by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Mar 31, 2018 | Uncategorized |
It was the day after the most devastating eclipse. It was still very dark, and everyone filled with bewilderment.
And so everything went quite, dead silence everywhere! For the masterminds, it was another great achievement, a riddance to blasphemy and political threats.
The Hopeless and fearful disciples and believers hid in shame, wondering how their savior was so humiliated and killed. What becomes of his promises -the freedom, the peace, the positive changes and his kingdom reign, they bitterly queried.
So, it was still dark, gloomy and devastating Saturday because no one seemed to remember Easter Sunday, when he said he would defeat death forever. They were hopeless and confused!
Oh you too? You feel suspended like the disciples, just hang in there, there’s always Easter Sunday. The darkest part of the day is the closest to the morning.
There’s hope for your tomorrow. Hope in God can never be disappointed! This too shall come to pass. Wait, You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
Greatmark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Mar 30, 2018 | Uncategorized |
“It was initially a smooth ride; we were gisting, jesting and enjoying the company of each other, as we began what is supposed to be an adventurous journey. That I’m alive to write my experience on how we narrowly escaped death is simply incredible!
We had lots of snacks and drinks to share while we anticipated the ecstasy of spending some quality time with our host. Traveling in the woods was such a beautiful sight, the lush gardens, the beautiful trees, the sparse vegetation and several solitary hamlets adorned with distinct farm lands along our transverse were amazing sights to capture.
As a lover of photographs, I was prepared to take shots of every scintillating images, and really I had more than enough pictures of captivating sights. I was determined to capture every moment, and I think I did, even after the accident.
We were sure prepared for the long journey until the excitement began to diminish and one after the other we all slept off, save the driver I presume. I guess he lost concentration at some point and dozed off when the silence in the bus became unbearable.
Suddenly, we woke up to the squeaking of the tires, followed by the cry of despair by the driver as he struggles to stabilize the car. Suddenly, one of the tires pulled out and we were headed for a very deep valley. I’d thought that it was for the fear of perishing that the driver applied the break and we got tumbling.
The thought of survival was impossible here going by the sight of what lied ahead of us. Did we eventually plunged into the valley of death? Yes, we did but we were suspended by a tree, a strong and mighty tree with an inconceivable height.
Thankfully, we were cut in between the road and the closest branch. We were later literarily plucked off the branch in somewhat a miraculous manner. This was how we escape death! It sure wouldn’t have been possible without a supernatural intervention. We were condemned to die but it was averted by an unseen hand, I believe!”
The way these sojourners were saved from the certainty of death is the way the entire human race was saved from a deserving death. The human is condemned to death and eternal separation from God by virtue of the sin and disobedience of our antecedents, Adam. And the death punishment hanging on every man was a certainty until a sacrifice was made. Yes, “The wages of sin is death…” (Rom.6:23).
However, by the unmerited of God, we narrowly escape this death because Christ took all of our sins upon himself, all of them, having offered himself as the sacrificial passover lamb. He bore the sins of the world upon himself and for this he took our punishment in order to emancipate us from the debt we owe but could not pay.
He suffered the wrath we deserved. He was Every ounce. We deserved no mercy but while still in our lost estate, God offered us redemption through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. He became the propitiation for our sins, so that we being fred from sin should be reconcile back to God.
He was crucified for us, buried for us, and then on the third day he was raised for us. This is how we escaped death! By his resurrection we were positioned to befriend God, worship him in truth and live eternally with Him (I Corinthians 15:3-4).
It was a perfect finish! Yes, his death and resurrection was a complete work of salvation; a sacrificial act that transformed us from enemies to friends of God. Nothing more is needed; no more sacrifice is necessary to restore our broken relationship with God. That Christ died and rise again all for our sake is enough!
Jesus came alive again. He is alive for us now. We have no more guilt. No more shame. No more fear. We have peace with God. We are not under this wrath, not destined for his judgment, not awaiting his fury. We are now, and forever, the objects of his love.
We are the recipients of his unending favor. We are the gathered sons and daughters who will spend eternity in the riches of their Father’s glory. All through Jesus Christ, the one who washed our sins away, the one who will cause us to never be the same.
It is Good Friday; the darkest yet the greatest day in history. The day that death was the greatest day in history. Death was beaten and our rescue secured. This is how we escaped death; Christ died for us and this is just enough!
Like I noted in my article, WE’VE GOT THE RAM;LET US GO HOME FOR EID AL-ADHA!; It is no longer a news that the plan of salvation is clear: “For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in him should not die but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
It was a good Friday because of the Easter Sunday. Yes, it is a happy day, after all. Even when you go through the darkest period of your life, don’t despair, there will always be a happy day. You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
Greatmark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Mar 28, 2018 | Uncategorized |
Between better and bigger which is easily noticeable? I admit that better is harder to measure and not as noticeable to the eye as bigger. But, the truth is, better will overcome bigger every time. The story of Mr. Bassey the miserable warrior is worthy of read.
Any time, he prays, Mr. Bassey, also known as “Prayer Warrior”, he roars like a lion and the people around him feel the impact of his intense importunity prayers. To some who have benefitted from his intercession, they never consider his persistency as a nuisance. However, some feels he is a miserable man by virtue of his prayer point, which seemed fashioned after cajoling God to do whatever he feels necessary, with no regards to God’s ultimate purpose and plan.
I am a beneficiary of the blessings of an intercessor like Mr. Bassey, but am often startled by prayers that are intended to manipulate God or targeted at cajole Him, with no respect for His Sovereignty. Truth is, you can be prayerful and still be miserable! Anytime you try to use your prayers to change God who is perfect rather than change yourself, you’re miserable!
God is sovereign, yet his unchanging nature should not be a deterrent to making petitions for our needs. Rather, it should be a motivation to seek his intervention on any matter at all under the sun. Although, God challenged us to call upon him and he will answer us. Yet, our prayers should not be aimed at convincing God of the sincerity of our needs, because He knows what we need before we even ask him (Matthew 6:8).
Furthermore, our prayers should not be characterized by long and repetitive words, or flamboyant display of religiosity. For this kind of pagan-like, babbling prayers, Jesus warned the disciples not to emulate because God cannot be endeared by many words. Thus, prayers that are intended to woo God to act against his will, or fashioned to hamstring or curtail Him is a miserable prayer!
Speaking on the sovereignty of God; Calvinism, which is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice of John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians, shifted the emphasis of prayers from its effect on God to its effect on the pray-er. This theology was aptly put by Matthew Henry thus, “It is true, nothing can have any influence upon him, or move him to show us mercy, but it may have an influence upon ourselves, and to put us into a frame fit to receive mercy.”
In essence, God is not moved or persuaded by our prayers, instead his response to our prayers is a show of his mercy. As Jonathan Edwards wrote, “God is sometimes represented as if He were moved and persuaded by the prayers of his people; yet it is not to be thought that God is properly moved or made willing by our prayers’, instead, God bestows mercy “as though he were prevailed upon by prayer.”
I have come to accept that no matter how good your plans are, it cannot be better than what plans God has for you. His thoughts towards us are precious and ultimately the best for our lives. Though he offers us blank checks to ask whatever our heart desires, and promised never to let us down. Yet, he knows our needs even more than we do know, and his will for us remains the best we can ever wish for in this life.
I agree that it is very difficult to attempt to reconcile the unchangeable nature of God with his responsiveness to the prayers of his creation. However, I believe the submission of Andrew Murray on this matter is noteworthy. He said, God does indeed allow Himself to be decided by prayer to do what He otherwise would not have done.” Therefore, whenever God responds to our requests, or we appear to have made him change his mind, he does this only by his mercy, and not that our prayer is potent to change him.
God commands us to pray and seek his face, with a promise that he will fill our mouth with the desires of our heart. Likewise, he expects us to trust Him and rely absolutely on his wisdom to deal with every of our request in accordance to his will.
What a joy it is to be at peace with who you are and where you are in your life. The desire to be bigger will not allow you to rest, relax and enjoy your blessings, but it will also becloud your sense of gratitude to God. Thank him for the small things; He’s got you in his plans.
Even unanswered prayers or delays can make you a better person if it is God’s ultimate plan for you. So, rather than attempt to manipulate God with your prayers, learn to trust Him. I’m certain that God works for those who wait for him. Like the testimony of Brother Jethro in my article, THE NAKEDNESS OF BROTHER JETHRO, I do know that His plans for those who trust Him are good and not evil, to give them an expected end. This is a promise of God that will never change!”
You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Mar 21, 2018 | Uncategorized |
Deep within every rational and purposeful man is the desire to live in a world that is better and glorious than the terrestrial. As such, any man who does not have eternity in view has forfeited his purpose in life, and he or she is not better than a goat.
The truth is, we are not meant to be here forever! We are dwellers in a temporary shelter; and traders in a market place. Soon all businesses will close and we would be going home! No matter how comfortable we are here, and in spite of our sufferings, we are not home yet.
Man is created in God’s image to live for eternity. No matter how much time we spend here on earth, we have been designed to spend far more time on the other side of death. This is so because, “God has planted eternity in the human heart…” Ecclesiastes 3:11.
A man who’s got eternity in view will prepare for it and live a life that guarantees continuity in a destination that promises absolute peace, Joy and eternal life. Like a farmer who expects a bountiful harvest in its seasons, he will prepare the ground for planting and ensure that all the necessary conditions for proper growth of the crops is adhered to.
Simply put, If you want a good result you must put in a good work. Two things are involved here: you either love your life or you hate it. Both choices have eternal consequences: it is either you love your life to death or you lose your life to gain eternal life.
He who hates his life is not a fool; he only considers the world and its pleasures and accomplishments less important as where he spends eternity. He knows that no worldly achievements are capable of qualifying him for a life hereafter. Even though he seeks worldly necessities, his commitment is to a course that far outweighs the worldly rewards and gratifications.
Commitment to a course you believe in is fulfilling and may be an antidote to frustration. However, commitment to an earthly course while pursuing heavenly recognition is more rewarding. A well accomplished life without heavenly reward is all together futility.
There’s no earthly reward that is comparable to a life in eternity. By the way, there’s no way a man can gain the world, no matter how wealthy or influential he is. Even if he does, it is still not rewarding like a life that is sold out to God.
In the word of Michael Huffington, “When we die our money, fame, and honors will be meaningless. We own nothing in this world. Everything we think we own is in reality only being loaned to us until we die. And on our deathbed at the moment of death, no one but God can save our souls.”
I’ll rather be committed to a course whose rewards surpasses the terrestrial; a course that won’t deny me eternity or deprive me a reward after my sojourn here is finished. There are courses of labor or humanitarian service here on earth that won’t qualify a man reward from God.
For instance, an atheist may be immortalized for having achieved a great feat in national development, humanitarian service or social justice. But such persons rewards ends here on earth; he may have just works only for this world. He loved his life but lost it in eternity because he jettisoned his maker.
I hate my life; I have surrendered it to my maker who through his life has guaranteed my eternity. I will work to get worldly rewards and not miss heavenly glorification. If I love my life in this world then I will cherish everything and careless about my maker who gives me life.
If I love my life, then I will pursue my goals without credence to his instructions. I will do what will give me worldly praise and gratifications. I won’t mind if God is displeased with me as long as I believe in myself, follow my heart and remain at the center of my world.
However, if I hate my life, then, my makers’s instructions and purpose for me would be my utmost pleasure. Having heavenly reward would be more important to me than amasing earthly riches. I will lose my life by becoming addicted to God and pursuing a course that guarantees me eternal life at the other side of death -eternity.
Like I said in a previous article, titled BIBLIOMATICS OF AGE: SEE HOW YOU CAN SPEND $90 BILLION IN A DAY, the choice of your destination is simply yours. Make a worthy choice. You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Mar 17, 2018 | Uncategorized |
Some religious leaders and followers are better named as: “Hopeless”, “Frauds”, or “Silly.” And to make matter worst, many of them either don’t realize how silly they are or they are blinded by religious fanaticism or self deceit. Trust me, I do not mean to be harsh or judgmental in anyway.
Some of these religious leaders reminds me of the Pharisees and religious scholars of the Bible days who reckoned themselves as the custodian of knowledge, and pride themselves as personal assistants of the most High God. This false knowledge and self aggravation leads to pomposity and disrespect of other people’s opinions. Thus, creating a spasm and class between the leaders and their followers.
This phenomenon often results into giving undue or over-zealous reverence to such leaders, to the extent that their words, and instructions becomes more important than God’s oracle. This is unfortunate to say the least, as the honors due God is then bestowed on mortal man. For instance, rather than follow God’s instructions, what you hear is, “Papa or Daddy” said. To the extent that people cringe at the mention of such names.
I do not promote disrespect of men of God, as this would be disregarding God’s instruction to treat with respect those who truly represent God. However, this does not mean one would adore and adorn them with the glories and accolades that belongs to God. Sadly, many followers know and honor the words of their spiritual leaders even more than knowing God and honoring his words.
With reference to this, I will like to delve into the issue of offering and Tithes. The issue of whether tithing, that is, ten percent of ones income, is necessary or not is not a new phenomenon. One valid reference is seen in the New Testament when Jesus had a confrontation with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. Knowing their believes and disposition about tithing, Jesus challenged them to stop being hypocritical about the act.
In rebuking them on why they neglect the weightier part of God’s command, he said, “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God’s Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it.” Matthew 23:23.
He however commended their being meticulous about book-keeping, nitpicking over commas and semicolons, like practically carrying the scriptures on their forehead and body to show everyone how religious they are. In addition, they brag over the payment of tithes and offerings, and endeavor to keep proper records of their tithes, so as to win man’s approval. Yet, they neglect the basic requirements of the law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment, which he described as the absolute basics!
In Biology, we learn that there are micro and macro elements and both are necessary for the growth and development of the body. The micro elements which are required in small quantities, such as Iron, Copper, Iodine etc, are equally as important as the macro elements, such as Sodium, Magnesium etc, which are needed in large quantities. For a healthy and balanced growth, both micro and macro elements are important to the body and no one should be ignored for the other.
Christ’s submission on this is that the micro elements of the law is paying of the ten percent (tithe) and offerings, whereas the macro elements of the law is compassion, fairness, love and justice. In essence, the macro elements of the law, which includes love for God and humanity is as important as paying of tithe and offerings. Just like the human body would be deficient of adequate growth and development, a man who ignore the weightier part of the law will be deficient in his relationship with God and man.
The religious leaders and their followers were rebuked for placing more importance on the minor requirements of the law while neglecting the major elements of love. Thus, they minor on major and major on minor. This is not acceptable to God who wants us to take care of the needy and show compassion, and demonstrate loving kindness, which is the heartbeat of God.
Let me mention that issues about how men of God enrich themselves with wealth by their church members who are committed to tithing, as well as the debates on whether members should pay the ten percents or not will never cease to generate controversies among people. I think a deeper understanding of the issues of church finance vis-a-vis tithes, offerings and donations and God’s directives would help stand in the position of being devoid of sentiments.
For those who have never been interested in paying of tithe, this perception will be justifiable. Some make reference to this passage and say that Christ downplayed the act of tithing by his statement. No, this is untrue! He taught that the sacrifice of love and compassion is more rewarding than the fat offering given in church. God will be more pleased with showing kindness to the poor and the needy than keeping good record of tithing.
Jesus however did not condemn the ten percent, he only frowned at doing one and avoiding the other. Just as the micro and micro elements are vital in the human body, even though one is needed in smaller quantities and the other in large quantities, the ten percent, and showing of mercy are both important but the latter is the major, and should not be compromised.
In summary, any sacrifice not borne out of love is unacceptable to God, and He alone sees the intent of the heart of man. He doesn’t need our money or gifts, he only accepts a heart of reverence and a life that is first sold out to Him.
Finally, religious leaders should ensure they major on showing of mercy, compassion and love over acquisition of wealth and “turning stones (people) to bread” for their own personal advantage. Also, hose who give should give generously, and not by compulsion. Likewise, those who receive should use it judiciously to the glory of God.
Like I said in my article, MR. SOLO AND THE BLANK CHEQUE, let us fear the Lord’s displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments.
You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Mar 13, 2018 | Uncategorized |
In many parts of the world, cry of anguish, pain and sorrow have never ceased to be heard, especially amongst the faithfuls and bonafide followers of the famous king and master, who having fell from his throne few years back is now declared dead. Although, celebrations, pomp and pageantry area also witnessed in many part of the world, as the news of the death of the notorious hellish king rent the air.
A top aid of “The Symbol” as he is fondly called, who broke the news said that before his demise, the tyrant dissolved his cabinet, and advised the shareholders to consider their investments non and void. He was however said to have assured his followers that their dividends will be paid in full in the near future.
Despite the assurance, the addicted followers have expressed utter disappointment over how their acclaimed master failed to live up to expectations and has thus displayed unfaithfulness to his promises.
Our correspondents who spoke to members of his caucus reported that those who have hitherto lived in worldly affluence have expressed wrath over his sudden death, saying that the failed promise of worldly riches and inheritance is clearly a mirage.
The implication is that all Satan’s faithfuls would become jobless, hopeless and in utter desperation. Sadly, the rate of unemployment is expected to greatly increase as a result of the sudden and untimely death of the world’s famous tyrant and deceiver.
As this news gladdens many who have been continually terrified by the nefarious activities of this tyrant, many have testified that evil would stop in the world. Some have also expressed happiness at the spate of killings, suicide, crime, immoralities, diseases, wars to mention a few would be no more.
Hey, this is utopia! The accuser of men, and the father of all lies, Satan has been appointed for judgement at the time that God has set. The devil will be captured only after the saints have been raptured. However, satan knows that his time is close and as such he continues to vehemently fights to make men become enemies of God. Where do you stand? On whose side are you?
In one of my previous articles, titled BROKEN NEWS: THE ANCIENT CITY OF RETARD RECEIVES 50 MILLION NEW MIGRANTS, I noted that for those who desire a safer, peaceful and moral society, you would have wished this happens here, so that wickedness would diminish and the world would be a better place. But this is a moral utopia!
This will not happen in this world but it is a shadow of what is to come. You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
*Broken News is a publication of Happy Valley Agency which seeks to examine political and moral utopias that would foster positive change.
