The Training & Development Department at Gates of Praise International Cen-tre will be delivering a training programme starting later this year. The aim is to provide training, support and information to enable members of the church and community to learn and develop the knowledge and skills required to achieve personal growth and success.
SERVICE PROVISION INCLUDES:
• CAREER ADVICE & INFORMATION
• CV SUPPORT & INTERVIEW SKILLS
• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• SETTING UP A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
• MENTORING
• MOTIVATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON
BUILDING CONFIDENCE, TIME MAN-
AGEMENT, BEING ASSERTIVE AND MUCH MORE .
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE SPEAK TO PASTOR GBENGA.
Counselling & Special Prayers:
Please call the Church Office on 01375397219
Appointments are available: Tuesdays to Fridays between
10am - 3pm
Do you have a testimony you would like to share?
Interested in featuring in the next issue of Within the Gates?
Would you like to advertise your business and services?
Please email details to [email protected]
“PROCLAIMING JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE”
Mid-week service:Tuesdays 7pm
E2O Youth: Wednesdays at 6pm
House Fellowship: Thursdays at
7pm (various locations)
Sunday Service: 10am
365 days of prayer -
everyday
from 7pm - 8pm
except on Tuesdays &
Thursdays
How long has Gates of Praise church been in ministry?
The vision for the organisation was received through a revelation in March 2000 and Gates of
Praise Foundation was incorporated in September 2001. I delayed in stepping out fully into
the vision as I was very involved as an Associate Pastor in another ministry in London and
eventually started in July 2002 with weekly prayer meetings held at Chafford Hundred
Campus for a year and the Church arm of the vision started in Grays in May 2003.
The organisation consists of three major departments which are:
• The Church – A fellowship of believers who put their trust in God through Jesus Christ.
• The International Mission – The international outreach of the organisation with plans in
place to set up mission centres in Kenya, Zimbabwe & Nigeria
• The Academy – Training and Education Department of Gates of Praise
How is the Church doing in terms of growth?
Jesus Christ confirmed that He will build His Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. I believe we have to consider growth in this context. Growth should not only be
interpreted to mean growth in numbers but also the spiritual development of the congregation,
however there is a need to get as many people as possible to know Christ. Our mission is to
focus on individual spiritual growth which will subsequently result in believers taking respon-
sibility for reaching out to the people in our community.
In my opinion, if we are spiritually developed, we will reach out to the people in need of
Establishing the high praises of Almighty God in our communities and internationally.
Building and raising a God fearing generation that will reach out to those in need of God’s love.
CHRIST:
• Preach and teach the word of God without compromise or bias
• Disciple and train believers
• Encourage every believer to live for God
FAMILY:
• Build and raise our families in the fear of God with total obedience to His word.
• Be our brother's keeper and show love to one another
• Pray ceaselessly for one another.
• Meet welfare needs
COMMUNITY:
• Reach out to our community (local & international) with God's love.
• Evangelise our local community till everyone has the opportunity to hear the good news.
• Meet welfare needs and continue on our outreach programmes.
Below is a ‘wordle’ (word cloud) from the first chapter of J.C.Ryle’s fantastic book
entitled Holiness. Can you guess the chapter title?
The first chapter to Ryle’s book on Holiness is simply one word: ‘Sin’.
The first paragraph is a masterful quote by Ryle:
“He who wishes to attain right views about Christian holiness must begin by examining the
vast and solemn subject of sin. He must dig down very low if he would build high. A mistake
here is most mischievous. Wrong views about holiness are generally traceable to wrong
views about human corruption.”
~ John Charles Ryle (1816-1900)
Written by Pastor Peter Iyoke
Do you have daily "intimate" fellowship with God? A life of holiness in the believer
demands a life of priority, precedence, and first preference for God, such as with
David, "a man after God's own heart."
David was consumed with a love and deep passion for God, "Oh God, thou art my
God: Early will I seek You, My soul thirsts for You, My flesh longs for You, in a dry
and thirsty land, Where there is no water." Psalm 63:1-2
Developing Christian character is a work of establishing set order in our lives. The
worship of God is a spiritual discipline that exhibits the values of living holy. Spend-
ing quality time in the presence of God is how David expressed his passion.
It was the "one thing" in his day that took precedence in his life, "One thing have I
desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord,
all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His taber-
nacle." Psalm 27:4.
Getting closer to God is tantamount to holiness in our Christian walk. We are too
needy a people who require God's provisions for our daily survival. This fact was
demonstrated in the lives of the children of Israel who wandered in the wilderness for
40 years when God's supply never ran out.
Each day was a total dependence on the Lord to send them fresh manna from heaven
for their daily nourishment. No one suffered lack and no one needed to be greedy.
God made enough manna every day for everyone. Yet, if anyone horded the manna
overnight, it provoked God to send worms to eat it up so the people would learn the
basic principle of dependence on Him and His grace for their daily survival.
God's sustaining provisions daily load us with benefits. Living holy is a conscious act
of discipline and a priority to make Him first in our lives.
Please study Isaiah 35:8-10
Christ’s love. As a Church, we are doing fine but there is a lot of room for improvement.
How do you plan on reaching the community?
We are in a diverse community; our plan is very simple; we believe the members have a
responsibility to reach out to friends, neighbours and people they meet within the community.
There is an evangelistic program that we do every Saturday, and every last Saturday of the
month, a food run, targeted at people who are in need, basically showing God’s love in a
practical way. That is one way we reach out to our community. We are also involved in other
community initiatives, through the council and other volunteer services. We give financial
support to homes, youth schemes etc. There are still so many things that can be done, however
we are taking it one step at a time. We have several other initiatives aimed at appealing to the
youths which include working on starting a Music Academy.
We are trusting God for a permanent place of worship/multi functional complex ASAP. This
will enable us to fully implement all of the planned initiatives such as training development,
children's programmes, marriage counselling and other initiatives associated with local
governments and different active groups. We are planning on other sports and support schemes
for the community as a whole. The youths of today are leaders of tomorrow and so the initia-
tives are targeted mainly at them.
What are your plans to expand the Gates of Praise ministry?
We have identified a lot of needs and issues within our community and we are taking steps
necessary to support existing organisations that attend to these issues.
In months to come, we are trusting God for a permanent
centre in Grays. I believe this will further the work that we
have embarked upon in Thurrock.
The other plan is to establish our International Outreach
Department. We have acquired a few acres of land in
Kenya which will be used to build a Children’s Home, a
Health Centre and a Community Church/Mission Centre.
The rest of the land will be used for farming to help sustain
the centre.
How do you feel about street evangelism?
I led evangelism teams for several years, and I reckon that every community need a Christian
Street Witness/Pastor. In fact, it’s very essential. It is another way of claiming the land for
Jesus and putting a stop to the evils in the community. The local Church congregation must
come together to establish a proper outreach as I believe we must all work together.
What do you think this community needs?
As I said earlier the community is changing and obviously becoming more and more diverse.
So the Church has to be more dynamic without adulterating the truth. In the secular world, we
hear about upgrades, process re-engineering, re-structuring etc., I believe the Church has to be
at the fore front of change. We have to understand that God is very concerned about the people
and we must allow the Holy Spirit to move within the Church. Where the Spirit of the Lord is
there is liberty.
What are your thoughts on the nation of England and current political issues?
Without a shadow of doubt in me, the United Kingdom is a great country. Yes, there are
decisions that the Government have made that are a bit crazy but on the whole they have
proved to be a leading nation. The fault is not with the decision makers but with the Church.
The Church has been too quiet and too divided for a long time and, the earlier we come
together the better for our land. We are the children of the Kingdom of God. We are here to
enforce God’s kingdom on earth. Silence and division will not get us there! This we can see in
Psalms 133
Politically I cannot comment as I’m not a politician; however I will rather do what the Bible
says; that we should pray for the leaders. All Christians are to pray for the leaders, government
and ask God to give them the wisdom required to make Godly policies.
Any advice for people who want to know more about Jesus Christ?
No Jesus, No life. Know Jesus, Know life. It is as simple as that. I do agree that life is full of
challenges and only Jesus will give you the strength you need to overcome life's challenges.
There are lots of good Churches in Thurrock today and the Christians of Thurrock have the
responsibility to reach out to the residents.
What do you think the youths of today need in this nation? With regards to the increase
in gun and knife crimes?
Simply, the youths need the love of Christ. Parents, the Church and the Government can help
make the change. The three have to harmonise efforts and strategies to reach the young ones.
The Church and Parents are responsible for the moral upbringing of the family and not the
Government, the Government should govern and ensure that resources required are available
and in place.
The Church especially should work with the government and families to address the level of
violence and immorality being fed to our children through television, games etc. These are
s imply UNGODLY. The change has to come from the Church.
What is your ultimate Bible verse?
Every verse in the Bible is very interesting as it is God speaking to us and affirming His love
to His creation. However, if I am to choose now it will be Psalm 16:8 - I have set the Lord al-
ways before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Well in the next two months, E2O Youth will be focusing on preparing for the youth
service on the 1st of August.
Our aim is to present:
∗ GOPIC Youth Choir (rehearsals on Saturdays from 1pm - 3pm prompt),
∗ a drama presentation, (rehearsals during the Wednesday meetings)
∗ a guest speaker (TBC).
All the young people will be responsible for all aspects of the service, from the tech-
nical aspects to ushering. Every young person will have a role to play.
As you know we are raising funds for our first E2O retreat - we
have been given permission to conduct a fundraising event every
Sunday until we attain our target of three thousand pounds
(£3000). Upcoming events include car wash, BBQ and possibly
a Bric-a-Brac or Car boot sale.
The retreat will be an activity break and its aim is to develop a
stronger cohesion between the young people themselves and E2O team members,
and more importantly to encounter God. We will have activities in the morning and
afternoon and then fellowship in the evening.
We intend to depart on the 13th of August and be back on the
15th of August. Activities will include kayaking, canoeing,
rock climbing, and other similar teambuilding activities.
Our next event after the retreat will be titled the chat room
(topic will may be creation vs. evolution)
Please give a big well done to all the young people that have successfully completed
their exams. Md, Dami, Yemisi, Ope, Samuel, Rohca, Malachi, Fred and Joseph.
Do you have a testimony you would like to share?
Interested in featuring in the next issue of Within the Gates?
Would you like to advertise your business and services?
Please email details to [email protected]
T h e men’s breakfast meeting
was held at the Orsett Hall Hotel, Essex
on the 20th of March 2010.
The Men’s ministry of
GOPIC is called
‘Strength ‘and the pur-
pose of our meeting
was to provide the op-
portunity for men to
become better ac-
quainted with each
other and to plan ac-
tivities to build the
bond of fellowship.
The inaugural meeting of the revamped
men’s fellowship was informal; there
were no guest speakers. There were 12
men in attendance, Pastor Akin Laosun
was the presiding pastor and Pastor Shola
Idowu was the moderator.
We started with a full English breakfast at
9am and ended at about 1pm.
Issues discussed include the following:
∗ Vision and Mission of the Church
∗ The establishment and purpose of the
Men’s fellowship
∗ Twenty keys to success in business and
career
∗ Men in ministry
∗ Strength and the way forward.
We were able to establish that men are
the pillars of the family, should have un-
compromised desire for God and be lead
by the Holy Spirit at all times. We had a
wonderful time and the meeting was ad-
journed.
The next meeting would be in June 2010.
before the end of this year hopefully October.
These kids are part of our family and like Jesus
said in John 14:18 (“I will not leave you orphans'
I will come to you”) they are part of us and like-
wise we will not leave them alone to go through
all the hard times without us showing them some
love and getting them to know the love of Christ.
We love them, help them and Gates of Praise will
always sow a good seed into their lives.
God bless, Deacon Masamba
Pictures from recent trip to Kenya provided
by Deacon Herbert Masamba
Review written by Titi Babalola
Jewel, Gates of Praise Women’s Ministry held her annual Women’s Conference on
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at ‘The Centre’ Curzon Drive, Grays. This year’s conference
was tagged: ‘The Extra-Ordinary Woman’ and
Pastor Funke Laosun played host to two Guest
Ministers, Pastor Yinka Ayeni and Pastor Yinka
John.
Both ministers delivered powerful ministrations of
the Word of God using practical examples that
women can identify and relate to in their day-to-day
activities. The women, in turn, were given the
opportunity to ask practical questions after the two
sessions.
In between the ministrations, there was praise & worship provided by Gates of
Praise International Choir as well as a short drama by the Drama Department of the
church. The drama presentation was titled “Be on your
guard, put on the armour of God”. The drama
presentation highlighted the need for Christian women
not to lose sight of the importance of prayer and putting
on the armour of God daily and what happens when we
allow the busyness of day-to-day activities prevent us
from coming into the presence of God through out the
day.
Apart from the spiritual edification, the women were
treated to mouth-watering delicacies at the end of the
program.
Feedback from the delegates indicated that they are
already looking for-
ward to next year’s
conference, which is
expected to hold in the
month of May 2011. The date and theme of next
year’s conference will be communicated as soon as
the organisers receive direction on this from the Holy
Spirit.
Based on the success of this year’s conference as well as 2009 conference tagged
‘Eve in the 21st Century – Returning to God’s blueprint for every women’, it is
believed that the 2011 Conference will be equally successful and will attract more
delegates.
What has God deposited in you, for you to occupy your position What has God deposited in you, for you to occupy your position What has God deposited in you, for you to occupy your position What has God deposited in you, for you to occupy your position and purpose? By Pastor Yinka Johnand purpose? By Pastor Yinka Johnand purpose? By Pastor Yinka Johnand purpose? By Pastor Yinka John
Points covered:
• Time to effect change is now - do not settle for
the ordinary
• The purpose of God can never be derailed - take
time to find out what your God given purpose is 1
Corinthians 1:26
“For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not
many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and
standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble
birth.” (Amplified Bible)
• Everything takes preparation, consistency and submission to move to the next
level
• Establish a deeper relationship with God to ensure a strong foundation and receive
strength to overcome challenges.
What makes a woman extraordinary? By Pastor Yinka AyeniWhat makes a woman extraordinary? By Pastor Yinka AyeniWhat makes a woman extraordinary? By Pastor Yinka AyeniWhat makes a woman extraordinary? By Pastor Yinka Ayeni
1. Clear thinking - go back to basics! Give it more thought and for longer - Psalms
46:10
∗ Write down the problem
∗ Write down what you think the solutions may be
“So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom “ Psalms
90:12
2. Plan your time - organise and manage your time efficiently, set goals daily and
maintain a level of consistency until you have developed it into a habit, they say it
takes 21 days to break or form a habit.
∗ Identify the tasks you need to complete and highlight those you can complete
yourself
∗ Delegate or eliminate tasks you cannot do or are not important
∗ Write your list of tasks/activities the night before
3. Discipline yourself to read for 30 to 60 minutes everyday in your career or area of
specialism
“There was a little city with few men in it. And a great king came against it and
besieged it and built great bulwarks against it. But there was found in it a poor wise
man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no man [seriously] remembered
gather water from the rain. The villagers were later fed and the clothes, shoes, bags
& beddings were distributed to them. They were so overjoyed. They rushed and
fought make sure they that they get something for themselves and their families.
When it was time to leave, it was obvious on the villager’s sad faces that they were
returning to their own reality. As the coach pulled off they ran after it with some
people waving and some crying until they could no longer catch up with the coach.
It was a complete eye-opener to see how the villagers were so eager and grateful for
our cast offs. It made me reflect on the goodness of God and made me more
determined to do all that is within me by God’s grace to help those that are in need. I
believe that it would be a good experience for everyone to become involved and to
go on such mission trips especially our young ones who don’t realise that they are
living in luxury no matter how deprived they think they are in comparison to their
peers. Story written by Pastor Funke Laosun;
Please find attached photographs of the orphanage we went to in the heart of
Nairobi in an area called Kibera slumps and they hold up to 150 children aged from 1
to 10 years old.
We support this project by supplying the
food they need on a daily basis. We also
supply them with stationery they need for
their education such as pens, pencils and
books. We work together with a sister
called Rose who is a Kenyan and she has
a full time job but she always finds time
to go down to the slumps and she has
been a blessing to our work there due to
her dedication and on-going support with
managing the place (i.e. the food,
purchase storage, feeding and managing
the people who work and volunteer there
without any pay and that goes for everyone helping at the facility. Everyone is a
volunteer.
Pastor Akin and his wife have been going to Kenya to be with these kids every
year for over 5 years, and so some kids who are still housed at this
orphanage recognise him and they really appreciate him and all that the members of
Gates of Praise are doing to assist them. We look forward to going back there again
As a Church, the foundation of our vision is love. This includes reaching out to
the community both locally and internally with the love of God through meeting
welfare needs and through our outreach programmes.
This is the reason why we went to Kenya. As a church we donate old clothes, shoes,
beddings and things that can be of benefit to the needy. We would usually ship this
ahead and the Pastor would go to Kenya to see to the distribution.
This time, I decided to go along to see first hand what people were facing and
particularly to appreciate God more and to be a blessing to these less privileged and
to render as much help and assistance as possible as I could.
We travelled to Nairobi Kenya. Apart from the goods the church had previously
shipped, we took with us stationery and toys. Firstly, we visited an orphanage in the
slums of Nairobi called Kibera and then we organised a trip to a village outside
Nairobi called Kithimani in the Yatta
District of Kenya.
In Kibera we met with the co-ordinator,
teachers and carers of the children and spent
some time talking to the children and found
that they also have the same aspirations as
our children and other children all over the
world. We gave them some clothes,
stationery and toys.
We organised through our contact in Kenya
a trip to Kithimani to feed the entire village.
The people of Kithimani are mainly farmers and they had suffered a great drought.
We went there on Sunday with our contact’s friends and some family members. We
hired a coach and travelled very early in the morning to Yatta. The people of
Kithimani were already expecting us and they were waving & singing as we
approached them. They crowded our coach and eventually let us out of the coach.
We spent the whole day with them leaving in the late evening. They took us round to
the village school to show us their classrooms and the poor condition and lack of
proper amenities in which they have to teach and study. Stationery was supplied to
them and they thanked the church for caring for them and coming all the way from
the UK to be a blessing to them. Pastor encouraged them all through an interpreter
Dr Kilili. We also played games with them and gave out some sports wears.
Afterwards the heavens poured down rain. It was a big surprise and a joy to all the
villagers as it had not rained in many months. They got big bowls and drums to
that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor
man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heeded.” Ecclesiastes 9:14-
16
∗ The fear of the Lord - spend time getting to know Him and worship Him
“Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting],
but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be
praised!” Proverbs 31:30
∗ Manage your money - SAVE! INVEST! PLAN!
∗ Learn how to speak to others and conduct yourself - your are a vessel onto
the Lord
In addition:
• There is a reward, but it must be earned
• If you want a blessing from anything you must reach down within and
receive the revelation of that word in order to apply it
• What place do you have in history? Either as a solver or a contributor?
Positive or negative?
• Self-discipline - making your self do the things you know you should do at
the time you are meant or instructed to do it = SUCCESS!!!
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Jacob’s Rachel
(Genesis 29 )
Exquisite! That was the only word that applied. As my eyes
alighted on her, my heart skipped a beat. Beautiful would be
an understatement for her eyes seemed to glow and ardour
stirred under my collar, yet this was the first time I had ever
seen her. I rolled the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered my uncle’s sheep,
for she is my uncle’s daughter and brought his sheep to the well. Normally, the stone
would have taken two men to move, but I was inspired. I kissed her, and I must
confess it wasn’t the fondness of a cousin that stirred my heart, but the flaming
embers of desire.
How does one go from the top of the world to the depths of the pit in one night? Last
night I was elated. I was marrying the love of my life… my Rachel. This morning the
world is darkest… I awoke beside Leah, her sister. How I never knew it was not
Rachel, I do not understand. They have tricked me into binding myself to another
woman, but I will yet have my Rachel… I must.
I have a son! Well, I have ten other sons and a daughter actually. This is my eleventh
son, but finally I have a son by my beloved Rachel, and I love him well. His name
will be Joseph, for God has finally added to me. I know it is strange, but before this
day my life has not felt complete. Now I have a son, the son I have always dreamed
of.
She took her father’s idols! She knows I serve the God of Bethel, the one true God
that made a covenant with my grandfather Abraham, my father Isaac and with me.
Yet she took his idols. When her father came after us she hid them and lied and
deceived him, that he did not find the idols. And her telling of the tale to me was with
giggling. In serving her father I acquired wealth, for the Lord blessed me, yet now I
find that my prized treasure is false, and my wealth is as nought…and yet I love her.
Today I was afraid. Not so much for myself but for the mother and her children.
Today I faced my brother whom I defrauded of his inheritance, and I thought surely
he would attack us. So I set the maid servants and their children first, Leah and her
children next and Rachel and Joseph last. I wanted Rachel and Joseph by my side,
for I thought if we were attacked, maybe I would be able to save them. I figured I
would not be able to save them all. Callous isn’t it, but Rachel is my life, and Joseph,
my dream.
Today Israel became a man. The God of my fathers named me Israel a while back,
when he slew me and restored my life, but until today I remained a child. Today
Israel became a man… yesterday I buried my Rachel by the way to Bethlehem. For
the second time in my life I sit in darkness…my Rachel is gone. She died in giving
birth to Benjamin. I did not earnestly desire another son, but Rachel would have a
brother for Joseph. Now she is gone. The darkness will pass though, for it was Jacob
who buried his Rachel and set a pillar upon her grave, but now Israel must journey
forth leaving Jacob and Rachel behind.
They have stolen my dream. Joseph, my little dreamer is dead… torn by a wild beast.
The son of my beloved Rachel is gone, as she is gone. It is not he who will meet me,
but I who will meet him in the grave. I will mourn, but this too shall pass.
Finally the end has come. Joseph is returned to me,
and will place his hands over my eyes when I die. He
will see to it that I am buried in the cave wherein my
fathers lie. As Abraham beside Sarah and my father
Isaac beside my mother Rebekah, so shall I lie
beside my wife. But it will not be my Rachel, but
Leah who lies beside me. This is the Lord’s doing;
who can withstand him. I am Israel, and as a prince
have I power with God…but in this matter, he will
not be turned.
The above could very well be excerpts from Jacob’s diary if he had kept one. Jacob’s
love for Rachel is the stuff that legends are made of. He loved her completely, and
hopelessly. He loved her enough to do double time for her after being tricked into
marrying her sister. He loved her enough that had he the ability to cause her to have
children, he would have… such was his frustration when she said “give me children
or I die”. He loved her so much that his reaction to her stealing her father’s idols is
never mentioned in the bible… such was its lack of conviction. He loved her so much
that he sought to protect her and her son before his other wives and children. He
loved her so much that he set her son before the
sons of the others. Jacob loved Rachel. However,
for all he loved Rachel, God orchestrated his life
such that he had to leave Rachel in his past. It is
obvious that he loved her, but I often wonder if
God approved. Yes, He allowed it, but did He
approve.
Genesis 35:20, 21 paints a peculiar picture. The
picture is that of one man stooping to bury his
wife and set her headstone, and of a different
man rising up to face life and the future. One
picture is of the last vestiges of the old man that
was crushed at Peniel, and the other of the new man that was born a prince of God –
Israel. While Jacob buried his Rachel, Israel journeyed forth. It reminds me of the
prophet Isaiah in the year that king Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1). Jacob loved her, but she
was the one thing he had to be divorced of, before he could come into the fullness of
the purpose God had for him.
A few other things, I have always wondered. Why did Samson commit his secret to
Delilah… might it be because he loved her? She might not have loved him but he
loved her, and to the woman he truly loves will a man yield his life. Why did Adam
eat the forbidden fruit? The Bible says that he was not deceived, but knew what he
was doing. Could it be that it was because the one who gave it to him was the one he
loved, the bone of his bone? The Songs of Solomon is replete with expressions of
love, and it alludes to the fact that a man might give all the substance of his house for
love. It is altogether very possible for a man to love a woman more than he loves
God… the result as we see with Adam and Samson is never good.
Grace preserved Jacob, and it was grace that made certain that he walked the path of
purpose. This woman he loved most, stole her fathers’ idols, turned to him for chil-
dren rather than God, and cursed her son with her dying breath. Room was not found
for her in the lineage of the messiah, or in the tomb of his fathers. She was buried by
the way, part of the journey, but not found at the destination. In the tomb of the patri-
archs, no mention is made of Hagar, or Keturah, or Bilhah, or Zilpah, or even of Ra-
chel. Abraham had his Sarah, Isaac his Rebekah, and Israel his Leah. Every other
wife that Abraham took after Sarah the bible describes as a concubine, and in God’s
perspective, the same applied to every wife of Jacob after Leah. Rachel was the wife
of his heart, but Leah was his wife of covenant. In the end, it was the wife of his
covenant that lay beside him, in the tomb of his fathers. Love is a wondrous thing but
the pursuit of God must always transcend it. The purpose of God must always be
what guides our love. Again he would ask us the same thing he asked Peter – “Lovest
thou me, more than these?” Written by Olumide Akinsola