by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 12, 2017 | Uncategorized |
If five Sparrows are sold for two pennies, what are you worth? In history, sparrows were mentioned among the offerings made by the very poor. They were of very little value and thus the cheapest of all birds offered for sale. They were so common that two were sold for a penny and five for two pennies. These birds are still very numerous, troublesome, and cheap in Jerusalem, Luke 12:6, and flit in great numbers around the mosque of Omar, on the site of the ancient temple, within the precincts of which they built their favored nest of old, Psalm 84:3.*
A sparrow is of course of comparatively little value; and it is therefore a striking exemplification of God’s providence to say that he watches even over the sparrow’s fall, Matthew 10:29. To illustrate the Father’s care for his children, Jesus referred to the Sparrows saying, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are numbered. don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows… therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life. What you will eat, about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and body more than clothes.’’ (Luke 12; 6-7; 22-23)
In his commentary on the sparrows, Matthew Henry noted : “Though they are of such small account that five of them are sold for two pennies, yet not one of them is forgotten of God, but is provided for, and notice is taken of its death (emphasis mine). Now, you are of more value than many sparrows, and therefore you may be sure you are not forgotten, though imprisoned, though banished, though forgotten by your friends; much more precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of saints than the death of sparrows’’ In other words, if cheap and common sparrows can be so cared for by God, then you are more valuable to Him as the chief of His creation. Therefore, your worth cannot be estimated by money!
God is aware of what happens even to sparrows, and He keeps proper records of them. How much more valuable are you who is made in His image and likeness. Since God placed such great value on you, you need not fear personal threats or difficult trials. These can’t shake God’s love or dislodge His Spirit from within you. But it doesn’t mean that God will take away all your troubles (Luke 10:6). But in the midst of these calamities, God will sustain you because you acknowledge him and rely absolutely on His care.
The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear and stress of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ in their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards. Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth not our peers’. Other people evaluate and categorize us according to how we perform, what we achieve and how we look. But God cares for us, as he does for all his creation, because we belong to him. So, we can face life without fear! The psalmist admonishes us to, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.’’ Psalm 37:7.
The things that man worry about are not unconnected with the basic necessities of life, which includes food, clothing and shelter. Suffice to say therefore, that every activity of man are aimed at achieving satisfaction in all these details of life. Therefore, it is very easy to be plunged into worry when we lack one or all of these necessities. God, knowing our capacity to fear because we cannot see beyond our noses, admonishes us saying, “Do not be worried.” We should never afflict ourselves with disquieting perplexing cares about the necessary supports of life. Worry is sinful, and destructive too! When we worry, we cast doubts on God’s goodness and omnipotense.
The fear of what to eat, what to wear and where to live has always being a seemingly insurmountable mountain in the life of man. And often times, this fear tends to blindfold him to the graciousness and benevolence of God and this consequently restrain him from given God a sincere worship. Oftentimes, he shuts God out of his life activities, and desperately pursues riches and wealth with all his ability, seeking satisfaction in the things which has no eternal value. “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouse or barn, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than the birds!…” Luke 12:24.
“Oh what a piece we often forfeit, oh what needless pains we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in Prayer.” – Charles C. Converse. God commands us not to worry. But how can we avoid worry? Only faith can free us from the anxiety caused by greed and covetousness. It is good to work and plan responsibility, but it is bad to dwell on all the ways our planning could go. Worry is needless because it can’t fill any of our needs; worry is foolish because the creator of the universe loves us and knows what we need.
God promised to meet all our real needs but not necessarily our desires’’ Apostle paul understood this truth very well and so he said, “And this same God who take care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:9). So, do not worry! God cares so much for you. Pull out of the stronghold of fear and worry, and rest on the All-sufficient God! You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
Ref: http://biblehub.com/topical/s/sparrow.htm
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 10, 2017 | Uncategorized |
You may have lost several opportunities due to poor mobile network connections, but you can get connected to possibilities through this new discovery that I will share with you.
Most frequent complaints by mobile network users, for instance, in Nigeria, is the incessant failures of signals. There is hardly a day you don’t hear people lamenting about poor network signals, even when you stand by a base station owned by your provider. Sometimes when you initiate a call, you would hear feedbacks like, “The number you dialed is not reachable at the moment”, or the number dialed is switched off.’ But amazingly this might not be the real case. It might be due to network failure or poor reception.
Although today, we have a couple of mobile network providers who are doing pretty well and have provided a platform for the ease of communications. Telecommunications include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet. The Nigeria Mobile and Fixed Network Operators such as the MTN, Globacom, Etisalat, Airtel etc have helped to improve telecommunications since the deregulation of the phone market. Thus, the mobile telephony and the use of cell-phones has soared, and has mostly replaced the unreliable fixed line services of NITEL. However, we still experience poor services from these providers, and this has been of serious concerns to many users.
Recently, I made a distressed call to a friend and the responds was that the number does not exist. I then had to call another friend who linked me up to him. After a few minutes, he called me with the same number to which I was told never existed. Ridiculous, isn’t it? These and many more frustrating responses we get from our mobile network providers. So it has been more of spending much money but getting poor services from network providers whose poor facilities have occasionally being of a disadvantage to many users.
Which of these network providers is the best?
Although, many of them have won excellent awards in many quarters in the past years. Award categories have included: “Most Customer Friendly Network” Award, “Best Brand Campaign” and “Youth Empowerment Operator of the year” “Best Telecom company of the year – Data,” “Most Innovative Telecom Operator of the year” and “Best Submarine Company of the Year.” to mention a few. Yet none has ever been awarded ‘the best network operator of the year’. This of course may be due to the fact that none of the providers can be absolutely trusted. Hence, the need to have multiple Sims, so as to forestall any problem that may arise either from poor signals or bad internet connectivity.
Since the operators are judged based on the quality of service they provide to their numerous subscribers, and not on the amount of subscribers they’ve got. None have been awarded as “the Best Mobile Operator” for now. Many business opportunities might have been lost due to poor network connections. Some may have lost contracts, or even loved ones due to network failure during emergencies. So, it leaves more to be desired.
There is however a unique and unfailing network that can guaranty the best connections. It has been tested and proved to be the most reliable means of communication that would guaranty your connection to possibilities and excellence. The base station never goes out of power. The sectorial antennas never lose signals with the transmitters, and the reception is excellent, of course, provided your hardware is in a desirable condition.
A testimonial bears witness to the fact that as long as we are connected to God, we can never be deprived of quality service. A regular user has this to say, “God is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9). This implies that He’s always reachable. He never sleeps nor slumbers; He is never weary of attending to our requests.
You may not be where you want to be yet. But if you position your heart heavenwards, towards God, you will sure get connected to heavenly signals that would position you for success. Even if your mind is beclouded by the magnitude of worries that plague you, and you have lost sense of direction, If you stand up now from your depressive mold, turn towards God and tilt your faith towards heaven, you will be connected to possibilities.
It is easy to get connected to the unfailing signal, a network built by the Master of the universe himself, God the Omnipotent, and Omniscient one. Therefore, to get connected to possibilities and opportunities that guarantees successes, you need to acknowledge God in all your endeavors. Solomon the Wise King set out his reign by first seeking God for direction and help, and God blessed him with wisdom and wealth. Hence, he counseled: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:6. In the midst of confusion about choice of career, partner, business, or job, wisdom is profitable to direct. Therefore, seek divine wisdom and you will be connected to a live of excellence (James 1:5).
Prayers connects you to God, thereby paving a way for you, even in the darkest situation. To get connected to possibilities, you need to “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3). Since you cannot see beyond your noses, why not depend absolutely on the on who holds your future. He sustains the world by the power of His word. A consistent connection to God’s word will launch you to supernatural abundance. Get connected today ,and trust me, you will be locked down to winning mode! You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 6, 2017 | Uncategorized |
There is a fast spreading epidemic which has ravaged many lives in the past and its fast destroying many who are vunerable to its cause.
Although, its cure is well known and still very potent, yet the number of victims have never ceased to be on the increase. An insight into the creator’s manual reveals that though this epidemic will be on the increase as the earth nears its end, yet it will never surpass the rate at which the antidote will be provided.
This assurance moved me to draw a graph of LOVE against INIQUITY and the amazing result is that the relationship between the two is that of indirect proportionality, a truth that tested and proved. This means that the more iniquity increases the more the love of God decreases.
The statement of prophesy credited to Christ is quoted as, “Sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12. This implies that, with false teachings and loss of morals comes a particular disease, the lost of true love and honor for God, and others.
Sin and ungodliness abounds in our society, and this is seriously competing with the love and fear of God in our lives. This makes right living and morality alien to many, and iniquity has become a prevailing culture of our society.
Gladly, there is an antidote for sin, and this has been made available at God’s discretion and through the sacrificial death of Christ. The cure for sin is GRACE – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. The antidote for sin, Grace, is commensurate with sin. Apostle Paul affirms, “Where sin abounds Grace much more.”
Grace can help us to keep up against sin and stand tall in victory over it. We can see ourselves be irresponsible to the old power and alive to the new. We can commit ourselves to living right, and keep our love for God growing even in the midst of ungodliness.
Get grace to live right! You’re winning! Yes we are winning!
Greatmark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 6, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Let’s attempt this bibliomatics of age and find out how tou can spend, say, $90 billion.
In his wisdom and experiential knowledge about life, King Solomon proved that “Vanity upon vanities…all is vanities.” -Ecclesiastis 1:2.
Mathematically, this can be written as:
Vanity/Vanity = Vanity
I.e. (Vanity upon a vanity is vanity)
When a Zero is divided by zero, the answer is zero. This expression underscores the futility of life’s achievement, worldy pleasures, wealth and riches, as well as every man’s accomplishments.
Yes, all human accomplishments are ephemeral and as such it would one day disappear, or becomes useless to the man who acquired them. Therefore, we must keep this in mind in order to live wisely. Think about the great and famous men who have transited this terrestrial ball. What became of their fame?
If we don’t take it to heart that it is only the things that we do for love, and out of godly reference that would have heavenly value and reward, we may become proud or self-sufficient when we succeed, or sorely disappointed when we fail.
Earthly pursuits and possessions are ultimately meaningless. Only the pursuit of God brings real satisfaction and lasting peace. Therefore, we should acknowledge God in all we think and do. And since we can not see God physically, the selfless service we offer to humanity, in God’s stead is what will outlast our earthly existence.
To appreciate the vanity of life is to consider that our sojourn on earth is very very brief especially when considered in relation to God’s calender. Apostle Peter reminded the new believers saying, “But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.” -2 Peter 3:8.
Mathematically, 1000 years = 1 day
Thus, if Methuselah, the oldest man that ever lived, lived for 965 years, how much of a day did he lived?
Again, 1000 years = 1 day
Then, 965 years is
965/1000 =0.96 day (approx. 1 day)
Thus, the oldest man lived for less than 1 day, how much of a day have you lived?
Let’s assume that you are 20 years old, then you have only lived: 20/1000, which is 0.02 day.
Therefore, if the oldest man, who lived for almost a thousand years, hardly lived for a day, how much of a day have you lived? See how brief! Yet you brag, and mock your creator as if you have the power to sustain your existence.Even a looted $90 billion can never be spent beyond a day. What then is life? Life is a mist, a shadow, full of vanities.
Eternity can never be compared to this life. We are only sojourners here on earth, and our final abode is eternity, either with our creator, God, or with the hell-lord, Satan. The choice of your destination is simply yours! Therefore, what manner of person you ought to be?
Besides, God is not slow in fulfilling His promises. He doesn’t slack like men do. It might look to you a thousand years, but with the eyes of faith, it is just a day! Hold on, God will keep His promises to you. Keep trusting! You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 5, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Corruption has been identified as a negative phenomenon which has the capacity to stall the growth of many countries, especially the developing ones. Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit.[1] Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries.[2]
It can best be described as the subversion of due process of transparency for personal gain. Just as corruption constitutes a serious threat to the growth and development of poor countries, so can it hinder the future of individuals, especially young people.
Today in our country, the future of many graduates from the nations over seventy-four universities is considerably hindered by acts of corruption. Although Government desires that most of those graduating from our universities and other higher institutions be self-employed, it is rather ambitious to expect this to happen in a few months after passing out of school. What this means of course is that most of these graduates have to seek paid employment.
Today, many of our youths fresh from higher institution want to work only in ‘favored industries’. Perhaps this is because the ‘major ‘employers today are the Telecommunications, Oil and Gas and Banking sectors. They take a significant proportion of our graduates and pay reasonably well.
Likewise, the public sector also employs, especially the teaching profession, whose intake nowadays is however no longer in favour of those not qualified to be teachers. This is because teaching has become a profession, and employment in this sector henceforth is likely to weigh in favour of those qualified as ‘teachers’ and not just any graduate.
While the ‘major’ employers listed above mainly function in the formal and necessarily in the urban areas, majority of our population are employed in the agricultural sector. This sector itself has not been radically transformed into a largescale, mechanized operation, and perhaps therefore it employs so many hands. This in my view is good for the country, as we have a high population which must be gainfully employed.
Corruption is not as real in the agriculture sector as it is the white collar, urban job setting. Many have argued that those mainly favoured in these sectors today, which are functionally service industries are females, rather than males. Many of these females, especially in the financial sector, are subjected to all forms of exploitation and abuse by their employers. Some are required to engage in unethical practices to obtain the jobs in the first place, and must continue sustaining such practices to keep their jobs.
Given the economic challenges facing the family, many have found it difficult to turn down such notorious advances. Many young males may not have as much options as their female counterparts. The outright corruption of the recruiting phase and the sustainability of the unethical practices in the employment chain often drives most young men into under-employment.
By this of course we mean a situation in which someone is employed to do those things for which he or she is over-qualified, such as petroleum engineering graduate ending up as a commercial bus driver! Other young men with poor upbringing, especially those bereft of sound religious or moral teaching end up taking to crime, as they strive to ‘make it’ in society.
Which is the way out for us you may ask? To begin with, we must go back to the time-tested values espoused by the Bible. ‘Train up your child in the way in which he should go’ the holy book says, ‘and when he grows up he will not depart from it’ (Proverb 22:6). At those times when unethical demand is made of us, either while seeking employment or when in it and we are required to subvert due process, we must be able to stand and be counted on the side of righteousness.
Usually it is not as easy as it sounds, but the Bible admonishes that we shall not be tempted beyond our capacity to endure. Even when we fall short of the expectations of our savior, we need to return to him in penitence and repentance, resolving not to be a part of the past anymore. Those stronger in the faith (or stronger at that material moment) should help the weaker brother or sister and not condemn him or her, no matter the situation.
Let us remember that Christ our savior worked to redeem and not to condemn that harlot. He won Saul over and did not condemn him. Another major source of strength to lead us out of the rampaging corruption in the employment process is one Bible passage I have found very useful and very practical. It says, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it well” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
This is a very powerful challenge, as many of our youths not only want to work in any of the sector outlined above, but failing to do so, they want to proceed above in search of what is often an illusive ambition, not well founded on good preparation and planning.
It is instructive for us to know that the potency of this passage can be found around us in our daily living where a woman selling “Akara” (Beans-cake) by the road side has already built a few houses from her modest occupation, or a Taxi cab has already acquired two or three taxi cabs out of decent and honest taxi driving.
It is not until we work in an oil production company or in a bank that we “Arive”, in fact, many who work in these places may not arrive at all if they do not imbibe and practice those tenets that Christ has challenged us to live by, and uphold sound ethical. As we ponder over the daunting challenges that corruption of employment process has bought to bear on us today, let us begin and end each with prayer, for we have been cautioned by the bible to “Watch and pray.” In particular, our decision-making must be predicated on prayer so that we choose the right profession, occupation or business to be engaged in.
Many of us however do not subject this aspect of our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, many a time, this writer has himself been guilty of this, but we do know for a certainty that those decisions we took with God’s leading often turned out ultimately for the best.
In conclusion, yes, the recruitment process may have been corrupted and indeed yes, there may be corruption in the employment and business clime, but the challenge for us, not just youths now, but all of us, is to strive prayerfully to uphold God’s standards in all our undertakings. It is by no means easy to do this, especially given the moral and economic conditions in which we live presently, but if we try and fail, we shall receive help from above.
if we repent and return to the path of righteousness. For those who have succeeded so far, let them continue in prayer for the leading of the Holy Spirit lest the tempter comes to orchestrate their fall. The following song can be a tower of strength to us in this wise:
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on her way
When we do `his good will
He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.
May God help us as we seek the best occupation in line with His overall plans for our individual lives in Jesus name. amen
Reference:
[1]http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTWBIGOVANTCOR/Resources/Legal_Corruption.pdf
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 4, 2017 | Uncategorized |
The YesWeAreWinning (YWAW) team shall be visiting an Orphanage on Monday May, 29 2017. “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” Let’s go and share hope to the hopeless, and make positive lasting imparts.
Your assistance in providing one or more of the following items would be appreciated:
[wpforms id=”2256″]
For Cash Donations, kindly pay into:
Account Name: Omoregie Osarugue Dorcas
Account Number: 6052077598
Bank Name: Fidelity Bank
Your heartfelt voluntary contributions will go a long way in touching and we are sure that God will continue to bless us as we keep on winning.
