The Pursuit---Part 3!

A Short Story by Pastor Steve Gardner

 The demonic horde that gathered on the hillside just out of town was unusual today. Normally, on any given day, they are right in the midst of things. Manipulating people to believe lies spawned by the evil within their hearts, and perpetuated among anyone who was willing to believe their lies. They roam about among the schools, the city government, the business people, and even the churches! Oh how they love to go to church! Of course not to worship the Lord, but to agitate and upset the lives of those who would dare try to change their lives through Jesus Christ! Preachers and long-time members were their favorite targets! Preachers feared getting too “wild” so as not to scare off any visitors that might happen along their way. Nor did they want to appear that they were purely driven by emotions, so as not to offend the members who pay their salaries. After all, as long as the Word gets out there, even in a diluted weakened form, well they would trust God to accomplish what needed to be accomplished. Many of these preachers thought if God’s Word got “put-out-there,” the people weren't offended, and they got paid; then God would take care of the rest! It has worked like this for years, and as long as some “good-work” got done, the good church people were just fine! “Contain the fire!”................That was the demon’s motto!

On this particular day, a “confab” was ordered by the demon Delirious. He had ordered that all territorial demons be present or suffer the consequences of his wrath! Delirious was a “Principality,” a high-ranking demon who oversaw much of the activity of the area, or as he liked to mockingly put it……….”ministering the upheaval” to those lousy Jesus Followers! He would laugh whenever he would use terms that the enemy used, like…….”MINISTERING!” He used to minister, he ministered before the very Throne of God, but now, out of pure unadulterated hate for everything the enemy stood for, he mockingly used the old terms that used to apply to himself, as a slap in the face of the God. The other demons hated Delirious and often plotted his over-throw, but none dare try! So, begrudgingly, here they met on the side of a hill outside of town! The demon Anxiety growled,……”C’mon, let’s get this thing started, I have fear to inflict, and I have no intention of falling short of my quota!” One of the lesser demons hissed, “Nobody cares about your stupid quota,” which got him a slap from Anxiety! Shut up and mind your place, or I will inflict SO much pain on you, you won’t be able to speak!” About that time, Delirious arrived and stood upon the top of the hill. It did not matter where the other demons were, Delirious always placed himself in a position higher than the other demons under his direction. He did this as a constant reminder that HE was superior to them, and had been congratulated by Satan himself! At his arrival, some of the demons cheered; some hissed; and some cursed, under the breath of course! Delirious, never being one to mince words began immediately with the reason for the meeting. “I summoned you all here today to advise you that YOU have a directive coming from our lord himself! You are to make certain that you are ever diligent in your assigned duties to avert the awakening and advancement of the enemy!” With that he hatefully looked at one of his underlings, Confusion. “I don’t think I need to remind any of us the damage that can be caused when we “slack-up” and take our enemy for granted!” He continued: “We ALL remember the disaster that was narrowly diverted when Confusion here decided to take it easy in his assignment! A well known church in this very town, that has taught for years the false doctrine that the power and gifting of the enemy had ceased, was almost lost when a Missionary visited and shared about their experience of speaking in Tongues and healing!” When he said those two things, the demons shook and hissed at the utter fear they felt from remembering this.

Delirious continued, “It took us months to put out that “fire” and restore things to normal!” Confusion cursed under his breath and swore some day he would make him eat those words! Delirious moved on to the topic at hand. Our lord has issued a warning that ANY demon caught taking it easy on the enemy, would deal DIRECTLY with him! And “trust me, you DON’T want that” Delirious said! Let me give you the detailed instructions! I will spell them out plainly, so that even those of you who are stupid, will get it! With that, Delirious pulled a black scroll from his sash and read the directive from Satan himself! It read: “Demons arise! The time is getting crucial, because I can see that things are begging to happen in the undercurrent of movement among the enemy’s forces! You must remain diligent and committed to our task at hand! Our kingdom MUST NOT suffer loss! Nor are we to willingly surrender ANY ground we have stolen from the enemy! Under NO circumstance must you allow those you influence to gain ANY knowledge that they have been deceived! Over 1500 years ago, I fashioned a “counterfeit-church” that looked a lot like the enemies true church, however minus the power He promised them! I gave them their good-moral homilies; I gave them their songs they endlessly and mindlessly sing; and I gave them programs, to blind them to the loss of power! My church looked like the original in form, but it denied the power! I even gave to them leaders; and teachers; and instructors that told them that the days of power were no more, and ended with those irritating original Apostles! And the beauty and majesty of my plan was this………………….THEY BOUGHT INTO IT! Now while it is true, that we lost some to the irritable salvation the Son gave them, we have hindered, and in most cases, event STOPPED the onslaught of what this church could do if they ever wised-up and realized how much authority and power they really had! They have the “KEYS” but never use them! Instead, they are content with the programs, the single person super stars we give them, the limited civic endeavors, the churchy music, the rah rah sessions they call revivals, and the really good feeling they have, that they had done their “DUTY” by simply going to church! Their ignorance to true spiritual warfare has definitely worked in our benefit! NO,……..NO,…….I will NOT let ANY of these foolish “dirt-people” fashioned out of the dust of the earth, to UPSET my plan or my kingdom! You MUST,……..No, you WILL be diligent and STOP any potential threat to our kingdom! I re-commission you today, my children, to our first intent! That intent is to keep the true church; the true Bride of the Son, from awakening and walking in the authority and power that our enemy meant for them to walk in! Do whatever it is you need to do, but under NO circumstances are you to allow,……………….AWAKENING AND TRUE REVIVAL!”

With that Delirious folded up the scroll and put it back in his sash. “Did you get it? Our master is too easy on you slackers! I am telling you that if you slack up and make me look bad, I will deal with you in such a manner, that you will beg for the coming judgment that awaits you!” With that he paused, made a conscience point of making eye contact with every demon, and growled: “Now get to work, you slime!”

~~~TO BE CONTINUED!~~~