Thursday 29 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 29/02/2024

THURSDAY - 29TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

HE FURTHERS US!

II KINGS 4:42, KJV

"And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof . And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat."

There's a work that God does. It is that I proclaim to you. Your hope can't be disappointed. You'll always be in the here and in the now. To be in the here and in the now, you must not lack the provision that can continue you. God does that by making provision meet for you rightly.  

This verse is encoded with some understanding to shrink out. First, Elisha the man of God has a household of sons of prophets who live with him to see to. How do they live? How do they eat? Do they farm? We saw how they live or how they are fed in that same verse. Provision was brought for Elisha by a fellow who praises him enough as a man of God. You'd thought the provision would have been taken to the store. No! Nothing like that. The instruction from the man of God is "to give unto the people that they may eat." It means Elisha had nothing to serve anyone until then. However, a provision came that met need. 

God is on time. This provision came to meet need. God will shake the heavens and the earth for you. He'll unsettle people for your sake. Wherever you have needs, the God of the harvest and of all provisions shall meet them. What sort of provision do you call this one that just entered and was used immediately for the purpose of feeding here and then?

When the Bible says, "give us this day our daily bread (Luke 11:3)", you can testify that it is not a scam. God is obligated to all of His creations. It is what He gives us that we gather. Even the young lion roars after their prey and seek their meat from the Lord (Psalm 104:21). This act here that met immediate need shows the one-time God meeting needs of His own beloved children. 

What you'll eat; with what you'll have life shall come. It shall come. I say it shall come rightly at your hour of need. You shall not be stranded. Never! My Father shall meet your needs. 

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for shaking the heaven and the earth for my sake. Thanks for Your provision that meets time and need.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 6:1-7:27, Mark 3:7-30, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 10:3-4

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Wednesday 28 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 28/02/2024

WEDNESDAY - 28TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

WHAT SHOULD CHARACTERIZE OUR LIVES

Numbers 23:24, KJV

"Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain."

This verse should characterize our lives. In the pursuit of purpose, we ought give our eyes no sleep and our eyelids no slumber until we have achieved our intentions. This doesn't mean not sleeping literally until days accumulated into months and months accumulated into years. We know that's impossible. While we may keep vigils occasionally for the realization of our dreams or goals, that place most essentially is calling and breeding us to be people who can't be satiated by pleasure or any other substitute the world has to offer except purpose and its realization.

Some group of men came together for a purpose - to kill Paul. The fact that they meant business was revealed in the resolution they made. They bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they might have killed him (Acts 23:12). That's the kind of resolution, purposeful attacking, focus that I am taking about. One major thing that should be able to guide us this way to achievement is our goal. A life without a goal will be scattered not knowing where to branch or focus. It is when flowing stream or bodies of water lose focus that it becomes a flood. That one as we know blesses no one. However, imagine a body of water that's running in its course without overflowing its boundary. Anything without a focused goal will bring harm. However, when there's a goal, you know what and where to pour yourself into. You give it all and like a wall being besieged, you'll soon see it fall. 

You're meant to rise up as a great lion, lift up yourself like a young lion - not lying down until you have ate of the prey and drank of the blood of the slain. If you watch a lion when it is hungry, you'll have a clearer picture. Because it's hungry, it'll hunt and until its hunger is satiated, there's no turning back or resolution to rest or seek its den. It went hunting for a purpose and that must be achieved before turning back. It doesn't matter how long it takes or what impediments it faces. Something ought to be driving you too. Don't be clueless. Are you telling me you have no dreams? Are you saying you don't want to realize all the human potential God puts in you? That's a debt you owe God. You must discover what capacity you carry, what extent you can go and give yourself to it - serving your generation and those to come with your latent talents, gifts and grace. Something drove those people who bound themselves with an oath to kill Paul. What you have not become that you should become should drive you too. It should become a novel motivation not letting you sit or rest in idleness. As you give all that it takes i.e going to a formal school, engaging in self development, training or rehearsing, collaborating, writing, doing videos etc, you shall see yourself eating of the prey and drinking the blood of the slain. However, put your dream before your eyes first of all. The Psalmist talks of setting the Lord before him (Psalm 16:8). It is what you set before you that you'll see constantly. So, set your dream, aspiration, goal etc before your eyes. Let it have you so you may have it. 

PRAYER: O God of Creation, direct my noble cause/course. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17

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Tuesday 27 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 27/02/2024

TUESDAY - 27TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

WHERE TO FIND JESUS! - Separated Unto Purpose Series 009

Luke 2:48-49, NLT

"48 His parents didn't know what to think. "Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." 49 "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

You have to know your kiddos and we do by learning who they are and what their greatest love is. If I asked you what could have the attention of each of your children, what would you say to me? If you do not know the greatest love or obsession of your kids, you might suffer for it yourself. Joseph and Mary suffered just for that as seen in today's Bible verses. Imagine if Jesus' parents knew what his greatest love was. They wouldn't have searched for three days looking for Jesus to no avail until... They went everywhere looking for him except the temple. It was when they couldn't locate him at all those places they thought children of his age could be or be attracted to that they eventually came to the temple as a last resort. They were forced to come to the temple. They themselves didn't believe or imagine that their son is such a one that has come to discover purpose at such an early age and is living it. 

You can't predict your kiddo. Some children mature in orientation and purposeful living or its discovery faster than others. That's why they amuse adults who listen to them manifest. The fact that Mary and Joseph predicted Jesus thinking he could be where the cinema was going on at the market place made them not locate Jesus on time. Let me drive home a point. Your kiddo's obsession or his calling manifests also in where he visits or wants to be. We'll be attracted differently and to different places you know. At a very tender age, Steve Jobs was attracted by inventions that he saw from a store's revealing glass. If you ask where such boy would be, I could say around electronics. Jesus would prefer to be at the temple above any other place because that's an identical place for his calling. He told them, "don't you know I must be in my Father's house." Parents who know their kids and what their obsessions are are those who don't miss. They could therefore match or tie their kiddos to their obsessions. While growing up, many of our mothers knew where they could find us and some were oblivion of it too. Those who knew accessed their children faster for errands or for their needs than others. You'll just hear, "he's at XYZ's house." They could tell friends, "go and check him on the football field" or "go to the library." You need to find your child's interest and where it is tied. Engineers won't gather where actors or dancers would be. If your child would love the cinema or theatre, it may be that another Shakespeare is to be revealed. So, if he or she has his choices to be made, you may begin to see him or her flock around media personalities and movie stars. You won't find an Engineer necessarily in such a place. For those looking for Jesus, look no further. He is in His Father's house - the temple. If you'll discover him, go there. Stop walking up and down to no end. Anyone who discovers purpose this early gives parents rest. You're not confused as to where they may be. It's until then you could predict them with assurance that they'll be where their destiny assignment or training is taking place. 

Such early harvest of children to purpose and their specialization is needful if there'll be attention and concentration on their callings. As we round off this series, ask yourself, will I still do second guess if I were asked which place or what thing has the attention of my kids the best". As for Jesus, He was telling his parents, "why the wasted effort? You should know I'll be at the temple. I'm not destined to be a footballer and so I can't be at the field. I'm not destined to be a fisherman and so I can't be at the sea. However, if you're looking for me, "come to the temple." May our children be this purposeful - knowing themselves and educating others to know or discover them same way. 

PRAYER: Father, let my son be purposeful in his pursuit. Let him discover a calling to obsess after as he arises to it.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17

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Monday 26 February 2024

BUYING THINGS CHEAPLY AT THIS TIME

BUYING THINGS CHEAPLY AT THIS TIME

Three years ago, a female colleague at my workplace who knows I'm a geek hinted me of some pile of books that were to be sold. It ranges from self help to books on Christian doctrine/faith. The owner, a moderate elderly man was relocating abroad to continue his life. That was in 2021. 

I didn't hesitate. I bought all the books except for few that I've had and didn't want to double or those that were too ragged beyond redemption. I bought some as cheap as #250. Some of these books were notably Kenneth Hagin and wouldn't have been sold at those battered prices at the market.

I however seized a fleeting opportunity to acquire them. I could remember I doubled George Samuel Clason's The Richest Man in Babylon and gave it as a parting gift to a loving sister who was furthering her career. Today, she's in the Banking Sector. She was delighted having the book at last having heard a buzz about it. 

I want to say this "move" or "wave" is being repeated now. Many Nigerians are checking out of the country in their droves like swarm of bees. Before you blink, it may be your neighbour next door. Please, acquire him. In the rush to desperately leave the country and its hot room behind, they will sell off their properties at affordable and lesser prices. Two things might motivate the auctioning off at such lesser price. 

1. That those properties are second hand (even when they're sincerely still new). 

2. Or needing to convert them to money (often in view of time lapse and their departure).

Last year, before a very close brother got the scholarship that launched him to study Computer Vision and Robotics in France, he intimated me of a land his mum could sell in order to fund him and help him realize his goal. That's good and it'll worth it at day's end. However, I advised that the land be retained as it's well situated in an enviable place in Lagos or so. I wouldn't know if the land was eventually sold but I did persuade him not to because he might need it for practice. 

I found out that many Nigerians are not only frustrated but they are now desperate due to their mounting frustration. You may be shocked seeing people sell off their properties so cheaply at this period. Why? Either they want to travel out or they want to survive where they are presently. 

While I'm an advocate of human feeling and compassion, yet I have also discovered people that you can't persuade not to sell something that's theirs [even when you are seeing the unreasonableness behind it]. If you do and they insisted, buy the property. However, you may do them the favour of topping the payment considering they're selling so low out of desperation or need to put hand in the mouth. 

People, go and get ready to acquire things that cheaply. That wave is coming back again. I need prepare your mind for it. You're not wicked buying what people say they want to sell. Don't beat yourself for that. However, if you meet an unwilling seller who's only being forced to sell what he shouldn't sell, help him out if you can. He'll never forget that. From there, you might have an open door and friendship that may beat silver and gold.

Jesus told Simon Peter to launch out into the deep. Why would Jesus say that if there's no intent or end to it? However, we got to discover Jesus' mind and His intent for such instruction when the concluding verse says, "...and let down your nets for a draught" (Luke 5:4).

Believe it, it wasn't long Peter obeyed he had the greatest catch of his life. I'm sensing a wind blowing. I'm sensing an occasion coming right before someone. Will you take it? However, the anointing has come to prepare you for it. God is saying, "get ready for a draught. Get ready for a cheap catch. Get ready for an harvest that you'll need others to help you pull into your home." However, if you do not get ready or let down your nets by having reserved fund at hand, you may be bypassed while watching another - who's prepared cart away the LG, Samsung TV, Laptop, Furniture, Land, Mansion, Car, Tools/Equipments, Fridge/Freezer, Dryer, Sewing Machine, Gas/Gas Cooker, Fan, AC, Washing Machine, Generator etc that you could have bought. 

Look, before it springs forth [happens at all], God comes to tell you of them. 


Ye Believe in GOD & Believe in Me!


Olusola ADEJUMO,

M'Wings.

Morning Wings Ministry, Nigeria.

+234 81 3704 6812

solaadenathmail@gmail.com

26/02/2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 26/02/2024

MONDAY - 26TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

EXCEPTIONALITY AND AWE REVEALS CALLING - Separated Unto Purpose Series 008

Luke 2:46 - 47, KJV

"46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

This is day 008 on the series, "Separated Unto Purpose." God is not done with us. Rather, He wants to take us further. Today, I have the obligation and release of the Holy Spirit to show you how to mark calling in yourself or any other person, especially your child. My emphasis has for awhile been on the discovery of kiddos' callings. Once done, children are saved from wrong or perverted living onward into their adulthood. The Bible says, "train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6, KJV). One, there is a way he should go. It is the way of the calling and not only of good morals or character inculcation. You can't train a child in the way he should go (his discovered definite calling) if you haven't identified that way also. A calling earlier discovered is what could be trained and taken to its peak of manifestation very early. We don't have to wait for the manifestation of the sons of God at forty years of age. We can experience it in their twenties. May I show you a Psalm that reveals who children or adolescents should be on effectiveness in their callings. 

Psalms 144:12, KJV

"That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace."

We can have such prepared and ready kiddos. Without departing from Luke 2:41-52, I'll be showing you a clear cut mark which once observed reveals your ward has a call on his or her life. Jesus while in the midst of the doctors at the temple displays extraordinary brilliance on God's law or divine things. His brilliance in the Scriptures are so extraordinary that the Bible commented on how the doctors were taken aback. Whenever you see exceptionality being displayed by your kiddo in a subject or activity, it is a mark that he has a specific gifting in there and offcourse a calling to be a master in that field or a related one if he'll pursue it. Many times, parents or adults take little things for granted. You rather ought be like a scout who's on the lookout and tiptoe for that extraordinary player he could recruit for his team. Scout for your ward's strength, gift, talent, obsession, inclination etc. Observe the hint that your child is oozing out by which he or she tells you where he should be classified or with who he should be grouped. You remember Jesus' parents supposedly thought he was in the company of their kinsfolk and acquaintances. However, he was separated away from them because his calling didn't classify him with them. Rather, he was found amidst doctors of religious things (fellow vocational men). If all parents could identify correctly what the calling of their ward is and groom it right there; then there won't be any dullard kid. How do I mean? When you're in your gifting, you're in your elements. Being in your area of grace where you have natural and supernatural equipping to excel means you can't flop because you have many factors of success working for you than of failure working against you. When you're in your calling, since calling begat passion or delight, your passion will begat obsession while that'll begat focus. I can prove that no child is a dullard. You call a child "dull or dullard" because he's not in his calling. Many misfits there be today. Parents themselves are creating these misfits because they want everybody to attend the normal school or experience the familiar schooling. What each of us should rather study and become in life ought be our specialty as dictated to us by what we're created, gifted or best suited for. It is when you do what you lack flair or equipping for that it becomes a struggle and so you struggle. For as many who discovered their callings, they no longer wait to be motivated to work again, they do themselves. Everyone is a genius but not necessarily in the same subject, field or life's endeavour. 

Anything in you or your kiddo that commands awe and spreads wonder when done might be his calling or a link or hint at it. It is what makes people famous, superb and unique. It is what sets them apart and makes them different from others. While I was growing up, I was a very superb artist that commanded attention. I thought I'll become an artist myself. My father encouraged this and my artistry is still revealed in some of my master pieces which I still have till date and then in my general creativity today. I excelled very well in Fine Art and later Literature. Today, all I do revolves round those two things. Anything Art, Culture, Music, Society, History, Prehistoric Life or our Ancient Ancestors and their Origin etc just inspire me. It's therefore in this I give the greatest focus and display of dexterity. 

Watch if it is music, drawing/painting, atheleticism, writing, inventing, coupling and building that your ward is strongly exceptional in. In any he displays the greatest spontaneity, originality, awe and exceptionality, that may be a rope leading you to his calling. May that mark however be visible. Why did I say that? In some kids, there are variety of things they'll be good at. So, this might create confusion both for parents and the kids themselves when choosing a career or a life's task. What to do is not far fetched. Most times, those scattered and diverse obsessions are related strings. Therefore, one that he exceptionally loves should be pursued. From there, he'll have the privilege of branching into other obsessions of his heart if they still seek his attention as he journeys on. When they are not related, there'll surely be one love that surpasses others. That should be bet on and chosen. It'll lead the way into the future of glory and all open door. It is time to connect to all the latent gifts with which God has wired and graced your kiddo. If you'll let this visible mark lead you, it'll lead you into your fullest manifestation and self actualization. 

PRAYER: Lord, show me the exceptionality, uniqueness and specialness in my child. Teach me how to teach it. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16

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Saturday 24 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 25/02/2024

SUNDAY - 25TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

YOUR DELIGHT BRINGS ENERGY TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT - Separated Unto Purpose Series 007

Psalms 1:1- 2, KJV

"1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night".

You know people have asked me over the years what my motivation was - as in what has been keeping me going with my assignment. The answer is what today's teaching serves to give. 

Once you discover your calling, I told you in yesterday's devotional that you'll have successfully discovered a delight. A delight another way round is something you can work tirelessly on day and night; come rain or sunshine. If it were not a delight, your lies and hypocrisy will be exposed and without having trekked a mile, you'll resign, sneeze in weariness and stop continuing. That it is your calling and your delight is what naturally or supernaturally graces you with passion and fire to continue. Even if the wear and tear of life wearies you, you will not give up because you have a fire in you burning and proving unquenchable. That fire is your calling and the passion inherent in it. That's why people would say, "discover your passion or what you're given to". The fact that it's a passion - something you're driven by is what makes it a delight. Something delighting drives!

The Psalm above says, "but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night." First, his delight is somewhere or in something - in God's law or Holy Scriptures. Because he has delight in the Word of God like Ronaldo has delight in football, he doesn't count it a cost meditating on the Scriptures day and night. I have not met Ronaldo and I don't think I need to meet him [though it'll be generous meeting him], however, I'm sure he meditates on football and how matches should go even before he plays them. I'm so sure. That's what is called preparedness of the mind. Success starts from there. 

Delight or passion is what holds the key to meditating in the Scriptures day and night as said in that Psalm. Who does day and night (every time) what he doesn't have passion for? What you don't have delight for, you'll rarely lift a finger at it let alone stick to it. If time enough were spared you for it, you'll suddenly lose interest and won't be able to go full length, using your time fully. However, ask Jesus. He went full time as the Passover lasted in Jerusalem and was even willing to go extra three days in the temple enquiring after God's law until he was found (Luke 2:41-49). That'll be because God's law is his delight. He found it as something interesting to explore. Imagine a kid not wandering after pleasure for three days just because he has found a delight. How many of you parents know your kids tend to be obedient, staying in one place when they have found their delights? For some, it is movie. Once they're glued to it, they don't want you to break their attention. As I speak, there are adventurers and archeologists labouring somewhere at one ancient site or the other. They don't care whether digging or tunneling is laborious or whether their lives could be endangered by it, rather they keep at it day and night and even at rough moments because that's their delight. They're looking for ancient treasures and finds to prove facts on history and existence. However, that delight may not be another man's delight. That's why we don't all end on the same profession or occupation. 

Paul admonished Timothy to preach the Word; be instant in season and out of season (II Timothy 4:2). Apart from determination and discipline that'll help accomplish this, delight for what you do or have found to do is another key to furthering daily and not getting tired. There may be bouts of weariness littering your way, for discouragements will come. However, passion will make you triumph over them. Your love for what you do is of great benefit or consequence therefore. Show me someone who achieves great success somewhere but which he never wanted to do or continue in. Delight will sustain you and it comes ready-made with having found your calling. The moment you find your calling and by inner witness affirm, "this is it", passion will begin to drive you to the daily exercise and delivering of it. It doesn't matter what challenge comes your way, you are lifted above it all through your passion. Delight keeps you working when others have stopped. It was delight in God's things that first made Jesus tarry behind in Jerusalem after the event had ended officially and family and familiar faces have left. That he then continued three days after yet focused on enquiring after God's Holy law shows where his delight really is. If you're a Master student for instance, I want to believe it's your delight (your course of interest) you're studying. If not, research will soon bore you. As a matter of fact, people who coped with difficult courses and life's endeavours that the ordinary human mind fears did through delight. Delight pushed and hauled them over that wall of difficulty. Discover your calling and be delighted forever. When Jesus said, "my meat is to do the will of He that sent me..."(John 4:34). He was as well saying, "my PASSION or MOTIVATION is to do the will of He that has sent me..." Though he's weary and needs physical food, yet his delight for his assignment gives him a focus to stay on the job of winning souls even when there are congregational voices from the disciples tempting him with physical food out of care. Brethren, discover purpose; discover delight! Possess delight; possess your dreams!

PRAYER/CONFESSION: I am roused and stirred like a lion. Until I achieve my goals, I will not rest or lie down. I receive grace, strength and all heavenly helps.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalm 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14

Powered by Morning Wings Ministries. Share with others in English, French, Arabic, Swahili and Chinese. Enquire or counsel through +234 80 77 63 85 50 or +234 8137 04 68 12 II morningwingministry@gmail.com & Blog @ http://morningwingsministry.blogspot.com

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 24/02/2024

SATURDAY - 24TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

WHEN YOU DISCOVER YOUR CALLING; YOU HAVE A DELIGHT - Separated Unto Purpose Series 006

Luke 2:43, KJV

"And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."

The moment you discover your calling, you immediately have something to rejoice your heart other than food and things that people holler or struggle for. 

The Psalmist while speaking says, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased" (Psalms 4:7, KJV). He simply talks of the joy that comes with harvest or payment of one's salary. He said he has joy more than those moments could avail because God has given him joy. One major way that I have found by which one can remain saturated with joy is through the discovery and doing of his calling. It never tires you. Even when your bones and flesh are weary and you take a nap, you come back refreshed to continue the pursuit of your calling. No confession like "this thing is beginning to become monotonous". It can't be because there is an array or layers of discoveries for you to stumble at and be attracted by daily in your calling. You can't for once see it all. You'll rather be making discoveries of interesting findings daily. Every calling though just one is multidimensional. School, church, orphanage, hospital and even NGOs may manifest from a calling - just one calling. We've seen that in the callings of many ministers of God for instance.

So, you can't be bored because the calling you have found is your delight (what you want to do and like doing) and also because it's multidimensional - offering many possibilities. What is a delight? It's what has your attention more than any other thing in the world. I'm not trying to sound uncaring or non-challant. My greatest delight is not my family. It is my calling and seeking to discharge all that it harbours and contains. One may not marry; that ain't any sin but once you're given birth to, you ought fulfill purpose. If you have a family and you aren't even fulfilling purpose, you'd be depressed, frustrated and tired. This offcourse will be contagious - burdening your family if you have any. I'm not comforted with the fact that I have a spouse or a family. No! My life is beyond making babies. I take real joy and pride in the fact that the things impressed divinely on my heart by God at creation - the reason for my coming here from heaven are being discharged and minted out. God created us for a purpose. He put and contained our spirit in a body for a purpose. It'll be the greatest disappointment coming to earth without fulfilling that one purpose. Whether you're married or not, one thing should be common to us all - fulfilment of purpose. 

That's why Jesus makes a confession saying, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34, KJV). You're a failure on earth if you have not found the will or work of He that sent you, get engaged with it and with the ultimate aim of finishing it all. When Jesus cried, "it is finished" (John 19:30) on the cross of Calvary, indeed it was finished. That's the peak of His calling - dying to redeem humanity. He attained it. Not one was lacking. So, once you find your calling, it should become your delight and because it is a delight, it will urge you on. It will move you to move. It will move you past the tedium of discharging it. It will make you feel alive and significant. People who aren't living purposefully are dying organisms. They don't have vibrancy or robustness on the inside. They'll be lean in their souls and fatigue in spirit. 

It's only delight that becomes "meat" to anyone. Despite the pressure from the disciples that Jesus should eat and participate in the ephemeral, Jesus keeps refusing and refuting with, "my meat (aim, purpose, singular discovery and focus, calling, mandate, destiny) is to do the works of He that sent me and to finish it. In essence, he was correcting them from misplaced priority. He was saying, here's a soul to win and run after and here you are talking about physical food. Why did I come to the earth? To eat physical food and be filled or to do the works of He that sent me and to finish it? However, the disciples are more of lost souls here. They just couldn't get the message. They were so lost and of slow understanding that they were asking one another, "has anyone brought Him food, bread or meat while we were not around?" (John 4:33). You see, misplaced priority. 

Jesus found his delight at age twelve when he began to tarry with it and he ate it all until it was finished at Calvary. Oh, may you find your calling and may your calling finds you. May you locate the field the Master Groomer and Allocator wants you to give your years on earth to till. May you not cultivate the wrong garden thereby losing your rewards.

PRAYER: Today, open my understanding to locate the garden I should till. Relocate and realign me to destiny.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 14:1-57, Mark 6:30-56, Psalm 40:1-10, Proverbs 10:11-12

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Friday 23 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 23/02/2024

FRIDAY - 23RD FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

TIMELY PROVISION OR CONNECTION ARE IN YOUR CALLING AND ITS DISCOVERY - Separated Unto Purpose Series 005

Luke 2:46, KJV

"And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."

Did you observe that the doctors were on ground to answer Jesus' questions and put him through? Why? Your calling when it is discovered and taken will gather the resources that it needs for its own fulfilment by itself.

If I share testimonies with you, I hope you'll be edified. To the least of the books and movies I watch, they are carefully chosen and suggested materials to me by my calling. One day, I had worn out all the books I could lay my hands on ever written on purpose. Then, I began to flip through the pages of a book I was not seriously considering to read. I was just flipping through and reading certain places for the purpose of redeeming my time. However, I had earlier prayed with utmost desire that the next book to read on fulfilment of purpose and equipping of my calling would be met. As I flipped on through this book of Pastor Sunday Adelaja, I suddenly saw where it was written that "a book by XYZ author is entirely based on purpose, its discovery and fulfilment". Shockingly and funnily enough, I've had that book downloaded on my laptop over three years ago. I once started reading it but for some reasons dropped it. 

Immediately I read that recommendation, I took it as God's answer to my prayer and immediately guided myself to the book. Believe it, I read over sixty pages of that book that night only. I read it late into the midnight to finish it the next day. God so much cares about my education to the extent that he allows me to come across the very information and materials I needed per time. One time also, I needed another King James Version of the Bible. I had a description in my mind on the kind it should be. I only have two in my house amidst other numerous versions that I own with which I do comparative study. However, those two are now in the hands of my wife and sibling. That desire for a new KJV Bible continued to burn for awhile in me until I boarded a public transport one day. The driver was a rough man - a rascal and tout. The cuts on his faces and his rough way of speaking proves that. Sitting in front by his side, I saw a large sized book right overboard. I examined it and found it to be a KJV BIBLE. I was drawn to it thinking particularly it was a book I could beg to own. I never knew it was a Bible because the hardcover was only made of glossary paper. So, I let it alone after the discovery of what it was. As we journeyed on, my mind kept going back to it. God was saying, "ask for it now. That's your request". As he stopped over at my busstop, I summoned courage to ask for it. The rest was history. Opening the Bible, I saw it was as neat as anything on the inside though the paper cover seems to have been covered in dust. Believe it, it's still that same Bible I'm using till date. It's the exact I wanted. I therefore cherishes it a lot. 

So, when you heed your calling, resources automatically comes allocated with it to you. As you desire, you'll see God gives you quick answers because He knows you're where you're serving His will and furthering His purpose. That's God's doing though it might be marvelous, shocking and surprising to you. However, that's how God works. At tarrying behind in Jerusalem, the teachers of the law that could help impact knowledge and answer Jesus' questions were automatically prepared to be on ground. All of them were not only available, they gave Jesus their time. None of them despised him for being a curious child. As such, Jesus' waiting was to an end. He reaped the benefit of having waited. If you'll leave vanity and go into your calling today or begin its operation, you'll forever witness miracles at junctures of needs. Be assured, provision will never be scarce for you. That's because even where there's none, the Lord shall provide. Yes, even on the mountain of the Lord! That's what your calling will become. For anyone who won't shrink back but operate his calling, it shall be indeed said that God is his God. They shall meet many miracles on the way proving therein is the path they should have trodden indeed. 

PRAYER: Father, give me courage to be turned away from vanity into the operation of my calling.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 13:1-59, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 39:1-13, Proverbs 10:10

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Thursday 22 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 22/02/24

THURSDAY - 22ND FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

DESTINY MEET - Separated Unto Purpose Series 004

Read Luke 2:41-52

Luke 2:42 - 43, KJV

"42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."

Parents are generally advised to expose their children to varieties of activities and subjects which range from sports, music, trades or vocational studies etc. The reason is simple. By experimenting with all these, they might come to discover where their passion or calling is. It is what you have contacted or experienced that could become resounding to you. God has built or created us for one thing or the other in life. That love or desire is sparked when we hit on that life's endeavour. It doesn't matter which life's purpose it is. It comes alive and bubbles from within you at contact. It's like a digger hitting on a bag of coins. At such moment, you'll have an heightened enlightenment and sensation that you are made for this thing and this thing is made for you. This is where the deep calls unto the deep in symphony and utmost agreement. 

Jesus could be said to have discovered his calling at twelve. Why did I say that? That was the recorded first time he showed love - special obsession for an area of life. Have you not read the verse that says, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalms  84:10, KJV). That's the joy of discovering what is life's essence. When you do, other things become ephemeral to you as you seek to give concentration to that one found thing that is sweeter than honey.

Samson once posed a riddle to which he got the response: "what is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?" (Judges 14:18). If I should respond to that, I'd answer saying, "purpose found and life lived out is sweeter than honey and stronger than a lion".

That Jesus had hit on his calling was revealed in his not letting it go. He had to tarry behind to indulge and rejoice in it the more even when all the familiar faces he knew had left for Nazareth. When others grow tired of what you're called to do, the mark that it is your calling is finding yourself still passionately pursuing or continuing in it. If you meet called sportsmen, their trainings don't end when the team packs up. Somewhere, they always continue. Others left when the programme officially ended (Lk. 2:43); however, Jesus stayed to enquire more in the house of the Lord. Kai! What a thing! Only calling troubles people and collect their attention like this. Only calling makes people lose track of time and esteem long hours for a short while in the discharge of the business of their callings. Three days extra that Jesus spent in Jerusalem and consequently at the temple must have been a short while to him. Why? He was enjoying what he was doing and grateful for being at the temple - his citadel of learning at that time. Also, that he was not for once bored but found in the midst of the doctors when his parents came for him (Lk. 2:46) proves this. He was both hearing and asking them questions.

Look, no one tarries behind to further an activity that doesn't obsess or give him joy. If it were not so, one or two of Jesus' kinsfolk should have thought it wise to as well stay back. However, the truth is that it is only what you are called to do that'll move you and have your respect. If your calling is not in ministry, you will not have your attention attuned to ministry like a minister will have his crested. As a matter of fact, you may flip the channel when a preacher with revelation is teaching in order to watch what your passion is. Why? You believe that value will not necessarily add up to you. You can acquire it but it may not be put to use because it is an education out of your area of calling or practices. However, if a scientist begins to explain the processes of the creation of something, you might let that stay because you're as well a called scientist who wants to listen to the latest invention or improvement in your field. 

Also, those who infatuate us, who we seek to meet or model after reveal who we're to become or what our specific calling is. I'm not seeking to be with engineers or pilots though they make good money and have the name. However, I'll any day and any time give myself away to learn and accumulate more from the fellowship of other anointed ministers of God. Jesus wasn't drawn to fishing at twelve years of age. A very pointer that his love and calling is not in fishing but in ministry - which he loved so much as to give three days extra to and sacrifice family and familiar faces for. Yet, that discovery and encounter happened by exposing Jesus to religious things and taking him to where he could have the joy of practice - the temple.

There'll be destiny meet - in that you'll walk to meet or discover your calling and what you should do for the rest of your life. It'll inspire you more than anything. It'll call you to sacrifice and you won't see it as too costly to do because that's what you were made for. That'll be because you have a strong connection and love for that life's endeavour or calling.

I pray for you, you'll discover calling and your child will as well. They won't waste away - seeking to live their lives pursuing shadows and what doesn't add up to life. Imagine doing what one doesn't feel any connection or love for. It'll soon show in how one does it. One will be careless and shabby with it. Such thing won't be a definition of quality and witty invention. That'll be because it's a undernourished soul with satisfaction that's doing it. However, may you have destiny meet, encounter and discovery of your calling. You'll go where you'll discover what you should do or become. You'll meet the right connection and the flow shall all flow for your calling to materialize.

PRAYER: Lord, guide my children to the path of destiny discovery and fulfilment. Let there be an overarching mark of what they're made for.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 11:1-12:8, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 38:1-22, Proverbs 10:8-9

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Wednesday 21 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 21/02/2024

MORNING WINGS MINISTRY:

WEDNESDAY - 21ST FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

CROWD FREAKED! - Separated Unto Purpose Series 003

Luke 2:43-44, KJV

"43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance."

Do you know the fear of many? Loneliness! It's true that a journey becomes easier when you aren't the only wayfarer. However on calling or who you should be, there's a solitude that you'll have to embrace. No one, not even God will deliver you from it. The earlier you accept it - entering into the right frame of mind, the better. 

Many people are crowd freaked. In 2018, I was accused by some concerned colleagues at the workplace for not being ever present at the public front. It was as if they had held a meeting and talked it through before coming to chide me for embracing constant solitude. Over the years, I have also discovered people who thought I was egoistic by wanting to be by myself. Some had said I was antisocial and many had formulated mysteries round my personality. I just wondered when I became all the labels  they had put on me so far. 

When these people accused me of not socializing enough and flocking with them, they basically had been caught up with a mystery they sought to demystify. They wanted to be able to explain me and nobody knows to explain another without enough familiarity with him. What prompted their approach was that. However, I have discovered that when you are too available, you risk losing value. It's better to maintain a step away so that some details about your outworking are shrouded. Though I didn't intentionally chose to operate solitude for that purpose; however, it serves that well also. People crave to demystify what they don't know enough. They'll leave ninety-nine people who have been unravelled for one that's proving hard to judge, measure or predict. In this way, you become an object of desire and unending probes. 

Don't be crowd freaked! Why couldn't you survive without being associated with the populace? Do you need to be with them always to find your identity or realize yourself? What sort of life is that which is crowded with people and distraction always? While God wants us to build smooth relationships and network, that doesn't mean you should cultivate social life to the peril of your calling.  The truth is, "until you discover your calling, frivolities will continue to use your time and life". However, once you do, you become Lord over frivolities like Jesus was Lord over the Sabbath (Matt.12:8). People, you're a unique person who needs a ground to germinate in. You need time with yourself, your Creator, those books, those videos and lectures. You need time to press in commitment until a visible product comes out of your habit of solitude. Imagine if Jesus had followed his family, kinsfolk and acquaintances that sooner they all left for Nazareth. What will he have gained? Nothing, except for the noise and family chatter on the way. Many people can't smother their emotions to be separated from friends, family and even their devices/social media (the greatest distraction there be now) in order to give attention and sow seeds where it'll matter sooner or later. Rather, they want to be submerged, flooded and impressed by the noise making on-line and on-site. Occasionally when I check out of solitude to spend time with people, I'm always shocked on hearing what the discussion is about. Petty gossip and matters that aren't different from fables and unprofitable tales that Paul warned Timothy about (I Tim. 1:4, I Tim. 4:7). If they weren't feasting on the flaws of someone or discussing about a leadership that has gone wrong; it'll be on some exotic and ephemeral desires of the heart they wanted to fulfill which often would go unfulfilled. Yet, time waits for no one. According to Andrew Marvell, "But at my back I always hear/ time's winged chariot hurrying near."

Jesus at twelve had learnt how not to be crowd freaked. He successfully separated himself from the crowd or company of people journeying home to give attention to a more excellent find. It means he'll successfully cope with a boarding school if he were driven off to one. Nowadays, we have children under 12 who are separated to their callings in different academies and getting prepared for their days of manifestation. Meanwhile, here are adults pursuing food to the exclusion of destiny training and manifestation. Jesus separated himself at twelve! It means he's as well hinting at being independent. If he could stay focus on educating his mind for three days without going to watch a show at the market place, then I present to you a disciplined soul. That proved him to have become a man. No wonder, he knows there's something called the Father's business (higher than petty things of life that others are lost in) which he must give attention to (Lk 2:49). Indeed, he did. 

If you forever want to be around people, I can as well predict your future that you'll never be above average or achieve mastery in your calling. You need time and privacy to incubate eggs that once hatched will give the world quality and satisfaction. A mother hen stays for 21 days in solitude incubating and bringing energy on her eggs that she might be able to present to the world chicks. Do you think a bird should be more strategic than you do? No, no! A mind teeming with ideas is better and more resourcesful than a body adorned with clothes. One can invent and produce those clothes while the other will only consume them. The witty mind offcourse is a derivative from solitude. If you'll calve (bring forth), you'll need to get pregnant first. As far as all great souls have discovered, pregnancy comes about in the secret place. Find yours and frequent it. If you're a sanguine, carefully discipline yourself until you could enjoy solitude like melancholies do.  If you see one who can't endure solitude, they'll seek to even use their spouses to cure loneliness. This way, they'll put them in bondages in marriage. They'll always be there desiring their presences which proves they personally aren't whole and unique individual beings. Please, be different.

PRAYER: I accept responsibility and commit to detach from all time and energy sapping relationships. I am unique and whole.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 9:7-10:20, Mark 4:26-5:20, Psalm 37:30-40, Proverbs 10:6-7

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Tuesday 20 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 20/02/2024

TUESDAY - 20TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

SEPARATED UNTO SOLITUDE - Separated Unto Purpose Series 002

Luke 2:42-43, KJV

"42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."

If you have not discovered solitude, you can't make discoveries. Those who ever drag something from the world of ideas to that of realities are those who have learnt to cultivate and embrace intentional solitude. You have heard that the animal called sloth sleeps in its entirety for 18 hours out of 24 daily. If it ever wakes up, it'll be to nimble at its food.. While the sloth wastes time and wastes away (because it does nothing significant with its solitude than sleeping), you must arise today as a reasonable man to tear from your busy schedule and hurly-burly life a time for yourself and to be with your calling.

Things develop in solitude without the viewing eyes of the public. That's why a Bible verse like this is written. 

Ecclesiastes 11:5, KJV

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."

You see, the foetus grows in solitude to become a baby in a woman's womb. It's this that eventually becomes the tangibility or product that we call a child. If you'll ever give birth to tangibilties or products, you'll need to separate yourself from the crowd to begin to fellowship and relate with your calling solitarily or in a close group. Moreso, with things or people that can feed your calling. There's no one who attains mastery who doesn't thrive or leverage solitude. Many times when you read the synoptic gospels, you'll see Jesus being called master or rabbi. It just was not conferred on him. He just didn't become a master through the revelation of things he had effortlessly from God but through things he acquired and became by time through the intentionality of cultivating solitude. One of such story is still what I narrate now. 

Did you observe that it was solitude Jesus was operating when he tarried back at Jerusalem instead of going home with his family, kinsfolk and acquaintances. I wished you were there when the return to Jerusalem was being made. People were just chit-chatting, making comedy and coasting along. Much of those people looked like lost souls who don't have aim or destination. They just flooded the road, flocked together and laughed together. However, here's a twelve year old boy who not only dare to dream to become a minister but who begins to take action towards becoming that man God uses by staying with or hanging around places and people who would inspire and groom him for same. The separation from the crowd into an enclosure with doctors or teachers of the law is his own solitude. That was his time to service his calling. Also, it was his refusal to company with the general masses who have no vision of what says the time. Jesus understood time. Despite just being twelve years old, he saw the reason for a separation to train and acquire from the best of his days. No one just arrives. It's the accumulation he has gathered over the years that'll raise him up - making him distinct or known. Don't let anybody deceive you about learning and training your calling. Even Jesus trained his as we saw here. If not, he need not ask questions or listen to doctors of the law speak. Though he impressed them with his responses, he yet learnt and was impacted by what they taught. 

You need solitude - a separation from the chatter box of noise of this world. You need time face to face with your calling to groom your calling. To do that, you must be deliberate to ever seek for time and moment to let the crowd go while you tarry with your calling or what can inflame it. Solitude is where diligence is beginning to be given to make your calling and election sure. You may be called and not be known with your call or felt at all because you have refused to solitarily give attention in solitude to learn the ingredients of your calling or life's task. Dare separate yourself. Don't let the crowd freak you. If you're a scientist, begin to spend some good six hours daily in the laboratory and see if no discovery would come out of that in let's say some ten years to come. Today, tarry behind and be separated unto solitude. Let family loose, let kinsfolk go and desire not to see acquaintances around until you've daily fulfilled your obligation as your calling demands.  

PRAYER: I overcome the daily temptation of wasting time. I give priority to what matters. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 7:28-9:6, Mark 3:31-4:25, Psalm 37:12-29, Proverbs 10:5

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Monday 19 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 19/02/2024

MONDAY - 19TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE BOY WHO WON'T FELLOW WITH THE CROWD - Separated Unto Purpose Series 001

Read Luke 2:41- 52

Luke 2:42 - 43, KJV

"42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."

Today, God wants to address the issue of calling. When you have a calling, it chooses you and chooses your life for you as well. Calling determines what sort of life each of us lives and what sorts of sacrifices we make also. While some have such time to socialize; others are tucked into solitude maybe due to their callings and its difference. Today, God wants to show us the boy who won't fellow with the crowd. Through His life, we'll learn the power of the calling, the demands the calling make on us and how important it is to heed the dictates or directives of one's calling. The truth is this, your calling will speak, seeking to direct you into the path you should take in life. All of us can't and won't end up doing or being the same thing. What assures this is the different calling which we heed and follow its directives as it seeks to turn us to choices of life's tasks, obligations and services to humanity that are most suitable to our creation/ordination. 

Having visited Jerusalem for the Passover, Jesus' family returns but without him. The Bible records, "and the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem..." Why would a twelve year old boy tarry behind in Jerusalem? Why would a child of that age decide to stay back at the temple where religious activities are being done? Why wasn't boy Jesus eager to return home so that he might have rest and indulge in funs? Why didn't he act like his age mates who returned home with their parents and didn't seek to tarry at Jerusalem? We know that because the Bible says, "they travelled in the company of their kinsfolk" (Lk. 2:44). So, there would have been children of Jesus' age who visited Jerusalem with their parents too. 

Meanwhile, I actually found answer to why Jesus tarried behind. Jesus at this time has felt the string of his calling appealing and pulling him to ministry. Though he didn't take the decision of coming to Jerusalem himself, he did took that of tarrying or staying back himself. That's because he has realized it as, "his Father's business which he must be about or be occupied with" (Lk. 2:49). "Why would he do that", you might ask? It's because he has found his delight. And your delight is what becomes your meditation, affection and even craving day and night. Psalm 1:2 puts it this way. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate day and night". What am I trying to establish? The fact that anyone who has found his calling has found a delight to spend time with, on or around. Immediately a man discovers his calling, that thing becomes his or her delight. It impresses, infatuates, delights and urges him on. It becomes what he spends his greatest time on. No wonder, Jesus didn't go home that immediately! Little wonder he forgot Nazareth in order to stay back at Jerusalem. For sure, he let the familiar faces of his parents and acquaintances vanish in order to stay with the doctors of the law who are nothing but total strangers to him. Why would a twelve year old child be this odd yet unique amidst a congregation of many wayfarers? Why would a twelve year old separate Himself so distinctly from the crowd - choosing so differently?

He has found his delight. He has found something to spend day and night with/on. This made him spent three days in the temple hearing and asking questions of the doctors. Look at how Jesus got Himself educated in his calling by relating with masters of the vocation. In like manner, you too must be commanded or attracted by your calling. In all truthfulness, we won't all share the same calling. You might have been called as a sportsman, creative artist, musician or even an inventor. As such, this calling of yours will pull you in a direction. It'll choose for you mentors and role models. 

You see, one of the creatures I like watching at play and at work are young chaps. By observing children, I begin to decipher what their likes are. Their likes and what they are specially attracted to and would like to tarry with in others absence may be a big witness to what their calling could be. I have the same experience growing up. So far, I have discovered calling, purpose and destiny by navigating these processes. I can only get better in it and take to the greatest height what I've discovered. The process is just the same. 

Mark those who find it easier to be separated, given to something or tarry with something; that thing might be their very calling. As a matter of fact, that's their calling calling them to come and stay forever with what ordainment said they should do. While others didn't see any good in staying further at the temple to savour the things of God, Jesus did. He waited behind. He spent three more days. He worried less about food or where to lay his head. Nowadays, it takes effort persuading adults to attend conferences and seminars away from home. Complaint is always on where to lay their heads and what to eat. But I tell you, if you ever find your calling, it'll rouse you, command you and drive you to responsibility You'll give your eyes no rest until you've actualized it. 

Brethren, it's time for separation unto greatness. Stop journeying with the crowd but rather be separated unto your calling. Feed what can feed you and you'll be known with that difference. I see many purposeful people rising up and tarrying with their callings. I'm seeing scientists in the laboratory, sportsmen in training and writers at their desks Such are the future. 

PRAYER: Lord, I tap my calling and its uniqueness. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 6:1-7:27, Mark 3:7-30, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 10:3-4

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Saturday 17 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 18/02/2024

SUNDAY - 18TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

HE BROUGHT YOU AN EQUIPPING BEFOREHAND

Read Luke 15:11-32

Luke 15:14, KJV

"And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want."

"What is man that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visits him" (Psalm 8:4). Put that somewhere. God is never unjust. He'll sure visit you, as well your neighbour. What you do with His visitation is all that matters. If hundred visitations or blessings of God are not trapped or maximized, it will surely look as if God had not visited. If it rains and you do not collect the descending water, in a matter of time, you won't have evidence that it once rained. Do you know why? The ground would have dried up. That's what Joseph was telling Pharaoh. After those seven years of plenty come severe seven years of famine (Gen. 41:29-31). It'll be worst if the abundance is not trapped at all; because by then, the seven years of plenty will not be traceable?

The story of the prodigal son serves to teach us that. This young man arose and asked his father for a fair share of his estate. The father obliged him. Gathering all together, he travels into a far country. There, the Bible records he wastes his substance on riotous or wild living. In the statement of his elder brother to their father, we have more specifics on what riotous living was. It included spending on harlots and all sorts of debauchery (Luke 15:30). However, after this wastage of resources comes what the Bible calls, "a mighty famine." 

"And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land..."

Believe it, that famine didn't spare him because we have testimony that "he began to be in want." Now, we ought ask some purposeful questions. Did God plan that this young man would be in any want on the long run? Obviously no. As far as God is concerned, he has not been forlorned but visited. He was succinctly equipped by the substance his father shared with him. It was that substance God intended would be his means of survival. However, what did he do with it? He wasted it in riotous living. He went about on a spending spree as a ragamuffin. This way, he lost what could have been his potent key of survival at a hard time.

God is merciful. You are meant to leverage His mercy. Like I said, He does well by visiting man beforehand with what he needs for life and godliness. He seeks to impart to us a stay or strength before the days of adversity come on us. What matters is to be aware of your visitation so you won't be caught unawares in unpreparedness in hard times like a fish taken in an evil net. The problem of this young man is the problem of many. They aren't futuristic at all. They are sensual and ephemeral. They are people of the now - eat-it-all people. As such, they suffer when the season of life changes. God came for the prodigal son. He was equipped with wealth that could make him laugh at famine. However, it was not invested. It was wasted. So, he suffered. 

Therefore, no man should accuse God of unfairness when their poverty comes like an armed men. God will give to you. What you do with such released blessing is what that matters? Take note also, that "mighty famine" didn't arise before or when he still had empowerment or equipping to handle it. If it came before he spent it all, he could have exercised caution and be warned. Rather, it came after he had spent all, after all has been squandered and nothing is left to survive on. This goes in line with the predictive dreams of Pharaoh. There shall be seven years of abundance after which there will be seven years of staunch scarcity. The famine always follow your abundance season and God intentionally makes it so that no man may gain say over Him. He does it in order to have you equipped and ready for what will come upon the earth. Even in the temptation or test, there's always a way of escape - something to give God the glory for. 

The Bible has spoken well of us in Job 5:19 saying, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." Now, one of those troubles is famine. The Bible confesses that, "At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh..." (Job 5:22, KJV). Now, if you'll laugh at famine, is it by just confessing that Bible verse or by acting upon it and putting structures on ground to contain famine at appearance? Some people have repeatedly made that mistake. They only confessed thinking manna or bread would fall from the sky on them. No! Not like that. God wants common sense to be common today. What He's advocating for is to put your susbtance to work. The prodigal boy got his own but he didn't put it to work by investing or multiplying it. Rather, he spent it all until it finished. 

God isn't unjust I repeat. He always give seeds to the sower and bread to the eater (II Cor.9:10). Once He gives you seed which you must sow, you'll be wise not to eat it at all. Not doing so is wanting to reap poverty plentifully. You might soon find yourself in the situation of this boy. At the peak of his want, the Bible comments that, "and he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat but no man gave him" (Luke 15:16, KJV). 

Once you blow up your opportunity, you're literally left to yourself. You'll look at the ceiling, at the sky, at the hills and even when help comes, it'll be as an oasis in the desert. It won't appear until you have reaped some consequences for your unreasonableness. For this purpose, let us ask again, "what is the purpose of the susbtance in my hands at this time?" Should I gather it to squander or should I use it to build a system that can endure and give more yields? Do answer. 

PRAYER: Give me financial wisdom. Teach me how to build and put structures on ground. Teach my mind business and profiting.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 4:1-5:19, Mark 2:13-3:6, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 10:1-2

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 17/02/2024

SATURDAY - 17TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE PURPOSE OF ABUNDANCE

Read Gen. 41

Genesis 41:36, KJV

"And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine."

When God is at work, may you see Him. The truth is, there's none God won't come for. He's never unjust. He gives to all His blessings and appears to each of us at a certain time or season of life. God came for Egypt to prepare them for the hard times ahead of them. There'll be famine in the land but for them to cope, God first brought their solution hidden in the seven years of plenty. These seven years of plenty was an intentional orchestration of God so that Egypt might not be consumed or thrown into extinction. That is God's plan for them. However, they might have failed in implementing it by wasting away grains and not storing it. Human foolishness and carelessness could have caught up with them. 

According to the interpretation Joseph brought on Pharaoh's dreams, there come seven years of abundance and seven years of famine after them. The famine would be so severe that the seven years of abundance would never be seen to have occured. On this note, Joseph gave a reason why God is visiting Egypt with abundance. Don't forget that according to the right interpretation of the dreams, those seven years of abundance are predicted to be years in which the land would bring forth plentifully. Should it therefore be wasted? Will that be the very purpose for which God was giving it? No!

Thank God for discernment and discretion of someone like Joseph. The solution to not be stranded in the seven years of famine is to gather food like the sand of the sea shore to await and cater for those years of hard times to come. The purpose of that God given abundance to Egypt is therefore to elongate their living and make them beat the famine on the match. 

Look, God has a purpose for all He does. He just didn't bring seven years of abundance to Egypt that they might eat and rejoice. He intends it would be conserved and saved against the hardship that'll come their way. Same way, God expects that a Christian would not eat all his grains but save and then invest his resources for multiplication so he'll be rich/wealthy enough to survive all famines and thirst. Look, God will equate you with what is coming upon the earth. He prepares Christians and even gives us notifications. You might have been insensitive to your preparation! If you observe rightly, you'll see that it was seven years of abundance God gave to cater and absorb the anticipated seven years of famine. It wasn't lesser or higher in comparison. God is very just. Everything is done by equity, having been measured in a balance of fairness. One time, I once took a three units course that was taught for three hours on each contact with a scheduling of its exam for three hours also. The lecturer while commenting said, "that was done to create a balance. It's all fairness. It's a three units course that'll be taught for three hours and then done for three hours." Everything was measured rightly. Also, God measured the seven years of abundance to rightly meet and drown the seven years of famine if only Egypt would be wise to take advantage of the abundance. Thank God they did. Thank God for the wise manager God gave them. 

Brethren, the Bible says, "there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13, KJV). Believe that. When God was to bring the seven years of famine, He first brought the seven years of plenty by which handle Egypt and her people could find their feet and way to escape. What matters is not to waste your "way of/to escape" when God brings it to you. There are many who are complaining now of God's unfaithfulness to them yet God had appeared to them severally. However, they didn't trap His blessings like Egypt. Could Egypt have blamed God Almighty for not doing good to her if she had not stored grains? Yet, that's what we do. We blame God over our own financial unreasonableness, careless spending and wastefulness during the years our lands brought forth abundantly yet expecting a kind of miracle from heaven after this failure. Look, the miracle already came. You mismanaged it. God has already appeared to you. How you maximize what He brings is simply your salvation. To those still arguing, saying God never prepared them for the hard times they're now experiencing, you probably need to read this. 

Job 33:14, KJV

"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not."

You see, that verse says God has repeatedly revealed or manifested Himself to man, however, he didn't recognize God's visitation for what it is. In same way, when God visited you with your grains, you didn't know it was meant for saving for a future of hard times to come. That's why you became the prodigal son in those days/years. You blew it all to put blames on God now. That'll be wickedness. Repent having learnt the purpose of abundance and await God to visit you again. 

PRAYER: Lord, I receive reason and understanding to trap and conserve my blessings. I become a wise manager of resources.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Leviticus 1:1-3:17, Mark 1:29-2:12, Psalm 35:17-28, Proverbs 9:13-18

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Thursday 15 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 16/02/2024

FRIDAY - 16TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

I USED-TO-BE PERSONS

Genesis 41:29-30, KJV

"29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land."

Guard against, "I used-to-be." God has spoken good of you when He says, "but the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18, KJV). The Bible also says, "the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts... (Haggai 2:9, KJV). It simply means what you were known for yesterday; you should be known for the same today while continuing to be known for the same tomorrow. However, in a better and improved condition. What your life should resemble is that of continuous growth, improvement and progress; not diminishment. If the glory of your future years would surpass those of your yester years, then you ought not to resign from the good and the fire with which you have started and taken off afore time. You should continue until your tomorrow is clearly noticed, noted and appraised to have been better off than your yesterday when you took off. However, I used-to-be people don't always have this testimony. You'll only hear, "I was once fervent in God; was once a writer; a great athlete or a business tycoon etc." Life has happened to them. They've been cut off and discontinued. That way, nobody sees their futures  or better days. I pray for you however, "you won't be an I used-to-be person. God will raise any from such a position. Receive the anointing and enablement to break your shackles, stand upright and make a reappearance." You will rather go all the way until you have the praises of witnesses to have surpassed your former days. You'll outdo yourself!

Today's reading avails us a story that portrays the instability in life. Life is seasonal and you'll be wise acknowledging and taking advantage of the same. If not, the change in seasons may hurt you so badly that you may not recover from it. Joseph in the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams made a disclosure on the dreams being one. More importantly, he emphasises the fact that it means seven years of abundance which would be followed by another seven years of famine. While he speaks, he says, "and there shall arise after them seven years of famine, and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt."

Now, when someone who has doesn't have again, he becomes a used-to-have person. From Joseph's statement here, we also gathered that a nation that has plenty could suddenly because of a change in season enter into penury thereby becoming a used-to-have nation. Indeed, Egypt could have been a used-to-have nation. However, she persisted. So, how can a Christian flourish like a palm tree at all seasons and always? (Psalms 92:12).

It's simple if we'll model after the principle that Joseph recommended for Egypt and its leadership to practice. It's the principle of savings. He told them Egypt would be saved and spared if she could gather a specific percentage of grain for storing during those seven years of abundance against the anticipated seven years of famine (Gen.41:34). Seven years of abundance is symbolic of excesses and wealth. Everyone will have his or her season of abundance when God, life/nature would be favourably disposed towards him. However, what you do with that opportunity that's availed you is what determines whether you'll continue to flourish in the face of famine or you'd fold up when it comes on you like a flood. The economy won't always be the same. Shaking will always come. However, you and I ought flourish. Nothing ought to take us out and make us a glory of the past. Imagine how disrepute it would have been if Egypt had become a used-to-have grain nation. If they had not prepared and conserved grains, they wouldn't have had the testimony of continuing in the face of the famine. It won't be because God didn't visit them with a blessing or abundance but it'll be crested on the fact that it wasn't conserved and utmostly taken advantage of. God has a reason for the abundance in your hand. For Egypt , it was to weather the years to come. Abundance is meant to be preserved and not just spent in wastefulness. Hard days will come - for that is the other side of the coin. As a Christian therefore, create a good savings plan and then proceed to investing rightly in order to multiply your resources. In this way, we will become Joseph in wealth accumulation who gathered grains until he couldn't measure, count or take statistics again (Gen.41:49). It means he got to a place where he had acquired too much to number! We could be that wealthy!

This is your day. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. It was offered to Pharaoh and its leadership and it wasn't rejected. The same is coming to you. Don't trivialize wisdom. Refuse to be a used-to person. Device means of being in existence and in production always - whether in abundance  or famine. Refuse to fold up, get ruined, go into depression or extinction. Your leopard must not miss its spots. I pray for you, nothing will be strong enough to wipe you out and make you a used-to. Egypt didn't cease at famine. Rather, they laughed. You'll laugh in yours. 

PRAYER: Lord, I shall always bring forth my fruit. I shall not be discontinued. I shall be quick in and out of the season.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exodus 39:1-40:38, Mark 1:1-28, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 9:11-12

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 15/02/2024

THURSDAY - 15TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

SOMEONE TO OPEN THE DOOR

Mark 14:10 - 11, KJV

"10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him."

A general once besieged a very lofty wall. While at the city gate with his soldiers, his captains asked how the city would be captured? Will they just stand there and watch or what? The general replied that he was waiting for his fourth column to do the work. This came as a surprise to his captains of many years and many battles. They asked if this fourth column is made up of a certain special force, military paratroopers that'll descend from the air or those specially trained in intelligence and combat tactics. The general said no to all their enquiries. He rather said the fourth column he's awaiting consisted of his spies, the discontented and internal rebels etc already in the city. He said he's waiting for them to fling the gates open while they'll rush in to slaughter all and capture the city. 

On another occasion, some city guards once pursued some rebels to the sea coast. While they could have been arrested, the leading guard commanded they relent to the shock of all other junior ranked officers. They wondered why he would command that they should give up after such characters that are detrimental to their living and their world. He told them of the hole in their boat. It wasn't long they boarded the boat that they began to sink. Therefore, they were exposed to the peril of a sinking ship right in the middle of the sea. However, all began just with a hole in the boat - a little opening and betrayal of a sort that the rebels didn't know about. This is the point through which water gushed in to wreck its havoc on them. 

In today's reading, it's very clear Jesus is the target of the Pharisees and elders. They sought to lay hands on him to kill him. However, they couldn't find a convenient time or way of getting this done. They feared an uproar of the people (Mark 14:1-2). Later on however, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve approached these group of conspirators assuring them of delivering Jesus into their hands. The Bible states, "and they were very glad." They were glad that what they wanted to get done is being enhanced and helped by someone from the inside. Nothing guarantees success more than having someone on the inside. What an insider could deliver, it'll take many conspirators from outside to grope in darkness for awhile before they would see what he has seen and know what he has known. For this reason, conspirators always look for an insider. A hole in the boat! A betrayer in any group is one that could open the door from the inside. Through him, unpronounced harm would be wrecked and no life would be spared. This is why the leadership of any institution must ensure that there are no discontented individuals within her structure. Any discontented individual is a potential rebel and betrayer. They'll join forces with your enemy to operate against you. This is what the new Pharaoh in Egypt was hinting at when he said the Israelites should be enslaved lest they join their enemies in time of war to raid or fight them (Exo.1:8-10). You see, he didn't trust them enough. He saw them as discontented individuals that have the potential to wreck the nation. He never knew that they were those who have taken a leaf from Joseph to do well to the land of their sojourn. In truth, there are many countries today suffering from  disloyalty from the mixed multitudes who have penetrated them as illegal immigrants or supposed citizens. 

Also, when David fled from Saul, one of such people who gathered round him are those who are already unhappy with the ongoing government and tenure of Saul (I Sam.22:2). If need be, they wanted a change of leadership. All of them one way or the other have fallen victim of Saul's bad government and so saw sense in gathering to support another leader with whom they hope a fresh day might be started. The discontented easily depart and loses loyalty for you. Ensure your team is solidified by having contented people. Enquire on the welfare of your team. Is any angry? Is any hungry? Is any robbed or cheated? Is any dissatisfied and wants to be heard? Was any shut down or taken for granted? Encourage them to share their views. All these are issues that could inflame discontentment if not looked into. However, make them feel important - having the  shareholder's or owner's mindset. While I can't fault the leadership of Jesus and would say Judas rather was a son of the devil yet we learnt a major lesson that a betrayer comes right from inside you. A betrayer is not always someone who's far fetched. He's usually a friend - someone you dine with. In the case of Jesus, Judas was both a friend and someone he dines with. It's so shocking that a disciple would betray his master. From then until now, it has been proven that the enemy of a man are those of his own house. I therefore pray that God will keep you pact together. No hole shall be opened in your family, team or leadership. None will sell out your strength or weaknesses to rival institutions. More importantly, you'll survive all back stabs and betrayals. It'll be to a greater glory. It'll be for a higher purpose. Like Jesus experienced, it'll lead you to your highest calling. 

PRAYER: Father, may I not be a hole in the boat to anyone. I survive all betrayals.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exodus 39:1-40:38, Mark 1:1-28, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 9:11-12

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Sunday 11 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 11/02/2024

SUNDAY - 11TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE DANGER OF BURNING IN LUST

Genesis 39:12, KJV

"And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out."

A true life story that morals the danger of lust was told by an elderly Christian minister that you'll know if mentioned. In one of his sermons I had listened to, he warned on thinking wrongly or lusting. He sited an instance of a minister who in his unguarded hour on the pulpit introduced an invited woman minister as "having mega breasts". How did that result? While the invited woman minister is truly bursty, the man of God (the host) was lost in deep thought and fixture on her outlook. He must have savoured that look and naked the woman probably in his mind. Unfortunately, he forgot himself while trying to call her to the pulpit during the introduction. I imagined what a day it would be in public that day when his heart's secret was disclosed in front of his whole congregation.

Just as disgusting as this event looks; just as unwanted and amoral that thought that was revealed looks, many thoughts in many hearts still look that same way if we'll have the secrets of their hearts disclosed. However, if that doesn't happen now, it'll happen one day when the secret of everybody's hearts would be made manifest.

Beware of lust! This story is going to find further fulfilment in a story handpicked from the Bible. Potiphar's wife started by "casting her eyes on Joseph". When she did, she began to lust after him. She began to savour Joseph in her mind. She'll often fondle and naked Joseph in her mind. She imagined how sex would look with this young, vibrant and handsome young man. That's how people begin when they get infatuated with a person. After this stage of imagining, she graduated to wanting to do the act. She began to talk to Joseph "day by day" to lie with her as the Bible puts it. By speaking to Joseph that often and seeking to persuade him to lie with her shows how intense and how inflame she has now become. She wants to have sex. However, she hasn't reached the height of desperateness at that time. Madam reached the height of it all when she couldn't gather or refrain her urges again. At that time, she doesn't want a no for an answer. She's not also ready to give Joseph a choice like before. She wants to enforce it now. She actually wanted to rape Joseph. It's at that point the Bible says, "she caught Joseph by his garment". When anybody gets here, they don't mind their status, reputation or image again. They can misbehave because of lust that has thus conceived in them. Do you know the madam of a house out of having been sex starved or having cultivated intense lust could grab her subordinate that she pays his salary? That's the height of it all. But before that would happen, other processes I already highlighted must have played out. Potiphar's wife exemplifies all these stages of lust. That man of God who made a mistake confessing what he shouldn't confess did after savouring the appearance of that invited minister and swallowing her whole. It was that he was lusting after when he forgot himself and said what he shouldn't have said. 

No one just falls into the sin of fornication or adultery like that. It has to bud. It takes a sort of preparedness. It is when lust has conceived that it brings forth sin (James 1:15). However, people do say it happened without their knowing how. That's a lie. The devil is not seeking much room to make you fall and have your image spoilt - staining your conscience. He's only asking for one. He has plans for you. He just wants to breed unnecessary familiarity between yourself and that colleague at work. He just wants you to sympathize with him/her and see her as a victim of an ungentlemanly man at home. He just wants you to make the mistake of petting her not to cry anymore. Then, you'll be gone in a jiffy. Beware. The Bible says, "but a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire" (James 3:5). Little avenue given to the devil is always maximized to its height. Through that sole opening, the disrepute that you can come into is unimaginable. 

God wants us to be pure at heart and clean outside. It is holiness within and without. As we know, it is not what a man eats that defiles him [because that goes out] but what he says that comes from his heart (Matt.15:11). Beware of what you're thinking because you're what you think. Beware of the kind of garden you're cultivating and watering by your thoughts which is why the Bible admonishes that we set our affection on things on high.

PRAYER: Lord, I set my heart on things on high. My mind is not for lust. I purify it with Jesus' blood. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exodus 32:1-33:23, Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalm 33:1-11, Proverbs 8:33-36

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Saturday 10 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 10/02/2024

SATURDAY - 10TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

SIN THRIVES IN SECRECY/IN SECRET!

Genesis 39:11, KJV

"And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within."

I think you probably want to have a rethink on reading today's devotional topic. "Sin thrives in secrecy" and if you despise that, you'll see yourself caught up in many sinful practices. By then, you'll have learnt by experience, being able to bear witness. 

The boss' wife of Joseph who made advances to him didn't do so in public and when it came to execution time, she also didn't go public while seeking to force Joseph to it. Though Joseph truncated the execution of her plan, it was successfully initiated when she caught him by his garment, making forceful demand that he lies with her.

I said earlier that Mrs. Potiphar didn't appear in public to say, "come, lie with me". She did at a convenient place and time. It was when Joseph went into the house to do his business; when no other person was in the house. Sin, especially the sin of fornication or adultery thrives very well in secrecy. Secrecy is the ground on which it flowers. That's why that old counsel keeps coming to us, "don't be caught with the opposite sex all alone behind a closed door". You might think that's a waste of information and that grace covers you or that you have a special anointing. No! No! You're still human. You're made of the components: flesh and blood. If so, it means you have tendency in you to awaken, crave human passions while being susceptible to human failures. Even the Bible says, "Elias was a man subject to likewise passions as we are..." (James 5:17). That was despite his having called down fire and brought down mighty revival (I Kings 18). Yet, the Bible notes that Elijah is a human like anyone of us and is fretted with our human weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

The devil has a foothold to drag you to sin when you give him such secrecy to thrive in. Either secrecy for the act to happen first time or secrecy by keeping the act to yourself when it happened. The devil usually capitalizes on the latter to make you a slave to such sin by continuing you in it.

No room for the devil in the open. A church usher won't steal when counting the money in the full glare of other ushers. Even if the temptation arises, he'll exercise control. The temptation mounts when he's really all alone. The very need for faithfulness when no one is around. That's real faithfulness!

When Mrs Potiphar couldn't see anyone around, what did she do?

Genesis 39:12, KJV

"And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me..."

Could she have caught Joseph with that same intention and spoken confession in the full glare of all other slaves? You're answering with a no right? Yes, it's a no! That's why I said earlier that sin thrives in secrecy. Thank God for the wisdom of escaping for one's life that Joseph practiced. That's the way out when you're suddenly caught in secrecy to commit fornication or adultery. Flee! Also, when you flee away from the theatre of secrecy, it is believed you would be resisting that temptation more strongly and endorsing your desire to pursue after righteousness. Wanting a change yet continuing where you're easily tempted to sin isn't the solution. Secrecy is darkness. Flee into light and the deed of darkness shall be staunched by light. You expose darkness and cut off its work from thriving when you also expose it. You might want to confide in somebody right away on that sin you have committed or on the thoughts/plans of your heart to commit one. Don't be tempted!

James 1:14 - 15, KJV

"14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

May you not die!

PRAYER: Lord, I refuse to be led away by Satan leveraging on my lusts. It is holiness within and without.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exodus 30:11-31:18, Matthew 26:47-68, Psalm 32:1-11, Proverbs 8:27-32

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Friday 9 February 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 9/02/2024

FRIDAY - 9TH FEBRUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

PERSISTENCE WEARS DOWN THE WALL OF RESISTANCE

Genesis 39:7, KJV

"And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me."

If you don't know, do today. Persistence can wear down the wall of resistance. Yesterday, I showed you the persistence of Satan in getting a saint to sin or bringing him down. Did you observe that Jesus was not tempted once. He once tempted thrice (Matt.4:1-11). The devil has learnt the power of persistence and that's because trying and keeping at it might eventually yield result. 

In today's teaching, God wants to take us further. I want to roam on what I started to hint you yesterday. Potiphar's wife casted her eyes on Joseph. "To cast your eyes" on something means to make it your next target/conquest. When you cast your eyes on something, there's a sort of determination and pursuit you give towards having or possessing that thing. So, when the Bible says, "she casted her eyes on Joseph", it means we ought to begin to intercede for Joseph from that point on Mrs. Potiphar saw potential enough in him to cast her eyes on. She casted her eyes on Joseph and would go any length to have him. It means Brother Joseph is in a big trouble and has to be watchful lest the Satan that has marked him for a prey has him eventually. That's because the devil has gotten on his case and has come to face him squarely to bring him down through Potiphar's wife - madam. 

Do you know that Satan casts his eyes on us all occasionally? He once did to Job and went after him to wreck him. Whenever Satan focuses on you and makes you his subject matter, he does that to frustrate you so that you might let him in out of fear, disappointment or frustration. When you click and he blocks your way, he's seeking to achieve a purpose. When all your attempts end in a dead end and in a lockjam, making you a lesser worker than others who are succeeding, that's Satan already trailing you. He wants you to begin to ask, "why are things not working for me?"

Meanwhile, let me show you how through the story of Potiphar's wife and Joseph, persistence that wears down the wall of resistance is illustrated. I had noted yesterday that Potiphar's wife didn't make advances to Joseph once. If not, we wouldn't have had a verse like this written. 

Genesis 39:10, KJV

"And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her."

That place says, "she spoke to Joseph day by day." That might also be "often." Irrespective of what it means: daily or often, what is observable is that Mrs. Potiphar persisted in her approach and request. She persisted having learnt something about human nature - that humans tend to have their breaking point. What she does as she makes often advances to Joseph is to lay embarkment against the walls of Joseph. That act is to lay siege on Joseph and see to bringing him down. However, we thank God that Joseph's mountain stands still as well. It doesn't melt or move. He also applied persistence in resisting her. 

You must know that persistence wears down the wall of resistance. Moses' hand begins to grow weary because he persists bearing it up (Exo.17:11-12). That unjust judge eventually vindicated that widowed woman because she refuses to get tired of tendering her request (Lk.18:1-6). Brethren, persistence wears down the wall of resistance. If you attack a thing enough, it might open up to you. The Bible is enclosed. What you see on paper and read are the letters. However, it can break loose just through persistence of study. By the time you persist to travel deeper, you could dig out the treasure in God's Word. Madam wouldn't have continued to pursue Joseph if she doesn't believe that a man who says, "I won't do today" could change his stand tomorrow. She knows rightly that if you persist, you can have whatsoever even if you've been denied many times before. The solution to not being besieged or tempted this way is to flee. That is, not to be available to be worked on at all. However, if you are, you might eventually cave in and let go. Persistence can wear anyone or anything off. 

I pray for you that where you need to persist to achieve a certain goal, you'll not be weary or grow tired. However, where you need to resist firm in your faith, your bow will abide in strength. 

PRAYER: I resist all temptations firm in the faith. I pursue with persistence my goals. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13

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