Memory Verse:
1 Kings 18:24 (KJV) – “And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.”
Bible Reading:
Acts 19:13-16 (KJV)
13. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16. And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
THE DANGER OF BORROWED FIRE
Many believers want results, but they do not want the price that comes with power. They want fire, but they do not want to pay the price of the secret place. They borrow fire from others, and wonder why their enemies are not consumed. Borrowed fire is powerless fire. It has no root, no foundation, no life. It is like carrying a gun without bullets.
The sons of Sceva saw Paul casting out demons. They wanted to do the same, but they had no relationship with God. They were using borrowed fire. They called the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached, but the demon responded, “Jesus I know, Paul I know, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15 KJV). The enemy does not respect borrowed fire. If a believer has no personal altar, the devil will disgrace them.
GOD’S FIRE IS PERSONAL
The fire of God is not a show. It is not something a Christian picks up because of admiration for another person’s anointing. The secret to divine fire is found in the place of consecration and personal encounter. Moses saw fire in the burning bush; that fire changed his life. Elijah called down fire from heaven because he had a standing altar with God. Jesus, before beginning His ministry, spent 40 days in fasting and prayer, building His divine fire.
The problem today is that many individuals want quick results without personal investment. They attend crusades, prayer meetings, and revival programs, but refuse to tarry in the secret place. The fire that is borrowed will not last. The enemy will test that fire. If it is not rooted in a deep relationship with God, a believer can become a victim.
ARE YOU CARRYING STRANGE FIRE?
Some people use worldly methods and think it is the fire of God. They try to manipulate spiritual principles without obedience to God. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered strange fire before the Lord and were consumed (Leviticus 10:1-2 KJV). The fire of God is holy. A person cannot live in sin and expect divine fire. One cannot be prayerless and expect demons to bow. Borrowed fire will fail in the day of battle.
Many believers today depend on the prayers of others. They run from prophet to prophet. They depend on the spirituality of their pastors. They do not cultivate personal fire. The devil knows who carries genuine fire. Fire is not noise. Fire is not activity. Fire is not charisma. Fire is deep intimacy with God. It is a life that is hidden in Christ.
HOW TO CARRY DIVINE FIRE
1. Personal Altar: A believer’s private prayer life determines their public fire. Spend quality time with God daily.
2. Word Immersion: The word of God is fire (Jeremiah 23:29 KJV). Believers must soak themselves in scripture.
3. Holiness: Sin quenches fire. A holy life attracts divine power.
4. Fasting and Prayer: Jesus fasted for 40 days before He began ministry. Some battles will not bow without fasting (Mark 9:29 KJV).
5. Obedience: Fire follows obedience. Doing what God says opens the door to His power.
THE CHALLENGE
It is time for every believer to stop living on borrowed fire. To see the hand of God in one’s life, personal fire must be built. The hour of spiritual laziness is over. It is time to rise up and seek the Lord. The days are evil. Fire is needed. Not borrowed fire. Not strange fire. But the fire of the Holy Ghost.
PRAYER POINTS
1. My Father, baptize me with fresh fire, in Jesus’ name!
2. Every borrowed fire in my life, die by fire, in Jesus’ name!
3. Holy Ghost, incubate my spirit with divine fire, in Jesus’ name!
4. Strange fire in my life, be quenched by the blood of Jesus!
5. My prayer altar, receive power, in Jesus’ name!
6. My Father, give me the hunger to seek You daily, in Jesus’ name!
7. I reject spiritual laziness; I receive divine strength, in Jesus’ name!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 10-12; Matthew 20.
