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Psalm 127:1, “If the LORD does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the LORD does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard. “

2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Oh well, we find much hope going on in life’s journey that true protection and joy comes from the invisible God, not in how meticulous we seek to guard ourselves. The sentries rely on God granting breath. The very structures of the buildings are subject to the consistency of natural law. The ‘unprotested’ nature of earth’s greenery and life forms, means our children can too enjoy what it means to witness blossoms. 

And yes, we do not take for granted what it means to sow, observe laws of hardwork and mechanics, plan and invest- but again being aware that these things fall as a pack of cards but for the consistency of an untameable higher law. True?

God bless. 

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

Isaiah 40:1-11

“Comfort, comfort my people,
    says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
    that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.”

God bless.
Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

Matthew 5:1-12

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

God bless.
Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.” Matthew 5:25

“Render to all their dues…” Romans 13:7

It takes skill to negotiate promptly. To know when to let the breaks off, to realise when at the bargain your hand is less imposing. To know when reverence is due.
Two scriptures that compel meditation, the first, requires emphasising making peace not insisting on your perception of correction, but not necessarily discountenancing a right turn, and the second on observing ‘due-ness.’

In dealing with family conflict and working with friends being agreeable is an art which means giving meekness a chance. And then making haste to avoid offence. I feel it’s almost saying you win, so you keep walking free. It’s not accrediting nobility it’s saying I will let God’s discretion overall win, He won’t give you more than you can bear. Except, if on that matter or in that day you have a divine prompt to insist against obvious suggested standards for a good purpose, and posterity. True, the complexity of matters can let you realise that issues may be blurred and mental processing times may be divergent for a few.

A few nods here, a smile there, a hug may be all needed- still each grow into the full breathe of their wisdom.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14

When God finished creation He declared it good. Like a fine painter, breathing a sigh of relief at a well crafted master piece, fine-tuned to a worthy standard for sale or own pleasure. In no mistaken words God inspired the Psalmist to give thanks to realise and say “wonderfully made” on reflection of self and to note the wholesomeness of it all. The walk, the speech, the intellect, the grace and attention to detail of the human specie, and more importantly the sense of being made in God’s likeness. Other forms of creation carry too their goodness but man, humanity, stays truly in its own class. Looking at the butterfly, roses, giraffes etc don’t they all hold some intrinsic charm?

To in reverential worship consider it all but nothing without God has its own merits, as one in sack cloth, but there is the spiritual wisdom of basking in thanks of God’s dexterity in creation and the joy being stewards of grace and doing that with those who share this kind of wisdom. Also teaching others to draw comfort in areas they can see God at work, as we take an eschatology view of a even greater glory that awaits.

This is the gospel that God is good, and there is high wisdom to give thanks, which is genuine humility and balanced truth and unprideful worship.

So, here I am thankful for me, God truly has done well in making me in a wonderful way. To God be all the glory.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.”
Romans 13:7

Being respectful for some can be really so difficult, it means aligning often with a thing or person you may not agree with or share similar values.

Yet as Christians we are called to walk in love, to give to each person his or her due. What does this mean?
Failing to give commendation as necessary means raising grounds for future conflict. Some guardians and parents enable their offspring to decountenance authority, this clearly will be a setup for legal reprimand, no matter how nice it looks. And soon it bites sideways, to hold on to untruths. So here we are praying for strong characters for loving reverence. It doesn’t mean complacency, or timidity, it means weighing an option and appropriately crediting value.

Learning respect takes effort and discipline. Helping others learn better ways means not thanking, empowering, or paying wrong attitudes. A strategic plan means a life long goal of releasing people into their destiny through not hoarding advice, so they don’t learn the hard way. Also, knowing its no merit to seek to earn value by seeking to devalue others.

In the end respect for evil is not important as Christ shows us, as God should be first in our hearts.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.”

Psalms 125:2

God assures us of His protection and comfort. The strength of assurance is a joy to read. It’s a great blessing to see this promise come true. In the journies, in projects, in consumptions, in partnerships, in learning right, in solitude, also in the seeming little things of a morning rise. We have to constantly revert to the depth of this promise as if reminding God, to keep His bargain, and He has done, does and will. His precise words are, as the mountains provide a fortress and buffer, so God is able to shield when we pray to Him. Dear God, give us breathing space from the wicked, make our homes impregnable, grant us grace to see doers of evil from a distance and flee and repel their works. And should we err and not take preferred instructions may your intervening grace help us. In all may Christ be praised. Amen.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

A good prayer to make, is for grace to be content in God’s abilities- to be anxious for nothing. But rather faith to be well assured of God’s consistent hand for supernatural intervention.

Amen.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” ” Genesis 21:6 (Luke 1:41-44; Matthew 9:8)

When God ’causes,’ it comes with its effect. It brings blessing to one but to others. Sarah pointed to God who caused it- “brought me laughter.” Made her laugh, made her joyful. Not things, not Abraham, not the society, not family, but God as a direct source. These things can be positive tools in God’s hands. The blessing may bring the gladness, but the God of the blessing is clearly the bringer. God blessed Sarah with a child, so soothed her heart. It was heartfelt because what should have taken a natural course took decades upon decades, so when it came it had to be God. A supernatural occasion beyond human intervention as at when it happened.

Again, the joy to one would bring smiles to many. God who made Sarah laugh, can be held responsible for making others laugh with her in comfort. Its the ripple effect of blessing.

May the Lord grant us who trust Him blessings that will make us rejoice and those who hear of it. Amen.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye