Saudi crown prince may be mystery buyer of Christ painting by Leonardo da Vinci

US intelligence assessments seen by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal identified Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the heir to the Saudi throne, as the buyer of the Renaissance artist’s work.

 

Reports initially identified the buyer of Salvator Mundi, Italian for Saviour of the World, as Prince Bader bin Abdullah, an ally of Prince Mohammed but he is now believed to have been acting as an intermediary.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism announced this week that it has acquired Leonardo da Vinci’s painting and that it will go on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Displaying the artwork in the Arab state will be controversial as Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet rather than the Saviour and some conservative scholars frown on or condemn the portrayal of God’s messengers in artwork.

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

 

The masterpiece has been hailed as one of the greatest artistic rediscoveries of the last 100 years.

At the time of the sale in November, the buyer was unidentified and was involved in a bidding contest, via telephone, that lasted nearly 20 minutes.

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Fresh call for Justin Welby to head inquiry into vice-chancellor’s pay

His recommendation comes after it emerged that the former vice-chancellor of Bath Spa University was handed more than £800,000 in her final year.

Speaking during the annual Lords debate led by Most Rev Justin Welby, Lord Adonis recommend limits and governance reforms to deal with the “scandal” of vice-chancellor pay.

 

The former Labour cabinet minister noted that some had likened themselves to Diego Maradona or Sir Richard Branson.

Accounts for Bath Spa University show Prof Christina Slade was paid £429,000 “for loss of office” on top of her £250,000 salary and other benefits.

Glynis Breakwell, vice-chancellor of nearby Bath University, was forced to step down last week following an outcry over her £468,000 pay package.

Jo Johnson, the universities minister, has called on universities to restrain pay of senior management after research from University and College Union (UCU) showed the average pay for vice-chancellors had risen to £278,000 in 2015-16.

 

Lord Adonis criticised Johnson on Twitter for her “silence” as details of vice-chancellor’s pay comes to light.

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Microsoft to Launch Foldable Device in 2018

REUTERS/Morris Mac Matzen/FilesA Microsoft representative shows a smartphone with Windows 10 operating system at the CeBIT trade fair in Hanover in this file photo from March 15, 2015. Rumors claim that the next mobile device from Microsoft is currently codenamed Andromeda.

While Microsoft has yet to make an official announcement, rumors claim that the Redmond-based company may release its foldable device, currently codenamed as Andromeda, in 2018.

Although Microsoft never really admitted that it was working on the Surface Phone, unconfirmed reports claim that the company has already scrapped the plan and is releasing a new foldable device instead, which will supposedly launch a new category of mobile devices: The Andromeda. While it remains unclear whether the company is really working on the supposed new-category device, rumors now claim that the Andromeda will make its debut next year.

According to rumors, the Andromeda will pack the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset that will be available around the same time with the arrival of the Andromeda, the Snapdragon 845. After all, Microsoft recently came up with a job posting that specifies experience in “LTE Manufacturing test on QUALCOMM (8998, and SDM 845) and/or Intel chipsets” as a qualification.

With Qualcomm revealing the Snapdragon 845 just last December 8, it is believed more and more that the Andromeda device may be packing the latest chipset, indeed. Nonetheless, some opine that the job posting may simply be about Microsoft’s plan of launching a Surface laptop powered by an ARM processor.

Nonetheless, among the many rumors…

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Tech Toys for Little Girls and Boys this Christmas

AnkiThe Anki Cozmo is one of the best tech toys for little boys this Christmas.

Christmas will not be the holiday that it is for kids without the toys. However, with kids of today exposed to technology, it goes without saying that simple pull-back toy cars and ordinary dolls are a thing of the past and outdated as Christmas presents. Hence, parents are advised to buy their children presents that, while have the form of the old toys, offer a new fun experience because of the technology they pack.

Gone are the days when a little boy would take delight in a toy car that runs by being pulled-back or controlled with a remote. However, this does not mean that toy cars are out of fashion anymore as a Christmas present as Anki Overdrive is one of the best Christmas presents that can surely bring delight to a little boy on Christmas morning. 

What separates Anki Overdrive from other toy cars is that it is equipped with artificial intelligence. Unlike other racing toy cars that come with their own racing tracks, this tech toy is controlled by an Apple or Android device. While players can race with others, it is also possible for the a child to race with another car that runs on artificial intelligence.

AnkiUnlike other racing car toys, the Anki Overdrive can be controlled by an Apple or Android device.

Another tech toy that parents can gift their little boy this Christmas is the Anki Cozmo, a miniature robot that comes with a facial recognition feature. This garbage truck robot may not be bigger than the size of a palm but offers a load of fun, such as greeting a person and playing host to games,…

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The new Archbishop of Wales to be enthroned

The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies, was elected as the 13th Archbishop of Wales in September and his enthronement will take place at a national service in Brecon Cathedral.

Rev Cannon Carol Wardman , from the Church in Wales told Premier what he will bring to the role.

“He’s got a very keen interest in the way that the Church and the outside world interact.

“He’s a lawyer by background so he brings all that trained mind and ability to get his head around a subject very quickly into play,” she said.

Cannon Wardman added: “He’s got a terrific sense of humour.

“He’s been a great fun to work with over the last six, seven years and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future as archbishop.”

 

Archbishop John will be led into the Cathedral by a long procession which will include clergy, visiting bishops, diocesan legal officers, ecumenical and interfaith guests and representatives of academic institutions.

During the service the Archbishop will be placed in the Archiepiscopal chair (or throne) by the Bishop of Bangor, the Senior Bishop, who will then present him to the congregation.

 

The Archiepiscopal chair is a wooden replica of the Chair of St Augustine in Canterbury Cathedral, and was a gift from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1920 when, at its disestablishment, the Church in Wales became a separate Province of the Anglican…

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Andrew Wommack’s Daily 9 December 2017 Devotional: The Veil Is Torn

Topic: The Veil Is Torn [Saturday December 9, 2017]

Luke 23:45 “And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.”

The veil spoken of here reached from the ceiling to the floor, from wall to wall, and separated the Holy of Holies from the holy place in the temple. Solomon’s temple was 30 cubits high (1 Ki. 6:2), but Herod increased the height to 40 cubits according to the writings of Josephus, a first century historian. Therefore, depending on what standard you use to convert cubits to feet (there is uncertainty as to exactly what a cubit equaled in our feet and inches), this veil was somewhere between 60 feet and 90 feet high.

It is significant that this veil was rent from top to bottom (Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38). No man could have torn the veil in this fashion. It was definitely God that rent the veil. The time when this veil was rent corresponds exactly with the moment Jesus died.

Hebrews 9:1-9 tells us that the veil separated the Holy of Holies, where God dwelt, from the rest of the temple, where men dwelt. This signified that man was separated from God by sin (Isa. 59:1-2). Only the high priest was permitted to pass beyond this veil, and only once each year (Ex. 30:10; Heb. 9:7). This symbolized the Christ who would enter into God’s presence for us and make an atonement.

The moment that Christ died, the veil was torn in two, revealing that the sacrifice had been made and that there is no longer any separation between God and man. Jesus tore the veil, that is to say His flesh (Heb. 10:20), in two and opened up a new way unto God through Himself.

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).


Seeds of Destiny 9 December 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Your Duty And Your Defence

Seeds of Destiny 9 December 2017 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Your Duty And Your Defence

Topic: Your Duty And Your Defence [Saturday December 9, 2017]

Scripture: And ye shall serve the LORD your God… and he shall destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. – Ex 23:25 & 27

Thought For The Day: You cannot be on a mission for God and be messed up in life; God did not call you to kill you.

From our anchor scripture above, it is confirmed that there is a connection between your service to God and your security in life. The same way an ambassador enjoys diplomatic immunity, every genuine child of God who is in an active service of God has a Heavenlimatic immunity that shields him or her from satanic disasters or calamities that others suffer.

The truth is, God is too just to call you and leave you to be wasted. You cannot be on a mission for God and be messed up in life. God did not call you to kill you; He called you to colour you. For as long as you are on the path of His assignment, He is duty-bound to keep you safe. Where people’s blood is wasted, your blood cannot be wasted because of your commitment to Kingdom assignment.

Beloved, despite the devil and the storms of life, your commitment to kingdom assignment is a guarantee of your preservation and the security of your destiny.

Today, I prophesy to you: no devil shall waste your life. In this season, your blood shall not be wasted and your destiny shall not be aborted, in Jesus’ Name.

Remember This: You cannot be on a mission for God and be messed up in life; God did not call you to kill you.

Assignments:

1. Ask God at the place of prayers to reveal to you what you are created for.

2. Make up your mind to brutally and aggressively fulfill kingdom assignment, especially evangelism or soul winning.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: TOO NEEDED TO BE WASTED

Prayer: LORD, I make demands on Your grace to run with the mandate of Your Kingdom for my life. O Lord, I shall not die before my time, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Joel 1:1 to 3:21, Revelations 1:1 to 20, Psalm 128:1 to 6, Proverbs 29:18

Quote: To work for God is to be secured by God. Culled from 365 WISDOM CAPSULES by Dr Paul Enenche

Don’t Forget To Attend: The six over-flooded services tomorrow by 6:am, 7:20am, 8:40am, 10:00am, 11:20am and 12:40pm. Invite friends and loved ones. God bless you.

Today In History: 9/12/1998 – Swiss politicians elected Interior Minister Ruth Dreifuss as president, making her the first woman to lead the Swiss government.

Amazing Fact: It takes eight minutes for light to reach the Earth from the Sun.

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities.


Is This Rare 9-Hour Rainbow a Prophetic Sign of Our Dangerous Times? .

A new record was set last Thursday when two scientists in Taiwan recorded a rainbow that lasted an incredible nine hours. (Pexels/Benyamin Mellish)

A new record was set last Thursday when two scientists in Taiwan recorded a rainbow that lasted an incredible nine hours.

Chou Kun-hsuan and Liu Ching-huang, both professors in the Department of Atmospheric Science at the Chinese Culture University, were observing a rainbow for their studies last week when gradually, they realized that something very…

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DCLM Daily Manna 9 December, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi – Evil Legacy

Topic: Evil Legacy — Saturday December 9, 2017.

Text: 2 Kings 15:13-26

Key Verse: “And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 15:24).

In honour of his parents who were Baptist missionaries to Argentina when he was a child, Steve Green penned the following lyrics in his popular song: “After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone. And our children sift through all we’ve left behind. May the clues that they discover, and the memories they uncover become the light that leads them to the road we each must find. Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe. And may the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.” Scriptural records reveal that all the kings who reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel were grossly ungodly. They all took after the evil legacy of Jeroboam, their foremost progenitor who was the first king to rule over the ten tribes of northern Israel after the kingdom was divided.

In our text today, we have a mention of some of the kings that reigned after Jeroboam and how they “departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 15:24). The chain of wickedness is clearly observed: the reigning king is killed and the killer ascends the throne. The people are oppressed, extorted and led into idol worship. There are still many who belong to Jeroboam’s school of thought and subscribe to his legacies. They can kill their rival to gain a political office.

The Bible says, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). But the good news is that the Blood of Jesus can make you clean. So, turn away from evil and pass a righteous legacy to the coming generation. Then, you will be counted worthy of reigning with Christ in His coming Kingdom.

Thought for the day: Every man will be remembered for what he has done.

Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 17-19

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.


Our Daily Manna December 9, 2017: ODM devotional – The Secret: The Small Basic Things Daily!

Our Daily Manna December 9, 2017: ODM devotional – The Secret: The Small Basic Things Daily!

Topic — The Secret: The Small Basic Things Daily! [Saturday, December 9, 2017]

Welcome! When Jim Rohn , the great American philosopher,  was asked how he became successful why many of his friends did not, he simply said: “The answer is simple! The things I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do. I found it easy to set the goals that could change my life. I found it easy to read the books that could affect my thinking and my ideas. They found that easy not to do. I found it easy to attend the classes and seminars and to get around other successful people. They said it probably wouldn’t matter. If I had to sum it up, I would say, ‘what I found to be easy to do, they found it not to be easy to do. Six years later, I am a millionaire, and they still blaming the economy, the government and company policies, yet, they neglected to do the basic easy things.”

Amazing indeed! Note the words: “THE BASIC THINGS.” It means the small/little things! The basic reason for failure in life is refusal to do the small basic things that you know are good daily e.g. meditating on the Word – Joshua 1:8. Success for you is not impossibility. Stop looking for big secrets or revelation for success. The keys to you Canaan Land are around you. They are tied to the things you do or do not do daily! Mark 12:37 declares, “And the common people heard him gladly.” Did you get that? THE COMMON PEOPLE hanged around Jesus often! Not THE BIG PEOPLE! When it comes to  life, don’t be too sophisticated!

Do the simple things you know daily and consistently, like praying, Bible reading, read great books, avoiding dirty thoughts, attending regularly your local church services, planning before action, avoiding what you know to be  sin/bad, giving tithing regularly, forgiving regularly, controlling you sleep, keeping fit physically, thinking more, working on schedule , never harbouring a grudge, always listening to the Holy Spirit, etc. Small BASIC THINGS PF LIFE! Added to the list is to reject procrastination and laziness! One form of procrastination or indiscipline always leads to another. So is disciple! Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. You don’t fail in one day.

Failure is a result of little, regular indiscipline repeated every day. So pay attention to the little things you do today and daily. Your success or failure i tied to them.

TODAY is the last 2017 Lagos (Ogudu) Manna Mountain ANOINTING SERVICE, TIME: 8am-11.30am. Theme: “THE BEST FOR THE LAST: ANOINTING FOR LAST-MINUTE MIRACLE” and Sunday December 10th is the ANNUAL ODM (INTERDENOMINATIONAL) THANKSGIVING SERVICE.

Prayer Points: Take any song of worship to the Lord as led.

1. Ask for the grace to do little BASIC THINGS of life!

2. Reject indiscipline/PROCRASTINATION! Decree that you will never fail in this planet

3. Pull down every WITCHCRAFT arrow fired to make you fail as 2017 ends! Pray about today and any other point (s) now.

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.