The world was once set on fire by an all out war for territories between Witches, Warlocks, Mages, Necromancers until a fragile peace was made by all four clans, unbeknownst to normal people they split the world into four piece each clan taking one. Hundreds of years have passed since then and a young Witch Tara Jensen is tasked with investigating the resurgence of a threat that has come upon the world, an evil once believed to be merely a story, an evil more powerful than anything that has existed. Will they come together and fight or will the past come in the way of these clans.

MORE OF A REALIZATION OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN THIS WORLD!

d@Xgj%F <***********@*****.org>
To: 2Lifw)r3<***********@****.com>, Ig4(3dl_d2 <***********@*******.com>
Dear Z and A,
I know you two have a lot on your plate. But I hope you find time to study this. I offered L to send him some of my sermon notes so that he can peruse it as it seems that giving him this information would be extremely beneficial for the future. But he rejected it.
He said that he would rather listen to me speak about it personally. Apparently, he wants to believe in it and given his intellectual bias, he may turn deaf ears to the lessons in my notes. He wanted to not only know of what I know but have a chance in believing and he hopes that listening to me would do far more benefit than just reading some letters. I understand his intentions. The best way to learn about something is to believe in it. So he suggested having a personal meeting. I'm wanted to conduct a Bible study but with the way things are now, I guess it will have to wait.
Z, I hope our previous discussions from so long ago, (it feels like it's been another lifetime, right?) have somehow created a foundation of belief. Perhaps what had happened to you is one of the miracles that the Almighty allowed. I firmly believe this. So I am hoping this letter would allow you to better understand what actions to take and that you could pass this information along to anyone who you think could help in this. You have been taking the right steps and I guess it would be attributed to our talks from long ago.
Anyway, here is the draft of a conference message I've prepared to give on one of our upcoming Bible Conferences. Perhaps this may give you some insight on what to do with your life and how you can be of benefit to the lives of others.
Also, that kid from Psalms 1 might also benefit from reading this. I have a feeling that he wouldn't want to attend a Bible study hosted by me because of our 'conflicting' methods.
Best regards,
Calvin Luther Eagle Senior Pastor at Grace From God Ministries
1 Attached File
A Study on Typology (I will be discussing more of this during the Bible Study and explain the key aspects in detail. Treat this study as a primer for the things to be discussed soon.)
Prophecy has always been something that people found intriguing and mystifying.
The Bible contains the most prophecies that have been accurately fulfilled in human history.
For example, the prophecy on Tyre in Ezekiel 26…
In that Prophecy, several prophetic elements that seem extremely unlikely to be fulfilled if we apply the science of probability. For the sake of time, I will only go over several key aspects of the Prophecies and will not deal with any other prophecies made against Tyre on other verses in the Bible.
I have selected five of the 'most intriguing' prophecies that were fulfilled right down to the dot and remind you, that the chapter consists of more elements that have been fulfilled.
As a background, Tyre as a city is composed of two parts. One city in the mainland, called 'Ushu' or Old Tyre, and another city built on a small island about half a mile away from the shore of Old Tyre. This city on the small island is commonly known as Tyre.
In Ezekiel 26, Tyre was supposed to be:
1.       Attacked by Nebuchadnezzar (v. 7)
2.       Attacked by "many nations" (v.3)
3.       The stone and timbers of this city would be thrown in the sea (v.12)
4.       Will be scrapped like a bare rock (v.4)
5.       The Ocean depths will rise over it (v.19)
A popular opinion regarding prophecies is that any prophecy may eventually be fulfilled as time pass by as the things that have been written may be fulfilled by chance. If Chapter 26 of Ezekiel talks about any city, with any conqueror, that is indeed true but this chapter exclusively talks about the city of Tyre.
This prophecy is not talking of any city. No, it's not the city of New Birth Forth or the City of World's Helm. It's taking about the city of Tyre.
And this city is to be attacked by Nebuchadnezzar. Not by Hitler, not by the Fire Nation, not by Team Rocket, but by Nebuchadnezzar. A specific person living in a specific time. And this city would also be attacked by many nations, its stone and timbers would be thrown in the sea and the city will be scrapped like a bare rock and that the Ocean will somehow rise over the city itself. It's interesting how specific it is.
Now, historically, the first aspect was easily fulfilled.
About a decade after the prophecy was believed to be written, Nebuchadnezzar attacked the city and we have evidence to support this historic fact. But Nebuchadnezzar was only able to conquer Old Tyre as the other city on the small island was naturally protected by the sea and Tyre had an impressive fleet of ships.
So none of the other prophecies were fulfilled. Numbers two to five on our prophecy list were not fulfilled during this attack.
Should we now mock the Bible for its inaccuracy?
Be aware, that the remaining clauses of this prophecy are almost impossible to fulfill.
Why would the city be attacked and someone would be so bored as to take the stones and timbers from the wrecked city and throw it on the ocean? Why would they do that to the point of scrapping the ruins of the city to a point that what remains will look like a bare rock? And how will the ocean rise over it?
The fulfillment of the other aspects of the prophecy occurred nearly 200 years later.
The Prophecy was written sometime on 587-586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar attacked it on 573BC, but the fulfillment of prophecy points numbers 2-5 would be on 332BC when a man who conquered nations led an army consisting of armies coming from different nations and attacked the very city of Tyre.
We know this man to be "Alexander the Great."
We know Alexander the Great would force another nation to submit and aid him in his conquest so many nations could easily be fulfilled at this point.
He led his armies and attacked Tyre, conquering Old Tyre once more. But this wasn't enough.
Tyre was arrogant and mocked Alexander for failing once more as the settlers have retreated to their city-island protected by their vast fleet of ships. Seeing as how Tyre remained safe like a turtle and having the sea as a natural barrier with a fleet of ships that even Alexander the Great could not easily destroy, Alexander and his armies came up with an ingenious plan.
A great task of building a man-made bridge from the coast of Old Tyre to New Tyre started. Alexander ordered his men to take the ruins of Old Tyre, throw it to the sea to build a bridge to which they can use to attack the city of Tyre.
In this, Prophecy points numbers 2-4 have been fulfilled. The prophecies which seem almost impossible actually happened.
Many nations came, attacked Tyre, took the ruins of the city and threw it to the ocean to make a small bridge, scrapping Old Tyre like a rock.
But what about number 5?
Well, because of the man-made bridge which supported and allowed Alexander to send his armies to attack Tyre, the topography of the island changed making the bridge leading to Tyre into a peninsula which exists to this day. Because of this change which led to a massive geographic change on the area, the location of the Old Tyre was eventually buried by sand and water ultimately, burying the location of Old Tyre underwater forever.
God sent Nebuchadnezzar and later fulfilled it some 200 years later in the person of Alexander the Great. But the last bit of prophecy would be fulfilled about a thousand years later as the coastline of Tyre changed because of the man-made bridge of Alexander.
Now you calculate the odds of this prophecy being fulfilled? What other nation, since 587 BC, was named Tyre, attacked by a Nebuchadnezzar and later by many nations, and apparently, the entire city structure is thrown to the sea, scraped like bare rock, and later sinks to the ocean? What are the odds of that happening? And remember, I haven't listed ALL the prophecies that Tyre is supposed to fulfill!
Now this may come as an intriguing historical study, but the reason I'm discussing Tyre is to formally challenge whether or not this Prophecy would have only ONE fulfillment or will it be fulfilled again? What if, the verses in the Bible may be foreshadowing something that will happen in the future.
Now, let me clarify, I honestly believe that in Ezekiel 26, most of the prophecies written there have already been fulfilled. What I'm saying, is that we open our exegesis to the possibility that it could be fulfilled again!
How would something that had literally happened be fulfilled again? To argue, I would like to point you to the study of Eschatology, or the interpretation of the End of Times. We call it the Apocalypse, the Last Days and so on. Many camps and theological schools all have different opinions and interpretations as to their fulfillment. And throughout the course of history, there have been several interpretations which the people of that time were sure of because it made sense.
During the time of Apostolic era, if you read the Book of Revelation, you would say, the anti-Christ is Rome.
Hundreds of years later, Martin Luther made the same conclusion during the Reformation period. Their study of the Word led to this conclusion.
Back in World War 2, everyone believed that the Anti-Christ was Hitler. The Jews who suffered so much would certainly think so as well.
During World War 3, everyone then blamed Graden Pouterfisx to be the Anti-Christ as it led to the further destruction of Israel.
Right now, because of the Australian Avarice, many even say that Australia is the Anti-Christ.
And for the Australian natives of today, they would say, Harker or that gamer-turned-terrorist Lowengren is the Anti-Christ. (Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised.)
Others believe, that it's the World Governing Powers, and still some point to that miraculous E-Sport Gamer, Seeker Carlean to be the Anti-Christ as he must have sold his soul to the devil to be that good in Piercing! (Z, as you noticed, I like to add current events like this as a sermon illustrations to draw attention to the younger audience. It really makes most gamers listen to my sermon if I mention famous e-sport players.)
And quite honestly, except those saying its Seeker, the rest had a valid reason to claim that this was the Anti-Christ as they displayed a shocking level of depravity, wickedness, and immorality.
Are we to assume that they were all wrong? Perhaps… Or maybe perhaps from Hitler, all the way to the Australian Avarice, they have been "Types" or signs that will simply point us to a Final Anti-Christ. Perhaps, God, in order to constantly remind us that His Word is True and indeed miraculous, has destined history, as written in the Bible to have several fulfillments, many of which are partial fulfillments or foreshadowing to a final fulfillment?
And it is in this vein, that we find ourselves in the study of Typology.
Typology is the study of signs, symbols and the interpretation of Types.
Let me take a positive example to further cement my case…
You've heard me say several times that I say Samuel in the book of 1 Samuel of a "typology" or a sign that points to Jesus. In many ways, an appropriate approach would be to read 1 Samuel with the assumption that Samuel foreshadows Jesus.
If we go to the prophecy in 1 Samuel 2, God got angry at the current High Priest, Eli, and prophesied to Eli that Eli's lineage would-be priest who wouldn't reach old age and that their line would stop serving in the altar. After that, God gave this prophecy in 1 Samuel 2:35,
"I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always."
Now the immediate assumption as to the fulfillment of this prophecy, if we follow that story, is that we would assume it to be fulfilled through the priest to Samuel. Samuel took over when Eli died, he ministered faithfully and replaced the line of Priest that served in Israel.
According to the Bible, we do not have any records of Samuel ever committing sin, and even on his death, he challenged Israel of this, to which Israel responded that they have noted no sin in Samuel's lifetime. If you think David had a magnificent title, "a man after God's own heart," consider Samuel's title. A man who will do according to God's own heart and mind.
But on the other hand, many would challenge that this verse does not refer to Samuel but to Jesus because of the clause that this priest will "minister before God's anointed ones, always." Which basically implies this priestly line will forever serve God. And only Jesus could fulfill this role.
My interpretation and I hope this congregation's interpretation and conviction, would be that this verse was fulfilled in two ways.
Samuel was the initial fulfillment and is a typology to the final fulfillment, which is Jesus.
The Bible has been doing this several times and using a certain Old Testament verse and make it a sign that eventually points to Jesus. In other words, these verses have more than one fulfillment.
A partial fulfillment of the sign in the form of Samuel, a righteous Priest who was impeccable in actions and wisdom, and later the Great High Priest that we have in Jesus.
1 Samuel also introduces David, a typology of Jesus in the areas of being a King.
But of course, this alone could not be supporting evidence for my theory in the study of Typologies. So let's take a look at another interesting and puzzling verse which shows a unique example of a typology.
We go to Hosea 11:1 and find an interesting phrase here that was used by the Gospel writer Matthew.
"Out of Egypt, I called my Son."
This is a strange verse to use because mainly, according to the context of Hosea 11:1, the son here refers to the nation Israel. Why did Matthew later use this verse to mean Jesus? We all stand with the idea that the Holy Scripture is inerrant. So why would Matthew, in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, use this verse in its wrong context?
My answer is Typology.
Let us first analyze what's going on in Matthew.
Joseph and Mary had escaped from Bethlehem because of Herod. They lived in Egypt and waited for Herod to die. Upon Herod's death, Joseph returns to Israel and so, Matthew summarizes it in verse 15 of chapter 2, And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 and immediately assumes that this is speaking of Jesus when in actuality, the context rules that we so hardly adhere to, dictates that Hosea 11 is talking about the nation Israel!
Typology easily resolves this issue. If we are to assume that Israel has always been a typology of Jesus, a temporary sign and can have more than one fulfillment in the great passage of time, we can then easily accept this verse.
By accepting that Israel in Hosea 11, represents Jesus, we can actually see that in many ways Israel did foreshadow Jesus.
Jesus, like Israel, stays in Egypt and leaves to return to the Promised Land. Jesus, Like Israel, is sent to the wilderness to spend a passage of time connected with the number of 40. Israel spent 40 years wandering in the desert, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert.
The Gospel records that Jesus was sent to the wilderness to be tempted and tried, wasn't this the case for Israel?
And isn't it interesting, that in the famous encounter between Jesus and the Devil in that same wilderness where Israel was tested, Jesus answered the Devil quoting verses from the book of Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy discusses most of the consequences that Israel suffered because they failed. In this Typology, Jesus acts as the perfect version of Israel. He goes out of Egypt, is tempted by the devil in the wilderness exposing Him to hunger, thirst, and the danger of being killed by wild animals.
In Israel's hunger, they complained to God, and the reluctant response of God was to send Manna from heaven, Satan uses this same strategy and tells Jesus to make stone bread, but Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy saying that man shall not live by bread alone.
Jesus fasted in that 40 days in the desert. The Israelites feasted with unlimited manna and even by sending birds which the Israelites can easily capture and eat. I can go on and on, but if you analyze the remaining challenges that Satan poised to Jesus, we find that the Israelites actually failed on all of these temptations. In fact, I would go as far to say that the temptations Jesus faced and the temptations Israel faced were roughly the same!
But it doesn't stop here, if you've read through the Bible, you will know that the moment Israel finally enters the Promised Land, you'll be reading through the Book of Joshua. And in Hebrew, the name for Joshua is Yeshua, the very same name to which we translate the Name, Jesus!
So Joshua becomes a typology, a foreshadowing that the book of Joshua will also repeat in history. We've already seen hints of that! That scene in Joshua 10 where kings in their retreat hid in caves to flee from Israel. Is this not the same vivid imagery explained in the book of Revelation which will be the scene when Jesus returns?
At this point, I argue, that perhaps in the dogmatic ways of our interpretation of Scripture, we have long set aside the possibility that if the Bible is promised to be the Word of God, Inerrant, relevant and true, then would it not be true for all ages? Is it possible to see this foreshadowing's again and again?
I will not be surprised, ladies and gentlemen, that in the near future, the very events we read in the book of Revelation will become a typology! A sign that we may soon see, in anticipation of the Second Coming!
We have long interpreted the book of Revelation and its various events to have passed! How many writers and Bible teachers have risen up to explain how World War Three fulfilled many of the verses in Revelation.
I'm not saying they're wrong. I'm saying they could be right. But in this sense, that what they explained are but typologies and these signs that may repeat itself unto final fulfillment.
So read the Book of Revelation! Read the book of Joshua! Read the Book of Daniel! Of Zacharias, of the many verses and the many books in the Bible which speaks or alludes to the coming end!
We could all come witness to various typologies of events that will have its ultimate fulfillment when Christ return. As for me, I may sound insane, but with the recent events that have been happening, I am certain now, we will bear witness to many foreshadowing's itself! Make no mistake!
Perhaps, in the coming days, chaos will be revealed. And perhaps, in the coming days, someone will rise up perhaps as another foreshadowing of Jesus who will appear in Power and Might! Perhaps, in the days to come, you will all see the Way!
Let's close in prayer…
(A and Z, I do hope this gives us a roadmap of future actions you have to take. Revisit the stories in the Old Testament. I have a feeling that one of our friends may be anticipating the revisiting and fulfillment of the prophecies in Egypt. It might take some time until the Bible study after all. So the specific plans that I have in mind to make the world believe in God  cannot be explained. For now, read and follow the Word. Oh, and if C and G are free, have them visit me here in the Americas.)


An alien race invaded the Earth on June 6, 2128. At the midst of this war, many nations allied with the alien threat and the war nearly wiped out the rebelling humans of the planet. At the edge of mankind's survival, the United Nations Army launched its forces to eliminate the immediate stellar threats that loomed over Earth.

General Seeker Carlean, commander and leader of the mission, risked and gave his life to destroy the immediate stellar threat. The battle was won though Earth lay in ruins. Perhaps mankind will live to see a few years of peace before the alien threat returns to wipe out their existence.

At the immediate aftermath of the stellar battle, the fallen Seeker Carlean awakens and finds himself at aged 17, living the peaceful life he lived 16 years before he died.

So begins a new game in the battle for humanity's survival.

----
Cover art by Jayps. http://www.behance.net/Jayps

Jean wore his Sunday's best early in the morning. He looked in the mirror. A clean-shaven, porcelain-like face stared with its piercing brown eyes and its somewhat thin eyebrows raised.

Jean checked his mouth for any remnants of the eggs and rice he ate almost half an hour ago. Then, he turned off the bathroom lights, ignoring his dirty clothes wrapped in his towel on the hamper at the door.

Jean opened his filing cabinet with his keychain and looked at his accounted expenditures. He wondered briefly about future purchases and profitable investments. Jean shook his head and locked up the cabinet.

Eventually, Jean slipped on his shoes and the standard-issue black clergy cassock. 

It was time. He had deacon duties to do.

The drive to the Renningberry Catholic Church took only minutes. Jean stepped out of his neat and tidy blue Ford Bronco. Although it was getting old, he took diligent care of it.

Jean jingled his keys and opened the rusty doors of the Church. Its noise brought peace to his mind. Even with all the tweeting of birds, it was nice to hear noises that could alert Jean.

Jean held his duties with solemn dedication and maintained the aging organ among many other things. Hours passed and soon, he was done.

Jean laid a Bible in his lap as he sat in front of the organ. His fingers danced across the keys, practicing different arrangement of Gothic music.

A loud thrum of a sputtering transmission broke into the melody, but Jean did not stop. Soon, Pastor Nick arrived. His large form comically contrasted his position, yet his aging appearance showed he did not lack experience. He was a decent-looking man in his fifties, after all.

"Jean! You're here early, like always, huh? You're such a good kid. Are you going to lead the liturgy again?" Pastor Nick called, walking towards the altar.

"Yes, Brother Nick. 'For the Lord Grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.' Proverbs 2:6." Jean replied. He stopped playing.

"I still don't know why you come in so early. A talented and good-hearted kid like you should be sweeping the entertainment industry!" Pastor Nick chuckled. "You play music like a Heaven-sent angel, you know that, Jean?"

"I have faith the Lord guides me to help others. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.' Proverbs 3:5." 

"Jean! You don't have to be so stiff. Why do you need to quote the Scriptures when both of us are well-read?"

"We must stay true to our teachings. 'Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.' What better advisers can there be than the Scriptures themselves?"

"Well, I knew I shouldn't have argued with you. You keep drowning me in your faith. Lighten up a little, huh?" Pastor Nick scratched at his stubble.

"I'm just joking with you! I'm young but lacking experience. If I want to enjoy the world, I have to make my own fun, right?" Jean winked at Pastor Nick.

Pastor Nick jarred in his step as he was walking to his office in the basement, suitcase in hand. "Y-yeah. Life's too short to worry so much about. Just don't go overboard. You keep reminding me of old Pastor Francis."

"Fine, Brother Nick. I'll see you at Mass."

Jean continued playing the organ until the main congregation filed in.

Jean rang the bell as Pastor Nick stood behind him. They went through the Rites lethargically. When the hymns came up, Jean lively led the Choir and congregation. Jean preached for the sermon and homily about truth and happiness. He noted the tragic end of William and Veronica, with their children. The Profession of Faith and the Prayers passed quickly.

Small baskets were passed around for donations as offertory began. Soon, the end neared.

Pastor Nick only offered Natalie the pitiful amount of wine left in the chalice. She was recently accepted by Yaler, long served as a volunteer for the homeless and needy, and always had good behavior. 

After the drink, she became a little flushed so Pastor Nick helped her sit on the side. Pastor Nick blessed the congregation but said Natalie told him she wanted to confess her sins privately before leaving on Tuesday.

Members of the congregation shuffled out, slightly tired but invigorated by the teachings of Deacon Jean and Pastor Nick. Their cars slowly pulled out and left only three behind.

Jean softly smirked. He cleaned up the pews and after the Mass methodically. Today was special.

Jean stretched and decided he took long enough. Pastor Nick closed the Church doors for his private session with Natalie. It didn't take a genius to figure out what he was doing.

Jean tucked his thick, hardcover Bible under his armpit. He slowly walked down the steps, appreciating the history of the stone foundation. At the door, he heard muffled noises. Jean unlocked the door and then knocked.

"Brother Nick? It's getting late. Shouldn't Natalie get home soon?"

Jean opened the door mid-sentence.

There, Pastor Nick stood, half-way thrusting into the sprawled form of Natalie. Her hands were bound by taut rope to sconces on the wall and her mouth was filled with a ball gag. Her legs similarly were spread apart, tied, and weakly moving in resistance.

Pastor Nick's arm was drawn back, with a riding crop in hand. It fell out of his grasp. Already, long red lines drew across Natalie's skin, slightly bleeding.

"Jean, wait!"

Jean stood in place, imprinting the memory. How many years had he known this was going on? Too many, that's how many. Father Francis didn't go to the grave willingly, and Jean knew this too...

"Jean, I can explain! This is… yes. She wanted this! We're just having adult fun! There's no need for you to be here!"

"Brother Nick," Jean said, coldly. "I was going to debate the Scriptures with you. 'My eyes are red with weeping; dark shadows circle my eyes." Job 16:16. Is that not what I see from Natalie? 'Shouldn't someone answer this torrent of words? Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?' Job 11:2. Can I trust you anymore, Brother Nick? Shouldn't I trust the words of Natalie?"

Pastor Nick slowly pulled up his pants and walked over to the door.

"Jean. Forget this ever happened. Next time--"

"NEXT TIME?!" Jean thundered.

"Jean!" Pastor Nick bowed to Jean for forgiveness. "Please!" They stood in silence.

Jean began mumbling quietly.

"What was that, Jean?" Pastor Nick asked. Another moment of silence passed.

"I called the police. They're going to arrest you."

"What?! NO! I CAN'T END LIKE THIS! HOW DARE YOU, UNGRATEFUL WHELP!! I WILL KILL YOU!!"

Pastor Nick charged at the door. Jean fled, dropping the phone.

They both ran up the stairs, and Jean let Pastor Nick catch up.

Pastor Nick tackled Jean's legs and screamed in fury. They both fell forwards.

"Let go! Let go! LET GO!!!" Jean yelled at the desperate man.

Pastor Nick pummeled Jean's androgenous legs as Jean tried to slip away.

Jean smiled brightly.

His Bible fell like a guillotine. A cold snap broke the air, and with a swift kick, Pastor Nick fell down the stairs like a ragdoll. A sickening thump splattered the end of his fall.

Jean slowly walked down the stairs, enduring the pounding his legs encountered.

At the bottom, Pastor Nick spawled like broken toy, probably looking like what the many women he groomed and tasted felt like. A pool of red began forming.

Jean bent down to feel his pulse. There was none.

Jean stumbled over to Natalie. He removed the ball gag to hear her sobbing and slowly untied her limbs. She cried endlessly, so Jean patted her head.

"There, there. It's all over. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.' Revelation 21:4." he cooed.

Jean hugged Natalie until the police arrived.

The city launched an investigation into the incident. Many women attested to Jean's innocence and Pastor Nick's vile ways. There was enough physical evidence to put Pastor Nick behind bars for life and even more. People whispered rumors and spread gossip about Father Francis. Yet, Jean stayed a devout and proud Catholic Christian who acted in heroic self-defence. 

Jean took over the Renningberry Catholic Church. Pope Jon Paul the Great commended Jean and took measures to condemn the sexual misconduct of the Catholic Church while apologizing to victims.

Jean continued living normally, albeit with more respect and publicity. He removed one more shackle, all in the eyes of the public. He could use even more subliminal messages to imprint his alibi into the mind of the public. Jean smiled more brightly in public. It was all going to plan, after all.

Wasn't the best disguise in plain sight?

The camera views the actions of an aspiring serial killer. 

How far and how close can he come to reality?

(Written on my phone to spite Rebirth of A Serial Killer by Kotrem and because I always wanted to write  a serial killer series. 

Any similarities to real people, places, and works are not to be taken seriously.)

Part:5
Diamonds are beautiful. A group of us can all look at the same diamond and see its beauty 
in different ways. A diamond has multiple facets. Depending on the light and the direc-
tion one looks at a diamond, people will see different properties as the individual facets 
reflect light. Some will see green or red. Maybe some will see a rainbow of color or simply 
white. Yet, all are looking at the same diamond.
The Word of God is like a diamond; it has many facets. Its applications are numerous. 
It is living and powerful, and it works in those who receive and trust in it as God's revealed 
will for us. We can read passages multiple times, and depending on our needs at the mo-
ment, we can discover a new or different application that speaks to our hearts and specific 
situations.
I like to take a panoramic view of the new vistas God is giving us as we access his 
Word. 
Once we enter into a relationship with God, an expanded viewpoint of how his Word 
works in us and through us enables us to take one verse, a series of verses, or even verses 
that are related but in different parts of the Bible, and study them together, applying them 
directly to the circumstances in our lives. This approach often leads to a deeper understand-
ing and multiple strategies for making Son-powered living a reality in our lives.In the very first KingdomNomics book I outlined the principle of "Soak, Sow, and Flow." 
We need to soak our minds in God's Word, sow that Word back to him in prayer, and then 
let his power flow through us. The more scripture we read and put into practice, the greater 
vision God gives us for applying his Word and the Son-powered life to our everyday situa-
tions. As we read God's Word, we experience life. Jesus said, "The words that I have spoken 
to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63, ESV). We must immerse 
ourselves in the Word of God on a regular basis in order to 
receive instruction and understanding about how to activate 
the Son-powered life in us. Without God's Word operating in 
our lives, we will be unfruitful. God has given us his Word to 
empower us to live the Son-powered life. However, we must choose to take advantage of his 
provision for doing so. 
Experiencing Son Power requires time and commitment. We want an easy way, but 
there is no easy way to take time to really know God's Word. We begin by taking the time 
to hear what is being said. Most of what we have discussed so far in this book is the oppor-
tunity to live a Son-powered life. We have been hearing what God's Word has to say regard-
ing this subject. However, God tells us that each person needs to make a choice regarding 
what they are hearing. We cannot simply hear God's Word, we must decide what we are 
going to do with it. And so, we must go on to accept what is being said to us by the Lord if it 
is going to make any difference in our lives at all. Many people hear what is being said, but 
it goes no further than their ears. Each one of us must accept the message if it is to produce 
fruit. The message moves from the believer's head to their heart by an active choice in their 
will to the point that it impacts their entire belief system, birthing a desire to make some-
thing out of it. Once that occurs, God does the rest. 
But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held 
by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness 
of the letter.
 —Romans 7:6, NKJV, emphasis added
The 4 Rs
And now we come to what I believe is the most important concept in this book. As I 
consider how Son Power works in and through all believers, I believe it is best explained by 
what I like to describe as the "4 Rs": Relationship, Revelation, Reflection, and Redemption. 
All of these Rs are connected to and interrelated with each other. This is the way that Godworks in our lives, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do 
what pleases him" (Philippians 2:13). 
Relationship
We have a relationship with almighty God through the Son, Jesus Christ. This relationship 
is established by receiving Christ as our personal Savior and trusting in his saving work on 
the cross.
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become chil-
dren of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human 
passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
 —John 1:12–13
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our 
hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave 
but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. 
 —Galatians 4:6–7
There is no closer relationship than being a child and an heir to someone. Children, 
and heirs, have rights and privileges that other people do not have. The reason for this is the 
fact that a very special relationship exists which other people do not have. In addition, when 
we have a love relationship with someone, we become transparent with one another which 
eventually leads to more self-revelation. It is because of this kind relationship that Son Pow-
er works in our lives. 
Jesus said,
"Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love 
me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them 
and reveal myself to each of them."
 —John 14:21
Revelation
The relationship we have with God, when it is alive and growing, leads to revelation. As we 
spend time in God's Word, he reveals his will to us.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things youdo not know."
 —Jeremiah 33:3, NIV
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit search-
es out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. 
 —1 Corinthians 2:10
I also love this verse in the book of Revelation where Jesus says:
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I 
will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."
 —Revelation 3:20
We can be friends with Jesus (relationship), and he will share a meal with us, his 
friends! What happens when we spend time with friends? We experience revelation of 
information, ideas, feelings. How exciting to think about spending time with Jesus and 
allowing him to share himself with us. As we spend time with him, he will guide and direct 
our steps as we trust in him. All of this becomes a reality in our lives as we allow the Holy 
Spirit to renew our minds and transform us from within.
Reflection
After something is revealed to us, we must reflect upon it. What does this mean? What 
should we do with what has been revealed to us? How does this impact our lives and the 
world around us? Does this revelation require action on our part? 
This really is the beginning of Son Power working its way in and through our lives. 
We have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son; the Holy Spirit 
reveals God's will to us; and we must reflect on what is revealed to us in order to move for-
ward in the strength and wisdom of the Spirit. Do you see how it is all interrelated?
When the shepherds heard the supernatural announcement of the birth of Jesus, 
their reflection time was short. They made a decision, dropped what they were doing, and 
went to see the baby Jesus. When the wise men saw the star in the heavens (God's revela-
tion to them), they reflected on what they knew and they traveled to see the newborn King. 
When Jesus revealed himself to Paul on the Damascus road, Paul reflected on his experi-
ence and dramatically changed the course of his life. Each one of these examples shows us 
how responding to God's revelation leads to a changed life.
When we are faced with the claims of Christ, we must make a decision. The Bible 
is filled with examples of people who chose to follow God's direction and those who did 
not. Jonah actually ended up in the belly of a whale (see the full story in the book of Jonah
found in the Old Testament). We must be careful to act in whatever way God is directing us 
when his will is revealed to us.
In the Old Testament, we read about the life of Joshua and how he had a special re-
lationship with God. God continually revealed his will to Joshua and Joshua reflected on it 
and obeyed it. He challenged the people of Israel to reflect carefully on God's Word and to 
obey it.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses 
gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. 
Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction 
continually. Mediate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything 
written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
 —Joshua 1:7–8
Son Power enlightens us in the process of revelation. It directs us to make right deci-
sions and empowers us to follow through on those decisions.
Redemption
Once we decide to act on what has been revealed to us, we are in a position to redeem our 
world for God and his purposes. 
Because of our relationship with God through Jesus 
Christ, we understand that we are living in a world that in 
its present form is passing away. Everything we can see and 
touch is in the process of perishing. But we know that we 
can converterlate the perishable items of time, talent, and 
treasure of this world into the imperishable values and trea-
sure of the world to come. The New Testament instructs us,
Make the most of every opportunity.
 —Ephesians 5:16
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every 
opportunity.
 —Colossians 4:5
If you were to ask a friend, What does the word redemption mean? they might be a 
little perplexed. The definition of redemption according to Merriam-Webster is the act ofmaking something better or more acceptable, the act of exchanging something for some 
kind of award. Other definitions include repurchasing something or making a deliverance 
or rescue. We could also include the idea of exchanging something by using something else 
of value. To redeem something essentially means to buy it back or regain possession of it. It 
is a "recover and restore" process.
When we decide to move into the redemption phase of God's revelation, we are not 
merely making the most of something. We are actually intentionally seizing an opportuni-
ty for a special work. Philippians 2:13 tells us, "For God is working in you, giving you the 
desire and the power to do what pleases him."
Revelation is sourced in God. He gives us the mind of Christ so we can understand 
his will. It is the Spirit who reveals that will to us as we cultivate our relationship. It is in the 
reflection process that we make the decision, "I want these truths to become personally op-
erative in my life. I want Son Power to give me the capacity and power to incorporate them 
into my life."
And the more we practice these concepts, the more we grow in our relationship with 
God. It all comes full circle and we begin the process again.
Noah lived these four phases of his life. He had a relationship with God and because 
of that relationship God revealed to him how the world was going to be destroyed because 
of man's wickedness. God told Noah to build the ark and Noah's reflection of that directive 
moved him to obey God and build the ark to God's specifications. Noah experienced God's 
power in order to accomplish such a massive goal and he experienced God's redemption
because of it. It is believed that it took Noah 120 years to build the ark; that was a lot of reli-
ance on God's plan and purpose! 
A Sonburst of Revelation to Grow By
Revelation from God is made known to us by the Holy Spirit because of our relationship 
with him. I said earlier in this chapter that the 4 Rs are essentially intertwined and rep-
resent a cycle. They also intersect with the "soak, sow, and flow" principle. Since this is a 
circular illustration, I've also added a "grow" component to the "soak, sow, and flow" that 
takes the process one step further. I believe this concept is best illustrated by what I like to 
refer to as a "Sonburst of Revelation." This is actually a circle that represents a continuing 
reference to a key revelation from God.this particular sequence, our relationship with God is defined by the fact that our 
sin separates us from him. Romans 3:23 says, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short 
of God's glorious standard." This quickly moves us to revelation as found in Romans 6:23, 
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus 
our Lord." God reveals his righteousness to us through Jesus Christ. He shows us that we 
are all sinners in need of salvation which he has arranged to give to us as a gift. Salvation is 
the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. This is an incredible revelation. We cannot work 
for it. It is a gift. We are saved by what we receive by faith.
When something is revealed to us, we then need to reflect upon it. What does this 
really mean for me personally? What am I going to do with what I know? Romans 10:9–10 
tells us, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised 
him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made 
right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." If I take the 
next step to redemption, I will experience Romans 10:13, "Everyone who calls on the nameof the Lord will be saved."
When we reflect on something, we generally come to a conclusion to either accept it 
or reject it. If we accept it, normally we will take a step to make it reality in our lives. 
The principles of soak, sow, flow, and grow incorporate into this process because as 
we memorize and meditate on these verses or concepts, they become a part of our spiritual 
growth. By faith we choose to flow with the Spirit. This is Son Power. 
The Sonburst diagram can be applied to any situation we are facing. We simply iden-
tify the core issue (in the center) and apply Scripture through the four phases. (See appen-
dix B for a more detailed explanation for how to personally use this concept.) Do you have 
a desire for God's Word? Christ lives in you and the same power that raised him from the 
dead is available to you! Sow God's Word deep into your heart and allow his power to flow 
through you. 
Empowered by God's Word
"The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
 —John 6:63
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for 
I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.
 —Jeremiah 15:16, NIV
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words 
of his mouth more than my daily bread.
 —Job 23:12, NIV
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of 
silver and gold.
 —Psalm 119:72, NIV
We all know that technology has become a driving force in our world today. Let's 
consider using a computer analogy and computer terminology to illustrate God's Word 
becoming active in our lives.
Son Power initially facilitates the installation of God's Word in our minds. The Word 
is downloaded into our hearts by the 4 R's along with Soak, Sow, Flow, and Grow. As we talk 
to God about it, we are pushing the execute button, enabling the Word to become personally 
operational in our lives. Our Spiritual M and Ms provide key fuel for this process, enabling 
the Word to run through our hearts and minds and empowering us to effectively participatein the work God has designed for us. This core principle is repeated as we immerse our-
selves in God's Word.
Son Power at Work
1. In what ways are you currently sowing the Word of God into your life?
2. Honestly, how much impact does God's Word have on your life on a daily basis? 
 What changes do you need to make in order to have that impact be greater?
3. How can you begin to incorporate the 4 Rs (Relationship, Revelation, Reflection, 
 and Redemption) into your life?
Talk to God
Scripture Meditation
"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I 
will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." 
 (Revelation 3:20)

As for the marionette town, Klein had been thinking about how to build it a long time ago. He had already come up with three plans:
If he eliminated any interference from external factors, his best choice would be somewhere in a certain country of the Northern Continent. He would allow his marionette town to rise up overnight. Furthermore, he would connect it to the surrounding cities through railways, rivers, and roads.
This way, the marionette town would have large numbers of outsiders arriving on a daily basis, and it would create a very strong interaction with the surrounding areas. On the one hand, a town without a city nearby would definitely purchase grain, salt, cloth, ores, sugar, and other daily necessities. On the other hand, it would also produce its own products, which could be sold to neighboring cities, towns, and villages. Under such a situation, merchants, workers, tourists, and other groups would go back and forth frequently. At the same time, they would interact more with the marionette town's residents.
Under the influence of all kinds of interactions between the parties, it wouldn't be long before the town of marionettes could produce a corresponding region in the spirit world. Once the lives of the residents became more detailed and real, Klein could consume the potion to advance to Sequence 1 Attendant of Mysteries.
This would take less than three months.
But the problem was that this approach couldn't be kept confidential.
In the present era, to have a town suddenly pop up was something that couldn't be hidden from people. Soon, there would be civil servants, the police, and reporters coming to investigate. And after that, the interactions between the parties would also make more and more people know and understand the city. This was a problem that couldn't be resolved through illusions unless the town of marionettes didn't interact with the surrounding cities, towns, and villages and had relatively minor interactions. However, that wouldn't meet the requirements of the ritual.
When news of the marionette town spread, Klein would undoubtedly be targeted by Zaratul, Amon's true body, and his other enemies. When the time came, the destruction caused by others would definitely be easier than him protecting it. He could only migrate his marionette town elsewhere. This would cause the interactions generated in the early stages to be for naught, just like what the Dark Demonic Wolf had experienced.
Therefore, Klein had only listed down such a plan, so he basically wouldn't choose it. Unless a certain Visionary was willing to provide help, making all the living beings in the Northern and Southern Continents naturally believe that there was indeed a town there, one that hadn't suddenly appeared.
Considering the influence of various external factors and his Beyonder powers, Klein's best choice was to establish the town on an uninhabited island that deviated from the safe sea route and was sufficiently well-hidden. He would then use Sefirah Castle to give it anti-divination and anti-prophecy properties.
At the same time, Klein would use the "curtain" to "Graft" some roads, rivers, and railways to somewhere outside the marionette town, making it a stop for random groups of people during their journeys.
This couldn't be kept completely confidential, but once the "strange phenomenon" spread and attracted Zaratul's and Amon's attention, Klein could easily remove the original "Grafting" randomly and switch the "entrance."
Under such a strategy, the movement was limited to the entrance, not the marionette town itself. The effects of various interactions in the spirit world could be preserved without being interrupted. The ritual could steadily proceed as planned.
Of course, there was a big problem with this plan. It was that the interaction would be limited and couldn't influence matters at a daily level in all its aspects. In addition, the frequency and intensity of the interaction wouldn't be too high.
If he chose this plan, it meant that Klein had to spend more than half a year or even a year on the ritual.
If he wanted to be safe, forcing every marionette's fate to have a beginning and an end, the ritual would take at least fifty years. However, there was also a way to get around the limitations—once the rest of the ritual's requirements were met, he could deliver a meteorite strike, an earthquake, or a volcano eruption to the town, causing all the marionettes' fates to come to an end in the real world. It was something that happened in real life and was rather reasonable.
In this radical and conservative proposal, Klein had another solution.
It was to replicate a city and make the marionette correspond to the residents of the city and be mapped one-to-one. For evil Miracle Invokers, they could wipe out the original city and use their marionettes to replace its inhabitants. Those who had a kind heart would hide the city and ensure a supply of goods. The reason as to why one didn't convert the target city into marionettes was that it already had a corresponding region in the spirit world. Without being a newly born one, it didn't meet the requirements of the ritual.
With the "curtain" formed by the Attendant of Mysteries Beyonder characteristic, Klein could make a better choice: "Graft" a city at a particular stage to his marionette town.
This meant that his town of marionettes had become the dark side of the city. In the corresponding period of time, outsiders would encounter marionettes and not real people. Once that period of time passed, they would leave the town of marionettes and return to the real world to deal with real people.
During the process, Klein would send his marionettes to act as an outsider and maintain interactions with the corresponding real person, allowing the real outsiders to return to the real world without any gaps.
In other words, there were two different lives playing out in the same city at the same time, but no one could notice that. Occasionally, some people would think that some details weren't right, but would find it inexplicable and might just ignore it.
This was rather in line with the characteristic of an Attendant of Mysteries, and it had a certain level of concealment.
Of course, this plan also had its problem. It was to simulate the fate of a marionette to a very high level—almost as similar as a human's. Without its own independence, it would cause the ritual's effects to fail.
Klein tapped the edge of the long mottled table with his fingers and was in a dilemma over the second and third plan.
After a few minutes, he did as his heart willed—cowardice—and chose the second plan. He would rather spend more time than affect the fates of the innocent.
Back then, Zaratul and Antigonus likely chose the third plan… Klein sighed and prepared to return to the real world.
At this moment, he looked at the junk pile and considered whether he should send a revelation to change the descriptions in the City of Silver's Holy Bible.
To a deity, the Holy Bible wasn't anything too important. Its best use was for its convenience to spread its teachings and increase the number of anchors.
Klein had long come to a conclusion from The Revelation of Evernight, The Book of Storms, and the contents of the various orthodox Churches' Holy Bibles.
Most of the content elevated the orthodox deity, making random claims of grandeur and expressed mercy and pity.
In ancient times, the impression the believers had of the deities would indeed have a negative impact on the deities. But now, with the use of symbols instead of statues, this latent problem no longer existed. At the very least, the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, and other deities openly declared that they were parts of the Creator's original body. They weren't worried that it would exacerbate the awakening of the Oldest One.
In other words, if there really was a problem with this aspect, Klein believed that the Evernight Goddess would definitely have changed the corresponding description. "She" would've changed the description of being one of the eyes of the Creator to a child spawned by "Him." It too enjoyed a very high status.
At the same time, the believers' acknowledgment of certain matters wouldn't have any burden on the deities themselves in a mysticism sense. Otherwise, Amon would've secretly helped Klein, or rather, prepare a batch of believers for the former Sefirah Castle to lure them into forming the belief that the Angel of Time was the manifestation of the Lord of the Mysteries. With the aid of an instinctual response that met the requirements, "He" could establish enough connections with Sefirah Castle and open a "back door."
To a deity, the Holy Bible only had two important components other than for spreading the faith:
Firstly, it was a description of the authority and honorific name of the deities themselves. If there were any mistakes, it would lead to the prayers of the believers pointing to an unknown target. Not only would it be dangerous to the believers, but it would also cause the deities to lose their anchors. Secondly, any descriptions that involved the other Churches would easily attract conflict.
As for the angels and saints, the deities actually didn't pay them too much mind. The ones that cared were the angels and saints themselves because they needed to obtain a certain level of anchors through this.
Therefore, the Holy Bibles' descriptions of angels and saints were detailed enough. They had authority and honorific names, making it easier for different believers to choose and be immersed. In addition, this wasn't enough to form a stable anchor, because it was under the faith of a deity.
In order to resolve this problem, the orthodox Churches would define certain cathedrals to different guardian angels and guardian saints and clearly differentiate them.
Due to this knowledge, Klein didn't pay much attention to the Holy Bible. After he finished reading the description about his authority and honorific name, he stopped continuing out of embarrassment. He only used divination to confirm that the contents wouldn't result in a conflict with the orthodox Churches.
After some thought, he gave up the idea of directly sending the revelation to change the Holy Bible and decided to use a gentler method.
During the Tarot Club's exchange, he could use The World Gehrman Sparrow to guide The Sun into adjusting his understanding of the situation, turning the parts involving the Angel of Time to Pallez Zoroast, allowing the corresponding content to be fixed without causing any suspicion in the City of Silver.
…
Bayam, Verdu Abraham had obtained quite a bit of mysticism knowledge in a few Beyonder circles.
He lit up the gas wall lamp and carefully read it in the night.
Towards the end, he suddenly read a piece of news that he had never understood before:
Bansy Harbor is a place filled with mysticism powers. Its connection with the spirit world and the astral world is beyond imagination… Even with the Church of Storms directly destroying the harbor, it still can't completely eliminate the abnormality of its existence…
Many mysticism researchers are purchasing items related to Bansy at a high price…
Bansy… Verdu muttered to himself silently, suddenly having a strong interest in the harbor.
He began considering if he should buy some items from Bansy and do a thorough study of them. After all, the spirit world was related to "Teleportation." The astral world and the cosmos involved "Wandering," and might involve Mr. Door Bethel Abraham's method of escaping.
Perhaps, if I have the chance, I could go to Bansy to take a look… Verdu nodded indiscernibly.


With the rising tide of steam power and machinery, who can come close to being a Beyonder? Shrouded in the fog of history and darkness, who or what is the lurking evil that murmurs into our ears?

Waking up to be faced with a string of mysteries, Zhou Mingrui finds himself reincarnated as Klein Moretti in an alternate Victorian era world where he sees a world filled with machinery, cannons, dreadnoughts, airships, difference machines, as well as Potions, Divination, Hexes, Tarot Cards, Sealed Artifacts… 

The Light continues to shine but mystery has never gone far. Follow Klein as he finds himself entangled with the Churches of the world—both orthodox and unorthodox—while he slowly develops newfound powers thanks to the Beyonder potions.

Like the corresponding tarot card, The Fool, which is numbered 0—a number of unlimited potential—this is the legend of "The Fool."

Chapter 5
The sweet taste of hypocrisy
 
Texas was a fine place to eliminate morons from the human experience. But first, a final test to see if he was correct about his powers. 
Nom was driving a stolen car. He needed to get off the road and get some sleep, before he was forced to test his powers against the might of the Texas Highway Patrol. He saw the glowing sign of the Grand Hyatt ahead. It was next to a municipal airport. 
How perfect. He thought. I'll dump the stolen car in the long-term parking lot, get a rental, and then check in for some sleep. Who knows? Perhaps I will find an ideal lab rat along the way.
Nom pulled into the parking lot and rented a luggage carrousel. Loading his gear, he left the lot ticket in the stolen car, and walked into the airport. Conveniently, a trash can by the door accepted the keys to Tripp's father's car. 
Thanks to the Patriot Act, Nom knew that he wouldn't have a choice but to register the rental in his own name—a convincing fake ID would take too much time. The woman at the counter for Enterprise Rental quickly had him on the road in a late model Ford Fusion. Since Nom was from another state, it was easy to claim he had just flown in for the week. Why, if the feds checked out his little fib, they would see that he did have cousins in the area. The flight bit could be seen as an oversight by an airport worker.

 

Nom knew he would need to do a number of experiments to get even a basic idea as to the scope of his powers. He could kill, but could he simply maim? Could he reverse one of his wishes, or alter it? Was there a range limit to his gift? His efforts to study that last one with Tripp had not exactly been precise. Could he eliminate multiple people at one time, or could he only effect one? Was there a limit on how gruesome a death he could inflict, or on how slow of a death?
The irony was that the power of death made Nom feel alive for the first time in years. Probably since around the time that he had lost his faith and become an atheist. The old saying, ignorance is bliss, is only true if you are ignorant of your ignorance. 
Nom had once been ignorant of the fact that there was no god. In his upbringing, Nom had been taught that the King James version of the Bible, and it alone, was the answer. Whether it be the pocket copy he carried, or the study Bible on his night stand, that book was literally the user manual to the universe, written by the coder who had engineered everything, and who was actively in control to that very moment. 
Any answer he needed was simply a Strong's Concordance search, or a browse through the Spurgeon or Scofield Commentary away. What need was there to know anything, or even think for himself, when it was all just a few pages away?
Christianity was easy: simply blindly believe. Reject the information reality fed you, and obey regardless of the consequences. After all, the afterlife was the real life. Atheism was hard, the consequences were real, and the answers had to be won rather than simply given. Faith was easy, just be a good little robot, and do what the bronze age myth told you to do. Knowledge and reality had to be studied and interpreted through reason. It was back breaking never ending work. 
Nom put in a reasonable start and effort at being a good atheist. He obsessively self-educated himself. After getting two undergrad degrees, a masters, and studying for a second one, he admitted to himself that he was miserable. 
What was the point? What could he possibly accomplish, regardless of his credentials? Nom's great dream was to start a national movement to finally crush religion through its greatest weakness, children. Nom wanted a law, one that made it so that no child could ever be brain washed into a cult as he had been. True freedom was not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion. All children would be legally entitled to a public, secular education, regardless of their parents' wishes. No child would even be exposed to religion until they were an adult and could legally consent. In Nom's mind, religious educators were worse than pedophiles. They did not only defiled the bodies of children, but they destroyed young growing minds.
It was a task that Nom threw himself into. For a while it seemed that the American people were ready to potentially embrace a change of this magnitude. The Affordable Care Act was passed, the first black President of the United States was elected, and for the first time in US history almost a quarter of the population identified as non-religious. In those moments, it actually looked as if the modern political dark ages of the US, started by Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, were at an end. Nom took a minor civil service job to support himself while he completed his education. He would need government experience before he could found the non-for profit he dreamed of using to spearhead his vision.
Then the walls came tumbling down. For years the most ill-educated and moronic fools that the GOP could muster rallied the forces of the TEA Party. Behind the scenes, using their demented senior citizen activists, they managed to take over most of the municipal level governments in the US and use that power base to take over state level and national governments. 
Their average budget proposal called for a slash to social welfare programs for the neediest of Americans. Why should the US Government feed the people it impoverished? Mass incarceration, slashed regulation, gutted unions, an unlivable minimum wage—if this caused poverty who cared? After all, that same money could be spent on a wall. One that would remove twelve percent of the economy by deporting innocent people. Even better, it could be spent on new military toys, like aircraft carriers. The US already spent more than all of its allies and enemies combined, what was a bit more waste? Then they could take the rest, and give subsidies to corporate profits through tax cuts. 
Funnily enough, many of the Republican voters were themselves beneficiaries of the very programs they elected Republicans to eliminate. When newly elected Republicans tried to do exactly that, suddenly, their voters were in the media spotlight protesting. 
If the American populace could manage to vote in the most regressive regime since Herbert Hoover, what hope did Nom have of achieving his wish in even ten lifetimes? He could have gone to his grave a happy man knowing he had simply started the ball rolling on protecting minors from religion, but to work already knowing that the bet was a loser? Who could do that?
One of the turning points in his evangelical faith had been when he had discovered that having the faith of a mustard seed did not mean that he could literally levitate mountains. Most modern Christians would claim that Bible verses were metaphorical, but Nom had been raised to literally interpret the Bible. It was a soul crushing revelation that God was not a genie, with the Bible as his lamp. The election of 2016 crushed his faith in saving mankind just as thoroughly.
In many ways Nom had been slowly coming to the conclusion that the only way to save humanity was to cleanse it. The world was overpopulated, polluted, and corrupt. Morons bred like rabbits. The natural forces that had restrained the human population since it began had been curbed thanks to modern technology. In the US, Nom's native country, a cult had long existed that worshiped the common man. That same cult cursed learning and intelligence. The folk wisdom of a plumber about economics was somehow more valuable than someone with an actual degree in the subject.
What the US needed was an apocalypse. Nom was sure if the rest of the Western World would benefit from the same. The same trends that had destroyed the US were now appearing in Europe. The UK had voted to succeed from the EU, racist and anti-immigrant parties were on the rise in central Europe in a wave not seen since the 1930's, and regressive conservative parties were winning election after election. It was building to the same crescendo America had seen only a few short years before.
The woods around Nom's childhood home in northern Michigan were occasionally set on fire by the DNR. The native bird, Kirtland warblers, were only capable of breeding in the aftermath. Not that they needed ash and desolation; they needed a specific species of pine tree. Those trees were short-lived, and had a problem: their pine cones had a coating that had to be burned off before they released their seeds. No fire, no trees. No trees, no birds. 
Nom was convinced that the same must be true for humanity. He was not sure if he needed to burn down the whole forest, or just a grove, but humanity needed to lose a lot of stupid people so that its best and brightest could flourish without all the dead wood. 
Taking his rental car to the Grand Hyatt Nom checked in and decided to start experimenting…

Death, a Biography, is a fictional horror novel. It is crass, violent, profane, and not meant for the light hearted reader. Imagine living in a world surrounded by fools. For years your frustration grows, and no matter what you try to do you cannot free yourself from the preverbal ideocracy. Nom DePlume is just such a man, only one day he is granted the dearest wish of his heart. Nom, a grad student working as a truck driver is: intelligent, well educated, and the sort of person who always can find a reason to have a chip on his shoulder. One day while driving in Texas he finds that he has the ability to wish death on those he hates. Being scientifically minded, Nom proceeds to experiment searching out the scopes of his new found powers. He begins in Texas, a state he despises. As he moves on from each experiment, he picks his prey to match some facet of modern western life that he hates. Each receive a fate customized to match what Nom feels they did wrong. Nom then travels home to Michigan after initially defining his new role in life. In Michigan he uses his powers to settle a few old scores and family business. A run-in with an old friend convinces him that he is being selfish for not using his god like powers to better mold humanity. The end of the book sees him taking on the leader of the free world. Nom now personifying Death, learns that he has a true foe, Life.Nom will return.

The entire crowd went into a dead silence. 
They didn't see clearly how she broke the plate, nor how the pieces shot into the man's body. 
Shen Ming got a sudden scare. Mu Changfeng's daughter… has she practiced the Five Treasures Bible? 
Villa Head Nie blackened his face and whispered to Shen Ming, "Brother Shen, there's gonna be a problem now." 
"The problem might come later…" Shen Ming also had a bad feeling. 
Ming Shu rested her hands on her crossed legs and maintained a smiling face. "Now, is there anyone who wants to find it?" 
Shen Ming suppressed his inner fidgeting and went up to feel that person's  pulse. They were still alive and bleeding heavily, but they wouldn't die. 
This woman…
Shen Ming ordered people to take the injured for treatment first, then he and Villa Head Nie discussed for a while. 
"Okay, we'll search the villa. But if it's not found, Leader Mu, you will not walk out of Half Moon Villa today." 
Ming Shu smiled and kept silent. 
If she couldn't walk out of the villa, she could always kill herself and get out. 
...
Villa Head Nie scattered the people to search. 
Then he took Shen Ming back to his study. 
"Mu Changfeng's daughter, is she coming back for revenge?" Villa Head Nie walked back and forth in the room anxiously. "I sent the news to you, but why did you bring so many people here? There are so many people now…" 
Shen Ming's face looked unhappy as well. "I didn't send news to them. They arrived at the same time as me, it must be your villa that revealed it." 
"Impossible, I ordered…" But Villa Head Nie suddenly remembered something. "It's them." 
The man who slept with Nie Shuang, he told him to go back and prepare for the marriage, so he was the only one that left the villa recently. 
"As for how the news was spread, we should put it to the side first. Not many people know about that matter so there's no need to worry. What's important now is the Five Treasures Bible. The initial news about it said that it was taken by your daughter. Do you really have the Five Treasures Bible in hand now?" 
Villa Head Nie shook his head. "I have never wanted to see Five Treasures Bible in my whole life. I asked Shuang-er, she said she was framed by Mu Ling. Mu Ling came at Half Moon Villa from the very beginning, perhaps she… has known something." 
"Since you don't have anything in the villa, just let them search," Shen Ming said. "I don't believe that if she really had the Five Treasures Bible, she would hide it in the villa and allow these people to grab it." 
Then, Shen Ming patted Villa Head Nie's shoulder. "Even if she is Mu Changfeng's daughter, she is no more than an ignorant girl." 
Villa Head Nie's eyes darkened and then he nodded slightly. 
The two discussed in the study for a little longer before leaving. 
The corridor outside was in chaos, which made Villa Head Nie very unhappy. But Shen Ming signaled him to hang in there for a while. If he didn't let these people search, there was going to be a real trouble. 
The entire villa was searched through by these people. Servants stood to the side trembling and watched these bandits rummaging through boxes and closets. 
"Brother… what's going on?" Nie Shuang looked at the people in her room and furrowed her brow heavily. 
Nie Bin touched Nie Shuang's head. "Nothing special, it'll be okay in a minute. You people search quickly, my sister is not feeling well." 
The people finished the search very soon but found nothing. They walked out and looked at the front. "Is there a room over there?" 
Nie Bin nodded. "That's my second younger sister's room, she's not been in the villa recently." 
"Go search." 
"Brother, what are they looking for? Did the villa offend anyone?" 
Nie Bin didn't intend to tell Nie Shuang, but Nie Shuang's expecting eyes just made him speak spontaneously. "The leader of Five Treasures Immortal Clan said that the Five Treasures Bible is hidden in our villa, so those clans want to search the place." 
How could the Five Treasures Bible be in the villa? 
Did that woman think that it was on her, so she came to Half Moon Villa? 
Seeing Nie Shuang's face became a little pale, Nie Bin hurriedly asked, "Shuang-er, what's wrong?" 
"Brother…" Nie Shuang grabbed Nie Bin's hand. "It's a good chance, we can take the opportunity to leave here." 
"But, Father…" They were in the midst of such a big matter, how could he leave? 
"Brother, if we miss this opportunity, father will definitely exert greater control over me, until that man comes to marry me. Do you want to stand by and watch me marry another, then never meet each other again?" 
Nie Bin had some inner conflict and then said, "Pack up your stuff and we'll meet at the back door." 
...
Villa Head Nie and Shen Ming came back to the hall. Right now the hall was occupied only by leaders of several clans who were looking at different directions. The atmosphere was a little odd. 
As they came in, a quick shadow darted to Ming Shu's feet and jumped onto Ming Shu's slightly open palm. Then Ming Shu turned over her palm and the shadow tucked itself in her sleeves. 
Little Beastie spotted a comfortable place in the sleeve and lay down, then accurately imitated the conversation it had overheard to Ming Shu. 
Ming Shu looked in the direction of Shen Ming and Villa Head Nie thoughtfully. 
The entire villa was turned upside down and no one had found any trace of the Five Treasures Bible. 
Poop-picker, are you not afraid that they will hide it when they find it? 
"They won't recognize the Five Treasures Bible, how will they hide it?" Ming Shu sneered in the bottom of her heart. "Do you think 'Five Treasures Bible' is printed on its cover?" 
Little Beastie was confused. Is it not? Then what's on the cover? 
"Guess."
I will not guess. 
Little Beastie grunted and complained. I knew the poop-picker wouldn't really be so kind to let these people find it. 
Insidious!
Don't forget my Man-Han full banquet that you promised. 
As expected, those people didn't recognize Five Treasures Bible. They took all the books that they thought were the Five Treasures Bible back and presented them to the clan leaders to look over. 
Soon the hall was piled with many books. 
Ming Shu just sat there calmly and she even asked Villa Head Nie to prepare tea and desserts for her. 
"I've searched all the villa and found nothing." 
"I found nothing…" 
Disciples came back to report constantly, but no one had found the Five Treasures Bible. 
"Devil, what else do you have to say now?" 
Ming Shu finished the last sip of tea and stood up while holding the tea cup, walking to the book pile. "You didn't find it because you're stupid." 
She reached out and picked out a slightly old book from the pile. The other books collapsed immediately. 
Ming Shu raised the book in her hand. "Thank you for your help, everyone." 
Everyone looked at the book in her hand, on which it read—"Cookbook."
Cook! Book!
Two big Chinese characters. 
"Devil, can't you read? Even if you can't read, the Five Treasures Bible is three words, but this is two words, who are you kidding?" 
"Kidding you." 
"You…"
Ming Shu took the book and sat back down. Everyone saw the cover font begin to fade and the two golden words of Five Treasures reappeared on it. 
No "Bible," only "Five Treasures." 
Ming Shu deliberately held the book high for them. "I told you that this thing was definitely hidden here, but you didn't believe me, so I'm not the one who should be blamed."
It was really the Five Treasures Bible. 
Shen Ming looked at Villa Head Nie. 
Villa Head Nie shook his head. He really had no idea that the Five Treasures Bible was in Half Moon Villa. 
Some people became irritated, especially those who found the cookbook and read it. "But you didn't tell us the Five Treasures Bible is a cookbook!!" 
Ming Shu sounded very innocent. "You didn't ask." 
Everyone: "…" Who the hell would have thought that the Five Treasures Bible is a cookbook? No one said this before. 
Even Shen Ming and Villa Head Nie didn't know this. They once saw the book from afar and the eye-catching golden name of Five Treasures was easy to recognize. 
Who'd have thought that it changed… 
"Where was it found?" Someone kept his voice down and asked this. 
"In Second Young Miss Nie's room," the one who found the book answered with a complicated expression. 
"Why was it in Second Young Miss Nie's room?" 
"…"
How would he know? 


Imagine having the opportunity to be able to enter different worlds created by numerous novels and stories. Which kind of role would you like to play? 

Do you want to be the illustrious protagonist, either good or evil; or just be a supporting role standing behind the protagonists? 

Our villain boss Ming Shu would, however, choose none of the above. Claiming missions from the Harmony System, and driven by her endless passion for snacks, the world traveler, Ming Shu, embarks on the path to make the mission target hate her as much as possible by gaining Hatred Points. But it turns out she is not alone on her journey… 
 


I woke up to the sound of somebody humming. My eyes slowly fluttered open and I found myself staring at a a white ceiling with no air vents. Where was I? Suddenly everything that happened before I blacked out came flooding back. I turned my head slightly to the left which hurt for some reason and I saw a Nurse adjusting the tubes that were connected to monitors behind me that were connected to me.


 I tried to talk, but I couldn't then the Nurse noticed that I was awake. 



She smiled wide "Well howdy Sunshine, it's about time you woke up, how are you feeling?"



I tried to speak again, but it was like my throat and vocal chords weren't functioning. 



She shook her head and patted my hand in sympathy "Sunshine, you won't be able to talk for a couple of days possibly weeks. Your lungs inhaled way to much of the gasoline smoke. So far your lungs are cleared, but your throat is swollen badly. You won't be able to eat solid foods, we're going to be connecting a tube is actually where we'll be feeding you liquids through. I'm really sorry about what happened to you, but it truly is a miracle that you survived. My oh my where are my manners? My name is Nurse Nelly and your name, Lily is beautiful just like you are."



I also had a hard time believing that I was alive which made me wonder if there was someone up there watching over me. What I really wanted to know was if Justin was okay. 



It was like this Nurse read my mind "As for the young man that was found with you, he's still unconscious. There's a possible risk that he will slip into a coma if he doesn't wake up within the next twelve hours."



What? Then I realized that it was  because he hadn't been covering his nose and mouth as long as I had. This was all my fault. I shouldn't have done what he told me to do then I wouldn't be awake right now while he would've been. If I ended up losing Justin over this I have no idea how I was going to live with myself with the guilt that was probably going to consume me.




I just hope that whoever did this to us gets caught and never tries anything like this again. That unknown person almost killed us so this had been the doing of someone who didn't just dislike me, but someone who hated me. I couldn't even begin to think who could've done something like this at least not yet. Nurse Nelly went to get my family saying that she was going to let them visit with me until I fell asleep since my lungs which were worn out were going to make my body feel worn out too.




When I saw my Mom walk in and take my leftJhand in both of hers with tears running down her cheeks I felt my own tears rolling down my cheeks too. I couldn't make a sound, but I knew that my Mom knew how I was feeling by watching me cry. I was angry, frustrated and annoyed at whoever did this. Then the Doctor walked in fifteen minutes later and explained that my left lung was going to need a transplant and if I didn't get one soon we all knew without him saying it that I wasn't going to make it.



So now I was going to have to stay at the hospital for as long as it took for me to get a transplant and until I fully recovered.



FOUR MONTHS LATER




The past four months a lot had happened. I recieved a lung transplant three days later. However because of all of the smoke I had inhaled I now had asthma. So when I was discharged from the hospital two weeks later I had to pick up my prescription which was an inhaler that I would now have to use twice a day. 



I kept going back to the hospital every day after school for three hours where I would talk to Justin about my day or do my homework or both. Justin ended up slipping into a coma the day I got my lung transplant so although he can probably hear me talking to him he doesn't respond or move at all. Brenda who invites me to go shopping with her once a week told me that the Doctors don't think Justin is going to pull out of his coma. Brenda doesn't want to disconnect him since she has hope that he'll pull through. 



Lately though since I feel like I'm to blame for what happened to Justin I've been stressing out more than usual and I feel like my stress might turn into depression. I just don't know how to help Justin get through this, but I visit him everyday anyway because it's my fault that he's in a coma, it should've been me. During the night I wake up with nightmares about Justin waking up and telling me that he hates me that everything that happened to him was all my fault and then he'd dump me and tell me that he could never be with a girl who almost got him killed. I'd wake up in a cold sweat and I'd have a panic attack with wheezing so I'd have to use my rescue inhaler or if I didn't I'd pass out or worse. 



Brenda, Kyle and my Parents were worried about me and I appreciated them being there for me and trying to comfort me, but it didn't make me feel better. I was stressed and depressed for two and a half months. I was pushing everyone away and keeping to myself and I made a promise to myself that once Justin woke up and came out of the coma I was going to break up with him because I didn't want him to get hurt again because of me. I didn't want to be the third girl who break his heart like the other two did, but what else was I supposed to do?




If he died I wouldn't be able to live with myself. The one of my cousins' Myra Winters invited me to go to a Christian church with her. So since I had nothing better to do I went. She told me that she was a Christian-Catholic and I had always admired her ever since I had been in middle school and she had been in high school. 



She was kind-hearted and sweet as well as beautiful and she always forgave never holding a grudge. I had always wanted to be like her and I could never say 'no' to her. She drove us there in her silver box jeep and once we got off and entered the building we sat in the last row. The music that was playing was like nothing I had ever heard and the voices sounded like Angels, as one voice there wasn't one voice that stuck out. 



As I listened to the words they were singing and to the soft, gentle music I felt at peace. It was like nothing I had ever felt before since my life had never felt so at peace like that moment had. Then the Pastor started to talk about God's love how He loves us and how He always will. 


"God loves you and although you feel like you're not worthy of His love it doesn't matter because he loves you and nothing you do will ever make Him stop loving you because His love is infinite which means He will love you forever."



At those words my heart started pounding so hard and loud in my chest. He ended with those words then he said a closing prayer and we exited the building. 




Once we were back inside her jeep, Myra glanced at me with a smile "What did you think?"



I turned to look at her "I want to know more about God."



She nodded "So then would you like to accompany me every Wednesday and Sunday?"



I arched my left eyebrow in confusion "Why Wednesdays?"




"We have Bible study group those days, you can learn more about God that way too, whatever question you have the Bible has the answer."




I was intrigued and fascinated. So I spent the next two and a half months going to church and to Bible study with Myra while still going to college and visiting Justin at the hospital. I told Justin everything that was happening in my life and while a part of me hoped that he would be just as intrigued and fascinated about all of this too. The other part was hoping that he's been listening to everything that I've been saying to him because I don't want to keep any secrets from him, the love of my life.

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WELCOME 

Have you ever read the entire Bible at least once? If you have, share how this experience affected your relationship with God & others. If you have not share what hinders you from doing so & what will you do to overcome that starting this week.

WORD

Acts 17:1-15 New International Version (NIV) says

In Thessalonica

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah," he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.[a] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus." 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

In Berea

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

One can make an eternal impact in the lives of others by studying the Bible, applying what you learned & teaching this to others.


2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV) says
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

that all Scripture is inspired by God & is useful teaching, rebuking, correcting & training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be equipped for every good work. This is why we need to study God's word, not merely for knowledge but for transformation.

STUDY GOD'S WORD

As we continue to study the Book of Acts, we follow Paul into chapter 17 where he engaged with all kinds of people that he encounters in his travels. The first place that Paul often went to in different cities was the synagogue. Here in Thessalonica, he gives an account of the Messiah, the promised deliverer of the Jews. Paul refers to the Old Testament to create a 'dialegomai'(Greek) or dialogue from the Scriptures. He explains that the Jesus Christ had to suffer & rise again, as written 


in Isaiah 53:5 New International Version (NIV) says

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.


& in Psalm 16:10-11 New International Version (NIV) says
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful[a] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Obviously, Paul studied Scriptures & knew what it says about the promised Messiah. Paul related ancient prophesy from Scripture to the historical event of Jesus death on the cross & His resurrection. Paul proclaimed Jesus with boldness & trusted the Lord for the outcome. Indeed, Paul would preach in the synagogue & would get beaten up after, yet he would do the same thing in the next city they would go to. He was not discouraged even if he faced opposition. He knew what his calling was, to preach the good news first to the Jews & then to the Gentiles. His calling was sure & getting beaten up & opposed to his face did not stop him from continuing on his mission. When you have an impact, you will have an uproar. In the things you are doing for God, are you experiencing an "uproar"? Doing God's work  might mean facing hostility from the very people you are trying to reach out to.

APPLY GOD'S WORD 

We must also check our eagerness in approaching God's word. Do you find the Bible bland & boring? Are you excited to encounter God in His word? 


Psalm 1:1-2 New International Version (NIV) says

BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.

Though the Bible does not promise a life without problems it is a deep source which God uses to guide you in making wise decisions as you face life's difficulties & challenges. Apply what you learn from the Bible in your life even before you attempt to share it with others!

TEACH GOD'S WORD  

The next group of people that Paul engages within Acts 17, were the Bereans who were more open to Paul's teaching compared to the Thessalonians. In matters of discernment, we must be like the Jews in Berea who not only studied the Scriptures but also used this to examine what was being preached to them. In listening to preachers, we must have an unbiased eye & be opened to the truth that a preacher teaches but always go back to Scripture & check for ourselves what we heard from the preacher against what the Bible says. Is this how we view the speakers we encounter? With an unbiased eye but a discerning spirit? We need to be careful because there are many false teachers & many more will arise. Like Paul, are you willing to take a beating for something you believe in? It is so hard to teach what you do not believe in, so make sure that you know why you believe what you believe & teach. One of the greatest hindrances to God using you to teach others about the Bible is your unwillingness to apply God's word. Have a self-check, is your Bible knowledge making you arrogant? Beware that it does not, as 


1 Corinthians 8:1 New International Version (NIV)

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

8 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that "We all possess knowledge." But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

As one grows deeper in the knowledge of Christ & the Bible, one should be more understanding, loving & humble. Is this true for you? The Thessalonians did not accept Paul's teaching the first time & yet even with the initial resistance, a church was established in Thessalonica. Paul's commitment to teach God's word no matter the personal consequence to him, eventually bore much fruit. The Thessalonians became an example of how lives surrendered to Jesus can become a vibrant church. We too can be an example of how a surrendered life that studies, applies & teaches the Bible can be transformed because of Jesus Christ.

DISCUSSION QUESTION (PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANYMORE HERE YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE, BECAUSE WE ARE NOW AT THE PRESENT TIME)

1. Which part in this process you excel in & where you need help to improve on? 

Mia's answer: In this process I excel in teaching God's word, I need to help to improve in my studying God's word

Kathy's answer: I would excel in encoding in QuickBooks and Excel.  I also excel in issuing invoices.  I also excel in following up dues from the customers or clients.  I need to improve my character skills.  I should be more patient towards other people.  I should learn to control my emotions. 


2. How will you apply our lesson STUDY, APPLY & TEACH  to your next week of your life? 

Mia's answer: i will apply our lesson to my next week of my life

Kathy's answer: I would apply my lesson to my next week of my life by first reviewing my lessons and then study what's my weaknesses and strengths so I could improve them. 


3. To whom will you teach the Bible this week? 

Mia's answer: I will teach the Bible this week to the workshop I will volunteer

Kathy's answer: I would teach Bible to my online network in Toluna PH and webnovel by sharing our own ideas in this Devotional Time Session.


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-END-

Lists of thoughts... Random thoughts... (considered as communion to God Almighty!)

catholic bible study book of revelation

R.R.R BOOK 1: REVELATION

PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

New Game+

Thinking Like Murderers

THE KINGDOM NOMICS SON POWER

Lord of the Mysteries

Death: A Biography

Coming of the Villain Boss!

ALWAYS

Crazy Chick's Thoughts

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