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“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” – Luke 2:7

Couldn’t the Lord though cocooned in a baby’s form, command an inn, to suit Him and His care-keepers? God could. But it pleased the father that there will be no space in loftly heights but among the lowly. So both to the lowly, first, and those of means, all will gain the priviledge of meeting and worshipping Him at the manger. The uniting force will be a kindred spirit of meekness and purity of heart.

Two miracles can be seen, that God can still birth His promise even if accesses are closed, and that in humility greatness is born. May God grant us the assurance to know His purpose will stand, and also the humility of heart so that in due time He can continually lift us up who trust Him!

Merry Christmas to you all in this precious season.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

Life is rarely done in isolation, but with others. Whether be professional connections, biological family partnerships and extended relationships from that space, friends found spanning years, love ties, acquaintances brought together by chance or by a project to facilitate a cause, online contacts that develop into resource partners which create further engagements, adopted family of brothers and sisters with inlaws that brings, religious brothers and sisters- in our context Christians who are bound by the deep work of Christ who especially in times of persecution have known deeper closeness that trascends human affiliations as seen in biblical accounts and testimonies from the field, groupings interests. You can have these joyful expressions of warmth in society. You can always have one or two persons that wish you well, and more, and rejoice in what they see and hear you can become. You can also have those you wish well. That levels of reciprocity matters.

One can rely on any of these connections, especially where credible, to do life together. Holding them together may require briefings, correspondence, a willingness to share, an openness to listen and learn, a heart for people. You may also need to respect preferences, and develop life-long commitments where possible.

You will realise working together takes work. Like a garden you have to tend it. And you have to find the right connections, sometimes thats not up to you but fate and faith. As said, communication is key. I will like to add that unfeigned communication and a heart for people. Learning a new language or context and culture may take time, but helps shape empathy and becomes so worth it. No one wants good misinterpreted. But like a wise person be willing to draw from a good resource of people, get good advice and chart your course.

Its one thing to benefit from a web of connections, its another to take the lead managing that. In a nation’s or individual context, how does guidance influence others positively? Perhaps, you may need to give space to a range of views from people that could help impact on choice. The ability to decipher good advice is another thing. Ask God to help you pick. Sometime, your heart will resonate with what is true, and you will need courage to agree with it, as well.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

Considering the population, the boundaries of nations, communities set apart, then there is a family cluster and their peculiar politics and drama exercised in a bubble- it wouldn’t be expected everyone follows their unique traditions given poles in demarcation. Leah would find she needed to press for more attention, perhaps not for more affection. Yet that sense of insecurity and anxiety would not escape God’s notice. To love is also to make feel safe, the priviledge to see and know you’re not less in the cadre of being wanted. Jacob would serve in his uncle’s business for 14years for Rachel, but though Leah was able to join the family she must have felt like a usurper, and wondered if she was really wanted. She fought for her place, traditions gave her the right to marry first, by trickery got in bed, her children would endear her husband to her, and she must have worked hard in every way to cement her recognition.

But God who knows the truth, saw. Beyond the buzzlings and traffic observed their way of life and confirmed she was not loved. What an affirmation of her pain, it was not delusion, it was not misplaced emotionalism, it was true. Jacob may not have meant it, but when she had to fight to feel number one that was hard and a mistake. He didn’t hate her, but not really crazy over her. If he was to choose who would he go for? Love was meant to be undivided attention, a feeling and knowledge of being wanted. Leah couldn’t vouch for that. But God looked down, watched her story, and blessed her with comfort. As they aged there was less trouble.

Rachel’s blessing will take a bit longer. Though so loved, Jacob will learn he is not God. When asked to make babies, he will scream- “am I God?”. Here he learns that though he can buy her everything, spend more time in kisses, work decades, at some point fate would determine if they can share the joys of a baby together. It seems God was building humility in both of them. Leah would have some comfort. Rachel too would also have her comfort in time, and call her child Joseph. Jacob a proud dad, and now a love tamed.

“…the LORD saw that Leah was unloved…”Genesis 29:31

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

What is it like to have dependence on God to come through for you? Its like watching a pool in its serenity knowing it wouldn’t suddenly become turbulent. The predictability and somewhat assurance, means you could plunge in knowing the configuration wouldn’t suddenly change or the current become stronger. There would hardly be sudden deeps- its certain before the start given the design exactitude, uncorroded by unaccounted for interventions, and chances are you know what you are getting. This excluded dugged out, made up, and sanitised space, prevents a wash out of debris and even other life forms. Some treated and heated water, a light blue base with light shimmerings on the surface- has its good too. So nonetheless is a flowing stream well maintained and observed.

To say God is true, is to say with Him is eternal bowels of mercy, reliable strength. Let all rejoice who hope in Him. He is truly an assured refuge. Psalm 91.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

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Consider these scriptures on the Lord’s goodness and choose to recognise how He has made Himself known through the ages. Amen. May the grace of God increase as we tell of His wondrous mercy.

Psalm 92 :

“It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord,
    how profound your thoughts!
Senseless people do not know,
    fools do not understand,
 that though the wicked spring up like grass
    and all evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.

But you, Lord, are forever exalted. For surely your enemies, Lord,
    surely your enemies will perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
    fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
    my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Philemon 1:6:

“I  pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every blessing that is ours in the Messiah.”

God bless.

Regards,

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

A reminder Christ has purchased for us who believe liberty. It allows us to know that there is much freedom in knowing the Lord. The responsibility is to live as those who are not again brought into condemnation. It cost Christ His blood, and God His only begotten son on the cross. But its in full a redemptive story. It is choosing to believe your desire and place is to stay as those made free.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

When we think of Christ, what comes to mind? In Him we see the purpose of God outlined. God is not in some distance, but one close, one in fellowship with the brethren, equipped with humanity and yet not restricted in glorious intervention.

We see God fending for human souls but also for human bodily needs. Then we are reminded that all there is is not worldly cares but spirituality. Then God performs the oath of love in sacrifice, which births resurrection power, and allows for the opportunity of reunion. Reunion with His team of believers with a charge and authority to demonstrate His love in the preaching of the faith. Reunion by the outpouring of the Spirit bearing witness of His constant presence, an open heaven to constantly have the voice of God leading and having His seal of approval.

The promise of eternity with Him brings us to the hope of being with Him, so we can say truly where He is we are always. Reunion brings Him to be with us now, eternity assures us of being with Him when out of this body. Like the Apostles we can say in body with the Lord, out of body with the Lord. Let this be our goal (see 2 Corinthians 5:8-9).

Isn’t God all encompassing?

I pray our fellowship with the Lord deepens as we together as saints join in praise to the one who is all worthy.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

“Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 150

Something unique happens when you choose to be thankful, it’s like being caught up in the cloud to rejoice with heaven’s creation. You will need a softer heart to take in this practice. Are you sure there is nothing to show gratitude for? The idea that learning being appreciative to others when they show you kindness can be relatable spiritually. Being in a position to show kindness is just as thrilling as being thankful, it takes almost the same character. Its humility to give, its humility to acknowledge. It means you are open to goodwill. It means you may not need any generosity but are willing for another to be blessed. It means you are under God’s principles in worship. It means you understand God is good and are willing for Him to be praised. Thankfulness is a gift to have, its a gift pleasing to behold in display. Giving is an expression of thankfulness. Its saying to God, in gratitude of your gift to me, I am showing that to another. It could also be in response of another’s kindness to you, therefore you are going to be exercised to be good back in response, or similarly to another person- its letting the gratitude flow within a community. However, choose where you place your generosity so you keep your spirit of kindness alive, and not disadvantage a possible grateful soul who will be blessed for and grateful for your character of thanks. Refrain as necessary, appreciate as needful.

How about that? Thanks Lord for your inspiration. Thanks to you for reading. As scripture reminds us, God is the one giving us victories, and to Him we owe every thanks and we express this in our singing with our gifts and talents as the Psalmist shows us.

Let’s together be a thankful people.

God bless.

Evangelist Israel Okunwaye