Be Intentional

Date: Sunday, 26th January, 2025

Text: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

You will notice that in this present world evil things are easier to happen than the good ones. For example, it is easier to destroy than to build. You can build a relationship painstakingly for 20 years and that same relationship can be destroyed with just a single comment in seconds.

A gigantic building that took many years and so much financial resources to erect can be pulled down in a few minutes. You will notice also that good news don’t spread as fast as bad news.

In agriculture weeds are defined as unwanted plants that grow where they are not expected. If you have an empty land that is not cemented, you don’t need to do anything. On their own, weeds will find their way to that land, colonize it, spread and grow fast. Within two to three, if nothing is done to that land, it would have turned to a thick bush harbouring snakes and other dangerous creatures.

For those who leave their lives to chance, anything goes, just anything. If you don’t have a specific vision and goal for your life, you will find yourself being used by others to fulfil theirs. There is no vacuum in nature. If you don’t use your land weeds, pests and dangerous animals will do so.

Crops, however, can’t be obtained in a similar manner. You want a harvest of maize, you have to be intentional. You need to get rid of the weeds and work hard at cultivating your land, nurturing it until your goals are achieved. In the process, you have pests and potential crop diseases to contend with. But with focus and determination your desired expectation shall be met.

Generally, good things tend to be elusive except you are intentional. They say, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The word of god says, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Ecclesiastes 11:6.

Don’t let anything stop you. Verse 4 of the eleventh chapter of Ecclesiastes says, “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” Sow when convenient and when it is not.

You must be determined to sow the right seeds in the right quantity now. Then you will reap the right harvest in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I pray for the grace to be intentional and be result-oriented in Jesus name.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 35-37

True Help

Date: Saturday, 25th January, 2025

Text: Psalm 121:1-2

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Everything the God created is good. The works of his hands are perfect. If you observe that something is wrong with you it is not from the Most High but from the powers of darkness. True help can only come from him. Surprisingly some think they can get help from the powers of darkness to solve the problems caused by the same power of darkness.

The truth is that the devil cannot undo the evil works of his own hands. His kingdom is well organized. You cannot use Satan to drive away Satan. The word of God says,” And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? Matthew 12:26.

When king Saul lost his connection with God, instead of him to repent and cry back his way to God for mercy, he decided to consult the Witch of Endor (The same witch he had banned from the land in his days of righteousness) – a practice that is an abomination in the sight of the Most High- Deuteronomy 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:7-20.

What the devil does is to steal from someone and give to another- John 10:10. For example, when someone is sick and goes to a witch doctor (an agent of darkness), what he does is to find away to transfer the sickness to someone else. He cannot truly take away any sickness, only Jehovah Rapha can- Exodus 15:26.

Every reproach and imperfection in your life should be taken to Jesus Christ, the Problem Solver and Burden Bearer. He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Reflective Nugget: True help comes from the Lord.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 31-34

Increase Your Faith Level (2)

Date: Friday, 24th January, 2025

Text: Jeremiah 32:26-27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

There are certain scriptures that will help your faith increase significantly. For example the word of  the Lord unto Jeremiah, says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:26-27

In the book of Luke 1:37, the angel Gabriel told Mary, saying, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

If you agree that there is nothing too hard for the Lord and that with him all things are possible, then you are in for miracles.

Sometimes ago, I heard the testimony of a former hardened criminal who was arrested and awaited trial. By virtue of his crimes he deserved a death sentence and he knew it. However, while in prison, series of preachers visited him and preached the word of God to him. On one particular occasion, he was convicted by the Holy Spirit and he surrendered his life to Christ.

The preachers gave him a Bible and he started studying it and building a personal relationship with the Lord. Whenever the soul winners visited, he would borrow and read books that enhanced his spiritual development. By this time he himself was already leading other prisoners like himself to the Lord through the preaching of the gospel.

On a particular occasion he borrowed and read a book that dealt with the importance of fasting and prayers. And he started seeking the face of the Lord in fasting and prayers, further deepening his relationship with Christ.

Three days before his appearance in court for his final trial he dedicated himself to fasting and prayers. On one of the days, He had an encounter with the Lord. And he asked, Jesus, “Are all scriptures true? The Lord said, “Yes”. He asked again, “Is it true that with God all things are possible”. The Lord said, “Yes”. Again he asked, “Does it apply to everybody and in any situation?” Again, the Lord said, said “Yes”. Then he said, “If that is the case, please, give me a second chance; I don’t want to die now, you have to set me free.”

He pleaded with the Lord to give him a second chance. He made a promise to the Lord that if he was miraculously set free, he would spend the rest of his life spreading the gospel across the nations of the world. The Lord agreed to set him free if he will keep to his promise, and that the day he failed to keep to it he would die.

A second chance he indeed got. He was miraculously set free by the judge on the day he was expected to be sentenced to death; for with God all things are possible.

Action Nugget: Increase your faith level.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 28-30

Increase Your Faith Level

Date: Thursday, 23rd January, 2025

Text: Mark 9:17-29

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

How much you will get from God depends on your level of faith. Two people may give their lives to Christ the same day and begin to walk with him. However, they may not enjoy God the same way if they don’t have the same level of faith.

God can do all things but He does not do all things to all people because not everyone believes that God can do all things.

The word of God is full of great promises that you can tap from. Your faith level will depend on how much of God’s word you believe.

You can actually enjoy Heaven on Earth if your faith can carry it. You can enjoy divine interventions in your daily life; all depends on your faith.

Two blind men once pleaded for mercy from Jesus. The question the Lord asked them was “Do you believe that I can heal you?” “Yes, sir!” they answered. Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be to you”— and their sight was restored. Matthew 9:27-29

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23

Many of us are not enjoying God because of unbelief. If you discover your faith level is questionable, why not pray and say, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask for grace to increase my faith level in Jesus name.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 24-27

Offer Him Your Best (2)

Date: Wednesday, 22nd January, 2025

Text: Romans 12:1-2

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sacrifice is not only in financial or material terms. We are to offer our physical bodies as a sacrifice- which means we are to dedicate all of yourselves or set ourselves apart as vessels for the use of God. We are to set ourselves apart from the superficial values, life patterns and evil customs of the world.

By the help of the Holy Spirit we are to be transformed and progressively changed by the renewing of our minds, focusing on godly values and ethical values, so that we can actualize and fulfil God’s perfect will for our lives.

We are to reject ungodliness and immoral desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity in this corrupt world, while we await and confidently expect the fulfilment of our blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus-Titus 2:12-13 (AMP)

See any time spent in God’s service and work as a spiritual investment and not a waste of time. Such investments will yield spiritual interests and dividends into your future. The one who invests to his sinful nature- his sinful passion and capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses- will reap from the sinful nature, ruin and destruction, but the one who invests into his spiritual life will from the Spirit reap eternal life- Galatians 6:8.

This year create time and be available for the things that will advance God’s kingdom on Earth. Spend and be spent for God. Such sacrifices are acceptable as our act of worship.

Reflective Nugget: Your reward in God’s kingdom is directly related to your level of sacrifices on Earth.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 21-23

Offer Him Your Best

Date: Tuesday, 21st January, 2025

Text: Genesis 4:1-12

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The events of the 4th Chapter of Genesis involving Cain and Abel are very popular. Many of us are very quick to blame Cain for his giving attitude but most of us sacrifice in the same manner. To the credit of Cain he was the one who initiated the giving. He sacrificed first because he had a heart of gratitude but God expected more from him. Why? To whom much is given, much is expected-Luke 12:48b.

However, Abel’s offering to God was exemplary. He brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock- a sign that he was more grateful- and the Lord looked with favor on him and his offering, but on Cain who brought casual (ordinary) offerings to God he did not look with favour. Instead of Cain to retrace his steps and step up his sacrifice he took offense and became envious.

God is no respecter of persons; what he has done for others he is able and willing to do for you provided you are ready to pay the price. King David understood this principle, and that is why he said, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24b

Sacrifice is not only in financial or material terms. If you sacrifice sparingly, you will be rewarded sparingly; and if you decide to step up your game and increase in your self-denial, devotion, consecration and sacrifices, you will see a reciprocal gesture from the Lord. He said through the mouth of Hannah, “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.” 1 Samuel 2:30b

You hardly see anyone who wants to name his child Cain. But the name Abel is very common. Even though Abel was murdered in cold blood by his own biological brother, Cain, and had no physical descendant, his name has been immortalized on the lips and minds of Men for as long as the Earth exists.

Action Nugget: Determine to give your best to God this year and you will receive the best from God.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 17-20

Do You Want His Best?

Date: Monday, 20th January, 2025

Text: Luke 10:38-42

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Do you desire the best from God? If yes, do you also give your best to him? If you are not giving him your best, ask yourself why. What are the things preventing you from giving God your best? What are things standing between you and your God? What are things God has laid in your heart that you should do for him but you have dragging your feet? What is stopping you from doing the will of God?

For some people it’s ungodly relationships which the Bible calls unequal yokes. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. Others have occupied themselves with so much junks and business that they don’t have time to give God their best. Martha is good example; she was busy doing good but missed out on the best- Luke 10:38-42.

Some people are not giving their best because they don’t really trust in God. Some trust in God but not with all their hearts. They stand with only one leg in the faith and the other leg is hanging in unbelief. They have other things in mind.

The Psalmist said, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.”- Psalm 20:7-8.

The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:6B-8. A double minded person cannot get the best from the Lord.

When God wanted to give, he gave his very best. He didn’t sacrifice one of his angels or archangels rather his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ- John 3:16. He doesn’t expect your good, your better but your very best. Don’t give anything less.

Reflective Nugget: If you must get the best from God then you must get rid of those things standing between you and Him.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 14-16

He Knows All You Do

Date: Sunday, 19th January, 2025

Text:  1 Corinthians 15:58

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

One of the attributes of God is Omniscience. That means he is the All Knowing God. He knows all we do in secret and in the open. He knows the intentions behind all we do. People may misunderstand you and label you a controversial person but God understands you perfectly. Afterall, he made you and knows your hidden talents, strengths and weaknesses.

He knows all your labour and sacrifices both little and great to advance his kingdom. He is familiar with your struggles and your pains. Others may not appreciate your efforts but God surely does. Don’t let the devil discourage you by making you feel no one appreciate what you do.

When king Hezekiah was faced with a prophetic and divine death threat, he reminded God about all his faithful walk with God, he said, “ Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:3.

Dorcas came back to life because her works while alive spoke for her even in death, and her life was restored- Acts 9:36-43

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.. 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Action Nugget: Continue steadfastly and soldier on valiantly, your labour prompted by love will not be in vain in the Lord.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 11-13

The Ten Virgins (3)

Date: Saturday, 18th January, 2025

Text:  Matthew 7:21-23

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Yesterday, we were able to decode the spiritual significance of the oil and the lamps that the ten virgins carried. Today we are looking at the pathetic ending of the five foolish virgins.

The word of God says, “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:10-13

May you never hear the voice, “I don’t know you” at the end of your race in Jesus name.

The Lord said he did not know the foolish virgins. It means the virgins were like students who attend classes and write exams without being admitted into a university. Such ‘students’ have only wasted their precious time because they will never graduate.

No matter how gorgeously dressed they are on graduation day, their names will never appear on the graduation list because the university does not ‘know’ them officially. They may protest and say, “But we attended all the lectures and wrote all the exams. In fact we even paid school fees. But the university will tell them, “We don’t know you”.

Many church goers who profess to be true Christians will say on the last Day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:22-23

Jesus said,” Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21.

Action Nugget: Repent today and join the group of the doers of God’s will today and you will be among the five wise virgins.

Bible In One Year: Exodus 8-10

The Ten Virgins (2)

Date: Friday, 17th January, 2025

Text:  Luke 12:35-40

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Yesterday, we were able to successfully and scripturally decode the symbols of the Bridegroom, the Bride and The Ten Virgins as the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church respectively.

A closer look at the parable shows that the foolish virgins took their lamps but no oil ; while the wise ones understood the importance of the oil. The wise knew that their lamps cannot burn without oil so they took jars full of oil in addition to their lamps- Matthew 25:1-4.

The word of God is the lamp. David said, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105. All the Ten Virgins carried their lamps, in other words they all knew the word of God. However, it is one thing to know the word of God, it is another thing to obey and live by it.

What then is the oil? The oil represents the Holy Spirit. It takes the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be able to obey God’s word.

The more of the Holy Spirit in us the more the faith, love and hope in the Lord Jesus. The level and quantity of these in the life of any believer is fuelled by the presence and fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

When the oil is lacking you will see that the Christian life becomes a struggle- it becomes mechanical. Obedience to God’s will become a burden; prayer becomes boring; fasting becomes a no-go area. When the oil is absent in the believer’s life, you will notice that evangelism and soul winning become strange and good works become hypocritical. In such people’s life holiness becomes unattainable.

There are so many professing believers (five foolish virgins, with lamps without oil) today that lack the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the grace that he affords. They have a form of godliness (they know and quote the word) but \deny the power thereof.  A lot of pretenders are in the church today. They have the lamp (not burning, cold) with no oil. They know the word of God but are not doers of it.

You need the oil (of the Holy Spirit) above every other thing today. Stop playing religion, repent and surrender your heart to Jesus and receive the oil of grace to do God’s will.

The word of God says, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.” Luke 12:35-37b

Action Nugget: Go for the oil and keep your lamps burning, shining and reflecting the glory (true character and nature) of God

Bible In One Year: Exodus 5-7