THE PANIC OF GROWING OLDER

By Lenrie Peters

The panic

of growing older

spreads fluttering wings

from year to year

 

At twenty

stilled by hope

of gigantic success

time and exploration

 

At thirty

a sudden throb of

pain. Laboratory tests

have nothing to show

 

Legs cribbed

in domesticity allow

no sudden leaps

At the moon now

 

Copybook bisected

with red ink

and failures –

nothing to show the world

Three children perhaps

the world expects

it of you. No

specialist’s effort there.

 

But science gives hope

of twice three score

and ten. Hope

is not a grain of sand.

 

Inner satisfaction

dwindles in sharp

blades of expectation

from now on the world has you.

 

About the Poem

 

Being a human being qualified Lenrie Leopold Wilfred Peters to write a poem titled The Panic of Growing Older, especially having gone past his 20s and 30s (he was born in 1932 and wrote the poem in 1967). Every human being starts out life full of hope, believing he’ll take the moon. But disappointment slowly sets in as the years stealthily pass by. Peters who enjoyed the best of two worlds (as a medical doctor and as an artist) knew about youthfulness, exuberance, dreams and the physiological and the psychological processes of growing up.

Only for a few in the world, is life a harvest of satisfaction. Many at the twilight of age, harvest regrets. Religion thrives on this, with the promise of hope and a harvest of satisfaction at the end of life many fling to it looking forward to the utopian place of satisfaction and joy.

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 23/03/2024

SATURDAY - 23RD MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

WELCOME TO THE BIG HOUSE OF VESSELS AND DREAMS

II Timothy 2:20, KJV

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour."

In 1946, a Baptist magazine printed an article on the young men who would impact their generation. Bron Clifford and Chuck Templeton were listed. Both men were in their twenties and drawing crowds of eight to ten thousand in their meetings. Ommitted from the list was another young minister. His name was Billy Graham. Ten years later, Clifford reportedly had died of cirrhosis of the liver while Templeton had left the ministry for a sports commentator job. The two men who had been expected to make the greatest impact for God's kingdom fell off the line. The unnamed and unlisted third Baptist minister, Billy, became a world-wide vessel in God's hands. Billy proved it is not how fast you come out of the starting block but how you finish the race that matters. Even the turtle made it to Noah's ark by persistence and commitment.

One of the narratives I do recall often is also that of my undergraduate days in Tai Solarin University of Education. It's my greatest experience on earth. At the time I hit campus, I was battling with inferiority complex. I saw myself as less better than others. This view began to change when I saw my first exam score and I had 84 of 100. Though a Minor student of English Department, I was second best after a Major student who had 86 in the course - "Introduction to Language" taught by Dr. Apanpa. It was there and then I had confessions from those I thought were better students pointing to me that I was intelligent. From that day forward, I didn't doubt myself again. I had learnt a lesson that'll become part of me and that was how I began tutoring my mates. I was afore intimidated by the beautiful faces, impressive backgrounds, astounding gadgets of the many students I saw and how many feigned to be better. I never knew they lacked the discipline to study and die there. It was this that distinguished me. If I had not seen myself as inferior to them also, I wouldn't have studied very hard. It was my inferiority complex which I wanted to compensate for that made me study harder and it did paid off. While the well to do students thought they had it going for them and were not challenged by anything, I was challenged by the multitude of weaknesses, family problems and failures etc that I don't want repeated in my life. As such, I pushed harder and pushed through. This was the story of how Billy Graham might have pushed right through over others. 

How many of you know that geniuses often don't become the best or attain their inherent best? Do you know why? They stop at their talents without adding the rigour of training and discipline. Why? Geniuses or talented people could succeed and have results at the level of gift and it'll equate what another had to labour for on average level.  However, somebody lesser than them in talent and comprehension who could die there rehearsing might eventually surpass them in skill. If you're talented and you refuse to concentrate on what you call your calling, eventually, you might be disqualified or overtaken. It'll look as if you were not called or made for greatness while others who'll testify of not being gifted as you are will surpass you in greatness. In a great house, there are many vessels. Some for noble and some for ignoble uses. It is which makes himself ready by clearing off anything that could disqualify him that the master would use. Take for instance the people we know as stars today. Don't think they're the best that exist. Some best might still be hidden but who couldn't give focus, attention and discipline to rise like them.

Billy Graham was not listed amidst the greats at his starting. Who knows whether he read that report? If he did, what do you think it did to him? Since he was seen as a non-entity of a minister, it must have fired him to more discipline and give sacrifices that others could not have thought to give. Whereas, others were deceived by the judgement of men who adjured them as the best. So, they rested on their oars and were overtaken and taken over. Today, search and clear yourself of ignoble things. This includes not being focused on your calling. Why? It's only through diligence that any could make his calling and election sure. Else, you might eventually look like a mockery or someone God didn't start with or call in the first place. 

PRAYER: Father, how I humble myself this day to end well. Help me. As I renew my love and make ready for my calling, I go all the way to the top.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 33:40-35:34, Luke 5:12-28, Psalm 65:1-13, Proverbs 11:23

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 22/03/2024

FRIDAY - 22ND MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

AND ALL THE COMMUNITIES COME TO HIM

Read Matt. 3:1-6

Matthew 3:5, KJV

"Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan."

Be sure to go where He sent you and be faithful to say what He gives you. These two are very important keys for a successful ministry. I can join many faithful ministers to say, "there's a place and there's a message." One major mark that you're a founder or a novel thing that God is raising is that He gives you a message that's considerably unique or peculiar from others that people know. I'm not saying you have to be branded as a prosperity, holiness or deliverance minister. However, you might be given grace and endowed with more passion to exert yourself towards one major theme from which you could expound the whole Bible to a congregation or people. Offcourse, what you'll see is that people would brand you with that known theme as time goes on. Just note that there's the preacher but there's his preaching as well. This in no little way reminds me of the book of A.P. Gibbs, "The Preacher and His Preaching." That being said, "you want to see how your message and to whom you're sent is of utmost importance here.

Jeremiah 1:7, KJV

"But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."

That's God's word of consolation and encouragement to Jeremiah when he started feeling intimidated when he was called. I began to wonder recently how to have all men come to one again. What I stumbled on is what I began sharing already. The anointing is the greatest possession a minister could have. Once anointed, his message becomes real, believable and need-meeting. There's always an ability of the anointing that draws people by itself. If someone is anointed, when he preaches, it'll be smooth. You'll hear the voice of the Almighty in it. You'll be convinced and even convicted. That's because a power other than what the minister could will or enforce is working to achieve the intent that God designated to the Word of God to have once preached. 

The Bible says, "then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan." Basically, John emptied the entire communities to himself. John has been sent to a place and he has been given a message amidst the fact that he's called and anointed. The Bible opens that chapter by saying, "in those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt.3:1-2). 

John has a location. It is God who admnistrates us. While principles are duplicatable irrespective of geography yet God do send each of his sons to a place He needs to cultivate and as a requirement, their success is in obeying to go there. Meanwhile, John preached a message also. He keeps shouting, "repent, for the kingdom of God is near." He brought the message of repentance to the populace. Don't doubt it. The Bible affirms that everybody was gripped with this message so much more that they trooped out to him, to confess their sins and be baptized by him. There are moments when as a pastor, you have to dip your hands in people's mouth to make them talk or confess. Until you probe some things, you're not going to get answers. However, that's not like we have here. Voluntarily by the power the message he preached conveyed, they were confessing their sins. They were just speaking unashamedly and unreserved. 

Oh, such power could work with you. God could honour you this way. An entire community and its regions all about could come to you. They can come to watch the preaching, singing, burning and even dancing minister. There, they'll be gripped. Even gossips and journalists won't be able to retract to run their primary errands again. They'll be collected by the power of the season and time with which God is working with you. Obedience is key. Only you knows where God is leading you and what He has given you to say. Stick to the message and don't reject the people. That mustard seed will soon become a big tree. 

PRAYER: Lord, coat my message with power that convicts and draws men. I align to the message and to the people. I shall not compare myself with another. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 32:1-33:39, Luke 4:31-5:11, Psalm 64:1-10, Proverbs 11:22

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 18/03/2024

MONDAY - 18TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE UNGODLY SHALL NOT STAND IN THE JUDGEMENT - Does Good Pays Series 005?

Read Gen.19:1-17

Psalm 1:5, KJV

"Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous."

God does put a distinction  between what happens to the righteous and the unrighteous likewise. From Genesis to Revelation, we have many instances that attest to God separating the righteous from the unrighteous in reward. 

The Bible says, "the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement..." That is, when judgement comes, the ungodly shall not endure. They shall pass away. It means in judgement, they shall be searched and no longer found. However, what'll happen to the righteous. The Bible answers that in Psalm 1:6 when it says, "for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." 

If the Lord knows the way of the righteous - what he has been doing and how he has been living his life righteously, don't you think the Lord also knows the way of the wicked and his wickedness? He does obviously. That's why God assures that the way of the ungodly shall perish. It means while the righteous is saved alive in judgement or evil that shall come uponthe earth, God shall make provision for the righteous to survive or be saved. However, one thing is for sure, the way of the ungodly shall perish. The Lord knows the way of both the righteous and the ungodly. He won't mistaken one for the other. 

In today's Bible reading, without a contest, we see how God is jealous for His own. While the sensitivity and generous action of Lot opens him to having divine intervention yet we can't deny that as a severing between the righteous and the wicked. 

"12 And the men said to Lot, has thou any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For we will destroy this place because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.' (Gen.19:12-13). 

Lot didn't perish with people of Sodom and Gomorrah. He rather was brought out. God severed and separated him from the reward of the wicked. Don't forget why God judged Sodom and Gomorrah is because of their Sodomy act. As a matter of fact, they were attempting to do it against those heavenly inspectors sent by God to assure if they were truly known for such an act (Gen.19:5, 18:21).  God does reward the wicked and He does reward the righteous. This narrative is a proof once more and assurance to all Christians that the same event doesn't happen to us all. God is obligated to the Christian, to those who are serving Him, to those who are righteous alike to protect them from evil. When the wicked are caught up in their wickedness, God always sever the righteous from them. Herein you can trust that you'll not be suddenly caught in the evil net. It is whatever a man sows he shall reap. That stands for sure and you can trust it. 

PRAYER: Lord, give to the wicked their reward. Let them melt away like wax melts before the fire and the righteous satisfy with thy goodness.

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

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 17/03/2024

SUNDAY - 17TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

GOD DOES PUT A DIFFERENCE - Does Good Pays Series 004?

Read Exodus 11:1-7

Exodus 11:7, KJV

"But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel."

We began by looking at Malachi 3:13-18 where the saints' thoughts were heard by God for their complaint that He didn't put a difference between them and the wicked around them. However, far be it from God to suffer the righteous like the unrighteous. The One who created the ears, will He not hear? The One who created the eyes, will He not see? The one Who created the mind, will He not know? It's therefore obvious to believe and say that God knows the righteous and marks him separate from the unrighteous despite the fact that it is His own children who accuse Him of not drawing any difference between them in this part of Malachi 3.  

Today, I shall take you to Egypt to see how the Lord separates between Israel (His own) and Egypt (Pharaoh's). Occasionally, as you read, you'll see the Bible say, "and I will SEVER in that day the land of Goshen in which my people dwell that no swarms of flies shall be there (Exo..8:22) ...or and I will put a DIVISION between my people and thy people... (Exo. 8:23)."

This is the Lord speaking through Moses to Pharaoh. It means if sickness, diseases, pestilence, plague is ravaging others, a Christian can believe for his house or household. It won't just cross over because God will sever between his Goshen (where he lives) and the general Egypt where other heathens live. In the latter verse above, God also claims Israel (though in Egypt) as His own. He calls them, "my people." Indeed, when the swarms of flies came, that difference and separation the Lord did was very visible to see. His own people didn't suffer anyway. 

Further also, the Lord also severed between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt so much more that nothing dies of the Israel's (Exo.9:4). Mark the word, "sever", it means to demarcate or separate away and then between two or more things. This is a convincing picture that God cares after the economic life of a believer or any that serves Him indeed. He'll never allow the accidents of the unbelievers to happen to him. The Lord is the One watching over their experiences. He ensures He severs the believer away from the unbeliever's experience. This severing even continues in the light God provided Israel and the thick darkness that covers Egypt so much more that none rose from his place for three days (Exo.10:23). Even in the final blow God gave Pharaoh and the land of Egypt, we as well see this idea of God claiming or severing between two people. While God says, "there shall be a great cry throughout all Egypt because their firstborns shall die, He assures that no dog shall move his tongue against man or beast of Israel to the end that they may know that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel" (Exo.11:7). 

All these acts and many more that we couldn't pick to talk about prove the fact that it pays to serve God, belong or be separated to Him. God is a very rewarding God. He watches over His own and severs between them and others. He allows for a distinction in the lives of those who serve Him so that they might be envied and coveted. That may also bear down to discipline and obedience on the part of His own but He does put that difference truly. Obedience in the sense that He told them to mark their lintels and they did (Exo.12:13). If any Israelite didn't, he'll obviously share in the reward of Egypt. You see that? There's always a difference. 

If there's no difference between the heathen and the believer, why serve the Lord then? You may be living in a society where being educated no longer pays. It means the distinction between school leavers and illiterates are now closed up or the reverse is the case. However, it ought not to be. If that is, people won't want to study again. They'll say they could make it without having formal education. As such, they'll call schooling a scam. Meanwhile, I know it is not. We only tend to call a scam what we trust but which doesn't distinguish us from others who doesn't trust it. So, if you're on this side of the Lord, there are what you'll enjoy sincerely. The Lord will be your keeper and shade upon your right hand (Psalm 121:5). The Lord will be the maintainer of your lot (Psalm 16:5). He'll see to every affair of your life like an overseer or manager sees to it that a business runs well. The moment you commit to the Lord like Psalm 91:1 says, then you can say of Him that He's your refuge: your God in whom you will trust amidst believing other blessings in that Psalm.  Since Egypt is symbolic of the world and Israel, of the church, it means Christians could expect to have the happenings of the heathen not crossing to them. If you share a fence with a notorious heathen, the fire burning in his house by God's difference won't cross to yours. Though Israel and the Egyptians are in one whole piece of land, yet God demarcated and separated Goshen away from all those plagues He brought on Egypt. 

You're a son and daughter of difference. This is your testimony that you serve the living God others are not serving but Who they should serve also. Look, God will draw the difference for you. If you have committed to Him, He'll commit to you. If you're on His side; He'll side you. 

PRAYER: I am a child of difference. I call on the covenant to put the difference now. Difference activated.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 24:1-25:18, Luke 2:1-35, Psalm 59:1-17, Proverbs 11:14

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 16/03/2024

SATURDAY - 16TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

IMMEDIACY OF JUDGEMENT - Does Good Pays Series 003?

Ecclesiastes 8:11, KJV

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

To have that society of our dream isn't far fetched at all. It all begins with being prompt with the execution of judgement. When matters are unnecessarily adjourned, you may begin to suspect if fairness will be struck at all. 

In many nations of the world today, their experience is that you can buy yourself out of any crime case. It doesn't matter how criminal it is, once you could rub or grease the palms of those at the table, it'd be settled. This act amidst the delay antics in judgement is what makes many faint or weary of good doing. Many stories of crooked men who like Barabbas continue to walk scotfree and make appearances in the society warns the citizenry even of the danger of exposing evil or serving as eye witnesses to one. Fear has now come to grip the just as they cower at what untold evil could happen to them when they seek to expose the works of darkness in their society. I'll say no society lives this way that won't deteriorate. 

Our anchor verse today warns against delayed judgement. I had said it in yesterday's devotional that if one offends and is quickly brought to book, it'll serve as a deterrent to others that crime doesn't pay. It'll also be an encouragement indirectly to the righteous and law abiding citizens to continue in the discharge of good. Delaying judgement, being unfair at judgement or not prosecuting the offender at all only encourages more evil in the society. In some society, they have perfected the art of bringing people to book. As such there's sanity and respect for sanctity of life. In others, it is not so. Therefore, the hearts of men are fully set to try evil or continually do evil.  

When that place says, "therefore the heart of men is fully set to do evil", it wasn't talking only about the hearts of wicked men being continually set to do evil but even the righteous being converted to follow after their example to do evil."

Any society that'll live in relative peace and civility must ensure that there's a distinction between law breakers and abiders. Offenders should be hunt down irrespective of where they flee to for refuge while abiding citizenry should be justly rewarded as an example of the expectation on the enter citizenry. If you protect certain offices due to the immunity of the office, you'd be fighting this principle also. It means leaders and those with status or offices could bully the less privileged. And we have seen that a lot. Such bullying ranges from forceful collection of landed properties to even violation of the human rights of the poor. In some countries, we've seen presidents serve terms in jail for offences they were found guilty of. Rule of law should indeed be upheld without an exception. It'll warn men irrespective of status of proper behavior. 

The onus of seeing to execution of judgement lies on us all at the levels we are - either at home or outrightly in government. Don't delay judgement for the offender. Strike the iron while it is hot and let him bear the justness of his actions. This way, the righteous will rejoice and do more good while the wicked will withdraw and fear the law. Without a proper rewarding system in any nation, you'd destroyed the citizenry and produce a dummy nation that switches right for wrong and wrong for right.  

PRAYER: At all stratas of our nation, we declare the justness and fairness of God as supreme. We ask for courage against intimidation to pursue righteousness and uphold the rule of law.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 22:21-23:30, Luke 1:57-80, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 11:12-13

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 15/03/2024

FRIDAY - 15TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

REBELLION OF THE RIGHTEOUS! - Does Good Pays Series 002?

Read Malachi 3:13-18; Luke 15:11-32

Malachi 3:13, KJV

"Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?"

It may eventually become inevitable but for the righteous to join the unrighteous; the obedient becoming disobedient when there's no clear cut rewarding and punishment system admnistering justice to the deeds of both the righteous and wicked. It is for this the elder sibling of the prodigal son calls the father's attention. He'd said to him, "all this while that I've been with thee, yet you've never given me even a kid to celebrate with my friend but when this waster son of yours came, you killed for him the fatted calf" (Lk.15:28-30). Forget the fact that he's beginning to be legalistic; yet he has spoken very wisely. He has a point. What he's requesting of his father is a distinction to be put between himself - an obedient son who has continued with the father till now and his younger brother - one who has wasted the father's resources and love, giving it to prostitutes. I want to ask you, "should there not be a distinction or clear cut mark of treatment between the obedient/disobedient children in our homes or the law abiders/non abiders in our society amidst the citenzenry?" There should be because when there's none, you'll be tampering with the justness of the righteous, telling them it doesn't pay to do good or abide by the law. If your second son sees that his elder brother gets away with all his disobedience act, do you think he'll act obediently? No! He'll also begin to defy you. This way, you'll have changed an obedient son into a rogue because you were too weak to enforce your parenthood. However, if you make obedience look lucrative and rewarding, he'll continue to do good. That's why I can tell you first hand that it is the society by its laws that either promotes crookedness or righteousness. If judgement is not delayed for the offenders, then no one will want to disobey.

In truth, if you'll look at the response of the father to this elder boy's accusation, the father does put a distinction between himself and his wasteful younger brother. Many times, when people tell the story of the prodigal son, they always superimpose the disobedience of the younger brother on the obedience of his elder brother. As a matter of fact, the message they pass is that it is good to backslide because at one's return, you'd be received in fanfare. That's true as there's much joy in heaven and even on earth over one sinner that repents. However, you must know that God cherishes His saints and those who have always continued with Him in His house above those who go and come. Who will you reward as a boss between a disloyal and loyal workers of yours who sticked all through with you? Likewise, the father (symbolic of God in this narrative) gives each of the siblings the reward that fits their deeds to him. What he said to the elder brother encourages obedience and commitment to him and warns us that the disobedient and rebel of a child won't receive like the perfect abider. How did I know they didn't have equal reward? The father said it himself when he consoled the elder sibling saying, "you're ever with me. It is meet we celebrate your lost but found brother. However, all I have is yours" (Lk.15:31-32). Did you read that in your Bible at all? Did you observe God didn't put that returnee sibling and sinner over his brother even after he had been forgiven and received back? God rewards obedience more than disobedience or backsliding? God knows those who have painstakingly followed Him. He doesn't forget our work and labour of love in that we have ministered to the saints and in which we still minister (Heb.6:10). That's why their father could tell the obedient sibling who had lived all his life in the house doing his will that "all he has is his." It means both the returnee brother and even the father would live and survive from then on the share of goods that belongs to the elder sibling only. We know that the younger brother collected his own when he requested for his share of their father's goods at the very beginning. So, what is totally left now is the elder brother's and that's what the whole family will live on. As a matter of fact, the younger sibling is at the mercy of his elder sibling from that time henceforth. 

So, looking at this story, we could learn some morals. One, obedient citizens and children in the house would feel cheated and challenge the existing system if they felt they are being unfairly treated. That's why the elder sibling in this narrative challenged his father for not for once rewarding his obedience and ever presence with him in the family business. Another lesson is that the obedient might backslide or stop the working of righteousness if they don't see or are not assured of a clear cut distinction being put between they and the disobedient. Also, we learnt how important it is for the government, parents and all who upholds the law to ensure that there's a clear cut system and law rewarding the righteous/obedient and punishing the disobedient/offenders. This way, no righteous citizen would feel communicated to or forced to switch into unrighteousness. As such, there won't be accusation, speaking against and daring of the authority or challenging it as we have in these verses of the Bible where the righteous kicked hard against God for His supposed injustice to them. Rebellion happens when people feel cheated and it is not addressed you know. May we have a just system that no citizen can fault. May we have justice in our homes so much more that the righteous children won't be able to challenge or stout their words against their parents. May our nation and that of the world put a distinction between law abiders and defaulters so that those working righteousness won't call it a bullshit and let their obedience fly off, resulting into this verse below. 

"It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?" (Malachi 3:14, KJV). 

Imagine how guilty you will look if your own child poses this statement to you because you've been hypocritical in acknowledging the obedient different from the disobedient at the home level where they co-exist. Yet, that's the exact words of many citizenry to their government nowdays. It's on the same ground such citizens even change their minds from doing good into fellowing to do evil. Why? They saw it doesn't pay to do any good at all. May we not by ourselves create a dummy system that takes effort, righteousness and obedience of people for granted. May we be just and wise leaders always encouraging the obedient to do more and the disobedient to repent. 

PRAYER: Father, help us to create a system where no sinner/offender goes unpunished and where no obedient goes unrewarded.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 21:1-22:20, Luke 1:26-56, Psalm 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11

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