NOAH'S DAY ... XXXBC

I have had this picture from Ron DiCianni as my cover photo on Facebook for a while now... i think it speaks for itself.
I was only inspired to write about it this morning following the incredible events that have happened worldwide regarding homosexuality, Adultery and policymakers.
Yep! What was abominable to mention 20 years ago is now legal and of course there's a huge backlash, but sadly, it will get even worse.
I asked myself if we were silent and just let it happen? No, we weren't silent. But now, more than ever its time to start BEING about it, instead of just talking about it.
So, what does Noah's day have to do with it?
Noah's ark is a biblical story of how the earth was destroyed by a global flood with only 8 people surviving.
In this period, there was all the immorality that we see today, and worse actually.
The thing is, once a person decides to go down the path of self indulgence and casts off restraint, he can pretty much do the unimaginable... up until he self destructs. And that's what people did back in Noah's day.
The flood was judgement for how evil the world had become... now even though the flood was imminent, there was a way that was open for the ones who believed a flood was coming and wanted to escape it : THE ARK.
For over 100 years Noah built that gigantic ark along with his family. Imagine what everyone around him thought! I imagine they thought he was "hearing things", "crazy", "what could possibly happen to us?!" It was a bizarre concept. Strange... until the rain came.
Another story of judgement is the popular biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by fire. The catch in this story is the same as Noah's. There was a way of escape. How? Abram asked GOD if he would spare the city for 10 righteous men, and God said he would... but there was none, save Lot.
They continued life as usual until the fire came.
The story of Jesus' return and the rapture is almost like a cliche... but it is real. There is a judgement for the unrighteous but the righteous will be saved because there is a way of escape
"For God so loved the world that HE gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life".
In Matthew 24, Jesus gives a clear detailed account of the signs that will happen that point us towards the end of this age. What fascinates me is that he speaks truly and decidedly... like "take it or leave it". You choose.
People didn't listen to Noah's warning as he built the ark, they didn't change their ways but continued to go deeper in sin. Today, the message has gone forth to the world to change their ways and be saved from judgement because JESUS is coming back to take his own, His righteous ones.
We still have the choice today, like they did back then. Reconsider and repent or go on indulging in our selfih pleasures until one day, that day arrives.
The choice has always been ours... chooseLIFE

In Pilate's court

In Pilate’s court, an innocent man was condemned to die a torturous death. He had been given the 39 lashes already – a scourging with razor sharp whips that tore into his skin, and his head was adorned with a crown of thorns… he was starting to look like pulp; bloody pulp.

What was this man’s crime against his own people?

He called himself the Son of God.

He said he was the forgiveness of sins.

He said he was The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

Some people believed him, especially those who had been with Him, who had touched him, who he had healed and delivered. But those who didn’t believe him were more influential in the government of the people.

If he were the son of God, why didn’t he call down the host of heaven to slay his accusers!

He had said to his disciples earlier that this was the reason he came to the world; to give his life. No one could take his life from him, but he willingly gave it. “Greater love hath no man than this; that he would give his life for his friends”.

He was condemned to be crucified, and to Calvary he went to die for the sins of the whole world.

No other reason than love. Greater love.

On the cross he took our sins, being punished for the debt he did not owe. We owed in righteousness, he owed nothing for he was perfect. But he exchanged our sin for his righteousness on that cross where he died.

This is what he meant when he said he is The Way. There is no other route to perfection, to righteousness, and ultimately to God except though the sacrifice that he made on our behalf. We simply cannot be perfect enough, no matter how hard we try.

3 days after his death, he rose again! … Unbelievable?

The intriguing thing about this man was the boldness with which he spoke and the things which he spoke. For example, he had told his disciples earlier that he would go to the capital city and die and rise again. Who says that?

He called himself the son of the Almighty God. Who claims that?

He called himself the forgiveness of the world’s sins. Who takes that responsibility?

Nobody.

Just him.

His messages were simple but hard to believe because they were incredibly true! They pierced to the innermost being and shook your foundation. One writer said “These messages of Jesus Christ are for the will and the conscience, not for the head. If you dispute the sermon…with your head, you will blunt the appeal to your heart.”¹

That is why you must come to Jesus Christ as a child, not as an adult. You must listen with the heart and believe this man Jesus. Truth is it’s all or nothing at all.

Now, we know that when we believe Jesus, we receive eternal life and have found the way to The Father. What if we do not believe? What if we reject Jesus?

If we reject Jesus, we automatically accept another way. There are other ways, the way of Philosophy, legalism, doctrine, rituals and rites, idolatry, self-love and self-righteousness, pride, witchcraft, cultism, etc. but where do they lead to?

They are all our own efforts to be perfect or powerful or fulfilled. But let’s face it; in our own strength and mental capability, we can never be perfect enough for a Holy God. And if The Way (Jesus) leads to life, all other ways lead to death.

If we love our family and friends, we would want them on The Way and that’s why we tell them the good news: Reconciliation with God the Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Rejecting Jesus is not a good option.

His own words in John 3:16-21

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.   19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."   NIV

Only Jesus could say words like this with such boldness and certainty. This explains why he gave himself up to a tortuous death; that there would be a way for you and me to escape condemnation.

It all comes down to this question; will you believe in the Son of God?

Will you pray for others to believe if you believe already?

Rom 10:8-13

But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 

NIV

References

¹ Oswald Chambers (1963) My utmost for His highest; July 1 The inevitable penalty

Picture from Ron Dicianni

Day 3

October, 23 2013

Dear Nigeria,

Today’s the school debate and the argument is whether Doctors are better than farmers or not. Interesting. Well, I think we need both doctors and farmers because they both play key roles in the Nation. One can’t do without the other.

I had a morning lesson today! What a relief, the students are calm. It’s not restless like the first class I attended where someone tried to clear the air by “releasing intestinal gases”! Lol… it was really bad. I’m at the back again. It’s amazing! They hear, but do not understand. Hmm… I have work to do! Quite a handful of the students have “dada” (dreadlocks). Must be a cultural thing

The average score in their last test was 3/15 i.e., 20% wow! (We had it better in my days). Like Asa said, “There is fire on the mountain and nobody seems to be on the run”

Day2

October 22, 2013

Dear Nigeria,

I spent most of today in the staffroom. My lesson was the last period today. Different people come around trying to sell all sorts of wares. I’m so lucky I’ve learned to control my shopping impulses! (Or is it because I don’t have cash at hand?J). I know teachers aren’t the richest guys, but all this advertisement makes them buy things on credit.

You should see the teachers at my school, the public school. Many of them do NOT look good… makes me feel “overdressed” sometimes, because I immediately stand out! I reviewed my lesson notes with my supervisor, and the head of department (science). These guys are learned, bright and come to work every day of the week! I wish you’d consider paying them better. They are the ones who shape the future of young Nigerians… and trust me, the masses go to the public schools, not private schools (That’s for big boys and girls). I’m still sitting at the back today with the stubborn boys. No one in the class has a textbook! I wonder why?

Now I’m getting nervous about teaching a class with rowdy students! God help me.

DIARY OF THE NIGERIAN TEACHER TRAINEE

21^st October, 2013

Dear Nigeria,

Today I started my teaching practice at a government-owned secondary school. I was in a JSS2 classroom. The furniture is old and falling apart and many of the students have to sit on boards on the floor. The blackboard is half gone; the other half that’s left is “quarter to go”! J They made up for the length of the board by painting the wall black (Those of us who went to public schools know that this is the norm). The subject was basic science and the topic was “Changes in non-living things: Characteristics of chemical and physical changes”. Since I’m just watching for the next few days, I sat at the back with some little boys (probably aged 10-13 years). Yes! The stubborn boys sit at the back… but there were a few smart boys too! I watched the teacher try to explain the terms “sublimation”, “condensation” and “Irreversible” to a class that could not understand. I don’t blame them, these things are made easier with practical science laboratories (of course, they did not have any labs)… and in their local language maybe. But they must learn English language to be able to compete in the larger society (I don’t speak the language even) Poor, poor kids L

I guess I have a lot of work to do when I eventually start to teach. I have to make it as simple and practical as I can… but we can only do so much. Whatever happened to public funds for the public? Do the “ogas-at-the-top” have any idea of the implication of a terrible basic education system on the future of this country?! I think not. Really, I think not. Poor kids, poor Nigeria.

I DON’T KNOW

"I DON’T KNOW"

An admission of incompetence, recognition of inability, confession of ignorance

I admit it “I don’t know”. I admit it to you my father.

Yet I do not feel condemned; I feel liberated!

I feel the burden of the decision and the outcome lift from me and transfer to you.

I brought myself to where I am now; I thought I knew exactly where I wanted to be

I was careful, I checked the signs, I followed the instructions, I was careful

But I couldn't see beyond the present of what is now past and now in the present, as I look back and I see that I didn't see it all!

So, here I am... stuck.

I don’t know if I should go forward or backward, left or right; so I’ll sit in place ... until my help comes.

I don’t know which way to go.

Can I hand the decision over to you now? You are omniscient. You start from the end, so you know it all!

I am your child; please guide me in the right path. I thought I knew what I was doing, but I don’t. I thought I knew where I was going, but I don’t. So I’ll do no more. I’ll stand in place and wait for you to give me light.

BLOOD

Blood was shed as a cover

From the beginning, the first time ever

Blood was shed for atonement

To give the first man a garment

Blood was given as our essence

Life to carry by His providence

Blood was shed for our purchase

To save from Satan’s jurisprudence

Blood was our salvation

The blood of the divine our propitiation

Blood was our redemption

Sin is gone and condemnation

Blood is our righteousness

The reason for divinity in humanness

Blood is our perfectness

Jesus Christ, in Him our completeness

Written by Mazhim Suwa