12.31.07
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 12:29 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 3:1-19 Theme: John prepared the hearts and minds of people for Jesus’ coming. Key verses: “…the word of God came to John…in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in…Isaiah…’A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” (v. 2-6) “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” (v. 8) “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (v. 16) “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them…But when he rebuked Herod…he locked John up in prison.” (v. 18-19) What God said to me: Dwayne, people’s hearts and intellects need to be prepared before they are ready to receive me. Like good soil needs tilling to be most fruitful, people need to be given time and attention and care. John was rough and tough and bold and blunt. That is what those people needed to hear to help shake them up and scrape away their years of pride and comfortably sinful lifestyles. John was simply being obedient to me, letting the chips fall as they would. He even rebuked Herod, despite the resulting inevitable fallout for John. John was clearing the spiritual and moral roads and knocking down the mountainous obstacles that the people of his day had built up in their hearts and minds. I expect you to do the same today. True, the Holy Spirit will do the actual heart surgeries. But He may use you to speak through in order to plant His message in them. Dwayne, you lack boldness and zeal when it comes to witnessing. You are too afraid you will offend someone, or you are too busy or embarrassed to say what I need you to say. Look for opportunities to use the pick of my Word to clear away the debris in someone’s understanding. Be bold. Be deligent. Be faithful. Be full of love and determination. Let me take care of the outcome - both to them and to you. What I said to God: Lord, I certainly didn’t see this convicting message coming today. I have never seen myself as an “earth-mover” for you in people’s hearts. I confess that I am not nearly bold enough or passionate enough over the lost. They are going to hell, and I rarely give any thought to it. Oh God, what an indictment! I get so distracted doing my busy ministry things that I fail to see the purpose of my ministry. Help me be on ready to share Your good news with someone this week, no matter what anyone thinks or says of me.
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12.29.07
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 10:02 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 2:39-52 Theme: Jesus continued to grow and learn and mature throughout his childhood, as should we. Key verses: “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” (v. 40) “After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.” (v. 43) “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this?’…’Why are you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’” (v. 46-49) “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them…And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” (v. 51-52) What God said to me: Dwayne, this passage is loaded with applicable truth. Even my Son - God Himself - had to grow and mature in his understanding of spiritual things. Where does that position you, therefore? Notice that Jesus wasn’t there in the temple to teach those rabbis. He was there sitting and listening and asking them questions. Why do so many assume he was the one doing the teaching that day? No, he was there to be taught because he wanted and needed to learn. Furthermore, He saw that leaving them to be in the temple those three days upset his parents, so he went back with them to their home town and was obedient to them. He humbled Himself before them to do what they said He should do. Why? because that was right in my eyes and Jesus knew He needed to grow. He was thirsty to learn and develop. Dwayne, never stop growing. Never reach a point when you think you know enough about me and my ways and my Word. Continue to develop relational and intellectual skills and knowledge. Above all, seek wisdom from above. Humble yourself to be taught by others even as my Son allowed Himself to be taught by human, less-than-perfect teachers. What I said to God: Praise You and thank You for this morning. Thank You for a good night’s rest and for health to get up and invest time with You. Thank You for the peace and quiet of the early morning in my home. I am so blessed and I know I am. I hunger and thirst after righteousness. I choose to seek after wisdom as for hidden treasure. I need Your knowledge and counsel. Please grow my sons in your wisdom and stature. Please place in them a heart that wants to serve and know You above all things.
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12.28.07
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 12:03 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 2:21-38 Theme: Simeon and Anna got to see and hold God because they were spiritually prepared and expectant. Key verses: “Now there was a man in Jeruselem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:’Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…’” (v. 25-30) “There was also a prophetess, Anna…She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child…” (v. 36-38) What God said to me: Dwayne, the greatest lesson you can learn here is the importance for you to always be ready and waiting for me to reveal myself to and through you. Why do you suppose I chose Simeon and Anna for such an earth-shattering opportunity? There were thousands of others who regularly kept the Law and visited the temple. Yet, two people were selected for this special and privileged chance of a lifetime. Simeon and Anna were righteous. They kept themselves from sin. Dwayne, that is the first requirement. Anna had been a lonely widow for most of her life, yet she did not use that as an excuse not to faithfully serve me day and night. Simeon was constantly looking and anticipating the Messiah I had promised. His spiritual attenaes were high and attuned to the slightest hint of revelation about my son. The Holy Spirit anointed him because of his devout and deligent lifestyle. Do you want to see the miracles, the supernatural movements that 99.9% of the general population will never notice? Then you too must be finely in-tune with me both night and day every day for the rest of your life - no excuses. What I said to God: Hallelujah, El-Elyon, for speaking so clearly to my spirit this morning. When I finally stopped to humbly ask for understanding of this passage, you have poured it on me. Thank You, my precious Father and God. I know and shamefully admit that I don’t stay connected to and focused on You 24/7. There are moments - yea, there have been whole days - when my mind and heart are rebellious and running in their own directions away from You. Forgive me and cleanse me for that. I will never deserve any special attention or revelations, nor do I ask for them. I just want to be wholely devoted to You for life. How You respond to that is totally good with me. I’m not going to hell and I’m living for eternity with You. What more could I possibly ask?
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12.26.07
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 12:46 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 2:1-20 Theme: Jesus was actually born on this earth like us. Key verses: “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (v. 6-7) “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby…An angel of the Lord appeared to them…’This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” (v. 8-12) “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger.” (v. 16) What God said to me: Dwayne, you were born in a hospital with the best of care. Few then or now can say they were born in an animal’s stall and laid in a feeding bin. Three times Luke reinterated how my son, the King of Kings, was placed in a manger as his first bed. He was born into the lowliest of circumstances. Yet when you hear me say that you think I am refering to that manger, but in fact the lowly circumstance to which I refer is that world you live in. You have little or no idea what my boy left in heaven to have to come down there to earth. Yes, the manger is a symbol. But it symbolizes more than just poor, undesirable places within your world; it represents everything your world is. It is a fallen, miserable place where sin is pervasive and self is king. It is a darker more dismal place than even that little animal stall in Bethlehem. I sent my one and only son to that dark place. His light is the light of the world. And no manger or any other lowly environment could squelch the light of his love and supremity. What I said to God: O Lord, thank You for speaking to your lowly servant today. I never ceased to be amazed at how amazing Your love and mercy is to us. You are higher than the heavens, greater than the great. Yet You choose to live among us and make Your home inside of us. Happy birthday, Jesus! And happy eternity, all His saints!
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12.24.07
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 8:47 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 1:46-80 Theme: Both Mary’s and Zechariah’s songs of praise were motivated by God’s redemptive plan for us. Key verses: “And Mary said, ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him…’” (v. 46-49) “‘He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.’” (v. 54-55) “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us…’” (v. 67-69) “‘to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant…to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear…and you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God…to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.’” (v. 72-79) What God said to me: Son, I am glad you rose early to meet me this Christmas eve morning. I enjoy our times together. Praise is such a natural and flowing response to my plan of redemption for my people. I am saddened at how they often squelch their praise - even when they clearly see and know what I have done for them. Take some time and look closely at these two songs of praise. They both started with upward, direct statements of adoration: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel…” Mary recognized the importance of her personal engagement in praise. She knew the joy inside her should come out, and she gladly let praise spill from her. Zechariah lifted his head and heart toward me from the very first words of his prayer. He consciously and diliberately spoke praise to me. Next, notice in both these prayers a clear intention to praise me because of what I had done and was going to do for them. Mary was amazed that I regarded her lowly place and that she would forever be remembered and honored. Zechariah clearly stated that his offering of praise was because I had come and redeemed my people. He refered to my Son as the horn of salvation for them. Dwayne, do you see how simple this praise-motivating process was for them? First, they recognized the focus and goal of their praise was nothing less than me. Second, they realized the impact of my provisions and love came all the way down to them and to their lives and families. Praise is about me and about you because redemption is about me and about you. I am good with you using your own name and with you refering to your benefits from me when you praise me. I thrill to think of the many ways I have blessed you. I love it when you recognize them and take time to acknowledge and celebrate them to me. Finally, it is important to see how praise should also be motivated by what I do for others beyond yourself. Mary said my mercy extends to those who fear me to generations beyond her. Zechariah rejoiced that my mercy would shine on those living in darkness. These were people not even in his family or of his ancestry. The purest praise comes from hearts that are concerned for others, not just for themselves. That is the essence of my character. And if you are to praise me properly you too must see that my plan for man stretches to the farthest corners, to the undesirables, to those you don’t know or understand or even like. My mercy and love is for all those who walk in darkness. When you love me, Dwayne, as you should, you will be good with that. In fact you will praise me because of such unconditional, pervasive love. What I said to God: Father, Lord, I sit amazed in Your presence right now. Thank You for revealing these simple but profound elements of praise to me. On this eve of celebrating Your birth, help me and my family love You with all we are and praise You for coming down not only to us, but all of the world.
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12.21.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua, Thoughts on Luke at 8:24 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 1:1-57 Theme: Luke wrote and Zechariah and Mary received words that are sure as the God who sent them. Key verses: “Therefore, since I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you…so that you may know the certainly of the things you have been taught.” (v. 3-4) “Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid…Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.’” (v. 11-13) “Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel answered, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.’” (v. 18-19) “…God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth…to a virgin…Mary…the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (v. 26-31) “‘How will this be, Mary asked the angel, ’since I am a virgin?’” (v. 34) “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary said, ‘May it be to me as you have said.’” (v. 38) “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.” (v. 57) What God said to me: Dwayne, how dare you rush into this time with me without as much as praying for a moment to me. Do you just assume my blessings and presence? Do you think yourself deserving on your own merit? What about the sinful rebellion in your heart right now? What of that? How could you possibly think I would overlook your actions from earlier today? I do not. I will not. Confess and forsake your sins. Then return to this place to meet with me, rather than at me…Now, welcome to the book of Luke. You are in for an amazing journey. Stay focused. Learn all you can. And remember Luke wrote nothing - no one statement - down carelessly or without purpose. Carefully examine the details. For indeed you will discover that God is in these details. You can trust what you read. It has been thoroughly investigated and clearly tested over hundreds of years. Don’t be like Zechariah and question my ability to do what I say. What I tell you I expect you to believe and follow. Special note: Zechariah doubted Gabriel’s words and gave reasons why he didn’t think it could happen. Mary, on the other hand, simply asked how so she would have better understanding. Her words were not filled with doubt and scoffing, but rather with genuine wonder and need to know. She didn’t ask, “How can this be?”, but rather, “How will this be?” I am ok with you asking in concern and genuine interest, but not in heartless, faithless, short-sighted doubting. What I said to God: Thank You, Father, for pointing these crucial things out to me. Forgive me, please, for rushing into the Holy of Holies. I do need Your mercy to help in time of need. I am desparate for You. I often take my eyes and mind off of You, if only for brief moments. Yet, every moment spent away from You is dangerous, careless and rebellious. I appreciate knowing I can completely count on Your Word. Grow my faith to trust more what and when You speak to me. I see now more than ever that asking dumb, faithless questions in the face of clear, Biblical direction is unacceptable to You. Faith should come by hearing Your Word. Help me to discern carefully my questions before I blurt them out to You. Help me and my family take You at Your Word today and everyday. Praise You, Lord!
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12.17.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 12:41 pm by Administrator
Text: Joshua 24:16-33 Theme: The lives of Joshua and the elders inspired the Israelites of their day to follow the Lord. Key verses: “Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the Lord…He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.’” (v. 19) “But the people said to Joshua, ‘No! We will serve the Lord. Then Joshua said, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.’” (v. 21-22) “On that day, Joshua made a covenant for the people and…drew up for them decrees and laws.” (v. 25) “‘See!…This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us.” (v. 27) “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.” (v. 31) What God said to me: Dwayne, this is a powerful and appropriate epilogue to the life of Joshua. He had lived his entire life to honor me and more than half his life leading my people. He was a fearless (of the people) leader. In this last chapter, when they said they too would follow me, he rebuked them, even defied them. He said they couldn’t follow me. His fierce protest and warnings caused them to be even more determined to “prove him wrong” and live up to their words. He was a creative leader as well. Only creative leaders would think to call a rock, a mere stone, a “witness” that heard everything those Israelites had committed to. Joshua was a thorough leader that laid in place what was necessary to help them maintain their consecration. He wrote decrees and laws for them and put in my book of the Law. Finally, Joshua’s legacy continued far after his death. The elders he had poured his life into also remained faithful to me throughout their lives. These men had witnessed first hand my miracles and faithfulness to Israel as they claimed the promised land. Now those same elders inspired and challenged the next generation below them to follow me whole-heartedly, which they did as long as the elders lived. What I said to God: LORD, I hear and accept Your words to me through your Word today. A life of faithfulness yields other lives of faithfulness. My life should and will inspire and challenge my family, my sons, my friends and some I don’t even know to follow my God. Wow, what a great honor. What a tremendous responsibility to stay strong and determined to finish well. Make me the creative and bold and thorough leader You want and intend for me to be. Thank You, Holy and Awesome God, that You are able to keep me from falling and to use my life to impact others for You. I am humbled and emboldened by the thought…
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12.07.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:00 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 24:1-15 Theme: God’s provisions and care for the Israelites should have motivated them to serve him completely. Key verses: “I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the River and led him throughouut Canaan and gave him many descendants…Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out…You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Eygptians…I brought you to the land of the Amorites…I gave them into your hands.” (v. 3-8) “Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho…I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you…You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” (v. 11-13) “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped…and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (v. 14-15) What God said to me: Son, servant, heir, joint-heir, my precious one in whom is my delight, I go before my children. I clear the way for them and literally hand the best over to them on a silver platter. Sure, you have to work and pray and keep forging ahead. You have to fight the enemy in fierce battle at times. But look back right now. Think back over your life. Would you have imagined all that you have gotten to experience and have because you know and serve me? Would the massive doors of ministry been ones you could have manipulated? Would you have possibly chosen a more suitable help-mate? Would you have imagined such great and loving children? Dwayne, think about it. Much of what you are now enjoying, you had very little to do with gaining. You simply walked down the road I led you. And look where it has led you! That’s my loving, caring, fatherly way. If you still find it undesirible to serve me, then go about your idiotic way and serve someone else. I despise mere lip-service. Be either hot or cold in your service to me. So far in your life, Dwayne, you have echoed Joshua’s words. I am counting on your sticking with your decision. What I said to God: Lord in heaven and on earth, I do choose to serve You with my whole heart and life. As for me and my home, we will always serve You, Lord. Your love continues to motivate me! May my wife, my boys and I ever be captivated by Your love and mercy and majesty.
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12.05.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:14 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 23:12-16 Theme: God said he would destroy us if we violate His covenant with us. Key verses: “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you…and associate with them, then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you…until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.” (v. 12-13) “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. But just as every good promise of the Lord your God has come true, so the Lord will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.” (v. 14-16) What God said to me: Good morning, Dwayne. This is the third morning in a row that you have met me here in your quiet spot. I like that. I have so missed that quality, consistent time with you that we used to enjoy together. Be careful to keep this up. The enemy will throw other, seemingly pressing concerns in front of you. But resist those temptations. Prioritize your time with me. Allow me to fill you with my peace and wisdom each and every morning. Regarding today’s passage: Unfortunately, my people, the Jews, did allow the other nations to turn them away from me and my covenant and laws. They lost their land and inheritance as a result. Yes, I did in fact keep that final promise spoken by Joshua as well. It need not be so with you and your family, my son. We have had a good and growing 40 years together. But this is just the beginning of all I want to show you and help you accomplish in my name. Not one of my promises to you has ever failed, have they? Am I not the same loving and forgiving and giving God you signed on for when you were but a child? This world will offer you many alluring things. You will be faced with greater temptations in the future than you have ever faced in your past. Hold fast to me and my promises will continue to bless you. Turn away, forget me and go your own way and my promises will gradually yet quickly lead to your demise. What I said to God: Thank you, Father and Faithone One. You know I needed this stern warning this morning. I too have thoroughly enjoyed these past three days of QT with you. I long to draw nearer to You, my only Counselor and Defender and Provider. Forgive me for ever turning my thoughts and actions away from pleasing You. Fill me with Your Spirit today, right now. You are the ultimate Promise-Keeper. Your eyes see everything we do. May that hold us in account to only live for you all our days.
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12.04.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:43 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 23:1-11 Theme: God’s devoted children are powerful because He is powerful through them. Key verses: “You yourself have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.” (v. 3) “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you…But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.” (v. 6-8) “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God.” (v. 9-11) What God said to me: Dwayne, I really don’t need to give commentary on this. What I have already said is clear and easy to understand. If you want to know what I am saying to you and to all my children today, go back and reread this entire chapter. Dwayne, you can and will rout a thousand. Nothing will stand in your way of accomplishing feats that would boggle the minds of the lost and disconnected person. Those who don’t know me are completely disconnected from your source of power - me. My people have my power working through them. You can do all things through my Son who strengthens you. If you can dream it, you can do it - but only if your dreams are my dreams and your desires are my desires; only if your power is really my power working through you. And you’ll have no godly dreams, desires or power if you do not love me with your whole heart… What I said to God: Precious Holy One, Holy and Anointed One, my Savior and my God and my Power and Strength, thank You for meeting with me this morning and for speaking through Your written Word, which is Your final and ultimate authorative Word. Forgive me when I get discouraged about our ministry and about my personal and family life. Sometimes I feel like I am helpless and powerless against the enemy that seeks to destroy me and all I hold dear. I look at this vision and dream you have given me, and I shake my head in doubt that it could ever come even close to happening. Yet, again today, you remind me that my only job is to remain faithful to you and keep claiming the land and territory that You have already given to me. Wow, what an awesome Word, and what an awesome God you are.
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