3. How the Results Are Similar While God does not typically execute immediate physical judgment (like immediate consumption by fire) under the New Covenant, Wiersbe teaches that the spiritual results remain identical: • Spiritual Death and Barrenness: When we serve God out of pride or use unauthorized "human fire," our ministry loses its true spiritual life. The work becomes hollow, leaving the individual spiritually dry and dead inside. • Divine Disapproval: God completely rejects work done to promote the flesh. Self-centered efforts are eventually burned up as "wood, hay, and stubble" rather than being accepted as a holy offering. • Loss of Testimony: Just as Nadab and Abihu brought grief to their family and disrupted the camp, modern believers who operate out of pride ultimately damage the reputation of the Church and bring dishonor to the name of Christ.

2. How Actions Reflect Believers Today Wiersbe points out that Nadab and Abihu's actions parallel the way some modern believers approach ministry and worship: • Using "Strange Fire" (Human Substitutes): Some believers try to generate spiritual results using secular, psychological, or self-centered methods rather than relying entirely on the Holy Spirit and biblical truth. • Self-Promotion Masked as Ministry: It is easy for contemporary churchgoers or leaders to engage in flashy acts of service that look holy outwardly, but are internally driven by a craving for personal recognition, social media applause, or religious status. • Casual Approach to Holiness: Just as Aaron's sons treated a holy task with casual, rebellious self-will, many modern believers treat God's holiness flippantly, operating under the assumption that "good intentions" override strict spiritual obedience and reverence.

1. What Prompted Aaron's Sons and Their True Motivation • The Motive: Nadab and Abihu did not desire to sanctify and glorify the Lord; instead, they sought to promote themselves. • The Catalyst: Right before this incident, God had sent a spectacular, holy fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices on the altar, causing the Israelites to shout for joy and fall on their faces in worship (Leviticus 9:24). Witnessing this incredible spiritual climate, Nadab and Abihu were likely swept up in the excitement, pride, or a desire to step into the spotlight. • The Explanation: Rather than waiting for God’s explicit commands or operating within their designated roles under Aaron, they acted presumptuously. They manufactured their own moment of worship, taking their respective firepans to draw attention to themselves. By manufacturing an unauthorized ritual, they put their own creativity and timing above God's strict commands, effectively robbing God of His unique glory to capture the admiration of the crowd.

Thanks for connecting, ! My wife and I are semi-retired after 40 years in missionary service to the communist countries in Europe. Now we're in our 80s and living on a tight budget so we can't travel abroad anymore, but we're not finished yet! Pray with us daily at 7 a.m. U.S. Eastern time: go to https://agape-biblia.org/Morning-Prayers.htm – "Morning Prayers and Readings". We also offer *free* online courses for ministry to the disabled and elderly – go to https://agape-restoration-society.org/curriculum – to train people for ministering to "the poor, maimed, blind, and lame" so you can build wheelchair-accessible housing for them – https://agape-restoration-society.org/build.htm - check it out! Thanks again! Robert D. Hosken M.Min., M.Th.S., D.Min.

✝️ When you don't know which way to go, remember that Jesus is the way. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to trust Jesus for direction, truth, and eternal life. #John146 #JesusIsTheWay #TheTruthAndTheLife #FaithInJesus #FollowChrist #GodsWord #EternalLife #ChristianLiving #BibleInspiration #LordsbookDailys

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James 4:4

The prettiest companion for my daily quiet time... and my 100th journal of scripture notes since 2007!

“When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” Mark 10:14-16 NLT Today, choose to actively listen to your children, friends, and family; turn your phone off, tv off and take your kids somewhere and spend time with them.

Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. ED.i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER, 2026. *SUB-THEME:* BENEFITS OF GRACE. *TOPIC:* ADOPTION. *TEXTS:* EPHESIANS 1:4-6, GALATIANS 4:4-5. *EPHESIANS 1:4-6.* 4. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5. He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will 6. to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. *GALATIANS 4:4-5.* 4. But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5. to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. *TOPIC:* ADOPTION. *THE MESSAGE:* Adoption is the action or fact of legally taking another's child and bringing it up as one's own. Biblically, adoption refers to God's act of welcoming believers into His family, granting them the status of children and heirs, as well as offering them salvation and a new relationship with Him. This new identity also grants them a whole inheritance in God's kingdom. This is a clear demonstration of God's grace to humanity, especially the Gentiles (Rom. 8:14-17). It is disheartening when children from privileged backgrounds live miserably. Therefore, believers should not take their privilege and honour for granted. How is your relationship with your new Father? Cherish your new status, live holy as an obedient child. Do not desire your former sinful life that seeks to please Satan. *REFLECTION:* Be a proud child of your new Father. *PRAYER:* Thank You, Lord, for adopting me. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* TITUS 2:11. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* MARK 4-5. ED.ii. THE SLEEPING BRIDE "I was asleep, but dreaming: The one I love was at the door, knocking and saying: 'My darling, my very own, my flawless dove, open the door for me!'" - Songs of Solomon 5:2 How can a bride sleep when the groom is on the way to fetch her? You understand that this is not possible. The bride says: 'I was dreaming.' The Bride (the Church) is not allowed to sleep today, because we are expecting our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are happy, we sing and wait. He has not come back yet, but He is on His way. We know that He will come. Some think they have the right to go to sleep, but they are wrong. There is a huge need in this world. The harvest must be brought in. Be awake How can we sleep now? This is impossible. We have to work as long as it is daytime. There is no time to slumber and sleep. This is the message the Church should convey to the children of God. You should also be awake so that He does not come to you like a thief in the night. 'Yes, but I am tired. The fight is too tough. I want to stop!' This is not possible though! It is a matter of life and death. The condition of most Christians The bride from the Songs of Solomon slept while her heart was awake. That is the condition of most Christians today. They are spiritually sleeping, but in their hearts, they do not want to sleep at all because they love the Lord Jesus Christ. The true Christian is not satisfied with a sleeping attitude. The Divine life in you wants to follow the Lord's path and wants to stay awake. 'The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak' (Matthew 26:41). Is your heart awake? I have a question for you: is your heart awake? If so, you cannot be satisfied with being asleep. You will have no rest. Go back to the Bridegroom today and say: 'I have found my Beloved and I will never let Him go.' https://www.theblessingdevotional.com 2. Evening Prayer for today. EP.i. Evening Prayer A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. ⏤ Psalm 122:1 Prayer is the way you defeat the devil, reach the lost, restore a backslider, strengthen the saints, send missionaries out, cure the sick, accomplish the impossible, and know the will of God. ⏤ David Jeremiah At the end of Your holy day, our Father, we come to You with our evening prayers. May our prayers rise to You like incense. We thank You for what this day has brought us—rest, spiritual help, and instruction in divine things. We thank You for the glimpses of truth we’ve received as we’ve read Your word. We’re grateful for the good impulses and desires that have stirred in our hearts. Make us strong to face life’s struggles. Give us more peace and confidence amid the world’s chaos and conflicts. May the holy influences of Sunday stay with us like sweet songs, and may we carry the music of gladness wherever we go in the coming week. May the light that has shone on us today make our faces brighter, so we can shine as lights in the world. May the kind thoughts and desires kindled in us by the Holy Spirit drive us to serve others as we go about our lives. In every way, may we carry a blessing into our daily lives that makes the world a little brighter and brings new joy to many hearts. Bless the preaching of Your word everywhere today. May Your people be strengthened, the sorrowful comforted, and may many find new life in You starting this Sunday. May the world be holier, filled with more of the Spirit of Jesus, because Your people have remembered You today and have called down blessings on others. Pour out a large measure of Your love. Forgive all our sins and failures in duty, and grant us Your grace and peace as we lie down to sleep. We ask all this through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/07/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

Leading God’s People in the Shelter of His Faithfulness A Message for Church Leaders from Psalm 18:30-31 https://russ-hjelm-bible-studies.blogspot.com/2026/10/leading-gods-people-in-shelter-of-his.html

🌊 The storm may be real, but so is God's presence in your life. 📲 Share this with someone who needs encouragement to keep trusting God through life's storms. #Isaiah432 #GodIsWithYou #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #GodsPromises #StrengthInTrials #HopeInGod #ChristianEncouragement #BibleInspiration #LordsbookDailys

🙏 TODAY’S PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us to trust You above every human opinion and circumstance. Establish our hearts firmly in Your Word so that we remain fruitful even in difficult seasons. Search our hearts, remove every form of disobedience, and grant us wisdom to recognize Your direction. May our lives continually bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🎯 TODAY’S CHALLENGE Stay rooted in God, regardless of the season you are passing through. Ask yourself: “Where am I placing my confidence, and what must I change to trust God more completely?” Spend time in prayer today, identify one area where you have been relying on yourself alone, and deliberately surrender it to God. THE EKKLESIA MOTTO WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED.[all]

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." —Hebrews 6:10

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Sunday 11 October 2026 Portland Metro Church Assembly of God Church Services Notes: An introduction to your mission field By Pastor Jon H. (bible verses in King James Version) Romans 3:9-18 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 1. The condition of the heart. Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 2. The broken understanding. Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.; Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 3. The deceived will. Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 4. The contaminated speech. Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Romans 3:13-14 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 5. The twisted life. Romans 3:15-17 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 6. What we should do in these times. Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.; John 20:21-22 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: ; Matthew 5:13-16; 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 1 Corinthians 13; Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." –Ephesians 6:12

“When we change the message of God, we change the God of the message.”

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1. Religious Fads and Novelties in Today's Church Many contemporary fads focus on repackaging church to align with cultural desires rather than biblical commands: • The Entertainment and Consumerism Driven Model: Prioritizing high-production entertainment, concert-style atmospheres, and celebrity culture over quiet reverence and corporate worship. • The "Pop-Culture" Preaching Method: Substituting dense, biblical exposition with superficial, self-help themed sermon series framed around current movies, trends, or memes. • The Pragmatic Growth Promises: Jumping onto market-tested, "cookie-cutter" church programs or strategies that promise guaranteed, rapid numeric growth. • The "Strange Fire" of Self-Validation: Presenting modern, unauthorized alterations to spiritual living that subtly encourage people to make "happiness, not holiness, our chief pursuit".