Author: oracle4christ

Date: Wednesday, 24^th January, 2024

Text: Galatians 5:19-25

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

How do you ascertain whether you are on the narrow or broad highway? It’s very simple. The Lord says, “Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. By their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:16-18.

The word of God says categorically that the following of souls are already on the broad highway which leads to destruction:

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21: 8

 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. In their own case the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in their lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Those who are on the narrow way live by the Spirit, and follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of their lives.

Jesus Christ is the Narrow Way to eternity with God. Enter through Him today!

Action Nugget: Nail the passions and desires of your sinful nature to the Cross of Jesus Christ and crucified them there.

Date: Tuesday, 23^rd January, 2024

Text: Matthew 7:13-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Life is a journey which ends in different eternal destinations. We are all travellers on this journey. There are only two destinations- eternal life and eternal death. These two destinations are also called everlasting life and the other place is a place of shame and everlasting contempt- Daniel 12:2.

Heaven is a place of joy and everlasting peace, but only few end up there; while Hell is a place of doom and eternal torment and most inhabitants of the Earth end up there.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was kind enough to give us a foreknowledge of these two eternal destinations and to also show us the highways to them. In fact, he even went ahead to specify the road that leads to eternal life and commanded all his children to follow it.

Jesus Christ said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.

The highway that leads to Heaven is narrow because it only permits the things approved by the word of God. Only the will of the Father, as spelt out in the word of God is allowed in the life of those following this narrow way. It doesn’t give room for self-will and other acts of disobedience. Therefore, only very few who have totally submitted to the will of God find the road enjoyable.

On the other hand, the broad way allows anything at all. People who walk this road do whatever catches their fancy. They don’t care about God’s will. Their own will is superior to God’s will. They follow their desires, lust, feelings, and sensual craving of their flesh, worldly trends, the longing of their eyes, and boastful confidence in their earthly resources.

The decision is yours! But as for me and my family, we will follow the narrow way that leads to eternal life, peace and joy. What about you?

Reflective Nugget: If by your way of life you are already on the broad way, why not repent today, surrender to Jesus and join the narrow way? Tomorrow might be too late.

Date: Monday, 22^nd January, 2024

Text: Luke 18:1-8

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Yesterday, we learnt that despite the massive defeats the Israelites had in their battle with the Benjamites, they refused to give up on God. They kept going back to God until their victory was certain. Judges 20:1-48

In order to corroborate this fact, our Lord Jesus Christ told the story of a certain town where a judge lived who neither feared God nor respected people. And there was a widow who lived in that same town who kept coming to him and pleading for her rights, saying, ‘Help me against my enemy!’

For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people,yet because of all the trouble this widow is giving me, I will see to it that she gets her rights. If I don’t, she will keep on coming and finally wear me out!’”  Luke 18:1-8

The widow got the justice she sought because she refused to give up.

Great faith is demonstrated when you persist until you get what you are asking.

The word of God says, “You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” Isaiah 62:6-7

Action Nugget: Ask until your joy is full.

Date: Sunday, 21^st January, 2024

Text: Judges 20:1-48

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

At a time when Israel had no king, there was a case of gang rape involving some street boys from Gibeah in Benjamin and a young lady from Bethlehem in Judah. The lady was raped to death from night till morning by these heartless men and it led to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the remaining 11 tribes of Israel- Judges 19.

Four hundred thousand (400,000) soldiers from Israel were arrayed against twenty six thousand (26,000) soldiers from Benjamin. It was a three-day Civil War. Israel with the larger army prayed to God for guidance before they engaged in battle the first day. God answered them but they came back defeated having lost twenty-two thousand (22,000) men. Judges 20:21

The Israelites went back to God and prayed; this time they added weeping to their prayers. God spoke to them again. So they encouraged themselves and went back to war the second day, but they met with defeat again losing eighteen thousand (18,000) men- Judges 20:25.

They did not give up but went back to God, this time, they did things differently; in addition to weeping, they fasted and offered to the Lord Burnt offerings and Peace offerings. And God took over the battle from them. God fought their battles for them and the Benjamites were beaten hands down, losing about twenty five thousand (25,000) soldiers and they burnt their cities- Judges 20: 26-48.

Sometimes, for your prayers to be answered, you need to go the extra miles of adding bountiful offerings to it. And you will see your testimonies coming speedily; God will take over your battles and you will laugh last in Jesus name.

Action Point: Support your prayers with bountiful sacrifices and your miracles will appear speedily.

Date: Saturday, 20thJanuary, 2024

Text: Matthew 18:18-20

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of praying with the Spirit as a higher level of prayer. But does that overrule praying in understanding (in a known language)? No! The word of God says, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” 1 Corinthians 14:14-15

Today, we are looking at another dimension of effective praying called, Corporate Praying. The word “corporate” comes from corpus, the Latin word for body, or a “body of people”. This type of prayer involves at least, two people. It is very potent, if done correctly.

In today’s text, our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Mathew 18:19-20.

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour in prayer. This type of prayer is also called, “Prayer of Agreement”. This is very instructive because for corporate prayers to be work, all parties involved must have one mind and be in one accord. There must not be any room for malice, grudges, unbelief, unforgiveness, doubt etc

It was easy for God to pour down His Spirit on the 120 believers who gathered at the Upper Room because they were in one accord- Acts 1:13-14; 2:1-4.

When Peter was arrested by Herod, the king, and was marked for execution the next day; the church gathered together for a vigil, praying earnestly for him in one accord, and guess what? Apostle Peter was miraculously released by an angel that same night! Acts 12:1-19.

Corporate prayers work wonders!

Action Nugget: When you pray alone and it does not work, switch to corporate prayers, but do it in agreement.

Date: Friday, 19th January, 2024

Text: Mark 16:17-18

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

It is one thing to pray with your mind and it is another thing to pray with your spirit. To pray with your mind means you are praying with understanding. In other words, you are praying in a language you understand, which is the practice of majority of Christians.

However, when you pray with your spirit, you speak in a heavenly language you don’t understand. It is a higher level of prayer. We call it praying in an unknown tongue. It is one of the signs that must follow every believer in Christ.

The Word of God confirms this saying “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues….” Mark 16:17. Once you become born again, the new tongue, a language of praise and prayer, is a sign that is expected to follow you.

The Bible says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself.” 1 Corinthians 14:2,4a

Praying in tongues (in your new spiritual language) does not make sense to your mind, but through it you edify your spirit man. Man doesn’t have a spirit. Man is a spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in your spirit and edifies you from within.   

When you charge your phone electrically, you are edifying it. A phone that is not charged cannot function as it should. When you pray in tongues regularly, you are edifying, improving and enhancing yourself spiritually.

Through this regular practice, your spirit will be very sensitive to communications from the Holy Spirit; hearing from God will be easy because your spiritual antenna is well connected. You can see the invisible and hear the inaudible. You will be operating at a higher spiritual plane than those who pray only in understanding (known language).

If you are born again and not yet baptized in the Holy Spirit; open up your heart and ask Jesus, the Baptizer to pour His Spirit on you today, and you too will speak with new tongues.                                                                    

Action Nugget: As from today, make it a habit to always pray with your spirit, sing with your spirit and operate in the spirit.

Date: Thursday, 18thJanuary, 2024

Text: Exodus 1:6-14, 6:5

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When you are afflicted or under pain, you may pray to a point that you run out of words and all that you have left is groaning like a woman in labour. To groan is to make a long, low sound because you are in pain, or because you are upset or unhappy about something.

Today’s text tells us of a point in time during the sojourn of the children of Israel in Egypt. At this time they became fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

However, after Joseph, the Prime Minister died, there arose a Pharaoh that did not recognize Joseph; therefore, out of fear and envy the Egyptians began to afflict the Israelites; but the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

The children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

When words are no longer adequate to express your prayers, and all you are left with is groaning, even then God understands you perfectly.

The Word of God says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered” Romans 8:26.

Epaphras, was always labouring fervently in prayers, that God’s people  may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12. and take delivery of your testimonies in Jesus name Paul travailed in prayers until Christ was formed in his converts- Galatians 4:19.

May the Lord hearken unto your groaning this season in Jesus name.

Prophetic Nugget: Receive grace to travail in prayers until you take delivery of your testimonies in Jesus name.

Date: Wednesday, 17th January, 2024

Text: Isaiah 38:1-8

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The God who made the Heavens and the Earth, the Almighty, whom we serve, can be emotional. He laughs, weeps, gets angry, he can be funny etc. Being made in his image, we too can be emotional.

Having laid this foundation, it will be easy to understand the next prayer strategy we are about to discuss.

According to today’s text, Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah:“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.” Isaiah 38:1-5

God was moved with Hezekiah’s tears, death was cancelled an his life was prolonged by an additional fifteen years.

Sometimes, if all else fails in prayer, try tears. Personally, when I have used many other methods, and it seems I couldn’t get God’s attention, I break down into tears and most times, God responds speedily.

May the Lord hearken unto your prayers this season in Jesus name.

Reflective Nugget: If all else fails in prayer, try tears.

Date: Tuesday, 16thJanuary, 2024

Text: Luke 17:11-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sometimes, for your prayers to be effective you may need to cry out loud in desperation. God does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. Psalm 22:24 confirms, “For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.”

According to today’s text, on his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:11-14.

Their desperation led them to cry out loudly and they got divine attention and intervention.

In the next chapter 18, as Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Eventually, Blind Bartimeus got his sight- Luke 18:35-39.

Bartimeus roared loudly against all odds and he was attended to. Add desperation to your prayers and cry out loud and God will take care of that nagging problem in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Do not be quiet, lift up your voice and cry out loud to Him today!

Date: Monday, 15thJanuary, 2024

Text: Esther 4:15-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When a mass death sentence was given against the lives of all the Jews in the Citadel of Susa, Esther, the Queen called for a corporate fast, saying, to her uncle Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16

Even though it was against the palace protocol for Esther to see the king without being invited, because fasting and prayer had gone to the Heavens, protocols were by-passed and Esther was favoured in his royal presence. The judgement of genocide against them was reversed. The instigator of the mass destruction, Haman was humiliated and hanged in the very gallows he had built against Mordecai.

Nineveh enjoyed a similar grace. In their own case, God was the One judging them, not man. They humbled themselves and fasted. Their king rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust; he and his nobles decreed a national fast for three days, saying, “Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:6-9.

God heard their prayer and the pending destruction was cancelled.

When you fast and pray with humility, you will enjoy God’s favour, protocols are bypassed and the irreversible is reversed.

Prayer Nugget: Father, as I fast and pray this season, let judgements be upturned and protocols bypassed in my favour in Jesus name.