INVESTMENTS | #JustAThought | #iMuse

It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.

Matthew 25:14-18 (MSG)

 

God makes no mistakes. In the story of the creation, it is written that God said, God saw and God called (Genesis 1:3-5). At the close of all He had called into existence, God called it good. Then He made the grand work of His hands, Man, a being made in the image and likeness of his Maker, endowed with a wealth of abilities and grace beyond comprehension. God beheld once again and this time called it VERY good. 

All of the creatures made by God do not have a problem being what they are created to be – birds fly, fishes swim and the land animals, domestic and wild alike, manifest according to their inherent nature. A fish, like other animals with their unique abilities, doesn’t struggle to swim because it was configured to do just that.

Man on the other hand seems to find it hard to come to grips with his true identity which amongst other things means to prosper and fill the earth. 

A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.

Psalms 49:20 NKJV

 

The gifts and callings God put on the inside of us are not for adornment but for the fulfillment of the destiny He had foreordained us for before the creation of the earth. The man who was given one talent was not different in worth but in capacity and ability. The Master gave to each servant according to his ability and expected results in like proportion. (Matthew 25:14-30). Responding to the ability in us is true responsibility. 

The mandate of dominion was not given only to believers, it was given to humans and wherever God sees a man fulfilling this mandate, the results are released regardless of the motive because the principle is being operated. If we are not content with the character or personality in dominion over a particular sphere of human endeavor, it simply means there are not enough good people taking responsibility by responding to their ability.

 

The return of the Master will meet us either giving excuses or brandishing accolades. What we don’t use, we loose (Matthew 25: 25 - 28). It’s our call!

Adebayo Martins | #JustAThought | #iMuse | SUN.01.01.2012

Dear Mr. Sunkanmi

Full-Inn Guest House,

Travellers Route,

BTLM 1N JDA

Mr. Sunkanmi King,
Ryt Hand Ofada’s Str,
Golden Floor City,
HV 4EVA.

25.12.0034

Dear Mr. Sunkanmi,

SINCERE APOLOGIES

Compliments of Your season. It’s always a period of the year we look forward to being that it is a time of reunion with family, sharing of gifts and lots of travelling.

This is to formally tender our sincere apologies for the oversight on the part of the management staff of our firm during Your visit years ago.

We felt the need to apologize to You because by virtue of Your visit years ago, all hotels around the globe have a boost in business this time of the year even though most of us forget to give You the credit and a handful of others make attempt to ensure You are not associated with the season.

Thank You for Your understanding.

Signed,

Management:

Full-Inn Guest House & Earth’s Hotels

**********************************************************************************

APPENDIX/INDEX OF TERMS

Mr. Sunkanmi King – Soon Coming King; Rev.22:7. He's also making room for us:

"Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (NLT, John 14:1-4)

Ryt Hand Ofada’s… – Right Hand of the Father; Eph 1:19-21

Golden Floor City... – Heaven; Rev. 21:21

FullInn Guest House… - Luke 2:4-7

FIT THE PROFILE

So he sent and brought him in…And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”…And so it was…that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

1^st Sam. 16: 12-23

 

In most cases, when God anoints a vessel, He then sends such a one to a “place of primary assignment”, an avenue for the testing and validation of the election and selection. Joseph, Paul, John and Jesus are just a few examples of this trend we see in the scriptures. So also was David, who shortly after his anointing, was drafted into the service of Saul, the incumbent king over Israel. Though he was anointed for the throne, his first assignment was not to the throne as a leader but a stool in the palace as a servant. One has to learn to follow to effectively lead. His service under King Saul instructs us as to our attitude to work in the marketplace of our jobs.

 

Anointed for a purpose: to be anointed is to be empowered (Acts 1:8). We are meant to be the solution to the needs of our bosses. The anointed staff rises to the occasion when problems arise. They are more intuitive and creative in such situations. Like David in the anchor text (vs.23), the skill of their hands assuages the pressures on the leaders of the organization.

 

Self Motivated: they don’t call a pity party because they weren’t acknowledged or commended. They see the big picture. They know when the boss looks good, they look good. They do not allow what they do to affect who they are. They are not looking for a personal relationship in a public place.

 

Action oriented: they solve the problem without commenting on the cause. David played his harp when the need arose. He didn’t talk about the faults in Saul. Some people have talked themselves out of their jobs. Think more, talk less. David did his job and let them talk about it (vs. 18).

 

Focus: the main reason you were employed should be a goal you seek to justify and even surmount always. Excellence and dexterity on the job is a ministry and witness on its own. Money isn’t the reason you are there, it merely funds the reason.

 

Change agent: a plane soars through the wind as long as the cabin pressure is kept at par. It’s risky to let the environment you work in to influence you negatively. Allowing what you are meant to feed to become the one feeding you is a break of order (Gen. 3:12). Avoid the counsels that are not compatible with where you are headed.

 

(Inspirations: Bishop T. D Jakes, etc)

 

EXPERIENCED YET? | REMEMBERING THE EXPERIENCE 2010

There was so much excitement in the air as people from all over the country and around the world converged at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos that night. Apparently, those who had come the year before couldn’t resist coming again. Though scheduled for 7:00pm, the venue was already alive way before noon with some people arriving as early as 5am.  Early as it seemed, the security operatives were already at work at the gate, the cleaners were tidying and arranging the chairs while the food-vendors were putting up their stalls in preparation for the demand soon to ensue from attendees of The Experience 2010.

This event perhaps means different things to different people. To the hawkers selling whistles, handkerchiefs, sausages, souvenirs and lots more, the event would be a promising market. To the technical guys, it meant lots of cables and tons of equipment to move around. The medical personnel, musicians and ushers might simply just call it too much work. But I’m sure that for many, it is indeed an experience of a lifetime, happening every year.

With some help from a guy, Tolu, who I met on the bus on the way to the event, I arrived in good time myself to see how everything came together. We had a feeling of what was to come as the guest artistes began to sound-check their instruments and equipment. From around 11:50am, Israel Houghton, Mary Mary, Judy Jacobs and Don Moen took turns to get their preferred set ups for sound.

By noon, most of the people around started to leave the open space into the shades to find solace from the sun that seemed to be ‘smiling’ a little too much for comfort. The crowds began to gather in again at around 3:30 – 4:00pm and the air was already alive with an almost steady drone from whistles which seemed to be everywhere as much as were white hankies. Moments later, a resounding blast came from the vuvuzela’s as a sort of echo to the sound from the trumpet of Phil Driscoll as he checked his microphone for appropriate delay. Micah Stampley and Papa San also showed up for their sound checks and by 6:45pm, one could tell that the crowd was ready (and slightly petulant) for the program because by this time, the vuvuzela’s and whistles were in a literal sustain for minutes and the excitement in the air was so thick, you could touch it. I had changed my seating position to a more vantage location when I got the access tag for preferred sitting and was somewhat closer to the stage. Though not so close to the speakers, the thump from the subwoofers sent shockwaves through the ground that you couldn’t just hear the music, you could feel it. There were lots of hugs and greetings in the VIP section which suggested that the meeting was a sort of reunion for many as it was a vacation or retreat agenda for others. I got to see and meet several familiar faces and skillful musicians amongst whom were Nathaniel Bassey and Ayo Solanke.

At 7:00pm, several slides ran across the screen just before Victor Oladokun came to give the opening prayer and introduced Chosen Treasure featuring Timi Dakolo. There was a surprise appearance by Lionel Peterson with the song “Peace” and then “Kabi o osi o”. The next artist came up at 7:40pm and with his appearance, came the emergence of white hankies all over the place. Sammie Okposo kept the stage electrified for about 20mins followed by Mike Aremu after a session of prayers for the nation. Mike’s performance wasn’t without his unique African touch on the saxophone as he sang songs like “e ti mu mi gbagbe o, ibanuje igba kan” (You have caused me to forget the sorrows of the past). The song was timely and a perfect tune to usher in the session of prayers that followed.

By 8:45pm, one of the prominent names in Nigeria’s gospel music came up and saw the crowds singing almost all his lines for him…including musical interludes. It was obvious that the music of Panam Percy Paul hadn’t dwindled in grace as his performance, which featured Jerry Omole and Ahide Adum, brought back lovely memories because obviously quite a number of people there present grew up listening to his music. About thirty minutes later, Governor Fashola came up after the intro by the convener, Pastor Paul Adefarasin. The governor appreciated different groups of people present ranging from all the mothers to the cleaners and ushers.

Like a movie playing out in real life, the artists continued to emerge and I felt like I was watching TBN but this time, I was in the television! Micah Stampley and Bishop John Francis came back to back as they paved the way for Chevelle Franklin who also thrilled the already excited audience with her Raga version of the National Anthem. Her rendition led to another session of prayers by Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and Rev. Dr. Felix who prayed for Families and Miracles respectively. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor came up right after Fred Hammond who owned the stage for about forty five minutes. His performance seemed to have a story line to it…to say the least.

Pastor Paul came up again at about midnight and was joined moments later by Phil Driscoll who sang and played to the National Anthem alongside Onos. That moment was memorable especially because of a face that came up on the screen of a woman in tears as she sang the anthem. The crowd went agog moments later as the next person, dressed in one of the many varieties of the Experience T-Shirts, took the stage via media – President Goodluck Jonathan. His brief talk drove home the point that being Nigerian meant possibility and greatness amongst other things.

Judy Jacobs came up and Ron Kenoly was next in line doing most of Nigeria’s indigenous worship songs including “I just want to say” and “Jehova, You are the most high”. Both performances were interspersed with prayer sessions by Pastor Damilola Oluwatoyinbo and Pastor Sam Adeyemi for the Youths and the Capacity for Vision respectively. Israel Houghton, Mary-Mary and Papa San came in a successive fashion with comic relief performances from Comedians like Mc-Abbey, Yaw and Gordons in between. As the day’s event rounded up, the traffic outside the TBS gave an idea of the crowd that was in attendance.

Though a year already, it seems just like yesterday. As another episode comes up today with viewing centers across the globe. It’s surely a place to be because amongst other things, experiencing the Experience leaves you experienced!

-‘Bayor | More Resources | Connect with Bayor

ONE POINT AGENDA

But now, God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased.

1^st Cor. 12:18

A woman was given a beautiful wind chime which she admired so much. She put the gift, designed for the open, in her house and occasionally would run her fingers against it to get it going in gracious chimes it wasn’t able to produce on its own because it was in the house. After a while, she let go of her attachment to the gift and hung it close to the door in the foyer. And so with every passing of the wind, time and again, the chime would sing in its dulcet tones to inform all who cared to know that air was in motion. It was now serving its purpose and the manufacturer would indeed have been pleased. With the passage of time however, the voice of the chime began to wane as age took its toll. It was then taken out from the open and like a veteran being laid to rest, it went back into the same case from where it was revealed to the world, leaving behind its position on the porch for the new chime that now must be bought to fill the currently glaring vacuum which would never have existed had the chime not been released into its purpose. Howbeit, the new chime now has a benchmark to relate performance to. It can only be better and not be any less else it would be seen as defective.

 There are no two exactly alike human beings on earth. We were all made with a unique mold and like the chime in the story above, there is a purpose we were created for. We are meant to find and die fulfilling that same task. Jesus walked the earth as a man of purpose. He found what was written about him and died fulfilling it. (Psalm 40:7-8, Luke 4:17-18) Your purpose is that one thing that the world will always remember you for even after you are long gone. Your purpose is closely related to your natural gifts and tendencies. It is that area or field of endeavor where people show you the greatest regard and respect. Your purpose is fueled by passion and when you are passionate about something, you won’t mind doing it for free even if it costs you. It’s something you can do for fun and still earn money. Like Moses who was grieved by the maltreating of a Hebrew slave, those things that frustrates you the most when poorly done are pointers to your purpose. You usually lose track of time when you are doing something you are configured for, something that speaks of your purpose. People are most likely to always meet you for help in your area of purpose.

The extent to which purpose is fulfilled in one generation serves as the yardstick for the coming generation because the glory of the latter is meant to be greater than that of the former. We move from prosperity to posterity when we give our best in and during our time because those coming behind start from where we stopped. Find your purpose and fulfill it. Let it be your one point agenda.

(Inspirations: W2W Magazine - HOTR Lagos, etc...)

BRAND RELEVANCE

BRAND RELEVANCE: BUILDING A PERSONAL BRAND FOR GLOBAL RELEVANCE.

Brands were initially used by cattle owners. It was that which identified one owner’s cattle from another’s.

A brand is recognition, differentiation, distinction etc.

A brand adds value to a product higher than the collective value of the components that make up the product.

WHAT A BRAND IS NOT

It’s not what you say about yourself, it’s what people say about you.

It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.

It’s not what you do once in a while; it’s what you do consistently.

It’s not what you do, it’s what you create.

It’s not the logo or colour, it’s the service.

It’s not what you associate yourself with but what people associate you with. It is their perception of you.

You are already a brand. People make associations when they think of you. What comes to people’s mind when they think of you? There is no ‘brand-less’ person. (even a ‘no-brand’ product is still a brand!)

If you don’t brand yourself, people will brand you. Take charge and define yourself.

WHAT A BRAND IS

A promise fulfilled

A perception guaranteed

An experience delivered

An association ensured

Beyond information and knowledge, let your brand give an experience e.g. Coca-Cola...Open Happiness.

WHERE DO I START IN CREATING A BRAND?

Find out three to five words that define you e.g. excellent, hilarious, efficient, caring, consistent etc

Ask from friends what words they would use to describe you. A brand undefined is hardly sustained.

Let your core values show up in everything you do. i.e. let everything you do be saying one thing. The strength of a brand is in its consistency. Let it meet a need. If a brand does not meet a need, it’s not needed. The need could either be real or perceived.

What needs do you address? What problems do you solve? What questions do you answer?

Be diligent, be consistent, be relevant, be innovative, be you!

Presented by Dr Temi Odejide at the 7th Anniversary Meeting of Creative Concepts Int’l tagged “Strategic Repositioning for Relevance”. 30th October 2011.

Ps.
That's a fragment of what he said; much of what I jotted down.
In line with what he said, please kindly define me with three to five words.
Thanks already!
Cheers!
- 'Bayor

SEVERAL ANGLES

And Moses said to Joshua, “choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand with the rod of God in my hand.”

Exodus 17:9

Queen Esther is a character in the Bible that epitomizes the workings of God’s favor on an individual. She rose from being an unknown orphan to being the First Lady over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. She was lovely and beautiful (Esther 2:7) and the story of her rise to the throne is strewn with deeds that instruct us about some other qualities She exuded apart from her beauty. One of such qualities was her submission to authority and teachable nature. She pleased Hegai, the custodian of the women and found favor with him. He thus made beauty preparations readily available for her regardless of the fact that she was already beautiful. She not only subscribed to the beauty preparations which lasted for a year but would not take from the ornaments made readily available for the young women save what Hegai advised. This endeared her to many. Similarly, after she became a queen and wanted to go into the courts of the king, she didn’t go in wearing sack clothes of fasting but in her royal robes. The thing to note here is that as kingdom citizens, our approach to issues in our lives should be from more than one aspect. Some believers seem to think that once they have prayed, everything will just automatically fall in place. They are like the woman on fire for God who binds every demon intending to destroy her marriage and yet unlike Esther; she fails to put on the royal robes of virtue and beauty preparations to keep her man always attracted to her. Or the brother, who believes God for a contract and with much fasting and praying, goes to the office without a standard or well spelt out proposal that can capture the attention of any investor.

Moses spoke to Joshua in the text above to choose men to go fight while he stands with the rod of God in his hand. The modern day believer is meant to be adept in not only the spiritual matters but also in the physical too. King David’s “CV” included being a well spoken fighter and handsome musician. Every quality he had, filled the recommended profile for the vacancy. Use everything you have. Service all the aspects that make up the person you are. You never know what other thing will be required to get you doing what God intended for you to do with the gift he put in you. You don’t service your weapons on the battle field; you get them ready before take off even if you think you won’t need them. Strike a balance, approach issue from more aspects than one.

- ‘Bayor

(Inspirations: Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Bishop T.D Jakes…etc)

THANK YOU

A musician playing skilfully without an audience listening is merely rehearsing.

A public speaker speaking in public to no one in particular would be a rather queer sight.

Famous people have fans, wealthy people are envied, tyrants are feared, and the successful are admired.

But there's a whole new definition of greatness, such that sees grace on the unlikely, glory on the unsung, virtue on the voiceless and fame on the faceless.

They are those that celebrate stars before they begin to shine and applaud the diligent before they know they could perform.

Howbeit, sometimes, it's not the one they cheer on that deserves the spotlight because only the truly great sees and indeed inspires greatness in others.

I prayed and asked God, "Why are the words to really appreciate uncommon people so common and few?

Couldn't there be more words than mere 'Thank You' to appreciate those that are such blessings to me?"

He answered, "Few Words + Much Heart = True Gratitude"

This is to say 'Thank You' for being You.

If I decide to mention everyone that has been a blessing in diverse ways, then this write up might end up being an epistle.

I will nonetheless want to appreciate several people as the names come to mind for all you are, all you do and especially all you did as regards the huge success of the book and album launch held today, 21st September 2011 which also happens to be my birthday. Please note that this list isn’t really exhaustive and might be updated over and again.

Pastor GoodHeart (Thanks for also being a friend to me) & Pastor Bimbo Ekwueme, Pastor Uche Aigbe (Thanks for your prayers), Pastor Dr. Temi Odejide (Thanks for also being a Dad to me), Pastor Akin Olumodeji (Thanks for always being real & down to earth), Pastor Edbert Abebe (your prayer sessions are much enjoyed), Pastor Dr. Chinedu Nwosu (Want to sing like you when I grow up), Prof. T. Ade Martins (You are a noble Dad...and that’s an understatement. Thanks for being both a biological and spiritual father) & Mama, Sir Lucky Omoluwa (you’re a father indeed) & Mrs N. Omoluwa, Barrister Dipo Onifade (thanks for your understanding and simplicity); Nathaniel Bassey (God hears your prayers over me sir), Tehillah Company (you make it easy to connect to heaven in praise and worship), Temitope Olorunmoteni (thanks for being a source of inspiration), Leftob Music Crew, Exalted Horn Crew, Mr & Mrs Tunji Fatogun, Mr & Mrs Samuel Martins, Mr & Mrs Michael Fanwo, Mr & Mrs Tayo Oyebamiji, Deborah Martins, Karis CITH, “Zone 6 Parish” (Erykah, Eunice, Somto, Nanya, Ziva), Julie B, Vivian A, Fola A, Abraham Waya (thanks for the background vocal on the Third Day album track: Songs for YOU), Pastor Fela Durotoye (Thanks for believing in Nigeria and Nigerians), Emmy Pro, Pastor Sam Oye (Thanks for the prayers), Aunty Bisi, Aunty Sola Allyson – Obaniyi (thanks for being you), Mum Jummy, Aunty Jummy, Staff of Pinnacle Investments, Staff of The Centagon International School Abuja, Stevey and staff of Cre8ive Consults, Victor Fash, Mr Hunt, Min. Richard all that received a text to join in prayers, numerous precious friends and media houses. God will thank you for me.

- 'Bayor Martins

www.itunes.com/bayormartins |http://bayormartins.blogspot.com/ | www.facebook.com/bayormartins | www.bayormartins.com

FIT THE PROFILE - 2

So he sent and brought him in…And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”…And so it was…that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

1st Sam. 16: 12-23

David understood spiritual authority. He didn’t try to usurp the king’s throne even though he knew he was anointed for it. He exhibited this and more attributes during his service under King Saul.

Goal: where you are doesn’t define where you are going. When people comment on who they think you are, they are merely describing what they see. Don’t make it your definition. Peter began to sink when he started seeing more of his environment than his destination. Work yourself out of your present position on the job. If you only do what you are paid to do, you’ll keep getting that amount. Work from the future.

People person: learn to work with people publicly that you won’t socialize with personally. God sometimes blesses us via people we don’t even like. Increasing capacity in this facet is seeing situations not just in black and white but in shades of grey.

Way forward: God won’t send you to a job as a problem solver if you would add to the problem yourself. Nobody promotes someone who causes confusion and chaos amongst colleagues.

Team Hermit: work with everybody whilst becoming involved with nobody. If the enemy can limit you to a clique, he can limit your usefulness. Your creativity may be bigger than the clique you are in. Come out of the box if you want God to enlarge you.

Royal Chant: there should be the shout of a king on your inside at always, a place in your heart for God especially when it seems all hell breaks loose. Like David, get artistic when “Saul” gets sarcastic. When you keep your song near you, the devil gets miffed.

Perception: down the line, David knew he had to thread with caution as he saw that he was becoming envied by his boss. He applied wisdom in his behavior and didn’t lose sight of the one that put him there. (1st Sam. 18:14)

God gave us a principle in creation by resting on the seventh day after six days of prior work. The rest is well deserved only when you can look back at what was done and call it “very good”. Give your best. Fit the profile.

- ‘Bayor

(Inspirations: Bishop T.D Jakes, Samuel Martins, Fatogun Martina...etc)

EXCHANGE FOR A CHANGE

Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him.

Judges 16:19

At the onset of GSM in Nigeria, the in-thing was to have a mobile phone and Femi wasn’t left out as his mom did everything she could to get him a phone. When he got his first phone, he was quite excited that he could now give out a number to his friends who might ask for his contact. It wasn’t long before he started desiring another model so he traded with his aunty and then exchanged the one he got from her with that of a friend which seemed even better. Then, the phone fell from his pocket in a taxi and a “smart” passenger repossessed it. He now had to settle for his dad’s very old phone which his brother had also used. When this phone started to malfunction, his mum bought a new phone and gave him her old one. He used this one for some time and decided to sell it. When the money was not enough to get another one, he got another from his mom who obviously wasn’t tired of giving him phones. His mom could not bear the look of frustration on his face when that one also was stolen and gave him another which he gave out eventually. His brother gave him yet another and when this one was “sown”, he decided enough was enough and bought one for himself which he’s been using ever since.

King Solomon sacrificed a thousand Whole-Burnt-Offerings on the altar at Gibeon and God asked him what he wanted. His request for wisdom was granted with perks. He brought something to the table and there was an exchange. In the case of Samson, he grew up endowed with abilities. He apparently trivialized the grace and gifting and lost his eyes because of it. One might wonder why he told Delilah his secret seeing that she called for the Philistines every time he told her something else was the source of his might. Perhaps if he had brought something to the table, he would have placed a greater value on the gift he had.

When we pay our tithes and give our offerings, we are making an exchange. We have a right to demand the benefits that accrue from this act when we see a delay in delivery in much the same way as we would call a delivery shop to inquire about a delay in the arrival of goods we paid for. Because we brought something to the table, we have a right to a request. Heaven responds to the highest bidder. (Ever wondered why after creation on the second day, it wasn’t written that “and God saw that it was good” like it was for the day before and after? perhaps He left that for us to decide). If all the students in a class are praying to God to be the head and not the tail, God will answer because they are His own but since He respects no man, He will ‘respect’ the man who gives his best like he did to Abel. All others will fall in place in proportion to their effort (Gen. 4:4).

Need a change? Make an exchange.

- ‘Bayor

(Inspirations: Baron Ogugua, Pastor Paul Adefarasin…etc)