating it through
the hay mow in the barn to one of the storage areas. It was hot. My estimate at
the time was somewhere near 1000 degrees! Without a breeze, the dust and chaff
seemed to gravitate down my neck, which itched like crazy. I longed for a
breeze. I longed for a cool drink. I longed for that cool pool of water! O,
that God would make it rain—just on our farm, not at the swimming pool! I know
what longing is. All I could do was endure. But when I brought in the last load
and ran it into the barn, it was as if all my prayers (except for the rain)
were answered. A quick shower, a change of clothes, and the pool was waiting.
Would that our longing for the kingdom of God would have such intensity! Can
you endure until the last Day?
PRAYER
Patient
Lord, give us the persistence to endure the difficulties of our work,
especially the work we do as Your ambassadors. Give us the strength and the
stamina to do so without complaining and a vision of the blessings You have
already bestowed on us. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Zechariah
8:13 — Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.
Luke
9:62 — (Jesus said:) “No one who puts a hand to the plow and turns back is fit
for the kingdom of God.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I
sat in the hospital intensive care waiting room. My mother was having another
severe reaction to something. This time it was serious enough to require the
surgical implantation of a tube to keep her windpipe from swelling shut. In
addition to all of her other health problems, this was very serious. As she lay
there struggling against tubes and wires, I sat and waited, remembering to tell
myself what I have said to many others, “Don’t be afraid.” I always knew it was
easier said than done when the life of someone you love is on the line. I was
right. Then I thought of the many times Mom’s faith and positive outlook
baffled even her doctors and mirrored the faith of the biblical saints who were
content to live but equally ready to die. She was not afraid to take a
sledgehammer to a wall she wanted to remove in the living room. She set her
mind to doing it and never looked back. Numerous stories of her exploits come
to mind. As she lay somewhere between life and death (from my perspective), I
could not help but believe whichever way her condition went, she would not be
afraid and would go forth without turning back. My selfish prayers were for her
to live, but my fears were relieved, knowing she was in good Hands either way.
May you discover that peace that baffles our human understanding!
PRAYER
Good
and loving Lord, when fear invades our thinking, draw us closer to You so that
we can hear Your calming assurance that You have everything well in control.
Like St. Paul, we are convinced that we belong to You because of Jesus, whether
we live or die. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, September 7, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
39:12 — Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not hold your peace
at my tears.
Matthew
15:25 — (But the Canaanite woman) came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord,
help me.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
We
rode with a pastor and his family of five who lived in a small village in the
former East Germany to an “eis laden”—an ice cream shop—where we promised to
treat them to some ice cream. It had been three years since the Iron Curtain
came down, and the Russians had left. The economy in this part of Germany was
still very poor, and the family we stayed with had few opportunities for
treats. We joined the family, searching for a place to sit and look at the
menu. While we were busy, their three-year-old walked to the serving window and
asked for an ice cream cone, and was served. His parents were shocked, and the
rest of the children were upset because they still hadn’t ordered. The writer
of James declares, “You have not because you did not ask in prayer.” God is
always more willing to give than we are to ask. So, why do we wait for dire
emergencies before crying to the Lord? A three-year-old knew the best way to
get ice cream was to ask for it. Even a pagan—a Canaanite woman—knew enough to
go to the stranger with a reputation and ask for His help. What about you? Have
you been fretting and stewing, worrying, and wandering in search of the answers?
Why not simply go to the One who IS the answer, and place your “order”—your
request?!!!
PRAYER
Good
and gracious God, thank You for having an ear that longs to hear our voices and
prayers. Let the little children remind us that You are more willing to give
than we are to ask. Give us hearts that find joy in coming to You, unworthy as
we may be, even as did those who came to Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, September 8, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Deuteronomy
30:19 — I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life
so that you and your descendants may live.
Mark
8:35 — Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their
life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
It
is good to know we have choices. I chose the farmer shoes with the emblem of a
fire engine when I was six. It proved to be a poor choice because I broke the
soles within a week. Nevertheless, it was a lesson in making better choices. I
was happy to have parents who guided my choices but were willing to let me make
my own mistakes, offering their warning. With their help, I chose a calf to
raise for a 4-H project, which won the reserved champion ribbon at the fair. I
didn’t make all choices willingly, either. Sometimes I drug my feet as I
“chose” practicing piano over playing in the trees. At other times I made
choices with my heart and mind, like the choice of my helpmate, one of the best
choices I ever made. One of the other “best” choices was to live and be blessed
as a servant of Jesus Christ, who chose me at baptism. The literal translation
of the word in Deuteronomy has always fascinated me. It declares, “You may
choose life....” We are not puppets with pre-determined robotic actions and
reactions. We are children of God, given the free will to choose
what is good or what is not. God urges us to make the right choice, like any
parent will. But God leaves the final decision up to us. What will you
choose?
PRAYER
Heavenly
Father, thank You for the freedom to make choices and the opportunities to do
so. However, when we make choices that are not the best, stay with us and guide
us in directions that will get us back on the right path. Help us walk the Way
that leads to You as we follow Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, September 9, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Genesis
12:2 — I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great so that you will be a blessing.
SCRIPTURE
Genesis
3:19 — By the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread until you return to the
ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust, you shall
return.
Revelation
21:4 — (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed
away.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
At
age eight, I knew my purpose in life. I would be a great surgeon. At age ten,
however, I decided that my purpose in life had changed slightly. Instead of
being a surgeon, I would be a great race car driver. My goal in life changed
several times, from being an organist on the Lawrence Welk show to a music
teacher and master conductor to a pastor. I am still keeping my options open
for when I grow up, but no matter what I do, my purpose in life has always been
the same—to love God and serve others. My cousin gave me a book entitled The
Purpose Driven Life, in which the divine purpose for our lives is spelled
out clearly. It helps me realize that no matter how long I live or what
occupation I have, I have (and so do you) a purpose in God’s divine plan. So,
no matter when I die, I need not fear death as long as I fulfill God’s plan. My
dust will return to dust, but I will be the Lord’s, and He will wipe away any
tears, comfort any mourning, and heal any pain because of what Jesus Christ has
done for me on the cross. What a glorious piece of good news that is! If you
haven’t discovered your purpose in life (and even if you think you have), I
recommend reading the book prayerfully.
PRAYER
All-Knowing
God, You created me and all that exists for a purpose. Help me search daily for
and discover Your purpose for me. Guide me to those who can give me clues and
help me stay open to possibilities I haven’t yet considered as I seek to follow
the example of my Lord. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, September 10, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
84:12 — O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Hebrews
11:1 — Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
of things not seen.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
September
was always a great month when I was growing up. We were back in school,
learning exciting things about the world around us. We usually had a new
teacher to break in, who would show us things other teachers hadn’t. The
harvest of some crops was finished, others waited for the first frost, the last
cutting of hay was about to be baled, and the prospect of a good corn crop
added to our anticipation. It was almost as exciting as preparing to go to the
county fair! Even in years of drought, there was something to harvest. God’s
provisions for us seemed the one thing in life in which we could trust. We may
not have had all that we wanted, but we did have all that we needed! These were
“the assurances of things hoped for, the convictions of things not seen.” Our
cup was always at least half full even when times were lean because we knew the
Giver of every perfect gift. Many faith-filled farmers live day by day with
that conviction. They can’t depend on the weather. They can’t trust the
markets. But they can rely on the One who created all things, died on the cross
for all who will believe, and has already prepared a Home Place for those who
love Him. Is your cup half full also? Of course, it is if your trust is in the
One who fills it!
PRAYER
Faithful
and Trustworthy God, thank You for providing us with all that we need, even
when times are difficult. Thank You, especially for those who shared their
produce with us and the opportunity we had to share ours with them. When times
are tough, help us remember those for whom times are even more challenging.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, September 11, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
52:15 — For that which had not been told them they shall see.
Romans
15:20 — I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news, where Christ has not
yet been named.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
We
weren’t prepared for what we saw. We saw a sign about a church not far from
where we lived. We had also seen the church towers from a distance, looking as
if the church was in the middle of a cornfield. We noticed it was mentioned on
a scenic brochure, but no one told us how incredibly beautiful it was. We
called ahead to make sure we could get in and drove to this tiny “used to be a
town” that died when the railroad chose a different route. We stood in awe at
the beauty! It rivaled most of the beautiful churches we had seen in Europe. No
one could have really prepared us for what we saw. In the same way, the glory
of heaven cannot be described in mere words. Human speech is limited in its
ability to describe the things of God. Yet, we are charged with sharing the
indescribable Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ and the utterly fantastic
beauty and joys experienced by those who receive and believe the blessings
which have been prepared for us. The prophets and apostles tried their best,
but even George Lucas and the best filmmakers can’t begin to capture what God’s
love has for us. Are you ready for the experience of an eternity?!
PRAYER
Amazing
and Awesome God, dreamers dream dreams, and those who claim to have had a foot
in heaven try to describe it in human terms. Sadly their words attempt to make
concrete what words cannot describe. Bless us with the assurance of simply
being with You by Your grace alone. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.
SCRIPTURE
Deuteronomy
15:11 — I, therefore, command you, “Open your hand to the poor and needy
neighbor in your land.”
Matthew
25:40 — Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who
are members of my family, you did it to me.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I
didn’t know we had any “poor and needy neighbors” in our area as I was growing
up. We weren’t exactly rich ourselves, but we always had food on the table. I
never thought twice about baked goods, eggs, and garden produce I was told to
deliver here and there. The fact that I was “lent out” to a neighbor to help
with fieldwork and shouldn’t ask for anything didn’t compute at the time. When
I was in high school, I asked my Dad why it seemed like we were helping one of
the neighbors a lot more than they were helping us. His only response was,
“They need the help.” I suppose I could say I was “set up.” I was taught to
help those in need before I knew the meaning of stewardship. When I start
counting up the cost or the time and compare it with what I’m getting back, I
hear the words of Jesus, plain and clear: “What you did for someone in need,
you did for ME!” That’s all I need. I know I have been blessed. I am expected
to pass that blessing on to others to the best of my ability. How often have
you returned blessings to Jesus?
PRAYER
Giver
of every good and perfect gift, how well we know that we cannot out-give You.
As You have blessed us, help and encourage us to bless others without
expectation of repayment. Remind us that You were the first giver of every good
and perfect gift through Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.
SCRIPTURE
1
Samuel 16:7 — Mortals see the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the
heart.
John
7:24 — Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
Some
of the most beautiful people I’ve ever known would not win a beauty contest. On
the outside, “Gus” was as ugly as they came. But his heart made us want to play
with him. He would do anything for anyone, even if it took everything he had.
On the other hand, I made the mistake of choosing a young man based on his good
looks for a significant task we were to do for the area churches. I thought all
the girls would like him, and he’d be able to get through to them with the
program we were promoting. It didn’t take long to figure out that he was also
in love with himself, was shallow, and had no intention of serving anyone but
himself. I’ve made that mistake with other people enough that now I try to get
to know them and pray about them before making choices. Saul was a handsome
dude when God chose him through Samuel to be the first king of Israel. But his
heart was not in the right place. Being attractive or good-looking isn’t
necessarily a limitation. David was handsome too, but God found him to be a man
of God’s own heart. There is the true key for God. Where is your heart?
PRAYER
Merciful
and loving God, You created all humans “in Your image.” Help us to see You in
all people, not by outward appearances, but by the love within their hearts.
Fill our hearts with the joy of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, September 14, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.
SCRIPTURE
Proverbs
8:13 — The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Romans
12:21 — Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
One
of the farm jobs we hated most was cleaning the manure out of the barns.
Sometimes the odor was so overpowering we had to go outside to catch our
breath. A year’s accumulation of waste and bedding straw was disgusting,
smelly, and heavy. We usually had to carry the manure from one end to the door
on the other end, where the manure spreader was parked. Our clothes and hair
were filled with a disgusting aroma. Mom would make us eat lunch outside on
those days. Once we finished the job, we often washed down the walls and the
floor with disinfectant and brought in fresh, sweet-smelling straw or
even-sweeter-smelling prairie hay. Then we would wash ourselves clean. We had
to overcome the “evil” to make room for the “good.” Our lives may not be that
polluted, but to our pure and holy God, our sins give off an unholy “aroma.”
God wants us to join Him at His banquet table, but the first requirement is
“overcoming evil with good.” The good news is that God even provides the
“fullers soap,” the cleansing agent, Jesus Christ, to do what we cannot do for
ourselves. All who believe and are baptized have been washed and made “sweet
smelling” by what Christ has done for us.
PRAYER
Thank
You, God, for sending Jesus to wash us clean in His blood and making us
justified—“just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned.” What a tremendous gift You give Your
children! So help us when we walk through the sin-filled days of our lives to
remember our baptismal bath in those waters. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, September 15, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
71:5 — For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Philippians
1:6 — For I am confident that he who began a good work among you will bring it
to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
From
my earliest memories, God was a part of our lives. God was important enough to
talk about at the table, in the car, and even in the field. God was too
important to limit to church and Sunday school. Children’s Bible stories were a
pre-nap tradition which made it worth sticking around for nap time. Even when I
stayed with my grandparents, my Grandma’s worn old German Bible was a source
for talking about God while snuggling in Grandma’s lap in her squeaky old
rocking chair. I can’t imagine parents saying they don’t want to impose their
religion on their children so they can choose for themselves when they get
older. Where will they ever learn about an intimate relationship with God that
is connected to real people, real events, and real life? Like the psalmist, I
learned to pray, hope, and trust in God from my earliest days. God is not just
an intellectual construct. God is my Confidante, my Redeemer, my Savior, and
most of all, my Friend. I know that my Redeemer lives because I know my
Redeemer! How about you?
PRAYER
My
Redeemer and my Friend, thank You for parents and grandparents who thought
enough of You to share You with me. Give me the determination to do the same
for my children, grandchildren, and any child who will listen to the wonderful
love You shared with us in Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, September 16, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Isaiah
42:3 — A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not
quench.
SCRIPTURE
My
eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord; in you, I seek refuge; do not leave
me defenseless. Psalm 141:8
The
wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord. Romans 6:23
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
Occasionally
I got to stay a few days in town with my “in-town-grandparents.” I actually stayed
with my Uncle Orville, who was four years older than me. He included me in most
of his fun adventures with the town kids. We planned to rob the Stanton
National Bank in one of those adventures. It took a lot of planning since the
“sheriff,” and his posse knew it was going to happen and were planning to
capture us. Orville’s best friend, “Jake,” was one of our gang. He was our gang
leader because he had the best gun and holster set. The rest of us were poorly
equipped by comparison. We managed the bank heist and the getaway alright, but
the “sheriff” and his posse trapped us in an alley. We were holding our own
when the noon whistle blew. “Jake” had to leave. He deserted us, and it
was a losing battle from then on. Fortunately, when we finally surrendered,
they sent us home for lunch instead of to jail. God has all the firepower in
real life, and we are on His side against sin and evil. While some deliberately
turn their backs on God, God never leaves or turns His back on them. As a
result, we can lose sight of Him and feel defenseless. Thanks be to God for His
free gift of eternal life for all who remain faithful to God’s “posse.” Isn’t
it great to know you are never alone?
PRAYER
God of Law, Love, Justice, and Grace, thank You for
Your constant and dependable presence with us. When we stray from Your path,
guide us back to Your Way. Help us follow the example of Jesus, the One true
leader, who will lead us Home to You.
Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, September 17, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Genesis
32:10 — I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the
faithfulness that you have shown to your servant.
Romans
8:11 — If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he
who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
When
I was in seminary, I was carless, working in a funeral home in Minneapolis and
living paycheck to paycheck. My roommate at the funeral home had a car if you
could call it that. Among other ailments, his car’s exhaust pipe was a series
of orange juice cans soldered together and held in place with baling wire. The
trip from home in Nebraska to Minneapolis, usually a six-hour drive, was a long
twelve-hour bus ride with stops in every small town along the way. I received a
call from Mom, asking me to meet her and Dad at the bus station in Sioux City.
When I stepped off the bus, Dad surprised me by handing me the keys to a car!
They had made a down payment, and I would have to make monthly payments, but
the car was mine. I knew what a sacrifice this had been for them. “Not worthy”
didn’t even fit. God’s gifts to us are more significant than a car or any
worldly thing. God’s gifts and blessings are eternal life, paid for by the
sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Talk about being unworthy.....! Day by day, we
have reason to thank, praise, serve, and obey our generous God! How have you
been doing that?
PRAYER
Generous
and amazing God, thank You again and again for Your bountiful gifts to us.
Nothing in this world can compare to the grace, the free and undeserved gift we
received from Jesus, through whom we have the assurance of forgiveness, life,
and salvation! Help us live thankfully. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, September 18, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
45:9 — Woe to you who strive with your Maker, earthen vessels with the potter!
Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, “What are you making”?
Acts
17:25 — Nor is (God) served by human hands, as though he needed anything since
he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
Imagine
what Sesame Street could do with the words of Isaiah! It would be quite a funny
picture. A potter is working with the clay on a potter’s wheel. The potter is
almost finished with the vessel when suddenly the clay gets eyes, ears, and a
mouth and says to a startled potter, “Hey, Stupid, that’s not the way I want to
look! Now, pay attention, and I’ll tell you how to do it!” Funny? Yes, but
considering how many of God’s people are with God, it is also tragically sad.
God, our Creator—our Potter—has a divine purpose and plan for our
specific “shape.” We may have no clue what that might be, but God does. We can
fight it and deny it all we want, but we will never be completely fulfilled,
completely happy, or satisfied until we allow God to finish in us what God intended
from our beginning. Every element needed for the fulfillment of God’s divine
plan, God has provided and will continue to provide until His plan has been
completed. So what is God’s divine plan for you? Have you been cooperating with
God, fighting God, or trying to tell your Creator—the Potter that you
know a better way?
PRAYER
Our
Creator and Master Potter, we come to You in humility. You have not made us
puppets, conforming to Your every command. But You have shaped and molded us to
love and serve You. Knowing we will never be happy or satisfied until we do,
show us the Way that leads to You. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
22:19 — You, O Lord, do not be far away! O My help, come quickly to my aid!
Acts
26:22 — Paul said: “To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here,
testifying to both small and great.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
A
couple I love to visit and have come to love celebrated their 71st
anniversary! They have been through good times and bad. They have suffered losses
and celebrated victories. They have shed tears of sorrow as well as tears of
great joy. They have done all of this together. To this day, they have been
faithfully standing by each other, trusting and believing with all their hearts
that all they were doing was imitating their Lord and Savior. What an
incredible legacy they will leave behind for generations to follow! When asked
how they did it, they humbly give God thanks. “Without God’s help daily, we
could not have survived,” he told me. And with a twinkle in her eye, she looked
fondly at her man and declared, “We had the Lord and each other. And that was
all we needed.” In the end, that’s truly all that really counts, isn’t it—that
we know the Lord well enough to know that He always stands with us, even as we
do our best to stand with Him? Where do you stand?
PRAYER
Faithful
and Dependable Lord, the examples of faithlessness often overshadow the beautiful
examples of faithfulness my friends provide. Thank You for Your example in the
gift of Your Son, who gave His life for our sakes when we least deserve it. In
His name we pray. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel
37:14 — I will put my spirit in you, and you will live, and I will place you on
your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act.
Romans
6:11 — So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in
Christ Jesus.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
It
was an ordinary group of youth. Perhaps a little subdued, but with a typical
teen “attitude.” There wasn’t much life to them. We prayed half-heartedly but
with little spirit or faith. Then it happened. The Spirit of the Lord touched
one of the parents who began a ministry of love to the whole group, and bit by
bit, the Spirit touched individuals without their knowing it. Finally, a large
youth gathering ignited a spark, and the Spirit’s Fire spread, making an
ordinary group of youth into one of Life and Power! Like water changed to wine,
new and vibrant faith emerged and blossomed. I loved to hear them pray and to
pray with them. Years later, the love of Jesus still bubbles in the individual
members who were part of that group, and they are walking testimonies of what
God, in Christ, is doing. They once were dead, but now, they are alive. May the
Spirit of the Lord touch your spirit to allow you to die to sin and live in
Christ!
PRAYER
Spirit
of the Living God, fall afresh on us. Light the fire of Your love in our hearts
so that any group in which we find ourselves will light up with the spark of
Your Spirit. Make us truly instruments of Your love, peace, and joy as we
strive to follow the example of Jesus. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, September 21, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Zechariah
7:10 — Do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor.
James
1:27 — Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to
care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by
the world.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
They
had left early for the church that Sunday. He had even read the Sunday School
lesson, and she had baked two dozen cookies for the coffee hour and practiced
reading the lessons for worship. Shortly after leaving home, they saw a car by
the side of the road. A woman with two children sat there, obviously
frustrated. They didn’t recognize her, but they stopped to see what they could
do. She had a flat tire and no wrench. It was no problem for Tom to change it.
That is until he discovered her spare tire was also flat. By now, the kids were
restless and fighting. What could they do? Jean broke out the cookies while Tom
offered to take the tire to have it fixed. “But I don’t have any money!” the
stranger cried. They assured her it wouldn’t cost much and they would take care
of it. By the time they fixed the tire and were ready to be on their way, there
were no longer two dozen cookies, Sunday School was half over, and Tom needed
to wash up. They had almost made it to church when they saw the same car pulled
over to the side of the road and were horrified to see the kids crying, and
their mother slumped over the wheel. They stopped and discovered (later) she
was having a diabetic reaction to the cookies. They raced her to the emergency
room, calming the children and knowing they had missed Sunday School and
worship by now. When I heard their lament (and guilt over missing worship), I
assured them they had performed worship that was “pure and undefiled before God.”
How would you describe your religion?
PRAYER
Father
of widows, orphans, and everyone in need of special care, You have commanded
that we take time to worship You. Sadly we limit that worship to a single hour
on a single day without regard for those You send us to serve. Help us to live
and worship as Your hands, as Jesus did. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, September 22, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
9:19 — For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor
perish forever.
Luke
14:21 — The owner of the house said to his slave, “Go out into the streets and
lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the
lame.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
When
we lived in Springfield, a new show was opening in Branson, Missouri. They had
advertised, but too many other, well-established shows were being performed.
So, they also sent us free tickets, inviting us to brunch! Even with all the
publicity, free tickets, and free food, there were still empty seats, so the
cast went into the streets to invite people to the show. By the time the show
started, most of the seats were filled. The performance was—OK—nothing
extraordinary, but we had a good time and food. By contrast, God’s publicity
team has been working for centuries. Previews for the spectacular performance
have the critics raving. The banquet feast will be out-of-this-world—an
endless table of delights. To top it all, God will be the director and
the Star of the outstanding performance entitled “The Day of the Lord.” The
poor will be treated like royalty, enslaved people will discover their freedom,
the hungry will be fed, the sick cured, the blind will see, and the crippled
and lame will walk and run.... And day and night, those invited will give God a
standing ovation. So, don’t miss your invitation!
PRAYER
Lord
God, Almighty, Your performance in Jesus was more profound than that of any
award-winning actor or actress. The difference is that it wasn’t just an “act.”
You came as the real loving Savior of the world, without hype or special
effects. Feed us with Your Grace and Truth. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, September 23, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Matthew
25:40 — (Jesus said:) “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are
members of my family, you did it to me.”
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
54:4 — Do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace.
Matthew
10:19 — (Jesus said to the disciples:) “When they hand you over, do not worry
about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will
be given to you at that time.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I
have always admired some of the characters in some of the sitcoms and dramas on
TV because they always seem to have the perfect come-back or response to every
statement. And they have it instantly. However, I also know they are like me in
real life. They don’t have all their script writers to fill in the blanks. In
ancient times kings and nobles often enslaved people with good memories who
were trained to sit near them to feed them names, information, and even quotes
from plays, history, or other sources, so that they could spit the words out
and look brilliant to their guests. So again, most of us have to rely on our
memories and our own wits. But, when we must face the enemies of the Lord or
speak up to proclaim the Good News, God has promised to give us the words we
need. We are not alone! God is always with us, speaking in our ears—if
we have the ears of faith to hear. Are you prepared to listen?
PRAYER
Open
my ears, Lord. I want to hear Your Word. Speak in ways that will “cleanse” my
ears of the clutter and “wax” of things that are not important so that I may
hear Your Words of Love and Life. Give me the confidence to share Your Words,
following the example of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Sunday, September 24, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
31:9 — Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress.
Luke
12:7 — (Jesus said:) “The hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be
afraid.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I
never fully understood the intensity of my parent’s love for me nor how
fiercely protective they were of me until I grew up and had my own children.
Blindness to the obstacles or dangers may have been responsible for some of my
ignorance on the subject. I didn’t know the consequences of some of the games
my sister, brothers, and I played with sharp objects (like knives) while Mom
was outside helping Dad with chores, causing her to sit down and weep. Come to
think of it, our nearly drowning in the cattle tank, our fire in the corn crib,
my almost cutting off my sister’s arm with a corn knife, my brother’s nearly
shooting off his foot in a hunting accident.... No wonder they prayed so hard!
Their hair turned gray even though they knew all of our hairs were accounted
for by God. My children, in like manner, have contributed to my education in
such matters and to my beautiful (what’s left of it) head of hair. Thank God,
in the end, we can all rejoice that our heavenly Father has an even more
intense love for us and an even more fiercely protective and possessive desire
for us to be safely Home with Him! Have you been thoughtlessly allowing
yourself to place yourself in danger’s way? Or have you relied on God’s love
and care for you?
PRAYER
My
Guardian and Shield, forgive me for those times when I have placed myself and
others in danger, not considering the worries of my parents and You. Continue
to place Your protective hand over me and direct my steps away from those
dangers. Thank You, Lord Jesus, my Shepherd, and Friend. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Monday, September 25, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
61:1 – The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me.
Acts
1:5 — John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit
not many days from now.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
It
helps to keep things in perspective. I was the oldest of six children and was
often put “in charge” of things when our parents were out of the house or away
from home. My sisters and brothers would probably agree that there were times
when it went to my head, and I had to be reminded by Mom or Dad that they
gave me the responsibility for taking care of things in their absence,
not the authority to run things my way. I was not the boss. The
prophets of the Bible knew where the power and authority for God’s word came
from, and it wasn’t themselves. In much the same way, John the Baptist knew
that the real power and authority coming after him was so much greater than he
was that he wasn’t even worthy to untie His sandal. Those who believe and are
baptized are all under the anointing spirit of the Lord - not just to be
blessed, but to be a blessing to others, serving those to whom we are sent as a
way of serving the Lord with joy and thanksgiving. Have you forgotten the
purpose of your anointing? Have you let your anointing go to your head? May the
Spirit of the Lord rest on you so that you will be a blessing to others, no
matter where you are!
PRAYER
Father
of all, help us to remember our place in Your family. Give us gentle reminders
that we are not “in charge” of the Universe or even our tiny portion of our
world. Guide us in making decisions and choices that will glorify You, even as
Your Son was obedient to Your Will. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
kkPsalm
91:4 — He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings, you will find
refuge.
John
16:33 — (Jesus said:) “In the world you face persecution. But take courage: I
have conquered the world.”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
We
raised ducks on the farm. I think I liked the ducklings best. They were lively
and curious, but they never strayed far from “Momma’s” side. Water was their
favorite habitat, and they would follow their mother to the water for a swim
shortly after breaking out of their eggs. One year we had an orphan hatched and
raised by an old hen. We discovered that it couldn’t swim like the other
ducklings. We learned that the mother duck has some oil glands under her wing
feathers, of which the ducklings receive a generous coating each time they
nestle or take refuge. Once coated, the ducklings could swim, bob for bugs, and
play without sinking. Without it, they would drown! You and I are like that
orphaned duckling. On our own, we have no natural defenses against sin, death,
and the devil. In the waters of baptism, we are drowned to the old so that we
may arise as newly adopted children of God, who invites and encourages us to
take refuge under His wings. Covered by God’s grace, we can take courage in all
circumstances. We can swim in the waters of adversity, confident that we have
conquered the world in Christ! How well do you swim?
PRAYER
Under
the shelter of Your “wings,” we take refuge, O Lord. Thank You for being our
strong shield from the evil which seeks our harm. As Jesus returned to You
often for renewal and refreshment,
remind us to seek the cover of Your grace again and again. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
84:4 — Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.
Luke
2:36-38 — There was also a prophet, Anna, of a great age. She was a widow of
the age of eighty-four who never left the temple and worshiped there with
fasting and prayer night and day. She praised God and spoke about the child to
all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
The
house of the Lord has always held a special place in my life. My earliest
memories of that special place begin in the tiny sanctuary of my childhood. The
statue of the risen Jesus on the altar captivated my young mind. Here I learned
the old, old hymns and heard words that stirred something within me. Pastors
were not Jesus to me, but they painted word pictures that helped me know Him as
a friend, birthing a friendship that began in that holy place. I have been in small
and large sanctuaries in this country, Europe, Africa, and South America. No
matter where the “house of the Lord” is, there is a “holiness” that can’t be
described in words. God is not locked in such places. His presence is wherever
we are, for we are the temple of the living Lord. Recognizing Whose we are and
what we are, we discover the importance of lifting our voices in prayer,
praise, and thanksgiving. Like Anna, we raise our voices to bless the Lord for
the blessings we have received from His very presence. Where is the house of
the Lord in your life?
PRAYER
Spirit
of the Living Lord, thank You for making Your holiness known wherever we gather
in Your holy name. Open our eyes, ears, heart, and soul to recognize Your
presence in every gathering of people in worship centers or even at our kitchen
table, where Jesus joins us for fellowship. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Thursday, September 28, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah
66:22 — For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall
remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your descendants and your name
remain.
Philippians
3:20 — Our citizenship is in heaven, and
it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
Traveling
provides us with some tremendous lessons. It reminds us of how important “home”
is to us and how fragile that connection to “home” is. In one stop-over, we
were required to give up our passports to leave the holding area to use the
restroom. We would have been people without a country if we had missed the
flight without that little book for some reason. Even in our own country, we
discover slightly different rules, somewhat different attitudes, and even
different speech patterns, reminding us that we are not “home.” After a few
days of vacation, some of us begin to long for the old familiar things of “home.”
Yes, it’s great to get away from the same old grind, but how great it is to be
on our “homeward” journey. While living in this world and our own “home” may
seem like “home,” it is only our temporary home away from our Home in heaven.
What may seem like the best place in life to be, doesn’t hold a candle to the
Home of our heavenly citizenship. If we long for anything in this life, that
longing may have its roots in our great longing to return to the One who made
all things with a Word and will stand at the door to welcome us back Home. May
our Homecomings be more than we ever dreamed!
PRAYER
Welcoming
God, I am thankful I have a place to call Home. Even if I were homeless in this
world, I have a place already prepared by Jesus for me in my heavenly Home. So
help me keep my sights and the direction of my path set on the Home You have
for me. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Friday, September 29, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
34:3 — O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together.
Revelation
5:11-12 — Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels, surrounding the
throne ...singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and
blessing!”
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
Solos
are excellent, especially when the soloist is good. Small groups, like our
Blest 2 Bless group of Jr. and Sr. high students in Albion, Nebraska, singing
in unison or harmony can be especially enjoyable. A whole congregation singing
a song they know well and love can be inspirational, but when several thousand
voices join in singing praises, it gives you chills! Youth who have attended
national youth gatherings have had that experience and will forever long to
participate in singing praises to God like that again. Those who have had
“after death” experiences tell of hearing angel choirs and music for which
there is no earthly description. We will all be given the opportunity to “make
a joyful noise” before the throne of grace one day, joining with the “voice of
many angels.” Your present voice quality or ability will mean very little, for
it will be your heart and soul singing praises to God. Now is an excellent time
to practice. You don’t need a shower, a pitch pipe, or any instrument. You have
all you need, for God has given you the part He wants to hear as you sing with
the angels around the throne: Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to
receive power, wealth, wisdom, and might and honor and glory and blessing!
How do your heart and soul sound when they sing?
PRAYER
Blessing
and honor and glory and might be to You, O Lord. Plant Your melodies in my
heart and soul, so they resonate with the music of the heavens. Give me an
appreciation of the joy awaiting me as my songs are harmonized with Your
heavenly angels. Let me sing Your praises forever. Amen.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Saturday, September 30, 2023
WATCHWORD
FOR THE WEEK
Psalm
103:1 — Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy
name.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm
147:1 — Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God.
Colossians
3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one
another in all wisdom; with gratitude in your hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and
spiritual songs to God.
THOUGHTS
TO PONDER
I
love to sing. I can’t imagine anyone not loving to do so. However, I feel sorry
for those who have never had the joy of singing or have grown up as monotones.
For them, the words of the psalmist must be like salt in a wound because a
large number of the psalms, the songbook of the Jews, encourage people to sing
praises to God. I go through spells when I don’t sing, but then I begin to feel
like Jeremiah, who said that when he doesn’t proclaim God’s word, it is as if
he has a burning fire within him. (I have that, too, when I’ve been on vacation
and haven’t preached for a while.) When the word of Christ dwells in us, it
acts like a volcanic fire of the spirit, waiting to burst forth. So even if you
don’t have a voice for singing, speak the words to release the Spirit’s fire
wanting to escape through your lips. I genuinely hate to see people at worship,
standing there with their lips sealed, simply sitting, standing, sitting,
standing, and going through the motion. How sad it is when the people of God
don’t open their mouths to praise Him, but how good it is to sing
praises of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God!
PRAYER
How
good it is, Lord, when my voice harmonizes with the voices around me. Give me
the courage to sing a joyful noise to You every opportunity I have. Create in
me a new and living voice that shares the love of Jesus with every note and
every word that comes from my mouth in His name. Amen.
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