INTRODUCTION: has been edited by Staff
TODAY'S MESSAGE
TOPIC: OVERCOMING PRESSURES
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God
In todays world of much activities, with bustling and hustling, there is so much pressures and tendencies to bow. For many people, the mind is full of activities such that it become very difficult to remain faithful to God. Many struggle with their family.Others with job, education, fame, poverty, and societal difficulties. To many of us, we have come to a place of real comprise and our faith is now wavering in God. Many people are actually asking questions like, can there really be a faithful Christian in this present world?
All of the pressures that are today confronting us as believers and threatening our faith have been foretold by scriptures.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud 2Timothy 3:1-2
But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved Matthew 24:13
God knew that Christians were going to go through this present time in the world and He has also made His grace available unto us. We as the church will have no excuses for throwing away spiritual values to follow the ungodly systems of the world. Though we are in the world but we are not of the world We are special people in transit-Heaven is our stardom. The church is the light in the world today. Lets not bow down our knees to the devil. The devil may be mounting so much pressures, to see believers bow down to him but it is time to say No to the enemy.
There was never a time that Christians had it easy with the devil .The enemy had always used one measure or the order to put pressures on believers, to see if he could wear them out and make them renounce their faith in God. Praise God! The devil has always been a looser. He will have no time to celebrate victory over the church.
In Daniel chapter three, the Bible tells us of how King Nebuchadnezzer became so great and gained world prominence. He went to nations and conquered.His influence was all over the world. He destroyed Jerusalem and carried the Jews captive. Amongst the captives, were three boys whom he gave Babylonian names as Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. This was a real time of trouble and great pressures for the Jews. Nebuchadnezer made a graven image and on the day of its dedication, he commanded all people from deferent nation, kindred and race to be gathered and bow down to the image whenever the musicians play. What a moment of trial for the Jews. They have a covenant with Jehovah and must not bow to any graven image.What must they do? Their lives were in danger. Should they stand for what they believe or bow to Satan, and move on with their lives. I think these were the questions that were agitating their minds. The three Jewish boys needed just a decision to either make or marl their destinies in God. Finally, they decided never to bow their knees to Satan even if it was going to cost them their lives. Hear what they said to king nebuchadnezzer:
O Nebuchadnezzer,we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king .But if not, be it known unto thee ,O king, that we will not bow down to the image which thou hast set up. What an answer!
These boys had their confidence in God. They knew their God. They understood divine covenant and commitment. They were ready to stake their lives.
When Nebuchadnezzer saw that the boys were not prepared to bow to the image and worship his gods, he commanded that the furnace of fire which has been prepared for defaulters be heated seven more times than it was. But the boys refused to be scared.
Eventually,these three boys were bound and thrown into the fire.Friend,hear what the scripture says:"When thou passest through the waters,I will be with thee;and through the rivers,they shall not overflow thee:When thou walkest through the fire,thou shalt not be burned;neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Isaiah 43:2.
I personally believe that God in His wisdom,allowed shadrach,Meshach and Abednego to go through the fire, to reveal His glory and power to the world through them.
Right in the fire God was with them.The Lord came down to have a beautiful fellowship with them to the amazement of every eye, looking to see them consumed by the fire.
Hear what the King said afterwards:Then Nebuchadnezzer the King was astonished,and rose up in haste,and spake,and said unto his counsellors,Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?They answered and said unto the King,True,O King.He answered and said,Lo,I see four men loose,walking in the midst of the fire,and they have not hurt;and the form of the fourth is like the son of God.Daniel 3:24-25
Praise God!Jesus was the fourth man in the furnace of fire.He will never let down his people that put their trust in him.Every trial of faith leads to promotion.There can never be a miracle without a mountain.The three boys were promoted at last.
Therefore,I make a decree,that every people,nation,and Language,which speak any thing amiss against Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego,shall be cut in pieces,and their houses shall be made a dunghill:because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.Then the King promoted Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego in the province of BabylonDaniel 3:29-30.
Friend,the moment of challenges that you are probably going through now has a potential to announce you and bring you into your destiny in Christ.There is a great light at the end of the tonnel,don't bow to pressures.God is able to see you through and give you a breakthrough-hold on your trust in Him!
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