ONYX TV

Thank You 2013! Introducing EvangelistUche.com

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Around this time last year, December 2012, I declared via revelation, that 2013 would be a year of ministry. It lived up to this billing and more. It's been a year of trials, of pain, and of VICTORY. I am thankful to God for helping me deliver over 52 weekly episodes of Onyx TV and over 200 posts. Social engagement grew astronomically and page views skyrocketed beyond my wildest imaginations. God is good.

For 2014, I will seize to post on www.onyxministry.org and begin to blog under a personal brand evangelistuche.com; as revealed to me by God. I am thanking God for 2014, and believing in Him for greater things. Please feel free to visit evangelistuche.com; now if you have not already and get yourself acquainted with the site. It will be our future distribution and marketing channel.

Thank you for going on this ride with me. You are the ones God uses to keep this ministry going. Your words of encouragement, your operating with the useful advice given here, and the Aahaa moments you give when a revelation is dispensed; all are invaluable to me. Thank you for your commitment to God and your following me on this journey. Cheers to all the things God will do in 2014 if He tarries.

Watch The Video

What You Are Afraid Of Is Afraid Of You. Part 4

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:00:00 +0000

I imagine you have been following this series closely. If you have missed anyone of the previous posts, feel free to start from Part 1, and then to Part 2, and Part 3. These are relatively short reads and will help you bridge your understanding gap of the principle I'm teaching on, "What you are afraid of, is afraid of you.

Now that you know how to seek out and exploit your giants weakness, I will like you to apply this in 2014. 2014 I believe, is an exceptional opportunity for you to slay your giants. Is weight loss the giant you've been trying to slay? Well, now you know that the excessive weight is actually scared of you. Is starting a blog the giant? Internet usage is growing and so there is a ready market for what you have to say. Would you like to run a half marathon? You can, there is nothing stopping you. 2014 is afraid of you. It's afraid of what you can become, well then grab the bull by the horn and get started towards being all that God has called you to be.

If the Lord tarries, you will have 365 days in 2014 to turn your world around for the better. A lot can change in just 1 day, so I am sure you are sensing the opportunity 365 days has to offer. There will be challenges no doubt but there also will be opportunities. The fact is 2014, doesn't start in a few days. It starts NOW. Through mental preparation, through preparing a budget, through completing that which you need to complete this year. What better way is it to get into 2014 than knowing that the things that have intimidated you are actually intimidated by you. So It is that I will ask you to follow these 5 practical steps to slaying your giant in 2014:
1.) Purchase a personal diary if you don't already have one and write down a list of things you will like to overcome. Or at least things that you will like to start on. These are things that in times past have intimidated or eluded you.
2.) Now write down dates in 2014 when you will like to start and when you intend to complete these goals. This will put a healthy pressure on you to start. Once you start and begin to see results, the momentum will take care of its self.
3.) Purchase a paper calendar that you can post on the wall in the room, at home, where you spend the most time. This paper calendar should allow you see the whole year in one glance without having to tear the previous month out. Write down the target date for completing your goals on this calendar. Before you leave for work each day, look at this calendar and before you sleep each day look at it again. This will help you stay in track.
4.) Read your Bible first when you wake up and the last before you go to bed. Your iPhone and Android Bible Apps work too. This will keep your spirit and mind healthy. It will help you deflect stress by putting life into the right perspective - even as you tackle your goals.
5.) Boldly cross off each goal as you complete them and throw an appropriate party for your self. It could be inviting your friends over to share in your testimony or it could be ordering pizza and a drink for yourself alone. You make the call.

I look forward to corresponding with you at the end of the year and hearing how you have slain your giants in 2014. By yourself you can do nothing but with God, nothing is impossible, you can do everything. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2014 to you and yours.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. - Phillipians 4:13

Watch The Video

What You Are Afraid Of Is Afraid Of You. Part 3

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 04:53:00 +0000

In part 2 of this series (see it here if you missed it), I shared how David instead of seeing only the strengths of Goliath, chose to see the weaknesses as well. This was what differentiated him from the rest of the Israeli army which trembled at the voice of Goliath. In Part 1, I broached the concept of: What you are afraid of is afraid of you. In this post, Part 3, I will share exactly how David exploited Goliath's weaknesses to win and how you too can win in 2014.

After David had refused Saul's armor, or the conventional way of doing war fare, he resorted to his tried and tested method - Archer war fare. In times past, God had delivered David and his sheep from a Lion and a Bear using the simplicity of a sling. David had seen God show up in the past, He had grown confident and comfortable with his use of the sling, and that, as primitive and naive as it may sound was what he was going to use to defeat this giant, this Goliath. Here are the steps David took:

(1.) David ran quickly towards the giant, exploiting his weakness of being slow and stagnant. Application: Don't run away from your problems, stand and deal with them. Better still run towards them. There is no promotion without tackling problems (giants). There was no American world power without World war 1 and 2. It's either the problem kills you or you kill it - do not run away from problems, run towards it. Its only an opportunity dressed as an obstacle.

(2) David attacked from afar, exploiting Goliath's weakness of knowing how to fight only in close range man to man combat. Application: Start early in dealing with problems and deal with them the way you know how to. In other words, run your own race. Don't deal with your giants in a certain way only because the Jonesses deal with their problems that way. Deal with them on your own terms and according to your ability. Deal with them the way God has shown you in times past how to win.
(3.) David aimed at his forehead, exploiting his weakness of not being react quickly and duck. Application: Attack problems with stealth and swiftness, deal a decisive blow to them. In other words, attempt to solve these problems once and for all. Don't baby sit the problems, don't apply band aid to them. Go for the root cause and deal with it so it does not re-occur. Go for the kill the first time.
(4.) David then used Goliath's own sword to cut his head off, again exploiting the giants inability to get up quickly. Application: Be merciless and ruthless in tackling your problems. After your problems are solved, ensure you throw a public party, give a testimony, whatever. Just let the whole world know that you have slain this giant. That way, it is permanent, you get your spoils of war, and you get the confidence that you can deal with future problems. Do you now see that your adversaries perceived strength over you is actually its weakness? When I say adversary, I'm not particularly talking about a man or woman. Remember:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. - Ephesians 6:12

I am talking about a situation you've not been able to overcome. It could be someone you need to confront though you haven't gathered enough courage to do so in times past. It could be asking your boss for a raise. It could be losing weight. It could be starting a blog or writing a book. Perhaps it could be asking the little pretty girl across the street out on a date. Whatever it is that intimidates you, I want you to know today that It's perceived strength is actually it's weakness. And if you, like David, choose to spot this weakness, summon courage enough to exploit it, yours will be the kingdom. You can do this, the world awaits you. In Part 4 of this series, I will show ways we can apply what we've just learned in 2014. Don't miss it.

Watch The Video

What You Are Afraid Of Is Afraid Of You. Part 2

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 04:32:00 +0000

In a previous post, I broached the concept of: What you are afraid of is mightily afraid of you, (Read it here if you missed it). In this post, I go deeper into this concept and then I round it off in a part 3.

Don't we all like the story of the underdog? Or better still, isn't it always better to root for the Underdog? Remember how Jeremy Lin, an un-drafted Basketball player of Taiwanese descent, took the NBA world by storm, putting up exceptional performances for the New York Knicks? It made worldwide headlines. We love stories like these, don't we, or at least I do. We love it because we can relate to it, and it somehow allows us the euphoria of conquering our own giants. Through the underdog winning, we channel their success into our own lives. But have you stopped to think about what it is that makes you an underdog to being with? Perhaps it is that your opponent has perceived strengths that you cannot overcome. Well, I'm here to tell you today, that your opponents perceived strength can be his most exposed vulnerability. His advantage, many times is his weakness. Permit me to elaborate using the biggest underdog story of all time, the biblical David vs Goliath.

Goliath's strength laid in the fact that he was a giant, that he was tall, huge, and well built. His strength was that he had war time experience and he was fortified with armor and shields. But as it turns out, these strengths actually were his weaknesses. They were his weaknesses in that his armor and shields made him less flexible and less agile. His experience limited him to a single style of man to man combat, of infantry dueling. He didn't know much about the emerging agile combating style of a seasoned archer. Goliath was a giant, which meant his center of gravity was a disadvantage to him and that getting up after a fall was going to be very difficult.

The Israeli army saw only Goliath's strengths. They heard him boasts from sun rise to sun set and trembled at his voice. But they failed to see his weaknesses. Enter the underdog, David, who instead of seeing the intimidating strengths of Goliath, chose to see the weaknesses aforementioned. david then took action to exploit these weaknesses. He shunned the conventional way of battling when he refused Saul's amour. He hinted to his emerging combat approach when he said:

Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied .- 1 Samuel 17:45

I can't wait to share with you in part 3 of this series, how David specifically exploited each of Goliath's weaknesses to win, and how you too, can exploit your Giant's weakness and score a BIG win.

Watch The Video

Study To Show Thyself Approved

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 04:39:00 +0000

On my last day at one of my old jobs, I approached one of the veteran engineers on the team whom I will call Peter. Allow me give some background, Peter has little "people skills", and a poor command of grammar, but Peter is really adept at what he does. He is amongst the top in his profession nationwide, and the go to guy in difficult situations. When nobody can solve a problem, they go to Peter - who miraculously, always ends up solving the problem. When I first met Peter, he was on his way to his honey moon. For his trip, he packed a bevy of technical manuals of which I and some other teammates chided him for. I will never forget his reply. He said simply, "Knowledge is Power". That shut us up for good.

Back to my approach of Peter. I thanked Peter for all that I had learned from him. Peter, without warning or prompt, proceeded to tell me something that I didn't know about him before hand. He said that he didn't graduate from high school but by applying himself to studying, he had climbed to great heights professionally. He had become one of the elites in his field. Across the nation, people call him for assistance on their issues. Peter was right, even those on our team with Master's degrees could not match Peter's skill. I left that meeting full of reflection and insight. What can and what will happen to anyone who would apply themselves to studying is yet to be determined. The growth you will experience if you apply yourself to studying cannot easily be measured. The Apostle Paul, in exhorting young Timothy, had this, amongst others to say to him:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

The moment you stop studying, you start declining. In life, you will face situations in which you do not have the personal experience to help you overcome. But if you have "borrowed" experience from someone else, dead or alive, through a book you have read - you will be in prime shape to effectively deal with it. Apply yourself. Study, read voraciously in and out of your circle of competence. Devour books with unashamed gluttony. It is the best advice I can give you other than surrendering your life to Jesus Christ - Read. Don't stop - read, study. Your future depends on it, your family depends on it. God through His word is telling you today, study to show thyself approved.

Watch The Video

Growing Strength Through Suffering

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 04:55:00 +0000

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Proverbs 24:10

So far, I've failed each time I hit adversity. This proves my strength is small. And so like you, I want to grow my strength. The question then is how do you grow strength? The unfortunate answer is that growing in strength comes through suffering. Let me explain by telling you a personal story. I was once consumed with success, obsessed with climbing up the corporate ladder as soon as possible. Possessed with ambition, I wanted to make a lot of money in the quickest way possible. And I started doing just that. I worked so hard, I didn't have time to spend the money that came in. As a result, the money began to pile up and I could barely keep up with it. But then I noticed also that temptations that were once beyond my reach began to open up. It felt like I could go unhindered, anywhere. That I could buy unrestricted, anything. And indulge I did.

But then tragedy hit. In a minute, I lost everything. The knot I felt in my stomach the moment I learned all was lost is indescribable. I agonized over the adversity I suffered through the week, but allowed myself go through the pain. I did not take any short cuts like: drinking my sorrows away, or putting it into a box in my mind and refusing to open that. It was difficult yet it was the greatest inner growth I had yet encountered. I came out of that situation knowing once again, that God will always come through. Trusting that He will never leave nor forsake me. My faith in His ability and in His presence grew over 500%. My perspective of life grew from a mere arena for money making to an appreciation of life itself. I grew from a lust for having everything I wanted to an appreciation of wanting the things I do have. I grew from competing and fighting with anyone I perceived to be an enemy of my progress, to living peaceably with all men as much as is in my power.

You see, I still don't like to suffer, but I am more tolerant of pain now because I know it is an opportunity, a catalyst if you will, to grow strength. But you have to allow yourself go through the pain. Are you currently going through a divorce? Have you lost a loved one? Have you lost your job? Have you been betrayed? Don't deny yourself the painful emotions you feel. Don't drink your pain away. Don't numb your pain with denial. Allow yourself go through the full measure of pain. You will come through it. This too shall pass. Jesus Christ will be with you all the way growing your strength. You will not be the same shallow person you were when adversity started. Instead, you will grow deep roots.Your strength will no longer be small, it will be enlarged greatly.

Watch The Video

Face The Music

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 04:52:00 +0000

Problem - any thing, matter, person, etc, that is difficult to deal with, solve, or overcome - World English Dictionary

In a previous post, Become a Scripturenaire, I wrote about being involved in an accident, a problem if you will, and staying to "face the music". "Face the Music" is a term I use to describe confronting and tackling problems. The aftermath of the accident was nothing short of a blessing. It went well afterwards, but could have gone awry had I run away from the problem - which I had a chance to. I heared my dad's voice in my head, "Uche don't run away from problems, It's either it kills you or you kill it - don't run away." This wise saying saved the day and has helped me many more times than I can mention.

In Matthew, the disciples of Jesus had a problem. Their smooth voyage had suddenly turned rocky. The waves crashed relentlessly on their boat, depositing squats of water into it. The men feared for their lives and refused to "face the music". They instead ran away to Jesus who was soundly sleeping. Jesus woke up and rebuked the disciples for not "facing the music". For running away from the problem instead of tackling it. He said:

...why are ye fearful o ye of little faith? - Matthew 8:26

He then rebuked the winds for disturbing his sleep. Jesus Christ "faced the music", head on. He did not retreat nor back down, He did not run away, He faced the problem and overcame it. Psychiatrist, Dr Scott Peck says:

Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit.

I couldn't agree more. Problems are an opportunity for you to grow, if you will "face the music". Don't actively seek to cause problems but don't run away from them either, when they arise. I agree that "facing the music" can be very painful, and sometimes even traumatic, but the consequence of not facing the problem is even worse. By facing the music right away, you allow yourself the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures that will come after you overcome. Don't run away from problems, face them head on - "face the music".

Watch The Video

To You

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 04:41:00 +0000

To You - The Story

I matured quickly. I had to. You see, at age 15, I was gainfully employed. At 18 years old, I was in a foreign country all by myself. No aunt's cousins, parents - anything like that. I had to pay my rent, buy my clothes and yes, pay my school fees. I've been paying bills for as long as I can remember. Yet, it is selfish to constantly use the word "I". The reason is because I did not do it of myself. God working through wrougth all and accomplished all that concerned me.I am not self made, I am God made. As any mature person in a season of responsibility knows, there are times when things get rough and you begin to miss routine payments. There are tragedies that happen that seem to knock the very foundation off your feet. In these moments, you just want to lay in bed, put the covers over head, go to sleep and wish this was all a dream. A dream that will vaporize as soon as you wake up with the rising sun. Yet, you wake up and yes ... it is really happening and it does not look good. It was in one such seasons that I learnt to apply this scrpiture found in

Cast thy burdens upon the Lord and He shall direct you. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved - Psalm 55:15

I simply placed the issue on God's feet and allowed Him deal with it. I have covenanted to give Him the glory for everything good that happens in my life. The responsibility that comes with that covenant is that He, not the devil, gets the blame for anything that goes wrong. I just give it to Him. And so now that things are so much easier, I reminisced and wrote this song. May it encourage you in your life work. When life feels overwhelming, may you find the trust in you to cast your burdens to the Lord for He cares for you. Below is the lyrics for the song.

To You- The Song

Written by Evangelist Uche. Performed by Emily Davis and Ebuka Unogu. Produced by Ebuka Unogu

Psalm 55 verse 5 says: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, And He shall sustain you. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved". And so today Lord, I choose to give To YOU. Everything that has every bothered me. All of my fears, my tears and all my cares. All of my doubt, All of my plans, my dilemma, my uncertainty, my anxiety, my hopes and my dreams. My aspirations, my ambition, my strength and my weakness. I give it all TO YOU Lord.

Chorus
My Heart, My Soul, My Strength I give TO YOU My Life, My hopes, My All TO YOU My Heart, My Soul, My Strength TO YOU My Life, My hopes, My All TO YOU

Verse 1 You said to cast all my burdens - TO YOU Everything that has kept me up late at night – TO YOU You will keep me in perfect peace, if I place my mind - ON YOU It’s the least thing that I can do; I’m overwhelmed, I’m panicky, Filled with doubt Absorbed in fear, What do I do? What I can I say? I cannot handle these issues and so I give it TO YOU

Chorus Verse 2 Yes I’m giving my everything - TO YOU Don’t know all that tomorrow brings, I put my trust - IN YOU Because you hold tomorrow, I feel secure - WITH YOU I put my life in Your able hands, I rest in your promise For your provision, For your protection For Your direction, I give TO YOU My future plans, Your will be done in my life Of which I give TO YOU

Chorus Bridge I give it To You. Everything that has ever troubled me. I give it To YOU Everyone that has ever hurt me I give it To You How do I pay the bills? How do I pay the tuition? How do I get out of debt? How do I? How do I? How do I?

Watch The Video

9 Principles It Takes To Build A Winning Team

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 03:36:00 +0000

My team recently won the Indy South side indoor soccer championship. This meant a lot to me because this was the third time we tried for this championship after coming short the past 2 seasons. Let me tell you how we got here. My previous team was dissolved by the leader who decided to join another team in search of greener pastures. I tried playing in teams with lesser talent but as we lost game after game, I realized I needed to employ one of my life philosophies, that you need a good team around you to win. And so I set about to create this new team. I invited players I knew were talented, but it was a challenge to get them to play partly because my new team had no name recognition. Slowly, but surely, we started to build a core team. My vision of winning was embraced by all, in fact we had team members that wanted to win more than I did... but we failed. The first season, we got to the finals and fell short. The second season, we could not even play a single game as we were rocked with injuries from the first season. The third time, we won a resounding victory. Here are lessons I learned on what it takes to build a championship team.

1.) It takes Time. Winning a championship does not always happen overnight. Sometimes, you have to fail to succeed. Sometimes, you have to take a step backward to move forward. Sometimes, you have to wait your turn. In all remember that delay is not denial - stay the course.

2.) It takes Communication: Everyone in the team needs to understand that they have a right to speak up and that their opinion will be valued. It may not be adhered to but it will be valued. They need to be encouraged to air their views in a respective and constructive fashion. We turned the corner from a bunch of losing talented individuals to a winning team when a member spoke up and said were working too hard individually, that we needed to share responsibility as a team.

3.) It takes Failing: Mostly learning from the failures. We had to fail, get beat up physically in order to learn to succeed. Our failures reminded us of how badly we disliked failing. Our failing kindled the fire in us to succeed - and succeed we did!

4.) It takes Tenacity: This is somewhat different from persistence, in that it takes the ability to figure out new ways to solve the same old loosing problem. It does not just mean to keep trying again season after season, it also means mining NEW strategies learned from mistakes and failure, and applying these to the next season or the next game.

5.) It takes Trust: We started winning when we started to trust each other. When we agreed that each member of the team is good at what he does and so we must trust him to carry the ball. We trust his judgement, that he will do something of value with the ball. We trust him not to waste the opportunities we create.

6.) It takes Shared Responsibility and Shared Credit: We learned to move the ball amongst ourselves. To share it. This strategy has multiple advantages. It helped us conserve energy. It depleted the energy of the opponent as they found themselves chasing the ball most of the game. It boosted our confidence and gave us the opportunity to dictate the terms of the game. At the end of the game, we shared the credit. Everyone got applauded for their effort. It was no individual genius that made winning possible, it was a team effort.

7.) It takes Kindness to Opponents: I noticed that when we started befriending opponents and cheering them on in the games where they did not play against us, they started to open up to us and we started to do well. I don't know if it is a psychological thing but I know that we stopped playing them out of spite, anger or disdain. We played them competitively out of respect for them as individuals, wanting and knowing we will win.

8.) It takes Calling People Out (Accountability): One of the methods we imbibed, as hard as it is, was calling ourselves out publicly. We gave each other permission to call us out when we were irresponsible with the ball. I knew that if I was careless with the ball, I will get called out and so I made sure to make each possession count. This did not stifle our creativity or decision making, in that we were at liberty to do what we felt was best for the team at any particular moment - just not to be careless with the ball.

9.) It takes a Reserve Bench: The first 2 seasons, we played very thinly because we did not have enough staff. The starting team played every minute of the game, from start to finish. While we started games well, we started to get fatigued as the game wore on and got into tired stretches which allowed opposing teams open big leads on us. In the 3rd season however, we had 2 players in our reserve bench and this made a huge difference. This allowed us take a breather, to rest, recover and come back more refreshed. It also accorded us the opportunity to us see the action from the outside, from another perspective, and then strategize real time how we could make a difference when we got back in. I've shared with you, these 9 practical tips that helped me and will help you build a winning team in your organization, church, school or whatever endeavor of life you may find yourself.Now go and build your winning team!

Watch The Video

Above All, Know Thyself. Part 2

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 03:50:00 +0000

In part 1 of this series (read it here if you missed it), I talked about the importance of knowing yourselves. In fact the title of the series is coined from famous words of William Shakespeare, "To thine ownself be true". In this installment I will begin to unwrap practical ways by which you can begin to better know yourself. Once you know who you are; your opportunities become limitless, your potential becomes clear and attainable. You stop beating around the bush and get to that which is important in life. You stop existing and start living. It's OK to know other people, in fact, one of the keys to your success is in knowing all men but above all, know thyself. Know your strengths and your weaknesses. Know who you are, know what you are capable of. Gain confidence in yourself. You may ask, how do I do this? Here are ways to start:

1.) The single most important way of knowing who you are is knowing whose you are. If a puppy needs to know who it is, it doesn't need to look too far. It only needs to look at its parents to get an understanding, an insight if you will, of who it is. Like they say, the fruit never falls too far from the tree. You were made in the image and likeness of God. That says it all. If you miss every other thing, don't miss this. There is a spirit component to you. There is a creative component to you. Your highest calling on earth is to be a son/ daughter of God. And so when people ask, who are you, you should start with. I am a son/ daughter of the most high. This status brings with it certain benefits and responsibility. An earthly prince or potentate has the perks of wealth, convenience, and authority that comes with royalty but he also has the sacred responsibility of upholding the family name. The prince shouldn't be found in compromising situations or be involved in acts that will bring down the family name. So it is with the Christian, so it is with you. I can expound more on this point but I will leave this for another topic. Other ways to help you know who are are include: 2.) Another practical way to help you know yourself better is to: Read books - and lots of it too. Mostly, you should read Christian books, autobiographies of successful people, and authentic self help books. Fiction is good in that it helps with your vocabulary and your imagination, but I wouldn't suggest novels that take your mind into lustful places. Pause to reflect on your life while reading - you will slowly but surely come to an understanding of yourself and your environment. You will understand where it is in life you currently are. What phase of life you are going through. Email me directly if you need a suggestion of books to read (uche@onyxministry.org). The saying is true: Readers are Leaders but let me add to that, readers are leaders because they have a better understanding of who they are. 3.) Listen to inspirational music and messages. Again, reflect while listening. There is something eternal and ethereal about music. I'm yet to encounter anyone who does not like music. They may like differing genres of music, some may not like loud music but they all love music. Listening to a certain song can change your mood from sad to happy and vice versa. Certain songs you listen to can remind you about a major event in your life. And these unique qualities of music combine to make it the perfect elixir for helping you know yourself. What kind of music do you listen to? What genre of music do you like? Loud and high tempo music tend to be reflective of extroverts, of people who love being amongst people most of the time. Slower reflective music is suggestive of introverts, people who love being amongst other people, but not all the time. People who place a high value on their alone time. Which one are you? Continue to meditate on this question a while. In part 3, I will bring more practical ways to help you know yourself.

Watch The Video

What Will You Have Learned From Tribulation When It's Over?

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 03:44:00 +0000

Tribulation: grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.- Dictionary.com

I do not like tribulation. In fact, I detest it, but God teaches that tribulation is a necessary ingredient of life to bring forth certain strengths, certain fruits in us, which make us ultimately better human beings and better Christians. In a previous post, I wrote on Growing in your infirmity. In it I explained how an infirmity could be the one thing that keeps you humble. I will like to expand on this briefly and write on tribulation and how it ultimately works hope in you.

...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:- Romans 5:3-4

We glory in tribulations because of its benefits. Tribulations brings about patience in us. Patience is not just waiting, it is an attitude, it is your attitude while waiting. Patience in turn works in us experience. Experience is: I've done this over and over before. I know what works and I know what does not work. I know the exact route to take in order to arrive at my destination quicker. Experience then builds in us hope. Hope is a desire and an expectation that tomorrow will be better than today. It is a belief that your best days are ahead. That greater things are yet to be done. The default position when faced with tribulation is to fight back. It is to introspect and believe that you may have done something wrong to warrant the tribulation. While there are elements of truth to this, the fact is tribulation precedes glory.

I advice you then to rejoice in tribulation. There is no doubt that this too shall pass, that this tribulation will end. The question then is, what will you learn from it when its over? Will you learn patience, experience and hope as written in the Bible or will you glean despair, insecurity and bitterness? Do you want to come out of tribulation learning something new, gaining a deeper understanding of the scripture: "I will not leave not forsake you", understanding to be of good cheer for "I have overcome the world"? Do you want to come out of it knowing once again, that you have proven Jesus Christ over and over again? Going through a season of tribulation means the times are a-changing for the better. Allow it then, give you the hope and the strengthened resolve that: God takes care of His own - He always will.

Watch The Video

You Don't Teach That, You Hire That

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 03:49:00 +0000

Simon had enthusiasm. As a fisherman he was enthusiastic. As a disciple of Christ, he was the first to refuse the Lord's offer to wash his feet, though he later reneged asking that not just his feet but his whole body be washed. Simon was the one who asked that fire be called from heaven to consume some 'haters'.

Simon said he would never deny the Lord. Yet, despite his flaws, the Lord loved Simon's enthusiasm. He changed his name from Simon to Peter, meaning a rock. He put Peter into a new system to operate in, that of leading the disciples. You don't teach enthusiasm, you hire that.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. - Matthew 16:18

Saul was a passionate executioner of that which he deemed to be right. He had studied under the famed Gamaliel and felt strongly that the new Christians were violating the ways of the Jews. And so he set out to extinguish them. He pursued them passionately to the ends of the earth. I will like to think God admired his passion, but detested the system to which it was put in use. And so God had to arrest Saul on the way to Damascus, change his name to Paul, and then put him in a new system. The system of building His kingdom on earth. Paul was so passionate about his new work that most of the new testament was written by him. He was to die for the sake of the gospel but his passion did not allow him falter nor retreat. You don't teach Passion, You hire it. I am a firm believer in hiring the best of the best for the best. They may be pricey but they will deliver value above their cost. You don't hire a professional soccer player and then waste time and resources teaching him how to pass the ball. That is why you hired him in the first place. You just have to change his jersey (name) and show him the new system to which he is to operate in. You don't teach drive, you hire that. You don't teach initiative, you hire that. You don't teach good mannerisms, you don't teach composure under pressure. You hire that! You don't teach passion, you hire that. There are some things you just don't teach, you have to hire. Strive today then, to be the best that you can be because no one is drooling to teach you, yet everyone is looking to hire you.

Watch The Video

As The Eagle Stirs The Nest

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 03:35:00 +0000

A little eaglet is fed, nurtured and warmed by its parent, the Eagle. It bonds with its parent through a process called "Imprinting", which basically means it imitates all it sees in its parent. As the eaglet grows bigger, its parent starts to challenge it to fend for itself.

Part of that fending for itself, is in learning how to fly. The eaglet is bonded with its nest, it is comfortable there and in many ways, has become complacent. The parent Eagle then stirs the nest. This it does by make the nest as uncomfortable as possible. The parent eagle stops bringing in the daily ration of meat. The parent eagle starts flapping near the nest to generate wind currents that lifts the eaglet up slightly. The parent may even create sharp twigs in the nest to prick at the eaglet, causing it to be more and more uncomfortable. The hungrier, cold and restless eaglet, after a while, is left with no choice than to leave the nest and become what it was called to be, what it was born to be - an Eagle.

Scriptures tell us that:

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;.. - Deuteronomy 11:13

That is how the good Lord takes care of His own. He allows no place for complacency. He ushers his own into a place of rest but not necessarily a place of comfort. He declares: you have dwelt on this mountain far too long...its time to move on. It's time to become all He has called you to be. As the Eagle stirs the nest to ensure the eaglet becomes an eagle, so your heavenly father occasionally stirs up your outward circumstance to challenge, encourage and push you towards your calling. Are you struggling between faith and fear simply because your outward circumstance has suddenly changed? It's easy to fear that the devil has hit you based on your past sins. Rather than take this course, I want you to take the path of faith - that there is no condemnation. I want you to have faith that the Father is stirring the nest. Never forget that change is nothing but opportunity.

Watch The Video

Is It Worth It?

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 03:50:00 +0000

I went for a night run recently and found a few college students playing soccer. I decided to join them but my aching knees wouldn't let me. So I sat down and watched. I immediately took a liking to young man, whom I will call Farouk. Farouk played very well and seemed to shoulder all the responsibility of his team - scoring, defending play making. I waited to get his phone number and recruit him to play on my indoor soccer team. Towards the end of the game, he hard fouled a member of the opposing team. This member, I will call Ali, stood up and accosted Farouk. A fight was brewing as Ali's team members came in his support. Farouk backed down a bit, but only enough to call his supporters from their dorms to come fight.

With all the wisdom I could muster, I tried to admonish Ali, that he better go home with his team, and that fighting will not lead to any successful outcome. It's either he hurts someone or someone hurts him. Either way, that was not a big enough trophy to laud as a life achievement. Ali, exhibiting stupidity, would not bulge. He wanted to stay and see what will happen. Fight if he had too, but he would not allow his self respect go down by "running". I turned my attention to Farouk, warning him that he could be arrested, and being an international student, be deported or robbed of future opportunities. Farouk was adamant, this had been going on too long and he must put a stop to it. Ali's group arrived at the scene and a fist fight ensued. I called the police. Someone got knocked down, almost unconscious, bleeding from ear to ear. Another was badly hurt. The police came and made an arrest. As I walked back to my house from the scene, I thought ... is it worth it? Is it worth it, to sacrifice your future greatness on the altar of getting respect from one person. Is that one person worth 87 years of your life filled with shame and failure? There are 6.5 billion people on earth today, is that one person disrespecting you today worth your throwing your tomorrow away? Is it really worth it? I wish Ali or/ and Farouk had taken my simple advice, Is it worth it? I hope you do too.

Watch The Video

All Glory Must Be to The Lord

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 03:54:00 +0000

Many times, people ask me: Why do you always have to include Christ in your statements? Why does something spiritual jump out of every statement that emanates from your mouth. My answer is simple: "Because He is my all in all, He is my sufficiency. I can do nothing without Him". You see. scripture boldly declares:

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. - Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways it says, that is why I always mentioning Jesus Christ in all I do. But there is more: In Acts 12, we are told of a King Herod who began to persecute the church. One day King Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, made a speech to his subjects. They began to praise him saying he was a god and not a man. King Herod savored this attention and did not re-direct the glory to God. Immediately, the angel of the Lord smoth him. Simply because he did not give the glory to God. Again scripture is clear about this:

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. - Isaiah 42:8

All glory must be to the Lord. Someone once said, If God is going to get all the glory, then He should do all the work. That's fair! You can even go further and say, He should get all the blame too. I don't believe the Lord would mind. Just give Him all the glory. In good or in bad, ascribe to Him all glory. He would share many things with you, but not His glory. This is serious stuff. If you want to be successful and effective as a Christian, the all glory must be to the Lord.

Watch The Video

Night of Compassion '13 - Report

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 03:54:00 +0000

About 16 children were sponsored during Night of Compassion '13. These are children who would have regular meals, safe housing, schooling and a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, because people on the South Side of Indianapolis responded to the call to show compassion. Moreso, we were ministered to in music, by Nathan Tasker and Teeklef. Both brought their musical talents to glorify God and edify the congregation.

We are so grateful to God for what He did on this faithful night. The world came to Indianapolis, but Indianapolis also reached out to the world. With its renowned Hoosier hospitality, Indianapolis hosted this event with class and generosity, releasing children from poverty in Jesus name. Most of all, God was glorified in it all. If you missed Night of Compassion '13; make plans to attend Night of Compassion '14. Subscribe below to be the first to know as details emerge.

Below is a little snippet of the musical delicacy we were treated to. Be blessed .

Watch the Video

You Are Healed

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 03:34:00 +0000

I previously wrote about a testimony that occurred in 2007. Read it here. At the time, I was broke, desolate and almost homeless. In fact, I was sick financially and in many other ways. But God in His infinite mercies healed me. I learned that I was already healed, I just had to "cash" my healing by believing in it and confessing in prayer, what God had said:

...and with his stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5

Four years later, in 2011, I wrote "You are Healed" for a dear friend/ mentor, but as I rehearsed the song to myself, I quickly realized that it applied to me as well. It applied to my being sick back in 2007, and being healed by the healer - Jesus Christ. As you listen to this song, I believe the "I am the Lord that healeth thee" will send His word and heal our disease - whatever that may be.

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. - Psalm 107:20

Watch The Video

Even Now ...

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 03:48:00 +0000

Jesus arrived in Bethany a few days later than Martha expected. She came crying to him, telling that if He had been there earlier, her brother Lazarus, would not have died. She had a point, but notice how she followed it up with these extraordinary words:

... Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that EVEN NOW, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. - John 11:21-22

She was saying, yes, it's true my brother is dead. We've not heard of people rising up from the dead in these parts of town. There is a finality to his condition but even now ...

Yes, If you had known the Lord 3 years ago or perhaps 30 years ago, you would not have made the mistakes you made, yet even now, God is able to make all things new. Lord, if you had showed up when my mom was dying, I would have believed you, yet even now, You are able to turn what the devil meant for evil into good. Lord, Even now. The case may have been closed, but it is not yet completed. The era may have ended but its not the completion of your destiny. The verdict, by the judge, may have been read, but the appeal has not yet been heard. The grave may have been closed but it is not yet sealed. The body underneath can still come forth. The dream can still live. The grades can still improve. The career can still be rejuvenated. Even now, It is not over. Your prayer should forever be: even now Lord, show yourself strong.

Watch The Video

Ceteris Paribus - All Things Being Equal

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 03:52:00 +0000

My college degree is in Information Systems. I love computer systems. As an IT professional, I have found that my edge comes from my understanding of how systems work. Because I understand the system's processes end to end, I am easily able to decipher when something is wrong, and what the "culprit" is.

What it takes others 3 hours to fix, I can fix in 3 minutes, because I know how it should work - all things being equal. In order for me to know how things work, I have to spend time going through the manual and ensuring that I not just memorize what is going on, but that I also understand it end to end. My college professor, Jerry Flatto taught me to play with the system, "Don't be afraid to break it", he said, "until you thoroughly understand it, until the system and you become friends". John 4, brings us into a encounter with Jesus and a Samaritan woman who had issues. She seemed to be smart and witty. She understood that Jews did not interact with Samaritans, she also understood that Jacob built the well from which Jesus was asking her for a drink. But she she did not understand the cause of her troubles, she did not understand the system - Ceteris Paribus. Jesus did. And so after chatting a while with her, contacting her spirit, he zeroed in to the cause of her problems. He said,

Go , call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said , I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said , I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly - John 4:16-18

All things being equal, she ought to have one husband and dwell with that one man. That was the root cause of her problems. That did it. Troubleshooting was over, the system could now function properly, as designed. The woman was not just saved that day, she also became an instant evangelist, speaking of what had happened, to her people, and winning many souls to Christ. If you don't know how things work when it is working, how are you going to know how to fix it if it breaks? Read and understand the manual (Bible) because this makes life so much easier to navigate. By reading the word of God, you attain a sound mind, the mind of Christ. Decision's are filtered through this mind map and a course of action is plotted against it. Decisions that take people 2 weeks to come by, you can in 2 days, because you understand how the system works. You can know all men because you know the creator of all men. You can offer wise counsel to others in trouble because you understand how things should work - Ceteris Paribus.

Watch The Video

Fake it Till You Make it

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 03:36:00 +0000

An IT professor recently told a story of how he was asked if he could fix a security issue for a firm as a consultant. He replied to the affirmative, and then proceeded to purchase a book on network security. He applied himself, learned all he could, and resolve the problem easily - Earning keep for himself and his family.

Abraham Lincoln did not know much about warfare strategies and the wagging of war at the onset of his presidency but by the end of the civil war, he had read enough to execute and win a war. Christopher Gardner is candid about his ideology, "I may not know it now, but give me 2 days and I will get you the answer. Scripture is candid too in its statement:

Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say , I AM STRONG. - Joel 3:10

Throw your mind to the state you will to attain, and you will attain. For if you see it and believe it, you will achieve it. Begin to call those things that be not as though they were. The future should be regarded in the past, as though it already has occurred. Your outside circumstance may currently not reflect your inside vision. But don't allow your inside vision be dictated, in success or failure, by your outside cirstumstance. They should be distinct and different. Don't be discouraged, don't be dismayed. Don't say you can't make it work. Fake it till you make it.

Watch The Video

Interview with Missionary par Excellence - Corey Devereaux

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 03:59:00 +0000

Corey Devereaux and I were roommates in my final months as a college student. We would wake up some mornings and partake on a Bible study. What stands out most in my memory of those times is Corey taking a prayer walk. He would walk around the neighborhood praying. The prayer warrior that he is, it is not unusual to wake up and hear Corey praying in the living room. As a missionary, God used Corey to plant Chi-Alpha, a college ministry, at the University of Indianapolis. A ministry that continues to thrive today. God then called Corey to Kosovo where he spent 4 years as a business manager in a high school With regards to fundraising. You need to have a mindset that You building a team of partners that believe in you and believe in the mission. You can't allow the cares of these world, things that provide for our lifestyle to get in the way of what God has for us People do not want to give money - they want to support a vision. You need to give people an opportunity to do that. If you don't ask, you are taking away the opportunity that they might have in supporting a mission. There is such joy in supporting a mission. Don't take away that opportunity. Some people want to go physically but are unable to because of responsibilities. But they have money and they want to experience that joy that comes from giving Why should you be a missionary

Watch the Video

The Art of Waiting

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 03:50:00 +0000

Someone contacted me on Twitter and told how he had done all he could do to get a breakthrough. He had gone to school and graduated. He had researched opportunities and found the right business to pursue, however he did not have the finances.

He was waiting on financing to come and this wait was causing his faith to stumble. He asked, what should he do? It appeared to me that he had done all he could and should. What is missing is that he should STAND (wait with patience). You see scripture tells us:

...and having done all, to stand. - Ephesians 6:13

There are many moments in our lives where we just have to stand. Stand in this instance means wait. Most of life moments are lived in the In-between. We wait for breakthroughs, we wait for graduation, for when we get married, for when the baby will be born, for when we get the job. Because there is a lot of waiting to be done in this life, there is no need for waiting to be agonizing or antagonizing, instead, waiting ought to be treated as a gift.

Waiting is a beautiful thing because we learn patience, we learn to appreciate that which is sought, when we do get it. We take inventory, we reminisce, we hope, we pray, we plan. These beautiful elements of life, we hardly will partake in if we got everything the same instant we sought them. As such, embrace waiting as a beautiful part of life. Whether you like it or not, you will wait. How you come out of waiting and what you get out of it, only you can determine. So back to the question, what should he do? What should you do? Here goes: You should be patient and don't stop trying. The darkness night is usually just before the dawn. Don't give up - your breakthrough is on the way.

Watch the Video

Don't Leave Your Family Behind

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 03:44:00 +0000

Jobs come and jobs go, in the end, family is all you've got.

This is the wise counsel I received from my manager when I was starting my career in IT many years ago. This was particularly meaningful because at the time, I applied myself 120% into my career, wanting to rise very fast to the top of my profession. While this is good and recommended, I found out soon enough that money itself provides its own set of temptations, and without being grounded in family, it is possible to lose, in one day, all the money, renown, and accolades you've taken years to accumulate. Billy Graham understood, and you should too, that if 1 million people came to know Christ under his ministry and his family is lost - he has failed miserably.

In Joshua 24, God reminded the Israelites through Joshua that He had been good to them, even when they did not deserve it. He had given them lands to posses of which they did not work for. And now they had to choose whom they will serve. Either God or the other god's their fathers served. Here was Joshua's resolve:

...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD - Joshua 24:15

Notice, "me and AND MY HOUSE, not me alone. Joshua certainly was not about to leave his family behind.

Family is important. Do not leave your family behind in vain pursuit of worldly wealth or social recognition. Take your family out to the movies, take a road trip with your family to a city far away. The jobs will come and they will go, the trials will come and they will go. Yes, the success will come and it too shall pass. On your death bed, all you will have surrounding you, is not your Mercedes Benz S-class, nor your 2.4 million dollar mansion in Miami, Florida. It's not your accolades and awards, and record sales and all that. All you will have, or hope to have around you will be family. Treat them right. Don't leave them behind.

Watch The Video

Come and See

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 00:13:00 +0000

Many years ago, at a leadership camp in Lagos, Nigeria, I met Endurance Igbinosun, who exemplified Christianity for me. He was, in my opinion, effortlessly flawless, exuding grace and goodness.

A natural leader who sang often, "If Your presence doesn't go with us, we don't want to leave this place". I remember thinking, this is who I should be. I have been living a lie, trying to fit in, trying to be popular, trying to be a 'Gee'. I had heard so many sermons in times past, and walked up to the altar on numerous occasions to give my life to Christ but this right here was the real deal. Endurance didn't spend time preaching the word to me, he simply showed the way through his example, he simply implied, Come and See. In John 1, Jesus had just been vindicated as the messiah, he had been baptized by John and the Spirit of God, like a dove, descended on him and remained. Philip believed him to be the messiah and went to call Nathaniel to come join this new "Holy Spirit Movement". Nathaniel expressed doubt saying "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? ..." - John 1:46. Philip did not argue with him nor did he try to get religious on him. He simply said "Come and See". That is the best message you can ever give to anyone. Come and see. Don't just sit there and criticize, Come and see. Don't just insinuate, assume, or disclaim someone you have not yet experienced. Come and See. Come and See what the Lord has done. Come and see that the Lord is good. He is too big to be tested, but deserves to be trusted. Yet, if testing is what it will take, then He gladly invites you saying:

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. - Psalm 34:8 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Come and see. Taste, Test, Prove; heck, even feel his nail pierced hands. Come and see. C'mon

Watch The Video

Only God Can Do This - Aaron and Tirzah

uche@onyxministry.org (Uche) — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:38:00 +0000

While filming for the wedding of Aaron and Keilah Bailey, in 2012, a gentleman approached me and we began a lively conversation about Christ. No pleasantries, no small talk, no introductions ...straight into discussions about faith, the future and how it all revolves around Christ. You see, in a world where we all have our little cliques, where we are mostly confined in conversation, to the familiarity of our groups. Aaron Birk instead, stepped away from his circle to speak to me of Christ. That took courage. That is being a champion. All I remember saying to Aaron is that he propose to Tirzah QUICKLY. Why?

Photo courtesy of Violet Short Photography

You see, six years prior, by providence, I happened to be seating across the table from Tirzah at the University of Indianapolis dinning hall. She was sitting with some friends and strangers. No pleasantries, no small talk, no introductions, she spoke about her faith, how she missed her home church in Lafayette but was glad to be serving as a pianist in the local Baptist church. She even invited the entire table to the Church youth group, Static. Notice any similarities? Tirzah was to be the physician, Aaron was to be the business man. Together, today, they are united in executing the highest calling of life - Serving Jesus Christ. Both as healers of the soul and in the business of saving souls. My wife Ella and I are deeply honored to have been invited to this wedding ceremony. We were inspired by Dr. Kevitt Brown's (Tirzah's dad) testimony to always be thankful to God in good and "bad" times. We were also reminded of the scripture:

...for no man can do these miracles that thou doest , except God be with him. - John 3:2

No man can bring these two kindred hearts together in a manner DELIGHTFUL to God and man as we have experienced and testify. Only God can do miracles. Surely, only God can do this.

Watch The Video