CVII

THE FEAR OF THE LORD, THAT IS WISDOM, AND TO DEPART FROM EVIL IS UNDERSTANDING

JOB 28:28

SEVENIA (GIRL PROPHETESS)

Am I a girl prophetess? I wish people would stop calling me that. For one thing, I was now eighteen. Doesn’t that make me a woman? More importantly, it had been several days since I had the conversation with Oscar Olney, where he told me he had been involved with a witchy woman. Then it was discovered that pictures he had of her on his phone had disappeared.

I had no answers for him other than the obvious. Yes, it very well could have been supernatural manipulation. It just as easily could have been some type of hack. I don’t know if Oscar was disappointed in my statis as a “prophetess,” but he didn’t seem too interested in resuming our talk that had been interrupted. Then again, he and my dad, the venerable Seven Sallie, had been rather preoccupied with something to do with my father’s podcast.

Feeling invigorated by a run, I was enjoying a gorgeous, sunny autumn day down by Cotton Creek. It was my favorite place to study my Bible, meditate, and pray. I could get blissfully lost for hours, and I always left my phone in the car. I had no idea Destiny was trying to get a hold of me until I saw her approaching the creek with another woman.

I recognized her at once. It was the FBI agent, Nora Madora. I had met her when she helped Brock and Destiny get custody of two runaway girls who they eventually legally adopted. Marcy and Oralee were the girls I had dreamt about. We found them seeking shelter under a railroad bridge. It was after this ordeal that people really went nuts calling me a girl prophetess. The media called me a psychic, which I detested.

What’s the difference you might ask? The simple answer is, a psychic seeks it out, often using the dark side to accomplish their means. There are also cons that use the moniker for financial gain. But, to be fair, there are countless false shepherds in Christendom that do the same. (Matthew 7:15 ).

Like Captain Kirk has always said. Never trust a wealthy preacher or a skinny cook. I might add, don’t trust pastors that ignore clear Biblical truth. There are plenty of modest, middle class, even poor ministers that teach for doctrines the commandments of men. If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).

Remember, there is a small section of the Bible that God wrote with his own finger, the Ten Commandments. God did not change them, for God doesn’t change, but man has attempted to change them. (Daniel 7:25) Keep in mind that the fourth commandment is both a time and a law. This attempted change happened most profoundly in the fourth century. And most of Christianity has followed this tradition over the centuries. All the world wondered after the beast. (Revelation 13:3. NKJV says: Marveled and followed).

Sorry, I’m diverging. I gave a brief description of how I see most psychics. A prophet, on the other hand, doesn’t seek it out. It is something like a calling, that isn’t necessarily wanted or even understood. Yet it is obeyed through a desire to fulfill a duty, relying on a God who is loved and adored by the so called prophet.

I guess I’m dually diverging if that makes sense. I told you that Destiny was approaching with a woman, specifically FBI agent Nora Medora. I arose from my perch on a large rock, smiled, and greeted them in a manner my father might have. “Well, hello ladies. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Destiny giggled. “Hello yourself.”

“You are indeed your father’s daughter,” Nora said with a brief smile, then turned serious. “I meant that as a compliment. I like your dad.”

“I understand,” I shrugged. “I know my dad’s polarizing. Even after his conversion.”

“You’re a bit polarizing yourself,” Nora said with a stiff smile.

I felt a chill go up my spine, but instantly put my trust in God. Still I wondered if I was in some kind of trouble. The only possibility I could think of, was my public seminars on Bible prophecy. In those I taught history along with the Bible. I had to. Bible prophecy is almost completely fulfilled, not something in the future like most people think.

Maybe some faction of the PC police were upset at me for recalling what happened during the dark ages and the reformation. When one faction of religious people put another faction of religious people, not only death, but torture and death. (1 John 2:18). Maybe it’s considered hate speech to teach accurate history. (Isaiah 5:20).

“Am I?” I asked with a polite smile.

“I mean that in a good way,” Nora replied. “I’ve heard you on your father’s podcast.”

Nora was very pretty in a somewhat androgenous sort of way. Like me, she wore no makeup or jewelry. Her hair was also short and spiky like mine, but raven black with a sprinkling of white rather than auburn. Her dark eyes were almond shaped.

Seeing Nora and Destiny together was like seeing oil and water, or mustard on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The two women had a history of clashing, especially when they had first met. (That story is recounted in the e-book ‘Knight Storm’ by Johnathan Embers). Nora was wearing black stretch pants and a Miami Heat t-shirt. Destiny on the other hand had on a denim skirt, and a light yellow sweatshirt that said ‘life is good’ with butterflies and flowers surrounding the words. Ironically, having just gone for a run, I was dressed like Nora in black spandex and t-shirt, rather than my usual attire which was like what Destiny was wearing.

I had noticed Destiny’s eyes roam up and down me a few times. Finally, she smiled and said, “Sweetie, I see why you usually wear skirts. That might cause some young men to have accidents if you wore it in public.”

I felt myself blush, and Destiny took hold of my hand and squeezed to let me know it was a compliment. But most importantly, she didn’t mean to embarrass me. As she did this, Nora, not one to beat around the bush, said, “Dee, would you mind if I spoke with Sevenia in private?”

Knowing Destiny so well, I could tell she was a bit taken aback, yet she simply forced a smile and said, “Sure.”

My pulse quickened briefly, as we sat across from each other on rocks. But then I remembered Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11, Luke 12:11, and relaxed. Yet it was unnecessary. I wasn’t under scrutiny for teaching truth. Nora wanted to talk to me about Donna Dalial.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you, Miss Medora,” I replied, after she mentioned  the situation with Oscar, and the deaths of Felix and Stacey. “I’ve racked my brain trying to figure out what could have happened, but I’ve got nothing more to offer other than what you already know.”

“But you’re the girl prophetess, right?” Agent Medora asked with a little smirk. “And please, call me Nora.”

I felt my toes curl with irritation, but stuffed it down, smiled and shrugged. “It’s something I’ve never claimed or called myself, Nora.”

“I like that attitude. It makes me believe your reputation is genuine.”

For some reason, this made me feel like I was blushing again.

“So you don’t… How I should I put this?” Nora asked, and then paused a few seconds as her eyes turned skyward. “Do you think you will get a dream, or a um, a vision about Dalial?”

“I have no idea,” I shrugged. “It’s in God’s hands. All I can say is that I haven’t thus far had any dreams or insights. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” she said with a smile. “I know you’ll do all you can to help me.”

This statement puzzled me. I perceived she wasn’t just wanting to ask questions, but wanting my assistance in some fashion.

“Let me tell you the little bit I know,” Nora said, and touched my knee. “Maybe it might give you fuel for a dream or, I don’t know, some insight. Do you think that’s possible?”

“All things are possible with God,” I heard myself say.

She smiled optimistically, but I saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes.

“After all, He’s the Wonderful Councilor,” I added meekly.

I noticed a hard look come into her eyes, and her smile now seemed forced. It was then  that I took notice of the light purple half moons under her eyes. Nora was tired, but not just from lack of sleep. She was world weary, maybe even weary of life itself.

“Nora, are you a believer?”

“In what?” she snorted bitterly, but then quickly composed herself. “I should say, I try to be open minded. Maybe I’m not necessarily a believer, but I’m sitting here on a rock seeking help from someone who is.”

“Fair enough,” I replied. “But don’t get your hopes up. I’m not at all like one of those psychics that work with the police, but I’ll help you in any way I can.”

“Fair enough,” she said, and then we ended up in a bizarre stare down.

It wasn’t a hostile, who will blink first stare down. It was a feeling each other out eye lock. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but I felt her pain and frustration. I thought of the shortest verse in the Bible, ‘Jesus wept.’ (John 11:35). People thought he was weeping for his beloved friend Lazarus. But he was sad at the unbelief. People were mourning and lamenting while the Savior of the world, the Giver of life, was in their presence.

Between this thought of God weeping and Nora’s internal struggle, I felt my own eyes well and then spill a couple tears. Nora’s lips parted, she looked stunned, and then she looked away. I could tell that Nora was somewhat of a loner, who didn’t like emotion. I pressed my hands to together, squeezed them between my knees, and looked at the ground.

“So here’s what I know,” Nora said in the tone of a military officer. “We have found no trace of a Donna Dalial except for a letter Oscar received yesterday from her. It was postmarked in Des Moines. Also, the driver of the semi that crossed the center line has disappeared. The name and credentials he gave after the accident ended up being of a person who has been dead for six years.”

I felt a chill go up my spine. Then Nora gave me a cold blank stare, as if waiting for some insight or at least a response. I didn’t know what to say, except to ask, “What did the letter say?”

“It was one sentence,” she said and then sighed. “It was a quote from the Shakespeare play, ‘Macbeth.’ ‘By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.’”

(DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES)

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH: LUTHER BEFORE THE DIET (Part 2 of 2)

Said Luther at the hearing: “By the mercy of God, I conjure you, most serene emperor, and you, most illustrious princes, and all men of every degree, to prove from the prophets and apostles that I have erred. As soon as I am convinced of this, I will retract every error, and be the first to lay hold of my books and throw them into the fire…..”

As he ceased speaking, the spokesman for the Diet said angrily: “You have not answered the question put to you… You are required to give a clear and precise answer… Will you, or will you not, retract?”

The Reformer answered: “Since your most serene majesty and your high mightiness require from me a clear, simple, and precise answer, I will give you one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because it is as clear as the day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the word of God, I cannot and I will not retract. For it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other, may God help me. Amen.”

Thus stood this righteous man upon the sure foundation of the word of God. The light of heaven illuminated his countenance. His greatness and purity of character, his peace and joy of heart, were manifest to all as he testified against the power of error and witnessed to the superiority of that faith that overcomes the world.

The papal leaders were chagrined that their power, which had caused kings and nobles to tremble, should be despised by a humble monk. They longed to make him feel their wrath by torturing his life away. But Luther, understanding his danger, had spoken to all with Christian dignity and calmness.

The papacy had sustained a defeat which would be felt among all nations in all ages.

We shall not be approved of God in looking to the example of our fathers to determine our duty instead of searching the word of truth for ourselves. Our responsibility is greater than was that of our ancestors.

The popular enthusiasm in Luther’s favor throughout all Germany convinced both the emperor and the Diet that any injustice shown him would endanger the peace of the empire and even the stability of the throne.

Even those who had no faith in Luther’s doctrines could not but admire that lofty integrity which led him to brave death rather than violate his conscience.

Said Luther: “The gospel of Christ cannot be preached without offence… Why then should the fear or apprehension of danger separate me from the Lord, and from that divine word which alone is truth? No, I would rather give up my body, my blood, my life.”

The influence of this one man, who dared to think and act for himself in religious matters, was to affect the church and the world, not only in his own time, but in all future generations.

God wills not that man should submit unto man. For such submission in spiritual matters is a real worship, and ought to be rendered solely to the Creator. (Ibid. B. 7. Ch. 11).