I have to share this one with you all. I was reading Prime Time With God on a message titled: "Strange Instructions." What a great message this is.
First off, how many of you would respond to God telling you to do something entirely out of the ordinary. For instance, if you were instructed to get up and leave your house in the middle of the night immediately, would you listen? Or as Pastor Connie had done for the women of our church. She had a chance to attend the National Prayer Breakfast today, but instead obeyed and stayed behind to lead our group. That my friends is true obedience. We all know what a sacrifice that was for her and felt very blessed.
Do you have enough faith and trust in the Lord to listen to, and to follow His commands? I have to admit, there may be circumstances that would make me wonder. But after reading this message today, I realize how important--not that I ever doubted Him--it is to listen to EVERY command He delivers to us.
The story was of "A distinguished Indian evangelist named Sadhu Chellappa was on a mission trip to a village north of Madras." In the middle of the night, the Father called to him and told him to get up and leave at once. Chellappa thought it was a rather odd command, but being a faithful man, done as he was told. He came to an open field with a tree. He stopped under the tree for a moment when he heard God speak to him all of a sudden. He was told to stay under the tree and begin preaching. He thought why would I stay here and preach to an empty open field, but done as he was told. When he came to asking of the listeners to give their lives to Jesus, he heard a voice come from the top of the tree. The man crying, gave his life to Jesus. Chellappa asked the man what he was doing up in the tree out in the middle of a field. He admitted that he was about to hang himself.
Wow!!! Is that powerful or what? What a great message. We must always listen to our Heavenly Father, no matter how strange the directions may be. Obey, believe, follow, stand in faith, be strong in the Lord. He never gives us more than we can handle. He never leaves us. He never tells us to do something that is going to put us in harms way. Trust in Him!
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
God's Promises: Thursday
Joy; Meekness; Patience; Honesty; Wisdom; Sickness; Obedience; Courage; Fear; and Hope. Taken from the New International Version (NIV).
Joy: Psalm 118:15: "Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous; "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things!"
Oh yes indeed it has and will continue to do so. Does anyone have anything to share that shows the good?
Meekness: Psalm 149:4: "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."
Humbling ourselves before God brings us closer to Him, for He does not like a person who is prideful, egotistical, you name it.
Patience: 1 Peter 2:20: "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God."
Patience is a virtue. I remember my first small group and we had discussed patience. The other two women had started laughing and stated you never want to ask for patience. I thought it a bit odd, even though one said that he will give it to you alright.
So miss stubborn one that I am, prayed one day for patience with the grand kids, as the one with aspergers was really getting the better of me.
Oh let me tell you, I found out real quick why they were laughing and said to never pray for patience. Woo doggie, He laid it on me big time. Talk about a test of faith. At first I was thrown into a tail spin, and then realized He was testing my patience in a major way.
So, practice patience, but never ask for it. ;) Trust me, He will make sure you find it. Hee hee. At least the three of us got a good laugh out of it.
Honesty: Proverbs 11:1: "The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight."
Just be honest. I know that sometimes it's hard as you want to spare someone their feelings. And there are times when it's best to just keep quiet. But as far as lying and taking advantage of people is wrong. Honesty is the best policy.
Sure hope you all aren't getting tired of my old cliche's. ;)
Wisdom: Ecclesiastes 2:26: "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
I'm sure you are with me on this, I would rather please Him.
Sickness: Matthew 4:23-24: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."
Yes indeed. Ask and you shall receive. If you do not, remember He is working on you. We are a blob of clay that He is slowly molding into perfection. Can you feel Him working on you?!
Obedience: Deuteronomy 7:12: "If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers."
Plain and simple, we follow God's rules and we get eternal life. How awesome is that!
Courage: 2 Kings 6:16: "Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
I've learned this over the years. I've over come many fears once coming to the Lord and reading and listening, and listening and reading. There is no need for fear when in the Lord.
Fear: Proverbs 1:33: "But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
What a great promise this is, one that He will provide. Cast all your cares up to the Lord and He will guide you.
Hope: 1 John 3:3: "Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as he is pure."
Need there be more said?
Joy: Psalm 118:15: "Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous; "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things!"
Oh yes indeed it has and will continue to do so. Does anyone have anything to share that shows the good?
Meekness: Psalm 149:4: "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation."
Humbling ourselves before God brings us closer to Him, for He does not like a person who is prideful, egotistical, you name it.
Patience: 1 Peter 2:20: "But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God."
Patience is a virtue. I remember my first small group and we had discussed patience. The other two women had started laughing and stated you never want to ask for patience. I thought it a bit odd, even though one said that he will give it to you alright.
So miss stubborn one that I am, prayed one day for patience with the grand kids, as the one with aspergers was really getting the better of me.
Oh let me tell you, I found out real quick why they were laughing and said to never pray for patience. Woo doggie, He laid it on me big time. Talk about a test of faith. At first I was thrown into a tail spin, and then realized He was testing my patience in a major way.
So, practice patience, but never ask for it. ;) Trust me, He will make sure you find it. Hee hee. At least the three of us got a good laugh out of it.
Honesty: Proverbs 11:1: "The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight."
Just be honest. I know that sometimes it's hard as you want to spare someone their feelings. And there are times when it's best to just keep quiet. But as far as lying and taking advantage of people is wrong. Honesty is the best policy.
Sure hope you all aren't getting tired of my old cliche's. ;)
Wisdom: Ecclesiastes 2:26: "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
I'm sure you are with me on this, I would rather please Him.
Sickness: Matthew 4:23-24: "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them."
Yes indeed. Ask and you shall receive. If you do not, remember He is working on you. We are a blob of clay that He is slowly molding into perfection. Can you feel Him working on you?!
Obedience: Deuteronomy 7:12: "If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers."
Plain and simple, we follow God's rules and we get eternal life. How awesome is that!
Courage: 2 Kings 6:16: "Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
I've learned this over the years. I've over come many fears once coming to the Lord and reading and listening, and listening and reading. There is no need for fear when in the Lord.
Fear: Proverbs 1:33: "But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
What a great promise this is, one that He will provide. Cast all your cares up to the Lord and He will guide you.
Hope: 1 John 3:3: "Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as he is pure."
Need there be more said?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
God's Promises: Thursday
Joy; Meekness; Patience; Honesty; Wisdom; Sickness; Obedience; Courage; Fear; Hope; (CBS Version)
Joy: Psalm 4:7: "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound."
With the Lord, we can experience greater joy!
Meekness: Psalm 22:26: "The humble will eat and be sastified; those who seek the Lord will praise Him. May your hearts live forever."
Humble yourselves before the Lord. Have faith in Him. Believen and follow Him and you will be provided for. Give Him praise as well and you will find eternity.
Patience: Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
We should be faithful as our Father is. Follow His ways, wait upon Him. He always answers, even though it may not be in the manner we would like.
Honesty: Leviticus 19:35: "You must not act unfairly in measurements of length, weight, or volume."
Honesty is the best policy no matter how we look at it.
Wisdom: Psalm 32:8: "I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel."
All we have to do is listen. Meditate on the Lord. Read the word, follow.
Sickness: Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise."
Once again, ASK Ask and you shall receive.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 6:3: "Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow [them], so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey."
Courage: Isaiah 43:1: "Now this is what the Lord says--the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who fromed you, Israel--'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine."
Just simply place your hand in His and he will be there. You have nothing to fear. Cast all your cares and your worries up to the Lord.
Fear: Isaiah 41:13: "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you."
We have the promise of our Lord our God. What more do we need?
Hope: 1 Peter 1:13: "Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Oh yes, just believe, pray and believe, we will be taken care of!!! Hallelujah!
Joy: Psalm 4:7: "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound."
With the Lord, we can experience greater joy!
Meekness: Psalm 22:26: "The humble will eat and be sastified; those who seek the Lord will praise Him. May your hearts live forever."
Humble yourselves before the Lord. Have faith in Him. Believen and follow Him and you will be provided for. Give Him praise as well and you will find eternity.
Patience: Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
We should be faithful as our Father is. Follow His ways, wait upon Him. He always answers, even though it may not be in the manner we would like.
Honesty: Leviticus 19:35: "You must not act unfairly in measurements of length, weight, or volume."
Honesty is the best policy no matter how we look at it.
Wisdom: Psalm 32:8: "I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel."
All we have to do is listen. Meditate on the Lord. Read the word, follow.
Sickness: Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise."
Once again, ASK Ask and you shall receive.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 6:3: "Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow [them], so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey."
Courage: Isaiah 43:1: "Now this is what the Lord says--the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who fromed you, Israel--'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine."
Just simply place your hand in His and he will be there. You have nothing to fear. Cast all your cares and your worries up to the Lord.
Fear: Isaiah 41:13: "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you."
We have the promise of our Lord our God. What more do we need?
Hope: 1 Peter 1:13: "Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Oh yes, just believe, pray and believe, we will be taken care of!!! Hallelujah!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
God's Promises: Thursday
Joy; Meekness; Patience; Honesty; Wisdom; Sickness; Obedience; Courage; Fear; and Hope. (NKJV)
Joy: Psalm 89:15-16: "Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted."
Meekness: Isaiah 11:4: "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked."
Patience: 1 Peter 2:20: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."
One must be patient upon the Lord, for it is by His time, by His wishes. He doesn't always answer our prayers right away. When hurting, it is often for a reason, to draw us nearer to the Lord. Sometimes it seems like eternity, but we must remember, He will never give us more than we can handle.
Honesty: Micah 6:10-12: "Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the short measure that is an abomination? 11 Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, and with the bag of deceitful weights? 12 For her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth."
Be honest at all times. The old adage, "Honesty is the best policy," is so true. The Lord loves an honest heart. Where do lies get you? Absolutely nowhere!
Wisdom: Isaiah 2:3: "Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Is is wise to seek the path of the Lord; the law of the Lord. For then shall we gain wisdom.
Sickness: Matthew 9:28-30: "And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'according to your faith let it be to you.' 30 And their eyes were opened, and Jesus sternly warned them, saying, 'See that no one knows it."
He can heal all that honestly believe in the Lord. There may be times that we are not healed. It is all up to God what He has planned for us.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 6:18: "And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers."
We have a lot to be thankful for, and one of those is what we receive at the end of our lives on earth when we have been obedient to the Lord.
Courage: Psalm 37:28: "For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off."
Fear: Luke 12:32: "Do not fear, little flock, for it your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
We have nothing to fear if we believe and follow His voice, His commands!
Hope: 1 Peter 1:21: "Who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."
Was it not enough that Jesus suffered, died, and was buried, then brought back to life all for our sins? This should give us the hope that we need to believe and follow.
Joy: Psalm 89:15-16: "Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted."
Meekness: Isaiah 11:4: "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked."
Patience: 1 Peter 2:20: "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."
One must be patient upon the Lord, for it is by His time, by His wishes. He doesn't always answer our prayers right away. When hurting, it is often for a reason, to draw us nearer to the Lord. Sometimes it seems like eternity, but we must remember, He will never give us more than we can handle.
Honesty: Micah 6:10-12: "Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the short measure that is an abomination? 11 Shall I count pure those with the wicked scales, and with the bag of deceitful weights? 12 For her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth."
Be honest at all times. The old adage, "Honesty is the best policy," is so true. The Lord loves an honest heart. Where do lies get you? Absolutely nowhere!
Wisdom: Isaiah 2:3: "Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Is is wise to seek the path of the Lord; the law of the Lord. For then shall we gain wisdom.
Sickness: Matthew 9:28-30: "And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'according to your faith let it be to you.' 30 And their eyes were opened, and Jesus sternly warned them, saying, 'See that no one knows it."
He can heal all that honestly believe in the Lord. There may be times that we are not healed. It is all up to God what He has planned for us.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 6:18: "And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers."
We have a lot to be thankful for, and one of those is what we receive at the end of our lives on earth when we have been obedient to the Lord.
Courage: Psalm 37:28: "For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off."
Fear: Luke 12:32: "Do not fear, little flock, for it your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
We have nothing to fear if we believe and follow His voice, His commands!
Hope: 1 Peter 1:21: "Who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."
Was it not enough that Jesus suffered, died, and was buried, then brought back to life all for our sins? This should give us the hope that we need to believe and follow.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
God's Promises: Thursday
Today's subjects discuss the following topics: Joy; Meekness; Patience; Honesty; Wisdom; Sickness; Obedience; Courage; Fear; and Hope.
Again, all passages will be taken from the NKJV.
Joy: Isaiah 55:12: "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
It is when we shine with the love of the Lord with joy in our hearts that others see and are led to the Lord!
Meekness: Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Humble oneself onto the Lord. A humble heart can do so much. God wants us to humble ourselves before him.
Patience: James 5:7-8: "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for teh coming of the Lord is at hand."
We never know when God is going to reward us for our patience, but He will when the time is right. God's timing is always perfect. That is why is is so important to remain patient. Just as God had promised and promises again Christ's return.
Honesty: Leviticus 19:11: "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."
Plain and simple, "Honesty is the best policy." Lying and stealing are sins.
Wisdom: James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
God promises the Holy Spirit in wisdom, knowledge, and revelation.
Sickness: James 5:14-16: "14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the same name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lrod will raise him up. and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Confess your trespasses ot one another, and pray for one another, that yo may be healed. The effective, fervent pryer of a righteous man avails much."
It is important to remember that we can not act upon a multitude of God's commands when we are sick and without close fellowship with others who believe. Often times the only way to get help is when you are a group instead of one.
God promises to preserve with healing.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 30:15-16: "15See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commnadments, His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess."
They only way we are going to make it to eternity is to obey God's lessons.
Courage: Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord."
Waiting on the Lord can be hard at times, but this is when patience comes in. He knows when it is the right time to move. Strength will come from Him when we wait upon Him.
Fear: Mark 4:40: "But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
We should never lose our faith in our Father. He has never forsaken us. He has never done us any wrong. So why do we push Him away and doubt Him?
Hope: Psalm 42:11: "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you desquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."
It is common to not even realize when we've lost hope, or have become discouraged. When we do realize it is important to get focused on God. Place your hope in Him. Once you've lost hope all togehter, you will end up in a deep dark hole. I've been there. It's no fun.
Again, all passages will be taken from the NKJV.
Joy: Isaiah 55:12: "For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
It is when we shine with the love of the Lord with joy in our hearts that others see and are led to the Lord!
Meekness: Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Humble oneself onto the Lord. A humble heart can do so much. God wants us to humble ourselves before him.
Patience: James 5:7-8: "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for teh coming of the Lord is at hand."
We never know when God is going to reward us for our patience, but He will when the time is right. God's timing is always perfect. That is why is is so important to remain patient. Just as God had promised and promises again Christ's return.
Honesty: Leviticus 19:11: "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."
Plain and simple, "Honesty is the best policy." Lying and stealing are sins.
Wisdom: James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
God promises the Holy Spirit in wisdom, knowledge, and revelation.
Sickness: James 5:14-16: "14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the same name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lrod will raise him up. and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Confess your trespasses ot one another, and pray for one another, that yo may be healed. The effective, fervent pryer of a righteous man avails much."
It is important to remember that we can not act upon a multitude of God's commands when we are sick and without close fellowship with others who believe. Often times the only way to get help is when you are a group instead of one.
God promises to preserve with healing.
Obedience: Deuteronomy 30:15-16: "15See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commnadments, His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess."
They only way we are going to make it to eternity is to obey God's lessons.
Courage: Psalm 27:14: "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord."
Waiting on the Lord can be hard at times, but this is when patience comes in. He knows when it is the right time to move. Strength will come from Him when we wait upon Him.
Fear: Mark 4:40: "But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
We should never lose our faith in our Father. He has never forsaken us. He has never done us any wrong. So why do we push Him away and doubt Him?
Hope: Psalm 42:11: "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you desquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."
It is common to not even realize when we've lost hope, or have become discouraged. When we do realize it is important to get focused on God. Place your hope in Him. Once you've lost hope all togehter, you will end up in a deep dark hole. I've been there. It's no fun.
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