MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 8/08/2023

TUESDAY- 8TH AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

BECAUSE I DREW HIM OUT OF THE WATER

Exodus 2:10, KJV

"And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water".

Generally and irrespective of race, ethnicity or language, one major influecing way of naming children is through the circumstance (s) that surround their births. Circumstances that surround birth may be pre-birth, at birth or post birth experiences. All these could shape what name a child would be called. You're familiar with the name Jabez. The mother named him so because of the much pangs she experienced at his birth (I Chro. 4:9). You've heard of Benoni. Rachael named the Benjamin you know so because of similar reason (Gen.35:17-18). It seems birth experiences for these two women were so overwhelming and killing. Over and over again, experiences tend to influece parents in naming their children. 

Some would say, "I got a good job like my soul desired when he was born and so I named her Joy". That's an experience shaping what sort of name we call, impose and confer on a child. For Moses, it wasn't different. Moses was at the Nile as a baby because of the king's hostile command that says the Hebrew males must not live. He has been catered for just for three months but that couldn't be done further. On that note, the parents had to reluctantly cast him out but trusting that God's hands would bear him up. 

As it fits the God of miracles to do, Pharaoh's daughter appears to bathe at the Nile. She rescues the basket in which Moses was coached. This is how Moses was saved and drew out of the water. It is this that influeced his naming. So, when Moses' mother and nurse finally presents him to this princess, she names him "Moses" and alludes to why she's doing that. She said, "because I drew him out of the water". Drawn out of the water means Moses could have died by the same water someway somehow but prompt rescue came for him while at/on the Nile. It is this salvation that the Lord gave to Moses that became the programming and coding from which his name was woven and declared. That's an experience. It won't be difficult for Moses to trace his background or some situations around his birth. As he grows and he learns the meaning of Moses - his name, he ought ask why it was the name Moses he was given and not another. He should ask, "did I have to do with the water? Who rescued me from the water? Why was I at the water?" It is this that'll start a cycle of interaction that'll become an eye opener to the fact that he was only an adopted child; not an Egyptian but a Hebrew. This would make him see God as the miracle worker and sparer of his life who disallowed him from having the experience of many children. It'll also allow him see the Egyptians as the oppressor they are who care less for other people and their welfare.

We do know that Moses finally esteemed the reproach of Christ above the treasures of Egypt but we have no insight into the very act that could have prompted him into discarding his adopted ancestry (to the throne) and sticking with the Hebrews in their servitude. Here's it. 

Hebrews 11:24-26, KJV

"24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward".

Only a reason stands. "Moses when he was come of age refused to be called Pharaoh's daughter". He might have discovered something about his birth experience, proper ethnicity and ancestry. That informs why Moses had to identify and sympathize with the Hebrews even by going the extent of killing an Egyptian - an oppressor. 

All in all, your name is a coding or a capsule that houses an experience (s) that has happened or which your parents desire would be prophecy finding fulfilment on you in this life. I pray for you, you'll live out your good names. I terminate and cut from the root the springing and reaping originating from a wrong name you've been called. Those of you drawn out of water (thereby given a chance to live) won't find yourself in such terrible and difficult situations again. The salvation and escape God gave to you at birth will be extended salvation to you all the days of your life. And I declare that God shall be present help to those who need urgent help and are asking to be drawn out of their many waters or the miry clay. Whereever you have tried without progress, the Lord's mighty hand shall draw you out. Today, you have the Moses' experience. You're drawn out of many water (Psalm 18:16) and that's because God will send a rescue party from above. In any encounter or difficulty, you'll be drawn out of it unhurt. Escape is your testimony. 

PRAYER: Lord, I am named by Your name. I have been adopted into  Your ancestry. My lot and my portion is good. I only manifest good experiences in Jesus' name. My name is an encoding and capsule carrying favour and remembrance before heaven and men. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 5/08/2023

SATURDAY- 5TH AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

KEEPING YOUR ESTATE

II Timothy  4:11, KJV

"Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry".

Demas has loved this present world and has departed for Thessalonica (leaving Paul), Crescens to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia (on kingdom assignments). In all these, one thing is Paul's comfort, "Luke is still with him". I pray for you fathers, mothers, you won't be empty of children. At least, no matter how worst it may be or how blessed you are so much more that all your children have gone to be established in their callings, may God by mercy still raise for you a Luke who will be with you and by you. That Luke don't have to be your biological child but they'll be available to play the duty of a child while serving you as same. 

Mark that, amidst the departure of all (for one or the other reason, for selfish or godly reasons), only Luke was left with Paul. I pray for you, you will not be denied of the gift of men - loyal men. Men who irrespective of seasons or change of it would be die hard followers, admirers and disciples of your calling and grace. 

God is still raising those who will stay in their callings and in their estates. Those who even if the earth removes and is planted in the sea won't budge or lose their places before God who enlisted them into service. That's why somebody like Luke could still be standing when Demas has gone beloving the world and others left for kingdom assignments and errands. He kept his post. Yet, he didn't see himself as being left behind, lonely and forsaken to one man. He stays to serve Paul. He stays to pour water in his hands. He stays to run his errands. He stays to listen to his rhema. He stays to cook for him. He stays to interact with him. He stays to obey what God would instruct him through him. Luke, only Luke is left with him!

God, I pray for these ones that when people, multitude of people are going to and fro out of the calling like Demas, you will let these ones stay. You'll hold their feet. You'll give them the patience of the called. They'll not leave their postings and by this lose their estates. If they are not sent, they won't run and when sent, they shall like Crescens and Titus obey. They'll not become obstinate like those angels (Jude 1:6). They'll be contented to stay and serve where you have posted them and where their posting letter reads. They'll not seek to change or influence their P.P.A (Place of Primary Assignment). Rather, their testimony, would be, "only him or her is with me". They'll be praised for faithfulness to God, to the service and to any officer of the kingdom they're attached to. Their recommendation letter won't read, "Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world" but rather, "only Luke is with me". Lord, hold us. Let us stay. Yes, let us stay in your service. May we not look back from your service or in any way run the race of self will/self love.  

PRAYER: Lord, it is Yours to send me or retain me with You. In either choices, let me be contented. May I keep my estate always and not run outside Your will. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 04/08/2023

FRIDAY- 4TH AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

NO MAN!

Luke 9:62, KJV

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God".

No man remains no man. No man irrespective of who he is having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.

Look, it is still no man - irrespective of race, tribe, tongue, gender, status, whether literate or illiterate. It is still no man. If you put your hand to the plough, if you give your commitment to Christ, if you say, it is His race and His errands you'll run; if you go into His service (obviously having thought it well and believed it so before you do), we believe and we account that you ought stay there for commitedly and for life. If unfortunately however, you look back (betraying Him, backstabbing Him, forsaking Him, departing from Him,

leaving His service) for the sake of other things that have now become very valuable to you suddenly or by process of time, then your sort should not be sought for recruitment into God's service. 

We should mark your type and once we see this trait that doesn't follow through and follow to the end in you, we should not think or seek to commit to you. If we do, we won't reap any difference. It'll be putting the hand on the plough, taking the oath of service, entering service, doing service but painfully exiting it. If while schooling, you couldn't follow to the end but jumped out, if when you went into business, you also jumped out, then it fits to say you have a habit of not finishing. We should mark your type and consequently think how hard it'll be for you to follow through in God's service. You might also jump out. It means you're not a single and focused man. You rarely count the cost before taking on tasks and projects. 

Jesus Himself says, such people are not fit for the kingdom of God. Mind you, He didn't say the kingdom of heaven. He said, the kingdom of God. That is, they are not fit to join us to gather this harvest. That is, they are not fit to be labourers with us in His ministry. What ministry if not the ministry of fishing men and hauling them into the kingdom of heaven. Show me such as not fit for the kingdom of God, those who cannot be trusted as living blocks by which God could build and I'll show you men who don't have long suffering but who take a turn at the least pressure and difficult things. Such men don't see their rewards blossom. Such men always have their rewards taken and enjoyed by another man. Such men all in all if they be of the type of Demas may eventually not be fit (for any other useful kingdom service) because they've looked back. I therefore pray for you that you won't look back. There's nobody who looks back who is fit again. Something always happen to them. They're always broken down and early retired and taken out of active service. Having followed after other loves, they are usually held by them. May you however not be one. May you stand tall and firm. May your commitment to follow God be an allegiance daily lived for Him. May you not be presumptuous and heed the call in the shallowness of your mind only to jump out of it at the slightest pressure or love for other things. May you love father and mother and all other precious things moderately and lesser than you'll esteem Christ, His call and His service. 

PRAYER: Lord, I refuse to be a disappointment - the odd one out. I shall not be taken out. I have taken the oath, I shall be useful for service.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 3/08/2023

THURSDAY- 3RD AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

Happy Risen & Upright Month!

EACH MAN TO HIS OWN FIELD

Read II Samuel 18:19-33

II Timothy 4:10, KJV

"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia".

Did you read that place? Demas has forsaken Paul, having loved this present world. In summary, Demas has gone his own way. He has chosen his own path and obviously his own fate. He has gone to Thessalonica. Meanwhile, it's not only Demas who travelled. Some other people did. Crescens to Galatia and Titus unto Dalmatia. But these other two men, have they run their races or the ones they were sent? 

There are two types of men running or doing something today. One are those who are doing it because they're commanded and equipped. They're the Cushis. The second are those doing it because they want to take the glory and have some measure of recognition. A good illustration of this is Ahimaaz. One was commanded and given a message to run with but the other wanted to run for the sake of being seen. He really has no message to give. Those are the two kinds of ministers we have. Those who are running their own race, running their own errands and then the sent or instructed. Demas went to do his own bidding but Crescens and Titus waited to run for Christ.

So unfortunate that Demas forsook the calling and the called to love this present world to depart to Thessalonica. Look at the usage of expression by Paul in, "and has loved this present world". What to contradict "present world" with is "eternal world". Present world won't endure. It will fade one day. It will pass. That's why the Bible admonishes that, "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15, KJV).

Is there anything of ultimate value in the world? Not one. How did the Bible challenge us to see them? As the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life which passes but shall not endure (I John 2:16-17). Any who loves them does not have the love of the Father in him. So, while Demas has made his decision, we thank God that some were still found and availed for the ministry of the Lord Jesus. These are Crescens and Titus who have lent themselves to the Lord's use and ministry. The errands they have gone are the Lord's. They have become bondmen of Christ who are at His service; beck and call. While Demas has departed to Thessalonica to love this present world, they have left for Galatia and Dalmatia but on errands for Christ's service. They're being profitable to Paul for service and are bringing him much joy.

I pray for you today, you will not loose your estate by choosing wrongly. May you not say it is your race you want to run and your life you want to live. May you not desire freedom outside Christ and the calling. May you not seek your security and comfort to the detriment of the gospel and its cause. Rather, may you say, "yoke me with You and Your will I shall obey". 

PRAYER: Father, Your errand I will run. I shall not forsake my calling or make shipwreck of my faith.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 02/08/2023

WEDNESDAY- 2ND AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

Happy Risen & Upright Month!

INTERCESSION AND INTERCEPTION

I Samuel 17:34-35, KJV

"34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:  35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him".

Jesus said, Satan has asked for Peter that he may sift him and that his faith may fail (Lk 22:31-32). When someone's faith fails, he stumbles and possibly depart from the faith. If you ever meet such people and seek their restoration, they'll tell you they're now in their reality. They'll say they'd been shackled before but now they see. My brethren, when than any other time are they shackled if not now? But this is the outworking of Satan in their lives that they may remain bound and deceived. 

We may want to probe why Satan desires to have Peter of all the disciples. The truth is that if you'll deal the devil a great blow or you're critical to God's programme, it is you and such Satan seeks to take out first of all. Satan also has learnt one principle. "Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter". That's why he's gunning for Peter. If he takes Peter out, leaderlessness might easily result amidst Christ's disciples. No wonder, Jesus Himself told Peter to strengthen his brethren (others) when he's converted (Lk 22:32). It means one thing. Peter is a leader and an influencer of other disciples. 

Jesus intercepted that act by interceding for Peter. It was Jesus' prayer that saved him. My prayer is that when the act of sifting begins in your life, someone somewhere, some people somewhere, a prayer somewhere and an aid from even an unknown place shall work for you. May people receive burdens concerning you. Such is the life of a shepherd  and his care over his sheep. David told Saul a mystery that explains intercession and interception in today's passage.  

What does David do when a lion and a bear come picking one of his sheep? He goes after them and delivers the lamb from its mouth and if they rise against him (not wanting to accept defeat that easily), he smotes them. 

The lion and the bear are symbolic of Satan and his cohort. When they come picking a lamb (a brother or sister), therefore causing his separation from the flock, may God raise an intercessor somewhere whose prayer can restore you to the fold - wake you up to your senses and stop you from regarding the house of death as life. May you find somebody to call, visit and call you to remembrance of all you've heard and taught yourself.  

The Bible records, "is this not a brand snatched out of the fire?" 

Zechariah 3:2, KJV

"And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"

When there are multitude of firewoods and you take one out of those burning brands out of the fire, the one you take out easily dies. What Satan seeks to do is to separate Christians from fellowship with Christ, the brethren and every holy and anointed thing that could set a man on fire. He wants them to become a brand snatched out of fire so they could be easily handled by him. But I declare over you that you shall not be successfully plucked out of the communion of Christ. There may be request, desire and agitation in the spirit to have you but you shall resist Satan firm in your faith. And if your faith be weak, the Lord's intercession shall not fail over you. You shall also see Satan for who he is and resist him for who he is. So shall it be. Today, you're receiving intercessors. Those who will keep over your vineyard with jealousy and care. I received a lot of intercessors while doing campus ministry. Sister Bukola Oluwase and Sister Eunice Olabode were my two sisters' coordinators when I served as the fellowship president on campus. I heard and knew a great deal on how they interceeded for my campus ministry and how they encouraged other sisters executives to do same. I could remember hearing Sister Eunice say, "you know Bro. Sola is now the Christian Union (overall body of all Christians on campus) President, it means more loads. It also means he needs more intercession". Over the years, intercession of others are great parts of what make us yield our bounty and be saved from disgraces and every temptation of the devil. That's why I'm praying that you won't go empty handed but rather receive intercessors - those whose prayers will be precious in the sight of heaven and to shut the lion's mouth or force the gates of heaven open. To all my intercessors then and now, I say, "thank you. May the Lord bless you". Be assured that you have a share in my ministry. That's how God sees it and that's how I see it. You have by testimony and your contribution obtained a part and lot in anything I become or what our ministry is. Oooh, may the Lord bless you for being a contributing shareholder.

PRAYER: Lord, let your intercession over me stops the lion's mouth. Raise me intercessors as I stand to interceed for others.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

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THE RISEN AND UPRIGHT SHEAF: A New Month Message

THE RISEN AND UPRIGHT SHEAF

Welcome to month risen and month upright. I am Olusola ADEJUMO M'Wings, your host on Morning Wings. 

Brethren, it's my prayer that you will stand and then stand upright. When you stand, you will stand tall. You won't be bowed because everything that can bow you will be bowed for your sake. And if you've been bowed (forcefully put under by the machinations of the devil), I call you back to your rightful place in Jesus' name.  

As we enter this new month, it's occuring to me to teach on your sheaf standing up and standing upright. What does the Bible say about someone's sheaf who's our envy for this teaching?

Genesis 37:7, KJV

"For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf".

The sheaf of Joseph did two things. It ROSE and then stood UPRIGHT. Others' however stood round his and worship it. It is clearly clear here that one shall serve the other; one shall be master and the other, the servant. 

Now, let me quickly tell you that those sheaves are representations of those brothers and Joseph himself in the spirit. Your sheaf is your representation in the spirit. Just like every church founded by God has a candle stick before Him in heaven, so also all of us have representations before God. We'll take the sheaf as an example. Your sheaf is you. However, let's enquire, "what must happen to your sheaf?" It should only be that it rises and stands upright always. 

If your sheaf has known uprightness and suddenly is bent; you may need to quickly seek troubleshooting and restoration. You've heard of people who were once successful and were the rave of the town but which something suddenly or by process of time subdues. He was once he that everybody calls and runs to. Now, it is he seeking every contact he could call. O my Jesus!

This world is full of envy and if you refuse to be strong, you'll surely be stamped out. Sheaves are contesting even in the work and political place for recognition and greatness. Evil machinations are being deployed to see that others are bent and bowed over. Competition may be so fierce that a fellow noticed for the spirit of excellence may want to be taken out for envy. The exact that they unleased against Joseph wondering what would later become of his dream. For this reason, you must seek power divine so that your sheaf will rise and stand upright always irrespective of the acts. Standing upright shows distinction. It is a mark of excellence and also headship. May you carry that headship today. 

More importantly, the upright sheaf is a sign of visibility. A thing that stands is easily seen. Many people there be who are not visible to people (who should notice them) because their sheaves are lying on their sides. Imagine someone's sheaf being on the ground in the spirit instead of being risen and upright. 

Ten people who sell or trade may be in a neighborhood and only one is notably visible to customers. It doesn't matter what others do. Even if they relocate upstairs, fix a big bill board for awareness or put in place customer relation ethics, yet customers may not be appealed to buy from them. I hope you know that there are those who engage the occult world for such result, so much more that they haul the customers of others to themselves. It's a function of the spirit (demonic) working with him or her. You can't wade it off by naturally working harder or making your shop more appealing. You have to counter and engage that spirit with God's power. That hold must be broken on you so that your sheaf that has been put to sleep, put under or on the ground would rise and stand upright. It's only then, mark me, only then you'll be visible. 

It is because you haven't learnt spirit things that makes you solely believe that locating a venue at a junction, by the road side or in a place of concourse is what would make you have patronizers. You better quit this act! No! John the Baptist was in the wilderness yet all Jerusalem, Judea and environ around went out to him (Matt. 3:5). People were rushing to his ministry. Why? They were appealed by the Spirit. There's Spirit awareness and recommendation when it is God who first sets you up. Meanwhile, I won't debate with you if why you wanted siting at a place of concourse is to hold yourself accountable immediately before people or fight the spirit and reproach of not wanting to be named or seen with Christ especially in this your day of small beginning. If that be, you're vindicated. 

What matters is that your sheaf stands up. What matters is that you have a candlestick before God. If you're this recognized and approved by heaven, they'll come one and all to your church. It is the mystery of the risen and upright sheaf. 

I pray for you that your sheaf will rise. The Bible says, "a city set on a hill cannot be hidden neither do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel but on a lamp stand to give light to all that's in the room" (Matt.5:14-15).

When your sheaf rises up and stands upright, you immediately become a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. Irrespective of your siting, you'll be attractive, locatable and visible. They'll just be searching you out. May I say that the visibility every true man should strive for is spirit visibility first of all. When your sheaf has taken its place in the spirit and is not bowed but upright with forthrightness, you'll be noticed. If your sheaf is laying down, bent and bowed in the spirit however, men may continue to bypass you for good. You may be beautiful but you won't just get proposals and if you do, only from players. But once this deed of the risen and upright sheaf effects itself on you, you immediately begin to sell. It will be you they'll send for, enquire from, give to, promote, belove and even choose above others. It's because you're set where you are locatable. You're a city set on a hill which can no longer be hidden. You've broken fetters and blasted bushels. You have refused to be caged or subdued but rather to manifest unfettered. So, men would be persuaded of you. 

It doesn't matter what has happened to you and changed your position and status for another. Today, I'm sent to say, RESTORE! Whereever sheaves that should be worshipped are the ones worshipping, I cause a reversal. Princes might have become slaves you know and they might even have exchanged rides for a lower status or degree. However, the decree is that, "take your place. Let headship be clear. Receive that mark of distinction and be praised and noted for same. 

I pray that any power supremely bowing your sheaf from rising and being observed for good are blasted and rebuked in Jesus' name. I say to you son and daughter of God that your sheaf will rise and rise uprightly in the gathering of sheaves. Amidst whomsoever, you won't be the one with a bowed and bent sheaf - begging for life and seeking to be. Rather, like Joseph, you'll be established as a risen and upright sheaf on your hill. You'll reign as chief because God is your upper arm and he Who gives you upper hand. 

This month, you are RISEN and you are UPRIGHT! Be the head only!

Olusola ADEJUMO, M'Wings.

Morning Wings Ministry, Nigeria.

+234 81 3704 6812

morningwingministry@gmail.com

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 01/08/2023

TUESDAY- 1ST AUGUST, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

Happy Risen & Upright Month!

THE WOES OF DEMAS

II Timothy 4:10, KJV

"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia".

Did you read that? Let me quicky ask you this. What would you be reputed for? Paul says, "Demas has forsaken him, having loved this present world". Let me say that God is not saying you shouldn't have other loves or interests. However, nothing must rival or tower Him. For Demas, something towered God's love and the calling in his life. It's such thing that you love more that'll eventually have you. That's why Demas couldn't escape it. Paul says, "having loved this present world". That's the world that'll fail, that'll pass. You should observe what idea Paul seeks to convey. The revelation that what he fell for doesn't worth it. He fell for this present world - what you and I know will pass away with its lust (I John 2:17). Many are still falling for the ephemeralness of what Demas fell for. They yet haven't seen the tangibility in operating their callings but rather to seek after distraction. Just for a little kingdom of the world dangled before them, they immediately forget they are on a messianic mission to save people and bring them Christ's light. The devil tempted Jesus with this present world also. He told Him to bow to him and that He'll be rewarded with "all these things". You see, "all these things" have been the woes of many men. 

Matthew 4:8-9, KJV 

"8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me".

It is that "all these things" that Demas couldn't resist. All these things stole him from God's kingdom and its righteousness. So little. Probably a few gold, purple dresses, proper shelter and ladies' bosoms that he could grab and hold unto. That's all. Or it might be a personal ambition or dream devoid of Christ and His will. Paul in anguish lament at that. Just look at the expression. 

Demas has forsaken me also reveals a sort of betrayal that's not expected or that which causes awe but what would he do? Demas has made his choice of who to go be with. Paul here is symbolic of the call and Demas has chosen to separate from him. Demas sure has his lot in their ministry. However, his eyes couldn't stay in one place. He loved this present world and went to Thessalonica after it. As typical of those who later went to be with the world (departing from their calls), they must have longed, interacted and visited the world for long occasionally until they finally decided to take that last step to be with it and stay with it perpetually. The step that tore them separably from Christ. The very opportunity Satan was awaiting all this while. Eventually, his wishes has come to pass over them. 

Jesus speaking of Satan and his desires over men, especially men of the calling says this to Peter. 

Luke 22:31-32, KJV

"31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren".

When you sift something, it's to make a separation between two things and to regard one and disregard the other. When Satan asks to sieve Peter, he wanted to sieve him of all the substances of his faith so he could be easily trapped and handled by him. Nothing will remain because the substance of faith, virtue, prayer, fellowship, Bible study, zeal for God would have all been eliminated. It means such victim is now a shaft that the wind could not only carry but toss wherever it wants. How? What would make him endure, resist and persevere has been taken away. So, he'll just be too weak and vulnerable to resist Satan one bit. That was Satan's plan, wish, desire and prayer over Peter. However, he found grace because somebody interceded for him. Ooooh, may you enjoy intercession and interception. May you not be taken away like that. May there be a fight over you which will result into your eventual salvation. This road of forsaking the call which you're beginning to tour, may its cycle not be completed over you. May you come to your understanding. May you not leave where you already have a measure of testimony and could be said to have obtained a part of the ministry to ephemeralness and what doesn't really reward. May you not sell your share and remove yourself from being a stakeholder in what Christ owns which you're building on. May you stay and grow old with your call. 

PRAYER: Lord, save me from covetousness. A man's life doesn't consist in the abundance of what he has. May I not be enticed successfully by this present world.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

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