SPOTLIGHT - Brother Ferd

Name - Chukwudi Ferdinand

Nick Name – Ferdo

Place of Birth – Kaduna, Nigeria

Profession – UNDP, Payment Monitor; Trinity biotech, Site Assessment Monitor

Hobby – football

Values – life, humanity

Inspiration - Seeing people happy

Role Model – 007

Favourite food – Rice

Favourite colour – Yellow

Favourite song - worship songs

Favourite movie – James Bond (007)

Favourite sport team - Barcelona FC

Favourite Bible verse - Proverb 21v.1

Favourite book – Nil

Favourite place – Abuja

Best quality – Nil

Memorable moment - When my younger brother won the US lottery

Personal advice - Be strong in faith and God will lead you.

GREATER THAN GOLD - THE 5 WISDOMS OF WEALTH

BY: Mayor Timo

"Wealth is reserved for those who know its principles and abide by them."
"Wealth that comes quickly, goes quickly also."
"Wealth that stays to give enjoyment and satisfaction comes gradually, because it is a child born of knowledge and persistent purpose."
"To earn wealth is but a slight burden upon the thoughtful man. Bearing the burden consistently from year to year accomplishes the final purpose."

Save and Invest your Earnings

"Wealth gladly comes in increasing amount to anyone who will keep aside not less than 10% of his earnings, to create an estate for his fortune and family."

When you set aside 10% of your earnings consistently and invest it wisely, you will surely create valuable assets that will provide regular income for you and your family in future.

"The more money you accumulate, the more it readily comes to you and in increased amount. Money which you save, earns more and its earnings earn even more."


Make Money Work for You

"Money works hard and multiplies diligently for the person who finds for it a profitable employment or vehicle."

Money is a willing worker, and ever eager to multiply when opportunity presents itself.

To anyone who has stacks of cash lying by, opportunity always comes for its most profitable use. And as the years passes, wealth multiplies itself in surprising fashion.


Seek Professional Guidance

"Wealth clings to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling."

Exercise caution and protect your earnings under the advice and guidance of professional wealth managers and experts.

When you seek the counsel of people wise in handling money, you soon learn not to jeopardize your treasures, but to preserve it safely and enjoy its consistent increase.


Acquire Experience

"Wealth slips away from the person who invests in businesses or projects with which he or she is not familiar or which are not approved by experts."

If you have money and are not skilled in handling it, any use for it will appear most profitable.

More often than not, based on your limited knowledge and experience, you tend to make investment decisions that results in either a loss, shows little or no possibility of profits.

Thus, it pays to invest in your personal development and knowledge of wealth management. As well as, heeding the advice of experts.


Avoid Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

"Wealth flees from the person who forces it to generate impossible earnings, who follows the alluring advice of tricksters and schemers, or who trusts it to his/her own inexperience and romantic desires in investment."

Take the time to study and research the various investment opportunities that can enable you accumulate wealth. Practice the advice and wisdom of the experts.

As such, you'll be able to discern and avoid fanciful propositions that thrill like fairy tales or promising impossible earnings, when they come your way.

Who can measure in bags of gold, the value of wisdom? Yet without wisdom, wealth is quickly lost by those who have it. But with wisdom, wealth can be secured by even those who don't have it.

TOUCH ME - By: Margaret C. Mullings

Touch me while I am asleep
And awaken me to Your truth Oh Lord
For many times I fail to acknowledge
Your presence.

In the midnight hour touch me
To meditate upon Your word
And to commune with you!

Oh the splendour of delight
To awaken to Your touch
To be renewed as the morning
Dew upon the grass of the field.

Touch me Oh Lord continuously
So I may never forget that,
In You I live, move, and breathe!

Touch me that I may know You
In the power of Your might
And receive Your Resurrection Power!

AMEN

SIX WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU - By: Mayor Timo

Rule 1:

Become genuinely interested in other people.

Rule 2:

Smile.

Rule 3:

Remember that a person’s name is to him/her the sweetest and most important sound.

Rule 4:

Be a good listener

Rule 5:

Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.

Rule 6:

Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.

HOW – TO START A BUSINESS - By: Mayor Timo

"You want to start your own business, but don't know where to start. Follow these steps and you'll be well on your way."

STEP 1: Business Idea

To start a business you will need to choose or create a business idea. While this is an obvious step many people who want their own business don't have an idea, just the desire to be an entrepreneur. For the budding entrepreneur, there are many options; buying a franchise or an existing business, or looking to others for ideas for a start-up business. Once you have decided on the business you wish to start, then the real work begins.

STEP 2: Business Plan

Writing a business plan is your next and most important step, this is how you and others will evaluate your business. When seeking financing, the investors or lenders will want to read your plan before they supply you with funding. If you're financing the business yourself, you will still want to have a written plan to develop business strategies and financial projections. A key element within the business plan is the marketing plan, which explains marketing strategies that will be used to advertise and promote the products or services.

STEP 3: Financing

With your business plan in hand, you are ready to go find yourself some capital. Most small businesses have three options for financing - friends & family, investors or bank loans. Each of these options has different considerations for the business. Investors and even friends & family usually want ownership and control of their portion of the business. Bank loans burden the business with an additional expense of the loan payment, which can erode the business profits.

STEP 4: Getting Started

You've gotten the plan, the money and the enthusiasm; you're ready, right? Not yet, as with everything you need to take the legal issues into consideration. First you should choose a legal business structure: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation. Your financing decisions will have an effect on what business structure you choose. Now you can file with the state to incorporate and obtain a federal Identification number.

STEP 5: Opening The Doors

Okay, it's time to get on the road to making some money; this of course means spending money. Where are you going to run your business? Will a home office do? Or is commercial space needed to service your customers? Do you need to hire employees to help you run the business? What are your bookkeeping needs, do you need an accountant? Finally, what taxes do you have to pay and collect? Now that your business is through the start-up phase, you can now look forward to the issues of managing a small business.

FREE – KIRK FRANKLIN

(Verse 1)

I know the pain you feel inside; And the tears you try to hide

In your heart you ask God why; Can you help me, will you help me please

Take away the pain; Where's the sun I feel the rain.

Then I hear your spirit say... That I am

(Chorus)

Free

Free to lift my hands; Free to say Amen

Free to know that someday I can smile again

I'm free

Free to laugh not cry; Free to live not die

Because of your love... I'm free

(verse 2)

I know you're troubled by your past; That you hide behind your mask

The misery it seems to last; Through the night but it's alright

Joy is just a prayer away; Don't look back at yesterday

Then I hear your spirit say; That I am

(Chorus 2x)

(Bridge)

No more chains and loneliness; Cos Christ has set me free

We are more than conquerors; Through his love now we can see

That we am

(Chorus 2x)

LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY - By: Mayor Timo

You have to love what you do, but that's not necessarily true. However, what is true is that you have to love the opportunity. The opportunity to build life, future, health, success and fortune!

For example, "you don't have to love digging ditches, but if it is your first entry onto the ladder of success, you just say, 'I'm glad somebody gave me the opportunity to dig ditches and I'm going to do it so well, I won't be here for long.'"

If you will embrace the disciplines associated with every new opportunity, you will soon find that your self-confidence starts to grow, that you go from being a sceptic to being a believer. And soon when you go out meeting with other people, you will find it to be the most thrilling opportunity in the world.

The new person you met could be an open door to a new beginning. The new friend could be a colleague for years to come. But sometimes in the beginning when we are just getting started, we don't always see how big it is.

So, before you are tempted to give up or get discouraged, remember all success is based on long term commitment, faith, discipline, attitude and a few stepping stones along the way.

You might not like the stone you are on right now, but it's sure to be one of the stones that lead to great opportunities in the future.

SPOTLIGHT - Sister Gladis

Full Names: Gladys Hadiza Ishaya.

Nick Name: Swagress.

Place of Birth & Country: Kaduna, Nigeria.

Birthday: 11^th February

Profession: Full-time Student.

Hobbies: Facebooking & Swimming.

Values: family, freedom, Education, Integrity, Achievement, Wisdom Youthfulness, Zeal, Simplicity & Sincerity etc.

Inspirations: My mother has been the greatest inspiration in my life and is the main reason that I am where I am and who I am today.

Role Models: My Mother

Favourite Food: Pounded Yam,

Favourite Colour: Purple

Favourite Song: Gospel Praises

Favourite Movie: An adventure movie

Favourite Sport Team: Chelsea FC

Favourite Bible Verse: Psalm 119 vs. 105.

Favourite Book: The holy Bible.

Favourite Places: Paris, and the Church.

Best Qualities: My dimples, my good sense of humor and my self esteem/confidence.

Memorable Moments: Everyday is a memorable moment for me

Personal Advice: My personal advice is for guys to keep up the good work and the Lord will bless you.

5 COMMON MONEY MISTAKES YOU ARE MAKING

By: Mayor Timo

Often taken for granted, but still remains a fact, that knowledge is power. And the more you know about money, the more you will know how to earn it, manage it, grow it, protect it, and create wealth.

However, the following are 5 common money mistakes you are making and the remedies;

1. Not saving part of your earnings

No matter what your needs are or how demanding they may be, if you do not save you will never be wealthy, no matter how much money you make.

So save a part of your earnings (e.g. income). Ten percent (10%) is a good start. And yes, you must save continually on a regular basis.

2. Not having a reserve fund

It is unwise to put everything you earn into your savings or investment account, as you will have to cash out whenever an emergency occurs.

Thus, always have a reserve fund worth at least three (3) months of living expenses. Keep it in a ready and safe place for quick access.

3. Raiding your savings

Sometimes you do save but cannot leave the money alone. Once you see some spare cash, you find a possible use for it - to buy the latest gadget (i.e. iphone, ipod, blackberry etc), go on vacation or simply splash on yourself.

In the end, you raid your savings again and again. This is as bad as not saving at all. You can avoid this problem by allocating a certain percentage of your earnings as "fun" money, and use it to treat yourself.

4. Rushing to Invest

Like most people, after hearing a fabulous opportunity, you cannot wait to jump in. You are dying to be part of the winning team, and don't want to miss out on a windfall.

No matter how good an investment may be and how grand they may appear, take your time. Do your homework first. If the results are okay, then invest your money. Otherwise, keep your money in a safe place and look out for the next great opportunity.

5. Not educating yourself about money

People do not learn enough about money - how to make it, manage it, invest it and make it last! Thus, it is little wonder that most people are not rich.

So polish up your knowledge and update your skills on money matters. Ask the real experts. The more you know about money, the wealthier you will become.

GOD BLESS!!!

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND - LEONA LEWIS

Verse 1:

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going
You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much unknown along the way
Then I heard you say

Chorus:
I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

Verse 2:
I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times have I
Been so afraid… ooh
And just when I
Have thought I've lost my way
You give me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
When I'm weary
Well I know you'll be there
And… I can feel you
When you say

(Repeat Chorus 3x)

“SEVEN” - IS IT A FACT OR MYTH??

1 2 3 4 5 6 *7* Have you ever paused to reflect on that last number? Have you ever wondered why there are 7days of the week? Perhaps you have wondered why the place in which Christ died is a seven later word (Calvary). It is an odd number yes! But it depicts completion and wholeness. Join me as I unravel this mysterious number.

When man began to analyze and combine numbers, he developed other interesting symbols. He took the perfect world number FOUR and added to it the perfect divine number, THREE, and got SEVEN, the most sacred number to the Hebrews. It was earth crowned with heaven -- the four-square earth plus the divine COMPLETENESS OF GOD. So we have SEVEN expressing COMPLETENESS through union of earth with heaven.

In the Book of Revelation the number SEVEN is used throughout. There are SEVEN churches, SEVEN Spirits, SEVEN stars, SEVEN seals, SEVEN trumpets, SEVEN vials, SEVEN personages, SEVEN dooms, and SEVEN new things. SEVEN symbolizes Spiritual Perfection. All of life revolves around this number. SEVEN is used over 700 times in the Bible. It is used 54 times in the Book of Revelation.

Noah took the clean beasts into the ark by SEVENS (Genesis 7:2) SEVEN days after Noah went into the ark the flood came. (Genesis 7:10) Peter tells about the long-suffering of God waiting in the days of Noah. (I Peter 3:21) Those SEVEN days COMPLETED God’s time of waiting. Before Aaron and his sons entered their priestly work they were consecrated SEVEN days. (Leviticus 8:31-36) Here is a picture of a life COMPLETELY or WHOLLY consecrated or dedicated to the Lord for service.

SEVEN times in the Book of Revelation blessing of the Lord are promised to His people. These are called the “BEATITUDES” of Revelation. These are found in Chapters 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. There are SEVEN Dispensations -- Innocence, Conscience, Government, Patriarchal, Law, Grace, and Millennial Age.

When Israel took the city of Jericho, God told them to march around the city SEVEN times. Thus, on the SEVENTH day, when they marched around the city SEVEN times, they COMPLETED their marching. (Joshua 6:1-16)

There were SEVEN FEAST days of our Lord. (Passover, Unleavened, First-fruits, Pentecost, Atonement, Trumpets and Tabernacle). (Leviticus 23:1-44)

Jesus said “forgive SEVENTY times SEVEN“. In other words, He is saying, “Keep on forgiving until you are complete.” Even the duration of Israel’s great punishments was based upon this law of SEVENS. Their captivity in Babylon was for SEVENTY years, ten periods of SEVENS. (Jeremiah 25:11-12; Daniel l9:2)

There are SEVEN notes in the musical scale. All other pitches are only variations of these. When the musician uses the eighth note he goes back to “doh” and starts over. Man named the notes but God fixed the sounds, even as God fixed the days of the week, and man named them.

Life operates in a cycle of SEVENS. Changes take place in the body every SEVEN years. There are SEVEN bones in the neck, SEVEN bones in the face, SEVEN bones in the ankle, and SEVEN holes in the head. Most births are multiple of SEVENS. The hen sits three weeks (21 days); the pigeon two weeks (14 days); after having laid eggs for two weeks. Of 129 species of Mammalians, the majority have a period from conception to birth of an exact number of weeks, a multiple of SEVEN.

All departments of nature are marked all over with mathematics. In this realm practically everything is in SEVENS. It would be well for you to always remember that SEVEN means COMPLETENESS or SPIRITUAL PERFECTION. Whenever you come to a SEVEN in the Word of God read the meaning and the message is plain.

Does this solve your curiosity on the number seven? May God bring you to a complete wholeness in him and may you be a perfect figure in him.

To be continued…….

(CEEWHY)

LET GOD'S GLORY SPEAK - By: Tammy L. Straube

Do you feel God when you wake?
For He is there,
peaking through the sunlight of a bright
new day.
His voice speaks softly,
with His words of wisdom to start
your day.
He gently guides your hand,
waiting patiently for you to take the stand.
His love is never far away,
and His only wish is to let Him lead the way,
For today is His day...
A day 'He' created for you and I
to enjoy.
For if not for Him... we would not be alive.
God breathes life,
through everything that surrounds us.
Give God the Glory... for it is only
through Him... that our life shall never
grow dim.

~Let God's Glory Speak~

POSITION OR POWER? – By: Mayor Timo

“You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom” – William Wallace, Braveheart.

Is it Position or Power? Who is a leader? What is the focus of a healthy leadership? And what lessons can we learn from Jesus Christ, the greatest leader of leaders?

When the disciples asked Jesus for positions and titles, glory and recognition, authority and power, they showed that they completely misunderstood leadership. This prompted Jesus to explain to them, the heart of leadership: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

REAL LEADERSHIP IS INFLUENCE, NOT POSITION.

Some of history’s greatest leaders led without official positions or titles. Consider the following people:

- David had no crown or throne, only a harp and sling, yet the people followed him, not King Saul (2 Samuel 5:1-3).

- Nelson Mandela freed South Africa from Apartheid with no title and no position. While his body was wasting away in a prison cell for twenty-seven years, his ideas were taking down a seemingly invincible government.

- Ghandi had no title and no authority, yet despite being incarcerated four times, his influence crushed the British Empire and freed India.

- Ninoy Aquino was in a Philippine prison for seven years, then in exile; all the while, his influence brought an end to the Marcos regime, though he held no official position, authority, or title.

- William Wallace, not a royalty, led the Scotts in their fight for freedom from the English. His leadership lesson to the Scottish noble says it all: “Your title gives you claim to the throne of our country, but men don't follow titles, they follow courage.”

This confirms that, real leadership is influence with or without a title!

REAL LEADERSHIP IS SERVICE, NOT GLORY.

Jesus’ disciples didn’t want to serve people; they wanted to sit in glory. But real leadership is not about the leader getting a plaque, a statue, a standing ovation, or some kind of temporal glory. It’s all about service.

Servant leadership is what Jesus was trying to get his disciples to grasp (Mark 10:43-45).

“The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves” - D.L. Moody.

REAL LEADERSHIP IS GUIDANCE, NOT AUTHORITY.

Authority over people — that is exactly how many people view leadership! Jesus went on to address this concept of authority disguised as leadership by saying: Not so with you. Whoever wants to become great must be your servant (Mark 10:43).

Leadership is more about guiding than demanding. Guides go first and set an example for others to follow. They do not push, pull, or drag. They simply lead. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

Only Jesus had a better description of leadership when he said: Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all (Mark 10:43, 44).

Should the people serve the leaders? Or, should the leaders serve the people? These are they questions we all must ask ourselves about our desires and motives for leadership.

REMAIN BLESSED!!!

THE TOP – By: Mayor Timo

You are at the top when:

· You clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person, that yesterday ended last night, and today is your brand new day.

· You have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and optimistic about your future.

· You know that success doesn’t make you and failure doesn’t break you.

· You are filled with faith, hope and love; and live without anger, guilt, envy or thoughts of revenge.

· You are mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities.

· You know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong.

· You are secured in who you are, so you are at peace with God and in fellowship with man.

· You have made friends of your adversaries, and have gained the love and respect of those who know you best.

· You understand that others can give you pleasure, but genuine happiness comes when you do things for others.

· You are pleasant to the grouch, courteous to the rude and generous to the needy.

· You love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless and encouragement to the discouraged.

· You can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude.

· You know that “he who would be the greatest among you must become the servant of all.”

· You recognize, confess, develop and use your God-given physical, mental and spiritual abilities to the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind.

· You stand in front of the Creator of the universe and He says to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

SPOTLIGHT - Brother Boniface

Full Names: Boniface Chinedu Enyinnaya Mbah.

Nick Name: Chency.

Place of Birth & Country: Bende, Nigeria.

Birthday: 24th July

Profession: Communication/IT Engineer.

Hobbies: Music, cloth making, sports.

Values: My wife to be; my talent and gift (music).

Inspirations: Leaving a Legacy; creating an impact anywhere you spend a minute or more…

Role Models: Donnie McClurkin, Guglielmo Marconi

Favourite Food: Fufu and Draw soup,

Favourite Colour: Blue

Favourite Song: “My help”

Favourite Movie: Mad [old Indian movie]

Favourite Sport Team: Chelsea FC

Favourite Bible Verse: Psalms 121 vs. 2.

Favourite Book: The holy Bible.

Favourite Places: Millennium Park, Abuja; Silver Bird Gallery, Lagos.

Best Qualities: God fearing, Friendly and Humble,.

Memorable Moments: Launching of my first music album, 24th May 1995; The first day I fell in love.

Personal Advice: Life is very brief, always think of life after Death.

BEING FRIENDS WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX

By: Mayor Timo

Almost everyone has at least one friend of the opposite sex. Sometimes it may be hard, while other times it's great having someone there to talk to and understand your relationship as the same sex as your partner.

It's hard to not cross the line. Being friends with the opposite sex means spending tons of time together. However, you must know your boundaries of what you can and cannot do or talk about.

It is quite common for the male or female in the friendship to have a crush on the other person. This leads to many difficulties. Although, if it's pointed out from the start that the relationship will not grow more than just a friendship, it may be a blessing.

A crush obviously means having feelings for the other. So, when one is in trouble, they can go straight to their friend and talk them through it -- many times being more sincere than others.

Although this sounds great, it could lead to problems. If the friend keeps his or her feelings to himself/herself for a long period of time they could explode, leaving heartaches on both sides of the spectrum.

Even if the feelings aren't kept bundled up, heartache may be in order once the other finds a partner. Which, may also end up hurting the partner, making them jealous or forbidding the friends to see each other.

Most friends of opposite sexes are great from the start, but fade in time. However, friendship may become more; many friends become spouses later on, be it ten or twenty-years down the road. Most just need to realize their true feelings for the other before becoming serious.