July 2017  Edition

Dear Beloved,

Welcome to our July newsletter. We hope you are doing well. We hope you are able to keep dry, in spite of the excessive rains we see in certain parts of the country.

We have all our regular articles, and some announcements further down the newsletter. If you are attending Voice of Apostles (VOA), do get in touch so we can catch up out there.

Don't forget to check out the Prayer bit at the end of "In His Presence". You will be blessed.

In His Presence

LOST AT HOME . . .  

The younger son asking his father for his inheritance

There is a story about two brothers and an amazingly, loving Father told in Luke 15:11-32, titled, 'The Prodigal Son'. We often read this story with little sympathy for the younger brother, feeling he was spoilt and greedy to ask for his inheritance, dishonour his father, travel afar, get lost and squander everything. However, at his lowest point he realised he was lost, remembered his identity and returned, broken and apologetic. The extravagantly loving father, so happy to have his lost son return home, celebrated him and reinstated him as his son.

When this story is read, little attention is given to the elder brother simply because he didn't openly rebel or leave home.
Being 'lost' in his case is more difficult to identify, because he seemed be doing all the right things. Outwardly, he was faultless, obedient, and dutiful. People must have considered him a model son. However, when confronted by the father's joy at the return of the prodigal, a dark power erupts in him, and we see his resentment, pride, jealousy and hardness of heart! A closer observation of his attitude would show while he had stayed at home, he too was lost in some way. 

In Luke 19:10, Jesus tells Zaccheaus that He has come to seek and save that which was lost. In other words, at the fall we didn't just lose the Lord's protection from the penalty of sin, which was death. We also lost guilt and trust, lost peace with God, and the intimacy where we could lovingly talk, share and co-labour with Him. But because of Christ, the bible says we have been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 1:3). Are we, as sons and daughters, walking in all this and if not, could it be that we are lost at home? Let us look at how this mindset affects our relationship with Papa God.

The older son very bitter
The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in to the welcome party


The Bible tells us that we are made in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). We are really supposed to have our hearts become more like God's Heart daily. But much as the elder brother was at home with the father, he did not live like a son. If he received his father's extravagant love, and loved him in return, he would have such intimacy. He would have known how much his father missed his younger brother, such that He would have had some joy at his brothers return, if only for his father's sake. He did not see his father as the provider so kept toiling to earn the love and favour already available to him. Christ has paid the full price for us to walk as sons and daughters. Are we?

The religious spirit is another issue the elder brother seemed to be plagued with. The enemy sends this spirit to replace our relationship with Papa God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is all about trying to attain the status of a higher being and has you forever striving to earn your salvation, whereas it was paid for by Jesus. It's not about heart connection but about going through the motions. Lots of ceremony, but no power. People generally become open to this religious spirit because it keeps us busy with ideology, activity, and purpose. However it's just not God's purpose. The elder son was busy with lots of activity, but lacked any real love, devotion or commitment to his father or the Father's business. 

 
Because God gave Himself to us in the Spirit, He desires we give ourselves to Him in love too. Often we struggle with this because we want Him in some areas of our lives but not in others. The Lord is looking for those who want to spend time developing an intimate relationship with Him. Satan does not mind what we do in our gatherings so long as they are ineffective. He loves when there is lots of activity but little Presence or power. The enemy doesn't want us to pray for the sick or see instant healing like Jesus did. He would rather we pray without much faith and send people away. That way, the outcome is unknown and our faith doesn't grow. 


Finally, the eldest son showed an unhealthy sense of familiarity. The home is the last place anyone would think they could get lost because we feel we know everything about it. However this is exactly why it can result in familiarity, breeding routine and contempt. I am not advocating going outside the confines of scripture, but a deeper understanding of what relationship means with Papa God. Like the elder brother, some have walked with Jesus so long that we have gotten so familiar and set in our ways. We have forgotten how exciting it was the first time we gave our hearts to Jesus, and how we were so overwhelmed with His love. We have prioritised routine, rather than childlike creativity, making it difficult to keep assessing our hearts to know when staleness is setting in. In some cases, church has become routine with little or no heart connection with Papa.

This goes against what Papa God sent Jesus to do for us. He paid for our sin and reinstated us back to how it was before the fall. Jesus modelled sonship for us so we could learn to flow in God's grace. We sing the song " I'm no longer a slave to fear, for I am a child of God" (by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser). However the question is, are we really walking as children of God? Are we enjoying the full benefit of all Jesus paid for? Are we aware that our Father is in the business of welcoming Prodigals home?


PRAYER
Spend a few minutes asking the Holy Spirit, if you are 'lost at home'?

Lord, if I have lost my way in anyway, I come to you today to say sorry. Show me what I need to repent of. Re-align me with your Heart, and give me a picture as you reaffirm me as you son/daughter.

Spend time worshipping in His Presence.




God bless you,


Mina x.


Bethel Sozo DVD Training Sessions in September / October, 2017
Lapis Lazuli Ministries invites you to the next Bethel Sozo DVD Training Sessions in September/ October, 2017

We would like to invite you to the next Bethel Sozo DVD training sessions on 21st of Sept, 28th of Sept, 5th of Oct, 12th of Oct, 19th of Oct and 26th of Oct, 2017, at Lapis Lazuli Ministries Office, 109 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

These Bethel Sozo DVDs will teach you about the tools used in Bethel Basic Sozo, and how by following the Holy Spirit's leading, wounds and lies that we have believed over the years, can be replaced with Truth from the Lord. This brings freedom as written in the word. (John 8v 32).

These sessions are free. Kindly confirm your attendance as soon as possible as we have limited spaces.

2017 Voice of Apostles Conference
We would like to recommend the Voice of Apostles Conference holding at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA from Tuesday 17th of October to Friday 20th of October, 2017.  

This is a conference by Dr. Randy Clark where he brings together mighty Apostolic Leaders. This conference will provide spiritual refreshment and great teaching. For more information, please visit:  https://voa2017.com/

More Copies of the Kingdom Revival Conference, Lagos / Kingdom Foundations, Abuja CDs & DVDs are now available for Sale
More copies of messages and worship CDs & DVDs of the Kingdom Revival Conference held in Lagos on Fri 24th & Sat 25th March, 2017 have been produced and available for sale in our office, Lapis Lazuli Ministries Office, 3rd Floor, Maku House, 109 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. Lagos.

For the Kingdom Revival Conference, Lagos:

Each Message CD cost N180

Each worship CD cost N200

Each DVD with two messages cost N800.

The Kingdom Foundations CDs/DVDs, Abuja:

Day 1 CD has messages by all 3 Guest Speakers for the day. Messages such as Living Your Destiny, *Giant Slayers, Power of Peace, Soaring as Eagles e.t.c

Day 2 CD also has messages by all Guest Speakers for the day. Messages such as Reigning in Life, Praying for the sick, Baptism of Love e.t.c

Each CD cost N1, 000 (one thousand naira).

These CDs are best played in your computer or CD player as they are in MP3 format. However, some cars' CD player have the capacity to play MP3 CDs.

Day 1 & Day 2 Kingdom Foundations DVDs are available for sale at N1, 500 each.

If you would like to buy a copy or you know people who would like to get their copies, please get in touch with us on 07034371401.

Our office is open from 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday.

Address:

3rd Floor, Maku House,
109 Awolowo Road,
South West Ikoyi,
Lagos, Nigeria.

Telephone: +234 703 437 1401

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-4pm

Email Address: info@lapislazuliministries.org


Thank you.
Lapis Lazuli Ministries Team



May the Lord continue to uphold and preserve us all.

God's blessings,

 

Femi and Mina Bajomo
In This Issue
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Thanksgiving & Prayer Requests
  • Thanksgiving as children and students come to the end of their school terms.
  • Pray for Bethel Sozo as it is birthed in Nigeria on a wider and more independent state. We pray that Churches will come on board, and the Lord will send help.
  • Pray for the return of all the Chibok girls and the rehabilitation of all those who have come back home.
  • Pray for wisdom and healing for our Leaders.
  • Pray for our Churches to arise in love and oneness of purpose.
Intercessors Wanted
 

If you would like to join the Intercessors group, do get in touch by email to info@lapislazuliministries.org.

 

Bible Passage
Isaiah 56:5

Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off.


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3rd Floor Maku House,
109 Awolowo Road,
South West Ikoyi,
Lagos, Nigeria.
Recommended Books

Worship: 
The Pattern of Things in Heaven
by Bishop Joseph Garlington



The Healing Breakthrough
by Randy Clark




When Heaven Invades Earth
by Bill Johnson