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b'Bella reached shakily for another gem glinting beneath the dim lights of the mine. How long had they been down here? Jamar placed his hand on his sister\\u2019s shoulder and discreetly passed her a small cup of water. Bella smiled gratefully and quickly swallowed, looking out for the cruel eyes of the Inflictors. The Inflictors pressed them, working the Chosen to the bone. Bella had seen her fellow people persecuted, but they continued to rise.\\nLater, in the dark of night, Bella sat in a hidden shaft with several of the Chosen. As tired as they all were, faces around her radiated joy as they repeated the anthem that kept them all going: \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153We have the treasure; we have the light! We are hard-pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We live because the King lives in us!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nJamar\\u2019s eyes flashed with determination as he addressed the group of the Chosen. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Let\\u2019s not give up meeting together. Remember, the King said where two or more are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of us. We may not understand why He has us here, working for the Inflictors, but we have His light in us!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153They think the treasure is the gems,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d a girl named Ani, her face smudged with dirt, said softly. Bella stroked Ani\\u2019s matted hair and replied, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153The treasure is in us. The King has given us His power; He has not left us alone. He will come to set us free.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153It\\u2019s hard,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d a boy named Trent spoke gruffly. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153It\\u2019s difficult to remember the light, when all we get to see is the dark.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nSeveral heads nodded in agreement. Bella and Jamar opened their hands to those seated beside them. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153This is temporary, even though it doesn\\u2019t feel like it. Our King\\u2014He is eternal.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I will fix my eyes on the King,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d a small voice spilled from the darkness, stirring the souls of the Chosen. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I will not lose heart.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153The King renews me.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d The voices swelled in the space, seeming to eradicate the dark. \\u2022 Savannah Coleman\\n\\u2022 Have you ever felt like you were in that mine? When? Jesus promised we as Christians will have trouble (John 16:33), but He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). One way He\\u2019s with us is through His people (Matthew 18:20). How can you encourage fellow Christians in your life?\\nSo we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nActs 16:16-34; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10'