STRANGE FIRE

Scripture: Leviticus 10:1-9

“And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them,
and they died before the LORD.” Leviticus 10:2 (KJV)

God commanded the priests of Israel to continually burn aromatic incense on the golden altar inside the Holy of Holies and there were specific recipes and methods for these offerings as well as clear instructions around them. The sweet smelling savour was only as good as the purity and obedience of the priests making the offering before God.

LIGHT OF THE WORD

Scripture: John 1:1-10

“Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me,
and keep me from stumbling.” Psalm. 119:105 (TLB)

Jesus is the word of God. One of the key attributes of the word of God is life, and that life brings light. When light is absent, there will be darkness, confusion, lack of direction and lack of growth. Light makes you see, it gives a clearer picture and it helps with direction.

Imagine stepping into an unfamiliar room that is dark.

NEW ALTAR BENEFITS

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:30-40

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life:
weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5 (KJV)

One reason many prayers go unanswered is because for too long, the altars on which such prayers are offered are in disrepair. Several benefits become accessible after you have pulled down satanic altars and build a new altar unto God (Psalm 50:14-15; Genesis 4: 3-5).

God is not just interested in your request but in the state of your heart and life.

WHAT KIND OF VESSEL?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-22

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a
vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use,
and prepare unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21 (KJV)

Vessels are simply containers. God has given the earth to men in order to carry out his work on earth. He does not get it done without involving men, particularly his own children. We are the resource through which God does his work here because we are his co-workers (Romans 8:16-17;
1 Corinthians 3:9). We must, therefore keep ourselves fit for God’s purpose if we are to achieve his desire.

We are earthen vessels, impure and undeveloped and we need the hand of the master to mould us to his spec. We must let him remove and purify us of every contaminant that holds us back from
fulfilling his plans. As vessels, the type of use we are put to will differ. The interesting thing is that you are the one that determines the type of vessel you would be in the hand of God. What a great
opportunity to become distinguished. It means you can become the most valuable vessel to God and enjoy the honour that goes with such a position.

Are you still meddling with sin? Do you rationalise why you cannot give up what you consider to be enjoyment and pleasurable pastimes? Yet you wonder why you do not receive healing for a simple headache when you pray (Mark 16:17)? Yes, God is merciful but he wants you free from uncleanliness. He wants you  whole. Ask for God’s help and prayerfully take your weakness to him. He will help you break them so you can live free and become a worthy vessel.

PRAYER: Lord, grant me the grace to live a life worthy of emulation in Jesus name.

FAITH BYTE: I am a valuable vessel of God and I bring honour to the Body of Christ

PRAYER ATTRACTS AUTHORITY

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

“For he taught them as one having authority,
and not as the scribes.” Mathew 7:29 (KJV)

Besides providing an avenue for you to report everything that threatens your peace and joy, prayer brings the fullness of the spirit. Prayer gives us boldness to declare God's word.

When you pray effectively, it provokes the Holy Spirit to come close to help you but where you fail to pray, you keep him at bay.

WORSHIP NO OTHER

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:12-16

“But the Lord, who brought you up out of the Land of Egypt
with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear,
and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.”
2 Kings 17:36 (KJV)

As long as we remain on earth, our purpose as humans is to worship God. This is what we are wired for. Even though there is a tendency or temptation to divert attention to our environment or what we see, we must not forget that God’s plan still remains that he seeks total worship from us to him (Exodus20:3).

CATCH THOSE FOXES

Scripture: Songs of Solomon 2:13-17

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom.” Songs of Solomon 2:15 (ESV)

The bible describes the righteous as a fruitful tree planted by the rivers of waters (Psalms 1:3). If this same tree is planted in an environment that is unsuitable, the tree may rot and die. This underlines the important factor for fruitfulness for the believer. It is a life devoid of sin as it is the greatest hindrance to a vineyard full of blossoming fruit (v15).