MORNING WINGS MINISTRY: August 2024

Saturday 24 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 24/08/2024

SATURDAY - 24TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

KINGDOM ADMINISTERING - Kingdom Administering Series 005

I Kings 17:9, KJV

"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

Where God wants us to get to is where the resources in our hands and our barns await kingdom administering. God will call for it as He sees need. When He does, it is yours to give to whomsoever He ordains or instructs you to give to. How I wish all Christians will know this so that when they have need, they'll rightly turn to he in whose hands God has kept their resources. Turning to the wrong person (uncommanded) is what has led to the many rejections that many Christians have come to take offence at. They'll say, "I know he is able yet he didn't give me." Why should he give you when you're not the one he's waiting for. Every resources in heaven has owners. So is assignment. David wanted to build the temple but God restrained him and called it Solomon's assignment (I Chron.22:8-10). If a label carrying your name is not on a package, will delivery service mistakenly bring it to your house? When an angel brought a package as answer to Daniel's prayer, was it couriered to Shadrach or any of the other two friends? Everything has designation! Then, why should we make a mess of divine administering of resources?

If you turn to me, I'm not always obligated to help you. That's because you might turn to me when the resources in my hands await another fellow. Should I disobey God by not being a good manager of the resources He made me steward of because I want to keep human relationship? No! So, start by being led right to the commanded fellow first of all. Are you a minister or a Christian in need? You can ask God to send men to meet your needs or ask God to show you who can.

If Christendom operates like this, no one will be hungry neither will A have more bread to eat and spare at the expense of B who has none basically because A keeps collecting what was meant for others. God is looking for obedient disciples that He can keep resources with who when He snaps a finger will release it to the commanded who now approaches him. In same manner, if you too will have your needs met, mark those who are commanded for your sake. Unless they're put under command for you, they may be helpless to help you. So, let us all learn the meekness of running only when we've been commanded. This way, resources will be well distributed and everybody in the body of Christ or this colony called kingdom will be provided for.

PRAYER: I refuse to run helter-skelter. I hear the Shepherd's voice guaranteeing my leading.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 28:17-31 & Psalms 30-31

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Friday 23 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 23/08/2024

FRIDAY - 23RD AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

KINGDOM ADMINISTERING - Kingdom Administering Series 004

I Kings 17:9, KJV

"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

The truth is this, "you must be commanded." This is the basis of confidence. It is also your shield against error or being outside God's will. When God wants to meet the pressing need of Elijah, what did He do? He commands him to go to Zarephath which belongs to Zidon. First, we're seeing a sending to a location. Indeed, God do send people to places. Kingdom administering covers God telling a Christian where to live, who to marry and even which church or ministry to join. God has plans for all Christians. He wants to use them but it is not all church or ministry that are the same in function. As such, it's possible for a ministry not to have some operations which God expects would prepare a particular vessel for him. All secondary schools may have similarities in subjects offered but we all know that some have other engagements that make a better student. All Christians might share in some fundamental doctrines but there may be a place of differences in what calling God has given to some men with which to bring others up for a purpose He (God wants) fulfilled. Even if we feign there are no differences, ministries and callings will tend to emphasize diverse truths differently.

God commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath. He didn't send himself there. He's like John the Baptist, a man sent from God and on a mission God approves (John 1:6). However, if God commands A and refrains from commanding B on the same issue, then agreement can never be reached. On that note, God had to command the Zarephath widow by putting her in a condition where she'll be favourably disposed to Elijah. If she were not the commanded widow, she might have blurted off Elijah even at the first asking of water or at his second request. Anyone you're sent to will tolerate you. There'll be this contentment and agreement to accommodate you.

So, master that principle. Don't run the errand you aren't sent. Shame and embarrassment is what will await you there. That's when you'll begin to use human gimmicks to ensure things work. Many are cutting corners to meet needs now because they simply despised kingdom administering. They might have missed who to marry or relationship to keep, where to live or work or even place of worship. As far as God is concerned, there's someone that God has provided for or will provide for to provide for you. If you're a sheep who'll allow the Shepherd guide him indeed, you shall not be in want because every need of yours shall eventually be met until you can testify and say, "the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." They once wanted wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee but because the Lord stepped in, their confession changed to be, "I shall not want [continually]". Such is the confession of those who'll always carry God along in what they'll do or are doing. When the need arises, the One they had earlier invited all along would answer them effectively. Are you?

PRAYER: Lead me to where to live, work, church/ministry to join and then who to marry.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 28:1-16 & Psalms 26-29

Thursday 22 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 22/08/2024

THURSDAY - 22ND AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

KINGDOM ADMINISTERING - Kingdom Administering Series 003

I Kings 17:9, KJV

"Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."

When God told Elijah to get to Zarephath which belongs to Zidon, it wasn't an empty sending. God has made preparation afore his arrival. God gossips this to him when He says, "I have commanded a widow woman to feed you there." First, God can use the foolish things of this world to debase the wise. God didn't send Elijah to any noble's household. He rather chose to use a widow. A widow is helpless, lacking economic power since he has no husband, a right arm. So, that choice of word ought be probed. Listen, do you want your needs to be met? Then, follow God and don't mind where and from whom the bread comes from. God can use a prostitute to pay your bills. It doesn't mean God sanctions prostitution as moral or lawful but that'll be the displaying of God's sovereignty over His creation. There's no one God can't command. When God wanted to keep the promise land safe for the Israelites, into whose hands did He put it? ...into the hands of seven nations that are very very wicked than others around them who could keep it safe until he who owns it arrives. God exercises His sovereignty over all creation and when He's doing it, don't let tradition or orthodoxy fight you not to see in whose hands your bread is kept.

When Jesus needed to feed the five thousand, He asked Philip where they could get bread, proving him. Later on, the provision for meeting that need Jesus saw came from the lunch of a young chap (John 6:9). If it were today, who knows whether the media would have reported that, "Popular Preacher Swindled a Young Chap!"

Don't let fear or tradition fight you from seeing where your need is allocated to be met. Bro. Gbile Akanni once shared a testimony. He once went to preach to some students. This was during his early years of ministry when he just started. Afterwards they presented him with a sum of money (as honourarium), he rejected it though not with any Kobo with which to fund even his journey back to his base. In short, he suffered a lot before another help was raised for him. As recalled to him by the Holy Ghost, he missed his provision rightly provided for by God through that student body by his not wanting to burden them. However, does the labourer not deserve his wages? (I Tim.5:18).

Don't look down on who the Lord sent or said should meet your needs. Don't even think they are incapable and should be excused. I felt that way often and that's because I am generally full of mercy for people. Knowing the will of God however, I don't refrain from carrying it out. What you need is healing, what's your problem with how the minister styles his hair? What you need is your bills paid, why does it concern you who the Lord has instructed to pay for it in all honesty? I pray for you that you'll be able to humbly receive he that is sent to you even if he doesn't look like it. May you see that he or she is the commanded fellow even if he doesn't look commanded.

PRAYER: Put people under command for me as you put me under command for people.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 27:27-44 & Psalms 23-25

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 21/08/2024

WEDNESDAY - 21ST AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

WHEN YOU'RE AT THE GATE OF ZAREPHATH - Kingdom Administering Series 002

I Kings 17:9-10, KJV

"9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath..."

When you're at the gate of Zarephath, may God meet your needs. I told you yesterday that there's a place we can get to where our needs asked to be met irrevocably. At such juncture, may you find answer.

After the brook dried up, God relocated Elijah by sending him to Zarephath. He tells him there's a widow there He has appointed for his sustainance. As Elijah journeys, he eventually reaches Zarephath and spotting a woman at the gate gathering sticks, he makes a request on her, "fetch me a little water in a vessel." As she goes to carry this out, the man of God doubles his request saying, "bring me a morsel of bread in thy hand." That's where the matter lies. If this widow is truly the commanded widow, this is the test that'll reveal her so. She replies, "I have not a cake but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse, and I'm gathering sticks that I and my son may prepare this, eat and die." However, Elijah says, "make first for me and afterwards for you and your son. For thus says the Lord, the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth" (I Kings 17:13-14). So, it is. It was never spent. Multiplication rather keeps happening until the earth could receive rain to bring forth once more.

What is my declaration today? "When you're at the gate of Zarephath, your hope will not be disappointed." The gate of Zarephath is the juncture of expectation. When you have done as instructed, it'll happen just as God has foretold. So, if God is your shepherd indeed, He's under obligation to lead you to sustainance which if you mark, you'll sure be provided for. Why many people aren't having the expected end that prophecy or promise assures is because they haven't done all to have it. Elijah went. Just while he was at the gate, he began to test if he had been rightly led out. Indeed, he was correct because that widow opened up to him. Are you at a juncture where a need needs to be met? Has it become a desperate need indeed? Be assured! God has made someone available for your needs to be met. Such are those who are usually given commands on your behalf. Such can't refuse your request as prompted you of God to place on them. You won't be disgraced at the gate of Zarephath. As you near the deadline, help comes your way and assistance aids you. Also, you might need to learn how to prioritize seeding your resources when what you have is not enough or can't do. That woman did by seeding her resources first to Elijah and she and her family ate for many days. There's what is known as "seed power". It is not any man's gimmick to collect your resources. It's God's principle of making you blessed and overcome shortage any day any time. Practice seeding!

PRAYER: What I have shall not finish before I receive another delivery.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

I Corinthians 6 & Psalms 119:1-112

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 20/08/2024

TUESDAY - 20TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

WHEN YOU WANT WINE - Kingdom Administering Series 001

John 2:3, KJV

"And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine."

I pray for someone there that when you want wine, your need will be met. A child knows nothing about the pressure of meeting needs. Food, clothing and shelter aren't in his thoughts because he is still a dependent. So, he cannot understand the pain and sacrifices of his parents in making ends meet under all circumstances.

For this reason, I pray once more that when you want wine, may you have your needs met. When wine finished at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, mockery was imminent until a solution comes. An advocate rises for them in Jesus' mother. She tells Jesus, "they have no wine. They want wine." Jesus responds, "my hour has not yet come" but when His hour thus come, we see what miraculous turning of water to wine that happens. Therefore, their need was met.

I pray for you, your needs will be met. Don't belittle what you have at hand. Don't say, it is not the end product. It is also water that Jesus turns to wine. The end product was not readily available but through what was came what was not. You may not have at hand the exact thing you're really looking for but if you have the tool or raw materials to acquire it, I'll say you're already provided for. Do you need house rent? What you need first of all is a job. A good job will give you your house rent over and over again. However, for those who are currently experiencing shortages, God shall sprout a miracle for you. Wine was nowhere to see but through what was present, the end need of those people was met.

The Bible says, "and when they wanted wine..." Meaning, they desired wine. Some might have requested to be served wine or some might have longed quenching thirst with it but to no avail. That is the condition they were in that day. The condition of desiring, needing, wanting but having none. Many may be here right now. Those of you who knows my story knew I was there on campus when I needed to pay my school fees and the Lord came through for me. I'm calling on the "I-Come-Through God" to come through for you. Your case is currently being reported and ascended to God. Mary reported to Jesus that they wanted wine. Angels are carrying your needs before God as well. If Jesus would meet the need of making wine available, why won't He meet your needs so as to provide for your family (those you're responsible for). The bridegroom is responsible for all those visitors who came. That necessitated his wanting wine for them. He was not disgraced. His need was met and his face was saved. Any need that's beginning to look embarrassing in your life because they've been delayed till now will appropriately be met by God.

PRAYER: I-Come-Through God, meet my needs and the desperate needs of others where they are.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 26:19-32 & Psalms 19-20

Monday 19 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 19/08/2024

MONDAY - 19TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

DILIGENCE: HANDLE TO MAKING FULL PROOF OF YOUR MINISTRY - Making Full Proof Series 009

II Timothy 4:5, KJV

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Mr. Cho has two mules which work his field. Ra is a hard worker while Kue is lazy, often in the habit of feigning sick that the farmer might not hitch him to the plough. With the same field to plough under the same duration, Kue would fall behind, not meeting up. Contemplating on his need, Mr. Cho slaughters Kue for meat and spare Ra to further serve purpose.

This exactly tells the story of some people's lives. Reverend Olusola Areogun shared a testimony of his wife been taken to the book room in heaven. There, she saw a minister who hasn't fulfilled the number of books he was called to write juxtaposed with a definite bound time he was in at that time. That isn't a good report card I hope you know. It is the news of failure which offcourse could still be corrected because the minister in question still lives and probably still has time for amends. That sharing testifies of a man who's seriously lagging behind in his work and ministry. Instead of making full proof of his ministry, he's still far from filling entirely the circle drawn for him by God.

For you to make full proof of your ministry, you have to become like Ra. You must apply diligence so that you can plough your allotted ground under its measured duration. Irrespective of your field or calling, diligence will hasten you and make your calling and election sure (known, recognized, saluted, established). Without seeking to be enlarged in your calling, you cannot be known with that calling. So, find under God what He would have you do per time and do it. As you discharge all those further, you'll be establishing yourself in your calling. To get that done, Paul gives Timothy the following instructions.

+ Watch: be observant and vigilant.

+ Endure afflictions (of ministry and all sorts)

+ Do the work of an evangelist (which makes him spread what he does)

These three would then lead to "making full proof of one's ministry." To have revealed to all eyes what your calling or ministry harbours, you must learn to take heed to yourself and the work, learn persistence in the face of all contradictions and reach out to making your work grow. For instance, a minister will be making full proof of his ministry by authoring, getting on radio, planting churches and doing all those. The Bible says, "give diligence to make your calling and election sure" (II Peter 1:10). Diligence is hard work. If your ministry becomes your meditation day and night, you can't but succeed or make full proof of it. If you can labour more than them all, your profit will appear to all eyes to see. Ra is able to labour more than Kue even within the same duration. It could finish its own field by diligence while Kue falls behind. As such, the farmer spares it to continue to live and farm. Meanwhile, He takes Kue away because he's of little consequence to his business and progress. Would you want to be feeding a mule that's not giving value in return? Same way, God preserves Paul because he must need appear before kings and fulfill all said of him which he also daily exercises himself to fulfill. He once was stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead but he later rose to enter into the city (Acts 14:19-20). What about that? Why would that happen to him? Because he is yet to carry out wholly Jesus' name before kings and nobles. God preserves people for purpose and destiny's sake. If you can hook yourself with the will of God somewhere, you'd be saved today, delivered tomorrow and preserved until your work is done.

PRAYER: I am strong, able and on motion. I receive initiatives on establishing my calling.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 25:13-26:1 & Psalms 11-16

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 18/08/2024

SUNDAY - 18TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

APPREHENDED! - Making Full Proof Series 008

Philippians 3:12, KJV

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

When a man is arrested, it is to change the course in which he was going by some correctional measures following. I once witnessed the rude escape of a cow from a slaughter house. Unfortunately, the slaughter house wasn't too far from the market. In short, this untamed animal disrupted market activities and had many injured in their helter-skelter escape. When it was eventually brought under subjection, many other perils that were imminent were saved from happening. Until then, the direction and the purpose of its advancement was not changed and redetermined.

That's exactly what God did to Paul when He met him on the road to Damascus. Getting born again is not on Paul's agenda that day. As a matter of fact, he could never have thought of that. What he was advancing for is to haul as many as possible to jail and suffer them. For this reason, he went to collect letters of the High Priest in Jerusalem. Contrary to his expectation however, God struck on the way. It was that day God turned about his whole body like a bridled horse and have him in subjection to His own will and purpose. When you are not saved and discipled, you'll continue to live for yourself and run your own race like Saul did. Except you understand your divine call, you'll live and act in oblivion of it. You might even go ahead to eat or practice the abomination of your calling. An elder must be a man of one wife the Bible says (I Tim.3:2). By the time some wake up to the fact that God is calling them into ministry - the five fold offices, they'd hedged themselves around with polygamy. As such, they'll be unfit though still carrying the call.

God wants to turn the lives of some people around. God wants to change the course of your life. He wants to harness you for purpose. If you're there reading this and you want to be saved, kindly turn to page 1 of this devotional and follow the procedures outlined there. A change of direction is always followed by a changed life. You'll soon have the testimony of Paul, a consecrated life that pursues that which he was apprehended for until he could testify saying, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Now is laid for me a crown of righteousness..." (II Tim.4:7-8). This is your testimony if you'll come in as a cargo into God's ship now. The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. God wants to enlist you but will you heed? Mark it, this enlistment goes beyond becoming a clergy. God lacks enough right men in all human endeavours. All you need to do is to find the area or field of your function and come into same and you'll see God use you for humanity as you take steps with Him.

PRAYER: Lord, arrest all persecutors of Christ, the church and the gospel. Let them preach what they're antagonizing.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 25:13-26:1 & Psalms 11-16

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 17/08/2024

SATURDAY - 17TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

DISOBEDIENT TO THE HEAVENLY VISION - Making Full Proof Series 007

Acts 26:19, KJV

"Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision."

May you not be caught in the web of disobedience! Paul Jinadu born Ali Monsuru Akanbi Jinadu was sent to England by his mother in order to escape witches which she reasoned could harm him. However, Paul Jinadu heard his first ever gospel message, got born again right away and converted from Islam to Christianity. He saw Jesus in a vision and in six months time, he left his prestigious study of medical practice to pursuing ministry though to the pain of his mother. Paul Jinadu was not disobedient to his heavenly vision and the call of God on him. He heeded it. There are those in the wrong practices and fields that God is calling out but who are stuck and continues to dodge and disobey their heavenly vision (or call). Today, Paul Jinadu is a veteran in Christendom, having served God and ministered to saints worldwide for nothing less than 6 decades even as the founder of New Covenant Church (NCC) with presence in over 35 countries of the world and with over 600 branches world-wide. His life has been a testimony as God went the extra mile of making him marry a white woman when racial discrimination and prejudice was at its peak. He has sojourned in England since age 14 he landed there but only with occasional visits to other places for ministry. All these resulted because he was first of all not disobedient to his heavenly vision. If the Lord calls and you're unwilling to follow, you surely cannot become anything in life. As a matter of fact, you'll have missed God's will for yourself. If you become anything at all, it'll never be the blessing of the Lord to you that doesn't add sorrows. Whatsoever field or way of life God is calling you into (yours may not be ministry), that follow.

The same could be said of Paul. Speaking before King Agrippa, Bernice, Festus and many eyewitnesses, he told them he was not rude or disobedient to the heavenly vision. When he saw the vision of Jesus and got saved in Acts 9, through that vision came some instructions on what he must do and live up to. Paul didn't resist this. The Bible says he gets going and doing same (as was instructed by God) after a tarrying with the Damascus disciples - having recovered his sight.

"19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightaway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the son of God" (Acts 9:19-20).

This is reconfirmed in Acts 26:20. Though many forces fought him to be disobedient to his heavenly vision but he maintains his focus despite the persecutions he faced. He was pressed but he didn't break. Brethren, examine yourself if you're living in line with what in truth and in deed is your calling (as testified by the heavenly vision brought you). Or have you gone after another which is pseudo?

PRAYER: Lord, what would you have me do?

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 25:1-12 & Psalms 7-10

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 16/08/2024

FRIDAY - 16TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

I MUST SEE ROME ALSO - Making Full Proof Series 006

Acts 23:11, KJV

"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

God will help you to eat the meat of He that sent you and to finish it all. God once told Paul to be comforted and that he must need bear witness of Him at Rome also. Was God just taking Paul through some road trips or adventures just for the sake of it? No! God was doing all these so that avenues might be provided for Paul to fulfill his predestination as proclaimed by God Himself of Paul earlier at his new birth. He has preached in Jerusalem but he must sure see Rome also. May doors and entrances not be shut at you. May God keep trusting you with new missions and assignments.

God, speaking to Ananias says, "go your way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I'll show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:15-16).

So, as Paul is being moved from one place to the other (like a hardened criminal), it was an avenue for him to witness even to those nobles and elites that were included in his calling. One of the groups Paul was sent to minister to and convert are the elites of the society. That's signified by the use of the word, "kings" in God's revealing of Paul's mandate to Ananias. God might have done this or given him such assignment because he's as well a reasonable sound man who's well educated. I believe God leveraged his education as a lawyer, Pharisee and one with strong aptitude for learning to penetrate, debate and withstand the elites. There's a lesson to learn here. The vessels God send to certain societies or people are usually refined or prepared to meet the need of that society. Peter might however have not been readily able to debate or take on the elites like Paul does notably in the book of Acts. Paul is so effective with this platform of ministering to kings that Felix trembled when he heard Paul concerning the faith in Christ, reasoning of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come (Acts 24:24-25). You see, he was discharging why God was transporting him all around before kings and nobles.

One time, Festus also told him, "Paul, you're beside yourself. Much learning has made you mad" (Acts 26:24-25). King Agrippa also noted that Paul attempted persuading him to become a Christian (Acts 26:25-29). All these confirm my earlier arguments of Paul being very effective with elites. Paul finds it easier ministering and persuading the elites because he is one like them who was sent to them. God specially gave him open doors to be brought before many of such elites. Be it Festus, King Agrippa, Bernice, Felix, Drusilla etc.

So, when God said to Paul that he must witness of Him also in Rome, it's beyond seeing the world and feeding one's cravings but that his mandate might be lived and achieved. Do you really know the intent of God for travelling you abroad? Why would God open doors of business to you in multiple countries where you could contact certain cream of the society? Or, why do you work as an air hostess/pilot contacting such elites? You need to decipher that and stop wasting your God given ministry door opened to get some people born again. You can enjoy the affluence but do give God the influence. Paul's being transferred here and there is rather to make him eat the meat of He that sent him and to finish it. God was using his imprisonment to give him platforms to speak to those who are difficult to gain their hearing. If you're a government worker on transfer, that may be same for you. See correctly. God just don't make people see different places and contact diverse people without an intent to bring ministry and the gospel to them. Paul has seen Jerusalem but there's still an assignment waiting for him. For this reason, he must see Rome also. Doing this, he'll eat and finish successfully the meat of He that apprehended him.

PRAYER: Show me the next phase, propel me into the next phase and let me live it all.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 24:1-27 & Psalms 1-6

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 15/08/2024

THURSDAY - 15TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

APPREHENDING THAT FOR WHICH YOU WERE APPREHENDED - Making Full Proof Series 005

Philippians 3:12, KJV

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

One thing should be your pursuit - "apprehending that for which you were apprehended." Let it be your chase and wild goal! First of all, let me deal with definition of terms. Paul uses some two words but which are different in meaning. He says, "if I may apprehend that for which I was apprehended of Christ Jesus." First, Paul was apprehended. To apprehend here as used by him means to "arrest" or "bring to salvation." The event he describes happened on his way to Damascus in Acts 9 to have those of the Way bound and casted to the prison. He rather had the opposite fulfilled when the Lord picked him up and cut him quit from his deadly persecution. So, like a hardened criminal, he was arrested by God for having caused destruction on His people but more importantly brought in for a purpose. It's this purpose God assures would be revealed to him once he enters Damascus when he asks of Jesus, 'what would you have me to do (Acts 9:6)?" What Ananias told him as the reason for his salvation is what he was apprehended for. He was brought in for just that, "to carry Jesus' name before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15) while suffering many things for same. Knowing this, Paul would give his eyes no rest until he has manifested the reason for his arrest by Christ. That leads him to say, "if I may apprehend that for which I was apprehended" or saved. So, the other "apprehend" means "to fulfill, obtain, secure or become." Paul fights and not as one who beats the air if he might verily apprehend (fulfill) why he was apprehended (saved). So, Paul simply talks of fulfilling his purpose and eating and finishing the meat of He that arrested Him. This "apprehend" therefore tends towards making full proof of one's ministry without leaving one thing out of the ingredient of one's calling.

Philippians 3:13, KJV

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

Don't be satiated yet like Paul was who didn't count himself to have made arrival or a stop. Rather, he's in the habit of striving, continuing to minister to the Jews and Greeks alike. One could see he really wanted to apprehend why he was apprehended by some revelations in his statements. He once said, "I'm a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise" (Rom.1:14). He even exercises willingness to preach the gospel to those in Rome also (v.15). One time, he even told King Agrippa that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19). Till the time he uttered that speech and to beyond, he was fulfilling why he was apprehended by God.

God wants to pose a question to you. Since you got born again those years ago, what can you say you have worked at as your assignment for which you were apprehended? Or is it that you have only been receiving nutrition (ministration) in your local church without equal distribution of same to your needy world at your work place and places you have found yourself so far? If God brought you in like Paul, it's not to feed you until you become obese in the spirit and burst. No! It's to arm you with ministration to go immediately to begin to give ministration to others. You're not to remain a receiver forever. You're meant to graduate and become a teacher yourself - having been skilled in the Word. Ask yourself, am I apprehending that for which I was apprehended?

PRAYER: Open my understanding to see my retardness wherever I am retarded or impeded.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 23:12-35 & Job 40-42

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 14/08/2024

WEDNESDAY - 14TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF THEIR LITTLE THINGS - Making Full Proof Series 004

Acts 18:25, KJV

"This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John."

Taking off from where I stopped yesterday, I want you to see that you can shine your little light. I had said in the previous devotional that we are all debtors of what we receive and was taught us. As such, we must manifest it at least to the degree we have been taught. It'll be disappointing if you were invested in heavily but manifested lesser.

Here's Apollos who has been instructed in the way of the Lord, burning with zeal, he spoke and taught diligently and accurately the things concerning Jesus though he was acquainted only with the baptism of John. This man though lacking the knowledge of the gospel message or of the gift of the Holy Ghost passed what he was taught and remained a minister of same until his knowledge was upgraded. He didn't withhold or repay his teacher (whomsoever that may be) badly by not manifesting what he was given or withhold to spread the values he knows to be truth (which is actually truth indeed).

John came preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3). That's all Bro. Apollos was taught and with fervency of heart, he communicated it effectively to others. It means if the fuller knowledge on Christ has been taught him before he ever launched out, he would have lived and preached same as a debtor of it. He sincerely thought all that was is the baptism of John and of that one, he remained a faithful steward - stressing and teaching it to length. However, he needs to be informed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, whose coming John foretold, pointing Him out as the Christ through his baptism by which he identifies Him. Also, the divine conception, birth, of the doctrine, miracles, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus might have been told him and that Jesus proved Himself to be the Christ, not only by his miracles and resurrection, but by his baptizing his disciples with the Holy Ghost and with fire, as John had foretold earlier.

Yesterday, I told you Jesus Himself said to onlookers about John, "ye were willing to rejoice in his light." John brought a light, he brought a message but it wasn't the full message. John himself was awaiting perfection through Christ's revealing. However, people were satiated by it until He who baptizes with fire and the Holy Ghost appears. When Jesus ascended, this became a reality as the disciples received the outpouring of the Spirit which equips them for ministry. It is this that ushers the church into a new era of ministry entirely. The truth I want you to take away is this, "seek to be a debtor of any investment in you. Apollos knows only the baptism of John and that one, he taught it like a lively fellow. He was ignorant of the gospel but when he sure learnt of it, he moved on to live up to that again.

"27...the brethren wrote exhorting the disciples to receive him: who when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace. 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."

You see, the whole truth on something may not always be realized as a whole or delivered as a package. It might need to come in parts until your knowledge is full on that subject. However, keep taking dressing. That's why the Bible encourages us to study to show ourselves approved unto God... As we study, we'll stumble on new layers of truth which when added to the already accumulated ones will make a complete man. God may not chastise you for living up to a truth you know to be all that is at a time; however, once He brings new equipping and you chide it away in despise, you'll be called to judgement for not acting and living up to that newly revealed truth. Jesus told the woman at the well, "now is the time that they that worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth." It means, irrespective of what has been believed, that old order is being sentenced to death and is now supplanted by a new order. Now, this is the new thing being commanded all men to live up to. The time of ignorance God has overlooked but once He commands anyone to repentance who still tarries in his sin (or old knowledge), God will be blameless while the fellow might not be excused. Brethren, God will be giving you various adjustments and growth opportunities in your walk with Him. You'll often need to learn, unlearn and relearn or upgrade your knowledge at times. Just ensure you're humble to go that mile by taking correction as it'll be done in the spirit of humility in the closet while you never forget to be a faithful steward of what you've received.

PRAYER: Aid my incomplete knowledge. Let me come across the teachers, resources that'll complete me. Give me special insight of the Bible for proper doctrinal and revelational stance.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 22:22-23:1-11 & Job 36-39

Tuesday 13 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 13/08/2024

TUESDAY - 13TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

GOD HATES SEED WASTERS - Making Full Proof Series 003

Genesis 38:9-10, KJV

"9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also."

God hates seed wasters. God is looking for those who will put their seeds to work and ensure it multiplies. Either you're a seed giver or collector, God takes a dislike against seed wastefulness. I once watched a movie where a housewife takes pills to prevent pregnancy. She is sabotaging the work of her expectant husband. Such is the act of a seed waster. They don't care but they'll sure have themselves to blame.

Such is also the case of Onan who according to tradition ought to raise seed for his dead brother, Er. Knowing the child would not be his, he spilled the seed on the ground, thereby denying Tamar and his dead brother a child. So, the Lord killed him. If he were not callous, why did he take the pleasure when he's unprepared for the responsibility?

This story as short as it is reveals God's hatred at seed wasting. He wants us to manifest any promise we carry, become our prophecies and manifest our ordainment. If we have received support and help from any quarters, the will of God is that they won't go in vain but become vehicles for our grand manifestations so much more that men would wonder and loved having been helped strongly like us.

Our cloud is not meant to be dark and full of rain without giving it. We must manifest what we have received. If we have deposit, we must give to bless others. We must not become a pond or a self gratifying organ. We are not created for ourselves but to bring ministration and services to other men other than ourselves.This is how to maximize the spiritual gifts we have received from on high. If we indeed have the light, it is not meant to be locked up under the bushel but on a lamp stand to give light unto all in the house. May God find you to be this kind of person. Jesus talking of John the Baptist says, "He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light" (John 5:35, KJV).Even when it was only for the time being, people saw light in John's light and message. Even if it was for the time being (before Jesus' arrival on ministry scene), people responded to the baptism of John for repentance from sins. He himself knows this and that's why He told them, "one comes after me who is preferred before me" (John 1:27).

In your own time, shine and demonstrate in such a way that people will rejoice in your light. You may not have the fuller light but whatsoever you've been invested with by God, ensure you shine it to the degree of God's investment in you. John didn't go outside what God gave him as assignment. Though the elders wanted him to stumble into Jesus' role by their pressuring him to know if he was the Messiah, yet he maintains his stand saying, "I am not the Christ" (John 1:20). For that reason he came baptizing with water in order to identify the Christ (John 1:33-34).

In your own day and at your own time, shine your light. No matter how little it is, no matter how you regard it, even if it's just a talent, use it to the fullest of its inherent capacity. You may not be the one ordained to baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire in your day but in whatsoever capacity you've been called to serve, discharge fully. Never withhold! If your baptism is of water pending the time the real deal would come, kindly give it rejoicingly. Even in that, people would celebrate your grace and gift.

PRAYER: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine; let it shine.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 21:37-22:1-21 & Job 32-35

Monday 12 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 12/08/2024

MONDAY - 12TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

MANIFESTING ALL YOU HAVE RECEIVED - Making Full Proof Series 002

Matthew 13:22, KJV

"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

I pray for you just as it is in God's heart that you'll manifest what you have received. You're a debtor of what you have received - from God or any blesser in your life. You reward your teacher badly when you become nothing with his effort in your life.

If you're a student on scholarship especially who keeps failing, I tell you, you're not manifesting what you have received. As a matter of fact, you're a waster who's strangling what he could become if he maximizes that privilege that was allocated to him free of charge.

The sower sows but the seeds fall into different habitats. These habitats in turn determine what happen to the seeds sown. The seeds sown amidst the thorns are those who heard the Word of God but which the worries of life or the illusion of becoming superbly wealthy chokes their received seeds. As such, the Word is not fruitful in their hearts (v.22).

Let me take off by saying, there's no one God has not given to. He sows - He gives to all but you're a determiner of the condition which the Word of God will meet you. Some will not prepare the ground for the Word; they will not clear off their worries that could contest the fruitfulness of the Word in them. If the Word is sown but with no understanding through meditating on it, how can it be beneficial when you're deeply steeped and preoccupied in other thoughts? As such, this set of people can't manifest the investment of God or the Word in them though they've been given seeds like those with ready hearts who later brought forth in the degrees of their hearts' preparation - in hundreds, sixties and thirties.

"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (v.23).

You must seek to manifest what you have received. The reason is because you'll hate it and have yourself to blame when you see what others who received the Word like yourself become with theirs. What others become with it is what we have chronicled in the story of the seeds that fell on good ground. Like a congregation under a pastor would manifest his words differently - some who received it well will not only get equipped by the truth they heard but they will go on to equip others with the same truth. In that parable, some made full proof of the Word sown to them than others and that gives birth to the varying degrees of productivity we saw.

Are you manifesting what you're given or you're swallowing it to nothingness. God wants you to answer this question by probing your life. God isn't a waster of investment. He'll call you to account of all investments and contributions of His into your life. So, seek to manifest all deposits brought into your life. Even if you won't manifest it in hundred fold, let God see that you become something with what you've heard and through the ministration you have received. However, let hundred fold maximization and output be your chase.

PRAYER: I shall not be lesser than God plans for me. I shall become and become all. I shall yield and yield maximal output.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 21:17-36 & Job 29-31

Sunday 11 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 11/08/2024

SUNDAY - 11TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

MAKING FULL PROOF OF YOUR MINISTRY - Making Full Proof Series 001

II Timothy 4:5, KJV

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

God is looking for those who will not only begin to eat the meat of He that sent them but who will finish it. Jesus confesses of same that He has not come to be half known with the will of God but rather to be known fully for it. "Jesus says unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). He wouldn't stop at nothing until He accomplishes the same for which God sent Him to the earth - to save humanity from their sins (Matt.1:21). Though it requires going to the cross and enduring a lot, yet He did. He made full proof of His ministry. He didn't fall below expectation but met the standard and fulfilled it. The reason for His being raised or sent to the earth was lived up to and the work of redemption accomplished.

God wants me to ask you a question. Will you make full proof of your ministry? Will you wear your calling out? If God ordains that from your calling comes schools, orphanages and health centres, will you ever get there? Will you do all as God demands to make full proof of your calling and the ministry unto which you're called?

Those who make full proof of their ministry are those who live to cover the circle drawn for them by the grace and measure of God given their offices. If God gives you gift and calling and you do not use it to the uttermost God determines, you wouldn't have made full proof of your ministry. God is not looking for those who'll do little and leave the rest. He's in search of men who will wear out their calling and ensure that everything tangible but first invisible in their calling is brought forth. If you have the calling of an entrepreneur, will you give hard work and certain sacrifices to go on to become the greatest in your nation, continent or even the globe? Will you give attention to produce quality that'll recommend and endear you to your end users.

Today, God is recruiting men and those He's calling are those He wants to go to the uttermost end of the earth with. They are those He'll stretch and He'll demand extra from - all in the bid to make full proof of their ministries.

PRAYER: I will make full proof of my ministry. Nothing shall hinder or cut me down. I walk the long road unto arrival.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 21:1-16 & Job 25-28

Saturday 10 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 10/08/2024

SATURDAY - 10TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

EXERCISING GREAT CONFIDENCE WHEN YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE LORD - Capacity Building Series 010

II Kings 4:21, KJV

"And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out."

Many people are in trouble today because they don't have their blessings and endowments come from above. Some might have gone below, asking of bottom powers. Others, of men who now spite them. However, good and perfect gift comes from above (where God is seated and enthroned). May God enrich you to live above the purchase of second hand gadgets. Second hand buyers shouldn't expect any guaranty or any kind of compensation when the product all goes faulty. If you buy from the factory or the show room for instance, it's part of their policy to review it, take back that good and give you a perfect one instead. A contradiction to buying from places with no such policy or guaranty. That'll be endangering oneself. Wittily said by someone, "you're on your own." Can you return such goods? No! That'll be the consequence for not having gone to the perfect source where there's recourse for such thing.

When the child of this woman has been ascertained to have died, she did one thing that impresses me and surely impressed God. She laid the child on Elisha's bed. She was saying, "what you have given me, I have return to you. See to it God!" This woman remains in faith despite the evil that has come on her. She keeps her faith and this even reflects in her confession of "all is well" which she echoes repeatedly.

When she got hold of Elisha, her ask was, "did I ask of you a child? Did I not ask you not to deceive me?" In essence, she was speaking to God who had made the promise of a child to her. In no time, God answers and rouses Himself to give her a miracle. God is committed to the cause of everything He brings into being. In Yoruba language, we'll say, "ti Oluwa ni", meaning "God's own." If it's indeed God's own, God will care and watch over it. So, if you are sure your children are God's own, you can be sure that God will fix them. Are you beginning to notice misbehaviour in any of them? Return them back to God who gave them to you. Lay them down in a prostrated manner before God. 'Naked' them and the issues at hand before God. Don't keep anything from God. Let Him behold the good and perfect gift He afore gives you and then declare to you why they shouldn't be perfect still. However, you must first of all be sure that they are God's own and are gifts that originated from God.

All of us know where we got what we possess from. This includes our spouses and all properties alike. One man's car was crushed in an accident, he cried to God saying, "God, look at your car. It's gone. Will you not provide a better one?" In no long time, he receives a new one even as a gift. If God indeed gives you all you have and you survive on, you can as well call Him and hold Him responsible for renewal. That is, if you'll trust in this sure process and not let your own hands rush to architect imperfect blessings for yourself. I say, "return that good to the Lord." He'll send another anew.

PRAYER: Lord, perfect my children in obedience. Is anything lacking in your life: health, finance etc. Ask His good gift and perfect gift.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 20:17-38 & Job 22-24

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 09/08/2024

FRIDAY - 9TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

THOSE THE LORD GIVES TO - Building Capacity Series 009

II Kings 4:16, KJV

"And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid."

Those the Lord gives to cannot be disappointed. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (Prov.10:22). When it is the Lord who has given you your gift or blessing, then it shall endure with you. Of such blessing, you can exercise confidence that the Lord who has given it will protect or administer it as He wills. The Lord doesn't give us and then take to make us cry (whenever He takes back). The case of Job reveals this. God didn't allow the taking of his children (the crown of all he has) to prove Himself unworthy of being the perfect giver of gifts to those who trust Him. He rather did that to prove Job if there be any wicked way in him. God tests us to prove our love for Him. At day's end, Job is compensated by God more beautifully (Job 42).

God loves us but He does prove us. When it is the Lord who has given you what you have, it is bound to be watched and administered by Him. So, be confident of that. The only problem is struggling with God over administering of the gift He gave you. This includes your children that God wants to be ordered in a way of life or profession than you have raised them. That's not keeping your part of the bargain by submitting the very good gift and every perfect gift you have received from God to His discretionary use.

This Shunamite woman is still our example. She confirms if the good news Elisha proclaims to her is indeed a genuine one or a blessing that comes and goes. She doesn't want her hope to be raised and only to be dashed shortly. Though the devil came in like a flood, God still raised a standard against his appearance. God triumphs over the plot of Satan to take her child. Grabbing the feet of Elisha, she sobs and says, "did I not ask my Lord not to deceive me. Did I ask for a child of thee (in essence, of God). God is not a disappointer. What He promised to give which He eventually gave this woman was also watched by Him. When Satan does his worst, God does His best. The child comes back to life and was returned to the mother. This way, God fulfills His Word to that woman that He is yea and amen. She had asked, "are you sure you're not deceiving me man of God?" Though a situation came to portray God as a compromiser, yet God reveals His mightiness proving He's no compromiser of His promises to people. He's still the perfect giver of gifts. If you'll ask of God, He'll bestow on you the gift that doesn't fade and in this, you'll be contented.

PRAYER: All my blessings are trustworthy, lasting and permanent.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 20:1-16 & Job 19-21

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 08/08/2024

THURSDAY - 8TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

IN SEARCH OF A LASTING CURE - Capacity Building Series 008

Jonah 4:6, NLT

"And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah's head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

When God raised this gourd up, it sure knew why it was being raised. Every living thing currently obeying the law of life shall one day obey the law of death. Only that the born again man shall swallow death to live eternally with Christ (John 3:16) while his counterpart in eternal damnation. Another thing this gourd assuredly knows is its time of taking. God sets its lifespan and it's a short one for that matter. Jonah was glad having it but the gourd turns out not to be a lasting solution to his need.

Elisha once prophesies to a barren woman with a great estate saying, "about this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son..." The woman, not wanting to be deceived replies, "No, my Lord! O man of God, don't deceive me and get my hopes up like that" (II Kings 4:16, NLT). She clamours for a good and perfect gift - the kind of gift that tarries and doesn't disappear at midday or noon. Sure, according to the prophet's prediction, she becomes pregnant, gives birth to a son though the boy died suddenly.

When she saddles her ass to visit Elisha, the statement she made to him was, "did I ask you for a son, my lord? And didn't I say, 'Don't deceive me and get my hopes up?" (II Kings 4:28, NLT). I'm sure this woman has seen enough having suffered from many unfulfilled promises from those who might have assured her of hope. For that reason, she sternly asks not to be deceived. She probes Elisha as to ascertain the genuineness of his prophecy. She'll like to know if Elisha was just drunk with words because he has been well taken care of. However, Elisha assuredly speaks as God's prophet though the child still dies (but to be resurrected).

One major thing I want to call your attention to is the fact that this woman wants a blessing that'll last. Hearing such prophecy of goodness ought make her leap for joy but she didn't. She rather queries the genuineness and that's because she doesn't want to have a mist-like joy. It's better not to be comforted than to be temporarily comforted. I've heard waiting mothers who are longing for their own child say, "let me also have one even if he won't close my eyes." That's a dangerous request necessitated by wanting to prove a point to onlookers that at least I once had one.

Brethren, what sort of joy do you desire? What sort of gift are you looking for? When you're looking for the joy that lasts, you'll ascertain if the school that promises your child 9 distinctions in his exam doesn't do malpractices. When you don't ascertain that, you yourself aren't a man of thoroughness. You only want fruits irrespective of how and where it was gotten. But I can assure you, it'll be a mist-like joy. You can have it but you won't have the clear conscience that it was worked for. You can have it but you'll always be convicted of sin for having transgressed to obtain it. So, God is calling you to repentance this morning. Confess your sins to God, restitute to those you have cheated and return all goods stolen or acquired unlawfully. Then, don't make a repeat of such. Only then will you have the testimony of "better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife." (Prov. 17:1).

It's better to have little with clear conscience than have much with fear of consequences.

PRAYER: Lord, from you stems every good gift and every perfect gift. This I ask, gift me and let them endure.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 11:1-24 & Psalms 79-81

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 07/08/2024

WEDNESDAY - 7TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

NO SOONER IT RISES; NO SOONER IT DIES - Capacity Building Series 007

Jonah 4:10, KJV

"Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:"

What do you expect if the duration is shorter than expected under its allotted? Then, don't expect longevity. At first, Jonah is exceedingly glad for the shelter provided him by God. Though God teaches him the need for forgiveness through the acts of planting and withering the gourd - shelter given him overnight, yet there are lessons on the need for thoroughness that could be gleaned from here. God confesses to Jonah, "do you do well to be angry? He responds yes! Then God shocks him further by enquiring why he would get angry over a gourd that was planted in a night and had died in a night. If you paid attention to that statement of God, it bears the connotation of "what else do you expect? Were you expecting the gourd that came up suddenly in the night to have lived longer than when it died?" God passes a message to us about the reality of taking time and allowing things to take time when they really require such time for readiness. What doesn't take time or spend its duration always arrive uncooked and unready. Take for instance, a premature baby. Such can't survive unless he's helped by the incubator for awhile. No mother prays giving birth or having an ejection without carrying the pregnancy to term. They don't want the dramas that follow. So, don't let impatience push you to compromising set time of things. Don't seek alternatives outside God that'll bring sorrow eventually to you. Irrespective of the need in your life, learn to wait consistently on God until you can have the testimony of Hannah who says, "for this child I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of him" (I Sam.1:27). That's what you can boast of and show to all men around.

Don't expect any enduring satisfaction from a gourd that was reared up in a night. NLT says, "and the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and SOON it spread its broad leaves over Jonah's head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort and Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

Always question what suddenly pops up without roots, ancestry or descent. They mostly are not genuine but have come to raid you of value and your substance. Jonah could have questioned why a plant would suddenly have come up with broad leaves for his shade but he didn't because he was blinded by his need. In his desperateness, he receives with thanksgiving what won't last. However, God soon arranged for worms to eat it off. As such, it withers away. That's the destiny of anything that comes up quickly in the night. They're destined to pass out as soon as they are revealed. It will go the way it comes. You shouldn't expect any lengthy expectancy from such. On this note, may I warn you that "every good and every perfect gift comes from God, with whom there's no variableness" (James 1:17). Don't seek 'quick wealth' or an unlawful quick means of rising to the detriment of your soul. Wait, work hard and observe all righteous principles and work ethics until God raises you up. Don't sleep or bribe your way through the ranks. Let things take their set time. Your set time can't be too depressive to bear. It's the time your blessing would fit you. As such, you'll have grown to equate with it. Have you observed that those who don't work for their wealth spend it carelessly? Consider those who win lottery. The money they win that quickly goes swiftly same way also. As a matter of fact, their end is always worst than their beginning. Why? They have no root, depth or thorough education to sustain their overnight wealth. They have neither learnt investment nor understood how money works. Rather, they're of the belief that it shall reoccur. As such, they lose all.

Christian, God is calling you to the emulation of what is right and godly. Hold unto the process. When it matures, it'll mature you. The Bible says, "but let patience have its full effect, that ye may be whole lacking in nothing" (James 1:4). Overnight success is a mirage. They don't impart wisdom by which the owner could court it.

PRAYER: You have warned me to warn others. Make me a preacher of right process.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 9:30-10:1-21 & Psalms 78

Tuesday 6 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 06/08/2024

TUESDAY - 6TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

A MAN OF DEPTH - Capacity Building Series 006

Matthew 13:5, KJV

"Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:"

If you ignore being a man of depth, you'll become a man of debt or death. You'll always face a penalty for not adhering. I heard a story of a man who wanted to engage in a very big building project. Consulting the best engineers he could find, he partnered with them to build the house of his taste. Further down into the building, they began to experience shortage of fund. The building has taken much due to the cost of materials that kept heightening. Sympathizing with the house owner, the engineers suggested going for a cost friendly materials but lesser in quality to the afore reviewed. The house owner rather refused to sacrifice depth and quality for comfort.

Does this story mirror any moral to us? Build with the best materials possible. Receive the best training ever. Manifest the best that can be offered and give your eyes no rest until same is accomplished.

"...and forthwith they sprung up because they had no deepness of earth."

How long does it take to produce a medical doctor? Compare that to how long it takes producing a quack physician and you'd see that paying attention to depth matters. The quack doctor or nurse apprenticed to some men may begin to perform some procedures and be freed to practice on his own but you'll know he has no depth (proper knowledge of practice) by the many mistakes he'll make. Quack physicians are such who send people to their graves earlier than God plans. Unfortunately, they're preferred because they offer pocket friendly cost.

Be a lover of depth! Always ask, "is this the best material available for this?" If there's a better one, go for it. The difference might be denied by shoddy men but salt proclaims itself to be tasty in every stew. A man of depth goes further than requires of him. He sweeps the floor as if angels would make their beds there. He doesn't build to be seen of men to have quickly appeared but to be praised of God to have endured and lived to godly standards and lawful requirements. Be a man of depth!

PRAYER: Teach me doing it right always. I refuse to sacrifice endurance for pleasure.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 9:1-29 & Psalms 74-77

Monday 5 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 05/08/2024

MONDAY - 5TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

WHEN YOUR THINGS DELAY - Capacity Building Series 005

Matthew 13:5, KJV

"Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:"

God uses delay to mature Christian virtues in us. It'll be good if you understand the purpose of delay. This way, you'll cooperate with the Holy Spirit to learn and be in the right receiving state for what you're expecting.

The plant in our text is described to have, "sprung up forthwith!" Everybody knows that seeds take time to germinate. That's because they need to first send root, sustainable roots downward. We know that there's no life without the root. It is through the root nutrients are passed and communicated to the entire body of any plant. Also, good root system provides support against contrary wind etc.

However, this plant in view jettisons all those. Rather, 'forthwith it sprung." This is a community of people who don't pass through the door. They rather come through another way to access the sheepfold. What does Jesus call them? Thieves and robbers, for having broken process and order of things (John 10:1-3).

The word, "forthwith" suggests immediacy or promptness. Instead of tarrying and seeking to make appearance after maturity, they rather pursue after exposure. Such people will put those doing it right under pressure of time to compromise or reexamine themselves though they aren't wrong but remain God abiders. By the time a fellow given to bribery and corruption establishes himself with some physical tangibility that all eyes can see, it could make the real Christians question God and even query their Christianity. However, make no mistake, God doesn't approve of such sudden appearance that has no foundation or solidity. Everything is timed and put under due process by God. Beware of microwave rising! The Bible talks of time in its variety of manifestation i.e time to be born or die (Eccl.3). Before death would result, one must therefore have spent some years which will culminate in ageing and consequently death. That's the natural process of things when not broken. So, there's an outline and a process that results in whatsoever we eventually see appear. It takes time to reach an end or that conclusion. When the order is broken, things might appear faster than planned anyway. In the natural, that's why early death is a breaking of that process. And when it happens, no one is ever happy with it. An explanation fitting the seeds that forthwith sprung up.

Brethren, always tend towards the side of clear conscience. It is not everybody whose things quickly appear who cut corners anyways. Some didn't. They might be young but might have paid the greatest sacrifices or received the favour of the Lord. The time to favour them might have come since the time to favour individual varies (Psalm 102:13). However to those you know to be law breakers and sinners whose shoots appear when your own root is still in the soil, be rest assured that when they're swept away by the flood (if they don't repent), your house shall be standing in observation of them. The Bible says, "a thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes will you behold the reward of the wicked" (Psalm 91:7-8). When the wicked are being recompensed, you'll be there watching and sympathizing and testifying to other witnesses on the dangers of cutting corners.

Those plants due to lack of depth eventually withered away. That withering is the just recompense for having cut corners in the first place. While they are gone; you'll be here watching and sipping tea. The wicked shall not always endure. They shall not tarry in the congregation of the righteous. Like the wind drives away the chaff, they shall be driven away. But the righteous shall stand still.

PRAYER: Give me solace in your Word and in my doing it right when my things delay. May I not hurry the process out of ordainment but let patience have its full effects that a rounded man might be produced.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 8:18-39 & Psalms 70-73

Sunday 4 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 4/08/2024

SUNDAY - 4TH AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

BUILT ON THE ROCK - Capacity Building Series 004

Matthew 7:25, KJV

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

Jesus in a parable talks of two buildings and builders. One builds on the rock while the other builds on the sand. When it rained and the floods came and the wind blew, the house on the sand came crashing down while the one built on the rock stood to stand.

This is a lesson for us all. God is calling us to give effort in the right direction and do that which we want to do once and for all rightly. Choose to build your house on the rock against the easy choice of building it on the sand. There'll always be the easy way out. One time, I needed a certification and I met someone who supposedly was to guide me in the process of exam registration. The fellow rather told me if I could pay a particular sum of money (which was very affordable for me) that he'll get me the certificate. As simple as that was, that's a test of "on what I'll build my house." I can choose to build on falsity or I build on truth. When I build on falsity, I'll always be at the risk of looking over my shoulders whether I would be found out one day. Moreso, I'll live in torment of being exposed by the fellow who had helped me out. What if he comes to repentance tomorrow and in being sorry for all he did spitted some few names he had helped out. Would I say he was immature not keeping shut when he was under holy conviction?

In the natural when building on a rock, it is more rigorous, time, energy and resources consuming. If you'll build on a rock in the physical, you can't but go on to blast the rock and dig rigorously to have a way or foundation into it. Such act is back bending and breaking. Such labour could best be described as "toiling." Compare that to digging the ground (the soil). Which one opens faster? The soil. As a matter of fact, the fellow building on the ground might have carried his building to lintel level or roofing when the one on the rock is still labouring towards laying the foundation.

Don't cut any corner. Give it all it'll take to survive and endure. Your life extends beyond you. It reaches your downlines. Those who are building on the sand are building to terminate when they die while those who are building on the rock are building to surpass themselves. Those are the people who want to have a work that'll stand as a testimony to generations to come which they did in godliness as demanded of God and honoured by the moral codes of men. When you build on the rock (all righteous and lawful foundations), your work will endure long after you're gone. Choose wisely what you build on and with what you build!

PRAYER: Wean me from all desires to have gain where I have not sown. I surrender to the process that makes the difference.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 8:1-17 & Psalms 68-69

Saturday 3 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 3RD AUGUST, 2024

SATURDAY - 3RD AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

Happy New Month!!!

MARKING THEM RIGHT: THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH ARE SMALL - Capacity Building Series 003

Proverbs 24:10, KJV

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."

The Bible speaks the truth and lie not when it says, "if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." In a movie shut by an iconic Nigerian cinematographer, a sudden attack is launched by a group of youth activists against the ruling monarch and his crown of office seized and taken away. While questioning the head of the police force and king's guard, and criticizing him for the ill preparation in resisting the invaders, he mentioned failing due to the surprise attack launched at his men. An elderly statesman replies, "do you not know that surprise is part of the battle antics?'' In other words, that chief is correcting the head of the King's Guard from seeking any ground for excuses because none is actually acceptable. The deed is done! Being a force member, he should have known better and anticipated likewise.

When people fail, they tend to give excuses. It just makes sense looking for someone to blame or pass the bulk to. However, the Bible is making no excuse or ground for such. It says bluntly, "if you fail in the day of adversity, your strength is small." No understanding of nonsense! The writer searched and couldn't find the cause for the failure of men in the day of adversity other than their strength being small. Any person's strength being small could then have come from zero preparation or ill preparation. What the Bible is saying in essence is, "if your strength and preparation were huge and strong enough, you wouldn't have been defeated in your day of adversity. You would have withstood and having done all, stand." People fail when they themselves are not sound, strong and secured. When you are not and adversity breezes up, it can't but make a mess of you.

A sailor once blamed the wind for being too strong for his ship to withstand. Other sailors with bigger and stronger ships shut him up and blamed him for sailing a weaker vessel on the high sea. If he had put preparation of a stronger ship in place and had not spared any cost at building such needed for sail on the high sea, he wouldn't have incurred harm or came to loss. Is somebody there mourning or blaming another for his failure? Your answer might be here. It may be that you were the enemy of yourself instead of blaming a colleague for your failure now that you have your examination result to see. If you had studied well personally, you'll have been equipped with enough content to put down. Why blame your friend for not helping you to cheat in the exam? Would you have been comfortable cheating? Your failure was caused by your small academic strength. Accept!

In building strength, you'll get to a place of boredom having repeated the same act time after time. That's actually when your ingestion of strength into yourself actually began. Once you're beginning to hit that boredom level after doing much to acquire strength, that's when to actually go on to give more attention to acquire more. As such, you'll come to a place of incomparable strength where when you are spent, you won't finish and where when demands call out to you, you'll give liberally. As such, you'll come out of the furnace like gold instead of being consumed like stubble in your day of test and temptation. So, do away with all other excuses for human failures and collapses. All those diverse failures and collapses are summed up in one thing that is inadequate - "small strength". Don't be a man or woman of small strength. Enlarge capacity in all areas of life, especially what you call your calling or life's work.

PRAYER: I shall not fail, fall or falter. I gather that I may not scatter in test and time of temptation.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 7:7-25 & Psalms 64-67

Friday 2 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 02/08/2024

FRIDAY - 2ND AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

Happy New Month!!!

HAVE YOU PREPARED INDEED? - Capacity Building Series 002

Genesis 41:49, KJV

"And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number."

I wouldn't stop asking if indeed the claims of preparation I heard about some students I was in charge was true. I kept calling and asking if they had prepared indeed for their approaching exams. They were shocked at my repeated calls and enquiries on same. When one asked why I was asking, "I said I needed them to have evidences of preparation until which no one should be assured." It is not the confession of having prepared or being ready that qualifies anyone for what he's expecting. What does is having proofs of having prepared. When you do, you'll have assurance plus any physical tangibility testifying to your preparation. Until you have prepared, you haven't prepared. The Bible describes the preparation of Egypt for the seven years of famine this way. Joseph (the manager in charge of The Grain Project) just didn't store grain, he stored grain until he had assurance that the predicted famine would not be able to hurt any hair of their heads. How did I know that? The Bible has this to say: "and he gathered grains as the sand of the seashore, very much until he left counting."

Did you read that at all? Two things are there indicating the thoroughness of Joseph's preparation. First is 'his gathering grains as the sand of the seashore." The sand of the seashore which cannot be counted or numbered brings to mind such quantity that can feed a nation or multitudes conveniently. It is this that culminates in the second where he lost numbering. Previously, Joseph could measure how much grain he had gathered. He could keep statistics at one level but he got to a place of preparation that his preparation even overwhelmed him. He himself couldn't begin to measure how much grain they had collected again because there was just too much of it that might be troubling to the human mind. Another reason for his inability to ascertain by numbering again may be the lack of adequate measuring unit or measurement for the quantities they've now gathered. We are aware that at this time Egypt was a well developed civilization in the world. They have several invented measures and measurements for things. However, the quantity they experienced which came from the multitude of grains they'll in their history gather might have lacked a proper invented measurement to measure same. Or, the use of that language might have been the writer's way to suggestively acquaint us with such unprecedented quantity in which he gathered.

Irrespective of which reason, Joseph had an overwhelming plan for the famine to come. That's why they were not short of bread though they had to sell to other nations and even accommodate Israel, another nation in Goshen (part of Egypt). God is asking of you preparation and plan that'll overwhelm what He has called you to do. God doesn't want us to be caught unawares or as ill prepared. He doesn't want us to faint and collapse for lack of respect for adequate preparation and plans. Rather, having done all (preparing), He wants us to be able to stand and stand still when the event might have happened and passed. The choice is yours - to be a listener or a despiser. Your choice will attract on you consequence or reward for which you're either happy or full of regrets. However, I'll counsel you to choose life by putting in place overwhelming preparation. So, don't think you've done enough until you've done enough. Study more, gym more, rehearse more and go the long road even if it calls for painful labour, secret cries and sacrifices. It'll show at the end that you gathered grains overwhelmingly like the sand of the sea shore. That's because you'll still be in existence when others have gone into relegation. When unanticipated responsibilities or burdens are suddenly added to you like Egypt that accommodated Israel, you'll be able to fund it with grains that you've acquired with your time and effort. Only those without enough preparation can't sell to others or accommodate them. That's why some are stingy! If you're expecting just a baby, take my counsel, prepare for two. That's putting overwhelming plan in place.

PRAYER: Open my eyes to the coming famine (spiritual and economic) on the world. May I begin to gather grains for sustenance for both.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 6:15-7:1-6 & Psalms 60-63

Thursday 1 August 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 01/08/2024

THURSDAY - 1ST AUGUST, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

Happy New Month!!!

GIVE EXTRA EFFORT - Capacity Building Series 001

Matthew 13:5, KJV

"Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:"

Much will be required of you and because much will be required of you, do well to give extra attention to go the extra mile. This request to give attention may even be for the many unsuspected demands of years to come that'll come on you. You may have a glimpse of who you'll become but no one has a full comprehension of it. As such, gather in such large chunk so that you can't be put to shame when those demanding days appear. Some people's manifestations were poor because they were ill equipped. If you ever fail in the day of adversity, it simply means your strength is small.

As the sower sows, the destinies of the seeds he bears and sows are revealed. Their destinies and outcomes are however determined by which environment or habitat they fell into. Some seeds as they were casted with right intention from the sower chose their place by falling on a stony ground. You may be unsuspicious of its being a stony ground for the superficial soil on the stone on which they fell. However, do see correctly. Once you do, the hypocrisy of the earth on which they fell will be revealed to you clearly.

Now, these seeds quickly sprout than it should have been under normal condition. This owes to the fact that there is no much earth for them to dip or send roots into. So, they develop weak roots hindered by the hardness of the stone on which they are settled. Now, it's possible for a J.J.C (Johny Just Come) or an inexperienced person to praise them for having quickly germinated when they lack the major thing needed to draw nutrition and support the shoot they've sent upward. There are those this illustration typifies who are without the foundation or strength that can sustain their lives. Going to church doesn't necessarily makes you a Christian and even when you're born again without becoming a disciple, you'd chicken out when tests come. Like this plant, you'd withered away at the appearance of heat or intense sunlight. You won't be able to endure hardship, thrive and then survive eventually.

God wants you to give attention. It may take years for you to launch what God is calling you into but let it be when you do, you're thoroughly furnished, having paid the prices required for continual sustenance unto every good work. I know people who started something and closed it down for having been presumptuous at the start. They didn't gather strength and resources that make a man survive differing season as it comes or changes. Strive to send root downward before shoot upward. Men may be deceived by the sudden untimely sight of shoot upward but in no time, your hypocrisy shall be revealed for lack of strong root downward. The Bible says, "in no sooner the sun arises, the grass/flower withers" (James 1:11). Your test will come. If you call yourself a wife or a husband, your test will come. It's your test that'll reveal if indeed you've made preparation for the married life or not. God is asking us to beware of false foundation or quickie ineffective preparation that lacks the ingredient of solidity for perpetual existence. You're a project. Decide to build yourself on Christ, the solid rock. Know Him, as they that know their God shall do exploit. Let Him be your identity giver. As such, you'll have the confidence, right ethics and ability to survive in the world we are. However, ensure you cut no corner in whatsoever you'll be searched out doing. Pay the full price always. Send roots downward even if it takes days without appearance of shoot upward. Don't be given to the praise of men (who measures by who first shoots upward) but rather seek God's approval who calls for solidity and roots downward. Of Him, you'll have commendation and by such right principle, you'll succeed when others fail; endure when others are discontinued.

PRAYER: I make the right choice of which ground to grow in. I choose to listen to ministers and teachers who are grounded (have much soil to grow in). I am planted in the right doctrines and so I'm firmly planted and nourished. My beliefs are godly and goodly. I remain solid and unshaken.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 6:1-14 & Psalms 56-59

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 24/07/2024

WEDNESDAY - 24TH JULY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

LEVERAGING YOUR GIFTS - Your Baby Series 024

Acts 16:16, KJV

"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying."

Don't emphasise gifts at the expense of character, vice versa. However, gift is powerful. Your gift is your leverage to greatness. Succeeding and becoming prominent is often by one's gift. That's why the Bible says, "the gift of a man will make a room for him and bring him before kings or prominent men" (Prov.18:16). Only that you may need character to keep such open door. Gift is your aid and God's resources to you to excel where He has set you. It is what makes someone supernatural when functioning in it and natural when out of it. Gift excels skill though you might need to still be trained in your gifting. Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, no one can do ministry and be successful. Jesus says, "but you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem...and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Until the Holy Spirit comes first, we're unqualified for ministry because ministry can't be by human power or might but by God's Spirit. Until then, you're not sent.

That's why every minister needs empowerment of the Holy Ghost from on high. Then, the Holy Ghost do bring gifts into our lives. I know a young adolescent of 15 years old who's very good with dates and history. He could tell you the atrocities of King Leopold of Belgium in Congo and chronicle the road to independence of many nations with the mentioning of names, facts and exact locations. History just interests him. Thanks to his aptitude for study also. No wonder, he excels in the arts/humanities. I believe God gifted him in that line especially. He even once sought launching a blog on African history and politics while forecasting studying History and Diplomatic Studies later on. Imagine that!

The young lady here surprisingly knows things by divination. Instead of leveraging God's revelatory gifts and discernment by the Holy Spirit, she fetches information supernaturally and illegally through aids of a demon by diving into the spirit realm. Divination is what Joseph refers to when he plans the detaining of his younger brother, Benjamin. He told them, "don't you know a man like me can surely divine" (Gen.44:15). That is, find things out supernaturally.

I basically want to teach on your leveraging your gifts. Through divination, this damsel has access to accurate and truthful information. She keeps harassing the apostles with their identity and work. A foolish fellow could have taken her for a prophetess but Paul by discernment rebuked that spirit of divination by which she soothsays things. When that happens, there's no little stir because the hope of gains of those who owns her is gone. They have been making money through the supernaturalness (though demonic) of this damsel. That lady became a nobody after the authority of Christ stripped her of that special ability. That special ability while it was retained however made her a sort of 'god.' It made the gullible (who don't know she was soothsaying) give her a lot of respect because of her supposed divinity - of being godlike or heroic. But it took another person in his own gift to arrest her and bring her to judgement. You can't pick the devil with your head. Your leverage are your gifts: discernment, word of knowledge etc.

Same way this girl is special, functioning optimally, extraordinarily and surprisingly in her special ability, so also is how God's gifts make potent anyone who has it. I once heard of a child who prophesies and was baffled. A child prophesying is nothing short of the supernatural. No one could have fed her with such information because they were even beyond her exposure. However, a gift makes her do that effortlessly and intricately. The Bible also talks of Philip the evangelist (a gifted man himself) having four daughters who prophesies (Acts 21:9).

Leverage your gift and you can fulfill your calling. Every calling is a bundle of gifts in manifestation. That's why "gifts and calling" appear as a pair in a place like Romans 11:29.

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

Don't be ashamed of flowing in your gift. If you're thinking you're exhibiting a gift that's strange to you or unusual, seek counsel and you'll be encouraged to know you aren't operating by a familiar spirit etc. Your gift will power your calling and through this, you can serve the will of God in your generation and attract "all these things (Matt.6:33)" that people are dying to have.

PRAYER: We pray for the free flow of the Holy Ghost in all institutions of our world. When He hovers on something, repair is brought to it soonest.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 28:17-31 & Psalms 30-31

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 23/07/2024

TUESDAY - 23RD JULY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

YOUR CALLING WILL ATTRACT ITS OCCASION OF MANIFESTATION - Your Baby Series 023

Judges 14:3 KJV

"3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. 4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel."

I said in series 022 that your child would be stirred towards his calling and manifesting of same. Let's go further and see the new thing God is saying today. That being propelled or stirred towards what has been foretold or written of one is not just a once and for all thing. Your calling is a force and a grace. You can't cage it. When it's present, it'll speak and open doors for itself. That's why many have been surprised hearing the testimonies of those who rose to stardom from nothingness. The question is, "how possible since discouragements surrounded them?" It could have been lack of connection, finance, platform, education, supportive people etc.

Do you want to know why they rose and floated? It's because their callings created occasions for them to take. The calling will attract events by which the called will rise. Such is the case with Samson in his ministry.

One time, Samson came with a very strange request to his parents. He wouldn't stop singing it to their ears. He had gone to Timnath and had seen a daughter of one of the pagan Philistines. His demand is that his parents would get her for him to marry. The parents immediately refute it. They criticized him and convinced him alike to marry from his own people. We all know that God has commanded the Israelites not to mix in marriage with foreigners lest they turn their hearts after foreign gods. Samson's parents must have recalled that to him when they asked him if there was no lady amidst their own kindred he could marry.

First, I'll like you mark something. Desire is powerful and it is not everyone who desires or longs after same thing. While Samson is dying for this Philistine lady, another will be contented to marry and dwell with a lady from his kindred and that'll be because his own calling is not making such demands on him. I'm not saying God sanctions marriage to unbelievers but even at that, God might have a use for it. It may be mistake but God can use it for His own glory. However, the foundation of the Lord on this matter stands sure. It is still, "do not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever" (II Cor. 6:14).

However for Samson, his calling was intentionally pushing him towards latching unto that lady and that lady in particular. He keeps telling his parents, "get her for me, for she pleases me well." Don't be surprised when your kid asks for some weird things as gifts or exhibits desires (not sinful) after the unconventional. You might be expecting hearing being taken to an eatery or amusement park to dine and play but only for him to ask being taken to the studio where sound is recorded. He might have been obsessed with seeing how broadcast is transmitted. He might even ask you for a professional camera or a thing that's ahead of his age as a gift. You might want to douse him with another but if he persistently asks for same, do avail him that. You might even had chastised him for asking too extravagantly or strangely but he just wanted to rejoice and be satiated by that sublime feeling of the called. Do you know why that occasionally do happen? The calling of everyman wants to gather the materials needed for the fulfilment or manifestation of that same calling. That's why Samson wouldn't let go. Something in him latches unto that Philistine lady but his parents couldn't understand. They were still trying to stick to orthodoxy when God is saying, "rise Peter, kill and eat." Yet, their Peter keeps refusing, saying, "not so Lord. I have never eaten anything unclean in my life." May God forgive those parents who couldn't read their kids correctly that it is his calling that was asking for that definite thing at that definite time.

The Bible says, "but his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines..." May we not be married to tradition when God wants to break it for a cogent reason. Thank God Samson persisted. That window granted him opens a wide touring doors of ministry through which he wrecked the Philistines and truly begin to deliver his people.

If Samson never connected to this lady through marriage, the events that led to her and her father being burnt wouldn't have happened. As such, the stage wouldn't have been set for the revenge cycle that Samson begins to unleash on the Philistines. It is this little door (that his parents couldn't see) but which was caused by God to bring to pass His earlier promise to them that started it all. That singular attempt of marriage opens all other doors that people would call great doors in Samson's ministry. Through it, he later has the testimony of, "heap upon heap." The parents were praying for that day of deliverance and manifestation to come but when the time, occasion and event that would lead to it all came, they were ignorant of it. The Bible says, "his father and his mother had no idea that God was behind this, that he was arranging an opportunity against the Philistines who lorded it over Israel then."

Parents, be sensitive or your child might be hindered by you from doing what will shoot him out. Curtail your excesses. Do not be drunken in superstitions or tradition but be led of the Spirit or else, you might clip his wings from humming and singing round the house thereby halting the manifestation of a world renown singer. Beware or you might separate him from friends meant for his destiny. While God brought the occasion, Samson's parents couldn't reason it right but Samson persisted because he could as well understand the demands of his calling. He has come to maturity now and to the purpose for which God began to visit and stir him up from that distant past. It's not to keep shut and sit calm with the anointing but to cause a change to his people's situation that now matters. So, he was in agreement with that occasion the Lord brought and so gave persistent mouth to it through his untiring requests. He persisted because he could sense, "now is the time, this is the ride I have long awaited and now destiny shall begin to happen for me." May you not deny your child the connection to the road, people and places critical to his journey. If God had sought the permission of Jacob on taking Joseph to Egypt, affection might have slaughtered his agreement. For some reasons God sees, He'll just use providence to work for us. Do away with your fears, stereotypes and prejudices and be in the here and in the now with God and on the same page with the calling and demands of that child of yours. He's just being prepared for a journey.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to understand my child, his calling and his divine moments. Forgive me for criticizing and cutting his calling attempts down.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 28:1-16 & Psalms 26-29