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b'CLANG! Raymnd\\u2019s sword clashed against the training dummy, his flowing movements getting faster and faster. SWOOSH! Raymnd was determined to become one of the strongest, fastest knights there was. As he trained, his thoughts wandered to the king. Raymnd ached to be accepted by the ruler of Fidem, King Justain. Though he would never speak it aloud, Raymnd wanted more than anything to become a close friend to the king, like a son to him.\\nRaymnd slashed at the straw dummy harder and harder, his determination driving him. If he could finally be good enough\\u2014even though he didn\\u2019t know what good enough was\\u2014he might be able to impress the king. If, and only if, he could work hard enough to reach that point.\\nJust then, Raymnd\\u2019s tired arm gave out and he dropped his sword. He sighed, then yelled, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I\\u2019ll never be good enough!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d to no one except the dented armor and mangled post in front of him. Suddenly he heard a cough behind him and spun around to see Tye, the king\\u2019s steward. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153The king requests your presence immediately. It\\u2019s urgent!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d He motioned for Raymnd to follow.\\nRaymnd tugged nervously at his gloves, but hope sparked in his eyes. \\u201cMaybe the king finally noticed how much I\\u2019ve been training,\\u201d he thought. When Raymnd entered the marble throne room, King Justain stood up from his golden throne and smiled. Raymnd knelt, pressing his fist to his chest.\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Why have you been training and working so hard?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d asked the king. Raymnd didn\\u2019t know what to say. Was the king displeased with his progress? \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153My son.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d The king\\u2019s words took Raymnd\\u2019s breath away. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I already love you. Don\\u2019t you know that the High Prince has already knighted you through his own efforts and sacrifice? Through Him, my love and acceptance are yours. There is nothing you need to do\\u2014ever\\u2014to earn your place in my kingdom. In fact, I view you as my own son.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d The king opened his arms and embraced Raymnd. Tears of relief streamed down Raymnd\\u2019s face. All this time, all his work was unnecessary. Not only was he accepted as a knight, he was even loved as a son\\u2014freely\\u2014by the king. \\u2022 Carissa Vruggink\\n\\u2022 In this story, King Justain represents God and the High Prince represents Jesus. Have you ever felt like Raymnd did, trying to do things to earn God\\u2019s approval instead of enjoying being with Him? How might God be inviting you to come to Him today? \\n\\u2026for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works\\u2026 Ephesians 2:8-9 (WEB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nJas.2.8-Jas.2.11|1Pet.1.13-1Pet.1.16|Heb.12.15'