Francine Rivers

'If God wills that I die, then I die. No. power on earth can change that."

None, Hadassah knew, not from the viewpoint of whether it would defile her. Itwasn't what she put in her mouth that would defile her, but what proceeded from her mouth, be the words unkind, slanderous, gossipful, boastful or blasphemous. Yet, she couldn't eat of this food because Enoch, who still lived beneath the Jewish law, abhorred it. He had saved her from the arena. He had brought her here to this beautiful house, to these people she had come to love. He was a brother of her race. To eat this would dishonor and insult him; she couldn't do it no matter how much her mouth watered for a small taste

God, why can't I cry out the truth from the rooftops? Why don't I have the courage to speak as my father did? I love these people, but I haven't the words to reach them. I'm afraid to out and say they are wrong and I'm right. Who am I How do I explain to them that I'm really the one who is they are the captives?

You think because you don't believe, he doesn't exist. You worship gods you create with your hands and imagination, and deny the Most High God who created you from dust and gave. you life. In the end, it won't matter whether you believe or not, Marcus. A higher law than man's does exist, and not your emperor nor all your legions nor all your worldly knowledge stand against--"

Lord, speak through me that they might hear your voice, she silently prayed.

While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him. He ran to him, and embraced him, and. kissed him. And the son said, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"

"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly! Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found... '"

We are all God's children;

He loves us equally, whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free. We c not earn his love, we can only accept it as a gift--a gift that he will give to each one of us."

"Ours is a struggle to live a godly life in a fleshly world. We must remember we are not called upon by God to make society a better place to live. We are not called upon to gain political influence, nor to preserve the Roman way of life. God has called us to a higher mission, that of bringing to all mankind the Good News that our Redeemer has come... "

Oh, God, help me, Hadassah prayed fervently, her fist against her aching heart. Give me courage. Give me your Word. Burn it into my mind, carve it into my heart, show me the way to reach them!