Obedience

December 16, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prepared

We are in the final month of the year, when preparations for Christmas and the New Year fill our days: lists, goals, shopping, schedules, and expectations. We organize everything to welcome guests or to visit someone special, to turn the year “the right way” and begin a new cycle. But amid so many external adjustments, an important question arises: are we preparing in the same way to receive Jesus? A full schedule “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7 Many times, our lives are so full of commitments, tasks, and plans that there is no room left for the presence of Christ. We tidy the house, plan the dinner, organize gatherings, and set goals for the coming year, yet we leave the heart disordered. Jesus continues knocking at the door, as Revelation 3:20 says, longing to come in and dine with us—but He does not force His way in. He waits for the door to be opened willingly. Preparing for Jesus is not about filling our lives with activities, but about removing excess. It is emptying the […]

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November 20, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Purpose in the desert

The desert is not a place of abandonment, but of revelation. It is in silence, in lack, and in uncertainty that God works most deeply within us. Every great man and woman in the Bible walked through deserts as preparation, not punishment. The desert is the stage where character is shaped and purpose is revealed through refined faith. The journey “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.“ Deuteronomy 8:2 The people of Israel believed the desert was a place of punishment, but God used it as a school. For forty years, the Lord taught His people to depend on Him daily (through the manna, the cloud, and the water flowing from the rock). The desert is the season when God removes our human supports and invites us to rely solely on His provision. It is difficult to understand purpose while still walking through the hot sand and silent sky. Our pain is never wasted; He turns every difficulty into a teaching tool. In the desert, He teaches us to hear His voice, […]

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November 11, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Friends of sin

Sin never stopped destroying; it only learned to disguise itself better. What was once seen as abominable is now often treated as natural, acceptable, or even entertaining. What we forget is that the same sin that led Christ to the cross is the same one that tries to steal our spirit every day. When we befriend sin, we stop noticing how it slowly weakens us until it completely separates us from God. Comfort as a covering “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Sin never presents itself as destruction at first. It arrives softly, wrapped in comfort, as something harmless that seems to ease life’s weight. Little by little, it settles into our hearts and becomes part of our routine. An indifferent glance, a proud word, a selfish choice—each seems too small to cause great harm. But that’s exactly how sin works: a slow trap. It gives us a false sense of freedom while quietly making us slaves. The Christian life requires surrender, and the enemy knows how hard it is for us to let go. That’s why he makes sin attractive, offering temporary pleasure […]

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October 28, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Humility: The language of the Kingdom

Humility is the language heaven understands. In a world that values self-promotion and recognition, the Kingdom of God moves in the opposite direction: He exalts the humble and resists the proud. To be humble is to think less of oneself and more of Christ. Humility is the posture of one who recognizes that everything they have and everything they are comes from God. A bowed heart “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 Greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by the ability to bow down. Jesus taught that whoever humbles themselves will be exalted. That’s because God is not looking for people who place themselves on top, but for hearts willing to sit at His feet. Humility is not weakness—it’s the strength of those who recognize their dependence on the Father. When we humble ourselves before God, we make room for Him to work. Pride closes spiritual doors, but humility unlocks them. God never rejects a broken heart that cries out to Him. Every time we acknowledge our limitations and surrender to His will, we allow His glory to be revealed in us and become more sensitive to His presence. Being humble […]

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October 23, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Empowered for the calling

Father, thank You for calling me from the womb and adopting me as Your beloved child. May I not be intimidated by the size of the mission You have placed in my hands, because I know I will not walk this path alone. Strengthen me to say “yes” with courage, knowing that the calling does not depend on my strength, but on Your presence within me. When I feel inadequate or afraid of not being enough, remind my heart that You choose me daily so that Your glory may be revealed through my weakness—and I choose to follow You. May I live in the faith that the purpose of the calling is to see Your power working where my strength cannot reach, so that I remain dependent on You and spread Your love to others, blooming for Your Kingdom. The grace that sustains me is greater than any challenge. God, may Your seal rest upon me, just as Your Spirit rested upon David even before he ascended the throne. Empower me to remain faithful in the deserts, to endure the battles, and to glorify You with all my heart, without seeking human recognition. Teach me to pursue anointing more than […]

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October 21, 2025·Rapha Abreu

My calling is too big!

There are moments when God’s calling seems too great for us to carry. We look at our limitations, insecurities, and weaknesses and think, “Lord, did You choose the wrong person?” But what we need to understand is that the calling never depends on our natural ability, but on God’s presence within us. He never makes mistakes and doesn’t choose us because we are strong, but to make us strong in Him. The courage in saying “yes” “Ah, Sovereign Lord! I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” Jeremiah 1:6 Jeremiah felt afraid when God called him—just like Moses before Pharaoh and Gideon in the middle of the battle. They all saw themselves as small before the greatness of the mission, but God always responded in the same way: “I will be with you.” The calling is not a burden for those who trust in God’s presence; it is an invitation to experience His power working through our weakness. The calling is perfectly sized for God to be glorified, and He places it in the hands of those He equips. The Lord never sends us to do something we can fulfill on our own, because the purpose is […]

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October 16, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: God works through “yes”

Father, thank You that Your strength does not depend on mine, but that through my “yes,” You strengthen me to keep going. Thank You for teaching me each day that obedience is not following only when everything seems right, but believing and acting even before seeing. May I have the courage to obey Your commandments, even when my understanding fails, trusting that in every obedient step lies the seed of a miracle. Jesus asked the servants to fill the jars with water—and they witnessed a miracle. He asked Peter to cast his nets again after catching nothing all night—and it became the greatest catch of his life! So often, the miracle stands beside the act of faith, the obedient step, even when the situation appears impossible. Lord, do not let my faith be made of mere words or comfortable beliefs. Awaken in me a burning desire to manifest Your Kingdom through obedience, even when it costs me everything. Help me see that the true miracle is not only about visible results, but about the inner transformation that happens when I choose to trust You. May my life be marked by gestures of faith—by steady, daily actions in the details—that reveal […]

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October 14, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Miracle in obedience

Obedience is a key that opens doors human strength could never move. Many times, we wait to see the miracle before obeying—but God calls us to obey before seeing. In John 2:5, at the wedding in Cana, Mary said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you”. That simple instruction preceded Jesus’ first miracle—the transformation of water into wine. The miracle didn’t begin when the wine appeared, but when someone decided to obey. A Step Directed “Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.’” Luke 5:5 To obey is to acknowledge that God knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t understand the path. Peter experienced this when Jesus asked him to cast the nets again after a long, fruitless night. With a single act of faith, the impossible happened—the fish came, the boat overflowed, and Peter’s heart was transformed. Many times, the miracle we’ve been asking for is on the other side of simple obedience—a single step guided by God. The Kingdom of God moves by faith, and true faith is expressed through practice—through the daily “yes” we give to God without hesitation or […]

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October 07, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Did God not hear me?

Praying doesn’t always mean seeing circumstances change before our eyes. Being removed from certain situations is often not God’s plan. Sometimes the circumstances remain the same, yet something deep happens within us. If we look closely, with open and sensitive hearts, we’ll see that God, in His infinite wisdom, may not remove the problem—but instead shape us through it. Prayer is not only a key that moves heaven but also an instrument that aligns our heart with the Father’s. Transforming the inner self “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 Many times, we approach prayer as a means for external change, hoping God will fix what troubles us. But just as David understood, the true power of prayer lies in transforming what’s inside. When we kneel, open our hearts, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal what needs healing, what needs to die, and what needs to grow, real transformation begins. We must tell God our desires, dreams, and plans—not just to receive or make Him follow our steps, but to expose ourselves to His presence and allow Him to touch what’s hidden, reshaping our hearts so that we follow […]

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September 30, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Resurrection and eternal life!

“And this is what he promised us—eternal life.” 1 John 2:25 Eternal life is the greatest gift we receive in Christ. It is not something earned by human merit, but by God’s grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This promise reminds us that death is not the end, but the door to eternity with the Lord. Living with this certainty transforms the way we face the present. When we know our story does not end here, we can better deal with pain, loss, and challenges, for nothing is final. The hope of eternal life sustains us and gives us reason to remain steadfast, even in the midst of adversity. Jesus Himself declared that He is the resurrection and the life, and that whoever believes in this truth, though they die, will live. This is the guarantee that by believing in Him, we will experience victory over death. Eternal life is the fulfillment of God’s love, which never abandons us, not even in the face of what we see as the end. Learning and transformation “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into […]

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September 23, 2025·Rapha Abreu

The limit of God’s care

We don’t always understand God’s ways, especially when He doesn’t respond as we would like or allows certain situations to remain in our lives. But Scripture teaches us that God’s “enough” is not a sign of abandonment, but rather a demonstration of His care and the sufficiency of His grace. Grace That Sustains “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9 The apostle Paul asked three times for God to remove the “thorn in the flesh,” but the answer he received was a loving “no.” That “no” was not rejection, but teaching. God’s grace did not remove the pain but empowered Paul to endure it and even to boast in his weakness, for it was there that the power of Christ was fully revealed. The same happens with us. Many times, we ask God to take away our difficulties, but He answers: “My grace is sufficient.” Not because He ignores our pain, but because He wants us to experience a strength that does not come from us, but from Him. It is in that place that we learn deep dependence and trust. God’s response teaches us […]

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September 11, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Unmatched power

Father, I know that many times I allow my anxiety, human expectations, or the weight of my own ideas to take the throne of my heart. Forgive me when I have trusted more in my own understanding than in Your perfection. Help me remember that nothing this world offers, no human power or earthly promise, can compare to Your greatness and sovereignty. Your power is unmatched! May I surrender my fears and expectations to You, knowing that trusting in Your love and Your plans is greater than trying to control everything by myself. May my faith not depend on what I can see or accomplish, but on Who You are: a God who sustains, guides, and acts on behalf of those who seek Him. Holy Spirit, come remind me that I have already overcome through the One who dwells in me. May this truth become the foundation so that I am not shaken by trials, comparisons, or moments of doubt, but instead that all of these transform and strengthen me. When the world seems stronger, may I fix my eyes on Your truth that never changes. Help me live by the dimension of Your Kingdom, where everything that is natural […]

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September 09, 2025·Rapha Abreu

What is more powerful than God

In Exodus 7 to 9, we see the narrative of the plagues of Egypt and the direct confrontation between the power of God and the illusion of human power. Pharaoh, hardened in his heart, believed he could resist the Lord, and his magicians tried to replicate the signs performed by Moses. For a time, it seemed they could imitate, but soon it became evident that only God had the true power. This story reminds us that, in our lives, the world may seem to offer strength, stability, or solutions similar to God’s, but nothing compares to the sovereignty of the Lord. Unsustained imitation “Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts. Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake…” Exodus 7:11 The magicians managed to reproduce some of Moses’ signs, like turning the staff into a snake or imitating the initial plagues. This shows that the world may offer alternatives that resemble God’s work: riches, power, pleasure, and even a false spirituality. However, this imitation cannot last long, for it lacks the true source. Human power, limited as it is, always tries to compete with […]

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September 04, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Christ in every step

Father, I know that many times I underestimate the power of the small choices in my life. Help me to understand that every gesture, no matter how small it seems, can be an act of holiness when done with the intention of honoring You and following in Your steps. May my life not be guided by automatic routine, but by a vigilant heart, ready to reflect Your presence in words, actions, and thoughts each day. Fill me with discernment to choose wisely in the simplest moments: in the way I treat, forgive, act, and speak with others. In how I use my time and in what I seek in my daily routine. Teach me to act like Jesus and to have authority to act in His name in everything I do—transforming the ordinary into an encounter with Him and making my life an expression of gratitude and praise to the Lord. You are my perfect example—may I live with Your love pulsing in my heart and Your light shining through my actions. Even in daily decisions, may I reflect Your character and contribute to building up Your Kingdom. May every choice reveal that I follow the Way, the Truth, and […]

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September 02, 2025·Rapha Abreu

The christian and the small choices

The Christian life is not built only on great moments, but on the small daily choices that reflect who we are in Christ. God calls us to live in holiness not only on Sundays, in church services, or on special occasions, but also in the simple things: in the way we speak, act, and decide. It is in the seemingly small choices that we reveal whether our life is being guided by ourselves or by the Holy Spirit. Holiness in everyday life “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16 Holiness is not limited to moments of prayer or worship. It is manifested in how we treat people, how we manage our time, how we handle our words and thoughts. Every choice, no matter how small it seems, carries the responsibility of revealing who is guiding our life. Choosing to forgive, even when it is not easy; deciding to speak the truth instead of lying; choosing kindness when we could be indifferent. These gestures shape a holy heart and demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is in control of our […]

blessings follow-jesus grace heart

August 26, 2025·Rapha Abreu

The God Who flips the tables

There are moments when God needs to intervene firmly within us. Just as Jesus entered the temple and overturned the money changers’ tables, showing that the house of God was not a place for bargaining, He also needs to bring order to our inner being. Our hearts often become filled with distractions, selfishness, and greed, and in His love, the Lord disrupts to reorganize, cleanses to sanctify, and flips tables to bring us back to the focus: His presence. The Heart as a Temple “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12 Jesus’ act in the temple was more than just a reaction to religious corruption—it was a symbol of the purity God expects. The temple, a sacred place, had become a marketplace. The same happens in our hearts when we set aside what is holy to prioritize what is convenient. Allowing God to “flip tables” inside us means recognizing the areas contaminated by ego, haste, and the pursuit of personal gain. He must purify our inner being so that the true altar of worship can be restored. […]

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August 19, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Do I belong to the “Chosen”?

Many times, we think that being “chosen” by God is tied to how much we receive from Him: gifts, blessings, miracles, and accomplishments. But the Bible shows us that the true calling is not about how much we have of God, but how much He has of us. The Lord’s love and grace are available to all creation, but the chosen are those who decide to live surrendered, allowing the Father to receive from their lives sacrifices of obedience, love, and faithfulness. Surrender “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 God has already blessed us with life, with salvation in Christ, and with His Spirit. But being chosen is more than receiving—it is presenting our lives as an offering to Him. The true difference lies in choosing to live so that He has freedom over us. The Lord is not merely seeking outstretched hands to ask, but hearts willing to surrender in love, completely. Being chosen is not about privileges and benefits, but about responsibility. It is deciding each day to relinquish control and allow God’s […]

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August 14, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Recognizing the goodness of God

Previously, in the text “Evil God”, we talked about the perception that the God of the Old Testament is evil and intolerant, and, over time, “transforms” into a God of love and mercy. But we saw that God has always been the same. His grace and mercy have always existed, and His love has been poured out upon the world since the beginning. Today, I want to pray with you about this — to surrender ourselves into the arms of the God of love without fear, but with reverence, recognizing His sovereign grace. Prayer Father, sometimes I have looked at the Old Testament with eyes that see only justice and judgment, forgetting to also contemplate Your mercy and grace displayed there. Forgive me for this limited view that keeps me from fully understanding who You are: Just, Holy, and Loving. Renew my mind so that I may see, behind acts of judgment, a heart that cares for life and seeks to restore what has been broken. Lord, may I recognize that Your holiness requires seriousness, for sin is serious and destructive, and I do not want it to have power over my life. Give me wisdom to understand that the […]

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August 12, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Evil God

Many people, when reading the Old Testament, come across passages of judgment, wars, and lessons, and end up forming the idea that the “God of the Old Testament” is severe or even “evil.” This perception most often comes from fragmented readings without understanding the biblical context. When we look at the Bible as a whole, we realize that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that His justice, love, and mercy have always walked together from Genesis to Revelation. Righteous and Holy “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4 In the Old Testament, we find moments when God judges entire nations, such as in the flood (Genesis 6) or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). At first glance, these episodes may seem harsh, but they reflect His holiness and intolerance toward sin—not the sinner. God is just in acting against the evil that destroys life and creation, that hurts His children and distances them from Him. This is not punishment—it is care and love. His justice is not like ours, limited and flawed. If God […]

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July 30, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Forgiven

Previously, we talked about the power of forgiveness and how it heals and frees us. Today, I want to invite you to pray with me about this—so that our hearts may be filled with God’s grace and that we may learn to extend forgiveness and be merciful, just as God is with us daily. Prayer Father, I know that the deepest battles are often internal. Just as David spared Saul even when he had the right to seek revenge, help me learn from that silent victory that pleases Your heart and overflows grace into my life. I confess that harboring resentment weakens my soul and traps me in an invisible prison. Teach me Your way of continual forgiveness. May I release my heart and experience the healing and relief that come from You. I know that forgiveness is an act of obedience to Your word. I ask that Your Spirit transform me, shaping my character in humility and generosity. Even in lonely moments, hidden from the world, may my actions reflect Your forgiveness and love, showing that my greatest glory is not in the sum of my deeds but in my likeness to Jesus Christ. God, help me to leave […]

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July 24, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Surrender to the Father

God, in the midst of the busyness of my days, I come before You in silence and humility. I acknowledge that so often I’ve become occupied with many things and neglected what is most important: Your presence. Forgive me for every time I’ve placed You second, allowing tasks, responsibilities, and distractions to dominate my heart. Today, I ask You: teach me to pause, to hear Your voice, and to prioritize seeking Your presence above all else. I want to seek You with a whole and available heart. I know it’s not You who moves away—it’s me who gets distracted by the noise of this world and changes my steps. I want to learn from Mary, who chose to sit at Your feet, rather than follow the path of Martha’s busyness. I know Martha longed to serve and welcome You well into her home, but give me the wisdom to reorganize my life and time around what truly matters: communion with You. Father, I no longer want to offer You what’s left over. I desire to give You my best—my first thoughts in the morning, my attention throughout the day, and my rest in the evening. May Your Word dwell richly […]

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July 22, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Too busy for God

We live in a world that glorifies and encourages performance, control, and busyness. In the midst of rush and anxiety, we often forget something essential: God moves when we rest in Him. The areas where we are overly anxious become closed zones for the Lord’s move, because we insist on solving everything with our own strength. Rest is not the same as inactivity, but rather trust. Where God Works “Do not be anxious about anything…” Philippians 4:6 I like to talk about this here, to reach more and more people. This is a very present topic in our lives and it’s extremely important to be discussed. Anxiety reflects our desire to control what is beyond our reach. When we are restless, worried, and impatient, we close our ears to God’s voice and block our hearts from His work. Faith trusts in the Lord’s timing, while the anxious mind wants to anticipate the future and, as a result, skip important steps. When we understand that anxiety doesn’t solve anything, but rather gets in the way, we take the first step toward spiritual rest. God doesn’t move in hearts that do not listen to Him, and anxiety often speaks so loudly that […]

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July 10, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Give me new life!

Lord, I am grateful for Your love that reached me and called me to a new way of living. Thank You for Jesus, who gave me access to Your Kingdom and taught me that living with You is much more than following rules—it’s a transformation from the inside out. Day by day, I want to live this new life You offer me, leaving behind everything that does not glorify You. Help me understand that the Kingdom of God is not only about words, but about actions shaped by love, justice, and mercy. May I not live only for myself, but remain attentive to Your voice, even in the simple things of daily life. Teach me to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, trusting that You will take care of all the other things. Father, renew my mind and heart so that I do not conform to the patterns of this world, but am transformed by Your truth. May I reflect the character of Christ more and more each day—in my choices, my relationships, and my thoughts. Make me a light in the darkness, to bring new flavor. Make me an instrument of Your love. Strengthen me in difficult moments, […]

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July 01, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Do I need the Holy Spirit?

In the Bible, we often hear about the Holy Spirit of God. But I’ve also seen some people question the importance of this name in our lives. The promised Comforter “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” John 14:16 The Holy Spirit is the fulfilled promise of Jesus to His disciples. He would not leave us alone after ascending to heaven, but would send the Comforter—He who dwells with us and in us. The presence of the Spirit is constant, real, and deep, bringing comfort, peace, and guidance even in the midst of our greatest storms. He is not a fleeting emotion, but the continuous dwelling of God within us. Beyond comforting, the Holy Spirit reminds us of Christ’s words and guides us into all truth (John 14:26). When we are confused, He brings clarity. When we are troubled, He brings peace. His role goes beyond easing pain; He also shapes our understanding, aligns our minds with the Word, and strengthens us with wisdom from above. There is no situation in which His presence is not essential. The Holy Spirit is also the seal of our […]

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