August 2017  Edition

Dear Beloved,

Welcome to the August Newsletter. Holidays are fast coming to an end and it's time for those who have children to get ready for school. We are delighted to be in touch with you again.

Our hearts and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone suffering under the adverse weather conditions, that resulted in the mud- slide. We have a letter of appeal at the bottom of the newsletter. Please read and respond appropriately. Also to our dear ones in Houston, we pray for protection from the aftermath of the flood.

At regular intervals we have Guest writers contributing an article. We are so grateful to Mrs Trish Riley for our article this month. "Saved, Healed, Deliverance." Her article relates to the Bethel Sozo ministry that is being developed in Nigeria. Bethel Sozo ministry is a Church based unique inner healing and deliverance ministry in which the main aim is to get to the root of those things hindering a personal connection with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit . For more information, visit www.bethelsozonigeria.org.

We also have all our other regular articles to the newsletter. We love to hear from you, so do drop us a line when you can.As always, please enjoy reading this Newsletter.

In His Presence

SAVED, HEALED, DELIVERED


John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him. He that believes in Him is not judged: he that does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God."

God loves us with a deep and everlasting love. He loves all His children. Jesus fully understood the mandate He had been given. He always pointed to the Father in all He did. Everything He did was done through the love of God. Whether He was out on the streets with the people, having a meal with Pharisees and outcasts, teaching His disciples, Jesus embodied and reflected God's love, and Holy Spirit's wisdom. The mandate Jesus left us was this: Matthew 10:8 Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.



Freedom comes at a price. It means letting go of past patterns of behaviour, or ways of thinking. It means walking away from things we have grown comfortable with, and yet which keep us imprisoned. Not everyone is willing to pay that price - that is a great sadness on God's heart because freedom is what Jesus came for, what He lived for, what He died for. Freedom is a simple exchange, and yet the simple is not always easy. It is choosing light over darkness - yet many are fearful of what the light will bring into their lives - what it will reveal. God's light is freedom from fear, freedom from anger, freedom from discouragement. Like a beautiful bird in a cage, His children stay in a place of confinement, even though the cage door is wide open. For some, it may seem a narrow path to follow with no knowledge of what to expect in that place of freedom. And yet it gives limitless opportunities to explore - limitless opportunities to get to know a world so much bigger and exciting than the one we have experienced. So break off the shackles - throw away the ropes - discard the anchors - let go. The light beckons - it is vital and safe - it brings a new perspective. Freedom takes courage - it is turning our back on the familiar and trusting that the path we are on is a better one, where we will find the treasure we seek. Freedom is God's gift - open your hands to receive it - do not allow it to pass you by. It is there for the taking - Do not spurn God's gift - do not turn your back on it. Enjoy it. It is a precious gift to His children - God's gift of love.'



Sozo is a Greek word used 110 times in the New Testament. It is a Greek verb that implies being saved or rescued from under satan's power and restored into the wholeness of God's order and well-being.' It is used to mean saved in the sense of having been saved from eternal punishment for sin. It is used to mean to be healed of disease. It is used to mean to be delivered from demonic oppression. In fact it can mean all three of these at the same time. There are three areas covered by the word sozo:

Let's first look at the word sozo from the context of deliverance. Luke 8:36 "Those who had seen it told the people how the demon possessed man had been (sozo) cured". Deliverance is the action of being set free, liberated, rescued, freed. Deliverance is God's gift to His people that breaks the yoke of the enemy and releases the shackles of the prisoners. Sometimes, the enemy is so subtle that we don't realise we are bound. Some others are bound by hopelessness, fear and control. Many are imprisoned by addiction, lust, or greed. But Jesus came to set the captives free. God's truth breaks every chain. The enemy wants to isolate but God brings freedom. As we humble ourselves and repent of unholy alliances, freedom will come. As we forgive, prison doors are opened and deliverance will flow in every area of our lives.

Secondly, in the context of healing, Sozo is mentioned in Mark 6.56 "And everywhere he went, into villages, towns or countryside, they placed the sick into the market places. They begged him to touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched him were (sozo) healed." We are commanded and commissioned by Jesus to heal the sick. Healing the sick is a part of the nature of Jesus who said, 'I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full' John 10:10.
Healing sometimes comes when forgiveness is released, i.e when we choose to forgive an offence against us.



Some words I received from the Lord the other day during my prayer time: "Do you not know that I have given you authority to heal the sick, to cast out demons? If you know it, why do you not use it? Do you think it is for the few? No! It is for every believer, for every son and daughter to claim.The more you walk in this authority, the more healing you will see released. I am teaching My children to rise up in the power I have given them. I am teaching My children to flow in My power. I have dominion over every sickness and disease - know that - understand it - believe it. So rise up in My name - rebuke the enemy, command and release healing to all who ask, and see My power at work."

Finally, the third context for SOZO in the bible is in salvation. Acts 4:12 says, 'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be (sozo) saved.' And in Romans 10:9 it reads, ' If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be (Sozo) saved". Jesus gave His life so that His people might live. It is His desire for all to receive salvation and to turn away from the darkness into the light. Three things are required:
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.
  • Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life - that He died and rose from the dead for you.
  • Open your heart to receive Jesus, and determine to follow His ways.

Receive salvation. It opens the door to God's kingdom - God's truth - God's love. It opens the door to eternity with God.

Each one of us needs to be saved. If you have never made this commitment, do so today, saying the following, Prayer of Salvation:



Jesus, I confess and acknowledge from my heart that You are Lord - that You died on the cross and that Your blood was shed for my sins.

I believe that God raised You from the dead, and that in You I have eternal life.

I repent and ask Your forgiveness for my sins. Please change my heart to be like Yours - loving and forgiving.

I receive You as my Lord and Saviour - thank You for your free gift of Salvation today.

Amen

(If you said this prayer of salvation, do let us know. We bless you as you begin your new journey with the Lord.)


God bless you,

Humanitarian Appeal For Sierra-Leone


Registration is still on for the Bethel Sozo DVD Training Sessions in September/October
Registration to attend the 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 our Bethel Sozo Resource Centre, 109 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos from 11:00am to 1:00pm is still on going.

Kindly confirm your attendance for these FREE sessions as soon as possible as we have limited spaces. To confirm your attendance, please send a mail to info@lapislazuliministries.org or communications@lapislazuliministries.org

Recommended CD for the Month of August
Giant Slayers:

Dr. Leif Hetland's CD/DVD teaching on Giant Slayers at the Kingdom Revival Conference/Kingdom Foundations in March, 2017 is available for sale in our office, 3rd Floor, 109 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Each CD cost N200 and DVD cost N800.

Giant Slayers will teach you practical "ground rules" that will bring you into a life of facing your fears, overcoming obstacles and slaying the giants that keep you from fulfilling your destiny.

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/



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
  • Thank God for healing and the safe return of President Buhari.
  • Pray for the international community to assist in every way in Sierra Leone, and the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to the people.
  • Pray for maturing of the body of Christ and equipping of the Saints.
  • Pray for the return of all the remaining Chibok girls.

Intercessors Wanted
 

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

 

Bible Passage
Jude 1: 20 - 21

20. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

21. keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

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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



Winning The Battle For The Night
by Faith Blatchford