God’s Oracle Devotionals

Date: Wednesday, 18^th December, 2024

Text:  Proverbs 22:24-25

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Anger if left uncontrolled could cause a permanent irreparable damage in the lives of its victims. In some homes you would see one of the spouses destroying the property they suffered and laboured to gather.  A labour of twenty years can be destroyed within a minute of uncontrolled anger.

The story was once told of a man who just bought a brand new car and was in high spirits. The little daughter out of sheer naivety went to write something on the glass of the car.  The father saw it and was so furious to the extent that he took a sharp object and cut off the fingers of the girl.

Eventually, the girl was rushed to the hospital; the father’s eyes had cleared. Later on he went to look closely to check what the daughter wrote on his car, it read, “Daddy I Love You.” He broke into tears and apologized to the daughter but the damage had been done.

One day, the little daughter asked him saying, “Daddy, when will my fingers grow back?” The father could not bear the guilt anymore and not too long after, he committed suicide.

The word of God says, “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”- Ecclesiastes 7:9

Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Again the word of God says, “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul- Proverbs 22:24-25.

Action Nugget: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you subdue your temper under His control.

Date: Tuesday, 17^th December, 2024

Text:  Ephesians 4:26-27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Anger is a natural emotion that is displayed when things don’t go the way we expect. It is a reaction to disappointing situations and circumstances.

Is it a sin to get angry? No. What the word of God says is that we should not be quick to get angry. Hot temper is not a character of God’s righteousness.

Apostle James, under the influence of the Holy Spirit wrote, “Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.” James 1:19-20

You will notice that there is a connection between speech and anger. When you are faced with an irritating situation and instead of talking you choose to keep quiet and walk away for the time being, you would most likely be able to get your emotions under control.

Even when we get angry the word of God says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the Sun go down on your wrath,nor give place to the devil.”  Uncontrolled anger gives Satan an opportunity as it could lead you into sin by holding a grudge, nurturing anger, harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness- Ephesians 5:26-27.

A man was once involved in a heated argument with his wife as he was driving on the highway; the wife sat beside him. He got so angry that he didn’t realize he was already driving off the road into the ditch. They would have been involved in a terrible accident if not for the wife who saved the situation by crying out. It was then he realized his grave error and took control of his emotions.

Action Nugget: Be intentional in putting your temper under the control of the Holy Spirit

Date: Monday, 16^th December, 2024

Text:  Matthew 6:31-33

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

There is a huge difference between needs and wants. A need is something crucial for survival, like food, clothing or shelter, while a want is something someone desires but can live without, like a new phone or a beautiful car. Basically, needs are necessary for basic functioning, while wants are desires that improve quality of life but aren’t important for survival.

Philippians 4:19, says, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

Again the Lord said,“Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Notice that God calls them needs not wants and he will surely supply them once we make his kingdom a priority. Matthew 6:31-33

Our needs may not necessarily be material things; they may be spiritual like salvation, the Holy Spirit, sanctification, holiness etc. They may also be abstract like discipline, correction, reproof etc.

Most times we focus on our material needs and not our spiritual needs. But somehow, our spiritual needs are linked with the material ones. Once you prioritize the spiritual, the material ones will be supplied also.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please grant me the grace to always seek your kingdom first in all things in Jesus name.

Date: Sunday, 15^th December, 2024

Text:  1Timothy 6:6-11

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

To live simply is to live modestly devoid of vanity. God has not called us to a complicated life. Rather he has called to us to a life of godliness with contentment which is a great gain because we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1Timothy 6:6-7

Today, many folks chase the wind. What is the point pursuing a higher degree that will cost you your marital happiness? Why should you continue with that job that has turned you to a stranger to your loving spouse and children? Why are you pursuing a career that has nothing else to offer apart from the monthly paycheck?

Pity those that all they have is just the fat account and material things but are permanently unhappy and are on medication. Some of the happiest people on earth can be found in villages and rural areas. They enjoy the natural beauty of nature and live simply with no complications in their lifestyle.

Why are you entangled in an unhealthy competition? Some people buy things they don’t really need because their neighbor bought the same. Who are you trying to impress?

Must you attend that occasion if it is beyond your means? Must you put your children in a school that would drain your finances, put you under permanent high blood pressure and continual indebtedness?

The story was told about a man who divorced his wife and lost his home because he was pursuing a PhD. When he eventually got the PhD, he laminated the certificate and put it in his office. But after a while he observed that nobody even noticed the new degree certificate he displayed in his office. Rather most of his office visitors were asking about his wife and children. Eventually he felt disappointed and frustrated. He realized the futility of chasing vanity at the expense of the most important things of life.

If you realize that the life you are currently living does not give you joy, peace and fulfillment, you need to check yourself. You are probably living a complicated life. Shed all unnecessary garbage. Be deliberate in making all the necessary adjustment and changes.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of joy and peace. So if you are not yet under his management, you are the one shortchanging yourself. Repent today and surrender to him and let him renew your life.

Action Nugget: Live a simple happy and fulfilling life in Christ Jesus.

Date: Saturday, 14^th December, 2024

Text:  2 Samuel 5:17-25

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

One of the qualities of a victorious army is effective communication. They have a well coordinated communication system through which signals are sent and received through the ranks. This helps the chain of command to be intact with instructions being easily received and carried out. If the communication system breaks down such an army could be heading for defeat.

As a soldier of Christ your communication lines with the Commander-In-Chief, Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit must remain open. Network must not be interrupted with sin- Isaiah 59:1-2.

A victorious army operates strategically. They use look for loop holes in the enemies’ camp and take advantage of it. They often send spies into the enemies’ territory so as to explore the adversaries’ potential strengths and weaknesses. They then brainstorm and strategize on the best way to attack and defend themselves- Numbers 13:1-33.

David who happened to be one of the most successful Military Generals of all time was known to always overcome in all his battles. He was a great military strategist who would never engage in any battle without consulting first with his unseen Commander-In-Chief. God always gave him the best strategy to deploy for every battle. No wonder he always won!

For example when he was anointed as king and the Philistines heard it they felt threatened and drew up battle lines in an attempt to overthrow him. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 2 Samuel 5:19

When the enemies regrouped again, David did not rely on his experience or previous strategy (because the enemies too have changed and upgraded their tactics).

 The word of God says,”Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”  And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer. 2 Samuel 5:22-25.

Many soldiers of Christ are either wounded or untimely dead today because they went to battle without hearing from their Commander-In Chief (the Holy Spirit). No two battles are the same, therefore, experience may not always be helpful. Why? The strategy you used the last time may not work at another time. Therefore you need to wait on God for fresh strategy for fresh battles.

All your enemies will be defeated and you will be a victor and not a victim in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask for the grace to always wait on you to get the right strategy for every battle of life in Jesus name.

Date: Friday, 13^th December, 2024

Text:  2 Samuel 11:1-27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The word of God says, “A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life.” 2 Timothy 2:4- GNT

A good soldier is expected to be loyal to his country. His main duty is to do all he can to protect the territorial integrity of his nation. He is expected to defend his country with all his being even to the last drop of his blood, if need be.

However, at a point in David’s life he got distracted and entangled; he got trapped in the ordinary business of civilian life.  At the time of the year when kings usually go to war, David sent out his army commanders to fight but he himself stayed back in the state capital of Jerusalem.

In this relaxed and distracted state, one day, late in the afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. As he walked around up there, he saw a woman taking a bath in her house. She was very beautiful. So he sent a messenger to find out who she was, and learned that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who happens to be one of David’s strongest soldiers busy fighting on the war front.

Before he knew what was happening one thing led to the other and David got intimate with her and she became pregnant. In order to cover up his criminal tracks, he started scheming on how to frame up the husband to look as though the pregnancy was Uriah’s but the man was too disciplined to fall into the king’s trap. Eventually, David killed Uriah by conspiracy-2 Samuel 11:1-27.

David became an adulterer and a murderer by relaxing at the wrong time.  He was eventually cursed by God. He lost his throne for a while; his wives were raped in the open and he lost four of his children because of an act of careless entanglement.

Charlotte Elliott  wrote a popular hymn which says:

Christian, seek not yet repose,
Hear thy gracious Savior say;
Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray.

Principalities and powers,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
Watch and pray.

Gird thy heavenly armor on,
Wear it ever night and day;
Ambushed lies the evil one:
Watch and pray.

Reflective Nugget: As a faithful soldier of Christ don’t allow yourself to be entangled with the affairs of this life.

Date: Thursday, 12^th December, 2024

Text: Judges 7:1-25.

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

At a point in time in the history of Israel, they did evil in the sight of the LORD; and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years. They became a menace to the Israelites. The Israelites were an agrarian society who worked hard to cultivate their farm and raised animals to maturity.

For seven years the Midianites plundered the Israelites at the point of harvest. They continued until they became impoverished. They so terrorized the Jews on their own land that they could no longer farm openly for fear of the Midianites. It was at this critical time that the Israelites cried to the Lord and God decided to intervene and fight for them- Judges 6:1-40.

God chose Gideon to lead the conquest. But the Most High did not want anybody to share in His glory so he decided to fight the multitude of Midianite army (perhaps running into millions) with only a few men.

The Israelites soldiers were about thirty two thousand and God wanted to reduce them to only 300 choice men. So he conducted two tests.

First he told Gideon to ask all the fearful soldiers to go back home. At this point twenty two thousand (22,000) men returned home. They failed the test of faith.

There were left ten thousand soldiers who were full of faith but God was still interested in downsizing them so he conducted another screening test. It was a test of watchfulness or alertness.

The ten thousand men were asked to go down to the waterside and drink water. Gideon was meant to observe their mode of drinking and screen them out.

Nine thousand, seven hundred men (9,700) of them knelt down to drink while three hundred (300) scooped the water in their hands and lapped it with their tongues like a dog. In other words as they drank they were watchful and at alert. They did not drink in a relaxed and careless way like the 9700 that let off their guards and knelt down to drink water.

Therefore only 300 of them scaled through the test of alertness. At the end of the day these were the few men that passed the tests of faith and alertness. And with them the Midianites were subdued totally- Judges 7:1-25.

Give no room for fear and stay alert. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Matthew 26:41

Key Nugget: Alertness and faith are major qualities of good soldier.

Date: Wednesday, 11^th December, 2024

Text: 1 Corinthians 9:27

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Soldiers are typically well organized into hierarchies. The reporting lines are very clear and they are well trained to follow instructions. They follow the last order without questioning their constituted authorities.

The Centurion (commanding a unit of 80-100 soldiers; roughly equivalent to today’s Captain or Major) who pleaded with Jesus to heal his sick servant said, “For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:9

Soldiers are trained to always fall in line not out of line. Discipline is the key word here. They have a code of conduct which they are trained to follow. The end result is obedience. There are well spelt out punishments for those who fall out line into disobedience.

Discipline is also called Self Control- the ability to put your body under subjection. Self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit- Galatians 5:22.

Paul the apostle said concerning himself, “But I keep under my body (I strictly discipline my body), and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

It takes discipline to be holy. Holiness is total obedience. Abraham was a man who obeyed God even when it was not convenient. He obeyed God ‘foolishly’. He obeyed God without questioning. In Genesis chapter 12 he was asked to leave his village and his kinsmen and relocate to an unspecified location, he obeyed like a soldier.

He was asked to circumcise himself and household- at the age of 99- Genesis 17:10-24. He obeyed without hesitation. As if that was not enough, in Genesis 22, God asked him to sacrifice his own long-awaited and beloved son, Isaac. Again, he obeyed. The word of God says, “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask for the grace to put my body under the control of the Holy Spirit and to live in total obedience in Jesus name.

Date: Tuesday, 10^th December, 2024

Text: 2 Timothy 2:3

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Believers in Christ are not called to be spiritual civilians but soldiers. Soldiers are professionally trained to possess certain ethics that transform them into the personality they become.

Training is a process and process takes time. However, for those of them that can endure to the end, they get certified and decorated.

Soldiers are trained to be tough; they develop skills that make them resilient in the midst of adverse situations. In the army training school, they make them pass through difficult terrains so that their bodies are adjusted and adapted to surviving impossible situations.

The key skill developed here is called endurance. Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity. It is the capacity to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity without withdrawing or falling apart.

The word of God says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’ 2 Timothy 2:3. Take note that it takes hardness or toughness to be a good soldier. Such a person can triumph on any spiritual terrain.

Again the Holy Scripture says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12

The attribute of endurance is also known as a perseverance or long-suffering, a fruit of the Holy Spirit- Galatians 5:22. You cannot afford not to possess this great spiritual attribute of a gallant soldier of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask that you increase my capacity to persevere and endure till the very end in Jesus name.

Date: Monday, 9^th December, 2024

Text: Hebrews 13:15

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The type and worth of gift you give to a person will be determined not only by the size of your pocket but also by the calibre of the person you are dealing with. In the same vein, the way you dress to a function will be determined by the type of function and the calibre of people that will attend the occasion. For example, the way you dress to visit a casual friend in your neighbourhood is not the same way you will dress to visit a king, a president or a governor.

The best gift you can give to God apart from your heart (life) is the fruit of your lips also called the Sacrifice Of Praise- Hebrews 13:15; Hosea 14:2c.

If you have the opportunity to hear God speak to you in his glorified form, what would it sound like? Two people in the Holy Scriptures gave us crucial information on this. One of them was John the Beloved. He encountered the glorified Christ on the Island called Patmos and he described his voice as, “The sound of many waters.” Revelation 1:15

The other person who testified on this was the prophet Daniel. In his own case he said, “And the voice of his (God’s) words (sound) like the voice of a multitude” Daniel 10:6c.

In order words when God spoke, it was as if millions, billions or perhaps trillions of people chorus the same words at the same time. Imagine you hear such a person spoke to you, how would you describe it? I guess you would say, “Awesome!”

Now if you want to praise that wonderful Supreme Being, how would you do so acceptably? In fact, if you praise him a thousand times over and over, you have just started.

Perhaps, that is why Charles Wesley penned down the lyrics of the popular hymn which says,

“O for a thousand tongues to sing
  My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
  The triumphs of His grace.

Another song writer wrote a popular song we sang a lot back then at the turn of the millennium, which says,

“I will praise you Lord

With every breadth that I take

I will praise you Lord

This promise I make

And should eternity end

I’ll start all over again

Even then I will praise you Lord.”

Action Nugget: Spend quality praising God as a habit as from today!