MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 29/10/2023

SUNDAY - 29TH OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THOSE WHO ARE WAITING FOR THEIR CALL TO CALL - What Is Purpose Series 006?

Matthew 9:9, KJV

"And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him".

People, there are those whose calls are over due. Where they are and what they do is what they're already seeking to yield up. These people have come to a defining moment of having known where they should be by discovery. They have learnt they are made for more. Joseph once pretended to have learnt by divination (Gen.44:15). That simply tells us we can arrive at knowing - the means irrespective though ours should be by the Holy Ghost. In a way similar, the heart gripping such people as Matthew have had persistently tell them they're wrong till now still being at the tax office. So, they're therefore seeking avenues, bodies, platforms by which they may express their callings. On this wise, they hope in all expectation that a trigger would enforce their being harvested and turned around and about into the calling that they have sensed. 

Many of the people in this category are also those who are afraid to launch out on their own because of timidity and respect/fear of men. They are working as revenue collectors. They are well off. They are doing fine but they still seem not to be satisfied. Having thought on what life is all about and what they'll use their lives to serve (if collection of tax would be all to it), they conclusively conclude that there has to be more to their lives. Yet, they wait for that thing to show up. Having been woken up to the call that has gone over them even before birth, they now await that calling to manifest and call them away. The separation and sanctification of their vessels into doing their call is now what they await. These people are those who are not far from the kingdom of God even if they are sinners. The moment they have come to the place of heart burdening, burning and hope of what next reveals them as those that the Lord could easily have for Himself. Such people are only waiting for an opportunity to go and be with the Lord in their callings. What they're waiting for so that they might enter into the pool of their callings is the moving of their waters. Once they hear that shot in the air, off they go.

The Bible records that Matthew sits at the tax collection office and the Lord calls him from there. Immediately, without giving thought to it or showing hesitation of any kind, he left to follow Jesus. You'll wonder at the strangeness of what just happens to Matthew and why he didn't even give time to balance the account or report to the head office before departure. That's because what Matthew himself has been awaiting and looking forward for has come. The day it therefore comes, Matthew knows there's no room for dilly dallying. He has already made his mind up and prepared himself for that. He knows that this is the vehicle to join and it must not pass him by. All the heart burden he has had till then is what is revealing what he has now gone to be with. When Jesus calls, he just leaves like that. It didn't take a second of counting, calculating or strategizing because he had thought it well afore then. He had thought on going into a life that'll be more fulfilling and he recognized this specific call as the answer to that. He has counted the cost long time before Jesus ever came to call. He had muttered confessions often that the time would come and the opportunity be availed him to leave the tax office into his purpose and life burden. But it never came until then and since it never came until then, he sits still working (not being caught dead as idle) until the call that has gone over him reveals itself. Your call will call! Jesus saw Matthew at the tax office. You too will catch the attention of God today. He'll attend to and solve the riddles of your life. That weariness and emptiness in you will therefore come to an end because you'll then be assured to have found your life's task that you won't feel at a loss or doubt doing with your whole life. 

Brethren, there are those who have come to a juncture. A juncture of let the next phase begin. A juncture of what next thing to do but which they lack the initiative to launch into (or they'll look as dabblers). On this note, they await their call - their moving of the water. You see, this is why I love watching adventures and tactical movies where soldiers operate. In one operation that I watched, an ongoing soldier gives a signal to the incoming soldier that once he sees the sign, he should come in immediately not doubting. We ought not just dabble into our callings. We should be called to it either by a heart longing, some assuring or revelatory words. All in all, you must have assurance that you didn't initiate this process but that it came from God and of God's will. Don't just dabble into any call or office. Even if you're tired at your tax office now and you're in high expectation that your Messiah and Rabbi should have come to collect you, patiently wait for it. Let the peak of expectation be reached for that is when the testimony is more glorifying. Don't suddenly defect from your office until Jesus Himself passes by and says, "now, follow me". Until you hear this voice; until you receive such call, until you're this way launched, until you have received a confirming and divine thought like this, you must not seek to act on your own device, strategy or mere desire. You probably want a confirmation and a stamp on those things you have felt till then. Matthew at the tax office got to a place where it became, "you either show up or I perish here". At that instance, Matthew was not only ready having been faced by the insatisfaction of still being a tax collector but he immediately follows Christ when He calls him. If your time does not fill up, when you hear the call, one thing or the other of the world - in the secular would still be appealing to you. It may be the high salary, elite company or prestige of the former occupation or life that won't let you go. But you must have been worked on to the extent that all these are counted as dung by the time Jesus calls you away to purpose. If your "follow me" should come and you begin to give excuses like many that we know, you'll not only miss your opportunity but that'll also reveal you as having not being dealt with as to be put in the condition of a pregnant woman waiting for the delivery of her child because she has already entered into labour. 

Anyone who's therefore made ready is such that has no care, thought, obsession or expectation for any other thing other than the call of destiny to come and be with Him and discharge that burden. The Bible records that those invalids wait for the moving of the water. They are just not waiting. They are waiting expectantly knowing their lives depend on it. They've become watchmen both day and night knowing that their herald of healing may come. As such, whenever the angel comes, there's always someone who'll be found to immediately enter into that availed opportunity or privilege. 

John 5:2-3, KJV 

"2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool... 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water".

Just like these wait for the moving of the water that they might get in, Matthew waits for the call that he might leave the custom office. He has grown weary of what he does and sees often. Though this job pays him well yet he seeks that one thing that'll be unto him a living water so much more that he'll not thirst after another or come to the well to draw again (John 4). And when it came, he unhesitatingly follows. Some of you, your call is long over due. Jesus already came for you but you've been refusing till now. Will you be like Matthew who leaves once? Will you come to the end of yourself, worries on what to eat, wear and security of life and defunct to answer the call on you now? This is the best hour. This call is too ostentatious to lose. It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Cling to it. Let this voice confirm somethings you've been receiving till now and assure you that's the path to follow. Either the call is to ministry or some other professions you're persuaded about, I pray for all those Matthews who are weary of the labour they're currently in, knowing there's more to their lives than making money and putting their hands into their mouths that the Lord will satisfy you. You'll live to be felt by humanity! You'll see what next! For further help, you can call any of the contacts at the devotional's tail. We'll be with you as you make this attempt. 

PRAYER: Lord, satisfy my weary and longing heart with what is 'meat' (purpose) indeed. Let my call calls. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Lamentations 1:1-2:22; Philemon 1:1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:20

Powered by Morning Wings Ministries. Enquire or counsel through +234 80 77 63 85 50 or +234 8137 04 68 12 II morningwingministry@gmail.com & Blog @ www.morningwingsministry.blogspot.com

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 28/10/2023

SATURDAY - 28TH OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

TURNED AROUND AND ABOUT - What Is Purpose Series 005?

Acts 9:3, KJV

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:"

I said yesterday that God was the God of encounters. Saul collects letters and leaves for Damascus. He is just not going there. He has an intent - that he might bring those of the Way bound to Jerusalem. Imagine what a man is using his life to serve in zeal! You can be doing wrong and in all conscience think it is right. You'll need an encounter to prove to you you're wrong.  

All things seem set in order for Saul. He even has escorts and men in terror to help secure the arrest of those of the Way. More importantly, he is not acting on his own. He has the backing of fathers and those that matter. Who will therefore challenge him since the law has even thrown his weight at his back?

However, God is the God of encounters. He is a God of the new beginning and He can start you over. He can handpick a man who has his own plan outlined before him in pride and redirect him into what he should use his life to serve in the time he has to live on earth. God can change the plan of a man. He can send him on a new errand -  a new mission. On entering Damascus, God stages a drama to capture Saul. A bright light shines from heaven round him. Saul is knocked off from his exalted position of pride against God and he asks, "who are you, Lord?" In no time, he got a response. "I am Jesus whom you're persecuting. It's hard for you to kick against the pricks. Enter into the city and it'll be told you what you shall do". 

This is the God of encounters. He turns a man round about. I have known Him and it is He I serve. It doesn't even matter the life such fellow has lived till then. God knows the means to take to harvest him for himself. He even knows where and when and He is coming for you too. As for Saul, it is, "as he nears Damascus..." Saul came for one thing but he met another. There will be change of plans this morning. I meant attending Obafemi Awolowo University but God intended Tai Solarin University of Education. This is how the content of the letter Paul bears never got implemented. That's how Paul leaves the persecuting life. This is how the bitter ends and the better kick starts in his life. A testimony that God in a twinkle can change the direction of a man.

God is the God of encounters. Once He happens to you, you'll let go of what you have at hand to run a new course. It'll be so sudden that at remembrance, you'll wonder at the speed of events. But all will be because God has need of you. Like He testifies of Saul to Ananias. "He's a chosen vessel in my hands" [Acts 9:15-16]. That singular utterance reveals God's interest in Saul. That's why God came for him. A fellow may be a cultist, prostitute or even Jacob in cunningness but if he or she is a chosen vessel in God's hands, God will one day meet him or her and collect such for Himself. It doesn't matter what he has done or does; where he is, how privileged or underprivileged he is. Once a man has the call on him, he's marked of God for use even if he's yet not born again. God's eyes and flashlight is just spotted on him till He comes for such. Such man is therefore not different from that tied colt that prophecy is on but whose time is not until Jesus sends for it. Until then, any Saul can continue in his old life until the Lord Who gives the Word issues his warrant of arrest. God's after you and God's eyes will always go with such carrier of the call because the intent of God is to harvest him for use someday. God will see him through his hard times and gives him uncommon deliverances where he thought less. I have experienced uncommon acceleration and such favour because God has this interest in me. Why did you think Saul  has an accelerated progress of being a Pharisee and lawyer (Acts 22:3)? In the natural, that's God declaring Himself to him by giving him status and acceptability that not all those who have gone before have. So, when the time comes, God will therefore seek him out by first seeking to divorce him from that life and plan that doesn't fulfill His glory. God has a plan for that. For Saul, God awaits him as he prepares for what he might have themed, "Damascus Invasion: The Big Visit". But he never saw it. That's why you should never compare yourself with another. A Saul might misbehave until he's harvested. He might receive mercy and that's because of the call on him. The call on you can preserve you until you're confronted by that call to come. The call on that colt Jesus rode preserved it so much more that no man found it attractive enough to mount (Mark 11:2). Everyone spared it until it comes whose right it is. Note! Everything God does in your present is a revelation of your future or what you're saved to become. May the God of encounter meet you. May you release and let go of what you're cherishingly holding unto. May a new life and direction be offered you where you've been deceived to think you're right or have been living right. I see a turn around, a turn about and a quick parabola. You're for purpose!

PRAYER: Lord, turn hardened criminals around. Pray for those you want God to save. Mention their names. Father, let your interest in me be declared. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19

Powered by Morning Wings Ministries. Enquire or counsel through +234 80 77 63 85 50 or +234 8137 04 68 12 II morningwingministry@gmail.com & Blog @ www.morningwingsministry.blogspot.com

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 27/10/2023

FRIDAY - 27TH OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

GOD OF ENCOUNTERS - What Is Purpose Series 004?

Psalms 139:3, KJV

"Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."

I can testify that there's a God who directs the wheel of life of individuals. It is then I can fellow with the Psalmist to say, "He knows my sitting down and my rising up" (Psalm 139:2). The testimony and the summary of it all is that, "He has besetted me round about and laid His hand on me" (Psalm 139:5). 

In 2010/2011, I chose to attend Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife, Nigeria. I filled in Politics, Philosophy and Economics as my course of study. If I had not filled this form myself but was told there's a thing like that, I might have probed it further and not earlier believe. But I do still believe because I still have even the exam slip as a testimonial. Mama (my mother) arranged for me to stay with a friend's son. They were Muslims but humanity and love beat that. The night to my writing my Post JAMB (entrance exam into OAU) in Ife, the Lord came to me in a night dream. I can through that testify that the Lord do come to people in their dreams (Gen.20:3, 28:12, 31:24, 37:5). You see, I was a cricketer in secondary school. I saw that we went for a cricket competition which we won however. The trophy was presented to me and I lifted it up in victory. However, what baffled me was that the fellow who presented the trophy to me was a brother I knew. That was Bro. Sina Adeleye. We were like family friends from the same hometown in Yewa North and then the same mother church, St. Paul's Anglican Church, Ayetoro. Moreso, we were both in the church's Choral Group before he left for campus. 

It was that night I knew something has gone over me. It seems the God of encounters is turning my ship elsewhere. I knew Bro Sina or (Shyna) as we popularly called him was in Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State at that time. I knew what the dream meant. I knew God was saying, "not Ife", but why now? I had sincerely prayed on being led till then because I wanted to escape regrets, wastage of time, effort and resources (we didn't have much to expend). God might have communicated before then and I might not have heard however. That's because I wanted to attend OAU. I never doubted it won't work. It's a reputable school. I just filled in TASUED at that time - not that I knew the school or have learnt anything on its reputation. I just filled it for second choice to fulfill the requirement. However, when OAU didn't work, I didn't develop any hate for TASUED. I clung to it. 

Somehow (another story on its own), I couldn't meet up with the cut off mark of OAU and had to contact Bro Sina. It was he who told me TASUED's late form was still out. That was how I got that one to get on that ship. That was how God changed my direction. Bro. Sina Adeleye who I saw in that dream became a landmark man in my life. He helped me with all my admission processes as you'll testify that admission things could freak a newbie, especially someone battling with inferiority complex at that time. It was He who accommodated me in his student room at Campus Villa (or something like that), Ojuri, Ijagun and even catered for my needs. He acted as my brother and till date, I acknowledge him as same. He even bought me my first campus hymn book. Though I was the one who enquired for Anglican Students' Fellowship immediately I got to campus, he was the one who took me there. He was a member of the Drama Band himself and a political executive in National Association of Ogun State Students. Through him, I got my own student room eventually. He even went to the market with me to buy furnishings for the room. Never to forget all that. 

However, destiny is at work here. Why would God turn me about from OAU to TASUED? I found out that God had a plan in mind for me. He wanted to expose me to Christian and ministry things especially (though I was born again before arrival on campus). God simply wanted to train me for ministry and in His will, it was in ASF TASUED and TASUED He could do that. For where else would a man have been accommodated to become president of three systems at once? God stretched me and I was stretched. Bro. Sina was symbolic of TASUED in my dream. He was a student there before my arrival. He was in 100 Level then. His giving me the trophy predicts my ascension and outcome in TASUED. Though I went through hell before graduating, I graduated. I kept reminding God of having sent me to TASUED. No wonder He kept being Jireh always. He appeared when all hope was lost. He sponsored my education all through. Twice when I couldn't afford the school fees any longer and was affected by the school's policy of 'no school fees, no exam' did I see God came for me. I paid on scholarships on those two occasions. It remained so close for my university education to be forfeited then but God bore me up on His hands. I knew people (fellow students) who however dashed their feet on the stones. A very painful event that a 300 Level student like myself could have faced. God serially on campus humbled me and grew me. The trophy in the dream however symbolized 'headship' or 'being the head'. Indeed, I carried headship in TASUED. People just found it easier putting me in leadership positions. I found out that God took these people and systems over basically because "I'm a chosen vessel in His hands". When you are, He'll go any length after you and for you like He did for Saul of Tarsus. Since He wants to stretch and grow you, He'll commit much into your hands and expect much from you also. It was the hand of God I saw all through.

Today, I'm revealing God to you as the God of encounters who can change the course of a man for the purpose He has seen and wanted him to fulfill. God has our greater good in mind. His intent for us is still of good and not of evil (Jer.29:11). That has not changed. Where He leads us to is where there's green pastures and enough space for us to lie and be accommodated. If I had been admitted into OAU, I bet it, I probably couldn't have smelled being a president let alone being availed the numerous stretchings, trainings and experiences I received. That would be because OAU and the seats there would be reservations for another or other men God wanted to train. The future God wants to give us however is what He prepares us for. The God of encounters can turn a boat for another direction other than the pre-planned and that'll be because He has an intent for that turning. Over the course of my journey on earth, I therefore have Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) as a place to reference as my ground of making and preparation for Christian and ministerial things. Later as I graduated, I met a prophetic mentor, father and minister there also. Our being together till now has proven that God do lead men to where to be because of the ordainment of paths and destiny meet He has slated.

Today, thanks to God, Bro. Sina Adeleye, TASUED, ASF TASUED, ASF Ogun Chapter, CU TASUED and all my helpers on and outside campus. You made a dream come through.

PRAYER: Father, lead and guide me. Let even providence work for me. Prove for me until arrival. Encounter and turn the astray to their right paths. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 51:1-53; Titus 2:1-15; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 26:17

Powered by Morning Wings Ministries. Enquire or counsel through +234 80 77 63 85 50 or +234 8137 04 68 12 II morningwingministry@gmail.com & Blog @ www.morningwingsministry.blogspot.com

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 26/10/2023

THURSDAY - 26TH OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

MARKED FOR USE - What Is Purpose Series 003

Mark 11:2, KJV 

"And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him".

Some of you are marked people. Let me show you who you are as the Lord portrays it to me. You're not different from this colt that is tied down until word comes for its release for the purpose for which it is tied. You may not be tied in the sense that you're still living for yourself and have not even been made ready for your Lord who seeks and wants to perpetuate Himself through you - by using you. However, because you have a mandate over you which cries over you and predates your earthly existence, you're therefore by that tied to God who has planted eternity in the hearts of men - thereby putting His remembrance in us all. Even the hardest atheist do stop to think about God for awhile. He even does frequently, only that He has no revelation of Him and has jumped to the conclusion that there's no God as he seeks to vindicate and free himself of the entity called God. That's for him! We are not a Godless people. Even secular people know this when they say, "it's in Him we live, move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). 

You're tied to and for God. You're marked for use already. The mandate on you predates you and it is what marks you for God and tie you to Him. It is also what predicts you and your end even if you choose to wander all around like Noah's ark for now before settling for Ararat. What is major is that after making all the turns and rounds, you'll end it at Ararat. Just don't bring chicken feed to the things of God. Bring your youth and not old age - when the night has begun to catch up with you. The Lord tells Ananias that "Paul is a chosen vessel in his hand who'll bear the gospel/His name before kings and nobles" (Acts 9:15). 

The question is, "when did Saul become such chosen vessel?" That day? That very time? Or according to ordainment, before he was even conceived (as said in Jeremiah 1:5)? We know it's before his earthly existence and conception? Now, if it be, why the life Paul lived until then? You see, that's the lie and diversion of the devil. That's what the devil has subtly cooked to replace his genuine calling in life. A man will live in his false calling until the authentic shows up and makes demand on him. Something will have you or might have had you before you realize what your life should be given to. It may not be sinful or criminal at times but it may be wrong for your destiny. Imagine if Peter, Andrew, James and John have been fishermen all the days of their lives and Mathew sat at the Tax Collection Office when the calling on them is to become fishers of men. Thanks to God who called them away from that to the higher life. You too will answer the cry of your mandate. The call that has gone over you throughout eternity will come to pass on you. For Jeremiah, it is,  "before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5, KJV). You can't escape this. 

That day, God knocked Saul down from his high horse of pride. I know Saul would have been one of the people who would have proudly say, "may I never join people like this (people of the Way that He persecute). But at the end, he joins them and even become a chief amidst the apostles. 

For those of you on the run, keep running. Saul was on his way to Damascus, running away from his ordained life (by living and fulfilling another substitute calling day in, day out) in zeal. He therefore seems like being far away from God's hands. However, the more he seems to become ardent persecutor of the Way (church) and could be reputed to have gone far from his calling, the more he actually nears God who'll catch him. God is waiting for you in Damascus. He'll pick you up there. He'll cut it quit for you on that trip. That's even if you made it there with your original plans. He has beset you round about. He knows you. 

Psalms 139:5, KJV

"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me".

The vivid description of Saul given to Ananias shows God knows all of us and even all run- aways. I know Saul is a choleric and he couldn't sit-down in one place. He needs work to stimulate himself which is why after earning a law degree, he still goes ahead to collect letters to arrest people for the jail. His active mind seeks an expression. Unfortunately, the devil hijacked it until that mandate at his creation came calling once more, "for he is a chosen vessel in my hands". Let the mandate over you speak so that you'll be halted, turned and taken out of your substitute call. Jonah ran to Tarshish but where he flees to is where God is also. You will always meet God wherever you go. He has network everywhere. It is everywhere you go. You can't beat Him. You'll always meet Him in front. You'll always play into His hands. Then, you'll see that your devices and initiatives are small and unworthy. You are a chosen instrument in God's hands and He'll come for you. May you sense that He's even calling you now. May you sense that this tiredness and burn out you've been experiencing on that particular task, job or lifestyle is even a call to call it quit to come into the new call he has ordained for you. First into new life as a Christian and then the discovering of your purpose. This weariness of heart, this insatisfaction you yet don't have an answer to but which you seek to cure is far off at the stream - in Him and your purpose alone. It is when you do what you're created for that you can truly be happy. That's when life really makes sense and you feel really given to humanity - having contributed your quota where it's needed (even if you're never broadcasted on a national TV). It's then you'll be satisfied because your deeds would meet needs that heaven will acknowledge and respect also. What is actually calling you to come is purpose and being in Him, you'll find rest and be rest assured you're living or have lived.

PRAYER: Lord, save hardened sinners and all troublers of Christianity to preach the gospel. May I not go without fulfilling the mandate that ran over me ahead of time. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16

Powered by Morning Wings Ministries. Enquire or counsel through +234 80 77 63 85 50 or +234 8137 04 68 12 II morningwingministry@gmail.com & Blog @ www.morningwingsministry.blogspot.com

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 25/10/23

WEDNESDAY - 25TH OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

RESTED IN ARARAT - What Is Purpose Series 002

Genesis 8:4, KJV

"And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat".

You can become erratic - going from one place to the other purposelessly. Anyone who becomes erratic is in search of something. Yes, a search for what satisfies. A search for true inner joy - fulfilment of a cause they know should be beyond them. However, erratic living can stop today. I know you have gone far in your search. I'm aware you're lost and have been injured in your search for what satisfies. However, erratic living - jumping from this to that, seeking to use the latest trends or another addiction to meet your inner satisfaction can stop right away. Wine can't satisfy you. If all man is made for is to eat and die, then why are you thus? 

Genesis 25:22, KJV

"And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD."

Why has a gorge of unfulfillment fill your inside? Rebekah knew something was wrong when she sees the many struggle in her, she called it quit to go and enquire. When she does, she immediately has an answer as to why she has been thus. You've been seeking for answers and that's what God is giving you today. You're asking, "why am I tired of life?why does it appear that my riches can't give me joy?" You are thus like that because you're like a mad man chasing nothing (in purpose). That's because you have not found your calling, life's assignment or vocation. There's no man who stumbles on purpose and begins to live it who crazily wants to leave it. They'll testify that it is life. No wonder, Jesus calls purpose, "my meat" (John 4:34). He said, "my meat is to do the will of He that sent me and to finish his work". Anything that becomes food or like food to you is what by compulsion and natural love you can't do without. The trees would not refuse to be persuaded to be made kings or exhorted with great glory for having discovered their purposes also. The question they all keep asking is, "if I should leave my wine, fatness, sweetness and fruit, by what should men be cheered or satisfied" (Judges 9:8-13). Ooh, it means they have discovered that there's more to life than having this earth's goods, glory but missing appointment or purpose. Therefore, they refuse to be converted. They rather cling to their purposes.

When the flood descends and the water swims the ark, it continues wherever it is carried until we have a record of it finding rest in Ararat. Many lives have depicted the journey of the ark. Till hitherto even as I talk, they've been walking the earth up and down, to and fro with a search and a longing for what satisfies. They've been diverted from the right course, converted to the wrong and their energy and focus dispelled, misappropriated and allocated into the wrong things of life. Till now, they have gone wherever the current of life in latest trends in fashion, music, food and behaviour etc pushes them. They don't give the dictates on what to do and how to live. They're dictated to by what they see as popular at a particular time. However, all have failed. All have failed to satisfy them. With drooping head on a feeble feet, they seek what satisfies. The longing in their hearts cry out. Jesus while speaking says in John  6:55, "for my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed". It means if you take it, you shall be saved and have the ultimate, eternal satisfaction and rest. Your first call is to salvation. You must receive the Son of God and believe in Him. From there, we move to purpose discovery and fulfilment. 

The intent for which God saves anyone is to drive him or her to Ararat - a place of rest where he'll stay permanently to fulfill purpose. The ark after its wondering found rest in Ararat. Now, Ararat as I'm speaking is not merely a physical location but let's say a space, geography, field, calling or place of work. God chooses what our work should be on earth. If you have not found rest and heart satisfaction, we might need to probe if you're settled where you should be settled. As it concerns you - you have a mandate. When God was sending your spirit into your mother's womb, like Jeremiah's, a call followed you saying, "I have ordained you to be this and that" (Jer.1:5). Making arrival here and thinking you can silence, divert, allure or mortify that mandate is a joke. If you don't know, it is the only thing by which your success will be measured. When Jesus says, "I have glorified Thee on earth" (John 17:4), what do you think He meant? He meant I have lived the life that pleases you by which I know I'll have your commendation. Many people are living all other lives to the exemption of the life that matters. They might have been blindfolded or bewitched but my prayer is this, let this hunger in your breast, this tiresome in your soul lead you to crying out and saying, "fill me or I die; find me or I'm lost". The poem titled "The Pulley" portrays this. It summarily says God puts weariness in our hearts that we may seek Him. It therefore becomes like a deer pants after streams of water. Today, Ararat is not far. Purpose awaits you. If you'll have a rethink to call it quit in the world, you shall find rest in Ararat. When at Ararat, there's no erraticness any longer. You become stable, stabilized having arrived at what should be your life's task and assignment. No wind of sweet talk or doctrine can shift you away from what you have found to be true and sure to your life's mandate. Ararat therefore becomes your base from which you send glorification to God. You therefore stay and tarry in Ararat until He who gives the breath asks it. I pray for you that you'll eventually be driven to Ararat - purpose. I know you have tested and tasted this and that but all that doesn't matter as long as your journey dovetails into Ararat eventually. You'll arrive at a new place - different from where you've been before. You'll arrive at a place where your ark will know rest and will no longer be tossed here and there by all the things you've thus pursued thinking it's in them and through them you could have satisfaction.

PRAYER: Lord, I receive you into my heart. I as well receives sight, understanding and revelation into what my purpose is.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8

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

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 24/10/2023

TUESDAY - 24TH OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD: HOW LIVING PURPOSE GLORIFIES GOD - What Is Purpose Series 001

Read Psalm 19

Psalms 19:1, KJV

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork".

Have you been frustrated by a vehicle that refuses to work before? You'd hit the spanner on the bonnet in release of your emotion. If I may ask, "why do men get angry over what suddenly refuses to work?" Simply, they're being disappointed. Their expectation is not working out. They have known that thing for its definite purpose. Not living up to it any longer or at that time is defying purpose which they know shouldn't be since it was originally created to do or fulfill what it now refuses to do. On that ground, man suddenly grows impatient and you would see all kind of emotions in his face. This same thing happens to Balaam when his beast of burden refuses to journey any longer. He couldn't help it but hit her. Balaam believes it is that that'll restore senses as it were back to this animal. Balaam further gets frustrated when with all he did to restore the beast to alignment, nothing just works. However, we get to know through the confession of that ass that she has never for once being in the habit of acting that way but is rather the ass Balaam has riden all the days of his life unto that day (Num.22:21-33). At the time that ass refuses to move further, it stops fulfilling the very purpose for which it was created. It was created to bear burdens and travel. However, it defied that. That was what Balaam responded to. While the reason for the defiance is understandable and undebatable in that context, yet it is understood that when a thing compromises the very reason for its creation, it immediately stops fulfilling purpose and stops giving glory to who it should be given. 

Today's Bible passage says, "the heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament shows his handiwork". Summarily, it means both the heavens and the firmament fulfill purpose and so send back glory to God. God is praised for their uncompromising commitment to living out purpose. Anything that has stopped living the purpose for which it was created immediately stops giving glory to God. Glory means delighting or sending pleasure to One's maker. So, when that place says, "the heavens declare God's glory", it means the mightiness, creativity and nobleness of God is seen in the heavens and the firmament. As such, men give glory to God. Looking at the expanse firmament without pillars or any support, they can't just but acknowledge that there is a God somewhere who must have done that. No architectural design surpasses that. On another level, the heavens or the firmament keeps fulfilling its purpose. Because it does, it keeps delighting God as the created that has never been found wanting or in a compromising state before. God is therefore personally delighted that the programming He installed at the creation of the heaven and the earth still runs on the hub and by the template He had set in motion at the beginning. As such, He's delighted nothing is compromised, missing or broken. Things are running according to plans - their mandates and that is satisfactory to God's heart. If things should run contrary when it has been planned, that would mean deliberate disobedience of God's creature and that wouldn't delight God. The Bible says in Psalms 104:19 that, "He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down." This reveals God as the God of order - One who has given roles to all of creation which they must play and abide by at their definite times. It is this consistent constant abiding that keeps delighting God. When you abide by what you're created for, installed for or put in place or sent here for, the fragrance of such pleasing life would ascend to God and He'll simply be glorified - delighted, acknowledged, exalted, honoured and worshipped. None of God's creation runs contrary. They fulfill their reason for their ordainment. The heavens that declares God's glory and the firmament that proves being God's creation or craftsmanship testifies to that. So are all of creation and so should man be. 

Jesus while speaking says, "I have glorified Thee on the earth. I have finished the work which Thou gave me to do" (John 17:4). Imagine Jesus saying He also has glorified God on the earth. How do you glorify God on the earth other than not living as you like but as He wills you live. All of us know that till the moment Jesus utters this statement, He had lived in perfect alignment to the very will of God. At the time of the utterance, He nears being poured as offering for the sin of the human race. So, He makes that declaration that till hitherto, I have lived the life that pleases you and I have done the work you gave me to do. Indeed, Jesus did. He once told His disciples. Did you not say, "it's four months to the harvest. Lift up your eyes and see that the field is ripe. My meat is to do the will of He that sent me and to finish His work" (John 4:34-35). That "meat" is living the reason of His existence on earth - which was why He took on flesh. It's for this reason the son of man manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8). 

So, let me ask, have you glorified God till now? Have you pleased God till now? Has your life being the ordained one at all and then the ordained one every step of the way? Have you discovered purpose? I'm asking because that's the only thing that can make you glorify God on the earth. If you ever send spikenard perfume to heaven, it'll be because the life they said you should live here is what you're living. When the ass of Balaam refuses to journey and was going astray, Balaam was not honoured. The ass therefore brought no glory to him. Rather, the ass receives his displeasure in beatings. He sought to align it back to the path. However, the firmament are said to have God's remark of praise and acknowledgement continually because they keep delighting God. As they fulfill the reasons for their installation up there, men sees that great sight, sighs and acknowledge the Creator of heaven and earth. Only God knows how much accolades, honours, worship, glory He has received from those who will occasionally take note and wonder at God's created expanse sky. Brethren, you can come to glory. Not until you die. When a man comes to glory, he lives the ordained, purpose regulated life and He sends glory to God in heaven. All God's creature are meant to glorify Him. All of creation was created for that purpose and that included even Jesus the son of God. Any deviation is doing otherwise. I pray for you that you won't live to glorify yourself or the devil but God and God only. May you enter into the company of the heavens, the firmament and Jesus who lived to glorify God. May your life has meaning henceforth. May it stop being erratic - lacking focus and concentration. May all diffused energy therefore be concentrated at your finding and settling in your ordained or pre-ordained life. 

PRAYER: Lord, rest me in purpose. The ark found rest in Ararat, let me find in You and my purpose. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8

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

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 23/10/2023

MONDAY - 23RD OCTOBER, 2023

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

GOD IS SHOWING YOU WHAT HE IS ABOUT TO DO - It'll Meet Preparation On Ground Series 006

Genesis 41:25, KJV

"And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do".

Do you know what is paining me the most? It's that God keeps bypassing a lot of us. How? When God comes down to you with communication and you fail to heed or let that communication influence your action, you'd successfully allow God to pass you by. God came but He didn't benefit you and that won't be because God chooses so but because you did. 

The intent is to put you in the know of what's to soon happen. Do you think God just wakes people's ears morning by morning to hear instructions in vain? No! Since the Bible already tells us how man should live, saying, "man shall not live by bread (physical food) alone but by every word (rhema word of instruction) that comes out of the mouth of God" (Matt.4:4). It means as daily as we need physical food to survive daily, so also do we need God's rhema word or instruction to survive. It then means not being in the know of world events, natural disasters or even your neighborhood events may be the doom or end of you. But how does God overtake such events? By coming to you before their happenings. But it'll be unfortunate if God speaks to you and the closeness/urgency of the communication does not influence your action or change your attitude. I was on campus in Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED Ijagun, Ogun State when a student ruckus broke out against the State Authority actually. However, students began to show their anger by making it show on campus. It warranted the students destroying many school's properties. It was just a total state of anarchy. To put an end to it, the school management requested for soldiers from Ilese Barracks (it should be). I had just finished bathing that day and was contemplating either to stay in my small room at Joy Gate Hostel at Ijagun to study or not. I wanted to stay to read in my home but I just lost my peace over staying at home. Going to St. Peter's Anglican Church just became the vocal point. I was almost hearing St.Peter's. I submitted and I left for there. I was entering the compound of that church when I saw pick ups of these battalions beginning to roll into town. I never knew it only remained some minutes for students to be shut off and curtailed by them. That day, those battalions were going from hostel to hostel beating and dealing with students and they didn't mind whether you were guilty of the offence or not. They got to my hostel and dealt with almost all the students there except for any who might have escaped into the bush. Even those who locked their doors weren't safe for they were forcefully opened or broken. That was what God saw coming before saying I should go to read in a religious place where they'll fear to desecrate. I just stood by that church's fence watching the turmoil from inside. Everywhere was lit and loud. It was too much. Even some of my fellowship members were so beaten that they had to go home for treatment and rest. Would it have been good therefore if it was heard that their president (I was president of the fellowship then) was as well beaten. God forbid! I refuse to share in the reward of the wicked. Since I didn't destroy any property, why should I be overtaken with such consequence. Just like me, many students might receive God's leading but they just might have despised it. But I thank God who always leads us to victory for having not kept back any communication that'll be to our saving at each particular time. You may be on your conversant road and the Spirit might appeal or protest to you to jettison it for another. Whether you'll hear or not is now the ultimate. Over the years, there are two skills I've horned. It's being led by the Holy Spirit and living by faith. You can't master those two and be stupid or fail. 

Joseph says, "God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do". It means sooner or soonest, God will bring to pass the seven years of abundance and the seven years of famine. It isn't going to be something with patience and longevity of years like the return of Christ (for which God is showing mercy to the yet unconverted). 

The same is the communication of God to Peter in outlook. It became a manifestation almost the same instant he had had that trance. As a matter of fact, the Spirit had to call him off from further rumination because the means through which the trance would begin to come to pass has made arrival to seek him out (Acts 10:17-21). This event is not for donkey years to come. God is the One showing you what He is about to do. It's something that must come to pass shortly. Due to this, you can't joke with what action to take promptly. Knowing this, Joseph recommended gathering grain like the sand of the sea shore -  and it worked. If the fulfilment was deceptively said to be for the future, all of them would have missed it and God would have bypassed them though He brought them that aid of the seven years of abundance. What to watch for rather is that the ground would yield greatly abundantly unlike before. That's the mark of having entered into that season of special abundance that must be conserved. Brethren, what God has shown you is what He wants to bring to pass shortly. May you not be defiant to it. May you rather provide it bodies and means to find expression through. I declare you blessed and unintimidated in the face of sweeping world, national and local challenges. Escape is always yours. 

PRAYER: Lord, I listen. I am the sheep of your pasture and I am led. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 42:1-44:23; 2 Timothy 2:1-21; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 26:3-5

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