God’s Oracle Devotionals

Date: Wednesday, 17th January, 2024

Text: Isaiah 38:1-8

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The God who made the Heavens and the Earth, the Almighty, whom we serve, can be emotional. He laughs, weeps, gets angry, he can be funny etc. Being made in his image, we too can be emotional.

Having laid this foundation, it will be easy to understand the next prayer strategy we are about to discuss.

According to today’s text, Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah:“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.” Isaiah 38:1-5

God was moved with Hezekiah’s tears, death was cancelled an his life was prolonged by an additional fifteen years.

Sometimes, if all else fails in prayer, try tears. Personally, when I have used many other methods, and it seems I couldn’t get God’s attention, I break down into tears and most times, God responds speedily.

May the Lord hearken unto your prayers this season in Jesus name.

Reflective Nugget: If all else fails in prayer, try tears.

Date: Tuesday, 16thJanuary, 2024

Text: Luke 17:11-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sometimes, for your prayers to be effective you may need to cry out loud in desperation. God does not ignore the cries of the afflicted. Psalm 22:24 confirms, “For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.”

According to today’s text, on his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:11-14.

Their desperation led them to cry out loudly and they got divine attention and intervention.

In the next chapter 18, as Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Eventually, Blind Bartimeus got his sight- Luke 18:35-39.

Bartimeus roared loudly against all odds and he was attended to. Add desperation to your prayers and cry out loud and God will take care of that nagging problem in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Do not be quiet, lift up your voice and cry out loud to Him today!

Date: Monday, 15thJanuary, 2024

Text: Esther 4:15-16

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

When a mass death sentence was given against the lives of all the Jews in the Citadel of Susa, Esther, the Queen called for a corporate fast, saying, to her uncle Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16

Even though it was against the palace protocol for Esther to see the king without being invited, because fasting and prayer had gone to the Heavens, protocols were by-passed and Esther was favoured in his royal presence. The judgement of genocide against them was reversed. The instigator of the mass destruction, Haman was humiliated and hanged in the very gallows he had built against Mordecai.

Nineveh enjoyed a similar grace. In their own case, God was the One judging them, not man. They humbled themselves and fasted. Their king rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust; he and his nobles decreed a national fast for three days, saying, “Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” Jonah 3:6-9.

God heard their prayer and the pending destruction was cancelled.

When you fast and pray with humility, you will enjoy God’s favour, protocols are bypassed and the irreversible is reversed.

Prayer Nugget: Father, as I fast and pray this season, let judgements be upturned and protocols bypassed in my favour in Jesus name.

Date: Saturday, 13th January, 2024

Text: Lamentation 2:19

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

About 17 years ago, I needed to make a decision with life-long consequences. At a point I was emotionally down and I met a matured Christian brother for counseling. He then advised me to seek God’s face at night. I followed his counsel, got up and prayed earnestly at night. God answered speedily, guided me and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

When the Lord wanted to make a life-long decision of choosing the twelve disciples, Luke 6:12 says, “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.”

After Jesus prayed all night, He walked on the water, healed the multitudes, and preached. (Matthew 14:22-36).

Jacob’s persistent all-night prayer brought him a new name, a new destiny, victory and blessing (Genesis 32:22-32).

In Acts 16:25-26, Paul received a supernatural deliverance after praying in the midnight hours.

Are you faced with economic hardship, confused or in need of urgent divine intervention, the word of God says, “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.” Lamentations 2:19.

Prophetic Nugget: May you encounter God afresh this season in Jesus name.

Date: Friday, 12th January, 2024

Texts: Exodus 32:7-14; Matthew 4:1-11

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The whole world was created by the spoken word of God which became the written word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3.

If there be any problem with anything God has created, it is the same word of God that will be the solution. The name of God is highly exalted and powerful but the scripture affirms, “For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalm 138:2B

Three times the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil after fasting for 40 Days and Nights; and those three times he overcame with the Word of God. The devil had no choice but to leave him alone- Matthew 4:1-11.

Some folks can pray for one hour and they will not make a single reference to the word of God. It is like a witch doctor making long pronouncements without any form of incantations. Prayers become effective when sufficiently backed up with the Word of God. The word of God is the Christian’s “incantation.”

One of the greatest intercessors of all time is the prophet Moses. He well understood the secret behind effective prayers. When Israel prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them, God became very angry with them, so much that he wanted to destroy them.

However, Moses quickly swung into action. He pleaded with God saying, “Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ” So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Exodus 32:12-14

God relented from destroying his people because Moses reminded him of his promises to the founding fathers of the faith.

Make it a habit to study the word so that you can know the promises of God and regularly remind him of his promises in prayers and so that you can put the devil where he belongs.

Victory shall be yours in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: For effectiveness, always back up your prayers with the relevant word of God.

Date: Thursday, 11thJanuary, 2024

Text: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Some people don’t get result because they approach God’s presence the wrong way. They barge into the presence of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Such folks just get into his presence and start to pour out all their complaints before him; they then wonder why they don’t get answers.

God knows all your problems even before you tell him. But “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4

Come also with an attitude of humility and sincerity. Don’t come flaunting your credentials like the Pharisee who came to God’s presence and said, “‘I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer, like everybody else. I thank you that I am not like that tax collector over there. I fast two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all my income.’ Luke 18:11-12. His prayers were not answered because of his boastful attitude.

God spoke to Solomon saying, “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.

This year, may all your prayers be answered in Jesus name.

Action Nugget: Always come into His presence with an attitude of thanksgiving, humility and sincerity.

Date: Wednesday, 10th January, 2024

Text: James 5:17-18

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

It is one thing to pray, it is another thing to pray effectively. Effective prayer is one that produces desired results. When you pray and you get results you are encouraged to pray again. Many people quit after experiencing some failures in prayers.

First of all, sin is a barrier that renders prayers ineffective. The word of God says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2

Secondly, the word of God says a lot of people pray amiss, meaning, they pray with wrong motives, in order to spend it on their personal pleasures only. James 4:3. Prayer becomes effective when the answer to it will glorify God and benefit mankind; this is the will of God.

One of the ingredients of effectiveness in prayer is fervency. Fervency in prayer indicates passionate, zealous and heartfelt prayers. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops- James 5:17-18.

You can’t say you are fervent when you are praying and busy on social media, pressing phone or dozing.

This year, make up your mind to pray effectively and you will share testimonies in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, I ask for grace for result-producing prayers in Jesus name.

Date: Tuesday, 9th January, 2024

Text: Luke 13:6-9

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

Sometimes God compares humans to trees. For example, Jesus Christ said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2

Immediately after the report of the disasters that befell some Jews, the Lord told a parable about a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

God expects all his children to bear fruit- fruit of repentance, holy living and soul winning.

This is another year he has spared our lives to see. Don’t make it “Business As Usual”. Rather, surrender to Jesus Christ, be available for his use. Live holy; spread the gospel by all means possible. Let Heaven rejoice through your efforts on Earth. Use your time, talents and treasures for the expansion of His Kingdom.

You will not be cut off in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, by your grace, this year, I will bear the fruit of repentance, holy living and soul winning in Jesus name.

Date: Monday, 8th January, 2024

Text: Luke 13:1-5

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

On the first of January, 2024, New Year’s Day, the report came of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the remote Noto peninsula in Japan – toppling buildings and sparking a major fire. About 161 have died as a result of this disaster and over 200 are missing. I am very sure that the victims did not anticipate it.

Every time, I read Jesus’ response to the report brought to him as regards the victims of some disasters, I tremble.

In today’s text, Pilate, the Governor of Judea, had some worshipers killed. Their blood was mixed with the blood of the animals they had brought for sacrificing. When Christ was told about it, he answered, “Do you think this happened to those people because they were more sinful than all other people from Galilee?”

And what about those 18 people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? He answered, “Do you think they were more sinful than everyone else in Jerusalem?” Christ added, “No, they were not. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:1-5

Many have heard the message of repentance and salvation over and over again but refuse to heed. They have been warned of the dangers of everlasting destruction time and again, but they keep postponing their day of salvation. 

Please, do not take God’s mercy for granted.

Proverbs 29:1 says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”

Action Nugget: Repent from and forsake every sinful way today!

Date: Sunday, 7th January, 2024

Text: Luke 1:1-17

Author: Pastor Adedeji Fadehan

Exhortation:

The problem of barrenness has plagued many families for ages and sometimes, even God’s people are not exempted. But with the right positioning barrenness disappears in the lives of the His people.

The biblical story of a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth is very instructive. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

It seemed God had forgotten him and his family. I am very sure even his extended family would have given up on them because the wife by then had reached the stage of menopause and biologically speaking was unable to conceive anymore.

However, despite their ‘impossible’ situation they never compromised their faith but remained well positioned in holiness, serving the Lord.

Once when Zechariah was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Luke 1: 8, 11-15a

Barrenness was terminated because Zechariah’s family did not give up their righteous positioning. They served God blamelessly; He remembered them and gave them John, the Baptist. Concerning John, Jesus Christ said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” Matthew 11:11.

This year 2024, the Lord will remember you as you position yourself rightly in obedience and active service of God in Jesus name.

Prayer Nugget: Father, please, remember me this year, as I position myself rightly in Jesus name.