*”STRUCK DOWN”*
[EPISODES: 18 & 19]
*_EPISODE EIGHTEEN_*
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Mrs. Helen was fully awake despite the night being dark and extremely quiet.
She was brooding over her life and how it had turned out these years.
She couldn’t understand why her husband wouldn’t give his life to Christ or accept her new faith. It puzzled her how he was so much against Christianity.
She recalled discussing this with her pastor who she trusted.
“Pastor why is it hard for some people to accept the gift of salvation? I mean I see people flood towards the altar at the voice of an altar call, yet there are certain people who remain adamant no matter how many altar calls they hear. Why?” She asked one day. The Pastor smiled.
“Madam the truth is that some people have their souls already sold out to dark forces; so their hearts have become so hardened that they’re not moved when they hear anything about Christ.”
“So concerning such people, what do we do or how do we pray for them? Or would they be left to die in their sins?”
“For such people with a hardened heart, the remedy is to offer targeted prayers to God on their behalf. I must lay emphasis on ‘targeted’ because the normal salvation prayer wouldn’t be effective anymore, one has to consciously attack the spirit of power begin his adamance in giving his life to Christ.
In this case it is now a battle for his or her soul.” The pastor explained.
“Battle for his soul.” Helen whispered as she turned to look🏃🏽♀️ at her husband who was asleep.
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Debby was up with her jotter and her Bible late into the night. Her love for the Scriptures seemed to be growing on a daily basis. She loved reading her Bible so much that she became a source of motivation to Dorothy especially whenever she doesn’t feel like reading the Bible.
Flipping through the pages of her jotter to check recent lessons they’ve been taught ever since they arrived mummy Grace’s home for over a month now, she settled to review the most recent lesson taught.
“The Benefits of Reading the Word.” She read.
“Reading your Bible equips you with the power to resist the devil when he comes with deceitful voices and suggestions, and also sharpens your spiritual sword.
The best and effective way to reading your Bible in an impactful way is to relate and apply the passage you’ve read to your daily life, and pray the virtues identified in the passage into your life.” She recalled Mrs. Melody say in one of their evening devotions.
“Applying the Bible to your daily life, praying the word of God into your life. Charity didn’t teach much on that.” Debby whispered to herself as she tried understanding what Mrs. Melody meant by that statement.
While thinking, her alarm rang. It was 1am already and it was time to sleep so she could wake up early for the morning devotion.
As soon as she kept her Bible and jotter in the proper place, she covered herself with blanket and slept off.
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“Dorothy! Doro baby wake up.” Debby said as she tapped her roomie countless times.
“Dorothy oooo. Wake up it’s almost time for morning devotion.” Debby said on tapping her as Dorothy reluctantly opened her eyes.
“Wake up babe, it’s almost time to head out to the living room. You see that tables turn. When we first came here, it was you who was doing the waking, now it’s me doing just that, despite my being the last to sleep.” Debby said and laughed. Dorothy just ignored her and headed to the bathroom to wash her face.
As she was coming out of the restroom with her toothbrush. They heard a knock on their door.
“It’s time for morning devotion.” A female voice said from behind the door.
“We’re coming.” Debby and Dorothy chorused.
“Debby lead us in opening prayers please.” A girl named Edith said.
“Huh? Why me? Why not Dorothy or Sylvia or the girl that knocked at our room this morning?”
“Just lead us in prayer jare, the argument isn’t necessary.” Joyce said, visibly pissed.
Debby said and nervously gave the opening prayer. Immediately she finished, Mrs. Melody walked into the living room.
“Good morning treasured souls.” She greeted with a wide smile
“Good morning Ma.” They all chorused.
“How are we all this morning?”
“We’re fine Ma’am.”
“Okay, so are we all complete now?”
“Yes but it remains my roommate Juliet.” Edith said
“Okay, go call her then.” Mrs. Melody said and Edith ran to her room to call her.
“So I hope we all read our Bibles as I told you to.” Mrs. Melody said immediately after the praise and worship section.
“Yes we did.” They all chorused.
“Okay. We’re going to be talking about what we read in today’s Bible study. Remember I told how to read the Bible effectively.”
“Yes I remember. By relating the passage read to your daily life and praying the virtues and lessons learnt into your life.” A girl named Kate said.
“Good! So let’s practice that and see how far we were able to read our Bibles effectively.” Mrs. Melody said.
“Yes dear, let’s hear you.” Mrs. Melody said to a girl raising her hand.
“I read 2Kings chapter 4. I started from vs 18 to the end.” The girl who was raising her hand stood up and said.
“Okay go on, we’re all listening.”
“It was about a Shunammite woman who was very rich and influential. One day Elisha passed by her placed in Shunem, and she begged to feed him. From that day onwards, Elijah would always stop there to eat. Then she talked her husband into housing him in an apartment upstairs, because she perceives he’s a man of God.
Because of all these, Elisha asked his servant Gehazi if there was anything they could do for her and they discovered she was childless.
Elisha then sent for the woman and told her she would give birth. The woman visibly doubted it.
But despite her doubt, she put to bed at the appointed time as declared by the prophet.
Then at a certain time the child died.” The girl said and paused to look at the facial expressions of the people in the room, hoping she wasn’t boring them with an already known story.
“When the son died, the woman went to search for Elisha.
Elisha on the other hand saw her from afar and sent Gehazi to ask if all was well with her and she said ‘it is well’. She never told anyone about her issue until she got to the prophet.
I learnt a few lessons from the passage I read.”
“Okay, share them with us then.”
“First I noticed that this Shunammite woman had the ability to discern that Elijah was a man of God, and persuaded her husband into getting an apartment for him.
By virtue of her looking after this man of God, a miracle she didn’t even believe she can ever have again was released to her, all because she availed herself to care for a man of God.”
“Hmmm…. continue.”
“So when this woman recieved the promise and had her breakthrough, the child grew and eventually died.
When the child died, it was not recorded that she cried but instead she took the child upstairs, shut the door and set a donkey to meet Elisha. The rhema I got from here is that sometimes when it seems as if the miracle or breakthrough or bright future God has given to you isn’t going as planned, instead of you to just sit down and begin shedding tears, you should instead hold your peace and seek the God who gave you that breakthrough in the first place.
There’s no need shedding tears or lamenting into the ears of anyone listening. If you noticed, the woman didn’t see the need informing Gehazi of her plight.
There’s no need sharing your problems or issues with people who cannot help your situation.
Let’s assume she shared the story of what had happened to her child with Gehazi, he wouldn’t have been of any help because even after the prophet sent him with his staff to go and wake the child up, he couldn’t. So apparently, Gehazi wasn’t the one to help her in any way.
So the prayers I derived from this passage are: for discernment to know our destiny helpers and meet them at the point of their needs, plus the grace to not tell our issues to people who have no business with it.” The girl said and ended with a smile as they all clapped for her.
“That’s good. A wonderful story and insight you have there. Keep it up dear, and the Holy Spirit would reveal more to you, okay? Any other person?” Mrs. Melody said and Sylvia’s hand was raised.
“Yes Sylvia dear, let’s hear you.”
“I didn’t know where to read so I jumped to the beatitudes.
I know we all as Christians know it but…. meditating on it for a few minutes gave me another insight into the beatitudes, apart from the general knowledge of it.
In Matt. 5:3-9, Jesus said the people who had some qualities were blessed because they’d receive certain rewards. He never said “Blessed are the meek Christians, for they shall inherit the earth”, rather it says blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. It’s no wonder that even the person who doesn’t have his life totally surrendered to but keeps to Biblical principles still succeed while we the children of God that have the assurance of prosperity don’t work on ourselves through the help of the Holy Spirit to be meek. The blessing of being meek for example is that you’d inherit the earth so anyone and not necessarily a Christian who learns the art of meekness, automatically receives the blessing. The same applies to the rest of the beatitudes.
That’s what I learnt Ma.” Sylvia said and too her seat afterwards
“Hmmm…..you do have a valid point there dear. Okay let’s take just one more person so we can go ahead with today’s devotion.” Mrs. Melody said and Dorothy and Debby’s hands were raised.
“One person please, just one more person.” Mrs. Melody said and Dorothy turned to face Debby, gave a light smile and put her hand down.
“Thank you. Yes Debby let’s hear you.”
“I read James chapter 1 and meditated on vs 5 through 8.
The Bible stating there that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask of God who gives freely, made understand how much God loves to help and advise us as we journey through life. That means if we don’t know what to do or how to go about a marriage or job proposal, your search for a house or just anything, you can go to God our Father boldly and in faith, and He’d give you. All you have to do is to have faith and trust that He’d hear your prayers and guide you.” Debby said as Mrs. Melody nodded and clapped.
“Wonderful…. wonderful insights everyone. Please don’t relent, you all just scratched the surface of the passages you all mentioned. Get consistent with the word, and God through His Spirit will reveal more. Let us pray now.”
*”STRUCK DOWN”*
*_EPISODE NINETEEN_*
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Mrs. Helen was up again at night with her Bible in her hand, ready to battle for the soul of her husband in prayers using the word of God.
“I plead the blood of Jesus over this room now, in the name of Jesus. I plead the blood of Jesus over the my soul and that of my husband, in the name of Jesus.”
“By the blood of Jesus, let my husband’s soul be released from every form of captivity, in the name of Jesus.” Mrs. Helen prayed as directed by her pastor.
Meanwhile,
Chief’s priest was beginning to feel the impact of Mrs. Helen’s prayers as some of his idols began to cry uncontrollably which alerted him and made investigations to what the problem was.
“No, no no! I cannot lose two souls at a time. I’m still battling with a captive and now this.” He lamented and went ahead to check who was responsible but couldn’t see a thing.
Immediately he took his tiny bell and began invoking a spirit into his shrine.
“I can’t see whoever is trying to set my captives free, but I want you to go attack the person mercilessly.” He said and with that the wicked and foul-smelling spirit disappeared.
“What is it? Why back so fast?” Kadar asked on seeing the spirit he had sent on an errand not too long ago, back in his shrine.
“There’s blood there.” The spirit simply said.
“Blood? What blood?”
“The blood of the Lamb.” The spirit replied and Kadar felt amused.
“You saw the blood of a lamb? That’s why you chickened out of the errand I sent you on? Come on, I can give you the blood of goat, sheep or cow if that’s what you want. You know I can sacrifice them to you here now.” Kadar said but the Spirit shook it’s head.
“No you do not understand. That blood there is different. It is the blood of the Lamb of God, that delivers the whole world from its sins.” The spirit said as Kadar looked closer to the image in front of him to confirm.
“So there’s a power stronger than mine?” Kadar reasoned within.
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It’s been two months in Mummy Grace’s home and alot has been learnt. Ranging from an interesting improvement in the prayer lives of each person including Debby, to the imbibing of daily Bible reading as a habit. This was easily achieved as a result of the favorable environment, being surrounded with people of like minds who desired spiritual growth and the availability of teachers who served as a guides and accountability partners.
However, the number of people present as at the time Debby joined them had reduced drastically. As at when she came, they were 14: 10girls and 4boys but now there are just 7 girls left.
When Debby asked Dorothy why this was so, she was reminded that some of them were sent here by their parents and probably the agreed time of their stay was over.
“So for how long do you plan on staying here?” She asked Dorothy
“Three months. I have two months gone already so one more month to go.”
“Ohhh……okay.”
“What about you?”
“I think the same three months too, because I overheard my mom discussing something about the duration of my stay and then I heard something like three months.” Debby said and Dorothy got amused.
“So that means you were eavesdropping on their conversation abi? Ah ah, sister Debby of God.”
“No it’s not like that o, I was just….” Debby said and started laughing herself, then they heard a knock on their door.
“Yes, the door’s open.”
“Mum’s calling everyone.” Edith said on walking into the room.
“Mum? Who’s mum?”
“Mrs. Melody of course. She suggests we go hangout at Hannah’s garden and also have a fun Bible study there.” Edith said and immediately the face of the girls brightened up.
“That’s a wonderful idea! I lovvve outings.” Debby said dreamingly.
“Me too. So when are we leaving?” Dorothy asked.
“In an hour time. She asked to tell everyone to get dressed so we can leave as soon as possible.”
“Oh okay noted.” Dorothy said and with that Edith left.
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Debby and the 6 girls can be seen on the field of Hannah’s garden, excitement written all over their faces. They had just arrived and decided to split themselves into two to go have fun before Mrs. Melody who had left them to handle some personal issues returns.
So Debby, Edith, Joyce and Dorothy went together while the remaining three went their way.
“Let’s try out the food at this canteen.” Edith suggested as they approached a canteen which entertained their customers in the open space.
They all ordered food according to their taste but they needed to wait for it to be ready so they each bought an ice-cream to pass time.
“Ah ah, are you stupid? What on Earth is wrong with you?” Joyce angrily said to Debby who had mistakenly stepped on her toes.
“I’m so sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”
“Sorry for yourself.” She said and hissed.
“Your food is ready girls.” A waiter said, breaking the awkward silence that had been within the girls for some time.
The food was shared among them and they ate quietly.
“I think we should go back to meet the rest, Mrs. Melody should be back by now.” Dorothy suggested as soon as they were done with their meal and began chatting.
Throughout the day, Joyce made lots of unnecessary angry comments that it became unbearable and got to the point Mrs. Melody scolded her.
“Hey, stop staring so angrily at Debby, will you?” Edith whispered to Joyce after observing her for a while.
“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”
“What is the problem anyway? Why do you get irritated so easily, especially when it comes to her?” Edith asked, referring to Debby.
“I don’t know, I guess I don’t just like her.” Joyce said and shrugged. Edith noticed her body language and decided to leave her.
After about an hour of getting back together as having an amazing time with Mrs. Melody, they headed back to Mummy Grace’s house.
“Okay we’re back home, thank God for safe journey. Can someone please pray for us before we go back to our various rooms, please?” Mrs. Melody said and Debby volunteered to pray.
“Alaye it’s okay…the prayer is getting too long abeg.” Joyce said from where she was.
“Joyce what is it? She hasn’t even completed 5 sentences and you’re complaining. Please keep quiet and let her finish.” Mrs. Melody cautioned.
“Are you and Joyce from the same village?” Dorothy asked Joyce as soon as they got to their room
“From the same village as how? I don’t get your question.”
“Toor….when she’s always angry with you like you’re her village people and the cause of her family problems nko?” Dorothy said and Debby laughed hard.
“You’re not serious at all o. Anyway sha, it is well.”
“It is well? Yes I know it is well o, but aren’t you bothered about her attitude towards you?”
“Babe I have important things to worry about, other than a total stranger’s attitude towards me. I’m looking forward to hearing from my mom this evening, I’m doing a mental plan on how to study my Bible and pray to get insights from it so I can have something to say in tomorrow’s Bible study, plus I have lots of clothes to wash. So you see, my mind is too filled to entertain unnecessary thoughts.”
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Dorothy had just finished closing her fast in prayers. One of the reasons she decided to go on a personal fast was her desire to hear more from God through His Spirit and obey His instructions.
Before she opened her Bible to read, she whispered to God to speak to her through His Word.
“And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor……” She read a verse from Isaiah 59 and it seemed as if the verse struck her differently from the rest in the chapter.
She thought on the verse for sometime and then recalled she had seem something similar to that in Ezekiel.
“I never knew God lamented about lack of intercessors in Isaiah too.” She thought to herself.
“But what does this mean? What is God trying to tell me through these Bible passages, am I called to be an Intercessor?”
*_To be Continued…_*
©Princess Stories
