By James Wilson
The very frightened young man called me because he had heard I knew something about disposing of infernal entities. He had been playing a game called Bloody Mary – not the former queen of England but a spirit allegedly representing her – the idea is players call Bloody Mary. If she appears they scare themselves silly and call it exciting. Looking directly through the bathroom window there was nothing to be seen in his yard; the reflection through the bathroom mirror revealed a cloaked and hooded figure who was seen approaching the house – carrying a large knife – where the teen was alone that night. I instructed him to tell it to go in the Name of Jesus. He did that and after several repetitions the figure vanished and stayed away while we were on the phone.
I told him this demonic entity would return unless he followed through on what he had begun. Jesus is blunt on this in Matthew 12 and Luke 11, saying if we cast out a demon but fail to replace it with Jesus in us the demon will return and bring along some friends, making things worse than at the beginning. I recommended the young man – now greatly relieved – ask Jesus into his heart for the abundant life and protection He offered. My new friend declined, thanked me for helping, and said he was not ready to take this further step. I never heard his voice again but I am quite certain he either accepted Jesus as His Lord or his company became much less pleasant – and possibly deadlier – than before.
In for a penny, in for a pound, is a true saying in this world whether we are talking about spiritual entities or simply going to work and striving for excellence. Jesus is not referring to supernatural infestations when He calls on His friends to persevere to the end and so expect they will be saved. His ideas about perseverance are as much about scope as duration. And most of our commitment-to-the-end is about human interaction. He has recently been schooling me on the topic.
People exposed to my teaching are well aware I begin and end with Abba’s call through His Son and Spirit to bless and curse not. I teach it and I practice it…most of the time. I have made an unconscious exception with a local philanthropic outfit called the McConnell Foundation.
Funded and visioned by the late Leah McConnell’s fortune – Leah was an on-fire Kingdom-serving Christian – the foundation has funded many civic minded projects. I have objected, however, to their blatant discrimination against churches and their projects, and the high handed way in which they demand fealty from the city they have blessed. It is no blessing, I say, when their directors expect to be the only voice at tables they may have set. It is a travesty, I say, for them to largely freeze out churches when Leah was such a committed supporter of the Body of Christ – and said so in the will these directors administer. I have been a vocal if lonely voice.
One of the blessings the Foundation has bestowed on Redding is a large tract of land called the Lema Ranch. Privately owned, it is open to the public except for the residence and club house. Many find joy and great exercise walking the long, lovely, and well maintained trails that meander through the property. In recent months I have become one of them. As I walk I worship and pray for loved ones and for the city and region at large. One day the Lord asked me if I ever listened to my own teaching about blessing and cursing not – it is expressed Romans 12:14 – or if I just expected others to listen. Standing corrected I began to pray blessing on the ranch, the foundation, and the vision Abba gave to Leah McConnell so long ago. I began to pray and sing praises more and more as I walked.
These days more and more people respond to my greeting, “Good morning and God bless you.” I see more people singing – praise songs and others – while they walk. I still have some objections to foundation behavior and I will argue them given the chance. But when we bless it is for its own sake, not some hoped for change of heart in the one blessed. It is my heart that needs change first. The rest is fruit and the fruit is good.
This in for a penny stuff is good. It doesn’t sound like the King James Bible, but it sure sounds like God.
James A. Wilson is the author of Living As Ambassadors of Relationships, The Holy Spirit and the End Times, and Kingdom in Pursuit – available at local bookstores or by e-mailing him at praynorthstate@gmail.com
