by Jen Gentry
Chapter Nine
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and nonly Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
New International Version
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit
Psalm 51: 10-12
King James Version
Emily had at least a million questions about how she’d received the baptism of
the Holy Spirit and why. She looked up all the passages she could find in her Bible. Then she talked to her aunt about it. When that was not enough, she went to see Reverend Chorley.
The Reverend taught her about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. She was beginning to understand the power behind the gift of praying in tongues. Intercessory prayer was still a little hazy to her, but she had a thirst for the knowledge. The Reverend and his wife prayed with her in the spirit.
“Slow down a little, Emily. Give yourself some time. Have faith in the Lord. He will teach you and guide you into how to use your gifts.” The Reverend placed a hand on Emily’s shoulder as he bent down to look in her eyes.
“Trust in the Lord. He has sent the Holy Spirit as a guide. Learning to pray in the spirit will come with time. Listen to your Aunt Gemma. She has great knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Let her teach you what she knows at a pace that is comfortable for the both of you.”
Emily left feeling a little more prepared, but still thirsty for more. She wondered about explaining the baptism of the Holy Spirit to Marta. What if she thought her crazy, or worse, a liar?
In the end, Marta explained what she already knew.
“My folks are filled with the Holy Spirit. They pray in tongues all the time. Sometimes we all pray together. Praying in the spirit, speaking in tongues, it’s all part of being a spirit-filled Christian. My oldest brother already received the baptism. My parents tell me my time will come when I’m ready.” Marta possessed knowledge beyond her years. Her family had prepared her and taught her about the Holy Spirit since her birth. It was no accident that she and Emily were close friends.
Aunt Gemma worked daily with Emily in her prayer life. Emily knew she could pray in sign language like Gemma, but prayer in tongues was a special type of praying. She learned its purpose was to edify the church and lift up the saints. It was also powerful enough to bring down the strongholds of the devil.
A shiver went down Emily’s spine as her aunt explained that battling strongholds of the devil was a difficult and even dangerous thing to do. One must be prepared with the full armor of God in place over the entirety of one’s being. Gemma wrote down a scripture.
Eph 6:10-17 (NIV). Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
After writing the scripture out, Gemma gave it to Emily and told her to hang it up in her room. She was to read it to herself each morning and each night until the true meaning seared her soul and she would never forget how important it was to protect herself and anyone she prayed for against the attacks of the devil.
Emily read the scripture aloud day and night over the rest of the summer until she envisioned herself daily donning the whole armor of God.
She put on the belt of truth, reminding herself to be truthful; the breastplate of righteousness, reminded her to be fair, kind, and generous. Following in Christ’s footsteps, she told her feet to be swift and ready for her chosen path. She saw herself ready to defend against any attack the devil might throw her way.
Staniel watched over Emily as she practiced this act daily and reported her actions to Liam. “She is learning to cover herself against attack and has taken the first steps in becoming the warrior we need her to be by first learning defense. Her ways are still childish, but she is learning,” Staniel confided to his commander.
“Praise God for his goodness. His plan is a mystery to us all, but it is a plan in motion as it unfolds before us. I am concerned about the growing number of demons surrounding the senator’s mansion. The sorcerer there is very strong, and he binds the senator and his staff closer to the demons with each passing day. His deceptions are well covered.”
Staniel nodded his head in agreement. A fierce battle loomed on the horizon as the tension between the opposing forces built.
“All we can do is keep the saints praying and keep our faith, knowing that the Lord has us all in his hands.” Liam agreed with Staniel. Keeping the saints safe and praying was the key element in the angels’ whole purpose in doing the Lord’s will.
Bradley spent the summer with his Aunt Amelia, learning about his mother and her family. He spent hours leafing through photo albums with his aunt who patiently answered his many questions about what his mother. His father never talked about her and kept no pictures of her anywhere. At that point, his mother was only a vague sweet memory.
He remembered some things, like how she always smelled like flowers and that she had long blonde hair that would tickle his nose when she held him. What he remembered most about her was that she loved him. He still heard that sweet voice croon to him that she loved him ‘up to the moon, around the moon and back.’
He sighed as he looked at pictures of them together when he was a baby. Thinking of her death brought a painful stab to his heart. All his father would say was she’d died in her sleep. “It would be best to forget her and never think of her again.” That was the last time his father mentioned her to Bradley.
He put the photo album away and thought of Marta, something he’d done a lot of lately. He knew he’d hurt her in a very bad way and the bitterness of guilt flooded his soul. He simply couldn’t believe it. How could he have done something like that, no matter how angry he was? He threw a little girl down on the ground and robbed her of her hair. How? How did he do that? He wanted to make amends, he just didn’t know how. He vowed he’d never hurt anyone again and determined not to become another version of his father.
Bradley craved forgiveness, a foreign concept to him personally, but something he wanted badly. Amelia was a strong Christian woman. At the start of the summer, Bradley wanted nothing to do with going to church, but she insisted. At church, he learned about Jesus, the real Jesus, not just a figure on a cross. This Jesus offered him forgiveness for all his sins.
Bradley spent many hours pondering this. What if he did give his life to Christ? What would it mean? How would it help? What would his father think? Did he really care what his father thought? Somehow he knew this was personal, his decision to make. It was up to him to choose.
When he asked his aunt about giving his life to Jesus, she arranged for him to meet with her minister. The minister prayed with Bradley and read him scriptures about Jesus’ life and death on the cross.
“You see, son, the word says that whosoever believes that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead and then accepts Jesus into his heart, is a new creation. His sins are forgiven and he’s washed white as snow in the shed blood that Jesus gave for us when He died on that cross.” The minister asked,
“Are you ready to ask Jesus into your heart, Bradley?”
“I kn
ow I want forgiveness for bad things I’ve done, but what if Jesus doesn’t want me? What if I’ve been so bad that I cannot be forgiven? What if the girl I hurt never forgives me?”
“Son, what matters is that Jesus forgives you. You can ask for this girl’s forgiveness, in time, but I don’t know what she’ll do. I can only tell you that Christ will forgive you if you accept Him in your heart and ask for His forgiveness.”
“OK, I’m ready because I do. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. I also believe that He did it so I can be forgiven of my sins and receive life eternal with Him in heaven.”
The minister prayed the sinner’s prayer with him. Bradley made a life-changing decision and it was as if a million pound stone lifted from his chest. His mind was at ease for the first time he could remember. He felt the true presence of Jesus in his heart.
It was a glorious feeling, knowing that he would never be truly alone again. Happiness flooded his soul with the freedom of knowing he was saved and forgiven as well.
The minister gave him his very first Bible and encouraged him to start reading the New Testament, so he could learn more about the Jesus he had just accepted into his life.
Sounds of praise and rejoice drifted in the window where Liam was in the study with Mr. Perry. Liam heard the trumpets sounding. It was a joyful noise, one of praise and good news. He left Mr. Perry, shifted into angelic form and took to the sky. He found the angels of Hook Pond rejoicing all over the city and in the skies above.
He spotted Staniel.
“What good news is brought to us, Staniel?”
“It is the boy, Bradley Steel. He has accepted our King, our Lord Jesus. into his heart.” Staniel shouted over the trumpets.
Liam lifted his sword to the heavens. “For the Lamb, who alone is worthy!” His cries of joy returned as an echo from the other angels. “For the Lamb, who alone is worthy and worthy to be praised!” thundered the angelic host.
At the senator’s mansion, an entirely different scene took place. Azelius screamed in rage at the news of the boy’s acceptance of Christ. The guru, Bathomet, also screamed. “My masters, what has gone wrong? What evil thing has befallen us?” He fell with his face to the ground and began chanting. All the demons in the area wailed and cried.
“How could this happen?” they asked of their Prince.
Azelius ignored their cries. With the tip of his sword, he struck the senator on the head in his rage. The senator suddenly developed a migraine headache. He went to the guru to lie beside him and chanted with him. They chanted with their faces to the floor throughout the rest of the day and night as Azelius raged on.
Chapter Ten
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
New International Version
As the summer ended, Emily and Marta returned to school. Marta’s hair grew back in, and she now sported a perky bob. Excited to be back with their friends, they looked forward to a fun and productive school year.
The warrior angels assigned to guard the school attended in full force. The demons in the area grew in numbers, but had still not been able to penetrate the angelic defense of the school grounds, a fact that nagged at Azelius.
Bradley headed back to New Mexico, a changed young man. He knew the true meaning of love, unlike any he’d known before. With his aunt’s help, he’d furthered his knowledge of Jesus’ love for him and continued to revel in the freedom of salvation and forgiveness.
The only blight to his happiness was dread of the coming holidays. He had to spend them with his father. He sent a silent prayer to Jesus that he would somehow reach his father and mend their relationship.
***
Summer slipped into fall, and the nip of winter filled the air. Thanksgiving came faster than any of the children could imagine. Mr. Perry invited Marta and her family to a Thanksgiving feast at Perry House. The holidays always brought great joy and anticipation to both families as they prepared for the celebrations.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, Bradley headed back to Hook Pond with letters of commendation regarding his excellent grades and outstanding drills. His professors and drillmasters spoke with praise and admiration for Bradley. He also carried with him his now well-worn and read Bible. He prayed on the flight home that his father would welcome him and be proud of his accomplishments.
The angels at Hook Pond prepared for Bradley’s return, as did Azelius. A battle plan to keep the boy safe from the demon masses at the senator’s mansion was in place.
The archangel Michael arrived with a battalion of angelic host. They met Bradley as he landed at the airport. His father’s limo waited for him, his father absent as usual.
Azelius sent his own battalion to meet Bradley, but the demons, helpless against Michael and his warriors, quickly disappeared into the abyss. Michael and the other angels escorted the limo to the senator’s home. Bradley remained calm for the hour-long drive. He knew that Jesus was with him in his heart wherever he went. Jesus was his savior, no matter what awaited him.
He made a quick call to his aunt from his cell to wish her a happy holiday and to let her know he was fine. She reminded him that if he had any problems, she would send for him or even come herself if need be.
“I’ll be fine,” Bradley assured her.
The angels of Perry House met Michael and the others on the outskirts of the grounds of the senator’s mansion. The demon horde surrounding the place sounded the alarm at their approach. Azelius met Michael face to face in the driveway.
“You are not welcome here, Michael.” Azelius hissed.
“I come in the name of the One who holds all power over heaven and earth. You will allow passage for all of us who protect the boy, in Jesus name. The boy has chosen and you may not touch him.”
Azelius hissed and screeched as he skittered away from the angels. The rest of the demons followed suit. A clear path opened for Bradley and the angels to pass into the house.
Inside, the guru cried out and tore at his clothes. “A great evil has come,” he shouted to the senator.
“My son is no angel, but he is certainly not
evil.” The senator dismissed the guru for the very first time since he had the man brought into his home.
Bathomet bowed low to the senator and took his leave to his own safe haven in the mansion. Bradley met his father in his office. He put the letters of commendation on the desk and sat down. Not expecting anything by way of a welcome home, he did want his father to be proud of his hard work with his schooling and training. The office was more crowded than the two humans in the room knew.
The angelic host filled the room, led by Michael. The only demon allowed was the one attached to the senator, Azelius.
The senator seemed pleased to see his son and Bradley became hopeful that maybe this could be a good visit between them.
“I hear you’re doing well at the military academy. I’m pleased with the reports I’ve received.”
“Yes, sir. I also have all these letters of commendation.” Bradley pointed to the envelopes he’d placed on his father’s desk.
Before the senator could reach across the desk to gather the letters, Azelius mustered every bit of strength he had and struck the senator in the head.
The massive migraine came on strong and sudden, just as it had before. The man collapsed to the floor in agony.
Bradley yelled for help from the household staff as he ran to his father’s side.
Later, one of his father’s assistants brought a message to Bradley. It seemed his father would be fine, but suffered from a severe headache. The senator sent his regrets, but promised to see him in the morning.
Bradley pulled out hi
s Bible and began to pray for his father.
Michael and the other angels surrounded the boy and safeguarded his room. No demons ventured near him.
The senator summoned Bathomet to his chambers to help overcome the great headache that plagued him. After several hours of chanting and worshiping the gods, the weakened guru begged the senator.
“Please, my friend and brother, you must send the boy away. He has brought a great evil with him. This is the reason you suffer. I can do nothing for you in the face of this great evil.”
The senator groaned aloud. “It’s that witch, Amelia. She’s poisoned my son against me. This is her fault. I cannot send him away. I need him. I must show that I am a good father who cares about his son. Others will notice if he is not with me during the holidays.”
“As you wish, but I fear for your health and your safety should the boy remain here. It is a great and powerful evil that follows him. I will do what I can to purge us of this.” Bathomet then took his leave.
For three days, the senator stayed in bed. Nothing would relieve the great pain he suffered, not medication or meditation. The guru came and went as he verbally tried to banish the perceived evil brought in by the boy.
Michael and the angels stood their ground. They were not leaving this place until Bradley did. Finally, the senator could stand the agony no more. At Bathomet’s constant urging, he sent a message to his son. Since his father was too ill to join him for the holiday, he’d made arrangements for him to go and stay with his aunt.
Bradley was a little disappointed that his father could not even be roused enough to say goodbye, but he was happy to be going to visit his aunt. As soon as Bradley and all the angels left the grounds, the senator’s headache dissipated.