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The gift and Spirit of Christmas is Christ, and should continually be. We come enmasse to celebrate Christ’s birth because He brings light to a dark world. True, we see Christ as we share His character of love, kindness, sacrifice; but also when we receive His person. There is beauty in believing in the person and teaching. You cannot deny the Lord and follow His steps instead, or accept His divine lordship and person and deny His teaching. There is a oneness of knowing He is Lord and that His ways are wholesome.

God’s light had never been so bright and great, it was as though He had stepped in Himself in all fullness of power and glory- yet this mystery is true that God has been found amongst us in revelation of Himself. The light is one with the source. 

What do we do with this baby, born to us, who is Christ the Lord? It’s time to honour God for this gift of grace. The bible teaches this truth. Make do in the timeframe of the mercy and grace of God; in this precious space for breath. 

Merry Christmas to all who love the Lord, and look forward to His returning.

God bless. 

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will deliver you

from the snare of the fowler,

and from the deadly plague. He will cover you with His feathers;

under His wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the calamity that destroys at noon.

Though a thousand may fall at your side,

and ten thousand at your right hand,

no harm will come near you.

You will only see it with your eyes

and witness the punishment of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling—

my refuge, the Most High—

no evil will befall you,

no plague will approach your tent.

For He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

They will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and cobra;

you will trample the young lion and serpent.

“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him;

because he knows My name, I will protect him.

When he calls out to Me,

I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

I will deliver and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him My salvation.”

AMEN

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

Luke 8:3, says

“Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

I find this particular verse astonishing. Not only because of Joanna or Susanna, but also the unwritten many, who thought Christ needed them. Often it’s the reverse. Yet God is seen working with them, in response to their voluntary service and heartfelt sacrifice. Incredible.

Let’s explore the scriptures together on the sufficiency of Christ. Never once did the Lord lack (John 6:1-14; Matthew 17:24-27), but we see He received from others to support His ministry (John 12:6). Why then? God was creating an opportunity for these ones to be blessed, for their names to be remembered honourably (Matthew 26:6-13), also Christ wouldn’t reject an act to Him that was genuinely in God’s honour. Christ also leaves us an example, not as a rule but of necessity, that those who work for God are truly worthy of honour  (Acts 20:33-35; Philippians 4:16-18; Mark 9:41).

I also consider relevant King David’s consideration towards building God’s house, because in grace and according to his assignment God gave credence to his work (1 Chronicles 28; 22:8-12). 

As you wait on God this moment, consider the grace of Christ and how that in sufficiency, He had compassion to bless. The summation of this thought is to see it’s a priviledge to aid the Lord. Funny as that seems, yet true in many a ramifications. Again, obedience in faith and gratitude is more. 

God bless. 

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye 

Don’t numb your senses to the goodness of God by familiarity. 

The wrestle of the soul is to position it to stand in awe of God’s grace. A constant reverential fear. With God helping us, to sanctify God before the people. How about returning with gratuitous joy? Perhaps God would grace us with His tangible presence, but how can we be reminded to not be casual with the unusual? The one who feeds can also make fast. Never be so full to say, what is this blessing of the Lord that I cannot apprehend without His goodness. If you want God to commit to you heavenly priviledge you must prove yourself trustworthy. 

Consider this scripture:

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:17-19

God’s blessings.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:15-16

I think as believers of Christ we can emulate a brilliant attitude here, making room for the Spirit. Never would there be a completely perfect circumstance to pray, except if God helps you create one, but you can escape to do so. Even seemingly good things can intercept your prayer time, ministry engagements too can take over that opportunity. But Christ knew how to overcome this  pressure- slip away. If one must tiptoe to the quiet desk, or whisper some words to God whilst caught in traffic, or perhaps take a trip to some lonely place to have some clarity to pray. Then we must. In praying is a chance for renewed strength from God in the vicissitudes of life. Knowing that God Himself took responsibility for his time, you too may need to adjust schedules to pray to God, so you can be in a good spiritual place to pray for others. Dry cisterns don’t pour out water. 

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye 

To wait I suppose takes effort and some patience. Few things could be as tiring as having to see what a response would bring, especially if not time constricted. But it also depends who says wait- whether the potency is hefty. So, if you heard clearly God say wait, you can be sure it’s better than running about, or instigating a makeshift arrangement whilst in what you consider a frustrating limbo. You may end up in the same spot after all your doing is done or cause more difficulty. After praying if it appears God is taking His time or very fast asleep, completely silent, could it be that itself is an answer? I happen to believe God’s timing is perfect. So friends, the sacrifice is obedience, and proof of trusting God. In the end if God says or make you wait, fine, if He makes you move or run to take hold of a blessing, fine. It’s who is saying it. God’s authority inspires belief. God bless.

Cheers.

Psalm 27:13-14 King James Version (KJV)

“ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

In April 2019, I had the opportunity to share thoughts on faith with our online audience. The video clips are still available at this time for viewing. I would encourage you to listen and be blessed. I was able in the first week of May, to visit and speak in a local church in the Midlands. Glad the gospel has free course. I hope whenever opportunity is available, God will bless lives.

Should you wish to send an email I would be happy to read, and hopefully reply in good time.

Prayer: Psalm 86.

Christ’s blessings.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

There is a depth of prayer that requires giving thanks for nothing and everything. When you think there is no problem, or every care in the world. Talking to God about heights of intelligence beyond your grasp and circumstances within your able navigation. It’s faith praying about your known abilities as if without faith you couldn’t execute it, and praying about what experts conclusively agree would defy known application and predictions. Job leaves an example, to pray not only for ‘just in case scenarios’ but as an established pattern that takes care of all scenarios. It’s good to say, for all I don’t understand I give you thanks and commit into your mighty hands, oh precious Lord!

Job 1:5 (Philippians 4:6-7)

“When they finished having their parties, Job would send for them in order to cleanse them from sin. He would get up early in the morning and sacrifice burnt offerings for each of them. Job thought, “My children may have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job offered sacrifices for them all the time.”

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

God calls us to constancy in the spiritual discipline of conversation with Him. The joy of sharing fellowship in God’s presence. To know the grace of answers to prayer.

These scriptures reminds us of the blessings of the need of continuing in prayer.

Luke 18:1

“Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart.”

Romans 12:12

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

1 Samuel 1:6-20

Trust God. God knows your heartfelt need, beyond words can coherently and audibly express.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye