JULY 5,2013

The Rumble In The Jungle

The Rumble in the Jungle was a historic boxing event that took place on October 30 1974, in Kinshasa Zaire. It pitted a 28 year old Foreman who seemed an overwhelming favorite against the 32-year old Ali. After being stripped of his license and title in 1967 Ali once again was given a chance to fight for the world championship. Ali had told everyone that he had a secret plan for Foreman. A plan strategy Ali later dubbed the rope-a-dope.

As a result, Foreman spent his energy throughout the fight throwing punches that either did not hit Ali or were deflected in a way that made it difficult for Foreman to hit Ali at all. As the fight drew into the eighth round, Foreman’s punching and defense became ineffective as the strain of throwing so many wild shots took its toll. The fight showed that Ali was capable of taking a punch and highlighted his tactical genius, as Foreman struck Ali with hundreds of thunderous blows, to no effect.

No one, least of all Foreman, anticipated that Ali would do what he did, which was to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability to meet and master any other man on any terms. Six thousands years ago Satan thought he had stripped Christ of all rights to call this world His domain saying in his heart ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High. (Isa. 14:13,14)

But God told us all, He had a plan for man’s salvation, and the victory would be won, not in KinshasaZaire, but on a site called Calvary. And no matter how many thunderous blows Satan would throw, they would be of no effect for in Gen 3:15 my Savior states “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.

“And now the Lord of glory was dying, a ransom for the race. In yielding up His precious life, Christ was not upheld by triumphant joy. All was oppressive gloom. It was not the dread of death that weighed upon Him. It was not the pain and ignominy of the cross that caused His inexpressible agony. Christ was the prince of sufferers; but His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin, a knowledge that through familiarity with evil, man had become blinded to its enormity. Christ saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart, how few would be willing to break from its power. He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help.”(White)

So because of Calvary and Christ love for us “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 8:38) But Satan never realized what lengths Christ would go through to demonstrate so passionately his burning belief in his own ability and love for us, for

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7,8) So that we can live throughout eternity with Him. So if Christ was so willing to fight this battle on our behalf, what should our responsibility today be to show our love for Him. And how do we repay the one who did it all for us.

Maybe we can show our gratitude by our works, but once again salvation is free, and we must never forget that. As I ended my devotional yesterday I will repeat myself and say. While the one who lives by faith is not saved by his works, his works show that he lives by faith. His faith is revealed in his works, and thus he is promised life eternal. Gods work here on earth can only be finished by dedicated Christians who are willing to give it all for the Master. We don’t have any time to squander it away on what this world has to offer because what this world has to offer will surely pass away but Salvation is Eternal.

So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

July 4 2013

Under His Wings

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God’s wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, so that those under the cover of her wings would live. (Author Unknown)

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge…” (Psalm 91:4)

A Hymn of Faith in Habakkuk 3:17-18 states “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” What a disastrous situation being described by Habakkuk but like Habakkuk sometimes God appears to be silent amid all the trials  tribulations and heartaches that goes on in our life from day to day and year to year. Like Habakkuk, we must wait in faith and trust in an unseen God until the time when the world will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of our Lord, and His presence that will forever shine throughout eternity in His pure and holy kingdom, But before that time comes while we are In the midst of all the turmoil evil, and injustice in the world we live in, only our complete faithfulness, constancy, and dependability In God and His word will take us to the promise land.

And like the mother bird who gave her life so her children might live, our Savior could have flown to safety also, but He refused to abandon His children. On Calvary Christ remained steadfast through it all, simply because He remained focused and through His faith, love and His endurance to stay the course  was He willing to die for those under the cover of his wings so that  those who have faith and believe would live with Him throughout eternity. Oh what love our God has shown for us.  For in Romans 5:7-9 Paul says “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” And He did it all for His children.

So now how do we repay the one who did it all for us evan though salvation is free we must never forget that, while the one who lives by faith is not saved by his works, his works show that he lives by faith. His faith is revealed in his works, and thus he is promised life eternal. We as Christians have a lot of work to do to finish up Gods work here on earth and as we look at our world today, time is very short, we don’t have any time to squander it away on the foolishness of this world. So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY

Faith Is Simply taking God at His Word

Never diminish your faith in God by praying a prayer of defeat, and not one of total fearlessness and determination, that God will answer your prayers. John 4:46-53

“So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way……… and himself believed, and his whole house.” Faith is not sight ,smell, taste or touch it is simply taking God at His word which if he does not speak to you directly like he did Moses it is through his holy word the bible for in Acts 27:25 it says Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. The bible tells us, that the nobleman believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. Here we observed, our Lord and Savior did what this man requested him to do, but not in the way the nobleman wished or had requested of Him. So this tells us that God will save all to the uttermost who call upon him, but not always in the way in which we may desire. But we must always believe and have faith that Eternal life is the free gift of God, and he has a right to give it as he pleases; and he always gives his gifts in a way in which his glory is best promoted, and our eternal interest secured.

For Peter states in  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. And what’s so wonderful about this story  is in verse 53 it says and himself believed meaning he had faith, and his whole house believed. The sickness of the child became the pathway of  salvation for the entire household. so my friends remember it is never just about us. Jesus commanded His disciples to GO into all the world and PREACH THE GOSPEL. The key word is Go. meaning Go to our families Go to our friends Go to our neighbors GO to our co-workers and go to all the world and tell them about the good news of Christ love and His soon return.  So friends stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget  to STUDY&PRAY

Your victories today will not be sufficient for a victory tomorrow

When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through dry places seeking rest and finding none. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came. When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. (Luke 11:24-26)

Luke 11:21-22, Says, even a strong man cannot protect his house if someone stronger comes along. So we must never fool ourselves into thinking we can out think Satan “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places”.

(Eph. 6:12) So Gods word tells us that we cannot protect ourselves from Satan, but God can protect us, if we only have faith and believe. John wrote, “You are of God, little Children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). But first, Christ must be in each of us intimately.

So just to get rid of our sins without allowing Christ to take full control, will only allow Satan to re-enter our lives with those same sins we thought we had gotten rid of, only now, “it is worst than the first”. So my friends remember our victory today will not be sufficient for a victory tomorrow, if Christ is not the Master of our mind and body. For our heartfelt words each day must be “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I

now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20) So study Gods word daily, pray without ceasing for a double portion of His Spirit, and stay focused on your Salvation through Christ, because our life does depend on it, because one day, God will say to each and everyone, EITHER ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount, I’ll put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s joy!’

OR, He will ask you, one final question, why was, house wives of Atlanta, Scandal, the internet, and Macy’s more important then studying My word and doing My will? Now, “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” My friends Remember, Your Choice! Your Decision! Your Salvation! STUDY&PRAY

WHY IS NO ONE LISTENING, SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP

When we as Christians think simplistically about saving souls, especially in regards to our family, friends love ones, and co-workers we set ourselves up to always expect simple solutions recognizable answers, and precise results even under insurmountable situations and circumstances.

But as Christians, we all need to come to terms with the actuality that Satan still exists and he is as strong as ever. But my friends the story does not end there. But through Christ, he whose heart is fixed to serve God will always find the opportunity to be a witness for Him, because the more we can focus on the character and love of Christ the more we come to realize that we must follow Him all the way to Calvary by being A humble servant to others as we carry out Christ mandate to go into all the world and tell everyone of His love, grace, and mercy.

As a story is told about the duke of Wellington who was once present where a party of Christian men were discussing the possibility of success in a missionary effort among the heathen. They appealed to the duke to say whether in his judgment such efforts were likely to prove successful, proportionate to the cost, the old soldier replied:

“Gentlemen, what are your marching orders, Success he said, is not the question for you to discuss. If I read your orders, they run thus, ‘go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Gentlemen, obey your marching orders.’ So the secret to every Christian’s success as to his or her mandate from God will be found in the harmonious and daily workings of all Christians, along with the Holy Spirit in the finishing up of Gods work regardless of what this world deems as success.

Remember success as a Christian for Christ is not Him asking us to devote ourselves to His cause: but for us to yield ourselves to His will. Every excuse in word and action, with every element of fear and faithlessness to continue witnessing for Him was challenged and answered on the cross.

Therefore, in the sense of one’s faith, genuine heartfelt obedience, and invincible courage, may we prepare each and every day, to hear these words repeated to us, as we stand before Christ at His soon return. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

While much of the fruit of our labor will not be apparent in this life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As our example, the world’s redeemer was constantly confronted with obstacles each day. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do in uplifting, and saving souls, because the forces of Satan were constantly working to obstruct His every move. But He would not be discouraged.

For He would forever stay focused on His goal, which was the cross, and our salvation. So He who does all things according to the will of His Father will always place men under various situations, and circumstances, in order to instill upon Them, duties that will be peculiar to the times in which they live, and the various conditions under which we as Christians are placed.

Especially as we enter into the final days of this life’s history, while constantly studying the word of God and seeking His Spirit daily, as we sustain a heartfelt prayer Life, while allowing the light of Gods Spirit to be open before those we witness to. But remember truth is no more desired by the majority today than it was when Christ was on this earth.

So we must not get discourage as we use Christ as our example forever enduring to the end so never give up, continue the fight to spread the word of God, in this immoral world we live in, and endure, and never give up until the race is over, and you have reach the finish line. So each follower of Christ will most likely have a series of victories, that will not be seen as victories on this earth, but will only be recognized as such in a pure and holy society.

Oh the gratitude of souls that will meet us in the heavenly courts, to thank us for our efforts in presenting the gospel of Christ to them, and at that time they will finally come to understand the sympathetic, and loving interest which was taken by the faithful workers of Christ, so that they may have salvation.

And then, on one accord, in adoration, throughout the heavenly courts, we will all give God the praise, glory and honor, for we will forever recognize, without Satan telling us otherwise, the Love grace and mercy employed in the salvation of mankind on this earth that were ready to parish, until God sent His only Begotten Son, to die on a cruel cross, so that we may all be saved from the penalty of sin.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that

believeth…..Romans 1:16 

And now my friends that is how the story ends.

Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes:

• 4.9 million, or 18.7 percent of all African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes.
• African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non Hispanic whites.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk for a number of serious, sometimes life-threatening complications, and

certain populations experience an even greater threat. Good diabetes management can help reduce your risk; however,

many people are not even aware that they have diabetes until they develop one of its complications.

• Blindness
  African Americans are almost 50 percent as likely to develop diabetic retinopathy as non-Hispanic whites.
• Kidney Disease
  African Americans are 2.6 to 5.6 times as likely to suffer from kidney disease.
• Amputations
  African Americans are 2.7 times as likely to suffer from lower-limb amputations.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose. It results from defects in insulin

secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can be associated with serious complications and premature death, but

people with diabetes can take measures to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences. Most African Americans (about 90

percent to 95 percent) with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes usually develops in adults and is caused

by the body’s resistance to the action of insulin and to impaired insulin secretion. It can be treated with diet, exercise,

diabetes pills, and injected insulin. A small number of African Americans (about 5 percent to 10 percent) have type 1

diabetes, which usually develops before age 20 and is always treated with insulin. Diabetes can be diagnosed by three

methods:

• A fasting plasma glucose test and a value of 126 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) or greater.
• A nonfasting plasma glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater in people with symptoms of diabetes.
• An abnormal oral glucose tolerance test, with a 2-hour glucose value of 200 mg/dL or greater.

Each test must be confirmed, on another day, by any one of the above methods. The criteria used to diagnose diabetes

were revised in 1997.

How Many African Americans Have Diabetes?

The proportion of the African American population that has diabetes rises from less than 1 percent for those aged

younger than 20 years to as high as 32 percent for women age 65-74 years. In every age group, prevalence is higher for

women than men: overall, among those age 20 years or older, the rate is 11.8 percent for women and 8.5 percent for men.

About one-third of total diabetes cases are undiagnosed among African Americans. This is similar to the proportion for

other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. National health surveys during the past 35 years show that the percentage of the African American population that has

been diagnosed with diabetes is increasing dramatically. The surveys in 1976-80 and in 1988-94 measured fasting plasma glucose and thus allowed an assessment of the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes as well as of previously

diagnosed diabetes. In 1976-80, total diabetes prevalence in African Americans age 40-74 years was 8.9 percent; in 1988-94, total prevalence had increased to 18.2 percent–a doubling of the rate in just 12 years.

Prevalence in African Americans is much higher than in white Americans. Among those age 40-74 years in the 1988-94 survey, the rate was 11.2 percent for whites, but was 18.2 percent for blacks–diabetes prevalence in blacks is 1.6 times the prevalence in whites.

What Risk Factors Increase the Chance of Developing Type 2 Diabetes?

The frequency of diabetes in African American adults is influenced by the same risk factors that are associated with type 2 diabetes in other populations. Two categories of risk factors increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. The

first is genetics. The second is medical and lifestyle risk factors, including impaired glucose tolerance, gestational diabetes, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Genetic Risk Factors

The common finding that “diabetes runs in families” indicates that there is a strong genetic component to type 1 and type

2 diabetes. Many scientists are now conducting research to determine the genes that cause diabetes. For type 1 diabetes,

certain genes related to immunology have been implicated. For type 2 diabetes, there seem to be diabetes genes that determine insulin secretion and insulin resistance.

Some researchers believe that African Americans inherited a “thrifty gene” from their African ancestors. Years ago, this gene enabled Africans, during “feast and famine” cycles, to use food

energy more efficiently when food was scarce. Today, with fewer such cycles, the thrifty gene that developed for survival may instead make the person more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.

Medical Risk Factors

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT)

In some people, their blood glucose level after a meal or after an oral glucose test rises higher than is considered normal but not high enough for them to be diagnosed with diabetes. These individuals are described as having impaired glucose

tolerance (IGT). IGT may be an early stage of diabetes, and people with IGT are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people with normal glucose tolerance. Rates of IGT among adults age 40-74 years in the NHANES III survey were similar for black (13 percent) and white (15 percent) Americans.2

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

About 2 to 5 percent of pregnant women develop mild abnormalities in glucose levels and insulin secretion and are considered to have gestational diabetes. Although these women’s glucose and insulin levels often return to normal after

pregnancy, as many as 50 percent may develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy.

Hyperinsulinemia and Insulin Resistance

Higher-than-normal levels of fasting insulin, called hyperinsulinemia, are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia often predates diabetes by several years.

Among people who did not have diabetes in the NHANES III survey, insulin levels were higher in African Americans than in whites, particularly African American women, indicating their greater predisposition for developing type 2 diabetes. Another study showed a higher rate of hyperinsulinemia in African American adolescents compared with white American adolescents.

Obesity

Overweight is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The NHANES surveys found that overweight is increasing in the

United States, both in adolescents and in adults. Figure 2 illustrates these data and also shows that African American

adults have substantially higher rates of obesity than white Americans.

In addition to the overall level of obesity, the location of the excess weight is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Excess

weight carried above the waist is a stronger risk factor than excess weight carried below the waist. African Americans have a greater tendency to develop upper-body obesity, which increases their risk of diabetes.

Although African Americans have higher rates of obesity, researchers do not believe that obesity alone accounts for their higher prevalence of diabetes. Even when compared with white Americans with the same levels of obesity, age, and

socioeconomic status, African Americans still have higher rates of diabetes. Other factors, yet to be understood, appear to be responsible.

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is a protective factor against type 2 diabetes and, conversely, lack of physical activity is a risk factor for developing diabetes. Researchers suspect that a lack of exercise is one factor contributing to the high rates of

diabetes in African Americans. In the NHANES III survey, 50 percent of black men and 67 percent of black women reported that they participated in little or no leisure time physical activity.

How Does Diabetes Affect African-American Young People?

African American children seem to have lower rates of type 1 diabetes than white American children. Researchers tend to agree that genetics probably makes type 1 diabetes less common among children with African ancestry compared with children of European ancestry.

How Does Diabetes Affect African American Women during Pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes, in which blood glucose values are elevated above normal during pregnancy, occurs in about 2 percent to 5 percent of all pregnant women. Perinatal problems such as macrosomia (large body size) and neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are higher in these pregnancies.

The women generally return to normal glucose values after childbirth. However, once a woman has had gestational diabetes, she has an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.

In addition, experts estimate that about half of women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 20 years of the pregnancy. Several studies have shown that the occurrence of gestational diabetes in African American women may be 50 percent to 80 percent more frequent than in white women.

How Do Diabetes Complications Affect African Americans?

Compared with white Americans, African Americans experience higher rates of diabetes complications such as eye disease, kidney failure, and amputations. They also experience greater disability from these complications. Some factors

that influence the frequency of these complications, such as high blood glucose levels, abnormal blood lipids, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking, can be influenced by proper diabetes management.

Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy is a deterioration of the blood vessels in the eye that is caused by high blood glucose. It can lead to impaired vision and, ultimately, to blindness. The frequency of diabetic retinopathy is 40 percent to 50 percent higher

in African Americans than in white Americans, according to NHANES III data. Retinopathy may also occur more frequently in black Americans than in whites because of their higher rate of hypertension.

Although blindness caused bydiabetic retinopathy is believed to be more frequent in blacks than in whites, there are no valid studies that compare rates of blindness between the two groups.

Kidney Failure

African Americans with diabetes experience kidney failure, also called end-stage renal disease (ESRD), about four times more often than diabetic white Americans. In 1995, there were 27,258 new cases of ESRD attributed to diabetes in black

Americans. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and accounted for 43 percent of the new cases of ESRD among black Americans during 1992-1996. Hypertension, the second leading cause of ESRD, accounted for 42 percent of cases.

In spite of their high rates of ESRD, African Americans have better survival rates after they develop kidney failure than white Americans.

Amputations

Based on the U.S. hospital discharge survey, there were about 13,000 amputations among black diabetic individuals in 1994, which involved 155,000 days in the hospital.12 African Americans with diabetes are much more likely to undergo

a lower-extremity amputation than white or Hispanic Americans with diabetes. The hospitalization rate of amputations for blacks was 9.3 per 1,000 patients in 1994, compared with 5.8 per 1,000 white diabetic patients. However, the

average length of hospital stay was lower for African Americans (12.1 days) than for white Americans (16.5 days).

Does Diabetes Cause Excess Deaths in African Americans?

Diabetes was an uncommon cause of death among African Americans at the turn of the century. By 1994, however, death certificates listed diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death for African Americans. For those age 45 years or older,

it was the fifth leading cause of death. Death rates (mortality) for people with diabetes are higher for blacks than for whites. Figure 3 shows death rates for whites and blacks with diabetes in a national survey of people first studied in 1971-1975 whose mortality was confirmed

through 1992-1993.13 In every age group and for both men and women, death rates for blacks with diabetes were higher than for whites with diabetes. The overall mortality rate was 20 percent higher for black men and 40 percent higher for black women, compared with their white counterparts.

Points To Remember

• In 1993, 1.3 million African Americans were known to have diabetes. This is almost three times the number of African Americans who were diagnosed with diabetes in 1963.
• For every white American who gets diabetes, 1.6 African Americans get diabetes.
• The highest incidence of diabetes in blacks occurs between 65 and 74 years of age. Twenty-five percent of these individuals have diabetes.
• Obesity is a major medical risk factor for diabetes in African Americans, especially for women. Some diabetes may be prevented with weight control through healthy eating and regular exercise.
• African Americans have higher incidence of and greater disability from diabetes complications such as kidney failure, visual impairment, and amputations.
• If African Americans can prevent, reverse, or control diabetes, their risk of complications will decrease.
• Healthy lifestyles, such as eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise, are particularly important for people who are at increased risk of diabetes

Source: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, National Institute of Health Sep. 1998