Category Archives: All About Jesus!

Validated Not Void!!! Bible Ballistics: BBs #759

15 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Salvation, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #759     Validated Not Void!!!

 

Jesus IS the only way to God, eternal life, and abundant life in this world.  Yet, we so often slough Him off and go our own way.  I would like to share a few thoughts with you about The One who has bought our salvation, provided The Way to restoration with God, and our complete validation as a child of God—not just the creation of God, but a child born again by The Spirit of God.

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 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 1:11-13

This is truly the amazing grace of God who loves you and me!  But we must come while God is working in us, while HIS voice is calling us to Himself.  As God said in Genesis 6, “my spirit shall not always strive with man”!  Don’t pass by and ignore the voice of God who gave HIS “only begotten Son” to die in your place and mine; for all who will believe/trust, in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN will receive new life in JESUS.  SIN is the problem—we all have it, we can’t fix it, but Jesus can and will fix it for you if you will but humble yourself, repent of your sin and receive HIS gift of eternal life.  Isaiah says it beautifully.

“Seek ye the LORD

while he may be found,

call ye upon him

while he is near:

7 Let the wicked

forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man

his thoughts:

and let him return

unto the LORD,

 and he will have mercy upon him;

and to our God,

for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts

are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways

my ways,

saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher

than the earth,

so are my ways higher

than your ways,

and my thoughts

than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain

cometh down,

and the snow from heaven,

and returneth not thither,

but watereth the earth,

and maketh it bring forth

and bud,

that it may give seed to the sower,

and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be

that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return

unto me void,

but it shall accomplish

that which I please,

and it shall prosper

in the thing whereto I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:6-11

And if I may make a bit of a tie in, God’s Word, that came forth from HIM IS Jesus!

“Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from

God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.”  John 8:42

Jesus IS God, came from God, and is One with The Father, and Is The WORD that comes “forth out of my mouth”, as the Apostle John records for us.

“In the beginning

was the Word,

and the Word

was with God,

and the Word

was God.

2 The same was

in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him;

and without him was not any thing made

that was made.

4 In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth

in darkness;

and the darkness

comprehended it not.”  John 1:1-5

       “I and my Father are one.”  John 10:30

The question is, will you choose to receive the ‘light’ and walk in it, or will you continue to walk in the dark and refuse to “comprehend” HIS light!  Jesus Himself, made it the clearest of all.  May you heed HIS Words?

“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.

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 3:16-19

The choice is yours.  Darkness and hell, or the Light of Jesus, and heaven!  Choose wisely, there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!

If Not The CROSS, What??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #755

29 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Are You Ready, By Him We Live, Choose You This Day!, Consider Your ways, Cross, Crucified With Christ

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #755  If Not The CROSS, What???

 

I am burdened greatly that we seem to have mindlessly set aside the CROSS in our zeal, compassion, and sometimes a simple desire to “help” people.  Yet, like Paul I truly believe we must, yes, we must, get back to the cross; for no matter how much kindness, love, compassion, and benevolence we bestow on those in need—be it spiritual, physical, emotional, or any other apparent need—when we put meeting their material or emotional needs over, or in place of, the need to bring them to see that they need the cross, we have missed the mark.

Paul had a lot to say about the preeminence of the cross and the Gospel of the cross of Christ Jesus.  Let’s peruse a few.

“For I will not dare to speak

of any of those things which Christ

hath not wrought by me,

to make the Gentiles obedient,

by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders,

by the power of the Spirit of God;

so that from Jerusalem,

and round about unto Illyricum,

I have fully preached

the gospel of Christ.”    Romans 15:18-19

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you

according to my gospel,

and the preaching of Jesus Christ,

according to the revelation

of the mystery,

which was kept secret

since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest,

and by the scriptures of the prophets,

according to the commandment

of the everlasting God,

made known to all nations

for the obedience of faith:

27 To God only wise,

be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.

Amen. ……”     Romans 16:24-27a

And one of the most powerful and foundational calls for us to be faithful to preach Christ and HIS CROSS:

“And I, brethren,

when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing

among you,

save Jesus Christ,

and him crucified.”    1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Nothing but JESUS–and the call for us to live unto Christ through the new life that HE gives to each one who comes to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for MY sin and yours! And by the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, we can die to self and LIVE UNTO JESUS in all we are, and all we do!

“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

Jesus Himself, makes it clear that it’s all about HIM, and only 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…

… 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…

… 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.”   Portions of John 3:4-16

The Apostle John clarified this “birth” in chapter 1 of His Gospel:

“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

And as Jesus declared before His death:

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men

unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

He died for YOU and ME—HIS life for mine!  What is your life preaching?  What “Gospel” are you spreading?  Jesus or some other message?  As the Apostle Paul reminds us again and again, our hope isn’t in “doing” good but it’s in “being” Christ’s and “having” HIS Spirit within us: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!  Oh, if we could just return to and pursue devotion to “Jesus Christ, and him crucified”!  That’s the only hope that is real HOPE, and may we be lifting up Jesus and not man’s philosophies, plans or programs!

“Whereof I am made a minister,

according to the dispensation of God

which is given to me for you,

to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid

from ages

and from generations,

but now is made manifest

to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known

what is the riches of the glory

of this mystery among the Gentiles;

which is

Christ in you,

the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach,

warning every man,

and teaching every man

in all wisdom;

that we may present every man

perfect in Christ Jesus:

29 Whereunto I also labour,

striving according to his working,

which worketh in me mightily”.   Colossians 1:25-29

In closing for today (for we will come back to this theme again!) may we ever take Romans 12:1-2 as our battle plan, remembering that “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (See 2 Chronicles 20:15)!  Yet, we have a part—may we pursue God in every step—HIS way not ours!  And if I may add, ‘God’s will’ will never contradict or compromise HIS Word!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that

good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

All by HIS power—not mine!!!

“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 15:5

Amen and Amen!!!

Only Two!!! Really??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #752.

10 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Family, Father's Way!, God Knows, The Things of God, The Word Or The World?, Trusting God, Truth, Truth is True

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #752      Only Two!!!  Really???

 

I would like to share an important post with you this morning, and while I won’t comment a lot, it’s not because I don’t have much to say, but because I simply want to share God’s Word with you and offer a few comments and ask you to consider what you are accepting and following as truth.

“In the beginning

God created the heaven and the earth…

…And God said,

Let us make man

in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God

created he him;

male and female

created he them.”  Portions of Genesis 1:1 & 26-27

More of the details are revealed in Genesis 2, with the account of the establishment of marriage, the home, and our moral boundaries.

“And the LORD God said,

It is not good

that the man should be alone;

I will make him an help meet for him…

…21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep

to fall upon Adam,

and he slept:

and he took one of his ribs,

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib,

which the LORD God had taken

from man,

made he a woman,

and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said,

This is now

bone of my bones,

and flesh of my flesh:

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man

leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife:

and they shall be one flesh.”  Portions of Genesis 2:18-24

While many dispute and deny the truth of the Genesis account of creation, and also deny that the New Testament even deals with creation, I would challenge you to check it out!  For there are many references not only to the Genesis account of creation, but Jesus Himself confirmed the truth of scripture and mentioned not only the Genesis account of creation, particularly God’s establishment of marriage, but he also referred to Daniel and Jonah—two of the most debated and denied books of scripture.

“And he answered and said unto them,

Have ye not read,

 that he which made them

at the beginning

made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause

shall a man leave father and mother,

and shall cleave to his wife:

and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put asunder.”  Matthew 19:4-6

While our culture has almost completely disregarded God’s plan and instructions for marriage, I praise God that He forgives and restores.  He gives that “living water” that heals the soul of sin and makes us “new creatures” in Jesus.  I know because I am one of those “Samaritan women” who needed saving and healing from my sin and disregard of God’s way!  What an amazing God we serve.  Like the Samaritan woman, until we see our sin as sin, we have no need of a Savior! How about you?  Are you a sinner in need of a Savior?  Jesus is waiting for you to call upon Him to drink of His living water!

“Jesus answered and said unto her,

Whosoever drinketh of this water

shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water

that I shall give him

shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him

shall be in him a well of water

 springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him,

Sir, give me this water,

that I thirst not,

neither come hither to draw.

16 Jesus saith unto her,

Go, call thy husband,

and come hither.

17 The woman answered and said,

I have no husband.

Jesus said unto her,

 Thou hast well said, I have no husband:

18 For thou hast had five husbands;

and he whom thou now hast

is not thy husband:

in that saidst thou truly…

…24 God is a Spirit:

and they that worship him

must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him,

I know that Messias cometh,

which is called Christ:

when he is come,

he will tell us all things.

26 Jesus saith unto her,

I that speak unto thee am he…

…28 The woman then left her waterpot,

and went her way into the city,

and saith to the men,

29 Come, see a man,

which told me all things that ever I did:

is not this the Christ?”  Portions of John 4:13-29

Here was a woman who had completely strayed from God’s plan and Jesus brought faith, restoration, and a new vibrant testimony of finding the Messiah.  And this is an amazing thing, for this is the first recorded account of Jesus revealing Himself openly—and not only to a woman, but a Samaritan woman!  A totally ‘anti-cultural’ move, truly declaring that “whosoever will, may come”!  The choice is ours/yours—to believe in Jesus or to reject/deny Him.  It’s your choice—to believe in Jesus—to honor marriage or desecrate it—to obey or to reject the ONE who died for YOU.  “Come, see a man”!  God did create male and female, and HE set the design and plan for mankind and the home, and regardless of what men may say today, God has spoken, and HE will hold men accountable.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me

before men,

him will I confess

also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me

before men,

him will I also deny

before my Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32-33

Please consider what God has said and respond to HIS call on your heart.  Jesus is ready to save right now!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“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 1:9-10

Amen and Amen!!!

No Matter The Valley??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 20

05 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Looking up Or around?, Valley of The Shadow of Death, Walk in the Spirit, What's your valley?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 20  No Matter The Valley???

 

Perhaps like your household, we have been through many changes in recent days; some due to our health, some simply due to times and seasons of change.  Yet I have been reminded in these perilous and roller-coaster-days that God is still God—God is still good—and I still trust HIM.  I think the Psalmist said it best!

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down

in green pastures:

he leadeth me

beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth

my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk

through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table

before me

in the presence

of mine enemies:

thou anointest

my head with oil;

my cup

runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell

in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

David makes it so clear that his confidence is in The Lord—

The One who is HIS shepherd—

And HE can be ours—JESUS—

The One who meets our needs—

Physical—Mental–Spiritual—

He provides for us in every way—

Rest—

Direction—

Leadership—

Restoration—

Both physical and spiritual—

HIS presence in the “valley” of death—

Comfort in our trials—

Assurance of HIS care—

A place in HIS kingdom forever—

We simply have to receivce HIM as our shepherd personally.

“All that the Father giveth me

shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me

I will in no wise cast out…

…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 & 39-40

Jesus makes it clear throughout scripture that when we come to HIM in repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice, HE will give us eternal life with HIM—and that eternal life starts immediately when we believe not just when we “get to heaven”!  His promise is faithful for every task, every trial, and every valley that we may encounter!

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep

did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:7-11

The good shepherd, Jesus, gave HIS life for us at Calvary, and we will only find life in HIM.  There is only One Way to God and HIS name is Jesus; and when we receive HIM, we will have that peace, direction, rest and all we need to face every valley—even the one that is the “shadow of death”, where we can “fear no evil” when Jesus is with us, in us, and working through us for HIS glory and our good.  All by the power of the precious Holy Spirit of God, who comes to dwell in those who come to Jesus.

“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.”  Romans 5:1-6

Jesus saved us because HE loved us, and only you can decide what you will do with the free gift of salvation that Jesus purchased “with his own blood”!  As Jesus told Mary that HIS life (and death) would deliver us from sin, death, and hell, giving us “LIFE”!

“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming,

went and met him:

but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again

in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?”  John 11:20-26

Even as we consider Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, we find that Jesus is the only way!

“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…

…7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again…

….14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent

in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 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.

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.” Portions of John 3:3-19

So, the question is, have you believed and received Jesus, or will you continue to cling to your darkness and evil deeds (Jesus said it not me!)!  No matter the valley you may be facing Jesus will guide you through it if you will but look up instead of around.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

And in closing, Paul’s words from the letter to the Roman believers as there are always those in the church who still need to hear the truth.

“But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.

12 Wherefore,

as by one man sin entered into the world,

and death by sin;

and so death passed upon all men,

for that all have sinned:”   Romans 5:8-12

Won’t you come to The One who loves you and gave HIS life for you; and He will fill you with His Spirit when you come to HIM.

Amen and Amen!!!

My Strength Isn’t My Own! Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19

30 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Confidence, Contentment, Encouragement

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 19.  My Strength Isn’t My Own!

 

“The LORD is my strength

and my shield;

my heart trusted in him,

and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song will I praise him.”   Psalm 28:7

We have gone through some extreme changes in the last six weeks, and I have to admit, my body is totally weary and tired, but by God’s grace, strength, and power I have been able to do the things that needed doing.  We are in a new season, time, and place in our lives and yet our God is where HE has always been—in total, sovereign control, and I can’t tell you how much comfort, assurance, and confidence this gives to my heart.  It is my sustenance and I praise God for it.  I want to simply share a few passages of scripture to lift our hearts heavenward this morning.  The first may seem a little out of place but I hope you will consider the import of what it says—in fact I believe it is the foundational premise of the segment it begins.

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power

of his might.”  Ephesians 6:10

This beginning of the “armor of God” passage is often skipped as we jump into the “important” list of the armor, but have you considered the import of this introductory statement that Paul makes?  As Jesus said in John 15, without HIM and HIS power, we “can do nothing”!  Whose strength are you relying on?

“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

And in closing this brief post with you today, I pray that you will look up and not depend on your own “grit” and “power”, but on The Lord God Almighty whom I know reigns.  Is HE reigning in you?

“And I heard as it were the voice

of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth.”  Revelation 19:6. Amen!!!