His 5-P Blessings

Date: Sunday, 5th November, 2023

Text: Psalm 91:15-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The word of God is loaded with assured promises for those who habitually dwell under his shelter. Today’s text says, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” Psalm 91 vs 15-16

We will examine , at least, 5-blessings packaged in the above scriptures.

First is the assurance of his presence always, especially in the time of trouble. When you pass through difficult situations or other stormy situations that threaten to drown you; God has promised to be with you, ensuring that no harm befalls you.

Second is the blessing of his protection from the fiery arrows of the evil one. Arrows fly by day and night but those who make God their Rock and shield have nothing to fear,

Third is the assurance of his promotion. Lifting comes from above not from any man. God’s honor and grace are available to distinguish his own from the rest.

Fourth is the blessing of God’s prosperity. He gives power to make wealth and delights in the prosperity of his servant. Optimal health in abundance is his will for those who put their trust in him.

The fifth blessing is that of preservation. Longevity is God’s will for his own. He has promised to satisfy his people with a long fulfilling life and show them his eternal salvation.

Why not be a partaker of these 5-fold blessings? Surrender your life to Jesus today and begin to enjoy his bumper package of blessings.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I choose to dwell in you, please, make me a candidate of your 5-fold blessings in Jesus name.

Nisi Dominus Frustra

Date: Saturday, 4th November, 2023

Text: Psalm 127:1-2

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Nisi Dominus Frustra is the Latin motto of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which means “Without the Lord, all is in vain” or “Without the Lord, frustration is inevitable.” It is the summary of the words of today’s text, which says,Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2

One of the secrets of David’s success in all battles was his addiction to seeking God’s counsel. He never went to war without getting God’s approval. No wonder he always came out victorious.

The word of God says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

Many are frustrated today because they relied on their own wisdom, skills, expertise, connection, education or wealth. They fail to depend on God’s supernatural wisdom. They remove the God-factor out of their lives and end up meeting with road blocks.

Jonah the disobedient prophet ran into a storm because, though, God sent him to Nineveh he headed to Tarshish. He felt he was smarter than God but he eventually found himself in the belly of a whale- Jonah 1:1-17.

Many have been swallowed by the whales of life today. They currently found themselves in negative situations they never bargained for. There is no other reason for this than the fact that they never got divine approval in the first place. Until they return back to their first love, they may end up struggling forever.

God is not committed to sponsoring a project he never approved.

Prophetic Nugget: Receive grace to always trust in the Lord in Jesus name.

Life By the Spirit

Date: Friday, 3rd November, 2023

Text: Galatians 5:16-26

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

To live by the flesh is to live naturally, exhibiting the full blown human nature, namely,  sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behaviour- Galatians 5:19-20.

Jesus Christ said the words I speak are Spirit and they are life- John 6:63. This indicates that the word of God and the spirit agree. Therefore, to live by the spirit is to live by the word of God daily.

Life by the spirit is made possible when we allow the word of God to take root in our lives. Then we would no longer be conformed to the ungodly customs, practices and traditions of this world. When we allow the word of God to transform and renew our minds, we become progressively changed into Christ’s image until we attain spiritual maturity. .

Those who live by the Spirit will be known by their fruit. By fruit we mean the character they exhibit, namely, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Those who live like this belong to Christ and have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:22-26.

Itis the will of the Father that we live and walk by the spirit.

Prayer Nugget: I receive grace to live and walk by the Spirit in Jesus name.

Mortify the Flesh

Date: Thursday, 2nd November, 2023

Text: Romans 8:1-13

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Every human being has a choice to either live to please himself or to please his Maker, depending on each individual’s destination- eternal life or everlasting damnation. For the believer, who is heavenly minded, the only available choice is to set his affection on things above, not on things on the earth. In other words he habitually keeps his mind on heavenly things, not on things that are on the earth which have only temporal value.

There is a constant struggle between flesh and the spirit -Romans 7:14-24. The flesh is that sensual part of you; your self-centred instinct that wants to live outside God’s will. It is that part of you that wants to continue to be immoral, impure; passionate for sin, evil desire and greed. Basically, the flesh is your sinful nature.

The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s word, nor can it do so. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what it desires and they cannot please God.

But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. It is the believer’s responsibility to deliberately mortify or put to death the longings of the flesh so that you do not obey its lusts and passions. This, however, can only be done by the help of the Holy Spirit- Romans 8:1-13

By the Spirit of God, daily engage in self-denial and self discipline and you will successfully subdue the flesh.

Action Nugget: Prayerfully engage the power of the Spirit of God daily to have victory over the flesh.

Mercy Says, ‘No’.

Date: Wednesday, 1st November, 2023

Text: Psalm 102:13

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Welcome to the glorious month of November, the penultimate month of the year. November starts with the letters, “No”. The mercy of God is saying no more delay, no more barrenness, no more defeat, no more failure, no more regrets, no more sickness, no more sorrow (fill in the gaps) in Jesus name.

In Exodus 33:18, Moses made a very special request to God saying, “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” And in response, the Lord replies, him, saying, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” Exodus 33:19.

God being sovereign does as he pleases and nobody can challenge or question him. The right to decide who receives His benefits is a decision left to Him alone. He can bypass protocols to favour a man that does not even deserve His favour.

In this month of November, may you see the glory of God; may He graciously cause His goodness pass in front of you and your household; may He be merciful to you and favour you in Jesus name. Let us pray.

Prayer Nuggets

1. Father, thank you for the previous ten months of the year 2023.

2. Lord, I am grateful for bringing me into this new month of November, 2023.

3. Father, please, arise and have mercy upon me this month in Jesus name.

4. Father, let it please you to show me your favour this season in Jesus name.

5. Father, in this month, please cause me to catch a glimpse of your glory, like Moses did in Jesus name.

6. Merciful God, please, make me a candidate of your mercy this month in Jesus name.

7. Helper of the helpless, please send desperate helpers to me this month in Jesus name.

8 Add your own prayer requests.

Come Out From Among Them

Date: Tuesday, 31st October, 2023

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Believers in Christ are in the world but not of the world- John 17:16-27. The world here refers to the systems of this earth that are under the control of Satan- 2 Corinthians 4:4. He influences the ungodly traditions and customs of this world and every practice that does not agree with the word of God. This is why friendship with the world is enmity with God -James 4:4.

We are, therefore, warned not be unequally bound together with unbelievers; not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with our faith. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. He has promised to be our God and dwell continually in us, only if we can .come out from among unbelievers and be separate and not touch any unclean thing- 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

If we can fulfill these conditions, the Lord has promised to graciously receive us and welcome us. He will be a Father to us, and we shall be his sons and daughters.

The world is passing away with the lusts and passions thereof. But those who abide with the word of God will reign eternally.

Prayer Nugget: In Jesus name, I receive grace to be separate from the world and to live according to God’s word.

A New Creature

Date: Monday, 30th October, 2023

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Today’s text says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

The “therefore” in the above scripture suggests that some statements have been made before coming to that conclusion. Verse 15 of 2 Corinthians 5 said, “And that he (Jesus) died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

The death of Christ meant the death of sin and the nature of it; and his resurrection also means the spiritual rebirth of a new man, completely free from the stronghold of sin. Based on this understanding, anyone who is grafted in or joined to Christ by faith in him as Savior is a new creature.

When a sinner realizes his damnable situation, repents, renounces his sins and confesses Jesus as Saviour, he immediately experiences a rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. The previous moral and sinful spiritual condition (old things) has passed away.

He is translated from darkness to light and so he shuns the unfruitful works of darkness.

It is therefore our responsibilities as new creatures to ensure that sin no longer reigns in our mortal bodies so that we obey its lusts and passions. We are to intentionally make sure we do not go on offering members our bodies to sin as instruments of wickedness; but as instruments of righteousness yielded to God.

As new creatures in Christ, we view the world with a new spiritual understanding and mindset, ensuring that we no longer live for ourselves, but unto him which died for us and rose again.

Action Nugget: As a new creature, reckon yourself to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

Date: Sunday, 29th October, 2023

Text: John 14:1,27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In a world full of challenges, ups, downs, twists and turns; is it possible to have peace of mind all the time? There is the human tendency to be afraid when we focus on the boisterous storms of life. Peter walked on the water when Christ bid him to come. He defied the natural laws of gravity and did the impossible but when his focus shifted from the Lord to the storm, he began to sink. He would have drowned if not for Christ’s timely intervention- Matthew 14:22-32.

Are you already sinking in the troubled Sea of life? All you need to do is to shift your focus away from your storms and fix your gaze on the Stiller of Storms- Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.

The word of God says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Jehovah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Peace is a gift from God. A gift is not earned but received. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God (the Father), believe also in Me. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid- John 14:1, 27.

The enemy throws storms at God’s people to trouble their minds, discourage and distract them. His end goal is to shift your focus away from the Lord Jesus Christ. But we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil.

Is Jesus Christ in your life boat? If yes, you have no cause for alarm. If not, why not? Invite the Prince of Peace into your heart today and you will also enjoy His peace forever.

Prayer Nugget: Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, I accept the gift of your peace into my heart as from today.

What Are Your Motives?

Date: Saturday, 28th October, 2023

Text: Proverbs 16:2

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The fact that we feel our actions are right does not make them right in the eyes of God. The Lord examines our hearts and knows the true intentions behind what we do- Proverbs 16:2.

The Pharisees’ actions were right in their own eyes. They fasted twice in a week, gave tithes and prayed long prayers. When they gave alms they announce it; their acts of “righteousness” were practiced in the front of others to be seen by them. When they fasted they deliberately looked gloomy to impress others. They were more concerned about their reputation than their character. Their motives were self serving.

Jesus Christ described them as hypocrites (Matthew 6). A hypocrite focuses more on his actions than the intention behind them. He does the right things for the wrong reasons. The things he does are for men to see and approve. Once he gets the praise of men, he is happy, satisfied and feels righteous. But the nod of men does not equate the approval of the Most High.

The fact that you feel blameless does not make you innocent. It is the Lord who judges- 1 Corinthians 4:4 .There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death- Proverbs 14:12.

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart- I Samuel 16:7. God’s word is the perfect standard by which all forms of morality are weighed.

Apostle Paul wrote, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3. An outward practice of religion has no spiritual worth unless it is motivated by love for God and done in line with the truth of His Word.

Reflective Nugget: The fact that we feel our actions are right does not make them right in the eyes of God.

Victory Over the Serpents (4)

Date: Friday, 27th October, 2023

Text: Numbers 21:4-9

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

In today’s passage, the Israelites were wandering through the desert and grew impatient on the way. They became frustrated at their circumstances and complained against God and Moses.  As a judgement for their act of unbelief, the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people. The snakes bit the people, and many of the Israelites died.

However, they realized their error and repented of their sin. They begged Moses to pray for them so that God could take away the snakes. So Moses interceded for them. In response, the Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. If anyone is bitten by a snake, that person should look at the bronze snake on the pole. Then that person will not die”- Numbers 21:8. So Moses did exactly as God instructed. He made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Then when a snake bit anyone, that person looked at the bronze snake on the pole and lived.

The power of God’s healing, deliverance and salvation was released into the bronze serpent and pole because Moses did everything in absolute obedience. Otherwise, there was nothing special about a mere artificial serpent and pole. Anytime we take the communion bread and wine in obedience for example, the materials are no longer ordinary; but carry the raw power of Jesus flesh and blood.

The word of God says, whoever breaks an hedge would be bitten by a serpent- Ecclesiastes 10:8b. The hedge is God’s protection over his people. Sin takes away this covering and makes God’s people vulnerable to attacks.

Have you been bitten by the serpent because you broke the hedge? There is hope for you because just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, Jesus Christ was lifted up on the Cross of Calvary, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him- John 3:14-15. Repent, confess and forsake your sins; look to Jesus and live.

Prayer Nugget: Lord Jesus, I look up to you; have mercy on me; heal, deliver and restore me today!