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BLESSED BE THE LORD

Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
For his name is great and mighty
By him the earth is silenced
By him princes rule
His justice is fair and timely
And by him the wicked do not prosper eternally
He gives hope and strength
He makes glad the weary
He upholds and nourishes
He supplies the heart for worship
He is enthroned and is steadfast in love
He is perfect and excellent
The Lord in whom there is everlasting grace
None compares to him
None stands before him
He spoils the connivings of the secret place
And takes the boast off the adversary
He stands and decrees and it is.
He is quiet but not aloof
When He speaks his words are true and wholesome
He is patient but intervenes when needed
He allows the best outcome for his own
For him heaven is a best reward, but a measure of heaven’s glory he gives even now- a foretaste
What kind of God is this?
That heals and blesses
His ways are preferable
True solace, true glory
True love, true confession
True desires, true words
By his word lives are preserved
By his word nations are healed
By his word souls are saved
He is richest but warns against its deceitfulness
He is strongest but warns against relying on one’s strength
He gives life but demands it
He makes me his priority and demands same
My God my lover
My God my hope
My God my merciful one
My God my deliverer
My God my able one
My God the source of all I hold dear
But for you what is breath
But for you what is ambition
For wealth by ill means or trickery will diminish
The despised and persecuted, surely with you have a reward
My soul adores you
My soul rejoices in your salvation
I have seen your victories
I have seen your warmth
I have seen your peace in the storm
The insecure set traps but you set them alight
My times are in your hands
Let all know you reign

My Lord my sanctifier
My Lord my righteousness
My Lord my rock
The one who is, was and is to come
Your judgement is pure
Your ways are perfect
Your plan is good
Your wisdom is above others
Your joy has become mine
Your footprint is my tracks
Your grace envelops and çushions
I find no one to take your place
Your word has pointed out directions
Your bidding is my good
I find no lasting joys but yours
My story is your glory
What can I say but glorify you
Thank you holy and righteous one
Thank you the father of my father
Thank you the God of my father
Thank you my God, my father
My father and mother have found solace in you so have I
Those I cherish have seen your love and protection so have I
The King of mercy and glory I worship you
The nations will hear and magnify the Lord with me
For Jehovah God alone is holy and worthy
Praise to your name.
The hope of my parents
My hope, my family’s
My everything
By you I have seen the light of day
I have watched you
I have heard you
I have seen mercy
I have seen grace
I have seen beauty
I have seen thy hand
All glory be thine Lord of heaven and earth
Be exalted
Be glorified
Be magnified
Be lifted up
The one who is God alone
And the mighty one.

The strongest is not the fittest
Nor the one that survives the luckiest
The smartest is not first
Nor the one who hurries the one who arrives
Not my will but yours
Thank you for food
Thank you for water
Thank you for shelter
Thank you for providence
Thank you for support
Thank you for inspiration
Thank you for wisdom
Thank you for impact
Thank you for protection
Thank you for life and family
Thank you for your decree
Thank you for times and seasons
Thanks for your presence
Thanks for revelation
Thank you for the visions and dreams
Thank you for prophecy
Thank you for the gifts of the Spirit
Thank you for the evidence of your Spirit
Thank you for the fruit
Thank you for you
By you all things consist
O God receive thanks my King, and all who hope in you praise you.
Amen.

Thanks be to God.

I decided to make my teaching on faith in Christ
available in audio, for my internet audience.<http://glyglobal.com/social-media-hub.html> God bless as you listen. If you
make a decision for the Lord Jesus, would you please let me know via pastor@cotlg.church, so I can rejoice
with you.

I hope you can be part of the next meeting, on
Sunday the 13th December 2015. God’s blessings.

Cheers

Israel Okunwaye

Dear friends,

In November 2015, by the grace of God I will be hosting the first in a series of evangelical meetings. The sole aim is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ and grant opportunity for Christian fellowship.

Please inform your friends where it may be beneficial if they were in an event like this. This is a divine moment for God to restore relationships and determine destinies. I am trusting God to touch hearts with his love. Apostle Andrew said to Apostle Peter, I have seen the Lord. God needs an Andrew today, announcing Christ’s hope. This is an incredible opportunity, let’s seize it.

Attached is the event details. Please follow
@israelokunwaye for updates.

God bless.
Israel Okunwaye

James 1:3, 13, 17; Luke 4:12-13; Jeremiah 17:10; 1 John 4:1.

When we come before our Lord, we come to receive instruction for life. To understand our place in him is based entirely on his goodness, and his great love for us. His love saves us, and keeps us in his divine purpose. In understanding his nature, albeit in a measure by his grace, as revealed in his word, we are able to appreciate his glory and anticipate his direction. By understanding his will we know God do not set evil traps for us to prove our commitment to him, he rather pours us with daily mercies, goodness and faithfulness, urging us on in triumph. He sets us in a prepared place of his grace, in a secure and fenced territory of his protection. It is being under his sovereign and outstretched wings. Satan on the flipside tempts us with evil, to lure us away from the plan of God. He is the one who challenges our credibility and seeks to prove your unworthiness by presenting foul options, and then goes on to accuse you. God instead derides giving us opportunities for failure. He won’t give us more than we can handle. If we find ourselves practicing any evil deeds, it isn’t because he has not made a way of escape, but rather our weakness has caught up with us, again he would come to the rescue. He tempts no one with evil, he refuses to be tempted as well with evil. He proves our genuineness and competence, by his goodness. He gives us opportunities to serve, and rewards us with more when we excel in our commitment to each task. First, if faithful in small, then he commits more. This is not the skewed sense of wide interpretation or obscure pattern of ‘it is not what you do but who you are’, creating room for tribal prejudices, rather it is a real sense of who a believer is in God and also a just reward for faithfulness for all. If he asks us to sacrifice our lives or what we hold dear, it is because he gave us anyway, and often he intends to see our heart yielded to him more than the gift we offer.

As a believer, to set a trap or evil test, to prove another is not consistent with God’s character. What we should do is to commit to others credible opportunities, and offers in goodness, where they excel in the little, and then reward justly with more. But to create hate, strife, resentment, or any evil to prove another, is sheer manipulation and not the Spirit of Christ. It’s spiritually unintelligent. What God calls us to do is discern and test spirits by the word, to see if there is sincerity and whether such a person is operating in honour of God. The word of God is divine and key, as we evaluate a conduct by reference to what the word says. God leads the way in this as we see in Adam, Saul, David, Job, Abraham and many more, he shows them his goodness and then rewards their faithfulness, where they represent him faithfully he commits more to them and keeps his promise. He is committed to meeting your need not just what you want or prefer, that, he may also meet, but be sure his utmost desire is to grant you deep and true satisfaction. In Christ, we know the love of God, that he is not trying to get you, he is not seeing if you are not good enough by asking you to do something foolish or wrong. In fact, it is his goodness that pulls us. So when you hear any evil prompting in your heart, rebuke it and ask God to show you the right way. Every good and perfect gift comes from only God, devoid of deception, and full of mercy. When any evil befall you, God has not sent it, the enemy of your faith is at work at that instance, discern it and counter it in prayer and by formidable trust in God’s faithfulness. We live in an evil and fallen world- we may ask, as God is all powerful, why does he allow certain ills? We maybe should also ask, why does he intervene sometimes to stop evil sweeps or bring victory when we pray? One thing we know for certain and most reassuringly is that a day is coming, which he has promised to bring victory by judgement, over all evil and Satan, establishing his kingdom, then we will see him face to face and every knee will bow to his authority. Also true and not inconsistent, is the victory we have now in the spirit by faith in Christ, and because we believe the kingdom of God reigns on the earth through us. His will and purpose is done through us by his Holy Spirit, we are indeed his representatives, sons, his people on earth doing his bidding. Now we know in part, and we experience a measure of this divine presence knowing that even in this life he walks with us, by his spirit, therefore we can expect not just his intervention, but his reign in us and through us. For our body is his temple and abode. We have become his precious hands and feet to bring healing to the nations. He promises in his name, we have his divine authority. So let’s know our Lord wishes us well, and is not playing games with our commitment to him, and let us treat one another that way. Even when persecution arises, it is the attack of the enemy, to stiffen the flow of the word and destroy our faith. In response- we should pray that we might be continually bold, carry on the work till Jesus comes, encourage one another, possibly- flee to another place if persecution arises till it abates, or instead pray for significant deliverances from the wicked one, not fighting in the flesh but trusting the spirit at work. If after all, it seems the Lord allows it to persist, to know in his sovereign will, he intends to grow us and bring ultimately great glory to his name, and that yet still his un-understandable peace and comfort remains by his spirit, and our reward awaits. By his grace, the response is always one of joy haven been counted worthy for the ministry, and to share in his plan. If our heart grows weak, know his power upholds and strengthens. Lastly, I will say to any, whose faith in God is in doubt, wavering, because you are discouraged because you think God should have acted, or the pressures of life has placed a demand you cannot fulfil, I invite you to see that God has been the unseen hand fighting for you all the while. Give him the glory due, and enjoy his love. May God’s blessings abide with you, I pray. Always.

@israelokunwaye

I have something important to share with you. I will be starting a Church plant and building work here in Birmingham. Assuredly, this is no trivial decision, but exciting nonetheless. After having spoken to some mentors, Church leaders and family about this, I am compelled by godly desire and God’s specific calling on my life to move in this direction. Kindly keep us in your prayers, as we want to just honour God and be a blessing, as well as further the gospel of Christ whereever He leads. If you want to be a part of our prayer and bible study group do email me at israelokunwaye@yahoo.com; info@glyglobal.com- for details and updates (open to adults, and others if accompanied by).

I will be sharing the vision I have received and building a team for the next couple of months before the launch Sunday. I am extending this invite to only those without a Church and seeking to understand the message of the cross of Christ. I desire to see the body kept united as one and growing into Christ’s fullness.

Ministry bible training, the priviledge to serve within a believers’ community over the years in leading or support capacities, or just engaging with diverse cultures, life circles and spheres has been helpful; but it’s only the holy spirit that can influence lives positively, glorify Christ and save souls. It is the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom principles we will be magnifying. God uses willing-prepared vessels not perfect ones, so I will be taking this step in faith, with those God commit to my trust, and welcoming you on board. If you choose.

I will continue sharing the word on my internet pages for those not within this vicinity who wish to be in contact with the ministry. God’s love. Cheers.

God bless.

Israel okunwaye

The Person of Jesus- some points to consider.

1. When Jesus Christ was born he was esteemed worthy of worship; We are made and born to worship him.
“…We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”~ Matthew 2:2

2. Knowing Jesus Christ, is believing in your heart what He says of himself, that He is Lord and saviour. Just as the scriptures say. It is more than a head knowledge, it requires a sincere belief in your heart.

3. “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” ~ 1 Peter 1:20 NIV
Jesus Christ, pre-existed the universe. His birth on earth wasn’t the beginning of life for him, as you may be told. He is actually the source of all things.

4, For in Christ there is all of God in a human body.
Colossians 2:9 (Living bible)

5. King Herod requested the wise men to find baby Jesus and bring him word so he too can worship.
However, his real intent was to destroy (as though he could have)~ Matthew 2:1-12.
Not all who seek to worship, really mean to.

6. The Word (Jesus Christ) became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighbourhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish. John 1:14 Msg

7.Prophecies preceding Jesus’ birth are worthy of reference. If He is the Christ and messiah (that is, the one who ultimately deals with evil in the world and restores God to man) then Jesus will have to fulfil every one of those prophecies- no coincidences.

A few… He would have to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem but raised in Nazareth, come from the lineage of King David, receive the affirmation of God by mighty miracles and signs, live a sinless life, become a sacrifice for sin by dying a criminal’s death of Roman crucifixion, also to be buried but rise from the dead after 3 days. He is to live forever, and raise a people to himself from all nations. This is the Jesus we preach.

The fulfilment of this narrative is shown in the scriptures, and I believe proves Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God.

8. Man is on an endless search for the truth of God, and his plan for humanity.

Jesus Christ revealed why He came to the earth, testified to the truth of God’s unfailing love for mankind, and unveiled his redemptive plan. He said, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” John 18:37 NKJV

Friends, this Jesus, is not only a ‘witness to the truth’, but is the ‘truth’. How can this be? This is because He bears witness of himself, yet his testimony is true!(John 8:13-20)
He is the way, the truth and life.

I pray when you meet him, you will have the revelation of the truth. You meet him by his word (scriptures). Pilate before the truth asked, “what is the truth?”, John the Baptist however screamed, “Behold the Lamb of God that takes the sins of the world”.

Hope you see this truth- a recognition.

9. The Spirit of God takes the word we preach, and transforms a life. No human being can have a true revelation of Jesus Christ, except the Spirit of God reveals Him. To some he was a Carpenter’s son, to others, ‘Rabbi’ meaning teacher. The truth however is, He is Christ the Lord. For God became flesh, and dwelt among men. His name Emmanuel means, God with us! May the Holy Spirit this Christmas reveal Jesus Christ, as Lord to you. Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:3
…and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

10.”Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him.” Hebrews 11:6 NCV
From the scriptures, God actually expects the agnostic or atheist (anyone) to sincerely SEARCH for him, with their hearts open. He promises to be found- no longer hidden. The truth is, the bible provides the map. The Christmas story tells of the wise men from the East who searched for King Jesus, guided by the star and found him ( Matthew 2:1-12).
What an assurance. I believe His desire to be found, is far greater than our desire to find him. It begins with a step of faith. Faith, his words are true. Faith in him.

11. Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. He reveals God the father, to humanity!

12. There is evidence for a historic Jesus, as opposed to his story being a myth or a mere religious contraption.

This is based on the credibility and authenticity of scriptures, the work of non-faith historians of that dispensation, even the fact that the burden of proof is on those who claim otherwise

@israelokunwaye