SEE THE NEWS THAT WOULD DETERMINE THE WORLD’S FUTURE
It is said that on the evening of June 18, 1815 a man stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing anxiously out to sea. At last he found what he was looking for – a ship sending a signal by use of lights. He strained to see the message. All of England held its breath with him, wanting to know the outcome of the war between their military leader, the Duke of Wellington, and the French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte, who had once ruled all of Europe bar England remained a threat, and now the decisive Battle of Waterloo had been fought.
So, as he stood in the tower of Winchester Cathedral our man waited to relay the news that would determine England’s future. The signal came just as a heavy fog was rolling in. It only just got through, but how he wished it hadn’t, for the signal read: “Wellington defeated” The man signalled to other stations and the news spread across the countryside, bringing great gloom and sadness. But then a great reversal. The fog lifted, and the message was sent again, this time in full: “Wellington defeated the enemy”. Joy? Happiness? Delirium! Wellington had won!
On Good Friday it seemed the message was “Christ defeated”, but three days later we discover that the message had not been received in full. The resurrection reverses what we initially thought and declares “Christ defeated the enemy!”1 Satan may have thought that he had halted God’s plan of salvation, but alas, on the morning of the third day God raised Jesus from the dead, and by this he perfected the work of salvation to redeem the world from destruction.
The event that changed the world’s calendar, and would determine her future is the news that God appeared on earth in human form, in the person of Jesus the Messiah; He lived, was killed, and on the third day He was raised to life. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was one of the most momentous events in history. By rising from the dead to return to eternal power at the right hand of the Father, Jesus fulfilled a vital part of the plan of God that has paramount importance to the life and future of every human being. This is the new that have shaped the world, and would determine her future.
Let us never forget the incredible importance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It is the anchor of every hope we have and ultimately the anchor of hope for all mankind (Hebrews 6:17-20).””For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. The sacrificial death of Christ on the cross is to bridge the gap separating man from God. Through the resurrection of Christ we have been brought into a new hope of eternal life. However, those who reject this offer of salvation have by so doing chosen eternal condemnation.
…But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3The Son is the radianceof God’s glory and the exact representation of Hisnature, upholding all things by His powerful word. AfterHe had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...” Hebrews 1:3-4. Matthew Henry wrote, “…In beholding the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Father, John 14:7; the fulness of the Godhead dwells, not typically, or in a figure, but really, in him. When, on the fall of man, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of God, the Son of God, undertaking the work of redemption, sustained it by his almighty power and goodness.”
How do we make sense of a perverse world? A little boy was giving a puzzle to solve by his father, who needed some time for his leisure . His dad Dad realises he’s not going to get any peace, so he decides to set his son a task that will take some time. He notices a picture of the world on the front page of the newspaper lying in front of him. He tears the picture out then rips it into small pieces. “Now son, I’ve got a game for you. Take the pieces of this picture of the world and put them back together again and then we’ll play together.”
The little boy eagerly takes the pieces away with him and sets to work. Dad’s relieved he’ll get to see the last half hour of his TV program. But to his amazement his little boy is back in less than five minutes. “I’ve finished daddy. Can we play now?” The father is stunned when he turns around to see his son holding up the picture of the world, each piece sticky taped into the right position. Dad begins wondering whether he has a child prodigy on his hands. “How did you get it done so quickly?” he asks. “That would’ve taken me a good 20 minutes and I’m an adult.”2
“Oh, it was easy daddy. On the back of the world was a picture of a person, so I put the person together and that’s when the world came together.” How do you put the world together? How do you make sense of your world and find your way through it? Christians find that Jesus is the face on the other side of the puzzle. He enables us to make sens eof life and our world and to find a path through it.
The resurrection was preceded by the passover and the crucifixion. Jesus was in the grave for three days. These three days may be for you three years in a difficult situation; it may be three months, thirty months or three years in a wilderness of life. If you’re well positioned in God, this affliction is to prepare you for greatness. It is to make manifest the glory and power of God in you and through you. It won’t be long, with persistent faith and absolute trust in God, you will come out of your grave; you will come out of your predicaments and become a masterpiece, a ready-made vessel of God for good works. Rise to your feet and say, my life is worth a living because Christ suffered, died and rose again!
My wife and I, and of course all our loved ones who cared and prayed for us, were together in the wilderness, hungry and tasty for the blessing of the fruit of the womb. Like Jesus cried to God we also questioned if he had abandoned us. We prayed and fasted. But God determined that we must spend Nine years in the school of adversity. He didn’t tell us we would be tried for Nine years after our wedding. We kept hoping against hope until the appointmented time that He chose. Today, if you ask me, if we truly went through Nine years of childlessness, I’ll tell you am not sure it was up to nine years, I think it was only 9 days. This is so because looking at our son doesn’t remind me of the terrible but profitable years of waiting. It only reminds me of the faithfulness and the power of God, and how through this affliction he has made us into a better couple The bible offers consolations to those who are being tried, “For weeping may endure for a night; but joy comes in the morning! Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to give us assurance that no matter how bad the situation might be, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Say with me, ‘I will rise!’
If you find your self in a bad situation; don’t resign to fate. After every night comes the morning. The power of Christ will bring you out! When Christ rose from the dead, he was empowered! In other words, His resurrection made Him more powerful. There were greater things He could do because He rose: if he had not risen he wouldn’t have destroyed the power of sin and death. If he had not risen he wouldn’t have being able to bring many sons unto glory. Had he not risen he wouldn’t have rebuilt the dilapidated bridge between us and God, thereby giving us access to God. If he had not risen, there wouldn’t have been hope of eternal life. In the same way, the power you acquire after been tried should be greater than before you were tried. That’s God’s plan provided you allow him to work in you. Christ is Risen! And because He lives, you can face tomorrow. All fear is gone because He holds your future! You are wining! Yes, we are winning!
Happy Easter!
GreatMark
1,2Source: unknown
It was a dark Friday because God looked away from His sacrificially lamb who was hunged on the tree for the sins of the world. This was evident by his outburst on the cross when the weight of the world’s sin was heavy on him. The scriptures says, “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”Matthew 27: 46
Yes it was dark because the devil thought he had done his best to frustrate the plan of salvation. The darkest Friday the world has ever seen. It was dark because for a while, it appeared that the hope and expectations of the new believers was dashed because Jesus Christ, the founder of the christian faith and the savior of the world, was “unjustly’ crucified! “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30.
It was a ‘bad’ Friday until Easter morning. In other words, it wasn’t called “Good Friday” until Easter Sunday was experienced. Indeed, ‘The darkest hour of the night is just before the dawn’. There’s hope, even in the worst of circumstances. So if you can see everything from the perception that Christ has made you an overcomer, then every bad day will become a good day. Job testified saying, “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.” Job 14:7. Don’t give up on your expectations. Trust in God to turn your darkness into light. There is a sure hope for your tomorrow! Christ has made you a winner. You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
Whistle blowing is not a new phenomenon even though the term has found its popularity in the recent campaign against corruption embarked upon by the administration of President Muhammad Buhari. Nigeria’s ministry of financ recently adopted this approach to allow citizens who report corruption-related cases to earn a certain percentage from the recover d loot. Recently, $9.8m belonging to the former GMD of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) , Mr. Andrew Yakubu, was recovered through the effort of a whistle blower. According the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, the total recovered loot from various corrupt persons so far collects is about over $180 million
Whistle blowers frequently face reprisal, sometimes at the hands of the organization or group they have accused, sometimes from related organizations, and sometimes under law. Questions about the legitimacy of whistle-blowing, the moral responsibility of whistle blowing, and the appraisal of the institutions of whistle blowing are part of the field of political ethics. Since, “A man’s enemy are the people of his household.. (Matthew 10: 36) ” For a corrupt person to be exposed, a close relative or an associate is needed. In other words, the information certainly would come from an insider. Therefore, the possibility of reprisal is very high. Hence, To protect the public interest and encourage employees’ disclosure of illegal or unethical practices, Congress passed the Whistle-blower Protection Act in 1989.
God through the mouth of Prophet Ezekiel revealed his plans for the safety of the Israelites saying “Behold I have set watchman I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are His servants and by your prayers] put the Lord in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence…” (Isaiah 62:6 AMPC). Certainly, there is great risk in standing for what is right and promoting justice. But the reward of a life lived for God far outweighs the risk to life.
The Warri-born, up and coming rap artist, Efe emerged winner of the 2017 edition of the Big Brother Naija, by popular votes. He won the cash prize of 25 million naira and a brand new Kia Sorento SUV. While Bisola Ayeola, unarguably the most creative and talented housemate was awarded winner of the “ONE Campaign” on girl-child education. ONE Campaign is an international Advocacy Organisation for girl-child. Other housemate may have gained exposures and popularity, even though they may not have won cash awards.
Many who watched their escapades and immoral acts would agree that it was inappropriate to broadcast such indecent acts to the public, even though the censored version is limited to viewers not more than age 18. Yet, many who have access to the you tube can get to view the disheartening erotic scenes of these desperate housemates. For those young minds who thinks it doesn’t matter what you do in your bid to promote your craft, they feel now motivated to toll the path of these contestants especially judging by their achievements.
Participants of Realities shows that promote promiscuity are better rewarded than educational debates programs and talent hunts. This is also a perversion! There is no doubt that for Efe and Bisola, and of course others, this show has provided them a good platform to develop their chosen career, in addition to wealth and fame. In other words, whilst Efe might become a brand ambassador, and develop his musical career, and rise to popularity quicker than if he hadn’t participated in the show, Bisola, aside from possibly becoming an ambassador for the ONE campaign organization, she would also develop her acting career and become the face of many movies and TV shows. Certainly, they may have become famous and gained local and international recognitions, howbeit, with little or no display of moral values, and enviable virtues.
Those who are hungry for fame should be wary of the price of it. The lives of the “glorified” celebrities are as messy as everyone else’s and individuals like to have the faults of other people paraded. Celebrities live in a bubble with their daily lives reflecting a macabre reality TV show in which nothing is private, and no personal problem can be sacred enough to be off-limits. As a result, their routine aspects of their daily lives can end up becoming a news item. As such, attaining normalcy within the celebrity’s life can be considered as a true blessing.
