ECCLESIASTICAL WITCHCRAFT AND MANIPULATION

1.0 BRINGING UP YOUR FIRSTBORN

1.1 Introduction

In recent times, many Christian parents, especially the mothers, have faced problems with the upbringing of their firstborn children, particularly sons and usually during the teenage years. Such problems include natural stubbornness, rebellion, disrespect, irresponsibility and the like. It also includes spiritual problems like ungodliness, immorality, backsliding/lost of interest in Christian fellowship and in some cases clear demonic possessions/activities. These problems have been a great burden, concern and distraction to parents.

The upbringing of firstborns, especially the attendant problems of their teenage years, usually coincides with the middle age crisis of parents- when career prospects and establishment takes the attention of the fathers and the coping with domestic and/or career pressures stresses the mothers. Added to this is an opposite and sometimes antagonistic perception of the situation by couples. This is simply related to the fact that it was opposite virtues that normally attract couples to get married in the first place. While some parents (or a parent) handle the problems by prayers and counsel, others (or the other parent) handle it by carnal hostility and antagonism bordering on wickedness.

The problem with raising firstborn is not limited to Christian homes. What makes it a burden to many Christian families is not even the future of the firstborn (which should be the primary concern), but the distress that a negative behavior of firstborn would give a public testimony of their ineptitude in child raising, and is a disappointment of their parental expectation of a Christian child (not minding even if their own teenage years was turbulent. And ignoring the fact that they have not gone this way before!).

1.2 Biblical examples

The Scripture is full of examples of obstreperous unruly firstborn. Esau (Genesis 25:27-34, Reuben (Genesis 49:3, 1 Chronicles 5:1), Manasseh (Genesis 48:14-17), Er (Genesis 38:7, I Chronicles 2; 3), Nadab (Numbers 2:3-4) and Amnon (2 Samuel 3:2, chapter 13) typified the let-down some parents experience today.

Characteristics of first- born son
Divine, natural and spiritual factors contribute to the unique issue of bringing up a first- born child and they need to be recognized, identified and addressed individually and appropriately. These factors could be God –given, could be inherited from parents themselves or acquired from the environment of the child’s upbringing (society, culture, school, town and even the church).

The firstborn has certain divine characteristics that must be recognized: Gen 49:3: Reuben, you are my oldest son, the child of my vigorous youth (my might and the beginning of my strength NAS). You are the head of the list in rank and in honor TLB, pre-eminent in pride and pre-eminent in power. RSV, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. NASU

Thus they should be recognized as having a divine endowment, which parents have the call/ responsibility to culture/nurture. Satan will also want to influence this divine status for his purpose and parents have the responsibility to limit and destroy such satanic intrusion.
Indeed the Lord made specific demands on parents with regard to the firstborn:

1. Consecrate them to me Ex 13:2
2. Redeem them ; Ex 13:12-13
3. Offer them to the Lord: Ex 22:29
4. A double portion of inheritance Deut. 21:17

Natural factors are dependent mainly on what firstborn acquired or inherited from both parents. A clear example of is what manifested in the Abraham-Isaac-Jacob lineage (e.g. Genesis 20/26; 1-11, 29) and in the Laban/Rebecca-Jacob (Genesis 24/ 31) pedigree. These could be either positive or negative. Unfortunately many parents are quick to disdainfully highlight the negative traits of the firstborn, which is still dwelling un-dealt with in their own lives, while taking pride of place in the positive acquired traits. Cross-traits are also acquired from both parents who normally have opposite traits. Other natural characteristics are environmentally related. Being the firstborn, he is usually over-pampered in earlier years, especially if being the only child, and before the next born comes. Other environmental traits are acquired in the society; culture, location, dwellings and even the church the child attend.

Spiritual traits are chiefly dependant on the spiritual ancestry and background of both parents. Just as the Lord stipulates a double portion inheritance, also the satanic will endeavor to endow every firstborn with a double portion of ancestral and cultural qualities, especially if the firstborn is not already dedicated and consecrated to the Lord. Additionally, both parents must clearly and forcefully break every ancestral/cultural/family covenant upon themselves and their children, particularly the firstborn. Else the devil will insist on transmitting the effects of such covenant or dedication, with the firstborn having a double portion. Irrespective of whether the parents or the child have given their lives to the Lord.

Firstborns also usually have relational problems with the next-born especially if they are of same sex. Having been the sole pampered child hitherto, the firstborn is now disenchanted with the next-born to whom attention is diverted, and who does not see the need to bow to the firstborn status. The second-born needs to be taught that he is not equal to the double portion firstborn and should defer to such.

The teenage years are usually the most problematic in raising the firstborn. First there are natural physiological changes in the teenage which expresses themselves in behavioral changes, bordering on self-assertion. The teenage is not a child but also not yet an adult. Parents still treat them as children but the teen wants an assertion as an adult which responsibility and expectation they are unable to meet up to. This is also the stage that the firstborn exert both the positive and negative qualities acquired and inherited from the parental genes and behaviors. Thus a conflict exists between the parents and the assertive Teenage firstborn. And no one has passed this way before! Parents need to understand these and act with wisdom and appreciation, rather than with unprofitable belligerence and needless fretfulness.

1.4 Parental responsibilities

Although raising up children especially the firstborn is certainly stressful, it is a divine responsibility. Unfortunately, many parents do not properly carry out this responsibility. Parents may not understand the genetic and environmental sources/causes of the firstborn syndrome; accept the liability of their contribution to the inherited and acquired traits of the firstborn or apply wisdom rather than anxiety/force. Fathers use force, mothers nag and curse. Negative and unprofitable carnal principles being applied include nagging, curses, threats, excessive canning, denial of rights, denial of food, accusations, inert witchcraft, neglect, bad publicity etc.

The Bible declares:

Eph 6:4 And now a word to you parents. Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice. TLB

Col 3:21 Fathers, don't scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying. TLB

Positive divine principles, which parents may apply, include:

1. Brace up for this divine responsibility on this path you have not followed before.
2. Ask for wisdom and divine grace rather embark on your carnal ability.
3. Identify and understand the source/cause and contribution of genetic, ancestral and environmental factors in your child’s behavior.
4. Repent of and deal with ancestral/cultural covenants of your family background, scuttling their effects and transfer to your firstborn.
5. Desist from any of the negative principles earlier highlighted. Avoid nagging and excessive use of force/cane.
6. Use scriptures especially the book of Proverbs to teach and exhort them on what is expected of them. Could also be used to specifically correct.
7. Lay good examples in speech, conduct and relationship for your firstborn to acquire.
8. In spite of your disappointment in his behavior, forgive, exalt and love the firstborn, as the Lord said of David who became his firstborn (Psalm 89:24-37).
9. Use prayers and fasting to deal with stubborn firstborn problems. Grieve bitterly in prayers for him, not until you lose him (Zechariah 12:10).
10. By faith, regularly plead the Blood of Jesus against death and the destroyer of the firstborn (Hebrews 11:28)
11. By faith and deed strive and believe that your firstborn will enter the assembly of God’s own firstborn children, who are being made perfect (Hebrews12:23).

So help us God. Amen.

By the Lampstand. May/July 2004.

WHEN LEADERS NO LONGER LEAD…AND THE PEOPLE NO LONGER VOLUNTEER (JUGDES 5)

There was a time in Israel when leaders no longer led. Not because there were no men to lead, not because there was a lack of soldiers. Men were there aplenty, soldiers in abundance. Tens of thousands were available (Judges 4:10) forty thousand idle (Judges 5:8).

“New gods were chosen; then war was in the gates. Not a shield or a spear was seen, among forty thousand in Israel” (Judges 5:8, New American Standard Version (NAS). There were leaders who rode on fine white donkeys, Reverends sitting on fancy saddled blankets, living in prosperity. There were leaders who had chosen new gods and new gospel, gods of ease and gospel of prosperity, pastors of Pentecostal affluence.

Judges 5:15b-16: At the brooks of Reuben were great resolutions of heart. Why remain thou between the hurdles, to hear the piping of the flocks? At the brooks of Reuben were great projects of heart.

There were brave soldiers and leaders in the tribe of Reuben who knew there was a call to war. They heard the war cry. But they looked at their congregation, they thought about their flocks. They would rather stay back on the prosperity platform, listening to choir pieces from their congregation, monitoring and protecting their flock. The flock that provides them milk to drink, meat to eat and wool to clothe them the shepherds and their families. They rather do this than go to war, yet the war is at the gates. Reuben!

Reuben, you are my first-born; My might and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Gen 49:3 NAS.

Yet the Reuben generation stayed at home, like their fore bearer, dishonoring their Father, flippant in the day of battle.

Judges 5:17 Gilead rests on the other side of the Jordan; And Dan...why tarries he by ships? Asher sits on the shore of the sea, And by his bays he reposes.

With the Reubenites, the Gadites remained in Gilead (Deuteronomy 4:43). So named at birth “here comes a troop” (Genesis 30:11, New King James Version), the Gadites stayed put at their camps, resting in the fortune of the luxurious pasture which produced buoyant herds and flocks for them (Numbers 32), or tendering the gigantic altars and memorial structures they have built in their ‘safe havens’ across Jordan (Joshua 22). While the armies of the enemies press hard at the city gates. Even Dan, supposed to bite the horse’s heel and throw off the Jihadist rider (Genesis 49:17), tarried by the splendor of ships, Pentecostal traders at the port of prosperity. Dan, who had the heart of the lions of Bashan, the ability to extend their number, by evangelism and missions into the tribe of the invaders. (Deuteronomy 33:22). Asher stayed at ease of fellowship, producing delicacies and rich food for pastor-kings (Genesis 49:20); rather than being preachers at the wilderness of the un-reached. Bathed with divine anointing, shod with the shoes of the gospel. Afraid to go to war that will extend his outreach, even though promised abundance of grace in trouble, and strength for the length of battle (Deuteronomy 33:24 –25).

It was in days of ease, when instead of taking the battle to the camps and dwelling of the enemy, the battle had come to the city gates. Today, those days are repeating themselves in the local church in Nigeria, as well as the International church. Instead of taking the gospel to the tents of the un-reached, the bad news of jihad war threatens to overrun the world, targeting the church. While, like Reuben, Dan, Gad and Asher, we remain by the fellowship of prosperity and the gospel of positive thinking; Islamic jihad, Voodoo, Egbesu, African traditional idolatries, and Western New Age philosophy all knock at the gates of the church.

Therefore “Thus says the LORD: "Does Israel have no sons? Or has he no heirs? Why then has Malcam taken possession of Gad? And his people settled in its cities? (Jeremiah 49:1 NAS).

If the leaders no longer lead, and the people no longer volunteer; if the Baraks of this generations are unwilling to face the Siseras of our age (Deuteronomy 4:4-8); if our Reubenites and Gadites, the first-born; the anointed might of the LORD and the beginning of his strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power, are too busy enjoying the prosperity of their pastures and are too busy to face the enemies at the gates; then the days of the daughters of Deborah has come. The days of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenites. Wailing women, interceding vessels, who will use the lightening of the Baraks, violent prayers to strike the Siseras, smash their heads, shatter and pierce their temples.

Thank God for the tribes that went to war, joining Deborah and Barak. Benjamin went confidently to war assured of Divine security (Deuteronomy 33:12). Issachars, men who understand the temper of the times and know the best course for the church to take (I Chronicles 12:32). Always in the tents of intercession and place of prophetic warfare, bearing the burdens of intercession and warfare prayers (Genesis 49:13). Providing spiritual fireworks, networking with the Zebulon field warriors (Deuteronomy 33:18). Rejoice O Zebuluns, skilled warriors, always prepared for battle (I Chronicles 12:33). In your going out for prosperous missionary expeditions abroad, to bring unbelievers and un-reached to the mountain of the house of God, that they may offer acceptable sacrifices (Deut. 33:19). For you shall grow wealthy in your missionary merchandise, extending the borders of your gospel enterprise (Genesis 49:13). Zebuluns, people who despised their lives even to death, and on the high places of the field. Judges 5:18). Naphtali also, the tribe of the Baraks, apostles of the gospel, satisfied with divine favour as they risk their lives as they take the good news to possess desert land and Islands (Deuteronomy 33:23).

For His people shall be willing in the days of His power.
"Thus let all thine enemies perish, O LORD; But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might." Judges 5:31 NAS. Amen.

By the Lampstand. 7th July 2004. Ibadan, Nigeria.

3.0 THIS DAY WE FIGHT!

Francis Frangipane www.frangipane.org

It is time to throw off oppression and passivity and stand for your nation. I don't think I'm preaching to the choir when I write this, either. We are facing one of the most important and difficult conflicts since World War II, yet too many Christians are passively sitting on the sidelines. You see, there is a passive spirit that has attached itself to the soul of many in the church.

For many, a subtle malaise has increasingly settled, like a blanket, upon their devotional life. Yes, they remained heartsick about escalating terror in the world, but their voice of intercession has quietly diminished. Indeed, they were outraged that judges in the United States and other nations have sought to legalize gay unions, but their outrage has faded into a shrug of the shoulders and a sigh.

During the last two messages (The Bronze Bow and Breaking the Bondage of a Passive Spirit), we discussed using Christ's authority and receiving from the Lord an anointing for spiritual warfare. We considered that David did not just defeat his enemies, he "pursued" them "until they were consumed" (Ps 18:37). As a young man, while others trembled, David was ready and eager to face Goliath. However, once he killed the Philistine, he cut off the giant's head and took it to Jerusalem. David probably held the head of Goliath up before the Jebusites, who still ruled Jerusalem.

As God empowered him against the giant, so in time he would drive out the Jebusites as well. David is a powerful example of a man after God's heart, who possessed no tolerance for evil. But this study about David also provides an example for us of what happens to good people when a passive spirit immobilizes their will. For there was an occasion when David did not pursue his enemies. In fact, he allowed a passive spirit to subdue his will.

"Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem" (2 Sam 11:1).

David stayed at rest during a time of war. The king accepted a passive spirit into his soul. Soon, we find this great warrior king almost helpless to resist the unfolding spiritual attack.

"Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance" (2 Sam 11:2).

The woman was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. From the moment David accepted the influence of that passive spirit, his resistance was weakened; a paralysis of conscience occurred. The scripture says, “when evening came David arose from his bed." Perhaps it was a custom to rest in the afternoon, but it strikes me as inconsistent for David to nap while his men fought. It is possible that this nap was not a response to a bodily need, but an expression of the slumber that gripped his soul. He was in bed until "evening." This heaviness of soul resting on David was actually part of a larger, synchronized spiritual attack. The other part of that battle was the quiet, inner prompting that moved Bathsheba to bathe in a place where David could see her. Finally, unable to resist, and in defiance of all his noble characteristics, David "sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her" (2 Sam 11:4).

Dear friend, remember, this terrible moral failure was not initiated by David's lust or flagrant rebellion to God; a passive spirit introduced David to his sin. The problem was simply that, in a time when the kings went forth to war, David stayed at home.

3.1 In Our World and Times

Beloved, we are in a time of war. The Spirit of God is calling us to fight for our families, cities and nations. Indeed, God's word reveals that "The LORD will go forth like a warrior; He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes; He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13). Is that fight in you? Is there a war cry in your spirit? If you are born again, that cry is within you, even if it's been muted by the lethargy of the passive spirit. You will never succeed as an overcomer without carrying in your spirit the war cry of God. We must embrace the call to prayer, to do spiritual warfare, and we must fight with all the weapons of our warfare for the sake of our children and the future of our nation. On the one hand, this war is personal. The moment you accept a passive spirit, count on the fact that a temptation appropriate to your weakness is also just around the corner. It may not be Bathsheba, it may just be pornography on the Internet, but you will find yourself wrapped up in something that can devastate you and your loved ones. (It's called the World Wide Web and many are they that Satan entangles in sin). It may be a co-worker who suddenly looks attractive; or it might be just giving in to a bitter hardening of your heart. On the other hand, the battle is also international. Let me spell it out: There is a radical element in Islam that has launched what they call the "Third Great Jihad." (The first jihad came during the life of Mohammed; the second during the Ottoman Empire). Leading this current Jihad is Osama Bin Laden. His goal, together with all radical followers of Wahhabism (a radical branch of Islam), is to drive the West from Islamic nations, replace secular heads of state in Islamic nations with religious leaders; possess the oil wealth of the Middle East, destroy Israel, and obtain nuclear (and other) weapons of mass destruction. They are willing to die for what they believe and will stop at nothing to obtain fulfillment of their dream. According to US government reports, worldwide there are approximately 20 million Wahhadbi Muslims. Not all are terrorists, but all have been indoctrinated to hate the West, to hate Israel and to be willing to die for their cause.

(See http://kyl.senate.gov/legis_center/subdocs/sc062603_alexiev.pdf)

While Islamic terrorists plot to infiltrate and conquer the non-Muslim world around them, there is another conflict being advanced from within society itself: it is a war over the moral standards of each nation. This is very serious and we need to pray and exercise spiritual
authority over the regions where God has us. You say, "I want to pray, but there is oppression on me." You might be fighting a spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3 says the Lord gives us "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (KJV).

The NAS renders this enemy "a spirit of fainting." Whether we call this evil a spirit of heaviness, fainting or passivity, it is what keeps people from exercising their spiritual strengths. Indeed, it often sits on your upper chest, seeking to smother your spiritual energy and initiatives. This spirit gains access to our lives through a number of means.

Disappointment with loved ones will open us to this spirit. Or, it might infiltrate our souls if we repeatedly sin in a particular area. It is also an associate companion to condemnation and fear. Whatever the door through which it enters, you need to repent for any sin and then forcefully and vocally renounce it. This is not a time to pray quietly, but boldly and with your eyes open. I hear the argument, "I can't pray with my eyes open." That is not true.

You have often prayed with your eyes open when you drive. The point is that this passive spirit seeks to trap you inside yourself.
To conquer this enemy we first must submit our hearts to God. Forgive and release all areas of disappointment with people or discouragement with yourself. Renounce living with condemnation and fear. Do all this out loud as well. Since God gives you the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, aggressively recall the many blessings of God in your life. Put on that garment of praise. Pray with me,

In Jesus' name, I submit to Jesus Christ, my Redeemer King and I command this spirit of heaviness and passivity to depart from me. I also pray for it to leave my loved ones and any members of my church it has targeted as well.

3.2 The Real Battle

The conflict before our generation is no less threatening than Nazism and Soviet Imperialism. Radical Islam is a demonic power that seeks world domination. We cannot lose the war against terrorism or morality. We must not open to fear or unbelief, for we were born to fight and win the battles of our times. Again the argument arises, "I was taught that life is supposed to only grow more evil until Christ returns." Yes, such a day will come, but we must not assume that it has arrived. In every age God requires we walk as overcomers. The very fact that there are nations today that are experiencing great harvests and breakthroughs reminds us there is still time for our nations.

One of our readers sent us the following excerpt from Aragon, king of Gondor, in The Return of the King. The book's author, JRR Tolkien, an Englishman, denies his work had anything to do with the Great War. Yet, much of his manuscript was written during the height of WWII. The book is a metaphor of all the battle each generation must face to conquer evil.

’…Hopelessly outnumbered, King Aragon sought to inspire his men against what seemed like sure defeat against the swarming hordes of their hellish enemies. Riding in front of his gathered, but rather lowly army, he shouted, I see in your eyes the same fear that would break the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. This day, we fight! .

By all you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand with me, men of the West!

Let us also put aside our fears and the burdens of a passive spirit. Let us take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And let us war on behalf of righteousness.

A day may come when the world will succumb to the forces of evil. But it is not this day. This day, we fight!

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc. Copyright (c) 2004
All rights reserved. www.frangipane.org. Appeared on the Apostolic/Prophetic/Global JOSHUA A/P NETWORK E- LIST Saturday, July 03, 2004. To subscribe: Send a blank email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4.0 THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MECHANICAL ENGINEER

I learnt some lessons during the brain tumour affliction I recently suffered and am yet to fully recover from, despite sustained chemotherapy, physiotherapy and high quality surgery. This is that there is a marked and great difference between the manufacturer and the mechanic/engineer, between the maker and the repairer, no matter how skilled. Not only am I yet to fully recover, each of this well-meaning and dedicated human intervention had its own side effects. Thus while I had serious reactions including a three-day unconsciousness due to chemotherapy, I had severe nervous/muscular face and sight problems due to the physiotherapy and brain surgery. The message is that no matter how skilled and well-intended human interventions are, not only will they not be able to completely solve the problems (without divine intervention); they will also have some side-effects.

In the JOSHUA A/P E-LIST<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; of 3rd July 2004 is an article titled ’WHY IS YOUR WORK NOT FINISHED?’ by Apostle Handley<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

“…Some of you are bound to medicines that intelligent, well meaning, medical doctors have prescribed for you. If you have read any of my works on healing or health, you will know that I am NOT against doctors, medicine, or hospitals. Thank God for them! God can use them and many times does. There are, however, some cases where people are taking medicines that are keeping them from proper health. In other words, these people are NOT experiencing total healing, divine health, as a result of the side effects of the medication: even medications that were expertly prescribed. Why?

God is being put as an "option" instead of the source of healing: more trust is being put in the human physician, or the medication, than in the Divine Physician. King Asa was a prime example of this. He sought the advice of physicians... and there was nothing wrong with that...but he did NOT seek the advice of God.
"And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to his physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died [two years later] in the one and fortieth year of his reign." [2 Chronicles 16:12-13] Always go to God for the final opinion and advice! “

Indeed there is a marked difference between the manufacturer and the mechanics/engineers who attend to our vehicles. Only the manufacturer has replacement parts, and can perfectly fit them in. The mechanical engineer will at best try to repair faulty parts; he scarcely can manufacture them. The bible is full of incidents and promises of divine health and healings. Not only does God deal with the medical problems, He alone can address the spiritual aspects of sicknesses –personal sins, household enemies, witchcrafts, demonic afflictions etc.

12 "This is what the LORD says:"'Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing. 13 There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you. 14 All your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you. I have struck you as an enemy would and punished you as would the cruel, because your guilt is so great and your sins so many. 15 Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you. 16 "'But all who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil. 17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD,' because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.' Jeremiah 30:12-17 NIV (Emphasis mine). So shall it be to me in Jesus Name. Amen

By the Lampstand. May 2004.

5.0 EXHORTATIONS

While I was under the satanic affliction over the past year, I got many encouragements from brethren young and old. Some of the written articles are reproduced below. May they serve you in days of trouble to the Glory of the LORD, in Jesus’ name. Amen:
CONSIDER THIS – Sanmi Falobi “Jesus was hungry and finding no fruit in it, He cursed the fig tree” Why? Jesus was hungry and became angry. He transferred the anger of his hunger to the tree… Be angry and transfer the pain in your system. Don’t be weary, get ‘an animal’ and command the ‘stranger’ in you into it. Don’t stop until you feel a release. (See Matthew 8:28-32, Mark 5:1-13 and Luke 11:14-26).

Sanmi Falobi is the Publisher of INSIGHT MEMOIRS (c) CALVARY IMPACT NETWORK INC. U.I.P.O Box 4150 Ibadan, Nigeria. Website: www.cin.faithweb.com Contact Office: Block B1, No 11, Wonderland Shopping Plaza, Behind Trans International Bank (T.I.B.), Bodija-U.I Road, Ibadan, Nigeria.

THE LORD WILL RESCUE YOU – Uzo Izuora
The Lord will rescue you
And stand on your behalf
In the presence of your enemies,
Fear not and don’t be shaken,
For he will see you through in all that happens to you,
And he will not let you down
For he has spoken
And he honours His Word
Much more than His name.

IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH – Kenechukwu Izuora

Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Fear no evil for he is with you
Even when you are weak, He is strong
For your ashes He gives you oil of joy
And that is why you run and are not weary
And the reason you walk and do not faint
For he is before you, with you and after you,
In this race of life.
So because the keeper of Israel
Neither sleeps nor slumbers
And because you dwell in His secret place
And abide under His Mighty shadow,
He will give His angels charge over you
To keep you in going out and coming in
So even at the darkest hour
In the darkest tunnel
Where the only ray of light seems to be at infinity
Take heart and be strong
For He is with you in all your ways
And just as His plans for you are good
So also are His thoughts towards you
To bring you to an expected end
And so for this reason
Pray and do not faint
And let His joy be your strength
For the Hosts of Heaven will definitely defeat the Hordes of Hell
And then we all shall come together
In praise of our victor
That sees us through
In all that happens to us.

JOB’S STORY – Ileri Babalobi

Job was righteous to the extent that God could boast about him to Satan. Even when he was tested, he was still righteous. He did not allow his wife to cause him to sin. Job had the will to be righteous to the end but his body had not. A case of the spirit being willing but the body being weak. He even cursed the day of his birth (chapter 3). We learn from Job’s mistakes. Even though in our hearts we may want to be righteous, we should try to act right. Job’s friends accused him wrongly yet he still had the mind to be righteous. Suffering does not necessarily mean one is a sinner. Job was not a sinner but God wanted to test him. We should learn to speak as God’s Holy Spirit directs us not according to our selfish opinion. We should learn to refrain as much as possible from accusing until we are sure. We should not be quick to voice out our opinions.

Age does not matter in God’s kingdom. Elihu was the youngest (chapter 32), yet he spoke the nearest to how God wanted him to speak. Elihu offered the needed rebuke, advice and encouragement to Job. We should be like Elihu. It was because of Elihu’s contribution that Job stopped complaining.

In the end Job was compensated and got twice as much as he had before (chapter 42). God told Job’s friend to apologize. This shows that we should swallow all pride and we should apologize when we are wrong. God rewarded Job. This shows that God is just and will give to us what we deserve.

God looks at the motive. Job was not acting righteous when he cursed the day of his birth, but in his heart his resolve was to do good. Not that we should take that as an excuse for not acting right.

My God is a Miracle God (2ce)

He has never failed
He will never fail
He will do all that He says he will do
I can see Him working in my favour
I can see Him fighting all my battles
I can see Him bringing in my miracles
He will do what He says He will do

JOB’S WIFE’S UNSAID PRAYER?

Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God, and die” Job 2:9 RSV
…Did she say this so that she could be free to marry another husband..?

6.0 ‘…NOT A WIFE-MATERIAL’

The issue of ‘wife-material’ first came to my hearing one day while I waited by my car to pick my wife from her office. Three upper class students, obviously in their late twenties, walked towards where I stood, loudly discussing a colleague of theirs. “She is not a wife-material!” one of them loudly proclaimed as they passed along. That set me thinking, is there anything like a wife-material?

A few months later I was reading a newspaper the CHRISTAN AGENDA (Divine Press Limited. U.I.P.O. Box 19302 U.I. Agbowo, Ibadan). One of their ‘Life Quotes’ (page 2), a Japanese quote, is ‘ALL MARRIED WOMEN ARE NOT WIVES’!

What does the Bible says about a woman, married or not, who is not a wife-material? Someone who probably should know is the man, called the wisest man ever, who sampled one thousand women, having seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (I Kings 11:3). Here are some of his sayings about such a woman:

Prov 2:16 It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words
Prov 6:24 keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
Prov 12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Prov 19:13 A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
Prov 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Prov 21:19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
Prov 23:27 For a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
Prov 25:24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Prov 27:15-16 A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.
Prov 30:21-23 For three things the earth is perturbed, yes, for four it cannot bear up:
For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food, A hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.
Prov 9:13 A foolish woman is noisy; she is wanton and knows no shame.
Prov 11:22 like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
Prov 14:1The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
Eccl 7:26 I find more bitter than death the woman, who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.

Other issues may contribute to a woman being a ‘married but no a wife’. Obvious from the above verses is that there are two broad features that make a woman not to be a wife material- that of negative attitude/behavior/character, and that of impurity/unfaithfulness. These could be avoided and overcome if a woman grew up and lives the life of biblical purity and submission. 1 Peter 3:1-6 captures and summarizes this:

3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. NIV
See also Gen 3:16, Ps 45:10, Eph 5:22-24.

What should a man of God do to his spouse who has turned out to be married but not a wife? The natural reaction is what Hosea exclaimed: "… she is not my wife, and I am not her husband…” Hosea 2:2 NIV. But as Christians, we should do as scriptures teach and what Hosea experienced; The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes." Hosea 3:1. NIV. Amen

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7 NIV.
See also I Corinthians 7:33, Ephesians 5:25 –29.

By the Lampstand. July 2004

7.0 DIVINE PRIESTHOODS FROM UNPRIESLTY BACKGROUNDS

And our Lord, of whom these things are said, belonged to a different tribe and no member of his tribe ever served as a priest. It is well known that he was born a member of the tribe of Judah and Moses did not mention this tribe when he spoke of priest” Hebrews 7:13-14

Your ancestry cannot be a limitation to attaining God’s destiny for you. You may belong to a genealogy of idolaters, yet you and your generation after may forever serve the Lord. Your family may be an outcast, a generation of slaves. Yours may be “Osu” dedicated forever to idols. Your father could be the chief headhunter, your mother from a generation of temple prostitutes. Your forbearers might have imported that foreign god (religion) unto your town; your tribe may be Islam’s main courier. Yours might be a destitute family; there never have been a wealthy person in your linage.

Beginning form you, a new divine linage will start. You shall be engrafted unto the life of Christ and generations of priest begin from you. That which has never happened in your family will begin with you, says the Lord with whom nothing is impossible. Amen.

8.0 EVIL MEN AND IMPOSTORS

Is there any hope that evil men will change for the better? 2 Tim 3:4 tell us that is a forlorn hope. Indeed the prophecy there is in these last days, evil men will go from bad to worse. Do not be deceived, an evil men cannot change from their evil just as a leopard cannot change its spots Evil is their nature. As David said in I Sam 24:13 “Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. Not only will they wicked evil not change, they will be pretenders (impostors deduces. Do not be charmed by their smiles or seduced by their embrace. Proverbs 76:6 tells us that the kisses of an enemy, like that of Judas Iscariot are deceitful. Or as the Good New Bible puts it “… When an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder - watch out!”

In these last days, evil men shall be skilled deceivers. Their strategy is to deceitful put you at ease so that they can strike with their dagger while you are complacent. Do not be taken in by their sophistry, their sweet talk or their promises. They will be covenant breakers like Ehud, they may even claim to have “a word from the Lord” (Judges 3:19-21). The may quote scriptures, aspire to teach or prophesy. They may even want to pray for you or minister deliverance. Do not be taken in do not be complacent. Nothing good can come from evil me. As Proverbs 12:10 states, even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel! And as Jesus taught “ A good men out of the good treasures of his heart brings forth good, but an evil man out of the evil treasures of his heart brings forth evil…” Be aware of evil workers, in the church (Philippians 3:2).

The evil man is deceived and beyond redemption, because he has given his heart over to the devil, the deceiver (Rev. 2: 9). Do not be taken in by the promises or even their oath. For as many times Saul vowed not to seek to kill David, so did he intensify his murderous pursuit. Evil men are liars and covenant breakers. Like their father the devil, when they speak a lie, it comes naturally as their nature language. There is no truth in them (I John 8: 44).

Do not show kindness, or mercy to the wicked. It is a dangerous waste of time. “Let grace be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteous. Even in the midst of righteous people, they still do wrong and refuse to recognize God’s greatness (Isaiah 25: 10). Woe to the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him (Isaiah 3: 11). “There is no peace, says the LORD, for the wicked” (Isaiah 48: 22). Amen.

By the Lampstand. LampstandLetters No. 28, 2001

9.0 PRESENT DAY ALEXANDERS

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.2 Tim 4:14 -15 NAS

In the church today are present day Alexanders- false brethren, fallen brethren, backslidden brethren living on old glory and anointing-, who actively and vigorously oppose the gospel and true teaching of the Lord. If any called and anointed minister or teacher of God’s word does not pass through them or is subject to them and their perverted doctrines/lifestyle, they dispatch their polluted anointing to Satan, to harm the minister physically and spiritually. They vigorously, actively and openly oppose the teaching and the teacher. They breed hatred and disdain for committed ministers of God who have not joined their bandwagon of deceitful service to God.

Evil men and imposters, they have achieved prominence and leadership but are virtually backslid. As Saul did to David, they exert private and public evil influences, just to prevail against the present callings and move of God. They care little to kill and destroy. They delight in subjugation and perversions.

Beloved, Paul experienced the satanic carnal ministry of Alexander and warned Timothy against such. Be aware that that ministry still exists today. Please pray for the Publisher of the LampstandLetters, that the present day Alexanders will do him no further harm, and that he will be alert enough to be on guard against them; as Paul exhorted Timothy. Amen

By The Lampstand. June 2004.

10.0 THE FLAMES OF WICKEDNESS

He will burn up all this wickedness, these thorns and briars; and the flames will consume the forests too, and send a vast cloud of smoke billowing up from their burning. Isaiah 9:18TLB

Wickedness, i.e., the constant thirst of evil, is a fire, which a man kindles in himself. And when the grace of God, which damps and restrains this fire, is all over, it is sure to burst forth: the wickedness bursts forth like fire (the verb is used here, as in Isaiah 30:27, with reference to the wrath of God). And this is the case with the wickedness of Israel, which now consumes first of all thorns and thistles, i.e., individual sinners who are the most ripe for judgment, upon whom the judgment commences, and then the thicket of the wood. The fire, into which the wickedness bursts out, seizes individuals first of all; and then, like a forest fire, it seizes upon the nation at large in all its ranks and members, who "whirl up (roll up) ascending of smoke," i.e., who roll up in the form of ascending smoke (hith'abbek, a synonym of hithhappeek, Judge 7:13, to curl or roll). This fire of wickedness was no other than the wrath ('ebrâh) of God: it is God's own wrath, for all sin carries this within itself as its own self-punishment. (From Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

11.0 WHEN NOT TO INTERCEDE

So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you. 17 Do you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire and the women knead the dough and make cakes of bread for the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke me to anger. 19 But am I the one they are provoking? declares the LORD. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?
Jeremiah 7:16-19 New International Version

As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you. Jeremiah 7:16 New American Standard Version
14 "Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.
15 "What is my beloved doing in my temple as she works out her evil schemes with many?
Can consecrated meat avert [your punishment]?
When you engage in your wickedness, then you rejoice. Jeremiah 11:14-15 New International Version

5:1 Judgment Must Come

Then the LORD said to me, "Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go!
2 "And it shall be that when they say to you, "Where should we go?' then you are to tell them, "Thus says the LORD:
"Those destined for death, to death;
And those destined for the sword, to the sword;
And those destined for famine, to famine;
And those destined for captivity, to captivity…"
"Indeed, who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem,
Or who will mourn for you,
Or who will turn aside to ask about your welfare?
6 "You who have forsaken Me," declares the LORD,
"You keep going backward.
So I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you;
I am tired of relenting!
Jeremiah 15:1-2, 5-6 New American Standard Version Updated
…Have your way O Lord!