Strange Fire

Thursday 10 September
READ: Lev 10: 1-2 ; Lev 9: 23-24 
MORE LESSON: 1 Sam 15: 1-24

The words ‘strange fire’ were mentioned in the Bible in connection with the fatal sin committed by the two oldest sons of Aaron (Nadab and Abihu) on the occasion of the formal consecration of the Aaronic priesthood. The sacred fire, once kindled on the altar, was never permitted to go out but this was interrupted by Nadab and Abihu. The fire on the altar was a symbol of holiness and they sought to overlay it with unholiness. Thus, it became a consuming fire because they approached the Holy Spirit with a profane spirit.

When you engage in rebellion you are kindling a strange fire. Rebellion is refusal to come under authority of someone who is above you. When you disobey authority you are rebelling against God. God hates rebellion and said in 1 Sam 15: 23 that it is like a sin of witchcraft. Rebellion grieves the Holy Spirit, causes Him to become your enemy and to fight against you. (Isa. 63: 10). Nadab and Abihu died prematurely before the Lord; they kindled a fire of disobedience and it burnt them. They were cut off childless, which for true Israelites was the darkest fate imaginable (Num 3: 4).

If you rebel against the Word of God and shun His counsel, you may sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (Psa. 107: 10-11). The Bible says, “the rebellious dwell in a dry land” Psa. 68: 6). Many people rebelled in the Bible and paid great prices for doing so. The case in Number 20: 12-14 is an example. Moses and Aaron rebelled and were not allowed to enter the promised land.

- Saul was removed as king and instead of the Holy Spirit, evil spirits took over his life; his destiny was terminated.
- Lucifer was cast out of heaven and became devil because of rebellion.
- Ananias and Sapphira were destroyed on the same day because of rebellion.

Anybody who is practising sin, unrepentantly and rebelling against God cannot see God. If you have truly given your life to Christ, the worst thing that can happen to you is to allow sin to destroy your fellowship with God (Isa.59:2, Prov. 15:29, Psa. 32 ).You can spend a whole life time building up your life and then destroy it with one act of rebellion. How terrible!!!

Disobedience shows lack of love for the Lord; we obey God because we love and want to please Him. We also show our gratitude to Jesus for giving His life for us when we obey him. There is no limit to how far you can go if you stop rebelling against God and set authority. This is possible because the power of the Holy Spirit will walk with you and in you. Imagine how powerful your anointing will be and how many souls you will win! There are many blessings awaiting you if you will just stand strong and obey. Don't miss out of God's plan for your life. Make it to the 'promised land' where abundant life awaits you. You will make it, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer/Action
* Check your life and repent of every strange fire you have kindled, then ask God for mercy.
* I break the power of rebellion over my life and destiny from now, in Jesus’ name.
* I shall not be a causality in the race of life, in Jesus’ name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
This month, I banish the forces of sorrow and condolence visit in my life and territory, in the name of Jesus.

Willing to Contribute

Wednesday 9 September
READ: I Tim. 6:17-19
MORE LESSON: Acts 2:42-47

One day, Jesus was faced with the challenge of feeding a multitude of hungry people. He had to borrow a young boy's lunch pack of five loaves of bread and two fishes. That pack was nothing compared to the number of people to be fed. Humanly speaking, it was an impossible situation that He was faced with. In His divine wisdom, Jesus divided the people into groups. He took the five loaves and fishes, blessed and broke them, after which He commanded the disciples to distribute among the people. Surprisingly, everybody ate and there were leftovers (Jn. 6:5-13). The young boy's release of the only thing he had for the sake of others is commendable. Not everybody finds it easy to give in order to benefit others because naturally, giving is not easy for man. Selfishness is the nature of man and it takes a conscious effort for one to be delivered from this vice.

I commend Jesus' disciples who distributed their limited resources to be heroes. How many people today will be willing to distribute scarce resources for the good of all? You may even think this problem is limited to politicians but many brethren are also greedy. For example, at ceremonies, some people grab more than one plate of food, gifts etc when others have not got any. The disciples were able to overcome greed that was why they did not share the food among themselves, which would have hindered the miracle of the feeding of five thousand. 
The question is, how much can you give to other people? Mike Murdock once said: Giving is the only proof that you have overcome greed. Let's give to people in need; if your resources are scarce, in your willingness to distribute to those in need lies the miracle of multiplication. Today's text is very instructive on 
this matter, Charge them that are very rich:

1. that they be not high-minded , v17,
2. not to trust in uncertain riches, v17,
3. but to trust in the living God, v17,
4. that they do good, v18,
5. that they be rich in good works, 
6. that they be ready to distribute,
7. willing to communicate.

The Message translation says, ...Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life ITim. 6:17-19 (MSG). Remember, it is what you share that can never finish!

Prayer/Action
* Ask God to grant you a giving heart and make you a blessing from today.
* Pray that God will give Nigeria leaders that are not selfish.
* Ask God to make you a Kingdom financier and help you not to withhold anything from God.
* Plan to meet a need this week, either of a neighbour or a church.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
In September, I shall not sing the song of my enemy, I shall not dance to the music of my opponent, God will answer me speedily.

Your Level Must Change

Tuesday 8 September
READ: Gen 41: 38 – 44
MORE LESSON: Psa. 105: 17 - 22

Joseph had the promise of God for his life that he would be a ruler but he found himself in prison as a slave. He had waited for years for the fulfilment of the promise of God for his life and it looked as if it delayed, but when God decided to change his level, it happened in a matter of minutes. Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon, and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh: Gen 41: 14. The Bible says they brought him out hastily; he went to bed one night as a prisoner and woke up the next day as a prime minister. What a change of level! All the people that were above him became his subjects within a day.

Today, as you read this Word from God, I pray that God will transform you and change your status so speedily and miraculously that people will not recognise you anymore by the reason of the excellence of your new status. That was the testimony of Joseph, . . . who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom: Psa. 105: 17-22. From slavery he was transformed to a ruler of the people, the lord of a whole nation who commanded princes and instructed senators in the parliament. His level simply changed.

There is no level that a man has reached that there is no room for a greater change. One of the principles that rule the world is the principle of constant change. In fact, the only constant thing in life is change. However, there are positive change and negative change: every downward trend is a negative change, including demotion, reduction, loss, drop and everything associated with them. On the other hand, all types of increase, advancement and height are positive. When Joseph was located by the Word of God (Ps 105: 19) and distinguished by the Spirit of God (Gen 41: 38), his level changed from prisoner to prime minister and he stayed there throughout his life as his tenure never expired. When God changes your level it is always positive and permanent. God is changing your status today, in Jesus’ name. Faith in God’s Word, righteousness, service in God’s kingdom, a life of giving to God and His work are all essential keys for all people who desire divine positive change in destiny.

Prayer/Action
* Command every barricade against your advancement and promotion broken now by the power of God.
* Ask God to add speed to His promises for your life and make them a reality today, in the name of Jesus.
* Say, “Lord, change my status today, permanently”.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Heavens shall arise to favour, bless and help me this new month more than ever, in the name of Jesus.

The Benefits of Seeking God

Monday 7 September
READ: 2 Chr. 26: 3-6
MORE LESSON: Matt. 11:30-33

The Bible shows us the story of Uzziah who became King at the age of 16 years. It leaves me wandering how a boy of 16 years could be appointed as king, but this boy went on to be a very successful king. The secret of his success is revealed in 2 Chron. 26: 5; . . . as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. He was a man who sought the Lord. It was obvious that he loved God because the Bible says that he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, following the footsteps of his father. (Verse 4)

It pays to seek God with your money, time, property, resources and talents. The condition for prosperity in the Bible is serving God. It simply means that any man who serves God has the opportunity to be prosperous. Look at the world and the church today and you will discover that the order has been turned around. When you ask a brother why he was not in church, he would say that he was in his shop. He defends it by saying that he needs to work to get tithe to pay in church. But God is interested in you, not your tithe. First, you don't need to go find prosperity first and then come serve God with it. That is not a safe course of action because it may be that by the time you become prosperous, you would have also become a candidate for hell. 2 Chron. 26: 5 says 'as long . . .', meaning that as long as you keep serving God, your prosperity is guaranteed.

Uzziah sought God and had earthly success and wealth. If you spend your time with God there is a guarantee that you will walk in abundance but if you pursue wealth there is no assurance that you will make heaven. You don't need to pursue all you want to be first and then you will create time for God after you have achieved. No, serve God and He will bless you with all you are looking for. Give up your pursuit of wealth without God, it will land you where you do not expect. Some of you want to succeed first before going to church. I can tell you, you will return empty-handed. Some ladies want to marry unbelievers because of their wealth, thinking they will get them saved after their marriage. It is still the same mindset of getting success first and then God later. It is deadly. Why not marry a child of God and become wealthy together as you seek God. Choose to seek God today and you will see Him bless you.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for help to walk the pathway of righteousness to prosperity.
* Tell the Lord you will serve him as a priority and you will prosper abundantly.
* Ask that the promised blessing on those who serve God will not elude you in the name of Jesus.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
This ninth month of the year, I shall see the end of my last enemy, in the name of Jesus