Month: February 2024

Date: Sunday, 18th February, 2024

Text: Genesis 17:1-2

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

God is a Covenant-keeping God. He loves to make covenant (solemn spiritually binding agreement) with those who walk with him faithfully. Covenants are always conditional. You have certain conditions to meet before you can enjoy the blessings of it. God is always faithful in keeping his own part of the covenant, But default usually come from the human.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Genesis 17:1-2

Abraham’s part of the bargain was to walk before God blamelessly and God’s part of the deal was to multiply Abraham exceedingly and to make him great.

For you who are reading this devotional God is saying, “ “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” Deuteronomy 28:1

All the blessings attached are listed from verses 2-7 of the same Deuteronomy Chapter 28. There are also curses attached to the failure to keep the terms of the covenant (verses 15-68).

Obedience brings blessings. May you be a recipient of God’s blessings as you keep your own part of the covenant in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: In Jesus name, I will not fail in keeping the terms of God’s covenant in Jesus name.

Date: Saturday, 17th February, 2024

Text: Matthew 12:43-45.

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When God does a miracle in your life, what he expects is that you build a lasting relationship with him. In order words, miracles are meant to draw you closer to the Lord. Miracles are freely given on a platter of mercy, compassion and love; not for sale.

We are the temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people”- 2 Corinthians 6:16a. When God wants to do a miracle of deliverance in your life, for example, the Spirit of God steps into your life, sweeps away every unclean spirit and puts everything in order, just as he did in Genesis 1:2-3.

There is no vacuum both in the natural and the spiritual realm, so in order for your life to remain in order, devoid of demonic infestation, the Spirit of God must remain resident in your life.

However, the problem with many is that after they have gotten their miracle they lose touch with the Holy Spirit. Like a dog that goes back to its vomit, they return back to their usual, unholy way of life, and they lose the Holy Spirit, the source of their miracle.

Eventually, they lose their miracles and their situations even get worse. In today’s text, the Lord explains, “Now when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through waterless (dry, arid) places in search of rest, but it does not find it.Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there- Matthew 12:43-45.

God does not dwell in an environment of confusion and unrighteousness. Determine to retain your miracles as you continue to live in perfect obedience to His word.

Action Nugget: After getting a miracle from God, stay connected to Jesus in holiness and love.  

GOD’S ORACLE

Date: Friday, 16th February, 2024

Text: John 5:1-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

It is one thing to get a miracle from God, but it is another thing to retain it. One key to keeping your miracle is thanksgiving. Ten lepers were cleansed by the Lord Jesus but only one came back to give thanks; and Jesus pronounced him whole- Luke 17:11-19.

Another key to make your miracles permanent is to stay away from sin. There was a man that was paralyzed and could not get help for 38 years. Eventually, on a particular day, Christ came to his deliverance and later that day, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”  John 5:1-4

You received your miracle because Jesus showed you mercy. So, another key to retain your miracle is to extend God’s mercy to others. A servant got the miracle of huge debt cancellation from his master, who had earlier commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. But he lost his miracle because he didn’t extend the same mercy of forgiveness to another who begged for it- Matthew 18:23-35.

Yesterday, we examined the story of a man that was heavy afflicted by legions of devils. His insanity was of the worst type. But after he got his deliverance, he spent the rest of his life propagating the gospel of Christ and his healing was indeed permanent- Mark 5:1-120. So straight away, we see another key right there- the key of service.

After you have received your miracle, dedicate your energy, time and resources to the service of the Lord and your miraculous blessings shall be permanent in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Take necessary spiritual steps to ensure your miracle is permanent.

Date: Thursday, 15th February, 2024

Text: Mark 5:1-20

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

To wander is to move aimlessly from place to place. It is even worse when it is done in the dark. Darkness typifies ignorance, confusion and the presence of unclean or foul spirits. Wandering in the dark happens when someone lacks the presence of God and cannot find purpose or direction. Valuable time is inevitably lost.

In today’s text we come across the story of a man wandering in the dark. Jesus and his disciples came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, he was met by this man who came out of the cemetery there.

This man had many evil spirits in him and lived among the tombs. Nobody could keep him tied with chains anymore; many times his feet and his hands had been tied, but every time he broke the chains and smashed the irons on his feet. He was too strong for anyone to control him. Day and night he wandered among the tombs and through the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him- Mark 5:1-6.

He had been wandering aimlessly under the bondage of unseen dark forces. But the day he met Christ, he worshipped him; the light of God shone, darkness disappeared and he got his deliverance. He came to his right mind and his life found a new meaning.

He became an evangelist spreading the gospel of Christ in Decapolis (Ten Cities), testifying to the whole world what the Lord had done for him and bringing souls into God’s Kingdom. And all who heard it were amazed.

I don’t know how confused you may be right now, but as you bow to Jesus Christ in worship and total surrender, the glorious light of God will shine in your life and your turnaround will happen suddenly in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father of light, please shine your light in my life and give my life direction and meaning in Jesus name.

Date: Wednesday, 14th February, 2024

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Lust is not love. Love is of the Spirit of God; while lust is of the flesh. The word of God commands love but warns against lust. Love is selfless while lust is self-seeking or selfish. Love gives and sacrifices- (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son- John 3:16a); while lust satisfies itself at the expense of another; not minding whether its desires will cost the life of another person.

Lust is fleeting and temporal while love is more enduring. Lust is triggered by physically looks and feelings while love is deeper and unconditional.

Lust is fake love.

Concerning lust Jesus warned, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28

Amnon claimed to ‘love’ his half sister Tamar, and he schemed to rape her. ^“Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!” 2 Samuel 13:1-19

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Examine yourself, “Do you love others like Christ or do you lust after them?

Prayer Nugget: Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with true, selfless love in Jesus name.

Date: Tuesday, 13th February, 2024

Texts: Genesis 22:1-14; Isaiah 54:13

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The question that Isaac asked his father, Abraham in Genesis 22:7, on their way to offer the sacrifice on Mount Moriah shows that the boy was very conversant with the worship procedure courtesy of his father’s intentional training. He asked “My father: …Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”  .

May we not also fail to catch our children young for God in Jesus name.

Let’s pray.

PRAYER NUGGETS

1. Father, thank you for making me a parent.

2. Father, please, forgive me in any area I have failed in my spiritual responsibilities in training my children your way in Jesus name.

3. Father, please, cause my children to grow in wisdom and grace in Jesus name.

4. Father, please, cause my children to grow in favour with you and with men in Jesus name.

5. Father, according to your promise in Joel 2:28-29, please, fill my children with your spirit in these last days in Jesus name.

6. Lord Jesus, you are the Great Teacher, please, let my children be personally taught of you and let their peace be great in Jesus name.

7. Let your reverential fear rule the hearts of my children throughout their sojourn on the planet Earth in Jesus name.

8. My children will not become sons and daughters of Belial in Jesus name.

9. In Jesus name, my children will not go their own way, but the way God has ordained for them.

10. My children’s destinies and glories will not be hijacked by the devil in Jesus name.

11. My sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and my daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace in Jesus name.

12. Add your personal prayer nuggets for your children.

Date: Monday, 12th February, 2024

Text: Proverbs 22:6

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In order for your children to serve the Lord from their youth, they need to love God from the beginning. Be deliberate in creating an atmosphere that makes them love spiritual things. Engage them in daily worship in their personal lives and family devotions.

Teach them how to pray by modelling the right prayer structure for them. Ask for their own opinions on bible topics and lessons. Allow them to ask questions and answer all no matter how “wise” or “foolish” they sound.

Whenever you are going to any spiritual gathering, take them along so that they can have first-hand worship experience. Don’t leave your children at home because they are “too young.” In fact, their youthfulness makes them more qualified to experience God early. That experience has a way of sticking to their memories till their old age.

Children Sunday School is very vital because it forms the strong foundational building blocks for their faith early in life. There they listen to bible stories that form their initial knowledge about God.

Children love colours, animations and cartoons. So make use of these tools to stimulate their interests about God. Deliberately invest in biblical resources that are colourful and highly illustrative so that they don’t get bored reading or watching them.

Make it a daily habit to prayerfully intercede for your children so that they are filled with Holy Spirit from their childhood and that the evil influences of the world will have zero impact on their lives.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, grant me the wisdom and grace to train my children in your way in Jesus name.

Date: Sunday, 11th February, 2024

Text: John 13:13-15

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The first role model a child has is his parent. One of the easiest ways to influence your children in a godly way is to lead by example. Even without you saying anything to your children, they will most likely copy your actions. Actions speak louder than words.

Your children are more likely to treat their future spouses with love and care, if they grow up observing you treat your spouse with affectionate love; the opposite is also true.

The word of God says, “Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. Take note that it said, “train” a child. To train means to teach a person or animal a particular skill or type of behaviour through practice and instruction over a period of time.

So training involves instruction and practice (demonstration). St. Luke wrote of how Jesus began both to do and teach (Acts 1:1). For effectiveness, the doing should precede the teaching.

In today’s text, Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:13-15

It was easy for the disciples to behave like Christ because the Lord was a doer instructor, someone who practiced what he preached.

Action Nugget: Be a godly role model to your children.

Date: Saturday, 10th February, 2024

Text: Luke 2:41-52

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The Lord Jesus Christ is our perfect example. When he was twelve years old (not even a teenager yet), he was found in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers- Luke 2:41-52.

Your own children too can be on fire for God at their young ages. However, you need to be intentional about training them in the way of God. Concerning Abraham God said, “ For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”  Genesis 18:19.

For God to do what he has purposed to do in the life of Abraham, he had to do his own part by first obeying God and then commanding his children and entire household (including domestic staff members) to do the same.

He successfully transferred his faith to Isaac, who also did the same to Jacob and others.

Similarly, concerning Timothy, Paul wrote, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5

The secret is an early start. He has done it in the life of others, God will do it in the lives of your children and young ones in Jesus name.

However, you can’t give what you don’t have. You need to be genuinely born again yourself before you can ‘infect’ your children with the same spirit. So start by yielding your life to the new management of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please help me to love you with all my heart, soul and mind and to transfer the same to my children early in life in Jesus name.

Date: Friday, 9th February, 2024

Text: Proverbs 22:6

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The reason why some people find themselves not serving God at their youthful age is because they have not known God from their childhood. They were born to unbelieving parents who did not show them the way of the Lord. No one can give what he does not have.

Some parents even know the way of the Lord but they failed to show their children God’s way  as early as possible. Human psychologists say that a child is most likely to imbibe a training or teaching if it is inculcated into him before the age of 6. To inculcate is to instill an idea, attitude, or habit by persistent instruction. It is not a day job; rather, a continuous process, until Christ is fully formed in them.

That means you should start teaching your children the way of the Lord long before they clock 6 years old. After the age of six, the child will start forming a mind of his own. And it may be more challenging to ‘bend’ the child after this age.

Surprisingly, I have seen parents who still think their children are too small to learn the ways of God at teenage! So they leave them to do whatever they wish under the guise of ‘they are too young’.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs” 22:6

Prayer Nugget: Father, please grant me the wisdom and grace to teach my children the way of the Lord.