Category Archives: A Father’s Love

I Deserve Hell??? You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #141

08 Sunday Oct 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Eternal Consequences, Eternity is Long, Gospel, Grace, Hell, Hell's Hot, Hell's Real, Jesus Saves!, Salvation, SIN

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I Deserve Hell??? You???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #141

I have an important word this evening, and I pray that it will be received where it is needed, for without Jesus, there is no hope!  There is no salvation! But if we never see our sin, we’ll never need a Savior!  Where are you today?  Religious?  Self-righteous? Self-sufficient? Without any need?  Jesus said that without repentance we will perish; so I’d like to share some of the words of Jesus that warn us that we need Jesus, and there is no other solution to our SIN problem, and we all have one!  If you think you don’t have sin, then you will leave this world without a Savior, a Redeemer.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it…

….21 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.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.” Parts/Matthew 7:13-23

Jesus also makes it clear that ‘repentance’ is essential to salvation, because if we see no need of repentance, it’s likely that we do not see our sin, or the need to repent of our sin and trust and believe in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for MY sin!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

…. 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”   Luke 13:3 & 5

Our salvation is why Jesus came!  Will you receive HIM?

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Also, Jesus promises to keep those who come to HIM in this same repentance and faith!

“All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven,

not to do mine own will,

but the will of him

that sent me.

39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me,

that of all which he hath given me

I should lose nothing,

but should raise it up again

at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me,

that every one which seeth the Son,

and believeth on him,

may have everlasting life:

and I will raise him up

at the last day.”  John 6:37-40

In this same vein, Paul paints an amazing picture of why salvation is dependent upon our recognition of sin, repentance, and faith in JESUS!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely

by his grace

through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins

that are past,

through the forbearance

of God;” Romans 3:23-25

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

 While I know that I have broached this subject on numerous times, it is the one thing in this life that is truly “all that matters”!  So I’ll keep repeating it until all have heard!

“For I am not ashamed

of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God

unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.”  Romans 1:16

And as Peter proclaimed with boldness—may we also be bold in our call to salvation!

“Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

I pray that you will examine your heart today; have you received The Redeemer?  Or do you plan on taking care of your own sin; there are only two options—Salvation IN JESUS, or hell for those who reject HIM.

It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test, and HIS name is JESUS!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Greater IS HE??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #139

04 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Almost But Lost, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Greater is HE that is IN US!, He Died That We Could Live, He Opens Blinded Eyes to SEE, Hear ye HIM!, Hearing God

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Greater IS HE??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #139

It is so easy to become dependent on our own strength, wisdom, and strength, but in truth I am so aware of the truth that Jesus spoke in John 15, that I remind myself (my often self-willed and self-determined self) that it is ALL because of Calvary and the ONE who gave Himself for my salvation!  He is my hope, help and supply in all things—not just in so-called “spiritual” things but in all things!  I need to listen to HIS voice and pursue HIS will in ALL things.

“I am the true vine,

and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me

that beareth not fruit

he taketh away:

and every branch

that beareth fruit,

he purgeth it,

that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean

through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch

cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:1-5

There is so much that I could write on this subject, but suffice it to say, we must –yes, we must abide in JESUS—every day, every step of the way, in ups and downs, in good times and difficult ones, whether we understand or not!  All I need to know is that JESUS is my King, my Lord, and my Guide in all that I will release to HIM!  All things!  It’s what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 3, where he contrasts the difference between “wood…hay… stubble… gold…silver….and precious stones”; just as he wrote to the Galatians to “walk in the Spirit” not the flesh!  It’s one of the hardest things to do consistently, walk in HIS SPIRIT and not our own earthly wisdom; but the results call us to strive for God’s will—it will result in eternal, indestructible results that will withstand the judgement of fire before our KING!  And there is a day coming (and very soon, I believe) when we will stand before The Lord Jesus and answer for our decisions, our life, and our work!  Oh, how I want to please HIM, but it means I must learn more and more to “Abide in me, and I in you”!  Right here–right now!  Will you join me in the pursuit of holiness in our Lord Jesus, that we might truly hear HIM say, “well done, thou good and faithful servant”!

HOW?  How do we stand fast and follow?  Well, it’s not easy, but it is doable because we do it “IN HIM”, and John makes it clear for us in his letter to encourage and help believers.

“Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

John goes on to say:

“If we receive the witness of men,

the witness of God is greater:

for this is the witness of God

which he hath testified of his Son.

10 He that believeth on the Son of God

 hath the witness in himself:

he that believeth not

God hath made him a liar;

because he believeth not the record

that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record,

that God hath given to us eternal life,

and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son

hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.”  1 John 5 :9-12

Are you running your own show?  Or have you come to Jesus in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU?  He IS able—and HE will keep you, for truly “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”, for those who are HIS own!  I’m so glad HE saved me!  How about you?  John said it all:

“He that hath the Son

hath life;

and he that hath not the Son of God

hath not life.”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Because YOU Are Loved??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #137

29 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Heaven or Hell, Hell, Hell's Hot, Hell's Real, Salvation, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin

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Because YOU Are Loved??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #137

We often run into people who just can’t believe that anyone cares about them, yet there is a God who not only loves them but has called we whom HE has saved to share HIS love, grace, and care with those around us.  And that’s what I want to share with you today—YOU are loved by the Sovereign God Almighty of all creation and HIS Son, Jesus, and by the power of HIS Holy Spirit Who speaks to hearts today—hearts that will receive that gift of salvation that HE has provided, in JESUS!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

This Jesus who loves us so much that HE gave HIS life for you and me—that we might have eternal life and not eternal death in hell.  But we must see that JESUS is the ONE way to God, the ONE way to forgiveness of SIN (See Matthew 1:21).

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

And probably the most well-known verse in all of scripture tells us that Jesus loves YOU so much that HE gave HIS life for YOU and me!  In HIM you can find forgiveness for sin, a new life by HIS power and grace, and the opportunity to know HIM in this life, right now, and an eternity with Him after this life is over.  What more could you want?

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

It’s your choice, and as Jesus goes on to share in John 3, your choice has a consequence.  Will you trust Jesus or reject HIM and pay for your own sin in hell?  Choose wisely, there is a test!

“17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:17-19

I invite you to come to Jesus and find the greatest reason to praise and thank God for this precious gift of LOVE!  Paul paints an amazing picture of this grace and the attitude of gratitude that it should produce in every believer!  How about YOU?  Life or death?  Heaven or Hell?  But just a note for you skeptics:  why would you want to go to heaven anyway?  You have no need of God now, you don’t care to spend time in HIS presence now, why would you want to spend eternity with a God for whom you have no use?  Only you can answer.  But remember, while it’s your choice, the consequence is out of your hands once you reject Jesus.  Thankful or full of regrets, it’s your choice.

I choose gratitude with the Apostle Paul; I’m so grateful for forgiveness and new life IN JESUS!  Forgiveness or debt?  Light or dark?  Life or death?  It’s your choice!

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance

of the saints

in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”  Colossians 1:12-14

His nail-scared hands are still reaching out for YOU!  No one can love you more than Jesus.

Amen and Amen!!!

Have You Checked Your Crop??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #136

27 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose you this day?, SIN, Sowing and Reaping, Speaking, Speaking The Truth In Love, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Victory IN Jesus!, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Watch Your Words, What's In Your Heart?, What's In Your Mouth?, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Words Matter

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Have You Checked Your Crop??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #136

 

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.”   Galatians 6:7-10

For those of you who may not know, I am married to a farmer (a retired one, but still a farmer at heart, for ‘Once a farmer, always a farmer!”), and that is an amazing adventure, in and of itself, but farmers know about sowing and reaping. You’ll never reap what you don’t sow at all—You won’t reap different than you sowed (other than the weeds that we all fight, physically and spiritually, for remember, we “wrestle not again flesh and blood, but principalities…..”), if you sow good, clean seed, you’ll reap the same—You won’t sow what you don’t have, without seed there is no crop!  Yet, you’ll always reap more than you sowed (example 1 kernel of corn produces an ear of approximately 1100 kernels!!!), the kind that you sowed, and later than you sowed (it takes time for a crop to sprout, grow, and produce a harvest!)!  But what you sow you will reap—sooner or later!  God says so!

I find it amazing that people talk about God and heaven, especially when there’s been a death near them, like they are something ‘good’!  Yet, they have no regard for God, His Word or His Son, Jesus Christ The Lord, in their living—they speak what they want, regardless of the vulgarity, profanity, or lewdness, and they act how they like.  James has a most profound word about that.

“But the tongue can no man tame;

it is an unruly evil,

full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God,

even the Father;

and therewith curse we men,

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth

proceedeth blessing

and cursing.

My brethren,

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth

at the same place

sweet water

and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren,

bear olive berries?

either a vine,

figs?

so can no fountain both yield

salt water

and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man

and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation

his works

with meekness of wisdom.”  James 3:8-13

James is reminding us that if we claim to belong to Jesus our lives—especially our tongues—out to reflect Jesus, not the vileness of the world, by the power of The Holy Spirit who dwells within those who are born again by HIS power. Jesus imparts HIS Spirit, love, and power to those who genuinely call upon Him in repentance and faith/trust/belief in HIS substitutionary (in my place), atoning (satisfaction for a wrong/debt due) sacrifice (Jesus died in my place for my sin— “for God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son…”)!  All this because He loves us—you and me—sinners in need of a Savior!

“But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:12-13

As Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader who came to Him by night to know what he could ‘do’; and Jesus told HIM!

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born

of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born

of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born

of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

This “new birth” is what Paul was referring to when he described the children of God in 2 Corinthians 5:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new…

…. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-& 21

God put our sin upon Jesus (who knew no sin—see Hebrews 4:15) that we who come to Him and receive this new birth, also receive the very “righteousness of God in him”!  It’s relational, it’s not about my works but the work of Salvation that Jesus completed at Calvary, for all who will come to HIM in that repentance and faith that scripture teaches again and again.  If Jesus is in you, can anyone see it?  If not, won’t you come to HIM today, HE is ready to give you that new heart full of HIMSELF!  If you claim the name of Jesus, what’s coming out of your mouth—HIM or YOU, ‘the you’ that has allowed the world to invade your heart and push Jesus to the side?  Only you can answer that question; here’s what Jesus said about the mouth; and note in this context, that Jesus is speaking to “religious leaders”, I say again, “sayin’ so doesn’t make it so”, only the new birth can!

“Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

  In other words, you can wash your hands multiple times a day, you can claim your ‘religion’, your ‘works’, your ‘family’, but if your heart is unchanged by Jesus, your mouth will betray what is really in your heart!  Your choices will come back to haunt you! Paul said above that we are in reality mocking God, and HE knows the truth!  Do YOU?  Jesus came to die for sinners just like me!  Just like you!  I’ll share with you today a rather lengthy passage from Paul that paints a glorious picture of what we receive in Jesus; we are to be a reflection of the Savior within, a mirror of HIS love, HIS Spirit, HIS work, HIS grace to a lost and dying world.  Are you reflecting Jesus?  Or has your mirror gotten dirty?  Do you need Jesus to forgive, restore and cleanse you?  HE will!  The Apostle John gives great truth and hope for all who will receive it.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful

and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:6-10

Please don’t mock God, but come to HIS throne of grace for forgiveness in Jesus, your harvest is at hand; what will it yield?

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love

toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:1-8

How about your harvest?  Are you mocking God, or do you love HIM and walk in HIS ways.  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  I’m praying for you!

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.”

Amen and Amen!!!

 

Follow Or NOT??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #134

22 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Instruction, Godly Wisdom, Repentance, Righteousness

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 Follow Or NOT???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #134

Just some food for thought on this Friday, and I pray that we will take heed to the words of The Lord Jesus.  Sayin’ so doesn’t necessarily make it so; what about you, are you following Jesus or going your own way while using HIS name?

“He that loveth father or mother

more than me

is not worthy of me:

and he that loveth son or daughter

more than me

is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross,

and followeth after me,

is not worthy of me.

39 He that findeth his life

shall lose it:

and he that loseth his life for my sake

shall find it.

40 He that receiveth you

receiveth me,

and he that receiveth me

receiveth him that sent me.”  Matthew 10:37-40

Matthew goes on to share even more about this “cross bearing”.  The issue isn’t “not” loving our parents, or siblings, or even our children, the issue is knowing that Jesus is our first love and if we follow HIM, we will never go astray, and when there are conflicts of devotion, Jesus will always lead us aright in our lives, and HE will care for those whom we trust to HIM (although HE will never violate our will or theirs)!  Jesus calls us to “follow” HIM–it’s our choice –what you do with it is up to you!  But don’t wait too long, we’re not promised tomorrow.

“And the LORD said,

My spirit shall not always strive with man,

for that he also is flesh…”  Genesis 6:3a

Jesus’ other words are also worth our consideration—are we truly following Jesus, or are we falling for the lies of the enemy and compromising The Word of God?  Following Jesus demands our self-denial in deference to Jesus and HIS will for me and you!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come

in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward every man

according to his works.” Matthew 16:24-27

Paul puts it in a ‘nutshell’ for us, and while I know I use this verse often, it is a much-needed reminder of what following Jesus really looks like—death to self while living for Jesus where ever HE may lead, trusting all to HIM.  As Peter said, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you”! (See 1 Peter 5:7) Will you trust all of you to HIS care?

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

James points us in Jesus’ direction for our life walk! Are you/I walking in dependence upon Jesus Christ our Lord, or in our own wisdom?  Are you staying in “the perfect law of liberty” or doing your own thing and “forgetting” about Jesus, and what your life was without HIM!

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word,

and not a doer,

he is like unto a man

beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before

God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless and widows

in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted

from the world.”  James 1:22-27

Paul also had something pertinent for us in regard to wisdom; real godly wisdom will lead to genuine repentance and restoration when we fail—it will never be the result of worldly wisdom, which most often compromises truth and leads us astray!  Paul called for repentance in the church at Corinth, and they recognized the truth that Paul shared and found restoration, where are you today?  Will you follow Jesus or NOT?

“Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage by us

in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh

repentance to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing,

that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,

what carefulness it wrought in you,

yea, what clearing of yourselves,

yea, what indignation,

yea, what fear,

yea, what vehement desire,

yea, what zeal,

yea, what revenge!

In all things ye have approved yourselves

to be clear in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Will we follow, obey, and be blessed or will we press on in our own ways?  To be a “doer of the word” we must know The Word! So, dig in!!!  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.

Amen and Amen!!!