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b'I looked up at the enormous shimmering gates guarding a city of wonders: streets lined with mansions, rivers of crystal water, and a peaceful people ruled by a just and powerful king.\\nBut no person entered the rich kingdom without first earning their spot, and there was only one way to do it.\\nI gripped the rough, wooden bow and took my stance. I knew the king stood on the wall and watched me, but I wouldn\\u2019t look at him. I swallowed hard and narrowed my eyes at the target, a large wooden circle nearly a mile away. With shaky fingers, I nocked my arrow and pulled it to my face.\\nI\\u2019d trained my entire life for this, practicing day and night so I would be able to make this impossible shot. I wouldn\\u2019t fail. I couldn\\u2019t. My muscles burned as I held my bow, arrow drawn, and pointed it at the target. Sweat was beading on my forehead, the muscles in my face twitched.\\nBreathe. Focus. Release.\\nMy arrow, flying straight and fast, fell immensely short of the mark,disappearing into the thick brush.\\nI crumpled to my knees and stared after the only chance I had of living in the shining city with the good king. I dropped my bow, buried my face in my hands, and wept.\\nSomeone touched my shoulder. \\nI looked up and into the kind face of the king. He\\u2019d left the safety of the city walls to come to me. He held out his hand. Hesitantly, I picked my bow up off the ground and placed it in his outstretched hand.\\nHe pulled out a shining arrow and took aim, strong and steady, and confidently released the arrow. It flew across the expanse so quickly I nearly missed it hitting the target, directly in its center.\\nMy mouth fell open as I looked back at him. He smiled. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Come,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d he said, his voice warm and kind. Again he held out his hand, and I grasped it with my own.\\nThe king walked me through the gates of his kingdom, welcoming me as his child. \\u2022 Emily Tenter\\n\\u2022 Have you ever tried to earn favor with God by doing good things? \\n\\u2022 Why is it so important that nothing we can do can save us from sin and death? \\n\\u2022 Reread today\\u2019s Bible passages. Why is Jesus the only One who can save us from sin and death? \\n\\u2022 To learn more about Jesus and why we all need Him, check out our \\u201cKnow Jesus\\u201d page!\\nFor you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God\\u2019s gift\\u2014not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nJohn 14:6; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 7:25'