Enemy Campfires
By M.D. CAHILL
Copyright © 2015, by M.D. Cahill
This story is a work of fiction. Characters, events, and places are the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks or product names are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. I would like to give special thanks to those that send out inspirational emails. The essence of one was used from an unknown author called, the fruit of our words. All Bible verses are from the King James Version (KJV)
Prologue
Enemy Campfires is a fast moving story revealing the schemes of the Devil. ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ Ephesians 6:11-13
Index
PROLOGUE ― SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION ― ADVERSITY
ANGER ― CONVERSATION ― COUNSEL ― COURAGE
DEATH ― DISCIPLINE ― ETERNAL LIFE ― FAITH
FAVORITES ― FINANCES ― FORGIVENESS
GOD'S LOVE ― GOD'S PROVISION ― GRATITUDE
HONESTY ― HUMILITY ― JOY ― JUSTICE ― LABOR
LOVING GOD ― OBEDIENCE ― PATIENCE ― PEACE
PRAYER ― PROPHECY (FIRST COMING)
REPENTANCE ― SALVATION ― SCRIPTURE
SIN ― SOBRIETY ― TEMPTATION ― THOUGHT LIFE
WISDOM ― WITNESSING ― WORSHIP
We are living in perilous times. The Christian is being attacked on every side, and the worst part is, he doesn't know or doesn't care. You are to put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the Devil. A question that we all need to ask, but is often overlooked, what are the schemes of the Devil?
In order to illustrate how they work, imagine being a soldier deep inside enemy territory. Your orders are to occupy until your King returns. At first, you enjoyed getting together with fellow soldiers to honor your King. But the longer your King delayed his coming, the more you accepted the enemy's territory as your home. Over time, the promise of your King's return faded as you became more and more preoccupied with making this world your home. Even the light that you used to enjoy from your King lost its glitter as the light from the enemy campfires grew. But being warned about the enemies campfires in your survival guide you avoided the ones that burned the brightest. The dangers of some were obvious, for their fires burned the flesh of those venturing to close, leaving a scar for all to see. Others you avoided because of the wise council of fellow soldiers, explaining how the enemy used them to entice soldiers away from their King.
Then one day you notice a new fire. At first, it was small. Then suddenly a strong wind that seemed to come from nowhere fans the fire. Like a raging brush fire consuming all it touches, it spreads. At first, you just glanced at it, but it wasn't long before you found yourself enjoying its light. Looking up you see a fellow soldier. Feeling the sensation of the fire as it warms your flesh, you came to the conclusion that it really wasn't that bad, so you toss some more fuel on the fire as you call him over. You leave―but he remains.
To see how dangerous the enemy campfires really are, let us take a journey through a simple illustration into the schemes of the Devil. This will be an imaginary journey with the story revolving around you. It is meant to help illustrate just how dangerous the enemy’s campfires really are.
In the journey we call life, there are times when we all feel like we're stuck in a rut. No change, no variation. Same old, same old. One day, this feeling descends upon you. You slowly turn it over in your mind and come to the conclusion that all you need is a little R&R. Reviewing your options, the mall comes to mind. Perfect, you think. I can do a little shopping as I unwind. As you enter the mall a feeling of déjà vu comes over you. The sights, sounds, and even the people seem all too familiar. You continue to meander through the mall, your eyes looking, searching. When a display of the most talked-about novel of the year catches your eye. You pause for a moment. Like a lighthouse to a weary sailor, your eyes are drawn to it. Dazzled by its light, you are oblivious to the unseen danger, for unseen by mortal eyes, a demon stands guard. He does not stir, but waits, listens, and watches. Looking into your eyes, he smiles. Then he stalks ever so cautiously to where you stand and whispers, “This is what you been looking for, a bestselling novel, that everyone is talking about.” He steps back and watches your reaction.
You pause, turning it over in your mind. It's a little controversial, but then again, it's only fiction. It must be really good; it's a bestselling novel. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to look.
Later that year, a movie comes out about the book. Your first thought is, the novel was good, so… So you go to your friend and say, “Let's go see the movie. Everyone is talking about it.”
On the drive to the theater you talk about the usual stuff, but your mind shifts to the movie as you park the car. Making your way into the theater, you feel your excitement grow. After finding your seats, you reach for some popcorn as you jokingly complain about how much it costs. As the movie unfolds, it portrays Christ as a phony, worse yet, committing a vile sin. Then, as if in a dream the Lord opens your eyes, allowing you to see into the spiritual realm. The theater is dark, but the darkness seemed more of a presence then a physical condition. Out of the darkness you could see hundreds of narrowing yellow eyes.
Suddenly a sinister figure steps forward. He's tall and shrouded in billowing wings. Moving so smoothly he seems to float as he continues down the aisle, until he stands before the screen. Spreading his wings, he pulls his sword from its sheath. As he holds it high above his head, a bright red light casts an eerie glow. Turning to look at your friend, you are horrified. His eyes are glowing brighter and brighter with the same eerie light. Then he speaks clearly, threateningly. “Go! Enlighten their minds. Let none escape. Soon they will be with us, forever.”
At the sound of his voice, the demons swoop like deadly birds of prey in and out of the theater, around and around, screaming blasphemies as they descend upon their prey. As you close your eyes, your mind reels; was this a hallucination, a vision? Your pulse pounds. Images flood your mind as terror takes hold of your heart. Looking up, you could feel his presence.
Like a royal robe, his black wings are now behind him. What seems like an eternity, he stands there, glaring at you with sinister eyes. Then he moves. Slowly, he makes his way towards you. The room fills with smoke, and you feel yourself descending into a dark abyss. Darkness suffocates your soul, snuffing out the light as demons spin around you like vicious animals. Their fingernails are sharp. They keep grabbing you, pushing you, forcing you down. Fear grips your heart as the uncertainty of your fate flashes through your mind.
Suddenly, a light appears, piercing the darkness. Your eyes are drawn to it, but the demons keep pulling you down, deeper and deeper. The remaining ember of a fight starts to burn within your soul as you struggle to see the light. Then, like a bolt of lightning from deep inside your mind, an instant flash, it must have come from the Lord: ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’
You wrestle with your thoughts. God, why is this happening to me? I went to church. I did the best I could. Again, you hear God's voice. ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’
Franticly, you pray. “God, please help!”
The light intensifies. Then the memory of the last time you were in church plays in you
r head like a film from an old movie. The evangelist stood. “I want to thank each and every one of you for coming,” he began. He then described a picture of a boat sailing by an iceberg with some clouds on the horizon. “As with water, no matter how it is manifested, as a liquid, solid, or vapor, it is still water, so it is with God. For there is only one God manifested three ways, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Son did something that astonished the angels: He left heaven for a body that God the Father had prepared for him. Even though Jesus was God existing from the beginning, he willingly took a body so that he could redeem mankind. You must understand that God is a just God and will not overlook sin, but He was able to accept Jesus death on the cross as payment in full for anyone that will hear his Word and believe. Hearing God's word brings you to the door, but you must choose to enter in.” He paused and then added, “Do not leave the sanctuary unless you are absolutely sure of your eternal destiny. ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved.’ It doesn't have to be a long prayer, you need only to ask.”
The memory fades as the darkness returns. In desperation you cry out, “Jesus! Save me.”
Instantly a blinding light appears. You feel safe in your savior’s love as he reaches out to save you. The darkness disappears.