The Perilous Times

Date: Friday, 14th June, 2024

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

At these end times the devil is most desperate than other times. He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:12b. The evil one is playing his last set of cards so as to damn as many as possible with him.

As the Second Coming Of Christ draws near the love of God in the hearts of many has waxed cold and there is lot of backslidden hearts. People that used to be very fervent and devoted to the things of God now complain and give excuses. Wickedness is increasing and becoming more refined and sophisticated daily.

It is as if the devil has dispatched a special group of demons into the Earth to deceive many into spiritual coldness and backsliding. Sinful acts have been redefined and given ‘new’ names to make them look more attractive and less condemning. So many abominable acts are committed daily at such rates and frequency never known in human history.

But the word of God already foretold these and they are happening right before our very eyes. In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he instructed him to “know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy; without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

What manner of man ought we to be in these perilous times? Sinners and backsliders should repent urgently and forsake their sinful ways before it is too late.

Believers should not be afraid but be sober and vigilant; we are to watch and pray more frequently that more grace be released from above for us to stand firm in our faith and to take the task of soul winning more seriously.

May you not be found wanting on the Last Day in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Pray for special grace to stand firm in Christ free from the wickedness and corruption prevalent in the world.

Don’t Walk, Don’t Stand, Don’t Sit

Date: Thursday, 13th June, 2024

Text: Psalm 1:1-6

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The word of God confirms that a certain set of people are said to be fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God. They are the ones who don’t walk; who don’t stand and who don’t sit. Does it sound strange?

Who are these people? The Bible says is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked , following their advice and example, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit down to rest in the seat of ]scoffers (ridiculers).

To walk in the counsel of the wicked is to pick up the advice, perspectives, values, and worldview of the ungodly which is always in opposition to the will and way of God. If he continues walking in the wicked ‘s counsel unrepentant; he degenerates to standing in the way of the sinner- this implies that he does what the sinner does, adopts his lifestyle, his habits, and his patterns of conduct.

If he continues to stand in the ways of the sinner unrepentant, he further degenerates to sitting in the seat of the scoffers. At this stage he not only participates in godlessness, but mocks those who don’t.

However, the godly is not so; his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law (His precepts and teachings) he habitually meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted and fed by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers and comes to maturity.

May this be your portion in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask for the inner strength to remain steadfast in obedience to your way and will in Jesus name.

When the Righteous Cries Out

Date: Tuesday, 11th June, 2024

Text: Psalm 34:16-18

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sometimes you need to pray silently and at other times you need to cry out. Crying out is a sign of desperation. When you demonstrate passion in your prayers it enhances your fervency and effectiveness. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much- James 5:16b

In the text of today, the word of God says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit- Psalm 34:16, 17, 18.

The word for “heart” in Hebrew connotes the “inner man” or “will.” To have a broken heart is to be willing to put off the natural man and yield our will to God’s will.. To always say, like Jesus said to God, “Not my will but thy will be done” Luke 22:42

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Proverbs 28:9 says, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.” Psalms 66:18: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”

The word of God through Isaiah 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

I pray that the Lord will answer your prayer this season in Jesus name. But you have to be on the Lord’s side.

Prayer NUGGET: Father, I surrender my will to your will; not my will but your will be done in Jesus name.

Put Him Where He Belongs

Date: Monday, 10th June, 2024

Text: Romans 16:20

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When things are going smoothly for you or when the weather is bright and fair; at a season when you are making speedy progress and celebrating, the devil is not happy.  The stability of your health, the joy of your marriage and your financial fulfillment brings sorrow to the agents of darkness in the evil kingdom. They won’t fold their arms and look but will try to launch attacks to destabilize you.

The word of God says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8

The good news is that we have been empowered by the Spirit of God to put the devil where he belongs- under our feet.

You have at your disposal the necessary weaponry, especially the Word and the Blood- Revelation 12:11. Put them to constant use.

However, the devil does not tremble when the weapons are being used by a sinner. Therefore, you need to submit your life to Christ in obedience and then you would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to effectively resist the devil and he will flee from you- James 4:7.

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

Action Nugget: Whenever the devil rears his ugly head, crush him down and put him where he belongs.

Our Father Who Art in Heaven

Date: Friday, 7th June, 2024

Text: Mathew 6:9-13

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In the famous Lord’s Prayer, a template that was given by the Lord Jesus Christ himself to his disciples while he was teaching them how to pray, he said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matthew 6:9

Take note that he didn’t say “My Father which art in Heaven” but he said, “Our Father which art in Heaven”. The phrase “Our Father” can only be used by people who are born of the same Father, who are related by blood. He taught his disciples to see God as “Our Father”. This connotes that they are brothers and sisters in the Lord, related by the blood of Jesus Christ.

No matter the tribe or tongue, every true child of God should be seen and treated as brothers and sisters. Love is the binding factor.

But who are the true brothers and sisters? Jesus answered the question in Matthew 12:50 saying, “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Those who daily live by the will of God are our brethren. No discrimination. We are family members in Christ irrespective of social status, education level, age financial status etc. God is our Father and we are brethren. There must be no division or faction.

In Christ we have one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all- Ephesians 4:5.

Action Nugget: Let brotherly love continue.

Pay More Attention to the Fruits (2)

Date: Thursday, 6th June, 2024

Text: John 15:1-8

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Those that belong to God are the only ones that have the covenant rights to possess and develop the fruits and even gifts. The word of God says, “But as many as received him (Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” John 1:12

When you submit to the lordship of Christ and genuinely repent from and forsake your sins the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in you and the proof of this is a transformation evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit; old things are indeed passed away all things are become new- 2 Corinthians 5:17

As you fellowship daily with the Lord in prayers, regularly feed on his word and commit to obedience to his leading and direction you grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. When you obey God in a little thing he gives you more grace to obey him in much things.

You cannot go wrong with the fruits because they are the core of the divine nature. The more the fruit the more Christ-like you become. In order to achieve this, simply continue to abide in Him and in his word.

In today’s text Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15: 1-8

Keep developing the fruit until you attain the full stature of Christ in perfection. Continue to live your life in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thankfulness.

Reflective Nugget- Gifts without fruits can destroy the carrier of them.

Pay More Attention to the Fruits

Date: Wednesday, 5th June, 2024

Text: Galatians 5:22-23

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

As a secondary school student looking for admission into higher institution there are some subjects that are mandatory for you to take and score a minimum of a credit grade in each. For example Mathematics and English Language are very compulsory for students across most , if not all disciplines.

In the same vein, when you get to the higher institution of learning, there are some courses that are labelled as ‘core courses’ and the others as ‘electives’. Without passing the cores courses, the student cannot graduate. However, elective courses can be waived.

In the life of a Christian whose aim is to please God daily and make Heaven (graduate successfully from this world), there are compulsory qualities that must be found. They are called the fruit of the Spirit. According to Galatians 5:22, there are nine of them, namely, love, joy, peace, long suffering (patience, forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (humility. meekness) and self-control (self discipline).

Take note that the first quality mentioned above is love, sacrificial love.

The word of God says, “These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if you do not have them, you are so shortsighted that you cannot see and have forgotten that you have been purified from your past sins.” 2 Peter 1:8-9

There are some other nine spiritual electives that are recommended for all Christians but not compulsory. The word of God describes them as gifts of the Spirit, also there are nine of them, namely, the word of wisdom; the word of knowledge; faith, healing, working of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits; divers kinds of tongues; and the interpretation of tongues- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

The nine fruits are likened to a piece of cake while the nine gifts are like icing on the cake.

Jesus said by their fruits you shall know the true disciples, not by their gifts- Matthew 7:20. The gifts are great and they are the only things the word of God permits us to covet for the edification of the church and the profiting of God’s kingdom; however, don’t be carried away with the charisma attached to them that you miss the real thing.

Action Nugget- Pay more attention to developing your fruits.

Hearken to Divine Warnings

Date: Tuesday, 4th June, 2024

Text: John 10:27-28

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

One of the five senses is hearing- the ability to pick up sound sensations and correctly interpret them. Someone with a perfect sense of hearing is a able to hear sounds, detect the direction it’s coming from , correctly decodes the nature of the sound and make accurate meaning of it.

If ten babies were in a room crying, a mother with a perfect hearing sense would be able to distinguish her baby’s voice amidst that of the other children even if she was blindfolded.

It is one thing to hear and another thing to listen. To listen is to pay attention to what is being heard. One of the characteristics of God’s children is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey it.

The Lord said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

When a hen moves around with her chicks and senses danger, probably sights a hawk from the sky, it would make a particular sound to alerts its chicks. The chicks would pick up the signal and take cover under the protective cover of the mother’s wings. There they are safely protected from the hungry predator.

However, if a chick decides to ignore the hen’s voice, it becomes meat for the hawk.

The city of Jerusalem received warnings from God time and again but they took them for granted. The lord lamented concerning her as follows- “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37

Eventually, they ran out of grace because they took it for granted and were overrun by the enemies’ armies.

A dog that is doomed to be lost does not listen to the whistle of a hunter. Psalm 58:5 says, “A cobra that has stopped its ears, will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.”

Action Nugget: Respond positively to all the warnings you have received from the Lord so far.

May the Lord Visit You!

Date: Saturday, 1st June, 2024

Text: Luke 1:26-38

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In the sixth month God sent the angel Gabriel to visit a virgin named Mary. She got incredibly good news from the Lord that made her a household name all over the world. Impossibility became possibility and her future became glorious-Luke 1 This new month, I pray that the Lord will visit you and make the impossible possible in your life.

When the Lord visited Abraham his barrenness and shame were terminated. His story changed and he became a happy, blessed and a fulfilled man- Genesis 18:1-15.

Happy New Month!

Let us pray

Prayer Nuggets

  1. Father, thank you for your faithfulness in the past 5 months of the year.
  2. Father we bless your holy name for the brand new month of June.
  3. Father, in your infinite mercy, please, visit me this month and turn my life around for the best in Jesus name.
  4. I reject bad news this month in Jesus name.
  5. Let the angel of good news visit me this month in Jesus name.
  6. I take delivery of Heaven’s package of blessings this month in Jesus name
  7. Let the agenda of the enemy over my life be frustrated this month in Jesus name.
  8. Add your personal prayer requests.