Blog

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, my God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You, Lord God, have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men.

“What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant, Lord. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises.

“There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

“And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.

“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.” – 1 Chronicles 17:16-27 [2 Samuel 7:18-29]

Thank God for His word. Thanks for being part of this journey of fellowship in the word, and receiving my ministry. I hope you have a joyous Christmas and a happy new year. Cheers!

God bless.
Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

The thought of our prayers falling on the Lord’s deaf ears is chilling. Not that He didn’t hear, put paid no attention. God is really not deaf. When scripture speaks of God not hearing it’s Him not answering. There could be an obstacle, that’s where there is no relationship or regard for God then He turns. May it be God is merciful to hear as those who call on Him humble themselves in prayer. On the cross, Christ pleaded for God’s help. Even so, we need to honour Christ as Lord in our hearts then God will hear from heaven.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart,

The Lord will not hear.

But certainly God has heard me;

He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Blessed be God,

Who has not turned away my prayer,

Nor His mercy from me!” Psalms 66:18-20

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

There is something beautiful about receiving before asking, almost an exception to the natural progression of the spiritual principles of prayer based on request. This is true when from a heart in tune with one’s maker. So request is emanating from His will, and when their is grace for priviledge such that God makes haste to preempt and fulfil a need before even labouring in prayers.

Isaiah 65:24, “I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”

Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

Daniel 10:12, “Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”

Genesis 18:17-18, “Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.”

Set your heart right, then come to the place of prayer.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

Mary, Luke 1:38

“Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.”

Martha and sister, John 11:2-7

“It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

Hannah, 1 Samuel 1: 10-17

“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”

As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”

“Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

“In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

Deborah, Judges 5:31

“So may all your enemies perish, Lord!

But may all who love you be like the sun

when it rises in its strength.”

Miriam, Exodus 15:11-13

“Who among the gods

is like you, Lord?

Who is like you—

majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory,

working wonders?

“You stretch out your right hand,

and the earth swallows your enemies.

In your unfailing love you will lead

the people you have redeemed.

In your strength you will guide them

to your holy dwelling.”

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

AUTHENTIC FAITH
Authentic Faith explores the idea of faith as a spiritual necessity and deep experience originating from God, the one supreme being– and as opposed to the conceptualisation of it being a force for mere religious identity or divisive denominationalism or sectarianism, but one which more centrally focuses on God as revealed in Christ, and whose mission is to engage and transform the lives of those who trust Him to do so. The author believes God is not an author of confusion, and do not intend to engender conflicting perspectives of Himself, that it is therefore for each generation to endeavour to bear responsibility to grow not only in their quest for God, but knowledge of Him. It’s a bold work meant to open up not so much our understanding of God, but what God says of Himself.

ISBN 978-1-9164445-1-5, P.224 £14.99

THE HEART OF PASSION

God is in search for someone who will be His mouthpiece on the earth. As He peeps into the earth He finds many anxious to fulfil their plans without bearing His plans in mind. Is there still a soul that pants after God? Can the Father rely on you to do His will? Will the next rejoicing of the Angels be instigated by you, as a result of winning souls for Him? The Heart of Passion is about igniting the body of Christ to do the will of the Master. For the harvest is indeed ripe, but labourers few. The book begins from the fundamentals, to help all see and grow in all the purposes of God.

ISBN 978-1-9164445-0-8, P.230, £15.99

RETHINKING LEADERSHIP

The fate of global peace and prosperity, and even more importantly personal development in every facet, is dependent largely on crucial and soundly applied leadership principles. I proffer spiritual leadership nuggets that have proven to be true over centuries, with formidable fulcrum– as illustrated in biblical scriptures. Not much is known about adopting a spiritual strategy to resolve practical complexities, so what this book aims for is to show how often without due acknowledgment there is a web of spiritual matter that is complied with[set in motion but with often resistance], whether be on sowing and reaping, due diligence and an aching sense of need for right justice, or perhaps on the appropriateness of wellbeing– yet there is more to explore in this dimension of leadership. The actualisation of which I believe has to have the input of the Spirit rather than in isolation. The next generation is owed this etch of leadership, moral and credible ethical stances to policy framework, and a structure that would enable the apprehending of goodness as a necessary norm. This is what Rethinking Leadership is all about, showcasing principles of the word for everyday living and decision-making.

ISBN 978-1-9164445-2-2, P.246, £17.99

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

The prayer of Solomon, Jabez, Paul, Jesus Christ, and Bartimeaus

Bartimeaus:

In Mark 10:46-47

“When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

Solomon:

1 Kings 3:4-15,

“And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.”

The Lord Jesus Christ:

John 17:21-22,

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

Jabez:

1 Chronicles 4:10

“Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.”

Paul:

Ephesians 1:15-23

“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Amen.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Source: Luke 18:1-8

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

The objective of the preaching of the gospel is so many may hear of the love of God, and by the grace of God hearts be cleansed. Often, some are shocked to realise the word of God tastes as honey and yet operates on those who hear, and brings healing to the human soul. No surprise why there is so many trials for the word’s sake and many distractions.

However, there is gladness to know that God’s word cannot be restricted or bound, and that God is preparing, raising, and sending His servants everywhere for this awesome task. What matters is that the true gospel of Christ is preached.

Bless the Lord for answers to prayer, for the word having free course, yet there is more work to be done beloved saints. Keep praying. God bless you and His word, may we all bear fruit continually worthy of harvest.

“… But the word of God is not bound”- 2 Timothy 2:9b (2 Thessalonian 3:1; Acts 19:20)

God’s blessing.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

Consider:

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:9-13 (1 Kings 8; Psalm 23; John 11:41-42; Acts 4:23-31).

God bless.
Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

In Easter season our minds are refreshed by the teaching of Christ’s grace through His suffering and resurrection. To those not saved, an assurance they can know the saving power of Jesus through believing. The seed of God’s love has produced a fruit in the sacrifice of Christ [John 3:16-18; 1:12]. Beyond the sweet niceties of the times, passing presents, joining fellow worshippers in church, and for some the after parties, Easter represents more. It’s the Lord fulfilling purpose. Reconciling the world back to God. A lost people to their maker, through a substitutionary work, Jesus taking the place for our sin, nailing it to the cross. Thereby, ensuring the penalty is paid, for all who trusts Him with their life. This is goodnews, a call to salvation, a call to live as one redeemed.

Blessings,

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye