MONTHLY NEWSLETTER With Rev. Dr. C. A. Onitiri (July 2023 Edition)

Greetings to you all my dear brothers and sisters.
I welcome us all to the month of July, the seventh month of the year and the start of the second half of the year.Scripturally, seven symbolizes completion or perfection. May the Lord perfect everything that concerns us in Jesus name.

In this month of July and for the rest of the year, I thank God for His constant presence in our lives and remain always grateful for His guidance, comfort and unwavering love.May He grant us good health and well-being and protect us from illness and guide us towards balanced health.

May He bless our Businesses and Ministries with financial abundance, stability and prosperity.

May He grant us unity and harmony within our families and help us to grow together, drawing us closer to Him. May He heal the painful memories that haunts us and help us to find healing and release from the burdens of the past.

With heart full of gratitude, I pray, believing in your grace and mercy. Amen.

SCRIPTURE AND THEME FOR THE MONTH:

Our Scripture for the Month of July is taken from the Book of Exodus: Exodus14v13&14.
The THEME for the month is taken from v14:
“THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU…”

We all know the story–how the Egyptians pursued the Israelites and their escape through the Red Sea.

EXPLANATION:

V13: AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE PEOPLE, “FEAR YE NOT, STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD, WHICH HE WILL SHOW YOU TODAY: FOR THE EGYPTIANS WHOM YE HAVE SEEN TODAY, YE SHALL SEE THEM NO MORE FOR EVER.

V14: THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU AND YE SHALL HOLD YOUR PEACE.” KJV

In that chapter 14 if you read through vv6-12, you will observe that six hundred Egyptian War chariots were bearing down on the helpless Israelites who were trapped between the mountains and the sea. The Israelites thought they were doomed.

After watching God’s powerful hands deliver them from Egypt, their only response was fear, whining and despair.And you may ask “Where was their trust in God?” This was the first instance of grumbling and complaining by the Israelites.Grumbling will become a major problem for them on this journey..Their lack of faith is startling! And I ask you: “HOW OFTEN DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DOING THE SAME THING–COMPLAINING OVER INCONVENIENCES OR DISCOMFORTS?”

In v13, the people were hostile and despairing, but Moses encouraged them to watch the wonderful way God would rescue them.He had a positive attitude. When it looked as if they were trapped, Moses called upon God to intervene.

V14:This is a powerful assurance from God–“THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU..” to the people that He would fight for them, but they had to move forward toward the sea in faith.

v15 AND THE LORD SAID TO MOSES WHEREFORE CRIEST THOU UNTO ME? SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THAT THEY SHOULD GO FORWARD “KJV

See God will fight for you and any of His children as you walk in faith and obedience. Exodus 15v3.
“THE LORD IS A MAN OF WAR:THE LORD IS HIS NAME.”KJV.
And Nehemiah 4v20 gives the assurance
“……THAT OUR GOD SHALL FIGHT FOR US.”
Remember also the popular imprecatory Psalm, Psalm 35 @ v1
“PLEAD MY CAUSE O LORD WITH THEM THAT STRIVE WITH ME: FIGHT AGAINST THEM THAT FIGHT AGAINST ME.”KJV.

See, you may not be chased by an army but you may still feel trapped. Instead of giving in to despair, try adopting Moses’ attitude to “STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD”
HE SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU AND YOU SHALL HOLD YOUR PEACE.

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT V15:
In that verse, the Lord told Moses to stop praying and get moving “WHEREFORE CRIEST THOU UNTO ME?
SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL,THAT THEY GO FORWARD.”
See prayer must have a vital place in our lives, but there is also a place for action.Sometimes we know what to do,but we pray for more guidance as an excuse to postpone doing it.
Listen,if you know what you should do. then it is time to get moving.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, in the month of June, you assured that it is Your will to bless us. Like a vine, we should take root, blossom and fill the whole world with fruit. We are to be a blessing to the world as You promised Abraham.
In this month of July, You have promised that You shall fight for us. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One who was, Who is and Who is to come, the Lamb of sacrifice,we pray that You will bulldoze out of our way, anyone or thing that may try to obstruct the flow of that promised blessing into our lives. Amen.

SHALOM AND ENJOY A BLISSFUL MONTH IN HIM.