MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 3/05/2024

FRIDAY - 3RD MAY, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL  - Olusola ADEJUMO

FEW AND MOVING FROM ONE NATION TO ANOTHER

Psalms 105:12-13, 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."

If I ask of you to plot the graph of your life's journey, what would you plot? All of us have our life's journey. That's what could culminate in a biography at a latter time. 

You know, those two verses above reminded me of my own journey and at looking back in retrospect, it always get me into thankfulness. At times, I would look back and wonder at how fast things have been. For instance, I could still remember vividly how I was in primary, secondary or even tertiary institution sometimes ago. How's it that the clock had ticked so fast that I'm now here. Now in the now with a family of my own and my own affairs to see to. It always bug my mind. I also do remember the words of one of my secondary school teachers who'll say, "what are you looking for? What do you desire? In the process of time, you'll have it all." And whenever I look back, it is with gratitude 'cause I've seen the fulfilment of those many things. 

On our life's journey, there's a time in our lives when we are small - a few people. Being small here doesn't only refer to number or our numeric strength but hints at our days of small beginning. If you are married for instance with a family of your own, children and people around you that you support, you cannot be considered as small or few again. You have added to yourself and unlike before when you needed support from parents, siblings, uncles, aunts and all around to survive and chat a course, you're now holding the steering wheel of your vehicle with the responsibility to drive and deliver some people to a destination. You're now a man or woman of your own. 

Jacob or let me say Israel had such smallness. There was a time when Israel was small and few in the land God had afore promised to their father, Abraham. They were not only few in number but were strangers in it. They had no permanent residence but wandered as nomads from one place to another seeking for rest and settlement. That was the day of their small beginning. They couldn't even boast of an organized army at that time. Jacob and all who went to Egypt symbolizes this. The wandering of Abraham, Isaac and even Jacob hints at this. At that time, they were not different from a single brother who's trying to find his foot and seeks to settle down. 

At such time, you'll see such brother travel from one place to the other, cross from one job to the other. What's he looking for? He's looking for rest. At such time of smallness, he needs God, His protection and His defence. God sure gave that to Israel many times. There were powerful kings who could have violated them, however God shielded them from their abuses. Where they had no strength of defence, God defended them. A revelation that God is the administrator of our lot and He'll keep with Himself to the last day all we have committed to Him. 

Nomadic Israel moved from one nation to the other. If you'll look at your life's journey, you've moved from one place to the other also - trying to find what satisfies and where to dwell. A brother recounts the story of his life. He said after his Service Year, he went to stay with his uncle, then a mentor. From there, he travelled abroad for further studies but to return to the country to start a set-up. It was after then he relocated to another african country where he now operates from and lives. You see, such is life. Such is one's journey. It could take a curve here or follow a straight line there. That brother had his small days. Offcourse, when he needed his uncle, mentor and all he stayed with to provide, protect and help him out. But now, Israel is big and that's the intent of God. It's that as we journey, we become independent of all our carers though not Him. Our being independent is not of pride or self boast but of having become men and putting away childish things. We become a man of ourself - sufficient in God's grace and the education of life we might have received till then.

For those who are still on this journey, may God grant you godspeed. May all impediments to quick journey be consumed right before your face. For those who have reached a milestone, may God keep you further on your journey . May your path be as the just's. So shall it be.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 15:1-16:31, John 2:1-25, Psalm 103:1-22, Proverbs 14:17-19

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 25/04/2024

THURSDAY - 25TH APRIL, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL  - Olusola ADEJUMO

YOUR CALLING ESTABLISHES YOU - The Essence & Value of Life Series 009

Read Judges 9:1-13

Judges 9:8, KJV

"8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?"

One of the major sources of envy is not having what another has. It is also having a lesser image of oneself. If you do (though you're blessed), you might covet what other people have. If you have a heart assurance that you're in your calling and you're not missing out of anything called the will of God for you, you're not moved at what another becomes or what he does. Your comfort is, "I am also doing mine. I am in the will of God just like he is in the will of God." For instance, if somebody travels abroad because his purpose or calling requires that, you won't begin to envy or unleash anger at such fellow because you are also not idle and jobless in the country. You're fulfilling your purpose. You have found contentment and sure knowing on where you should be at that time. As a matter of fact, because you're very strong in God's will for you, you will joy with that person and celebrate him. That's a calling and a person that's not inferior to another and so couldn't envy. 

Today's reading is such a delight. From the parable of Jotham, we shall extract some certain truths for ourselves. The trees went one time to anoint a king over themselves. They turn to the olive tree but it refuses to deny God and the whole world her olive oil. Later on, the trees turn to the fig tree but with refusal also. It has also found its calling and would refuse to be distracted from it. As such, it also refuses leaving its sweet fruit in order to be king over the trees. Lastly, the trees requested of the grapevine with yet another refusal from it. Its excuse also is not wanting to leave the production of wine it has been known for which serves the purpose of cheering both God and the people. 

Reading this, we have a workbook to work with. These three trees are very purposeful trees. They wouldn't break rank or leave their callings despite the great honour that's attached to being a king. They have found their callings and are sticking to it. This is who we should all be. When you find the essence and value of your life - what your life should be given for or spent on, you should become unrepentant of such. Nothing ought to be able to convert you from this. It should become your meat like Jesus says, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34). That's what ought to happen. 

A mark that you haven't found your calling - something to give your entire life for is being tossed here and there by other attractive offers of life. What is being a king to these trees? One said, "I'm already known by my olive oil. Another said, "I'm already known by my fruit. Yet another said, "I'm already known by my wine." All of them have one product or the other of their callings to give. They even testify of giving glory to God and bringing usefulness to man by so doing. They aren't idle. They are men who are known for good works in their callings. They have found it and they are not letting it go. Insufficiency of their callings (if there's any at all) didn't cast doubt in their minds. They know what purpose their callings serve. As such, they could resolutely refuse to be distracted or seduced away from it. More importantly, they didn't even envy being a king. They turned it down though having a lot of honour. You see, that was what I started with. That when you're in your calling, you don't care whether it is registered as big or small in people's eyes. As long as you know you're giving the oil, fruit and wine of it, you'll just keep giving it. You'll become irreedemable from it. That's who we should become. 

Today, if you haven't found your calling, you ought find it. If not, you'll always be thrown into envy and jealousy when you see others give the oil, fruit and wine of their callings. You'll look threatened and you might react accordingly. Knowing God's plan for you and following it is a great remedy to an unfulfilled life.

PRAYER: Father, I receive an awareness of my calling. I shall stick and joy in my calling.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Judges 2:10-3:31, Luke 22:14-34, Psalm 92:1-93:5, Proverbs 14:1-2

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 24/04/2024

WEDNESDAY - 24TH APRIL, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

RISING UP IS AN EXCEEDING VAST ARMY (B) - The Essence and Value of Life Series 008

I Kings 19:18, KJV

"Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

Yesterday, the Father brought us the revelation of the exceeding vast army. We shall proceed in it today. So, we'll need to travel again but to I Kings. 

The Lord called me by my name. He said, "Olusola, I'm raising a purposeful people. I'm raising an exceeding vast army of purposeful men and women. People might have thought such like them don't exist. Some might even have said, "only few are purposeful or only us are purposeful." But He said, "I still have many who are as purposeful as anything and zealous for my pleasure, kingdom and righteousness on earth even in their various work places and fields." Then God showed me what He meant when He portrayed to me the Elijah story and the 7000 reserved. 

While Elijah was caught up in self deceit uttering, "only I remain of the prophets of the Lord", God was quick to shut him off so he would not be deceived any further or think too highly of himself. As such, God told him, "I have kept for myself 7000 prophets whose knees haven't worshipped Baal and whose mouths haven't kissed him."

Elijah must have been dazed. His mouth must have been suddenly sealed. That first confession of his must have been taken back. Imagine such a reply. God told him He had never lacked men and wouldn't lack men in simple words. As such, no man should boast who He is using or who is living his own purpose. One reason is because, he's not the only one. This is also a warning to those of you who have been sending threatening messages to God that you'll commit suicide and you'll wonder who God would use. You ought to desist from such now. Before you were born, God's will prospered and after you might have left, it'll still prosper. If you should ever desist from living out your calling or giving the wine you've been known for, God will raise other men to fill your gap. Did John not tell the Pharisees and Sadducees that God was able to raise up children from Abraham from stones (Matt.3:9). Jesus Himself told some envious people that if the people should keep shut, the stones would cry out. So, be warned. 

When God told Elijah that He (singlehandedly by his unanimous decision) has reserved men who haven't knelt for Baal or kissed him, God was indirectly saying, "I have other men who haven't strayed or deviated from purpose or the calling and consecration on them." And, guess their number? An exceeding great army. So much that it totals 7000. Kai! They are not few people. They are a horde. Such a shocking number - 7000. One wouldn't have imagined such a number amidst the raging falling away of that day. 

So, let every boat stop. God has called many and though the reply has always been, "few are chosen." This time around, God's reserve is bustling of vessels. As such, let us continue to make ourselves honourable vessels by purging ourselves of all things ignoble that we may find constant use always. I see an exceeding vast army of purposeful people being raised. They are those who won't be deterred or fall before the Baal of this world. They'll keep on representing Christ though not popular but hidden from all eyes. 

PRAYER: When you number your workforce, may I be numbered.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27, Luke 12:8-34, Psalm 78:32-55, Proverbs 12:21-23

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 23/04/2024

TUESDAY - 23RD APRIL, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL  - Olusola ADEJUMO

RISING UP IS AN EXCEEDING VAST ARMY (A)! - The Essence & Value of Life Series 007

Read Ezekiel 37:1-10

Ezekiel 37:10, KJV 

"So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."

We don't sharpen a sword just to leave it in the scabbard. Nay! Just like I said yesterday, every resurrection, reviving and restoring is unto a purpose - that you may do what you've been afore doing - live in purpose. When Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law, she immediately rises to minister to their need (Matt.8:14-15). I suspect that woman had been in that habit before. So, the reviving, resurrection and restoring of any human vessel from death or anything that is hindering his purposefulness is to an end that he might be useful again, give his ministration and live out his purpose once more. 

Today, we have travelled and where have we travelled to? Ezekiel 37! That's the valley of dry bones. God takes Ezekiel for a view and then asks him if those bones could live. He gives an answer saying, "only Thou knows." He throws back the ball in God's court. Why would he do that? Humanly speaking and being in one's physical senses, one couldn't have agreed those bones could live. As in, these are numerous wasted bones. They are not only scattered but are as dry as the Egyptian bricks. No traces of life in them at all. If they were slain bodies that had not even decayed, probably Ezekiel could have seen a possibility in their living yet again. However, the Bible comments, "they were very dry" (v.2). Seeing all these, he concluded that, "only God would know." This shows the limitedness of man and the unlimitedness of God as we shall see. 

However, God chooses to still flow through this same vessel that couldn't boldly register the possibility of those dry bones living again. He tells him to prophesy His sovereign message to them - that dry bones will live again, be once more beautiful and presentable after He might have covered them with flesh, muscles and skin (v.6). 

First of all, we're seeing again that undebatable truth that when the breath is lacking in any living thing, life ceases to be. As a matter of fact, the importance of the breath in any living thing hits a crescendo and height of heights when all these wasted bones are coupled together and covered but couldn't still live or take being (by exercising characteristics of a living thing) until God through the mouth of His prophet ordered the wind (significance of breath or spirit) to enter into them. So, we are seeing the foolishness that may be in giving the greatest treatment, attention and time to the human body. It is what will fall and get eaten by worms. Yet, a person's spirit may not be regenerated let alone his mind being constantly renewed with the Word to resemble Christ's so that he might live to give value and display character (morals) in his society. Your body is just a carcass. It would one day fall to the ground like those carcasses of bones. However, it is given you to contact this sense realm so that your spirit and your soul would find expressions. So, you ought not to be living from the body out but from the inside out. Your regenerated human spirit (downloading into your mind) ought to take the lead or give the instruction that your body would now be seen doing by everybody. Imagine if your spirit is regenerated and alive to pick what God would have you do per term. How could you miss your way or be caught in error or what would cause you or the society harm? Never! 

Anyway, the man of God prophesies and God lives up to His previous confession. The bones (particular to each slain warrior) travels to find, join and form the original person it belongs to. Then, God lays flesh, muscle and skin on the bony structure. However, no life until it was gathered from the four winds. Until then, no sign or traces of life could be traced to all these slain yet dressed up warriors. Despite having been dressed, the importance of the breath proved itself because they neither could perform any human action let alone live for the purpose they were previously known for. Just then however, we have a record that "the breath came into them and they lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." Standing upon their feet is an act consequent upon having received the breath just the same way Adam could blink and exercise other human rights when He received the breath of life from God. 

What was shocking after the repair and the bringing back of these dead dry bones to usefulness is that they eventually numbered into an army or array of people and stood up as one. We could have been denied seeing this experience. We might have not experienced their vastness, resourcefulness and mightiness as an army if they were never treated or called back. But, thank God for His treat. The adjective "vast" describes them as a horde and also reveals their joint strength. A vast army would have a vast strength. 

You see, that's what I'm saying, you can't underscore what would happen to you at your revival. You don't know your vastness and might yet until God grants you hope to do once more what you've afore done. That's when you'll see or taste your glory yet to come. Those of you who once lived in purpose but whose heads have been shaven, the Spirit has come to sweep and scoop you to your feet so that you will stand a vast army at your rising. You will be shocked also that you could stand up to outperform your beginning or deliver yet impactfully. Who knows that Samson could still stand "a vast army" - bringing down many at his death than he did during his early years of purpose? (Judges 16:30). People, I see a new day. A rising that will scare the enemy. A rising that'll make you yourself cry, weep and give glory to the Lord. Your rising is that of a "vast army" and an "exceeding vast army." It will strike fear in the devil who thought you have been ended. All demons sent to hamper you will run helter skelter but to no avail. Why? You have risen with no chain or bound. You're loosed and set free. You're declared righteous and whole again before the Father. You're justified and re-glorified. I see a vast army whose havoc would be deadlier than when he once lived. Hmmm, Satan fears the new thing you have risen to become but I praise this new thing. A vast army on his feet! One ready to charge and do as instructed. One ready to be motivated by the motivations of his Creator. One who won't back down until he has eaten God's will and finished it. One fully dressed and equipped to live and discharge purpose. An exceeding vast army!

PRAYER: Lord, I am revisited, re-empowered, re-engaged and redeployed. I am not useless but active and in the here and now.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Joshua 24:1-33, Luke 21:1-28, Psalm 89:38-52, Proverbs 13:20-23

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 22/04/2024

MONDAY - 22ND APRIL, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL  - Olusola ADEJUMO

YOUR TENDER BRANCH WILL NOT CEASE - The Essence & Value Of Life Series 006

Job 14:7, KJV 

"For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease."

You're welcome to a new day. This new day brings with it a new opportunity and what God is saying is, "your tender branch will not cease."

It means many things. One, God is giving you the assurance of ever being present and productive still. When that place says, "your tender branch will not cease", it does emphatically and with all assurance that as long as you're still alive - taking being on the earth, what shall be consequent of your life is productivity. The fact that your tender branch will not cease. So, we'll always hear from you. So, we'll always see the product of your calling and purposeful living. 

So far, we have seen what life should be spent on or given to. Meanwhile, today's ministration is targeting many who are down or cut down by some happenings and forces beyond them. It is appealing to those who have been broken and are in a state where they couldn't live life to the fullest or give the products of their calling anymore. Why? They are already suppressed. They therefore need help. They need a revival. They need to be awoken! What God is saying to you is that He'll recover you. The devil has made the horrible mistake of still letting you live. The fact that you still have the breath of life means you could still experience a bounce back and then a bounce back to a purposeful and productive life like before. You're just like a tree that is cut down but whose stump and root is still in the soil. It's just a matter of time, it will revive. The purpose for which God revives anyone is not for them to go on just being a matter - occupying space and exhibiting M-movement, R-respiration,  N-nutrition, I-irritation or sensibility, G-growth, E-excretion, R-reproduction, D- death (one day), A-adaptability and then C-competition which are all the characteristics of living things. No! Anybody that died that was resurrected in the Bible was resurrected for a purpose and to the intent that they'll live on to fulfill the mandate on them. God doesn't give life or spare life or reserve it for purposelessness. Rather, the major reason for such is to live life and continue to use it to make impact like before and better than before. Resurrection of life or revival of life is to live life more abundantly again in purpose. So, for those of you who have been pressed down hitherto, depressed, discouraged or hindered till now, an assistance will come your way. In any form you need encouragement, God shall support you and you shall be revived to bring forth new branches. If you need men to come your way to raise you up, God is supplying such helper. 

Note what you'll bring forth. It's a new branch. As we know, when a tree is cut off, it has no branches or leaves any longer for that is severed from the stump. Such tree would only be left with a stump and the roots in the soil. But after awhile, when it begins to sprout up, it will bring forth new branches that'll bring forth new leaves. Consequently also, there will be new fruits. New wine shall come from you. That's what the Lord is saying. At this your restoration this morning, you will live purpose like you used to live once more but in newness of life. 

We saw you yesterday, we'll see you today and contact you tomorrow as well. The declaration of the Lord is that, "your tender branch will not cease." It doesn't matter how many people are fighting you to shut down, close up or shut off. You will inherit all of them. They'll fall for your sake. As for you, we'll keep seeing you and your handiwork. The enemy might delay its bubbling or manifesting but it will sure sprout out in newness. Put this word of faith in your mouth. Let it become your confession. Say, "my tender branch will not cease. I shall bring forth new branches and new wine. I occur and I will reoccur. Always!"

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the word of faith and declarations that have become flesh.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Joshua 21:1-22:20, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 13:15-16

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 21/04/2024

SUNDAY - 21ST APRIL, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL  - Olusola ADEJUMO

BEWARE OF DISTRACTION AND THE TEMPTATION WITH ALL THESE THINGS - The Essence & Value Of Life Series 005

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."

Satan thinks someway. He believes every man has his price and he could be bought. If not, Satan wouldn't have told Jesus to bow down to him in exchange for, "all these things." He speaks assuredly when he says, "and all these things will I give you if you'll fall down and worship me." He's no longer different from a man who forces his will on a lady by making it a matter of conditional compulsion to her. "See, if you give me sex, (then he flashes some cash before her), I'll give you this money." That's seeking to take advantage of another's need and that's what the devil does to Jesus. Watch him. He comes around at the moment of your need, looseness and desperation. 

Ahead of time in the course of this series, we saw the appearance of the phrase, "all these things" in Matthew 6:33. The Bible says, "but seek you first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Why does "all these things" keep appearing? Does it mean "all these things" is very important as well with its own usefulness that should be understood? Obviously yes! "All these things" includes riches, fame, power and everything possible that an average human being takes thought for. We care for food, raiment and even shelter. All the cheating, killing, embezzlement and injustice are to possess or manage all those three basic needs. Those three basic needs are therefore all part of "all these things." We want to be famous, being the rave of town, the one talked about in the media and yet the gossip of all people. That's also part of "all these things." "All these things" is very wide in its sense. When the tempter came to Jesus during this third temptation, he gave all diligence to show Jesus the kingdoms of the world and its glory thereof. If you say there's nothing in this world, you're probably joking. Many things, many good things, many jolly and beautiful things are in this world. The Bible says, "and when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof...(Genesis 3:6, KJV). That's Eve falling for "all these things" but before she did, she saw that "all these things" was pleasant to the eyes. It brought to her a kind of mouth and mind watery pleasure merely gazing at it. You just want to crave after it and have it. So, "all these things" could be attractive and are. Only that a Christian should esteem them all as vanity through discipline, self control and the keeping of one's eyes on the prize or God's promises. 

I John 2:16 - 17, KJV

"16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Delightful things which ranges from technology and invention, food, wine, sex etc form part of "all these things" too. The devil ensured he flashed all these before Jesus if these could get Him. He ensured he displayed the best of the best. He must have displayed the oil fields of the Arabs and the gold mine of Africa to Jesus. He wanted Him to covet them and fall for them. As such, he showed Him all in its details and rare description but with one demand, "if you'll fall down and worship me."

Why is the devil seeking worship like the kings of the world would lord it over others? He wants to substitute God. The devil from the onset has been seeking to act as a substitute to God. Wherever you see a false religion, idol worshipping etc, that is the devil at work receiving the worship of men meant for God. He keeps establishing himself as a counterfeit way or solution provider. So, he seeks having all that accrued to him. So far so good, the devil has been able to convert a lot of people to bowing down to him in worship and constant and counter service to God. 

Ensure you do not pursue after all these things to the loss of your soul. It is still, "what shall a man profit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul" (Matt. 16:26). 

Many people there be who are promised the rewards of riches, fame and power if they'll join a cult and serve the devil. They therefore forfeit their souls and freedom for, "all these things." If all these things of the world aren't pleasurable to the senses with promises of some satisfaction, they shouldn't have compromised. Neither should Eve have fallen also. God who created us didn't mean we wouldn't need "all these things". He only meant we shouldn't serve it, worry or become greedy after it (Matt.6:25-33). Rather, all these things were meant to serve and follow us after we might have given our lives to the pursuit of purpose and the essence of life first of all. The order is, "but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things (that the world is dying for) will be added unto you." You'll naturally attract it if you live to fulfill your passion, obsession, calling and purpose first of all. Mind that tail end expression, "all these things will BE ADDED UNTO YOU." You're almost not working for it! It will come or follow as a consequence of a purposeful living in pattern with God's kingdom and the spread of His righteousness where He has placed you to rule, dominate and cultivate. 

So, never believe that God doesn't have plans for you to prosper. That'll contradict III John 2. He does as He who created, "all these things." He only wants us to be properly prospered by them. He wants us know their uses and not esteem them above Him or our personal calling that could bring about their attraction as a reward. If we get this, we'll see that God's thought towards us is of good and not of evil still. Know this and know peace. 

PRAYER: Lord, I am weaned from the vain, greedy and hurtful pursuit of "all these things." I pursue my purpose and the essence of my living which is able to deliver to me, "all these things."

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Joshua 21:1-22:20, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 13:15-16

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 20/04/2024

SATURDAY - 20TH APRIL, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE CHURCH AND THE ESSENCE OF LIFE - The Essence & Value Of Life Series 004

Read Judges 15:4-7

Judges 15:4, KJV 

"And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails."

The church has a responsibility - to be the pillar and ground of the truth (I Tim. 3:15).  The church is meant to be school. If people don't know the truth but ever made it to the church or contact a Christian, they ought know the truth and be freed by having learnt how life should be lived. Ask yourself, "how should life be lived? On what should life be spent?" Then, pursue same once you find answers. However, when the purpose of a thing is not known, it is often abused or misused as over time proven by individuals. The church could become a warehouse if we don't take heed. In many places, that's what the church is. It's like a mortuary bearing and housing many dead people who come to church for other reasons. The church has stopped spreading the kingdom and His righteousness actively and that's because the members are not taught how to do so wherever they go. Nowadays, we have come to comfort and we are consoled. We are grateful our world is civilized with modern gadgets. We thought that's the progress. That's not the kind of progress God is looking for solely (though we should be comfortable). As far as God is concerned, envy, jealousy, bitterness, strife, murder, selfishness etc still pervade the world. Even if we're boasting of modernity, yet these ancient spirits are still following, ruling and breathing through men. As such, we can't come to perpetual tranquility in our world. 

In today's reading, Samson in his revenge cycle against the Philistines acquire foxes in a good number, tied them together in pairs, lit and fasten a torch to each pair and releases them into the farms of the Philistines. How he did it, I don't know but the principle and process could be duplicated by the church and responsible individuals. The church is meant to learn from Samson. We are not to trap people in our pews and never release them to have impacts in their world or fulfill the intents in the heart of God for each of them. We don't manifest in church; we manifest without. It's because this has not been well taught that's making every church goer and member seek crazily how to become a pastor. Everybody is now rushing and grappling for the mic which is unavailable and scanty when there are many mountains to conquer outside there in Sports, Arts/Entertainment, Education, Business, Politics etc. But everyone want to mount the podium because the pastor has become their only star and hero. Aspiration has therefore died in them. Yet, some of these people could become inventors, scientists, mighty business tycoons and great sportsmen if they'll be told that the earnest expectation of the creature waits for their manifestation where God has ordained it (which will be mostly not inside the church). Whosoever you become that's not influencing your world or giving you a platform to doing so should be reconsidered. Imagine a Christian becoming a model or Miss World and she were asked to talk. She could use that opportunity to spread the kingdom values and beliefs without needing to quote even one Bible verse. All she needs is to invade and infiltrate them with the gospel without their knowing what they are hearing or believing. She could address the people there that she's still a virgin, not addicted to drugs, obedient to parents, hardworking and virtuous. The youths will likely believe in such a national or international figure than wanting to believe someone who's saying it who has no work to back it up or whom they don't see as heroic enough to convince them. 

People are meant to be trained on and about their callings in church but released to have impact on their world in that area. Pastors should stop housing people in churches for long hours that doesn't add necessarily to the fulfilment of people's destinies and spread of the kingdom. Just like the foxes bring untold destruction to the farms they contacted, so should a Christian have effect and impact in his or her world so much more that people would ask like the Philistines did, "who did this?" But since our impact is not being felt, nobody ever asks who did this? Everything just remain normal and so no persecution follows us for having lived the kingdom and God's righteousness. Many Christians are not taking heed any longer to how they live and that's because that consciousness on seeking the kingdom isn't in them. Christians could be one of the careless people living in the modern secular world. They're easily convinced to become a free thinker and spare anyone to act according to his choices without affirming what their revelation of life should be as revealed by the author of life in the Bible. If all that ministers care for is to have such huge members that they could milk or fleece and not such that they'll coach on what is the essence and value of life, then the church is a failure. Often time, you'll see many churches slide into the pursuit of "all these things" that should have been added to them if they sought God's kingdom and His righteousness. So, no advancement of the kingdom in the work places. No advancement of God's righteousness - values, beliefs, practices and lifestyle. This way, our world remains unchanged and unimpacted. However, we should come off it. Our foxes should be well trained by our ministers and told their purposes of release to the outside world. We are meant to become the conscience of the world and the light by which they live. We are meant to become the standard by which they judge themselves even in the absence of their knowledge of the Bible. Your going to church is for such equipping. It is not to keep you in church and only make you attend church services and contribute to the church's statistics and offering bag. No! There's a cause for your being caught and subsequently sent to go into all the world! It's to carry the torch (God's kingdom and righteousness) with you. To go into your world and destroy the works of the devil. You're that ambassador of Christ. 

PRAYER: Lord, help me to be an effective Christian and ambassador. Prominence: national and international influences are mine and I shall have this platform for you.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Joshua 19:1-20:9, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 13:12-14

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