Machaira With Apostle Bennie

Tag: Shepherd

  • EPISODE 745 – LAVISHNESS OF GOD 4

    EPISODE 745 – LAVISHNESS OF GOD 4

    CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

    The Love-Life Agency

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    Beloved, the adversary desires to sift you, however, you must yield to prayer and not your self-confidence. Selah!
    Apostle Bennie
    Author
    Thursday, 6th February, 2025
     

    LAVISHNESS OF GOD 4

    “Look with wonder at the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has called us and made us his very own beloved children. The reason the world doesn’t recognize who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.”

    1 John 3:1 (TPT)

    There was a story about a lady traveling with her boss (it was her first time travelling on an aircraft). And in the flight, they sat at separate seats with some distance between them. When they got to their destination, her boss got to know the lady was feeling hungry. The boss was a bit surprised considering how they were served on the flight. So she asked the lady if what was served on the flight wasn’t enough for her.

    The lady replied to her boss, “Ma, I didn’t accept any of the food they tried serving because I was nearing enough money and didn’t want to bother you. I didn’t even visit the washroom because I didn’t want you to incur other costs”

    “What?” The boss exclaimed, “Your flight ticket covered all the bills! Your way to enjoy everything”. She continued.

    Is this not the situation with most believers in Christ?

    The ignorance of what God has lavished on them makes them live like beggars.

    They judge what they have and what they can do through their natural strength.

    Don’t judge the supply of God with the limitation of your natural ability.

    God is rich in wisdom and blessings; He lavishly and richly pours out His blessings in large measure.

    The lavishness of God is not just in the demonstration of His love through spiritual blessings in Salvation. God also lavishes His children with material blessings. To experience material blessing is not necessarily being materialistic.

    Materialism in theology is the concept of being obsessed or preoccupied (spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically) with material things rather than the spiritual reality of God.

    “Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (TLB)

    In the above verse, the author of Hebrews instructs his readers to stay free from the love of money and to shun financial greed.

    Does that mean the child of God doesn’t experience material blessings?

    Certainly not! The contrast of not being greedy or obsessed as a child of God with material things is contentment with what you have. This is transcending. The author was specific with what you need to be content with. He said “…be content with what you have”

    Amazing! (Just feel like shouting)

    To be content with what you have is not in reference to the material things you have been able to amass through your struggle and sweat.

    What you have in this context is not what you gained through your natural labor.

    What do you have?

    You have GOD!

    Who has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]”

    Did you read that?

    You cannot have God and lack support. He doesn’t just give you support, God is the support and the supply.

    Most believers who love a greedy life, live as the people of the world. They are not conscious they have the greatest treasure.

    Jesus said, “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require” Matthew 6:31-32 (TPT)

    No child of God should be greedy and materialistic. No child of God should be obsessively chasing after money or material things.

    You have GOD’S PRESENCE, where every blessing finds expression.

    Concerning your physical needs or material blessings, take note of this:

    “And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (Amplified Bible)

    How much do you need to do what God has called you to do?

    God is able to lavish you with every earthly blessing so that you will be sufficient enough for every good work.

    Don’t doubt nor limit the wisdom of God.

    Continue to behold and trust Him as your shepherd; He will make you lie down in green pastures.

    Hallelujah!

    DIG DEEPER
    (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Philippians 4:19; John 6:35; Deuteronomy 28:11-14)
     
    WE PRAY
    Pray to thank the Lord for His abundant supply of every earthly blessing we need to execute His assignments.
     
    BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
    1 YEAR PLAN
    Leviticus 17 – 19

    2 YEARS PLAN
    Genesis 37

    DECLARE THESE WORDS:
    – The Lord is my supply.

    – I don’t lack any good thing because I have received of the Lord in all of His richness.

    – I enjoy the abundant supply of God in this new season.
     
    – My mind is set on the lavishness of God’s love and Mercy.
     
    – His love for me is loyal and it can never run out.
     
    – The Lord will always and at all times lavish and soak me with His compassionate love.
     

    – The Lord doesn’t withhold His kindness and care from me.

    – He abundantly overhelms me with His mercies everyday of my life.

     
    Oh, Thank you Lord Jesus!

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  • EPISODE 741 – SUBMIT TO YOUR SHEPHERD 

    EPISODE 741 – SUBMIT TO YOUR SHEPHERD 

    CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

    The Love-Life Agency

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    If you have any challenge in your body, RECEIVE YOUR HEALING NOW! Be it infirmity in your kidney, lungs, intestines, stomach, eyes, bones and joints, heart, head, brain, or any other part of your body, YOU ARE HEALED whiles reading. Celebrate your testimony NOW! Hallelujah! (Share your testimony with me in the comments)
    Apostle Bennie
    Author
    DIG DEEPER
    (Acts 20:28; Jeremiah 23:4; Ezekiel 34:2,23; 1 Samuel 13:14)
     
    WE PRAY
    We engage the Wisdom of God to rightly submit with humility to the authority of the Shepherds He has set over us. In the name of Jesus.
     
    BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
    1 YEAR PLAN
    Leviticus 5 – 7

    2 YEARS PLAN
    Genesis 33
     
    DECLARE THESE WORDS:
    – I remain in the fold (Christ Commonwealth – Community) the Lord has placed me.
     
    – I have found my place and I refuse to isolate myself from the fold.
     
    – Through humility, I submit to the authority of my shepherd (Apostle Bennie).
     
    – I take heed to the leadings of my shepherd (Apostle Bennie).
     
    – I enjoy rest and joy through the guidance of the Shepherd the Lord has given me.
     
    – I don’t wander around like one without a Shepherd.
     
    – I follow diligently to every instruction.
     
    Oh Gloreey! Hallelujah!

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  • EPISODE 723 – FOLLOW THE LORD

    EPISODE 723 – FOLLOW THE LORD

    CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

    The Love-Life Agency

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    You have to decide whether the life you have will be lived according to your will or God’s Will. You have to come to a point to say, YES I HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE WHAT I WANT, YET NOT MY WILL BUT THE WILL OF GOD. Selah!
    Apostle Bennie
    Author
    Wednesday, 15th January, 2025
     

    FOLLOW THE LORD

    “My own sheep will hear my voice and I know each one, and they will follow me” 

    John 10:27 (TPT)

    Have you ever looked around and into your future and all you saw was chaos and distress?

    Have you found yourself in a situation where everything seems to be crushing on you, and there is no way out?

    Do you feel lost and confused with overwhelming thoughts of uncertainty?

    Do you feel like a total failure and don’t know how to make your way to a successful destination?

    There is good news for you. Stop the struggle and turn to the Lord.

    You may ask how do I stop the struggle? I am already caught up in the struggle.

    Let me help you understand this:

    Challenges or the negative situations you find yourself in are not the struggle. The struggle is your reaction to the challenge or the negative situation.

    No challenge has the power to break you until you are weak. Challenges must become stepping stones for your next level of success.

    It only takes a few seconds for a person to drown in water. Mostly, these people ignorantly get into struggling mode or fight-and-flight mode when they feel they can’t easily inhale or exhale. The flight or struggle mode doesn’t give them the opportunity to work on holding their breath for some seconds in the water.

    Most people who escape from being submerged in water, don’t respond to drowning by struggling. They relax the body into a floating position so that they can breathe.

    When the vicissitudes seem to submerge or suffocate you, don’t respond with a struggle, train your mind and heart to trust in the Lord. That is how you refuse to struggle. 

    To trust in the Lord is to be in a position of rest. In this position, you float on the challenges of life.

    As a child of God, take matters into your hands by first following the Lord. You follow the Lord because you are of His sheepfold. He is your shepherd. The Lord as your shepherd is your greatest advantage in this dark world.

    In David’s poetic praise, he said:

    “The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.” Psalm 23:1-2 (TPT).

    Oh, glory to God!

    It is not possible to follow the Lord and be controlled by challenges. The beautiful thing is that your walk with the Lord makes you bold. To follow the Lord is to be conquered by the presence and power of the Lord. No matter where you find yourself fear will not conquer you. You just know the Lord is with you.

    Live each day of your life following the Lord’s steps and leading.

    You are His workmanship created unto good works which He has foreordained that you walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

     Therefore He knows where you should be per time. The script of your life is written in His eternal scrolls. They are His thoughts in expression. Whenever you react with struggle and choose your own path, you act contrary to His original script for your life.

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

    As you follow the Lord’s leading, you walk and enjoy His perfect plan for your life.

    Stop the struggle and start following the Lord’s leading.

    Read also on HEARING GOD’S VOICE here.

    Shalom.

    DIG DEEPER
    (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:28; Psalm 119:133; John 8:12; Psalm 128:1)
     
    WE PRAY
    Pray that we shall patiently follow the Lord’s leading as He directs our steps through His word and bring us to the place of fulfillment.
     
    BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
    1 YEAR PLAN
    Genesis 41 – 43

    2 YEARS PLAN
    Genesis 15

    DECLARE THESE WORDS:
    – I follow the Lord!
     
    – I refuse to struggle, I trust in the Lord!
     
    – The Lord is with me.
     
    – I am not helpless.
     
    – I esteem the help of God above my challenges.
     
    – I live above weaknesses, failures and fears.
     
    – The Lord is my greatest help.
     
    – I run to the Lord at all times.
     
    Thank you Lord Jesus!

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  • EPISODE 516 – MAKE SUPPLICATION FOR YOUR LEADER

    EPISODE 516 – MAKE SUPPLICATION FOR YOUR LEADER

    CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

    The Love-Life Agency

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    Saturday 22nd, June 2024
     

    MAKE SUPPLICATION FOR YOUR LEADER

    “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel”

    Ephesians 6:19 (NKJV)

    To exercise and enforce your victory in Christ depends on these four key areas:

    1. The whole armor of God.

    2. Your sense of responsibility.

    3. The company of saints.

    4. And a strong Kingdom leader.

    These four areas are not written in any order. They are crucial items for your spiritual warfare against all the forces of darkness.

    The whole armor of God are the provisions of God to you. They encapsulate all the things God achieved for you through Christ Jesus.

    These whole armor were given to you by God to help you withstand the schemes of the adversary.

    However, the armor of God given to you will not produce the intended results until you personally take responsibility to use them.

    Paul the apostle in outlining the usage of the various armor pieces, included the responsibility of the believer. He didn’t suggest in any way that the armor pieces would automatically work.

    You must have a sense of responsibility. For the armor pieces to work, you should learn to be responsible.


    And Paul was clear on that. He didn’t mention any armor piece without addressing your role in its usage.

    Though we have already looked at these verses, take another look at the role of the believer in relation to the armor pieces in Ephesians chapter 6:

    1. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (verse 11).

    2. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (verse 13).

    3. Stand therefore, having girded your… having put on… having shod your (verses 14-15).

    4. above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to … And take the helmet  … (verses 16-17).


    5. praying always (verse 18).

    The whole armor of God is supplied by God, however, the functions of each armor piece is your responsibility.

    And then in the usage of this armor, you don’t stand alone as a good soldier, but with the other saints. When you stand with the other saints, you are an army. No matter how good you are, you cannot accomplish great things for God in your generation alone. All the saints must stand together to fulfill their purpose and to enforce the victory of Christ in your generation.

    In every army, there are commanders and captains. And Christ is the Chief Commander and Captain of His army.
     
    Nonetheless, the Lord has set men over the various groupings of His army. These men have the assignment to equip, nurture and build up the saints to function effectively.

    Just as no believer can exercise or enforce victory without the armor pieces, a believer may not be effective in the Kingdom by being isolated from the saints and without a Kingdom leader.
    God has set leaders in the church to tend his flock. These leaders or shepherds (Pastors) and teachers are responsible for the growth of each saint.
    These bring the saints to the place of knowledge and understanding.

    How do you think the Church would know the function of the armor pieces without the teaching of Paul?

    How were the brethren going to be equipped without the labour of Paul the apostle?

    Pastors and Teachers determine the growth of the saints in Christ. Therefore, the adversary makes them a target. When men who opposed the gospel wanted to stop the spread of the gospel, they persecuted the leaders of the church.

    When leaders faint in their faith, many other brethren will faint in their faith. The Church leaders are ambassadors who determine how effectively every Church within a locality will operate.
    The mindset of the spiritual leaders will affect the mindset of the people.
    This was why Paul in almost all his epistles requested that prayers will be made for him.

    Paul didn’t only instruct that prayers will be made for all the saints, he also requested that prayers will be made for him also. He was specific and precise. Though he is also one of the saints or the brethren, he had to be sure that they would focus on prayer for him.

    His request unveiled the objective of this spiritual warfare.
    This spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness is mainly to ensure that the gospel of Jesus shall prevail in all places.
    Who are those leading the spread of the gospel if not your Pastors or Shepherds and Teachers?

    “And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.”     Ephesians 6:19-20 (AMPC)

    If the knowledge of the glory of God shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, our leaders must be bold about the gospel of Jesus.
    If all the saints will also be inspired to be bold about Jesus, then the leaders must be examples of great boldness of speech.
    You have to pray for your leader to be bold in articulating the good news of Jesus.

    Selah!
    DIG DEEPER
    (Colossians 4:3; Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19)
     
    WE PRAY
    Pray for your leader, Pastor or shepherd and Teacher of the gospel, that he or she will be given the message to speak and that he or she may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news of Jesus, at all times and in all places.
     
    BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
    Psalm 132 – 138
     
    DECLARE THESE WORDS:
    – Utterance is given to all the leaders and sound teachers of the gospel
     
    – The Lord is making them increase in boldness.
     
    – They abound in knowledge and love for the Lord.
     
    – They are strengthened in the Lord and the fullness of power.
     
    – They enjoy divine insight and are protected by the power of the Lord from every evil.
     
    – The faith of the Leaders shall grow cold. They will increase in the Lord’s zeal and in great faith.
     
    In the name of Jesus!

    Thank you Lord!

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  • EPISODE 280 – ETERNAL DWELLING WITH THE LORD 1

    EPISODE 280 – ETERNAL DWELLING WITH THE LORD 1

    CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

    The Love-Life Agency

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    Monday 30th October, 2023

    ETERNAL DWELLING WITH THE LORD 1

    “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever 

    Psalm 23:6 (NKJV)

    The last sentence in Psalm 23:
    “… And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” launches one of the greatest revelation of God.

    From this Psalm, David:

    Didn’t just expressed his conviction of who his Shepherd is and how He supplies to him.

    He pointed out the reality that:

    – He is the sheep loved by the Lord.

    – He is directed, protected and preserved by the Good Shepherd

    – He is not just a sheep to the Shepherd; he is also a valued and honoured guest to the Shepherd.

    – The sheep is separated unto the Lord, and designated for the enjoyment of the abundant overflowing supply of the divine life.

    – The Shepherd causes His Goodness and lovingkindness to pursue and overwhelm you.

    As though all these aren’t enough, the Psalmist now points out the sonship of the sheep.

    He is not just hosted by the Lord. He was brought into the Lord’s house to become part of His household forever.

    That is SONSHIP!

    How is it sonship?

    There was an analogy used by Jesus to explain the concept of dwelling in a house forever:

    In John 8, Jesus was addressing the freedom He gives to those who believe in Him. It is the freedom that makes them (who believe in Him) become a part of the family of God. Now because they thought they were biological descendants of Abraham, they already share in this freedom and therefore don’t need Jesus. But Jesus brings them to the realization that, if they are of Abraham, they will have the faith to believe in the one whom God has sent. And because they don’t believe in Him, they are not of God. (John 8:31-59).

    Now take note of one of the statements Jesus made during his discussion with the Jews:

    “And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.” John 8:35 (NKJV)

    Awesome!

    Now because the Jews don’t believe in Jesus (or reckon Him as their Shepherd) , they don’t share in the eternal freedom which He gives. They are slaves of sin and have no eternal dwelling in the Lord’s house.

    However, to those who see the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Shepherd have an eternal dwelling in the house of the Lord.

    To dwell in the Lord’s house is to be part of His family. A slave cannot be of the family forever. A slave does not share in the inheritance of the family.

    The servant or slave is not the heir, and may at any time be expelled from the master’s house. But a son is the heir. He cannot in any way be sold or cast off from the family.

    “But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” Galatians 4:30

    When David, said “…And I dwell in the house of the Lord forever”, He was referring to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

    He was saying that:

    – the Lord is not just my Shepherd.

    -the Lord is not just my defense and supply.

    – the Lord is not just my Shepherd-Host.

    He was saying:

    The Lord is my Father. If the Lord is not your Father you cannot dwell in His house forever. If you are slave to the Lord (master); you don’t have the right to dwell in His house forever.

    The greatest revelation the Lord wants you to have is the revelation of YOUR SONSHIP!

    Your dwelling place is in His family. Yours is to enjoy every beautiful thing He has in His household.

    Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know that the LORD who is the GOOD SHEPHERD, IS YOUR FATHER?

    Oh glory to God…

    Hallelujah.

    DIG DEEPER
    (Genesis 21:10; Romans 8:15; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 16:11 NLT; Psalm 90:1)
     
    WE PRAY
    We pray that we will walk in the consciousness of our sonship and enjoy every benefits of the Father’s family.
     
    BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2023
    Jeremiah 51 – 52
    2 Corinthians 12 – 13
     
    DECLARE THESE WORDS:

    – I am a son and the God Shepherd is my Father.

    – I enjoy the privilege of sonship in my Father’s family.

    – I shall not be expelled from my Father’s house.

    – I walk in the consciousness of my dwelling place

    – I belong to my Father’s house.
     
    Glory to God.

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  • EPISODE 279 – TAKE DISCIPLESHIP SERIOUS

    EPISODE 279 – TAKE DISCIPLESHIP SERIOUS

    CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

    The Love-Life Agency

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    Sunday, 29th October, 2023
     

    TAKE DISCIPLESHIP SERIOUS

    “And those who believed Peter were baptized—about three thousand in all! They joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching sessions and at the Communion services and prayer meetings.”

    Acts 2:41-42 (TLB).

     
    The Lord didn’t just send us out there to bear fruits. God purposeful planted us to bear much more fruits which will remain and be lasting.
     
    We are not to just scatter the seeds of Christ’s love with others. There is no fruitfulness until the fruits remain on the branches.
     
    When a tree bear fruits, the fruits remain on the branches. Fruits are not kept elsewhere apart from the branches.
     
    For souls or fruits to remain in the Vine (the Lord), there are organic systems to engage.
    Discipleship in the Church is a crucial factor for souls to remain and last.
    Discipleship takes place within the Church. Every soul won must be put under a shepherd for effective and consistent nurturing.
     
    Just as we are not designed to operate in isolation from the Lord, we are also to practice our communion with the Lord by how we commune with the saints.
     
    All through scriptures we see that, anytime souls are won, they are added to the Church.
    God takes interest in souls being added to the Church. God gets involved in this work as well.
    “…The whole city was favorable to them, and each day God added to them all who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (TLB).
     
    Those who were being saved were not just added as members to the Church and left alone.
     
    From the subsequent verses we see how the souls saved were involved in discipleship.
     
    “And those who believed Peter were baptized—about three thousand in all! They joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching sessions and at the Communion services and prayer meetings.” Acts 2:41-42 (TLB).
     
    Now we see that:

    1. They joined with other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching meetings.

    2. They joined in communion services.

    3. They joined in prayer meetings.

    One cannot bear a lasting fruit in Christ, until he or she is consistent in these meetings.
    It is not just about attending services on Sundays, but being involved in the community of the saints. That determines and influences your growth.
     
    See some additional thoughts in the same chapter.
     
    “And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness” Acts 2:44-46 (TLB).

    4. We also see that, they shared everything with each other. A true expression of love and prove of discipleship. (John 13:14-15).

    5. They met in the big meetings and also met in small groups.

     
    In Christ Commonwealth -Community, we call the small group meetings, Life Connect. 
     
    Your souls don’t remain as effective fruits just by how they attend main gatherings. Their fellowship with Christ is deepened at the small group meetings.
    Beloved, don’t win a soul and ask them to attend a “Bible Believing Church“.
    How can a new soul tell or know a Bible Believing Church?
     
    When you win a soul, follow them up to bring them to the Church where you are nurtured.
     
    Selah
    DIG DEEPER
    (Acts 5:12 ; 14, Acts 1:13-14; Acts 20:7)
     
    WE PRAY
    That we will receive the grace to nurture, culture and establish souls in Christ.
     
    BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2023
    Jeremiah 50
    2 Corinthians 11
     
    DECLARE THESE WORDS:
    – I take the discipleship of souls serious.
     
    – I establish many in the Lord.
     
    – I ensure that my souls remain committed to the Lord.
     
    – I produce effective, dedicated and committed souls.
     
    – I am a diligent soul winner.
     
    Hallelujah!!! 

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