Month: January 2024

Date: Wednesday, 10th January, 2024

Text: James 5:17-18

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

It is one thing to pray, it is another thing to pray effectively. Effective prayer is one that produces desired results. When you pray and you get results you are encouraged to pray again. Many people quit after experiencing some failures in prayers.

First of all, sin is a barrier that renders prayers ineffective. The word of God says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2

Secondly, the word of God says a lot of people pray amiss, meaning, they pray with wrong motives, in order to spend it on their personal pleasures only. James 4:3. Prayer becomes effective when the answer to it will glorify God and benefit mankind; this is the will of God.

One of the ingredients of effectiveness in prayer is fervency. Fervency in prayer indicates passionate, zealous and heartfelt prayers. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops- James 5:17-18.

You can’t say you are fervent when you are praying and busy on social media, pressing phone or dozing.

This year, make up your mind to pray effectively and you will share testimonies in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask for grace for result-producing prayers in Jesus name.

Date: Tuesday, 9th January, 2024

Text: Luke 13:6-9

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sometimes God compares humans to trees. For example, Jesus Christ said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2

Immediately after the report of the disasters that befell some Jews, the Lord told a parable about a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

God expects all his children to bear fruit- fruit of repentance, holy living and soul winning.

This is another year he has spared our lives to see. Don’t make it “Business As Usual”. Rather, surrender to Jesus Christ, be available for his use. Live holy; spread the gospel by all means possible. Let Heaven rejoice through your efforts on Earth. Use your time, talents and treasures for the expansion of His Kingdom.

You will not be cut off in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, by your grace, this year, I will bear the fruit of repentance, holy living and soul winning in Jesus name.

Date: Monday, 8th January, 2024

Text: Luke 13:1-5

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

On the first of January, 2024, New Year’s Day, the report came of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the remote Noto peninsula in Japan – toppling buildings and sparking a major fire. About 161 have died as a result of this disaster and over 200 are missing. I am very sure that the victims did not anticipate it.

Every time, I read Jesus’ response to the report brought to him as regards the victims of some disasters, I tremble.

In today’s text, Pilate, the Governor of Judea, had some worshipers killed. Their blood was mixed with the blood of the animals they had brought for sacrificing. When Christ was told about it, he answered, “Do you think this happened to those people because they were more sinful than all other people from Galilee?”

And what about those 18 people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? He answered, “Do you think they were more sinful than everyone else in Jerusalem?” Christ added, “No, they were not. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:1-5

Many have heard the message of repentance and salvation over and over again but refuse to heed. They have been warned of the dangers of everlasting destruction time and again, but they keep postponing their day of salvation. 

Please, do not take God’s mercy for granted.

Proverbs 29:1 says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”

Action Nugget: Repent from and forsake every sinful way today!

Date: Sunday, 7th January, 2024

Text: Luke 1:1-17

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The problem of barrenness has plagued many families for ages and sometimes, even God’s people are not exempted. But with the right positioning barrenness disappears in the lives of the His people.

The biblical story of a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth is very instructive. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

It seemed God had forgotten him and his family. I am very sure even his extended family would have given up on them because the wife by then had reached the stage of menopause and biologically speaking was unable to conceive anymore.

However, despite their ‘impossible’ situation they never compromised their faith but remained well positioned in holiness, serving the Lord.

Once when Zechariah was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Luke 1: 8, 11-15a

Barrenness was terminated because Zechariah’s family did not give up their righteous positioning. They served God blamelessly; He remembered them and gave them John, the Baptist. Concerning John, Jesus Christ said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Matthew 11:11.

This year 2024, the Lord will remember you as you position yourself rightly in obedience and active service of God in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, remember me this year, as I position myself rightly in Jesus name.

Date: Saturday, 6thJanuary, 2024

Text: 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:1-23

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

King David got into serious trouble because he stayed back at home during spring at the time of the year when kings usually go to war. He sent out Joab, the Army Commander, with his officers and the Israelite army; they defeated their enemies. But David himself stayed in Jerusalem, idle.

One day, late in the afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. As he walked around up there, he saw a woman taking a bath in her house. She was very beautiful. Before he knew what was happening he fell into the sin of adultery and then, murder.

He got to the very lowest point of his life because he positioned himself wrongly. He brought the judgement of God upon himself; a curse which eventually led to the unfortunate loss of his throne (temporarily), the public rape of his wives; the death of about four of his sons.

Twice the army enemies of Elijah were roasted alive because he positioned himself rightly. Each time the enemy troops met him on the mountain top, in God’s presence, watching unto prayer. Clothed with the glory of God, he was lifted above any form of shame and defeat. None of his words ever fell to the ground and his enemies bowed to him- 2 Kings 1:1-17.

Refuse to be idle; rather get deeply involved in the business of soul winning and evangelism; do not forsake the assembly of God’s people.

Make sure you position yourself rightly this year and you will rise above shame and reproach in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I refuse to be idle but to actively seek first your Kingdom and all its righteousness in Jesus name.

Date: Friday, 5thJanuary, 2024

Text: Jonah 3:1-10.

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

It could be very dangerous to be wrongly positioned. Many are going through very rough times and passing through untold hardships because of wrong positioning. They find themselves being bombarded left, right and centre by storms; the Heaven over their heads seem to be closed. I pray for you that this New Year you will be at the right place at the right time in Jesus name.

The Lord sent prophet Jonah to Nineveh so that he may preach against the evil going on there. But he headed for Tarshish. He almost lost his life, if not for a last-minute deliverance from God.

If you realize that you are wrongly positioned, what do you do? The answer is in today’s text.

When Jonah realized his wrong position, he repented and cried to God for mercy. When the Lord gave him a second chance, he obeyed Him and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to walk through it. He went back to the correct position where God originally assigned for him.

Jonah started through the city, and after walking a whole day, he proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message. They too realized that they were wrongly positioned in disobedience, and judgement was looming. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented.

All persons and animals wore sackcloth. Everyone prayed earnestly to God and gave up their wicked behavior and their evil actions. God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened-Jonah 3:1-10.

Prayer Nugget: Spirit of wrong positioning, depart from my life in Jesus name.

Date: Thursday, 4thJanuary, 2024

Text: Acts 1:12,14; 2:1-4

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The person who shows mercy to others has positioned himself to receive greater mercy from the Lord- Matthew 5:7. When someone is in need and you rally round that fellow to be of help, you are lifting yourself above his pitiable condition. But if you are in a position to assist and you refuse or even mock the fellow, you may sooner or later find yourself in worse condition than his.

This year, God is interested in pouring his power and blessings on you but are you well positioned for a divine encounter?

The fellow who has positioned himself to be pure in heart will certainly see God in action. The one who is hungry and thirsty for righteousness will be filled; the humble will be lifted in due time and will inherit the land God has promised- Mathew 5:5,6,8.

In Luke 24:49, Jesus Christ told his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they had been clothed with power from on high. Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. And they all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers- Acts 1:12, 14

 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them- Acts 2:1-4

They got the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a gift that money cannot buy because they positioned themselves rightly.

As you position yourself rightly this year, may you receive blessings that money cannot buy and the ones money can buy in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: I receive grace and wisdom to position myself rightly in Jesus name.

Date: Wednesday, 3rdJanuary, 2024

Text: Acts 14:8-10

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The way you position yourself will determine how much you will get from God this year. Your location will determine your allocation. You have a role to play in determining your outcome and what you will receive.

In today’s text, concerning Paul, the Word of God told us, “While they were at Lystra, they came upon a man with crippled feet who had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was listening as Paul preached, and Paul noticed him and realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him, “Stand up!” and the man leaped to his feet and started walking!” Acts 14:8-10

God can do all things but the Almighty does not do all things to everyone because it is not everyone that believes that God can do all things. If you position yourself in unbelief or doubt, you will get nothing from God.

Paul took note that the man born lame was well positioned in faith, that was why he activated the miraculous power of God on his behalf.

There is a proverb among my people, the Yorubas, Southwest Nigeria, they say, “A child that wants to be lifted up by his mother will raise his arms up as a sign of willingness to be carried.” God does not force his blessings on anyone. You must be willing.

Position yourself in faith this year and you will attract God’s intervention in Jesus name.

Reflective Nugget: The way you position yourself will determine how much you will get from God this year.

Date: Tuesday, 2^nd January, 2024

Text: James 4:8

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Every New Year brings new hope, s renewed sense of vision, a new beginning and prospects for a great future. It is time to put the failures of the past behind you. Don’t let the effects of the past errors keep you down. Get up from where you have fallen; dust yourself up. Your future is bright in Christ.

Christ in you is the hope of Glory in 2024. The thoughts of God towards you are thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end. Make every effort to draw closer to God this year. The Word of God says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded”. James 4:8

Sharpen your focus on God and his word; shun every form of distraction. Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Don’t listen to the dissenting voices that kept you stuck in the past.

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” Hebrews 10:22-23

Regular fellowship with God and communication (prayer) will enhance your closeness with Him.

Are you still living in sin? That will be a great disadvantage because it will hinder God from fulfilling his purpose for your life. You therefore, need to urgently repent and forsake your sinful ways so that you can be healed and restored.

Honour God this year and he will honour you. Release yourself to him in total surrender and obedience. God himself will arise on your behalf and your enemies will scatter. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you. This year will be your year in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.