Indicators of a Dying Fire

TEXT: Rev. 3:14-22, MORE LESSON: Psa. 27:1-4

There are some ways to know whether the fire of the Holy Ghost in a believer's life is going out. The first thing is lukewarmness. When the fire is out, the person becomes lukewarm and gradually becomes cold. How hot are you in the spirit? How consistent is your life of Bible study? How is your prayer life and witnessing for Christ? Even as a minister of the Gospel, have you not become lukewarm in sitting at the Lord's table to obtain spiritual food and drink for the congregation?

Another indication of a dying fire is the dominance of ashes representing past testimonies. If you do not have current and living testimonies of your walk with God, it is evident that the fire is out. If your testimony is constantly in reference to past victories, it is historical. Aaron and his sons were commanded to constantly dispose of ashes on the altar of sacrifice. When ashes are not disposed of, it is difficult to ignite a new fire (Lev. 6:11). God's desire is for your fire to constantly burn and not die (Lev. 6:13). A burning fire produces noise signifying that it is active. A dying fire however is silent and eventually passes out. When King Saul lost the abiding presence of God, he could not hear directly from God again (I Sam. 28:5-6). Do you still hear from God?

Another indicator of a dying fire is the gathering of flies. When a stove is hot and burning, flies dare not move around it. When it is off and cold, all sorts of insects can perch on it. Flies represent satanic messengers and demons. They also represent old habits and lifestyle gaining dominance again. They pollute lives of saints and destroy anointing (Ecc. 10:1). A dying fire also produces darkness. Let your light shine. Ask God to ignite your light again so that your lamp may burn consistently.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Plead with Heaven to keep your light burning.

* Ask God for fire on the weak areas of your life.

* Ask God to do a new thing in your Christian walk.

* Pray that your sins and weaknesses shall not be hidden from you no matter how little.

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The Night Comes

TEXT: John 9:4, MORE LESSONS: Ecc. 3:1-2

Everything in life is about time and season; man, plant and animal, even the earth, all have seasons. All of creation have seasons and what is done in its season prospers (v1). Jesus recognised this and insisted, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day Jn.9:4a because ...the night cometh, when no man can work Jn.9:4b. Time is a very essential commodity and to a child of destiny, every second counts. Except by God's intervention, when a man misses his season, he loses it for life. Therefore be conscious that you don't have all the time and begin to manage your time well. Many people are in ruin because of how they managed their youth. They messed up their morning hours thinking there would always be opportunities. Unfortunately, they realised too late that they made a mistake.

I have heard people say time is money but the truth is time is more than money, time is life. Even God does things at the right time, But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law Gal.4:4. Anybody who messes up your time has messed up your life. How then can you manage your time?

1. Spend your time with eternity in view.

2. Never invest your time in anything that is not beneficial to your destiny in the short or long run.

3. Never be ruled by procrastination. Tomorrow may never be yours, so if something is worth doing, do it now.

4. Don't be intimate with people who have no purpose for their days.

5. Never give room for an enemy to steal or while away your time; redeem your times.

6. Don't ever be careless with an opportunity in life because it may never come again.

7. Invest every hour of your life profitably and never forget to review how you spend your day at the close of it.

If you have lost certain seasons of life, God is the God of all seasons, so, there is hope for you. Abraham and Sarah, Zachariah and Elizabeth all lost their season of child birth, yet God made all things beautiful for them in His own time. He gave them all that they were supposed to have, Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's Psa.103:5. I prophesy restoration and fulfilment to you. I give you back your season.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Pray that God will give you back all your lost seasons.

* Ask the Lord to raise you permanently above season spoilers and stealers.

* Say, “I enter into my fruitful seasons, no more drought, no more famine and no more small harvest, in Jesus’ name”.

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The Servant-Leader

TEXT: Phil. 2:5-10, MORE LESSONS: Jn. 13:4-5.

In the process of redemption, Jesus not only brought into existence a new and redeemed type of power, He came up with new ideas of and modelled a new kind of leadership to handle power. Jesus’ response to His disciples is revealing ...Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister Matt. 20:25-26.

He cancelled the legitimacy of all existing concepts of leadership and introduced the model leader who can be entrusted with power.

Two kinds of leaders exist: the strong natural leaders who are always trying to take charge of things, make decisions and give the order, and the strong natural servants who assume leadership simply because they see it as a way of service. Jesus exemplified the servant-leader who ...made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Phil. 2:7.

Joshua was a type of Christ who naturally served Moses for about 40 years. No wonder God chose him as the natural successor to Moses, acceptable to God and His people. What a challenge!

Are you faithfully serving a man of God, a ministry, a fellowship or even in the circular? Never be in a hurry, allow God enough time to train you for the position He has for you (Heb. 10:35). If you serve faithfully and committedly, you will reap the harvest, you will receive the crown and you will get divine promotion. Let the servant-leader mind be in you as it was in Christ. Whether in church, family or politics, let authority be for the purpose of service; you are not qualified for power if you are not going to use it for service. Jesus is our perfect example, He took a towel and washed the feet of His disciples to teach humility and service. That should be an example to follow in every opportunity of leadership.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Ask God for the spirit of service as it was in Christ.

* Pray that you will be an example of faithfulness in service.

* Rebuke any trace of pride in your life.

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August Not Alone

TEXT: Psa. 46:1-7, MORE LESSONS: Ps. 145:18-19.

Loneliness, which is an inner emptiness yearning to be filled, is a common experience of life. Loneliness is like common cold that people catch in different ways, but unlike cold, loneliness is not a disease, it is an empty feeling that can be filled with God's presence.

In a dream, a man once saw Jesus approach three praying men. He knelt beside the first with great tenderness and love, He simply placed His hand on the second and gave him a look of approval and just passed by the third without even looking at him or stopping. Then He explained, without constant assurance, the first man will fall. The second man's faith is stronger and can be counted on. The third however, is being trained for the high calling of all.

He knows me so intimately that he doesn't need signs of my approval. No circumstance discourages him because he knows that ultimately he can trust me.

When you hit rough spots, the tendency is to feel abandoned yet the opposite is true because at that point, you are more than ever the object of God's love and concern. In our text, the psalmist says, God is present with us in trouble. When people intimidate and criticise you, when diseases threaten, when death haunts, when pressure weighs you down, it is very comforting to know that God is with you and help is available. There is some void in a man's heart that no human being can fill. Therefore having Jesus with you all the time and surrounding yourself with good people of like mind will get you out of loneliness and bring divine speed, fulfilment and satisfaction your way. Get close to God and let Him fill your void and surround you with helpers of destiny.

PRAYER/ACTION

* Pray that today you must get help all-round.

* Pray that what no man can do God will do for you this year.

* Pray that by the presence of the Lord, every storm must cease today.

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