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Daily Bible Reading “God is in Control” (Esther 3:1-7)

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godGod is in Control

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Esther 3:1-7. King Xerxes promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite above all the princes. Today, we may call this position Prime Minister.

All the king’s servants bowed to Haman as the king commanded, except Mordecai, who refused to honor Haman. You see, Haman was a descendent of Agag, who was king of the Amalekites. These people were Israel’s enemy for generations. They hated the Jews, who were God’s chosen people.

Exodus 17:14-16

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

The king’s servants noticed Mordecai wasn’t bowing to Haman daily when he entered the king’s gate. So, they asked him why he wouldn’t bow to Haman, and he told them it was because he was a Jew. The servants told Haman what Mordecai said. When Haman noticed Mordecai wasn’t honoring his position of authority by bowing to him, it made Haman very angry.

Haman hadn’t even noticed this until the king’s servants pointed it out to him. He was probably angry because he felt like Mordecai disrespected him in front of all the other servants. It probably hurt his pride.

Haman not only decided to punish Mordecai for not bowing down to him, but because of his hatred for the Jews, he decided to have all the Jews in all the provinces killed. Don’t you think that was a bit extreme? It was now the first month, which is called Nisan, of the twelfth year of King Xerxes’ reign.

They cast pur, or a lot which was something like tossing a dice, to see what day they would kill the Jews. Even though this was the first month when they rolled the dice, so to speak, it came upon the twelfth month. That means there was going to be eleven months in between for God to intervene. Proverbs 16:33 tells us, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” This is a reminder for us that God is in control.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Esther 3:1-7

1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

 

Things to think about:

  • Do you believe that God is in control?
  • Why was Haman angry with Mordecai?
  • What did Haman want to do to punish Mordecai?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in The Book of Esther. It shows us even when people have evil intents against Your people, You are in control. They can only do what You allow, when You allow it. It is comforting as a Christian to know You are always in control of our lives. Help us to know You are working behind the scenes to cause everything to work out for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

If you haven’t already read the book be sure to get your copy now! We will only be sharing a few lessons on this blog. In order to read and study the entire book you will need to get a copy. These first five lessons set the stage for all the drama that will take place in the rest of the book. It is exciting to see how God works things out.

 

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

"The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor" By: Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Esther from the Old Testament of the Bible. In the book of Esther, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. In a series of events and through fasting, prayer and God’s favor Esther was placed in a position to save the Jewish people. Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai, who told her maybe she was born for such a time as this.

God puts us all in circumstances where He can use us to further His kingdom and give Him glory, if we are willing and obedient. Esther found her purpose for life. Like Esther you were born for such a time as this.

Go to: Amazon

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “One Night with the King” (Esther 2:12-23)

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Esther 1One Night with the King

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Esther 2:12-23. The women who were chosen for King Xerxes went through twelve months of purification, six months of sweet odors and six months with oil of myrrh. Don’t you think this was some pretty extensive beauty treatments?

Persia was known for its preparation of brides, including ritualistic baths, plucking eye brows, painting hands and feet with henna, and make-up.

A beautifying paste was put on their entire body to lighten their skin and remove any spots or blemishes. You know they were looking good and smelling sweet after all this pampering.

Each maiden took her turn to go to the king. She was allowed to take anything she wanted with her to the king’s house. She went to spend the night with the king.

Then in the morning she was sent to a second house they had set up for the women, where Shaashgaz, one of the king’s chamberlains, kept the king’s concubines.

The women were not allowed to go to be with the king anymore unless the king asked for her by name. She was never free to marry another man; basically she was sentenced to the life of a widow.

There may have been as many as 400 women and 399 of them ended up with this sentence for the rest of their lives. Only one was chosen to be queen. Can you imagine how anxious these women were about this whole process?

When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai chose for her. Because of Esther’s godliness and beauty she was favored by everyone who saw her.

Psalm 75:6-7

“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

Esther was taken to the king’s royal house in the tenth month, Tebeth, in the Jewish calendar, the seventh year of his reign.

The king loved Esther more than all the other women, so much so he placed the royal crown on her head, and crowned her queen in place of Vashti.

Esther found grace and favor in the eyes of King Xerxes. This was not an accident, but part of God’s plan.

The king had a feast for all the princes and his servants to celebrate the crowning of Esther as queen, known as Esther’s feast.

He declared a holiday for all the provinces in honor of Esther and gave gifts with royal generosity. How special do you think Esther felt coming from her background and now to be the queen and be treated as royalty?

When the virgins gathered together for the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. This shows Mordecai had a place of importance in the kingdom.

Esther still did not reveal her background. She kept it a secret, just as Mordecai told her. She still followed his directions, just as she did when she was being raised by him. Esther honored Mordecai by obeying him like she would have her own parents.

Two of the king’s chamberlains were angry and plotted to kill the king. Mordecai overheard their plans and told Queen Esther about them.

Esther told the king what Mordecai heard. It was recorded in the king’s book of chronicles, that the king had the matter investigated and found out it was true, so he had both chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, hanged on a tree.

It was most likely not a hanging with a noose, but a hanging on a tree with a point where the men were in a lot of agony before finally dying. This goes to show us that evil acts always have their consequences.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Esther 2:12-23

12 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women:)
13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.
14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.
20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.
23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

 

Things to think about:

  • Has God ever caused you to be given favor?
  • How did God cause Esther to have favor?
  • Have you ever been honored in any way that would make you feel special like Esther must have felt when the king crowned her and honored her with a feast?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You in this Scripture we can see the evidence of how You cause Your children to find grace and favor in the eyes of man, so they may be promoted to places of significance. We also see how evil plots against another can be found out and punished. Help us to always be in Your will so we will have Your grace and favor on our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

If you haven’t already read the book be sure to get your copy now! We will only be sharing a few lessons on this blog. In order to read and study the entire book you will need to get a copy.

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

"The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor" By: Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Esther: A Story of Love and Favor by Deborah H. Bateman is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Esther from the Old Testament of the Bible. In the book of Esther, Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. In a series of events and through fasting, prayer and God’s favor Esther was placed in a position to save the Jewish people. Esther was adopted by her cousin Mordecai, who told her maybe she was born for such a time as this.

God puts us all in circumstances where He can use us to further His kingdom and give Him glory, if we are willing and obedient. Esther found her purpose for life. Like Esther you were born for such a time as this.

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

 

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman author site to receive

Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

 

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “God’s Timing is Perfect” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

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God’s Timing is Perfect

I wanted to share with you about one of the trials of my life. I started praying for a Christian husband when I was a teenager, even though I was much too young to get married. I actually dated my husband for the first time when I was sixteen and he was twenty. I was too young and immature so we just had one date and that was it.

About two years later he called me and we started dating and six months later we got married. Things have not always been easy. With our love for each other, our faith in God and our determination to stay together we have now been married for over forty years.

We were only been married for a few months when we decided we wanted to have children, but that was not God’s plan for us at the time.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It took us two years to get pregnant. We were so excited. We had been trying to get pregnant for two years and now we finally were expecting a baby. At three months we had a miscarriage. We were heartbroken.

I experienced so much emotion. I felt like there had been a death in the family and there was, except I felt like I was the only one mourning it. It was a very sad time for me. I would get upset when I found out other people were pregnant, especially if I thought they did not deserve to be. I acted like I was a judge. Who was I to judge who did or did not get pregnant? It was not up to me. God is the giver of life.

The doctor told us to wait a few months before trying to get pregnant again. We did, but had no idea that it would take so long. I went through all kinds of emotions over the next few years. It took us four years to get pregnant the second time. We were excited this time too, but a little apprehensive. We were scared we would miscarry again. Sure enough after three months we miscarried for the second time. We were heartbroken all over again.

We will always love and remember those two little ones. We lost both of them in the month of March, so every year we talk about how old they would be if they had lived. They will have a place in our hearts and lives forever.

This time the doctor did not tell us we had to wait. I am sure he thought that he did not have anything to worry about since it took so long before. The next month we got pregnant for the third time. We were scared the whole time. We were afraid to get excited. We had been hurt before and did not want to get hurt again. Once we passed the three-month time-table we started to relax a little.

We finally gave birth to our first daughter after eight years of being married and trying to get pregnant most of that time. God finally blessed us with a child. Four years later we had our second daughter. God completed our little family. Our two daughters are both grown now and God has blessed us with five grandchildren. God makes everything beautiful in His time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

I would love to tell you that life has been a basket of roses since that time, but we have had other trials to face. One thing I can tell you for sure, that no matter what trials we had to face, God has always been there to see us through them all.

We have learned so many lessons over the years. We learned that things don’t always happen when we want them to happen. We learned that God’s plans are not always the same as our plans. We have learned that God is faithful to His children.

We learned that God’s timing is perfect. #DeborahHBateman

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We learned that God works all things together for good in our lives.

Romans 8:28, KJV, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

If you have experienced infertility and miscarriage as we did, ask God to help you with all the emotions that come along with a loss of this kind. Ask God to comfort your heart. He loves you and only wants the best for you. I know it might not seem like it at the time, but He does love you. Give the situation over to God and ask Him to help you deal with it. Ask God to show you His will in your life. Ask God to help you accept His timing for your life.

My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s prayer for the Philippians in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I pray that God will meet the need that you have in your heart to have a child. I realize that this is a desire that most women have in their lives, even though not everyone is able to have children. But, there are other options such as adoption and foster care for those who want to make a difference in a child’s life while filling their need to have a child to love in their home.

May God richly bless you!

Maybe this is not the need you have in your life. Maybe you have a need in another area. Remember the same principles apply, God love you and wants the best for you in your life. Turn your cares and concerns over to Him and let Him carry you through this time in your life.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

God’s Timing is Perfect was originally published on Still Birthday at:http://stillbirthday.com/2011/09/04/gods-timing-is-perfect/

 

Daily Bible Reading “Selfish Desire” (Proverbs 18:1-9)

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Selfish Desire

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Proverbs 18:1-9. In this Scripture, we are told that through selfish desire a person, who separates themselves, seeks and rages against all wisdom.

A fool has no delight in understanding, but that their heart may discover itself.

When the wicked comes, then comes contempt, and with shame reproach.

The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool’s lips enter into controversy, and their mouth calls for blows.

A fool’s mouth is their destruction, and their mouth is the lure of their soul.

The words of a gossipers are like wounds that are swallowed deep into the belly.

Those who are lazy in their work are kin to those who are great wasters.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

As believers we are told to separate ourselves from unbelievers and from their ungodly ways.

Have you ever had someone wound you with their words like this Scripture talks about? We need to refrain from being a part of gossipers’ conversations. We need to realize that our words can both lift people up and encourage them or our words can harm people by cutting them down and discouraging them. Lord, help us to use our words as tools of encouragement to others.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Proverbs 18:1-9

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

 

Things to think about:

  • What do our selfish desires cause?
  • Why do the words of a talebearer pierce us so deeply?
  • What usually causes a fool to get into trouble?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in the book of Proverbs help us to see all of the examples in this Scripture and examine ourselves to see if any of these apply to us. Examine our hearts and lives. Examine our motives and intents. Help us to be what You would have us to be. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize:

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. – Proverbs 18:1

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Please come back again tomorrow and invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

I AM: Jesus, the Son of God

By Deborah H. Bateman

About the Book:

Jesus asks his disciples the question, “Who do men say that I am?” Then, through different metaphors, He describes who He is.

In I AM: Jesus, the Son of God, Deborah H. Bateman shares biblical illustrations on each of these topics and includes the reason God sent Jesus to the world. This book will help you more fully grasp who Jesus is and His purpose in your life.

I AM: Jesus, the Son of God is the thirty-third book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for consideration or discussion, a prayer, and a Bible Verse to journal or memorize. This book is great as a personal devotional or a group Bible Study. Get your copy today. You will be glad you did.

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Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “Don’t Put Your Trust in Princes” (Psalm 146:3-4)

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dont-put-your-trust-in-princes-psalm-146-3Don’t Put Your Trust in Princes

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 146. The Bible warns us not to put our trust in princes. Even as believers, we have a tendency to put our faith in people in authority and are many times disappointed because of it.

We put people who are in leadership positions on pedestals and expect perfection from them, only to be let down when they can’t live up to our expectations.

Some of the people we may put our trust in includes pastors, religious leaders, government officials, celebrities, friends, and even our own family members. This particular Scripture warns us about putting our confidence in people who are in authority over us in the government such as princes, kings, and presidents.

As verse four warns us, we need to realize that like us, they are all human and despite our best efforts at times we all fail those whom we care about most, due to our lack of good judgement.

My focus in this particular lesson is on verses 3 and 4, but if you go on to read the rest of this chapter, which I have included for you, you will see that when we put our faith and trust in LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of people, we won’t be disappointed. They will never fail us. They will never leave us or forsake us.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 146:1-10

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Things to think about:

  • Who does this Scripture warn us about putting our trust in?
  • Why does it say we shouldn’t trust in them?
  • Who should we put our trust in and why?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this Scripture that warns us about putting our faith and trust in princes. Help us to realize that they are only human, as we are, and despite their best efforts, at times they will make bad decisions and disappoint us. Help us to put our faith and trust in You and Your Son, instead of people. Help us to realize that You are the only one who will never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

 

Featured Book:

psalms_part_5-25The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is 30th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

Go to: http://amazon.com/dp/B017QPOIS6

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Deborah

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