The Sympathizing Jesus

Date: Sunday, 8th October, 2023

Text: Luke 7:11-17

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Our God can be emotional. He laughs (Psalm 2:4); He gets angry (Deuteronomy 9:8); he weeps (John 11:35; Luke 19:41); He can be joyful (Luke 10:21); He can be sorrowful (Matthew 26:38); He can be jealous (Exodus 20:5-6); He can sympathize (Matthew 8:1-3; Luke 7:11-17) etc. Sympathy can be defined as feelings of pity and sorrow for the misfortune of someone else

William Hunter once sang:

The Great Physician now is near,

The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,

Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!

God does not ignore the cry of the afflicted (Psalm 9:12b). The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him. Psalm 103:8-13

Are you in trouble? Does your situation seem hopeless? Do you feel sick, lonely or abandoned? You have a friend in Jesus. Cry to Him today! He is near you; and interested in your welfare. He will save your soul if you are not yet saved and comfort you on every side.

Prayer Nugget: Sympathizing Jesus, please, have mercy on me and comfort me on every side in Jesus name.

What Are Your Credentials?

Date: Saturday, 7th October, 2023

Text: Acts 19:11-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

According to today’s text, seven brothers, who were the sons of a Jewish High Priest named Sceva tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to cast out demons. They said to the evil spirits, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.” But the evil spirit said to them, “I know Jesus, and I know about Paul; but you—who are you?” The man who had the evil spirit in him attacked them with such violence that he overpowered them all. They ran away from his house, wounded and with their clothes torn off.

Who are you? Your character is who you are in secret; while your reputation is the person the public thinks you are. But there are three people you cannot deceive, namely, God, Satan and yourself. Everything done in secret is open to these three individuals mentioned.

In today’s text, the sons of Sceva were willing to chase demons away but they lacked the spiritual credentials to dislodge them because of who they were. First they lacked the faith credential because the Bible says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils.” Mark 16:17a.

The devil is not afraid of your religious titles but he is afraid of the fire you carry. Hebrews 1:7a says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”

The second credential the Sons of Sceva lacked was the light of God. Darkness cannot cast out darkness. The light of Christ must shine for darkness to be dispelled in your life. John 1:5

Thirdly, they lacked the credential of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 12:28, Christ said, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

Who are you? What are your spiritual credentials?

Prayer Nugget: Father, thank you for your word. Please, perfect all that concerns my spiritual credentials in Jesus name.

Take It By Force

Date: Friday, 6th October, 2023

Text: Matthew 11:12

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is the spiritual hand with which we grab the blessings of God provided for us in the heavenly places. Sometimes gentle faith does not work; you may have to exercise your faith violently if you want quick results.

In today’s text, Christ said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

A very good example of someone who exercised violent faith was the woman with the  issue of blood for twelve years. She had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. When she had heard of Jesus, she came in the press behind, and touched his garment because she said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” And immediately, the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Mark 5: 25-29

She defied all odds and pressed her way through the crowd until she managed to get her miracle.

In the case of Blind Bartimeus, he could not press through the crowd because he could not see. But when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, “Thou son of David, have mercy on me.” He did not keep quiet until Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. He started that day as a blind man but before the end of the day, he forcefully got his sight.   Mark 10:46-52

Are you tired of your current situation? Exercise your faith violently and possess your possession!

 Action Nugget: Stretch out your spiritual hand of faith and forcefully grab the blessings of God provided for you in the heavenly places

That I May Know Him

Date: Thursday, 5th October, 2023

Text: Philippians 3:10

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The greatest knowledge a man can have is the knowledge of God. It is that knowledge that counts at the end of the day. The more you know Him, the more like Him you become. Just like in our human relationships, the more you move closer to someone the more of that person you will know and the more of him you know, the closer you become. You get to understand the person’s character, nature, preferences, likes and dislikes.

God is eager to reveal Himself to as many that are eager to know Him. He reveals Himself to us through the Holy Spirit, the Son Jesus Christ; the Holy Scriptures and His servants. The more of the Spirit you have the more of Him you know; the more of the word of God in your spirit, the more transformed you become and the more of the word of God you hear from God’s servants and you obey the closer drawn to Him you will be.

Paul the Apostle in today’s text said, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Philippians 3:10. He was very eager and zealous to know more of God, no wonder God revealed Himself to him in great dimensions.

Jesus said, “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27. Immediately after making this statement the Lord gave a general invitation, saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. His loving arms are stretched forth to welcome you into His knowledge and you will find rest in Him in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I open up myself to know more and more of you in Jesus name.

Love Not The World

Date: Wednesday, 4th October, 2023

Text: 1 John 2:15-17

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The world in this context is not the people of the world but the ungodly cultures, patterns and general lifestyles of the people of the world. Most times, the things that trend in the world contradict the word of God; and the reason is that the devil moves to and fro across the Earth deceiving men and having a great influence over their minds.

This demonic spirit runs the course of this world; it is known as the prince of the power of the air. This is the same spirit that works in the children of disobedience making them to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and puffing them up with the pride of life.

Friendship with the world is enmity with God; that is, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world is automatically an enemy of God- James 4:4

All that is in the world- the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things)- these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.  The world is passing away, and with it its lusts (the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings); but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17 (AMP)

Prayer Nugget: I uproot every seed of worldliness in my heart in Jesus name.

Freedom’s Terms and Conditions

Date: Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023

Title: Matthew 11:28-30

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

A car without brakes is a disaster going somewhere to happen. Freedom is great but freedom without control or responsibility could be disastrous.

By the mighty power of the God, the children of Israel were set free from a 430-year long bondage. They then started their journey to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. But their freedom was not without terms and conditions- Exodus 23:20-33.

The word of God to Pharaoh said, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Exodus 9:13c. So the purpose of their freedom from the service of Pharoah was to serve the living God. This implies that, they could lose their freedom if they served other gods apart from the One who set them free.

The greatest bondage in which any man can be is that of sin because it leads to eternal death (Romans 6:23). But if the Son (Jesus Christ) shall set you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36. His blood delivers and cleanses from sin- 1 John 1;7.

Conversely, the greatest freedom any one can enjoy is that of holy living (freedom from sin) because it leads to life eternal.

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

If you truly want to be free from Satan’s burdens you must be ready to bear the burdens of Christ. The difference is that the former is heavy whereas the latter is light. Every human being must bear either of the two.

Today, many seek freedom that is self serving; freedom to fulfil their own pleasures; reckless freedom that lacks self discipline and caution. Such liberty or freedom does not glorify God and often leads to bondage.

Prophetic Nugget: May you experience permanent freedom that glorifies God in Jesus name.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Date: Monday, 2nd October, 2023

Text: Psalm 139:13-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

There are no two persons with the same finger print on earth. Similarly, the color, texture, and pattern of each person’s iris are unique to each individual. That is why they are used in crime investigation and biometric identification.

God did not make mistake by giving you your skin colour, body shape, hair texture, country of origin, gender, height, and general body profile. Take a look at animals, for example, they exist in different habitats and come in different shapes and sizes. None of them was made in error

Cecil Frances Alexander’s popular hymn is very instructive. The chorus goes thus: “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.”

The Psalmist says, “For You formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skilfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16

You are already fearfully, wonderfully and specially made; nobody is like you. Stop feeling inferior! Appreciate who you are and be proud of who God has made you to be.

Attempting to change your gender, bleaching your skin colour, mutilating your body parts in order to look like someone else; different from your original image does not glorify God. It is a sign of lack of gratitude and contentment. Godliness with contentment is great gain- 1Timothy 6:6.

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (not yours)- 1 Corinthians 6:20. On the Last Day you will give account of whatever you have done to your body while on Earth.

Action Nugget: Serve God as the original copy He has made you to be.

Season of Multiplied Grace

Date: Sunday, 1st October, 2023

Title: Season of Grace Multiplied

Text: 2 Peter 1:2-11

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

We thank God for making it to the 10th month and last quarter of the year. Ten means 5 multiplied by 2. Five is a number of grace and two means double. Therefore, we can infer that number 10 means grace multiplied. God loves multiplication and not just addition.

In Genesis 1:28a, God blessed Man saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply.” 2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12.

May you enjoy the multiplied grace of God this season in Jesus name.

Prayer Nuggets

1. Thank you Father for sparing my life till this moment.

2. I confess and repent from every sinful act in Jesus name.

3. By your spirit, I flow into my season of multiplied grace in Jesus name.

4. Father, please, lay your right hand of power on me in this new month and grant me unusual speed in Jesus name.

5. Every snare of the enemy is broken and I have escaped in Jesus name.

6. Father, please, make way for me where there seems to be no way this month in Jesus name.

7. Add your own prayer requests.

Made Whole

Date: Saturday, 30th September, 2023

Text: Luke 17: 11-19

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The word ‘whole’ means total, complete, full or entire. It is one thing to be healed; it is another thing to be made whole. In today’s text, ten lepers were cleansed but only one of them came to give thanks to Jesus; and he was a foreigner, a Samaritan. The Lord said unto him, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:19. This Samaritan got something deeper than just healing- he was made whole.

Man is made up of spirit, soul and body.

Therefore, to be made whole, the healing goes beyond just bodily healing. It also involves the healing of the soul and spirit. The body functions by its five senses, namely, sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste. When the body prospers it means it is in its best state of health; this is God’s perfect will- 3 John 2.

The soul is the centre of our mind, will, thoughts and emotions. A prosperous soul is a mind that has been transformed by the word of God (Romans 12:1-2); one from which edifying thoughts proceed- a good tree brings forth food fruit (Matthew 7:17); one that that is rich in love, hope and faith in God and is controlled or regulated by the Spirit of Christ.

Our spirit is like a lamp to the Lord. With it God is able to see into the deepest parts of our being; searching and examining all the inner recesses thereof (Proverbs 20:27). We cannot hide from Him. A prosperous spirit is one that is led or guided by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).

To be made whole therefore, is to experience healing and prosperity in the spirit, soul and body. May this be your portion in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please prosper me spirit, soul and body in Jesus name.

Thy Will Be Done (2)

Date: Friday, 29th September, 2023

Text: Matthew 10:37-39

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The perfect will of God is summarized in two sentences, namely, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

Though the above statements look simple and straight forward, many of us struggle with them and are found wanting. This is because many things compete for the place of love in our hearts.

The Lord said,“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39

To take up our cross is to daily bear the burdens of God’s work on Earth. It is to be committed to soul winning and to the expansion of God’s kingdom on the planet Earth.

As we make the above our daily focus, we would find ourselves at the very centre of God’s perfect will.

The Lord 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

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, let the fire of your love be stirred up in my heart in Jesus name.