Discipline: The Backbone of Discipleship

Date: Saturday, 6th December 2025

Text1 Corinthians 9:27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Discipleship cannot flourish where discipline is absent. Discipline is the intentional structuring of your life around godliness. Paul said, “I discipline my body and bring it under subjection” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Without discipline, spiritual passion becomes unstable, inconsistent, and easily manipulated by the flesh (Proverbs 25:28).

Spiritual discipline protects spiritual fire. Prayer, fasting, and meditation sharpen the inner man (Jude 20; Joshua 1:8). A disciple does not pray because it is convenient; he prays because it is covenant. He does not study the Word because it is a Christian duty; he studies because the Word is his life source (Matthew 4:4).

Discipline also includes restraining speech and thoughts. A disciple refuses to gossip, complain, or slander (Colossians 4:6). He trains his mind to produce righteousness, not negativity (Philippians 4:8). Every undisciplined area becomes a foothold for the enemy (Ephesians 4:27), so discipline spiritually seals your life.

When discipline becomes a lifestyle, obedience becomes easier, and transformation becomes inevitable (Romans 12:1–2). God entrusts deeper assignments to those who can govern themselves. Where God finds discipline, He releases destiny. Discipline is the womb where discipleship matures.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, impart to me the strength to discipline my body, mind, and desires under Your Lordship in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 14-16

The Cost of Following Jesus

Date: Friday, 5th December 2025

Text:  Luke 14:27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Discipleship carries a price because following Christ demands the surrender of personal ambitions for divine purpose. Jesus never hid this truth; He said plainly, “Whoever does not bear his cross… cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27). True disciples lose their lives to find them (Matthew 16:25). Every genuine walk with God requires trading comfort for consecration.

The cost includes letting go of relationships, habits, and systems that resist the Holy Spirit’s work (Galatians 5:16). The flesh rebels against spiritual discipline, so discipleship demands crucifixion of self-will (Galatians 2:20). God shapes His disciples through pruning, and pruning is painful but productive (John 15:2).

Financial cost is also part of discipleship. The early church “sold their possessions” because kingdom priorities outweighed material ownership (Acts 4:34–35). God does not demand poverty; He demands priority. He must be above business, career, convenience, and personal dreams. When He is not first, He is not Lord.

Yet every cost births incomparable glory (Romans 8:18). What you give up becomes seed, and what God gives back becomes harvest. No disciple ever regrets what they surrendered, for Christ fills the surrendered places with something eternal. In losing, we gain. In dying, we live. In yielding, we reign.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, give me the courage to pay the price of discipleship without reservation in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 10-13

The Mark of a True Disciple

Date: Thursday, 4th December 2025

Text:  John 13:35

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Jesus gave love as the unmistakable mark of a true disciple. Not gifts, titles, or positions—love. He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples.” Love proves who you belong to. It shows that the nature of Christ has taken root in your heart. Without love, discipleship is incomplete.

This love is not ordinary—it is sacrificial. It forgives easily, serves willingly, and gives generously. It is not emotion but action. It flows from the Spirit, not the flesh. True disciples love like Christ, not like the world. They shine as lights in a dark and hostile world.

Love breaks barriers. It heals relationships, wins souls, and softens hardened hearts. When a disciple walks in love, the fragrance of Jesus follows him. People encounter Christ through his compassion, kindness, and patience. Love turns disciples into divine instruments.

Love is the greatest proof of transformation. It shows that the flesh has been crucified and the Spirit is in control. When you allow love to govern your actions, you become a walking testimony of Christ’s presence. This is the heart of true discipleship.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, fill my heart with your love and let it overflow to everyone around me in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 5-9

True Discipleship

Date: Wednesday, 3rd December 2025

Text:  Luke 14:27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

A true disciple does not just profess Christ—he daily carries his cross. The cross represents sacrifice, surrender, and absolute obedience. It is the willingness to follow Jesus even when the path is hard. True discipleship is costly; it demands dying to flesh, pride, ambition, and sin. It calls for a lifestyle fully aligned with the will of God.

True discipleship requires total allegiance. Jesus must not be one of many priorities—He must be the highest. When Christ is truly Lord, every decision, desire, and direction bows to Him. A true disciple lives with a single focus: to please Jesus. Anything that competes with His lordship is laid down at the altar.

To be a true disciple, you require discipline. You cannot grow in Christ without intentional practice—prayer, fasting, studying the Word, fellowship, and obedience. These spiritual disciplines shape the heart and sharpen the spirit. Discipleship is not drifting; it is deliberate and purposeful. It takes commitment to grow into maturity.

True discipleship transforms. A true disciple eventually resembles the Master. His speech changes, his conduct changes, his values change. He carries the fragrance of Christ everywhere he goes. True discipleship is not theory—it is visible transformation empowered by the Holy Spirit. This is the life that glorifies God.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, teach me the path of true discipleship and give me grace to follow you without compromise in Jesus name..

Bible in One Year: 1 Corinthians 1-4

Who Is a Disciple?

Date: Tuesday, 2nd December 2025

Text:  John 8:31

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

A disciple is not merely a church attendee or a casual believer; a disciple is a committed follower of Christ. Jesus said the true mark of discipleship is continuity—continuing in His Word, His truth, and His ways. A disciple is one whose life is shaped, governed, and transformed by Scripture. He follows Christ not occasionally but consistently.

A disciple is a learner, one who sits at the feet of Jesus to receive instruction. He is not guided by the culture of the world but by the teachings of Christ. His heart longs to know God more, to obey His voice, and to reflect His nature. It is a daily pursuit of growth, character, and spiritual maturity.

A disciple is one who denies self. Jesus made it clear: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself” (Luke 9:23). Self-will, self-glory, and self-pleasure cannot survive in true discipleship. A disciple chooses Christ’s way above convenience, comfort, and personal desires. He prioritizes the kingdom above everything else.

A disciple is one who bears fruit. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8). A transformed heart eventually produces a transformed life. The disciple’s lifestyle speaks louder than his words. His fruits—love, holiness, integrity, humility—announce who he truly follows.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, make me a true disciple of Christ in heart, character, and obedience in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: Romans 11-16

Where Do You Belong?

Date: Sunday, 30th November 2025

Text: Galatians 5:24

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Every believer must answer a fundamental question: Where do you belong? Paul makes a bold distinction in Galatians 5:24—those who belong to Christ are known by one mark: they have crucified the flesh. This is not a casual decision; it is a decisive, intentional break from the old life. The flesh represents the sinful nature with its cravings, impulses, and self-centered desires. To belong to Christ is to declare war against everything that once ruled us.

Crucifying the flesh does not mean relying on human strength or moral discipline. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in a surrendered heart. When the Spirit takes the lead, the believer begins to walk in a new pattern marked by love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control. These are not religious behaviours—they are the natural fruits of a life governed by the Spirit. The more we yield, the more His nature is formed within us.

To belong to Christ is to embrace a new identity. The old self no longer dictates your decisions, appetite, or direction. In Christ, we receive the power to say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness. Our desires change. Our priorities shift. Our spiritual appetite grows. The identity of the old man dies, and the life of Christ rises within us. This is what marks the true believer.

The question therefore stands before every soul: Where do you belong? Are you ruled by the flesh or led by the Spirit? Do you follow old passions or walk in newness of life? Christ calls His own to live as people who have been bought with a price—separated, empowered, and transformed. To belong to Him is the highest privilege and the greatest responsibility.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, let every work of the flesh die in me, and let the life of Christ reign fully in my heart in Jesus name.

Why Is Rebellion Compared To Witchcraft? (2)

Date: Friday, 28th November 2025

Text:  1 Samuel 15:22-23

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Rebellion is never an isolated act; it carries the force to draw others into destruction. Korah’s rebellion in the wilderness did not only consume him—it swallowed 250 others who followed him (Numbers 16:1–35). In the same way, witchcraft deceives multitudes by manipulating minds and diverting hearts from God. Both sins have the power to mislead and ruin those who follow their path.

Both rebellion and witchcraft are rooted in the same poisonous seed: pride. Witchcraft exalts human ability as the ultimate source of power, pushing God aside. Rebellion does the same by elevating personal desire above divine instruction. Pride becomes the throne where both sins are enthroned, and from there they corrupt the heart.

Another danger is that both rebellion and witchcraft sever covenant relationship with God. Saul lost divine favour and the kingdom because rebellion took root in his heart (1 Samuel 15:22–23). Witchcraft likewise disconnects people from truth and binds them to darkness. These are not just outward behaviours—they are spiritual breaches that distance a person from the presence of God.

God calls His children to humility, obedience, and submission to His voice. When we reject the spirit of rebellion and refuse every form of spiritual deception, we remain under God’s covering. Submission does not weaken a believer—it preserves the covenant, protects destiny, and positions us for divine favour.

Prayer Nugget:Father, please,uproot every trace of rebellion from my heart and keep me aligned with your truth in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: Romans 4-10

Why Is Rebellion Compared To Witchcraft? (1)

Date: Thursday, 27th November 2025

Text:  1 Samuel 15:23

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In 1 Samuel 15:23, God places rebellion in the same category as witchcraft because both reject His authority. Rebellion is not a small mistake—it is a spiritual posture that God takes very seriously. Witchcraft seeks power apart from God, while rebellion chooses self-will over God’s will. Both actions declare independence from the Lord, replacing obedience with self-rule.

Rebellion also creates spiritual vulnerability. Just as witchcraft invites demonic influence, rebellion opens the door for darkness to gain access into the life of the rebellious. Lucifer himself became Satan through rebellion, proving that turning away from God’s authority can completely alter a person’s destiny. What begins as “I want my way” can grow into spiritual captivity.

In addition, both rebellion and witchcraft fight against God’s divine order. Witchcraft manipulates the spiritual realm in ways God did not permit; rebellion challenges the earthly and spiritual structures God established for our protection. Whether in families, churches, or leadership, rejecting divine order always leads to disorder, confusion, and destruction.

God calls His children to humility, surrender, and obedience—not because He wants to restrict us, but because submission keeps us aligned with His power and covering. When we reject rebellion and choose obedience, we break the influence of darkness, honour God’s authority, and walk in true spiritual freedom.

Prayer Nugget:Father, please, purge my heart of every form of rebellion. Help me walk in full obedience to your will in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: Romans 1-3

Submission To God-Given Authority

Date: Wednesday, 26th November 2025

Text:  James 4:7

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Submission begins with God before it extends to any human authority. James 4:7 teaches that our victory over the enemy is rooted first in yielding to God’s rule. To submit is to align our hearts, choices, and attitudes with His will. Without submission, resistance has no power, but with it, every demonic influence loses its grip.

God establishes earthly authorities to reflect His order—parents, spiritual leaders, mentors, and supervisors. When we rebel against godly authority, we unknowingly break alignment with God Himself. Submission is not weakness but spiritual positioning. It places us under divine protection and grants us the authority to resist the enemy effectively.

Rebellion thrives where pride is present, but submission flows from humility. A submitted heart can hear God clearly, discern His direction, and enjoy His peace. Many battles linger because people resist God inwardly while trying to fight the devil outwardly. James reminds us that the first step to victory is surrender.

Living in submission does not mean agreeing with everything or losing our identity; it means honouring God’s structure while allowing Him to shape our character. When we submit to God and the authorities He places over us, we walk in grace, order, and spiritual stability. Submission unlocks strength; rebellion breeds defeat.

Prayer Nugget:Father, I submit fully to your authority; please, help me walk in humility and obedience in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: Acts 24-28

Idolatry — The Final Stage of Rebellion

Date: Tuesday, 25th November 2025

Text:  Deuteronomy 32:16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Every rebellion ultimately produces an idol because the heart cannot remain empty. When a person resists God, something else quietly takes His place—self, pleasure, money, ambition, or even people. Idolatry is far more than carved images; it is anything that captures the devotion God deserves. Whatever rules your desires eventually becomes your god.

Israel provoked God by turning their hearts toward strange gods, revealing that idolatry always begins internally before it becomes visible. Scripture warns, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3), calling us to absolute loyalty. Whenever the heart drifts from obedience, an idol rises to occupy the throne. No one rebels without replacing God with something else.

Anything or anyone you trust, fear, or serve above God becomes an idol—whether a person, desire, or possession. Rebellion always displaces God and exalts something far beneath Him. This is why God said, “These men have set up their idols in their hearts” (Ezekiel 14:3). Hidden idols are dangerous because they grow silently and subtly.

Today, examine your heart and allow God to expose every rival competing for His place. Surrender your desires, ambitions, relationships, and affections to His lordship with complete honesty. Idolatry loses its power where repentance is genuine and obedience restored. When God takes His rightful place, His peace and direction return to your life.

Prayer Nugget:Father, please expose and dethrone every idol in my heart; take your place as Lord over my life in Jesus name.

Bible in One Year: Acts 20-23