God Hates Laziness

Date: Saturday, 7th December, 2024

Text: Matthew 25:14-30

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

God is a hard worker who neither sleeps nor slumbers- Psalm 121:4.  He spent six days building the Heavens and the Earth and did not rest until the building projects were successfully completed.

Genesis 2:1-2 says, “Thus the Heavens and the Earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

We serve a God who hates laziness. The Lord Jesus during his earthly ministry was severally accused of working on a Sabbath, the day he was supposed to be resting, but his response was, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work”. In other words, he was saying, “My Father has never stopped working until now, and I too am working.” John 5:17

In the Parable of the Talents, the king gave talents to three of his servants according to their individual abilities. To the one with the most ability, he gave five; to the next he gave two and to the man with the least ability he gave only one talent. Each of them was expected to trade with the talents and double it. He then went on a long journey.

On his return the king called his servants to give account of their stewardship. The man with five talents was able to trade with his money and double it; the one with the two had doubled his too; but the one with only one talent went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

He became unproductive. One thing with unproductive people is that they always give excuses. He found fault in his master, accusing him of being a hard man who loved to reap harvests where he did not plant, and who loves to gather crops where he did not scatter seed.

His master described him as a wicked and lazy servant who should have, at least, deposited his money in the bank, so that some interests would have accrued on it before his return. He was eventually jailed and tortured for his lack of productivity- Matthew 25:14-30

Reflective Nugget: Laziness has no place in God’s kingdom.

Spiritual Nourishment

Date: Friday, 6th December, 2024

Text: Matthew 4:4

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

We spend so much on our bodies to maintain good health and vitality. This is great, but man is not made up of the body alone. We are tripartite meaning man is a spirit having a soul and dwelling in a body. In other words the body is just like a garment that wears out over time and is eventually put away.

Your body is temporal and would one day expire, be discarded and degraded; the spirit and soul, however, would continue to exist forever- Luke 16:19-31.

It is therefore not a wise thing to focus on the body at the expense of the spirit and soul.

The word of God says, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord”- Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4.

The Word Of God, therefore, is the Bread of Life, the Soul Food that you will eat and be spiritually satisfied.

Just like the body shows deficiency signs when malnourished, the spirit and soul also display warning signs when not well nourished. Symptoms of spiritual malnourishment includes but not limited to tiredness, weakness, disinterest in spiritual things, discouragement, drifting away from the path of truth and drifting towards disobedience; anxiety, leaning  more on your own understanding and less on the God’s wisdom etc

The same way you conduct medical check up on your body it is also very necessary to do regular spiritual check up on your spirit and soul through the mirror of God’s word- 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Action Nugget: Spend quality time reading, studying and meditating on God’s word daily.

When God Loses A Battle (3)

Date: Thursday, 5th December, 2024

Text: Isaiah 57:1-2

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When you pray there are three possible responses you can get from God. You can get a ‘Yes’ from God like the case of blind Bartimaeus. He specifically requested the Lord to restore his sight and he got his desire granted same hour- Mark 10:46-52.

Another possible response you can get is ‘Wait it is not yet time for your desire to be granted,’ Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years before their promised son was released to them by God- Genesis 21:1; Hebrews 6:15.

Elizabeth and Zachariah also waited till it was 6 months to the conception of Christ according to divine agenda; at which time both of them were already old and stricken in years- Luke 1:5-29.

Another answer you can possibly get when you pray is God telling you, ‘No, I have a better idea.’ A classic example is when the Lord was about to be crucified, three times he prayed that the cup of suffering should pass over him, but God (The Father) declined because he had a better idea- Matthew 26:36-45. Had it been the Father granted his request, no soul would have escaped eternal destruction in Hell.

Many have become discouraged because when their loved one was sick and they had prayed, fasted, reminded God of all his promises, cast out every devil and engaged all angels, yet the sickness got worse and eventually led to death. But God is still good in every situation.

So many people have lost the battle against terminal diseases despite serious prayers being offered to God on their behalf. Does that mean God has failed? Does it imply the scripture is no longer potent? Definitely no!

We have a reassuring message in today’s text which says, “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” Isaiah 57:1-2

God can decide to lose a battle in order to win a war. God prefers to allow an early departure that leads to eternal glory than late departure that leads to everlasting destruction. God is good.

Prayer Nugget: Father, thank you because you are always good to your own people in every situation. Hallelujah!

When God Loses A Battle (2)

Date: Wednesday, 4th December, 2024

Text: Psalm 30:5

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When Christ was arrested and beaten like a common criminal, the disciples fled and scattered. In fact, even Peter who hanged around denied him three times. They thought all had come to an end to the ministry of Christ.

When the enemies came to arrest the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 22 vs 53, he said, “Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” The power of darkness reigned for a time. It seemed all Hell was let loosed. At a point Christ cried saying, “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27 vs 46. For the very first time he felt abandoned by his heavenly father.

God deliberately lost that battle briefly in order to win the war against the devil.

When they nailed Christ to the cross little did the enemy know that he was nailing his own coffin. The defeat of Christ was temporary. Indeed weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

But the grave could not hold Jesus Christ captive. He rose up back to life on the third day to live forevermore. Death was permanently defeated and Jesus Christ became the first born from the dead giving the hope of resurrection and eternal life to all who believe in him.

His temporary defeat led to the harvest of billions of souls. His blood that was shed became an eternal source of cleansing for all who believe in Christ.

The foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of men. None of the rulers of this age recognized and understood this wisdom; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord Of Glory- 1 Corinthians 2:8

The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is still alive today. Have you lost a battle recently? Don’t be discouraged; as long as you are on the side of Jesus, you are bouncing back on your feet strong.

Prayer Nugget: Father by your Holy Spirit, I bounce back from every defeat I have suffered in Jesus name

When God Loses A Battle

Date: Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024

Text: Psalm 24:8, 10

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In military language, a battle refers to a single engagement between two or more military units, while a war is a prolonged period of conflict between two or more nations or political factions. A battle is usually fought over a specific objective, such as capturing a town or defending a strategic location, and it typically lasts for a short period of time. A war, on the other hand, involves a series of battles and military operations that take place over a longer period of time.

In Exodus 15:3, the Bible says, “The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name– Isaiah 42 Vs 13 says, “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.”

He is the Commander of Heaven’s armies, the one mighty in battle, and the Lord of Hosts. Psalm 24:8, 10. He is The Chief War Strategist. He, therefore, can never lose a war. However, as part of his war strategy, God can sometimes deliberately decide to lose a battle in order to win a war.

For example God permitted the enemies of Daniel to succeed temporarily (he lost the battle technically because they succeeded in casting him into the lions’ den), however, their victory was short-lived. The lions could not devour Daniel. At the end of the day Daniel had the last laugh as his enemies lost out completely at the end of the day- Daniel 6.

As long as you are on the Lord’s side, that ugly situation will not swallow you. The Man of War will fight for you and turn the situation around in your favour. You will have the last laugh in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Lord of Hosts, please arise on my behalf, fight for me and grant me victory and the last laugh in Jesus name.

Victory Over Satanic Frame-Ups

Date: Monday, 2nd December, 2024

Text: Genesis 39:6-23.

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

A frameup or setup is defined as the act of falsely implicating (framing) someone in a crime by providing fabricated evidence or testimony.

Joseph was framed up by Portiphar’s wife because he refused to compromise his faith by having an illicit affair with her. Before he knew what was happening, Joseph landed in prison. He was thus punished for a crime he never committed- Genesis 39:6-23.

Daniel in Babylon also suffered from the hands of evil conspirators. When they realized that the king had a plan to promote him over and above them, they made several means to find fault in him but found none.

Since they knew Daniel was an addicted worshipper of God who prayed three times daily, they devised an official prayer trap. Out of envy, his enemies cajoled the king to issue an order and enforce it strictly. They flattered him into giving orders that for thirty days no one would be permitted to request anything from any god or from any human being except from the king.

They made the king to sign an irreversible executive order which eventually landed Daniel in the lion’s den. But God sent his angels and they shut the mouth of the lions.

The evil plans they devised eventually boomeranged against his enemies as the king gave orders to arrest all those who had accused Daniel, and he had them thrown, together with their wives and children, into the pit filled with lions. Before they even reached the bottom of the pit, the lions pounced on them and broke all their bones- Daniel 6:1-28.

Your enemies will fall into the pit they have dug against you in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: I come against every evil frame-up instigated against me in Jesus name.

My Month of Divine Order

Date: Sunday, 1st December, 2024

Text: Luke 6:12-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Welcome to the 12th month of the year. Despite all the challenges that have confronted us, God has indeed been faithful. We give God all the glory.

If you study the number 12 in the scriptures, you would see that it’s quite significant.

Jacob had 12 sons and these 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel.  Moses sent out 12 spies in the 13th chapter of the book of Numbers. Elijah built an altar of 12 stones when he called fire down from heaven in 1 Kings 18.

Christ chose 12 disciples which show the rule and authority of Jesus- Luke 6:12-16; The New Jerusalem has 12 gates and foundations pointing to His glorious reign- Revelation 21:12-14; when Peter cut off the soldier’s ear defending Jesus, Jesus rebuked him, saying He had the power to call down 12 legions of angels- Matthew 26:53; the tree of life will bear 12 fruit crops 12 times a year -Revelation 22.

Thus, we see that the number 12 stands for God’s government or divine order. It is symbolic of the completeness of God’s governing authority.

This new month may the rule of Satan’s government come to an end in your life, family, finances and ministry in Jesus name. May the Lordship and perfect authority of Christ hold sway in your life and situation in Jesus name.

Prayer Nuggets

  1. Father thank you for a brand new month.
  2. Despite all the challenges of the year, Father we thank you for the testimonies of victories we have.
  3. Father, please forgive us and cleanse us from every form of unrighteousness in Jesus name.
  4. May the hand of God be on me to gain unusual speed for extra-ordinary success in Jesus name.
  5. I topple every evil spiritual principality, power, rulers of darkness and wickedness in high places remote controlling my life in Jesus name.
  6. Adonai, reign and rule; preside supremely over every affair of my life like never before in Jesus name.
  7. By the precious blood of the Lamb, I redeem this month from every evil in Jesus name.
  8. As we round off the year, my life will not end with this year in Jesus name.
  9. I will not end this year with sickness, sorrow or any form of calamity in Jesus name.
  10. All my last minute miracles for this year will not elude me in Jesus name.
  11. As we round off this year, I will not fall into the trap of the enemy; I will end this year in peace and not in pieces in Jesus name.
  12. Add your own prayer requests.

He Treats Us As Individuals

Date: Saturday, 30th November, 2024

Text: Psalm 18:25-26  

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

God is good and he is interested in revealing himself to all. However, he respects our freewill and would not force his will on any one.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.”

God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him- Acts 10:34b-35.

How much of God you will enjoy depends on your relationship with him. We don’t get the same results in our dealings with the lord because we don’t relate with him the same way.

To the faithful he shows himself faithful,   to the blameless he shows himself blameless,
to the pure he  shows himself pure, but to the devious he  shows himself shrewd. Psalm 18:25-26

He said, “I will honor those who honor me, and I will treat with contempt those who despise me.” 1Samuel 2:30b.

As we prepare to enter into the New Year why not determine to turn a new leaf and renew your relationship with your Maker?

Prophetic Nugget: As you renew your ways with the Lord may you see the good side of God in Jesus name

By Their Fruits (5)

Date: Friday, 29th November, 2024

Text: Ephesians 6:2-3

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

God’s words don’t contradict one another instead they support one another. The Holy Scriptures don’t negate one another, rather they complement one another. The devil, however, is an expert in twisting the word of God or applying it out of context to achieve sinister motives.

God cannot ask you to do something contrary to his word. If someone comes to you in the name of the Lord and asks you to divorce your spouse because he or she is the one behind your problems such a person cannot be speaking the mind of God.

If for example, you claim that your wife is a witch, why did you marry her when you knew she is a witch? Also if you claim she became a witch after you married her; then the question would be why were you so spiritually negligent and careless to the point that your wife became possessed right under your watch?

In Malachi 2:16, God clearly said, “I hate divorce,” says the lord God of Israel. “I hate it when one of you does such a cruel thing to his wife. Make sure that you do not break your promise to be faithful to your wife.” GNT

In a similar manner if someone comes to you in the name of the Lord and asks you not to take care of your parents because they are the ones behind your challenges. Again this cannot be from God because the word of God clearly says, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the Earth-Ephesians 6:2-3

Many homes have been scattered and harmonious relationships ruined by false prophets and teachers.

Don’t be deceived God cannot contradict himself. Therefore, arm yourself with the word of god and safeguard your beautiful relationships from the evil hands of false prophets and teachers.

Reflective Nugget: Don’t be deceived God cannot contradict himself.

By Their Fruits (4)

Date: Thursday, 28th November, 2024

Text: Matthew 22:29

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

One of the ways to permanently gain victory over the false prophets and teachers is to have a sound knowledge of the word of God. When you recognize and are well acquainted with the original, nobody can successfully deceive you with the counterfeit. When you are familiar with the real nobody can mislead you with the fake.

The Lord Jesus Christ rebuked some religious leaders who were peddling heresies saying “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

When you are personally sound with the knowledge of the word of God you would be able to readily spot heresies. The Berean Christians were fantastic in this aspect. The scriptures refer to them as being more distinguished than the Thessalonian Christians who just believed everything that Paul said without doing their background checks.

The word of God describes the Berean Christians that they, “Were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11

It won’t be possible for any false prophet to swindle you if you are armed with the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.

Take time to acquaint yourself with the word of God. Examine it daily so that you will no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes- Ephesians 4:14

Key Nugget: It won’t be possible for any false prophet to swindle you if you are armed with the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.