MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 14/01/2024

SUNDAY - 14TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THEIR DESCRIPTION 2

Psalms 105:12-15, KJV

"12 When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.13 When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; 14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."

I inferred yesterday that no man always begin big. If any man started big, "bigger" is in front that he can become. What I've found out is that there's always a new frontier to push and a city gate to still carry. We can always do more because we're really made for it. However, you'll have had a history of small beginning. That always precedes one's glory day.

Imagine the description of Israel here. He was described as a few people, very few and one who's even a stranger in the land promised to their fathers. 

That description is condescending. Though true, it reveals Israel (that big nation that has come to be) as one who once had history of smallness and nothingness. Israel started as a few people. How many of you are here who have read about different startups that have become global today? You'd here they started in one place and with a handful (of staff or adherents). When W. F. Kumuyi, the founder of Deeper Life Church started out in 1979, he started during his first year as a lecturer in the University Campus of Lagos and then with 15 people only. Now, imagine what that denomination has become! They're more than a million worldwide now. From that calling are group of schools that includes a University also. Yet, just with 15 members. At starting out, you don't always have the town with you. Persistence is what converts them to you. 

Israel started that way. The Bible summarily describes the start-up of Israel as, "when they were but a few men in number, yea, very few..."

You'll have that testimony of being few and very few. Being few or very few bears testimony to your days of small beginning. It bears testimony to a time when you've not made it. It bears testimony to the time you're still an apprentice to masters and have not gained independence let alone start or stand alone. There was a time when Israel was a few men in number, and very few. At such time, it was easy for them to be bamboozled or beaten to dust. At such time, any one could have successfully cheated them and they wouldn't have had the wherewithal to respond or seek recourse themselves. Why? They were few men in number and very few in the land. They lacked an organized army then. Two, they were strangers in that same land. And when you're a stranger in a land, you really have limits as to what extent you can go. Something internal curtails you and tells you to exercise caution because you're not like the natives or indigenes who are living in their lands. If you were at home, you can as well boast. However, you can't now in a foreign land. Other men are likely the captain while you are there seeking to rise. It was in such case Israel found himself. He was few, very few in the land he was or moved to. Two, the land he was is not his at that time. He dwelled in it as a stranger. So, he couldn't have acted or expected to be treated like its owner. Their being small therefore brought on them the reproach of he that can be robbed, beaten or cheated. They don't have the population to defend against aggression or attacks that might come. They are but a few people and when you are, you can only do little. However, God with them fought for them and even restrained the hands of kings from falling on them. I pray for you that while you're few, very few, may the Lord Himself defend you and subsequently enlarge you. When you're yet a stranger in the land (you'll one day become its major shareholder), may God protect your life to see that day. May God keep you in these days of your smallness so that you're not swallowed up by the power of the land. You'll survive and survive it all. As you move from one place to another, one job to another even as a single, God will allow no one to do you wrong. Until you've become strong and can enter into your rest, God will protect your lot and what you've committed to His hands. 

PRAYER: Father, defend me and speak for me in my smallness. I commit to you until my enlargement into a nation.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 30:1-31:16, Matthew 10:1-23, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 3:13-15

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 13/01/2024

SATURDAY - 13TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THEIR DESCRIPTION

Read Psalm 105

Psalms 105:12, KJV

"When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it."

What is the description of Israel here? Lowly, very lowly; small, very small. They're so small that they lack the power of a force and the strength of a united nation which can strike fear in the hearts of enemy nations. They're not different from a lamb that's led to the slaughter but which can't open its mouth for any form of advocacy. That's because they're like worms with no backbone. They can't talk for themselves, rebuke for themselves or advocate for themselves. They're like babes that must be bathed, carried and helped. Why? They're reputed to be few in number and very few. It means the ingredient that makes people fear large number is all that they lack. That brought us to the fact that they can easily be attacked or oppressed. Summarily, this littleness of Israel reveals its very beginning and inception as a nation. In truth, it's something that we should all learn from. Their growth from smallness to greatness is a sketch of our own personal journey. 

One speech of Jacob (Israel) to his family that reveals the smallness of Israel and how they're not in reputation or reputed for war and defence is a pointer. After Dinar had been raped by Sheckem, the son of Hamor, Simeon and Levi went with boldness to their city and murdered all the men with the edge of the sword. They have undue advantage because all the men are sore (having being circumcised) - seeking to heal. Jacob in responding to that says "Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house" (Genesis  34:30).

Did you read, "and I being few in number" there? At this time, war and conquest was typical of their lives. That's what rules their world. They always talk of physical strength and brute and if you have it in an army, your nation will be feared and protected. Number is therefore strength but Israel lacks that here. That's why he complained to all his children that other nations would find out their deed and crush them for it. Nothing encourages another to make an attempt attack on another than seeing one is weak. So, the population of Israel here reveals them as one susceptible to attacks. However, God shields them.

It even didn't happen as Jacob thought it to be. God had to do a miracle to keep all of Israel's enemies at bay as they sought to relocate. Where they'll have looked attractive to nations around them to attack and destroy, it just didn't.

Genesis 35:5, KJV

"And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob".

"and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob" means, "they could have pursued" but for the work of God that didn't make that attractive or executable to them. He only made them receive pardon in their sights. 

Did you read that? What does the Bible says was upon the cities round about them? Terror! Kai! God's terror will work for you and walk with you today. You're not of those they'll touch, suffer, kidnap or rape. They don't kidnap an abomination! You are an abomination to them. You're not their sacrifice. You're their abomination. You're fenced with thorns, who'll touch you? Imagine that, see how God rebuked kings for their sakes, saying touch not mine anointed and do my prophet no harm. Even God knows they can be touched considering their smallness and the violation of international laws which now gives them away. That makes them easy prey to any predator. However, God tithed Israel to Himself so much more that the respect of God is what nations and people around them gave to them. Today, you're this protected and secured. Terror of the Lord will be fashioned against all with evil intents towards you. Terror will keep danger and all planned attacks at bay over your life. It might be planned but it won't be executed and that'll be because God will reprove kings for your sake. More importantly, as you journey individually but as a small person today, may God preserve you until you become a nation and a great man. 

PRAYER: Lord, I enjoy your protection while I move from one nation to another. Until I find rest, I shall not be maltreated or cheated.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 28:1-29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 3:11-12

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 12/01/2024

FRIDAY - 12TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

GOD WANTS TO TAKE ALL THE GLORY

Read John 11

Genesis 40:14-15, KJV

"14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: 15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon."

Yesterday, we dwelt on Hannah and how she presented Samuel to Eli before God saying, "for this child I prayed (I Sam. 1:26 - 27). It was that singular saying that launched the multitude of things God came deliberately to us with. You too this year, you'll have a thing to present or thank God for. You'll have a thing unto which you can direct all attention saying, "for this I prayed." You'll testify as you know God as a faithful God. 

Today's devotional is related though a little move from yesterday's. I heard God. He said, "He wanted to take all the glory and that He doesn't want man's involvement there." Because He wanted to take the glory, God's thoughts may not be your thought and God's plan may not be your plan.

In today's reading, Joseph threw himself at the mercy of the butler whom he has just interpreted his fate and sure was good. He told him heartily to remember him. "I have done nothing that I be locked here. For I was secretly stolen out of the land of the Hebrews." There's no one who'll hear this who won't be moved, empathising and seeking to have him vindicated and delivered at once. However, for two full years, the butler didn't remember Joseph. How easily we forget our neighbours in our newly found comfort? This reveals nothing but selfishness. The growth of which we should mortify seeking to treat our neighbor like we'll be treated. 

How can this man forget Joseph with the bulk of what he did for him and how he favourably engendered himself to him? How? How, would be our question? I rather found out that his forgetting is not ordinary. It was because God wanted to take all the glory. If this man had remembered Joseph that instance, there would have been a fat ground to boast or act void of He that God used. He'll have the "I am doing him a favour" sense. It would also have terminated God's plan which He was working at the background for Joseph. He would have moved ahead of God. Many times, God is moving for us but we think He's slow because our manifestation is not yet. However, we ought to be discerning like Jesus who says, "my time is not yet" (John 7:6). You should know however once your time has come also.  

Not long thereafter, the Bible records saying, "and it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river" (Genesis  41:1, KJV). This is God's move. God's move to take the glory so that no man can gain say. This dream that Pharaoh had which lacked interpreter is what God used to rouse the butler up and remind him of his fault. Immediately, he blurted out saying, "today, I remember my fault" (Gen.41:9).

I pray, "may people surrender over you. May they agree to their shortcomings. May God beat them to stubble and humility, not seeing their importance anymore but their faults, while repenting in dust and ashes. You see, it is such man that has been broken and shown his fault who won't be proud or gain say that he was prominent to lifting anyone up that God can use. If any ever knows he did something however, it would be from the mouth of Joseph who received such favour from him. Why would God be interested in taking all the glory? Basically because he doesn't want us to become inflated at Him saying, "it's our hands that has brought us victory also." He doesn't want Joseph to say, "thank God I had sense enough to beg the help of the butler. If not, I had spend a lifetime in ward." It took God to therefore remind the butler his fault and he himself knows. That's why he says, "today, I remember my fault." People can't say this when they're not moved of God. It shows the butler acknowledged his sin and repented. 

Who are those who should remember their faults over your life as far as you're concerned? Who are those who are in power to discharge a responsibility over you but who haven't? May God make them indebted to you right away. May they agree to being at fault. May they swallow their pride, beat themselves and seek immediately to give the demand of the Lord to you. No one stings and gives reminder better than God. When He recalls memory, people run with speed to do His bidding. At day's end, Joseph was brought out of the prison in haste (Gen.41:14). It had to be in haste because God is now at work. He has collected it from the butler who Joseph gave the file to treat two years ago. Being at work now, all things answer God and shivers at His command. For that reason, things couldn't delay, Joseph had to be brought out in haste. 

We know the concluding story. Here's how Joseph turns the prime minister and God takes all the glory. Do you seem forgotten or your thing seems delayed? It is in order for you to see God's glory and for God to take all the glory. They sent to Jesus to come because Lazarus was sick. It obviously isn't an ordinary sick but one that has become defying - not responding to medical attention. On that note, they'll want the Healer to come. However, Jesus didn't. He only abode two days still with this confession to His disciples. 

John 11:4, KJV

"When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."

When He got to the site of things however, things were so late that many even faulted Jesus for being so late. This included Mary and Martha. "Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had come", they say. Martha even told Jesus not to make any attempt any longer because Lazarus has now being dead since four days ago and now he stinks. However, we ought to ask. Why did the Lord tarry? Why did He delay and took so long to arrive to attend to what needed urgency? Why did He defy their expectation to work contrarily if not to show them God's glory and let all glory be God's. 

Like Jesus told Martha, "did I not tell you you'll see God's glory if you'll believe" (John 11:40). God is in His act. He knows what He's doing. Being in His best elements, He'll do what He knows how to do best. He didn't visit Joseph's case until two years after the forgetfulness of the butler. The Bible says, "after two full years, Pharaoh dreamed." Mark the expression, "two full years..." Nothing diminished. I can tell you, you'll fulfill your time also. Everything runs to complete a cycle. You'll complete yours. Once you do and patience is thoroughly worked in you, having less or no belief in the arm of flesh, that's when God can visit you. He's coming. Though He might not herald Himself that immediately to you as you had asked of the butler but He'll sure make arrival at the end of two full years. Then, He'll take all the glory. Then, men would voluntarily see their faults and plead your forgiveness over their inactions. It's then nobody would be forced or have a sense of "I am only helping him" but get to work over your case. Then, He'll give you what your connection, endearment etc to men couldn't give you. Remember, He'll come. He's the faithful Father. 

PRAYER: God, I await your appearance, I want to see your glory. Take all the glory.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 26:17-27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:16-18, Proverbs 3:9-10

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 11/01/2024

THURSDAY - 11TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

FOR THIS CHILD I PRAYED!

Read I Sam. 1

I Samuel 1:26 - 27, KJV

"26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:"

Testimony time!

I pray for you, you'll have something to show for it. Your tree will produce fruits and your prayers will birth answers. 

For years, Hannah couldn't conceive. To worsen her situation, she has an adversary in her husband's second wife who torments and mocks her often. "When will God answer me and wipe off my tears", must have been one of her questions? Occasionally, she'll even turn away from food, deprived of elateness, lacking strength and joy for daily living. One year like that, the family went to Shiloh like any other. Hannah having been pushed to the wall went before the Lord as a woman of a sorrowful heart. Most often, we are lost in our pride thinking we deserve something of the Lord and it should be given us. However, delay is used of God to humble us to see the need to ask our needs from God and not think it is our good that brings them naturally. This brings much appreciation and a special acknowledgment of God when we see our prayers eventually answered. It'll be like water to a thirsty soul in the desert. Hannah prayed in a manner that moved the heart. The Bible records that, "her lips moved but her voice was unheard" (I Sam.1:13). It is this that Eli observed before he concluded she must be a drunken woman. Hannah however replies saying she's a woman of a sorrowful spirit. She's not different from the prophesied experience of Jesus in Isaiah 53:3. Hannah can be rightly called, "a woman of sorrow and one acquainted with grief". Many of us have not known sorrow or heart pain. So, we are not broken, soft or accordingly pedalled. We are rather still wild, exotic to God as men of proud sense. How many of us here have ever gotten here? Have you gotten to a place in life where you're familiar with grief and sorrow? It becomes perplexing as if you're the only one Satan has found to fight. You can't but seek the Lord then. You can't but turn to God then. That ain't the time to trust in men, chariot or horses. If they were able, they should have delivered you. Seeing this, you'll turn to the Lord without any reservation. 

Hannah makes her request and Eli, the priest seals it. The Lord brought the answers. A confirming word that, "the answer of the tongue is from the Lord" (Prov.16:1). It is this answer that Hannah brought back to God's house as she had vowed now saying, "for this child I prayed". You can imagine the joy. The ceiling must have been removed that day!

May this be your testimony. I also want to be able to say, "for this thing I prayed." It is the mark that separates what the Lord does from what humans got by their own strength; trusted in the flesh for; indulged in crime or sin for or obtained through a partnership with the devil. When Hannah says, "for this child I prayed", what do you think she inferred? Just in that statement, she has acknowledged God and the fact that her help [in this child that she now has] came only from Him. So, God is to be praised. To Him Hannah prayed and from Him Hannah has now received. May I remind you what the Bible says that "every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above [not below]" (James 1:17). Just all. If it'll be perfect, if it won't be deformed, if it won't be lacking, if it won't be a blessing that adds sorrow or brings one consequence or another dissatisfaction to the soul, then it originates only from God. 

Wingers, may we come to a place where we can testify that, "for this I prayed and this I have received". May we be unashamed to testify before family, friends and even foes alike that what we have was given us by God. He answers prayers according to His will. What does it cost God to give you what you need for life and godliness if you're asking for the right purpose and for the right use? What a blessedness that exalts the Father of Light! Or do you want to accrue to yourself the glory that should be God's? Do you want to indulge in boasting - singing the praises of your hands, skills, brilliance and mastery for having provided you with what you have? If this is you, God can break you until you lose sense of yourself to acknowledge that, to You [God] I lift up my eyes. Meanwhile, I'll employ you not to wait until you're this humbled to know that it's your Maker that answers prayers and give to all men without reproach. That's why you must never acknowledge yourself as your provider of good things in life. Rather give glory to God who gives power, initiative, good health etc to you to make wealth. May you not wait to find out. Hannah was not proud to God but if you had asked her, she'll tutor you on the favour of not getting to where you intentional pray before receiving a thing. It pays getting to the crossroad and crossing there and then than longing for salvation which tarries. For those of you who often receive without praying, never take it for granted. Still acknowledge God as He who has done it. Let it always be, to God I prayed and "for this thing I prayed."

I pray for somebody there, you'll have the testimony of, "for this thing I prayed." Moreso, this is the moment for couples waiting on God to receive. "None shall be barren in the land" (Exo.23:26), says the Scriptures. May you have the testimony of, "for this thing we hoped, prayed and for this thing we now render praise and thanksgiving to God."

What a statement! "For this thing I prayed." It means Hannah can now answer any who would ask her the hope of a child that lies in her. Her answer to them will not be far fetched at all. Samuel is right by her side. He's her reply. As such, she has the evidence of answered prayer which she can show to witnesses. People, you'll soon have that statement in your mouth also. It'll soon be, "for this child, wife, husband, job, house, car, promotion, scholarship, provision, ministry door etc I prayed and now here it is."

You'll receive answers and you'll have your answers to point to. This is your testimony time. I heard that. Say, "testimony!" The field is ripe for you. You can bank on the Word of God. It'll be just like that. Go and expect. It'll be, "for this thing I prayed" and now here it is. It'll be God who'll take the glory when people listen to your testimony. Your testimony won't glorify any man but God because "to Him you prayed and from Him you have received." Yes, God only. I speak once more as God's oracle, it'll be, "for this thing [mention yours] I prayed" and here is it now. Your prayers will become praise. You'll share your testimonies and pay your vow also before the Lord and God's great congregation. Rely on that and sleep on it!

PRAYER: Thank you Lord. For what I have prayed for, I have received also. My needs are all met by the Lord. 

Genesis 24:52-26:16; Matthew 8:18-34; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 3:7-8

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 10/01/2024

WEDNESDAY - 10TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE SON OF PEACE

Luke 10:5 - 6, KJV

"5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again."

One of the things that amazes me in the Bible is its supernaturalness. It is easily taken for granted and parried but it worth acknowledging. Where you ought not to remain normal having read something that has a supernatural tone to it, may you begin to see such today. May you begin to receive uncommon insights into the activities done by the Lord in the Bible but which are even not obvious. 

In yesterday's devotional, we read of Judah going down [away from his brethren and entire family] and turning into a certain Addullamite by the name Hiram (Gen.38:1). If you're seeing with me, you'll agree it isn't that Judah has had a deal with Hiram any other time afore this time. No, their paths had not met. However, as Judah went on his journey that looked like a wandering from home, a place was found for him, a suitable place to turn into and that's no other place but Hiram's the Addullamite. 

Now, why would Hiram the Addullamite agree to receive a stranger - someone he's not in anyway familiar with. It doesn't matter I'll say whether they have known themselves or not but the intention of God for Judah that must come to pass in reproducing a child that the lineage prophecy and blessing must continue through must sure come to pass. It's on this note that God at the background fetched him someone who'll open up to him. One of the greatest experiences that I can share over and over is being accepted by someone in a strange land. There's no where I get to where I'm a first timer that I won't find a  "son or child of peace" to accommodate me. I later found out that such accommodation is strategic and at day's end always to God's glory. One man once accommodated me for a period that lasted months. He lives in a room and parlour self contain in Kastina town, Kastina State. He has two daughters also. Looking at the unavailable space in his home, he'll take me every night after dinner to another Christian's house to sleep. In the morning, I'll return home where I'll continue with him. Supernaturally, I just easily found acceptance with people. Many people who I have lived with found me as somebody to trust and open up their hearts and home to at the same time. Knowing how to take and treat them as fathers, they took me as a son and put their resources in my hands. And that is without having known them before or a recommendation letter even to them. God rather was the recommender persuading them of me.  

I believe this same acceptance is what Judah enjoyed when he went down from his brethren and found no other place to turn to but Hirah, the Addullamite's place. Jesus also in sending His disciples on evangelistic outreach assures them of being received and taken in by the sons of peace. There'll be places they'll get to where they'll be rejected. However, they'll find their person. They'll find someone who will believe in their persons, see them as unharmful and in faith receive them to the extent of placing his bread or water before them. 

At times, God will just give such fellow or persons who's receiving them special perception into their characters, honest behaviour or godly nature. That's what that widow saw in Elijah before she said, "I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually." From there, she suggested to her husband on the need to make space available for Eliajh so that he might enter in when he passes to rest and refresh himself (II Kings 4:9 -10). 

Today, I have words for ministers of the gospel. Yours is not to climb the roof top and announce your needs. Take them to the Lord in prayer and He'll find somebody to hook it up to. Your ministry is a ministry of power. You have God working with you. If He be for you, who can be against you? It is He who persuades men on your behalf. He'll go ahead of you and find you, "your sons of peace" who'll both receive and put their resources at your disposal. Others might not take note but one Hirah the Addullamite will be available, friendly and father enough to you. I pray for you, you'll not be stranded. Doors shall be opened to you. You'll always be welcomed and God shall locate you where you may take your living and sustenance for a time and where your walk would be reputed to have been a destiny move and meet. 

PRAYER: Lord, lead me on to a son and daughter of peace when I'm in a strange land or need immediate help. I find acceptance in my journey. I am not stranded.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 23:1-24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 09/01/2024

TUESDAY - 9TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

TO MAKE HISTORY

Read Genesis 38

Genesis 38:1, KJV

"And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah."

Say, "to make history!" Repeat it again. That place says, "and it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Addullamite, whose name was Hirah."

As it occured to me, I'm sensing I should say to someone that you'll get to your turning point. At a particular time; without a cause being disclosed, Judah just decided to walk away from home. At leaving however, he found no where to turn to but to Hiram, the Addullamite. If you carry the kind of portion that I carry which senses destiny and destiny moves of people, you'll begin to probe and ask questions with me as to why Judah had to leave home and just distance himself from the family he had known or grown up with at such particular time. Separation of an individual from a group or community of people isn't always retrogressive or dangerous to a specific called out person. Calling always separate men from men. It is not always without purpose even if it is not obviously stated. Jesus tarried behind at Jerusalem when his parents had walked three days away from him. Yet, he was about his Father's business, asking questions of the doctors of the law and learning from them (Luke 2:42-49). Simply, he was training and gathering for ministry.  Watch anyone who has a separated life from a group of persons who are journeying together. Such are markers of destiny yet to unfold. What did Jacob say of Joseph also? "...they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren." For something specific and special to happen to him, he was separated from his familial community also. He was distanced to Egypt. 

Judah went down from his brethren and turned in unto a certain man, Hiram, the Addullamite. If you'll all permit me, I'll add an emphasis to that Bible verse. It had read like this then. 

Genesis 38:1, KJV

"And it came to pass at that time, that Judah went down from his brethren, and turned in to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah [that the ancient prophecy might be fulfilled which seeks expression].

You might ask, "what ancient prophecy do you talk about which seeks fulfilment?" Simple. Let us go to Genesis. What does the Bible say there? "...and the seed of the woman shall bruise your head" (Gen.3:15). That's the ancient prophecy I mentioned. The next question might be, "how does that relate to Judah and his leaving his brethren to turn in to dwell with a certain Addullamite?" That is actually what fulfills it to the uttermost. If you look at that prophecy, need be, it must come to pass. That prophecy in the bid to come to pass therefore runs down the line of Abraham seeking a carrier. On occasions, even if there are two seeds from a man, you'll see that prophecy seek out one of them, come on him, posess him and manifest through him as a continual manifestation to other generations that'll as well pass it down until that seed (Christ) is born. The continual line of perpetuation and choosing of certain persons that we saw appear in Matthew 1:1-17 chronicles those that prophecy chose and found to flow through. 

At this time, Abraham had begotten Isaac, Isaac had begotten Jacob, Jacob had begotten the twelve patriachs of whom Judah was the one God sought out to continue the passing of that lineage prophecy and blessing through. At this time, Judah is the donor of the next seed that'll pass the prophecy unto the next generation and Judah must produce and avail God a child. Now that the prophecy is on Judah, though he doesn't know it, yet the prophecy sought him out, separated him from his brothers and family, turning him into a particular place where God sees best to have the prophecy fulfilled. 

It is his rightly turning to Hirah, the Addullamite that led him to marrying Shuah's daughter who bore him Er, Onan and Shelah. God has not forgotten His promise of a "seed bruising the head of the serpent". He still wants to raise a person that the prophesied seed could continue through until it reaches the turn of He whose is it. So, some series of events occured which denied any of the seeds of Judah from raising a child that'll continue the passing of that lineage blessing. Since Judah wouldn't allow Shelah to marry Tamar for fear of dying also, Tamar had to dress like an harlot to seek seed desperately. With God's plan on motion, Judah himself thinking his daughter in law was an harlot went into her while she conceives. From that conception comes the twins from which God chose one to continue Jesus' ancestry and pass the prophecy/lineage blessing over. Look at this here. 

"And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram" (Matt.1:3). 

Did you see how the flow continued? So, when Judah turned away from his family and turned in to Hiram, the Addullamite, it was for a purpose. It was to an end that he might fulfill something. As a matter of fact, that moment was a turning point in his life. It was the moment for which he was born and spared until then. It's to reproduce a man through whom the ancestry and lineage blessing could be perpetuated, passed on and carried still. That prophecy could have found fulfilment on one of the children given birth to by Judah's correct wife but when it wouldn't, occasion made Judah himself reproduce the seed in Tamar and this further perpetuated the prophecy. 

That's why I said at the beginning that you'll get to your turning point. Turning point is a juncture in life where you take another road different from the one you've been walking on. At this time, Judah fulfilled his calling. Why we call Jesus, "Lion of the tribe of Judah" has to do with being from this tribe (Rev.5:5). Judah was Jesus' great great... grand dad. No one takes a new road who doesn't experience a new consequence or end result. Today is your day. First of all, God is calling sinners to turn away from their sins and turn to Jesus who saves (John 3:16). Leave your sinner- brethren alone and walk a new path to destiny. If you'll do, you'll have the testimony of becoming a chosen vessel out of many vessels that are in the house and available for God's use. You'll see God's intention for saving and sparing your life come to pass. In other words, you'll have a testimony of a different but prophetic end. It's not ordinary but rather to make history that Judah went down at a certain time from his brethren and turned in to a certain Addullamite. Today, may you go on the journey that fits your destiny. May you walk away far from home if need be. May the Lord guide your feet and direct you to enter and turn unto the right, person, people and place. No wandering. Your leaving and turning is for a purpose. Believe! The Guider of feet is guiding you on.

PRAYER: Father, let good and blessed prophecies find me to perpetuate through. God, make me your choice. Today is my turning point.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 20:1-22:24; Matthew 7:15-29; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 2:16-22

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 08/01/2024

MONDAY - 8TH JANUARY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

YOU ARE CALLED TO OBSERVATION

Genesis 25:27, KJV

"And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents."

Parents are called to observation of their wards. This observation should be strategically practiced fishing for what flair, inclination, passion, talent and graces their children carry. Children are awesome wonders that can wow us and if you pay attention enough, you can discern what notable inclination and towards what field your child is exercising same. 

Today's verse says, "And the boys grew..." The two boys in question here are Esau and Jacob. They grew. As they grew, it becomes more easier and clear discerning what they were made for. As kids, they had their obsession. That might have availed the parents to see into their traits and observe what their ways of life could likely be. However, that observation didn't end there. As they continue to grow, they persisted in the inclination and gifts they had shown previously and by this they were marked in relation to what they might become. At day's end, they went in the direction of those early signs they had shown. You don't force vocation on your children. You let their calling get clear to them and persuade you as well.

What your child should do will spark at the beginning but as he or she goes, it won't wear out though it might be diversified into a nearby or related obsession. As your child grows, that inclination, gift and ability will become more pronounced and intense. It'll be so intense and strong for it to lead them to their calling or life's task.

Looking at the Wright brothers for instance. They started with just a fascination towards the incredible toys their father brought home for them. They'll pieces these toys and often reassemble them with a little modification at times. They just have a knack towards exercise of mechanical intelligence. Their father who happened to be a cleric needed to print something and from there, they invented their own printing machine from scraps which could print over 1,000 copies just in an hour. After these, they would begin to pieces and reassemble the reigning bicycle of their times. After a month apprentice to the entire body parts of the bicycle, they had mastery of it and began by creating their own bicycles which allows for better aerodynamics. However, it didn't end here. It went on until they invented their own glider or better still plane that stayed in air for 59 seconds when it was flown. It broke the records and maximum time a glider or aircraft had stayed in air.  Though they were not professional engineers, they became the first to create the invention that'll become a model for future planes. Yet, all started from one simple mechanical intelligence which they followed still until they were led into their bigger day and put on world map. 

As the boys grew, they chose their professions. Esau became a cunning hunter, a man of the field and Jacob, a plain man dwelling in tents. However, it began with just an inclination or a sparking of an ability. It began with a love for the outdoor in Esau and a love for the indoor in Jacob. You know, just a tendency towards a subject or the like of a thing. 

The Bible records something concerning Jesus. 

Luke 2:40, KJV

"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

Did you see, "and the child grew and waxed strong in spirit..." Why did Jesus have to wax strong in spirit if not in anticipation and preparation towards His calling and the ministry He'll one day do? Constant and consistent growth, gravitation and obsession is noticeable towards a calling, lifestyle or vocation one is destined for. If it involves mastery of the vocabulary of that field, one will see himself learning more and more and tilting towards that side in size, knowledge and aspiration. 

I pray for you, may you find rest like the Wright brothers. May you find expression and be poured out like a drink offering for the world to be exhorted and edified by. When you're poured out, something of you or from you meets needs. What you'll produce, write, sing, manifest is the satisfaction we await. 

PRAYER: Lord, give me attention to guide my children in the path of their callings.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 18:16-19:38, Matthew 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 2:6-15

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