MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 13/08/2023

SUNDAY- 13TH AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE NAMES JUPITER AND MERCURY

Acts 14:11-12, KJV

"11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

You can earn yourself a name. Name is very powerful as a means of identity. Paul and Barnabas earned themselves names. Not that they were intentionally driven at that but that was one of the honours of their being used by God. 

After the healing of that lame from his mother's womb, everybody in surprise of what was done couldn't keep shut but rather say, "the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men". Why would they say that? Why would they compare them to the gods? That's obviously because of the great miracle wrought by their hands. They are privy to how long that lame must have been there. They'd repeatedly seen him. They knew it was not a scam that he therefore rose up and walked. Seeing that, they accord it as only what the gods could have done. And indeed, a miracle is not what any human could do. Christians only do it because the Holy Spirit (a God) enables him. So, they're correct to an extent when they said, "the gods are come down to us in the likeness of men". Only that they were corrupt in their understanding of who to give credit and glory to. It wasn't the gods Jupiter or Mercury or any other but God almighty who don't live in houses made by human hands.

On that note, seeing there are two speakers, they named Barnabas, Jupiter and Paul, Mercurius. Who's Jupiter and who's Mercurius and why would they name these two apostles after them (in their own understanding and as a means of venerating them - the apostles).

Briefly, Jupiter is the god of the sky and thunder, and king of the gods in ancient Roman religion and mythology. Jupiter was the chief deity of Roman state religion throughout the Republican and Imperial eras, until Christianity became the dominant religion of the Empire. Meanwhile, Mercurius is a major god in Roman religion and mythology, being one of the 12 Dii Consentes within the ancient Roman pantheon. He is the god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, messages, communication (including divination), travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery, and thieves; he also serves as the guide of souls to the underworld. 

We may begin to gather insights into why Paul especially was given the name Mercurius. Mercurius is the god of eloquence, messages and communication. No wonder Paul was given that name on the basis that he was the chief speaker. Chief speaker immediately reminds you of high school debates where there's a main and supporting speakers. For the orality of Paul, he earned a name after a god whose characteristics he displayed. 

Now, you may wonder and rebuke Satan for these two apostles. You may be jealous for their sakes and do not want them be joined to idols. However, you ought see that it is the life they already have and which they lived out that earned them that name. They're not trying to mimick those gods in attitudes. If it were possible, it's the gods and their people who are looking unto them. They didn't give that name to them from expectation. They did from experience and contact of having known them to be supernatural men - the likes of the gods. On that note, they have those names. The truth is that you can earn a name by what you do, how you live or what you're reputed for. This same name, "Barnabas" was a surname given to Joses. Barnabas means "the son of consolation" (Acts 4:36). As we all know, consolation or comfort is the byproduct of a prophet's or exhorter's offices. Having observed he has such gift, they recognized it by naming him after a life he lives and the task he does. So, he earns Barnabas. 

Christians are in this world to be light and sweet perfume spreading the fragrance of Christ. The testimony concerning us should be so blessed that we'll be reputed for a healer, lover, giver, comforter, helper, encourager, blesser etc. Watch it if you've been misnamed due to unrighteousness and misbehaviour. 

PRAYER: Teach me holily and power packed living that I may be answers to all in needs. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 10/08/2023

THURSDAY- 10TH AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

NOT ANOTHER BUT NOAH

Genesis 5:28-29, KJV

"28 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son: 29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed".

He called his name what? "Noah!" That is because he'll be the one who will comfort them concerning the work and toil of their hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed. 

We are still considering names, naming and what event or experience culminates into the eventual name given to individuals. Lamech was 182 years old when he gave birth to Noah. This is typical of all parents as they're usually of a particular, definite and certain age when they give birth to their children. That of their first born always write itself strongly in their memories. He names him, "Noah". Noah means "relief". According to that verse, there's an expectation over Noah and that'll be to bring relieve to Lamech, the household and the entire human world from the curse that was set in motion from the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Lamech hopes that something will happen through Noah. He hopes that Noah won't be an ordinary child but one who will bring expectation to pass. On that note, the long desired craving of Lamech reveals itself in the naming of his child, Noah. Lamech like any other human being is a victim of the cursed ground. They eat in the sweat of their brows and all they work for is to keep their bodies together yet without a break. That being too much, they all hope that there'll be salvation and relief through Noah. Should we say Lamech is having the vision of God or prefiguring what can't but come to pass? Has he seen something divine and extraordinary about Noah and his journey so much more that he now latches unto him as same that'll comfort them from their toil. That verse reads like this: "this same (that is Noah, the just born) shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands..."

Mark, "this same". This same means it is Noah who will fulfill that call of a comforter and relief giver. It means it shall no longer be postponed but that Noah as a type of Christ (who by His death and sacrifices erase all curses, thereby redeeming us from them) shall be the one to relieve the entire household and consequently his generation. Lamech by seeing into Noah's future could reackon that Noah is a type of the Messiah. Indeed, it was he God called to come into the ark, he and all his household (Genesis 7:1). In this way, a remnant was saved for the world just by his righteousness and obedience. Noah is a type of Christ because he provided a salvation (in the ark) for the world.  

So, Lamech in naming Noah named him from a heart full of vision and expectation. He looked into the future having seen what they all desired a change over and agitates in petition that, "this same (Noah) shall be our relief, comforter and rest". There are children who by their callings and who they'll amount to will be the ones who will wipe the tears of their parents, household and the entire ancestry. Do you think the Bible says, "they shall raise the former desolations" for nothing (Isa.61:4)? No! God was prophesying concerning such people whose call is to bring relief and holiday to people in their toil and stress. May you be that to your parents. May you wipe their tears. May you be same that'll comfort them, and that on all sides. 

The bellies of parents are deep. God says, "I know the thoughts that I have towards you and that they are thoughts of good and not of evil but to give you a hope and a future (Jer.29:11). Parents also have same kind thoughts towards their children and it reveals in what smooth and meaningful names with which they're named. From the naming and name of Noah, he has both hope and a future. His life immediately contrasts with Jabez, a man named in the midst of multitude of sorrow. That day when Noah was named, he was set in motion and his call hovers over him seeking fulfilment. 

If I ask how many of you know Lamech as such, you'd say, just little. But I'm sure you know Noah pretty much and that's because of the landmark things God used him to achieve in his generation. He was found righteous before God. Imagine that! By him therefore, a remnant was preserved for the human race. May your name which is an encoded prophecy find fulfilment in your latter days for good. May you meet and surpass expectations. May you not disappoint it. May you be the one who will relieve the longing eyes and expectant feet of their toil. May we no longer seek another having seen you. John's disciples were sent to ask Jesus if he was the one to come or they should expect another. Jesus immediately provided them with testimonies and proofs that he was he to be expected and who has arrived (Matt.11:2-6). It was case closed that day. 

People, a name can carry an expectation. Noah's is an example. As if it were afore written of him or already prefigured, Lamech grips the revelation for the moment and declares, "this same (not another I'll give birth to after him or that may come from any other person after him) but this same Noah that shall be the one to comfort and relief us from all our toil. May you be this the expected without missing one detail of your calling. You're as well called with the saviour's call and anointed with his oil. 

PRAYER: Lord, what are Your expectations over me? What are those good thoughts of parents? Let them all find fulfilment altogether.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 9/08/2023

WEDNESDAY- 9TH AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

MANASSEH AND EPHRAIM

Genesis 48:8-9, KJV

"8 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? 9 And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them".

As typical of aged people, Jacob asked (as if he was never privy of them), "who are these?" Joseph replied, "they are my sons whom God has given me in this place". "In this place' means "here in Egypt". 

One landmark and unforgettable experience in Joseph's life is his travelling to a foreign land. It defined a lot about him and was even the heart of the fulfilment of his call (which he saw in dreams afore time). However, our deliberation is on how these two sons derived their names. 

Genesis 41:50-52, KJV

"50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction".

He called the first, "Manasseh" and thereby attached the purpose of his calling to it. He said, "because God has made me forget my toil and all of my father's house". That is necessary! All of us know Joseph is Jacob's most beloved. Joseph knows what the father's love is and if there's ever one thing he misses while in servitude, it'll be his father's house, the comfort and shelter it has to give. Now, he's nothing but a slave. He's exposed to every form of inhumanity which makes him remember and reminisce in often flashbacks to the comfort with which his father comforted him. However, God who reigns supreme over all creations made him forget his father's house and whatsoever care it has had to offer. God compensated Joseph by the promotion and blessing of favour which culminates in his becoming a governor over the entire Egypt. A man who every knee bows to. On that note of having being comforted and greatly recompensed, he opens his mouth and calls forth his first born as "Manasseh". It means God has made me forget my father's house and all my servitude toils". Now is compensation and recompense time and I have been blessed and over blessed until I'm now swallowed up by blessing itself. May God supremely let the better swallow the bitter in your life. God is a payer. He's a restorer and He could pay you back according to the days you have wept or mourn. No loss in God. He'll so much recompense you that you'll forget all your toils and esteem less what used to give joy compared to what God would now give you. 

The second name of Joseph's son is Ephraim and he as well attached a purpose to that. He said, "because God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction". It's not everybody who survives the lands of their affliction. The Blacks all over the world survived their different lands of affliction either in Brazil, U.S.A or the Caribbean. They rose from having endured much diminishing to growing into great people who owns businesses and does their things. Yet, despite all the hindrances. The same could be said of the Jews worldwide. They're always thriving people irrespective of the soil you plant them into. So, Joseph in reminisce named his second born Ephraim because God has multiplied, increased and given him a bounty even in the land of affliction. What I quickly want you see is that the expression, "affliction' contradicts "fruitfulness". In affliction, fruitfulness is stunted or all together exterminated but there's a testimony that can follow you which is to multiply and give your increase even in affliction and when strictly curtailed. The Israelites did and that's the Christian's experience if interpreted. Even when you're pressed on all sides, you're destined to still bring forth your best and rarest of wine. See.

Exodus 1:12, KJV

"But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel".

Did you read, "the more they afflicted them; the more they multiplied". That's very oxymoronic! It so much contrasts itself. No one naturally grows under affliction. They're pressed, choked and left to die but these ones survived. Joseph did also. He not only survived but he was fruitful or floral with initiative, wisdom and nuggets for nation/economy building and even in the fruits of his body. It's in Egypt he acquired a family and got satisfied with every good thing any longing soul desires. So, he names his second born "Ephraim". 

God will do two things for you this morning. He wants you to forget your toil and be comforted over having lost your greatest source of happiness. God does this by raising a better fountain for us. If you have lost something that should comfort you yet you have experienced much toil in this life, first you'll receive a restoration that's better, so much more that you'll forget your toil. Hear me, you can forget your toil. When people forget their toils, it is experiencial experienced in the fact that even though they've once been inside the furnace, the furnace will not in any way be smelt on them anymore. They'll be all cured and recovered from the power and harm of their hardships. 

Secondly, God wants to make you a fruitful vine. Jacob identified Joseph as that when he says, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall" (Gen.49:22). Did you see that? Imagine a plant whose branches runs over the wall. He also identifies he has been grieved and worried by archers but sustained and made strong by God's mighty hand (23-24). All these are God's acts which you'll receive today. You'll forget that evil past because a good tomorrow shall supplant it! I see you spreading your tentacles - a great manifestation of florallness. 

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you because you have made me forgotten my toil and my past. I see and receive a new future. I grow like a fruitful bough.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2

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