Friday 28 February 2014

Pressure Part II

Want pressure.
Financial want:
[Read the first part Here ]
In the book of Job, we see how the devil used want pressure on Job with the intention to destroy Job's relationship with God. He destroyed his children, wealth, health, etc.
The devil was envious of Job's relationship God, security, and wealth. Job 1:10. But he failed cos Job's relationship with God was not based on his wealth, health, or riches. That was why Job did not break his fellowship with God. His response to the terrible situation he found himself, is very intriguing. "...the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21 KJV.
Job trusted God even while facing sore trial. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." Job 13:15 KJV.
The devil wanted to wreck Job's faith by pressuring him with wants. Satan took away everything that was dear to Job, yet he came out victorious. He didn't change from one church to another, neither did he change his religion.
But today we see some Christians who change from one church to another because of some financial wants. Some even deny Christ because of a little hardship that confronted them.
Because of want pressure, some Christians so called, now serve God and mammon. They're one leg in the church and another leg in occult. Some Christian sister who use to serve God fervently have turned into professional prostitutes. Some gospel singers have changed to secular music cos of the pressure for fame and affluence. While some tongue speaking, Holy Ghost filled Christians don're even mind selling their bodies, going nude to make money. Some once faithful brothers dump their Christian faith for robbery and 419. While some pastors don't even wait to be filled with the power of God, they go to magicians, and witch doctors to collect power. They have "...a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof..." 2 Timothy 3:5 KJV.
Our Lord Jesus Christ categorized them among the rootless, and fruitless categories of Christians, when he told the parable of the kingdom in Mark 4:5-7,15-19.
Verse 19 KJV says "And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."
Stop!!!
Halt for a moment and ponder on these words. If your spiritual life was to be measured in what I call "spiritualitometer" ( God's word )
What category would you belong?
Are you free from want pressure?
If God were to shake your finances ( I'm not praying that He should though) how would your life be?
What would be your response? Are you sure you'll be strong enough like Job to maintain your integrity?
# DailyInstructions...To be continued
Follow me on Twitter @Ubongeazeal I'll follow back

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Pressure


The free dictionary defines pressure as:
1.
a. The act of pressing.
b. The condition of being pressed.
2. The application of continuous force by one body on another that it is touching; compression.
We will be looking at pressure, as it relates to the Christian life. Its effects on the Christian's spirituality, and how to over come it.

Pressure is one of the most effective weapon at the devil's disposal, with which he uses to inflate or weakens Christians spiritual life.

Refs.: Judges 16:16, Proverbs 7:23, 1 Kings 13:15-22.
Satan uses different kinds of pressure on different people, base on their point of weakness.
These are some of the common pressures:

  • Want Pressure
  • Peer pressure
  • Personality pressure
  • Habitual pressure, etc.

Want Pressure.
Want pressure has to do with our individual needs, and wants.
Sometimes the things we want may not necessarily be what we need, but because we're being pressured, pressed, or constrained to want things we don't really need.
These want pressure sometimes may come in various ways and means. They may come as:

  • Financial want: wanting to get rich quick. 
  • The want to be financially superior to someone else.
  • The want to make ends meet. Although ends would never meet.
  • The financial want to amass wealth.
  • The want to satisfy loved ones financial needs. Etc.

Financial want.
This (Financial want) is one of the toughest pressure that seems irresistible by many Christians today. Even Judas Iscariot, one of the first twelve disciple of Jesus was not able to resist this pressure Matthew 26:14-16,47-50. He sold his own master for just thirty pieces of silver. He ended in shame and regrets Matthew 27:5.
...To be continued...
Are you like Judas, who'll trade his salvation, and Savior for a piece of cake? #GodForbid
May you receive grace and strength to resist every pressure from the tempter.

Story: Father, I Wanted A Car, Not A Bible

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealers showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study, told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and how much he loved him. He handed him a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with his name embossed in gold.

Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said,"With all your money you give me a Bible?" He stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible behind.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old. He thought perhaps he should go to him.He had not seen him since that graduation day.

But before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to him. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important documents and saw the Bible, new,just as he had left it years ago.
With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had
carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible.It had a tag with the dealers name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired.

On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...

PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Source: Donald Cookegam's status on Facebook.

Sunday 23 February 2014

Your Faith And Your Destiny

Refs: Genesis 12, Romans 4:17-22, Hebrews 11:8-10 (KJV)

Abraham, though he'd not seen nor have a clue where the land God called him to go and possess was, yet he believed. Considering the fact that he was from Idolatrous background ( Genesis 31:30 ) and wasn't so acquainted with God at that time, yet he departed without knowing where he was going. His decision was such decision that many folks today would regard as "dumb". He obeyed by faith.

Faith and destiny are two inseparable words. From the above Bible references, we see how faith was the key player, or rather the main driver to the fulfillment of Abraham's destiny. His exemplary life of obedience to God is worthy of emulation. Here are some lessons to learn:

-He believed God, even when there was no tangible evidence to assure him that there'll be a happy, and better ending for him. All he had was seemingly empty promises. "...I will shew thee..." Genesis 12:1. "...I will make of thee..." verse 2. "...I will bless..." verse 3

-Without hesitation, "...Abram departed as the Lord has spoken unto him..." Genesis 12:4. He didn't consult with his kinsmen to know whether he should go or not. His faith made him to obey.

-He saw the invisible through the eyes of faith, by believing the "...God who...calleth those things which be not, as though they were." Romans 4:17. Don't hang your destiny on the people you see, nor on the things that are seen today, cos they may fail you.

-He was full of hope even when there was nothing to hope for Romans 4:18.

-Was not "...weak in faith..." Romans 4:19. Even when such faith was scientifically proven to be 'foolish' cos he didn't care whether Sarah had passed the age of menopause.

It sometimes sounds so easy reading this verse, but if we were to be in Abraham's shoes, I'm sure we'd know how hard it pitches.

-He was strong in faith. Romans 4:20 He didn't stagger at God's promise. Also in the midst of his trails and challenges, he glorified God. Meaning he sang in the midst of the storm.
To fulfill your destiny, you need a faith that is stronger than your mountains ( challenges )

-He was fully, completely persuaded that Gosh was able to perform what He has promised. Romans 4:21.
Once God has spoken, we need not to doubt His word, knowing that God is able to do all things.

-Finally his obedience was the overall thing God cherished the most. He obeyed, even when he didn't know where he was going, Hebrews 11:8. He didn't even considered whether he and his family would starve to death in the strange land, or probably get killed by people, famine, diseases, animals, etc. Faith saw him through. Today, Abraham is the father of many nations because of faith and obedience to God.

To fulfill your destiny in God, you cannot do without these two words, rather virtues, 'Faith' and 'Obedience' May God helps us, and grant us the grace to exercise faith in God on our journey of destiny, and may He grant us the grace to lead the life of obedience.

Don't Sell Your Destiny

Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

February 14 is celebrated all over the world as Valentine's day, also
known "lovers day" day, but the true meaning of Valentine's day was
the day of honor, where a courageous preacher died for his faith in
Christ Jesus. You can read the full details here.

From our Bible verse today, we are told that Esau was a fornicator,
and a profane person who sold his birthright, just for a morsel of meat.
He thought it was just an ordinary, insignificant birthright, but not knowing
it was actually his destiny he was selling out, and in today's Val's day,
many people will sell out their God's ordained destiny for some minutes,
perhaps some hours of pleasure.

Destiny is God's precious and divine gift to us. And we all have a choice,
either to toy or gamble with it, or to guard it as a precious gift, and walk
towards its fulfilment.

The choice is yours. #Remember in verse 17, Esau sought for a second
chance, but it was too late. Don't allow the devil to trick you into his dirty
deal, you may have no chance of recovery.

Higher~Ubong EA Zeal


Download and play my debut single 'Higher' free Here (HulkShare)
Get the Lyrics Here
You can also listen to my music on Last.fm Here
NaijaPals etc.
May God lift your spiritual, financial, marital life etc, higher as you listen to this song.

Abortion Of Destiny


During the third century, an oppressive Roman Emperor called Emperor Claudius II had made it a crime punishable by death to worship and serve Christ. He had decreed the Romans to serve and worship his gods, and deprived the young Roman soldiers of getting married. But an elderly christian had stood his ground for his faith and had insisted on serving Jesus Christ and preaching the love of God to the young soldiers. This was considered a treason against the government.

He was arrested, sentenced to death and jailed. In the last weeks of his life in the prison, the jailer (prison commander) observed that he was very learned and possessed very good christian character, brought his blind daughter to him to be giving her lessons. He taught her about God and told her many Roman histories and stories from the Bible. He taught her the love of God. The blind girl got so used to the elderly christian prisoner. On his last night he left a note for Julia, the blind girl, encouraging her to love God and serve Him. And ending the note, he wrote: "From your Valentine". His death sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D. The name of this martyr was Valentinus, a man who died for standing for the Preaching of the Christ and teaching people about the love of God. So, for his love for God, he was regarded as 'Saint'.

Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb; an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. During 496 AD, the Pope marked February 14 as celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

Today, February 14, is known as Valentine Day. But the essence of Valentine Day, historically was a celebration in honor of the martyrdom of a devoted preacher, Valentinus, who stood on his faith in Christ against the devilish idolatry decrees of a Godless Emperor. He preached Christ to the Roman soldiers and spread the love for God and humanity when it was a crime to do so. The day he was martyred was declared "Valentine Day". February 14, 270 AD.

However, the devil has rewritten history today. All over the world, the history has successfully been erased and rewritten the way the devil wanted. The reason for the DAY has been blotted out from people's memory and a minor aspect of the whole story had been blown beyond proportion. The little card note Valentinus had left behind for Julia, her young beloved convert, whom she taught, preached to and prayed for, had ended with: "From Your Valentine".

Today, February 14, in the year 270.AD, somebody died for Christ and is now in Heaven, but today, February 14, 2014, several people will die spiritual death. The Destinies of several young men and girls will be aborted today, because the devil had changed the reason for the Valentine Day. He had rubbed off living and dying for Christ and replaced it with living and dying on the bed of immorality.

Today, many young girls and ladies will give their virginity away for a gift of phones, ipads, bags, clothes, and even valueless gifts as little as chocolate, sweet, fried chickens and plates of pepper-soup and salad. This evening, demons of fornication and adultery will invade our streets and storm our night clubs and and hotels to take register of those who are dying soon of STDs this evening, including new candidates who are going to harbor HIV and AIDS.

This evening, forces of evil are coming down on adulterated Valentine Day to possess people with the spirit of Rape and drug abuse. Imagine the amount of pregnancy preventive drugs and materials that shall be sold today. Harlots will sell today. There will be christian backsliders today.....ALL BECAUSE SOME GLORIOUS DESTINIES WILL BE ABORTED TODAY!

Genesis 35:21-22a
21Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
22And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land,
that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine;
and Israel heard about it.

A strange spirit came upon Reuben, the first born of Jacob, and he went and sleep with his father's young wife. Israel heard about it and said nothing. Nothing was heard about it again for many years, and we never heard that Reuben asked for forgiveness or repented or became sober about it and the matter died just like that. Really?

So many event came over it, nobody mentioned it again. He went with the rest Jacob's children to Egypt, he saw the glories of Egypt. He was welcomed into the palace of Joseph and ate with him in the royal palace. He grew and had many children and every thing was going fine for him till the day their father would say the last prayers for them and give them his final decree. At the point of death, whatever he said was final for life.

He gathered them together for the final blessing and began to bless them all. But he began with Reuben, the first son, who was to be the heir who should carry the highest blessings among the children. The record was opened to his long forgotten atrocity. He thought it had been swept under the carpet. He thought he was smart and he had had a simple fun. But his father opened his mouth for his final blessing and said:

Genesis 49:3-4 (NKJV)
3“Reuben, you are my firstborn,
My might and the beginning of my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.
4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel,
Because you went up to your father’s bed;
Then you defiled it—He went up to my couch.

Though he was the beginning of Jacob's strength, he was suppose to be an epitome of excellency of dignity and power. He was to be naturally blessed and was born to be a man of natural dignity and power, but....HIS DESTINY WAS ABORTED the day he had "fun" with his father's young wife. So, his own verdict was: "You shall not Excel" from a man who was anointed to proclaim a final verdict on the Sons of Israel. Reuben was destined to be a royal dignified personality above his siblings, but for that single night of 'fun' with that woman.

Many people will have a lot of lustful funs today and wake up tomorrow morning as normal, but the truth is: long after a very hot pressing iron had been disconnected from the power source, it would still be hot for a while, until it begins to grow cold. Some power cable would be disconnected from the power source of some people this evening. Some young men and women will place their entire life virtues and destinies in the hand of marine agents tonight.

Today and specifically, this evening is a 'Night of Fun', when many men and ladies will slaughter their destinies on the bed of lustful pleasure. By tomorrow morning it is done! Destiny Auctioned to a young man or a lady whose future has been mortgaged to the devil.

If Joseph had had a fun with Portiphar's wife, he would never have got to the palace to see the type of Glory he saw. He escaped that trap that would have aborted his destiny on which so many lives in Egypt and Canaan land, including the lives of his generation unborn depended upon.

There is a great story in Proverbs 7:6-27. It is a sad story of a young man on his own "Valentine Night". He had thought he wanted to have a fun that night, he had thought he wanted to enjoy himself, but crashed his future in a night of fun.

Proverbs 7:21-23
21 With her enticing speech she caused him to yield,
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life.

I beg every child of God reading this post to send it to their loved ones especially all those whom they know have not known the true meaning of Valentine Day. so that their destinies could be preserved for their glorious future. What good can you do today, brethren? Post this post to some young boys and girls who would escape the devil's traps today and pray that the power of God will prevail against the desires of the devil today.

May The Lord bless you as you preach, today, the true meaning of the DAY the devil has bastardized.
Culled from: Mount Zion Faith Ministries Int'l'

The Path Of Destiny

Hebrews 11:8.
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and
he went out, not knowing whither he went."

The pathway to fulfilling your God's ordained destiny may not
be immediately visible to you.
It takes the eyes of faith to see beyond the mountains ( worries,
anxieties, doubts, fear of the unknown, unbelieve, and impossibility)
that obscure the way. And when I say faith, its not just bread and
butter faith, but a crude and rugged kind of faith, just like Abraham's.


You don't need all the details before you step out to follow God's way.
All you need is victuals (grace) for your journey to walk into your God's
redemptive destiny. #DestinySeries

Lyrics: Gospel/Hip Hop 'Higher' by Ubong EA Zeal



Intro
Higher (4x)

Verse 1
I remember Joseph
Joseph from Israel
who was taken to Egypt
where he stayed
I remember Daniel
Daniel from Zion
who was taken to Babylon, where he stayed
In a foreign land
You took ‘em higher
they were high-flyers

Chorus
Take me higher
come and lift me higher
pour your Spirit on me
make me who you want me to be
come and take me higher
come and lift me higher
pour your Spirit on me
make me who you want me to be
Higher(4x)

Verse 2
Lord you are the only God
you are a mighty God
God of Israel
Here I come to you now
God of the Earth
Take my hands and lift me up
plant me on the solid rock

Chorus
Take me higher
come and lift me higher
pour your Spirit on me
make me who you want me to be
come and take me higher
come and lift me higher
come and take me higher
come and take me higher

Higher (8x)

Bridge
Higher

Verse 3
Come equip me with
your excellence
Baptize me with the Holy Ghost

Hook
come and take me high
lift me high
come and take me high
O Lord

Come and take me high
E yeah eh eh
You are my God
U wo o o

Higher (8x)

Outro
Chorus
Take me higher
come and lift me higher
pour your Spirit on me
make me who you want me to be
come and take me higher
come and lift me higher
come and take me higher
come and take me higher

Higher(4x)

Song Written and Composed by Ubong E.A. Zeal [On August 20th 2013]