Lampstand Letter

Thursday, 01 December 2005 05:29

LAMPSTAND LETTER 38

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No 38: July to December, 2005
“Write therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later” Rev. 1:19

ENDURING TO THE END

1.0 THE PROCESS OF ENDURING AND NOT ENDURING TO THE END

"Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another . . . and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:10-12 KJV). The passage above talks about refers to Christians in the last days; how Christians who are supposed to walk in love degenerate to walking in HATRED. It is due to a process: offence to betrayal to hatred. Insult to offence to abuse to hatred: a simultaneous loss of love, the sin of un-forgiveness, and a loss of salvation: - a Christian going to hell.

It talks of CHRISTIANS TURNING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, HATING ONE ANOTHER, LED ASTRAY BY HATRED, and SINNING WILFULLY AGAINST ONE ANOTHER;

  • In families
  • Marriages
  • Homes
  • Work place
  • Ministry
  • Church
  • Society

It is a PROCESS- starting from what is considered an INSULT, then one takes OFFENCE, one feels ABUSE, then one gathers HATRED, one LOSES LOVE, one waxes in RETALIATION and the SIN OF UNFORGIVENESS;

  • To God
  • To Man
  • To Spouse
  • To Children
  • To Parents
  • To Colleagues
  • To the World
  • To Unbelievers

It starts with what is considered AN INSULT, which is basically a personal, cultural, societal, community, location, traditional or modern perception.

I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO BE INSULTED, even when it is obvious that efforts are being made to insult me.
I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO BE OFFENDED, even when I am being provoked below my dignity by a rift-raff.
I COULD CHOOSE NOT TO FEEL ABUSED, even when I am being openly abused.

I CAN DECIDE NOT TO DEGENERATE INTO HATRED.
I CAN DECIDE NOT TO LOSE DIVINE LOVE FOR THEM.
I CAN DECIDE TO FORGIVE INSULTS, ABUSE, OFFENCES.

…Because I want to ENDURE to the end. As stated by editorial assistant Mr. Gabriel Ojo <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
‘I want to durare (positive), not ob-durate (negative)’.

Enduring to the end is a life long test/trial of our Christian faith, a test of our walking in love, a test of one walking in biblical standards of love and forgiveness. It is a test of humility and maturity; a trial of carnality, pride and un-forgiveness. One’s personal decision, perception, reaction, reflection will lead to ENDURING (OR OBDURATING AND NOT ENDURING) to the end.

WHAT IS YOUR DECISION?

  • To harden yourself (against insults, abuses, offences, hatred, un-forgiveness etc) like a soldier, like flint for Christ sake; OR
  • To harden your heart for ego-sake (so as not to appear soft/not to be taken advantage of/not to be despised etc?).
  • To endure TO THE VERY END OF YOUR LIFE’S DURATION, or not to endure?

By the Lampstand. December 2005.

2.0 UNOFFENDABLE

Francis Frangipane.<This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Saturday, March 05, 2005 12:15 AM.

The following message was originally sent out March 21, 2002. The Holy Spirit has impressed us that the body of Christ needs to hear this again. Thank you!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek 36:26). God has a new heart for us that cannot be offended, an "unoffendable" heart. Beloved, possessing an unoffendable heart is not an option or a luxury; it's not a little thing. Consider: Jesus warns that, as we near the end of the age, a majority of people will be offended to such a degree that they fall away from the faith. Listen carefully to His warning: "Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another . . . and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:10-12 KJV)

"Many" will be offended; the love of "many" will grow cold. My prayer is that we will hear His words with holy fear. When we allow an offence to remain in our hearts, it causes serious spiritual consequences. In the above verse Jesus named three dangerous results: betrayal, hatred and cold love. When we are offended with someone, even someone we care for, we must go to them. Otherwise, we begin to betray that relationship, talking maliciously behind their back to others, exposing their weaknesses and sins. We may mask our betrayal by saying we are just looking for advice or counsel, but when we look back, we see we have spoken negatively to far too many people. Our real goal was not to get spiritual help for ourselves but to seek revenge toward the one who offended us. How is such action not a manifestation of hatred? For an offended soul, cold love, betrayal and hatred go hand-in-hand. People don't usually stumble over boulders; they stumble over stones, relatively small things. It may be that the personality of someone in authority bothers us and soon we are offended. Or, a friend or family member fails to meet our expectations, and we take an offense into our soul. Beloved, if we will "endure to the end," we will have to confront the things that bother us. When Jesus warns that we need endurance, He is saying that it is easier to begin the race than finish it. Between now and the day you die, there will be major times of offence that you will need to overcome. You might be in such a time right now. Do not minimize the danger of harboring an offence.

No one plans on falling away; no one ever says, "Today, I think I'll try to develop a hardened, cold heart." Such things enter our souls through stealth and it is only naiveté that assumes it couldn't happen to us. I know many people who consistently become offended about one thing or another. Instead of dealing with the offences, these people carry them until the weight disables their walk with God. You may be doing fine today, but I guarantee you, tomorrow something will happen that will inevitably disappoint or wound you; some injustice will strike you, demanding you retaliate in the flesh.

2.1 The Root of Offence

An offence can strike at our virtues or sins, our values or our pride. It can penetrate and wound any dimension of the soul, both good and evil. I once brought a series of messages about gossip. Most people saw their sin and repented, but a core group of gossips were greatly offended and ultimately left the church. When the Holy Spirit exposes sin in someone's soul, if we refuse the opportunity to repent, we often become offended at the person who brought the teaching. Instead of humbling our hearts, we are outraged at the pastor or teachers in the church. Truthfully, most of the time, I have no idea who specifically needs to hear what I'm teaching, but God knows.

Paul told Timothy to "reprove, rebuke, exhort" (see 2 Tim 4:2). He didn't say, "exhort, exhort, exhort," but exhortation is what we receive in most churches. Certainly, we need to be encouraged, but there are also times, beloved, when we need to be reproved and rebuked. Today, there are preachers who are afraid to preach truth for fear people will react and leave the church. The end result is a church of easily offended people who cannot grow beyond their inability to accept correction. People don't change by exhortation alone. There are areas in all of us that need to be confronted and disciplined. The pastor who refuses to discipline and correct those in sin is in disobedience to God. He is unable to lead people into any truly transforming changes in their lives; they will not "endure to the end" if they cannot be corrected (see Matt 24).

We need to become a people who say, "Lord, show me what needs to change in me." I'm talking about growing up. A wise man will receive a rebuke and he will prosper. But a fool rejects his father's discipline (see Prov 15:5).

2.2 Personal Offence

An offence can wound our pride when we are not recognized for our good works or ministry. This happened to my wife and I long ago while in California. We were young pastors at a conference when the main leader decided to personally greet each minister and wife. He greeted the couple on our right and then turned to his staff to ask a question. A moment later he returned, but passed us by and went to the couple on our left. Everyone around us saw we were bypassed. We were embarrassed and offended. But my wife wisely observed that we could allow this thing to hurt us or we could see it as an investment in sensitivity toward other people's feelings. The offence taught us how others feel when they are ignored. Do you see this? You must make that offence become an opportunity to become more Christ like.

The occasions for taking offence are practically endless. Indeed, we are daily given the opportunity to either be offended by something or to possess an unoffendable heart. The Lord's promise is that He's given us a new heart: a soft, entreatable heart that can be filled with His Spirit and abound with His love.

Lord, forgive me for being so easily offended and for carrying offences. Father, my heart is foolish and weak. Grant me the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ. Amen.

3.0 Unoffendable (Part Two)

"Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another . . . and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt 24:10-12 KJV).

3.1 The Sequence That Leads To Apostasy.

In our last teaching we looked at offences and examined the lethal effect an offended spirit could have upon our lives. We discussed how the only way to not be permanently offended was to attain the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ.

Attaining Christ's heart is not a minor issue. Remember, Jesus warned that, in the last days, "many" would be offended. A wounded spirit is not the same thing as an offended spirit - an offense occurs when we do not process our wounds in a Christ-like manner. Indeed, an offended spirit, left unattended and brooding in our minds, will soon manifest as betrayal, hatred and cold love. Jesus said offenses would be the ultimate cause that leads many to fall from faith. Listen well: Jesus linked the real cause of apostasy not to wrong doctrines, but wrong reactions.

Aren't right doctrines important? Of course, but we can have right information and still have a wrong response. Doctrinal information can be upgraded and refined, but Proverbs warns that someone "offended is harder to be won than a strong city"; and "contentions" between people "are like the bars of a castle" (Prov. 18:19).

Yes, beware of false leaders, but more deceitful than false prophets or teachers is our own heart when it is offended (Jer. 17:9). Are you living with an offended heart? If so, you are gradually slipping away from true Christianity, which is known for its agape love. Thus, dealing with an offended heart is vital in maintaining ongoing spiritual maturity. For this reason, we need to look again at the things which offend us.

3.2 False Expectations

Unrealistic or exaggerated expectations inevitably will cause others to fall short and offend us. Some desire their spouse or pastor or friends to meet their every need. However, at the deepest level our soul was created to find its security in God, not man. When the Almighty truly becomes our security, our peace flows from our awareness of His love and unlimited capabilities. As people who put their confidence in God, we can live comfortably with imperfect people around us.

Still, the very power of our expectations can choke out the sweetness of a personal relationship. Suppose that, instead of burdening people with our expectations, we simply learned to appreciate them for themselves - no strings attached. What if we approach family and friends with gratitude for what they are doing rather than disappointment for what they failed to do?

Suppose that a husband, instead of expecting a full course dinner from his wife each night, learned to appreciate whatever she was able to offer him? Then, instead of his failed expectation degrading into an offense, there would be a living, sincere appreciation for the food his wife prepared. I know we have arrangements by common consent, but in reality, a wife is under no obligation to cook special meals or do housekeeping. You did not marry her to be your housekeeper, but to become one with her.

Or imagine a husband who works a long, tiring job. However, his wife expects that he will work another two hours at home or go shopping with her or listen attentively about her problems. What if, instead, she welcomed him at the door and sincerely thanked him for daily giving himself to support their family? What if she met him, not with demands, but with appreciation? Perhaps she might even massage his shoulders and, because of love, have his favorite meal prepared.

You see, expectations can seem like legitimate aspects of a relationship, but they can also cause us to be disappointed and offended when people fall short. I have known situations in the past where my expectations actually blinded me to the efforts being made by a loved one. They were trying to improve in an area I was unaware of because my focus was preset upon a different expectation. I should have been grateful and encouraging. Of course, today I discuss issues and expectations with those close to me, but the weight of my expectation is not on others, but upon me to be Christ-like and sensitive to those around me. I put a premium upon enjoying the uniqueness of others, sincerely thanking God for their contribution to my life.

3.3 When God Himself Offends Us

The fact is, false expectations can become a source of many deep offenses. However, one of the worst offenses we can suffer is when God Himself purposely offends us. In 2 Kings 5, we read the story of when Naaman, a Syrian general, sought to be healed of leprosy by Elisha, the prophet. When Naaman and his entourage arrived at Elisha's house, Elisha didn't greet him personally, but instead sent his servant with a word/cure for Naaman. It was a simple assignment for the military leader: wash seven times in the Jordan River. However, the cure offended Naaman. Why didn't the prophet himself come out? Why this muddy Jordan? Scripture says that "Naaman was furious."

An offended spirit is an angry spirit. In this case, Naaman was beyond mad; he was furious. Do you find that you are always mad at a particular person? It's because they have offended you and you haven't forgiven them. Naaman was offended at Elisha, but what was the real cause of Naaman's offence? Listen to his words. He said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and cure the leper'" (verse 11).

Catch the phrase, "Behold, I thought . . ." In truth, Naaman was not offended by Elisha, but by his own failed expectations. He probably spent many hours envisioning the moment of healing. He even pictured himself testifying of how the man of God healed him. When it didn't happen according to his plan, he was offended.

Friends, before the Lord heals you or assigns you some new, elevated position of service, He will often offend you. Why? What is it that gets offended in us? Usually, it is our pride. We come to God desiring physical healing, but the Lord wants us, not only to be healed, but to be humble. Yes, God heals us through our faith, but there our times when our own pride keeps us from receiving the method of God's healing. The Lord offends us to humble us, so He can give us grace. Faith works through grace, but God only gives grace to the humble.

Look at how often Jesus offended people before He healed them. Once, He actually spit on the ground, made mud and put it on a blind man's eyes, and then told him to walk across town that way! Imagine if you were next in the healing line and saw what the guy before you had to do. Admit it; we each would be looking for another healing ministry, one that is a little less offensive! On another occasion He told a woman who came seeking her daughter's healing that she was an unclean dog; another time, He stuck His fingers in the ears of a man to heal his deafness. The Lord often offended people before He healed them.

If we would learn to humble ourselves in the offence, we would discover that the apparent offence was, in realty, a door that led into the manifest power of God. When Jesus called the Canaanite woman a "dog," instead of being offended, she said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs feed on the crumbs" (Matt 15:27). When Jesus told the man to walk across town with mud in his eyes, the man didn't argue or ask for a more dignified healing; he humbled himself and came back seeing. When Elisha told Naaman to dip in the Jordan seven times, the offence wounded him. Yet, when he humbled himself, his leprosy was replaced with the skin of a little child. His skin became as a child, because his heart, through humility, became as a child.

Maybe you haven't received your healing or breakthrough yet because to walk the path set before you is beneath your dignity. Maybe you need to get rid of your dignity and go to that Pentecostal or Baptist church you've been making fun of, then ask them to pray for you. God wants to heal you, but He also wants to renew and transform you with His grace.

3.4 Overcome Offences

When we study what Jesus taught, it is obvious that He came to make us "unoffendable." Consider: He says that if someone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other. He said to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. What He's really doing is showing us how an unoffendable heart of love overcomes all adversity.

We pray, "Lord, I want to change." To answer our prayer, He sometimes must put us in situations that perfectly offend us. The offense itself awakens our need of grace. Thus, the Lord precipitates change by first offending the area of our soul He desires to transform. He does not expect us to merely survive this adversity, but to become Christ-like in it. Ask Joseph in the Old Testament: the "land of offence" became the land of his anointing and power. Listen my friends: the destiny God has for man unfolds or dies at the junction of offense. How we handle offense is the key to our tomorrow.

"Those who love [God's] law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble" (Ps 119:165).

Lord, grant me that new creation heart that can walk as Jesus walked, through a world of offenses without stumbling. I want to see everything as an opportunity to pray, everything as an opportunity to become Christ-like. Lord help me to interpret offenses as opportunities that lead to transformations. Grant me, Lord Jesus, the pulse and beat of Your unoffendable heart. Amen

Lampstandletters’ editor’s comment: All emphases in text by editor.
Francis spoke on this topic during two church services at River of Life Ministries where he is senior pastor. The message was reproduced as Unoffendable Part 1 and 2 on 5th and 15th March 2005 on his free weekly email message Francis Frangipane Ministries < http://frangipane.org/>, powered by InJesus <http://www.injesus.com/. For comments and questions on the email, mail to: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;.

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4.0 BETRAYALS

by Os Hillman <www.marketplaceleaders.org> December 18, 2005

----- Original Message -----

From: "Joshua A/P Network E-List" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
To: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 2:52 PM
Subject: UNLOCKING THE POWER & ....

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend. - Psalm 55:12-13

"You will always be attacked in the place of your inheritance," said the man sitting across the breakfast table. "God has called you to bring people together and to impact other people's lives as a result of this anointing in your life. You must make sure that you seek to maintain righteousness in all of your relationships." Those words came from someone who had the wisdom and authority to speak them to me. I have had a number of close relationships that ended in betrayal. I am very loyal to my friends and those with whom I have covenant relationships. Yet there are times that no matter how righteous you are, when someone means to betray you, he will do it.

Loving those who betray you is "graduate-level Christianity." The religious community and one of His closest friends betrayed Jesus. Those who were closest to David betrayed him. Joseph's own family betrayed him. Loving our enemies cannot be accomplished by mustering it up. It can only happen when we have come to a death in ourselves so that Christ can love through us. It is truly one of those acts of identifying with the cross.

If you are a leader, you can be sure God will allow you to experience betrayal. It is one of those courses in the Kingdom that may not be required until God has seen that you have successfully passed other tests. It is the most difficult and most gut wrenching of all tests.
A godly response goes against all that is in us. Our natural response is to protect, retaliate, and retain unforgiveness and bitterness. Our natural response is Satan's most powerful weapon; to overcome it requires much grace from God. Ask God to build His nature in you now so that when such attacks come, you will be aware that it is a test and you will respond in righteousness.

5.0 HAVE YOU HEARD A WORD FROM THE LORD RECENTLY?

On this last day (31082005) of the post-Sabbath eighth month of new beginning, (the month after the seventh Sabbath ‘summer holiday’ month, the first working day of a new week); in this Sabbath year (2+0+0+5) of promised sevenfold attainment/achievements (see below), the Spirit of the Lord is asking you: ‘Have you come to me, to receive direction/directives for the tenure of new beginning ahead of you?

A purpose of Sabbath is to prepare you, nourished, rested and refreshed for the tasks of a new ‘week’. It might be a week of years, of months, of a literal week, or of multiples of weeks/months/years. I have new callings, new commissions, new tasks, and new directions to dispense. I want to activate human talents and divine gifts. I will thrust forth hidden vessels, sharpen arrows hidden in quivers: I will rejuvenate frustrated and despondent vessels with glory (Please read and meditate on Isaiah 49: 1-7 with understanding).

Dissolve your thoughts, your plans, your concerns, your whole being unto Me. Commit your ways and thy works to the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established (Psalm 37:5-7, Proverbs 16:3)

Come to me and be instructed (Isaiah 55). I know you by name…saith the LORD.

By the Lampstand. 31 August 2005

6.0 PLEASE SEEK THE LORD'S FACE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT

I feel specifically led to remind/request that we all set out time, as individuals, to receive from the Lord YOUR SPECIFIC REASON/PURPOSE/ ASSIGNMENT the Lord brought you into AT A TIME LIKE THIS; and how you can work in wisdom, harmony and understanding with and through other members (from different backgrounds, locations and understanding), to successfully achieve your divine purpose and assignment, without let or hindrance. Also ask the Lord to teach you (and every one of us) the way (plan) to faithfully and successfully carry out/execute whatever this divine assignment) is. May the Lord help us all in Jesus name. Amen.

By the Lampstand. November 17, 2005

7.0 EXTRACTS FROM: ‘NEW PEOPLE ON EARTH’ MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER/CHIEF EDITOR: - JOHN MAWUDEM MICHAELS.
COVER STORY: “SOME NIGERIAN PASTORS WILL SOON DIE” (FULL TEXT ON PAGE 6 -8).

EXTRACTS:
“-EA ADEBOYE, WF KUMUYI, TUNDE BAKARE, DAVID OYEDEPO, CHRIS OYAKHILOME, PAUL ADEFARASIN, BIMBO ODUKOYA, AYO ORITSEJAFOR, DK ODUKOYA ETC”

“THESE GREAT GENERALS WILL SOON LEAVE THE FACE OF THE EARTH. THEY ARE NOT LEAVING BECAUSE THEY WERE FOUND WANTING IN THEIR ASSSIGNMENTS.THEY ARE NOT BEING TAKEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE BACKSLID (DEN) (SIC). THEY ARE NOT BEING CALLED HOME BECAUSE THERE IS NO JOB THAT NEEDS THEIR ATTENTION.

“WHY WILL THESE PEOPLE DIE

  1. GOD WANTS TO DO A NEW THING
  2. WHEN KING UZZIAH DIED, ISAIAH SAW THE LORD
  3. THE FOLLOWERS WERE TOO COMFORTABLE
  4. THE PRODIGAL SON HAS STAYED TOO LONG OUTSIDE”

“SOMETIMES A BROTHER IN OUR LOCAL ASSEMBLY HAD A DREAM AND SAW PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
WEARING A NEW MANTLE AND RIGHT BEHIND HIM, WERE SEVERAL MANTLES, HE HAD USED AND DROPPED, AND THE CLOSEST PERSON TO HIM WAS STRUGGLING TO TAKE THE 7TH USED MANTLE. WHAT A GAP! “GOD HAS NEVER DESIGNED THIS GAP BETWEEN THE LEADERS AND THE FOLLOWERS. WE ARE JUST COMFORTABLE IN OTHERS’ SUCCESS, WORKING IN OTHERS’ ASSIGNMENT AND LURING OUR DESTINY INTO OTHERS’ DESTINIES” - (All emphases mine- Tayo Babalobi, Editor, Lampstandletters.)

“NOW HELP ME HERE.THIS ARTICLE IS NOT PARTICULARLY ABOUT THESE MEN OF GOD MENTIONED BUT ABOUT EVERY SERVANT OF GOD THAT HAS ADDED TO THE ACTS OF APOSTLES IN THE BOOK OF LIFE. IT CAN BE YOUR PASTORTHAT IS NOT TOO POPULAR BUT IS VERY FERVENT IN HIS CALLING TO OUR GENERATION”

“THIS MESSAGE MUST NOT BE SEEN AS ASKING PEOPLE TO CRAVE FOR THE POST OF GENERAL OVERSEER OR LEADERSHIP IN THE PLACE OF WORSHIP. GOD WANTS YOU TO CARRY THE SAME MEASURE OF ANOINTING, POWER, GRACE AND UNCTION UPON THE LIVESOF THESE MEN IN YOUR HOUSE, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR OFFICE, YOUR COMMUNITY. IMAGINE ONE THIRD OF OUR CONGREAGATION DOING WHAT THESE LEADERS ARE DOING. MIRACLES WILL NOT BE CINEMA FOR US TO WATCH. THAT’S NOT THE PLAN OF GOD. “

(PLEASE NOTE: MESSAGE RECEIVED BY PUBLISHER ‘NEW PEOPLE ON EARTH’ MAGAZINE JOHN MAWUDEM MICHAELS IN NOVEMBER 2004. PUBLICATION DATE AND ISSN NUMBER OF THE MAGAZINE UNSTATED. MAGAZINE COPY ACCESSED ON DECEMBER 14 2005, SHORTLY AFTER THE CALLING HOME OF PASTOR BIMBO ODUKOYA OF FOUNTAIN OF LIFE CHURCH LAGOS, AT THE PORT HARCOURT AIRPORT SOSOLISO PLANE CRASH OF SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2005. - Tayo Babalobi, Editor/Publisher, Lampstandletters.)

A DREAM AND TWO INTERPRETATIONS
The following dream was posted to me by Sayo Ajiboye, a US-based Minister and intercessor for Nigeria. Two interpretations follow hereunder- Dr Tayo Babalobi, Moderator <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 11:06:16 -0800 (PST)

From: Sayo Ajiboye This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

8.1 A DREAM

Last week I was in Hawaii ministering, for two mornings, each day after prayers I had a picture of old time pirates like rowing on the sea towards our land. It troubled me and I asked friends for prayers for our nation. This morning I had a dream, it was like I had three young girls with me there was big age differential - one being a young adult marriageable age, the other a late teen and the third one like my two year old. (I actually thought in the dream that this is my two year old and I was fiercely protective of her). We were going on a journey in a very rural border area and I was like the guide. We needed to cross a bridge over a mighty water (I had a sense in the dream that it was the Niger). The bridge was very rickety and un-maintained. Before we could cross the bridge however it was like we had to pass through a group of white clothed elders’ cult having a meeting. They ask me for their sign and I told them I am an intercessor for Nigeria, (I) do (not) their thing, I am not one of them. They said to me pass! pass!

I crossed over through them into the other side and was confronted by this rickety bridge and a bicycle with an unseen rider as our means of crossing. I was scared in the dream that how can I cross this river with my little daughter and these girls on a bicycle and I can’t even see the face of the rider. Then I looked around and I found out that the older young adult marriageable girl was not with us any longer and that she has stayed behind. Then there was a sense that the cultist that I saw had actually proclaimed a no - movement in the land and I somehow did not know it but moved through them all the same!

But by the time I passed through them, I could not see the older young lady again. The rickety bicycle rider carried me, the youngest girl and the younger of the two other girls across the bridge safely, but I continued lamenting in my heart for the great danger that the Older Young Girl was in.

Then I woke up. I do not understand this, but I know it is significant. I know it has to do with our dear nation. It troubled me deeply.

8.2 FIRST INTERPRETATION

Thank God for the revelation.

PAUSE AND PONDER – THE DREAM

The dreamer represents the righteous, pure and uncontaminated Christians who are interceding for the nation; the three females represent the various groups of the Christians in the nation. The oldest are the Christian leaders and those who believe yet are entangled with things of this world and Satan, thus easily fall preyed by the devil and his companions. The older and the young are those Christians who uncontaminated with world and Satan, are at varied levels of faith in God and are ready to steer the weather / storms of life.

The river represents the storms of life and the bridge is the way to the promise land, the narrow path of the journey (escape) for the believers which things out to prune the Church as she moves on the race. The men in white are the false and liars of faith who are doing the deeds of their father - synagogues of Satan. These are in the midst of the Church of God (the Brethren purchased by the precious blood of the Lamb- Jesus Christ our Lord).

Firstly, we should be grateful to God because He has good plans and intention for His Church and our nation. In addition He cares for His own and He will rescue all that call upon Him with a pure heart. He will never leave His own and He delivers them from all the perils of the enemy. The four were united at the beginning of the journey but sooner, they are pruned out along the way as the tides and storms rage. Thanks and praise to God. The oldest though believe in God yet fell preyed to the evil ones. There is the need for the brethren to be UNITED AND FOCUSED ON THE JOURNEY, UNCOMPROMISING AND UNYEILDING DESPITE THE THREATS of the evil ones who are appearing as agents of LIGHT. The Lord will never leave the His Church and even AT THE GREATEST HOUR OF PERIL; HE IS PRESENT TO RESCUE AND BRING THE DETERMINED, FOCUSED AND UNBLEMISHED CHURCH THOUGH THE BATTLE IS FIERCE, TO THE PROMISED LAND.

God is the Lord of Host and truly He will build His Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

LET US RISE AND PRAY FOR OUR CHRIST IAN LEADERS, CARNAL, LUKEWARM AND COMPROMISED BRETHREN READY TO FALL AWAY AS WELL AS OUR NATION AND ITS LEADERS TO FLEE FROM THE OCCULT TO CHRIST BY UPHOLDING ALL BEFORE GOD WHILE BEING ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT, SOBER, WATCHFUL AND COMMITTED TO THE YOUNG AND OLDER IN FAITH. GOD OUR FATHER IS READY AND PRESENT TO HELP US. WE ONLY NEED TO BE DETERMINED AND UNCOMPROMISING.
Praise GOD.
Your brother
Dr Samuel O OLA <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>; Wednesday 7th December 2005.

8.3 SECOND INTERPRETATION

I feel that it is God's will for me to contribute to the interpretation of Dr. Ajiboye's dream as I agree with him that it is significant for the near future of our dear nation.

As you know, dreams are like parables with multiple applications depending on how the different symbols in the dream relate to the given object of interpretation. Also most of the times, dreams provide divine answers to deep-rooted burdens of the dreamer (Dan. 2:28, 29) and seek to provide divine guidance out of inclinations towards dangerous decisions/actions (Job 33:17, 18). it is with these principles in mind that we should interpret Dr. Ajiboye's dream, as follows:

  1. the account of Dr. Ajiboye includes two different relevant namely
    a) the same vision - word picture - for two days, and
    b) an early morning full narrative dream
  2. It is clear from his account that the narrative dream came in answer to prayers on the word picture
    vision. Therefore, the actual subject of the dream would be determined by the burden in the heart of Dr.
    Ajiboye which the Holy Spirit responded to by these word pictures.
  3. Anyway, we see from both the vision and the dream that it has to do with some hope of Nigeria, which some
    outside forces (pirates from another land) are seeking to dash.
  4. Whatever that hope might be, there are spiritual pirates laboring (i.e. rowing) to use violence, fraud, deceit and outright oppression (stealing) – the characteristics of pirates - to dash.
  5. The full narrative dream seeks to affirm that the prayers mobilized by Dr. Ajiboye are the correct response by which these dangers (pirates) may be resisted and their troubles in our land avoided.
  6. The key symbols of the dream are as follows:
    a) the three young girls represent three major tribal groupings or political zones (Ezek. 16:45) in the nation. Dr. Ajiboye's account does not state whether he was moving from north to south, west to east, etc. to enable us discern whether we are talking of the three major tribal groups of Hausa Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo if from north to south or the new political zones of south-west, south-east, and south-south if from west to east, etc.
    b) The journey represents the endeavors that the Holy Spirit is calling us to take to prevent the pirates.
    c) Dr. Ajiboye as the guide represents the intercessory leadership of the church of Nigeria (in and out of the country) as represented by the prayers which he mobilized.
    d) the rickety and un-maintained bridge over the river Niger means that the faith/trust among the different tribal or zonal groups involved in this endeavors are fragile.
    e) The fact that the bridge must be crossed means that there must be concerted and united efforts by the different tribal/zonal leanings in the church if our prayers will deliver Nigeria this time around.
    f) The white clothed elders cult represent both idolatrous and traditional influences that are attracting the pirates; these represent the satanic agents among us (both in the church and the larger society) seeking to hinder the intercessory labors of the church. They also collaborate with wicked satanic forces from other lands working to deny us of our national destiny in the eternal plan of God for this generation.
    g) The fact that Dr. Ajiboye could pass thru them unmolested is the promise of God that the church will still pray Nigeria out of the looming dangers, if we will meet the conditions.
    h) The challenge however is that we are yet to begin to pray in the true spirit and will of God.
    The bridge stands for two different symbols in the dream: when seen before the elders’ cult, it stands for incomplete understanding of God's will by the church; but when confronted after the elders’ cult, it means a fragile unity of goal in the church.
    i) The bicycle with an unseen rider represents the efforts of the church (and nation) without being fully integrated in the Holy Spirit for perfect solution.
    j) The older girl is where the 'great dangers' looming will begin unless we carry her along across the bridge.
  7. I believe that it will be profitable for us to meet together for more intimate discussions that will enable us discern the dream perfectly and hear the strategy of resolution which the Lord is communicating by Dr. Ajiboye's dream.

Your brother,
Kehinde A. Osinowo
KAO1737141205
President of the Christian Foundations (CHRISFO), a group that has arranged SOLEMN ASSEMBLY to mobilize prayers for our land twice every year (i.e. 1st May & 1st Oct.) since Oct. 1 1988.
15th December 2005

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From: Tayo Babalobi >
Date: Tue Jun 24, 2003 2:21am
Subject: A Christian Abacha?

In the twilight of the last military regime before the commencement of the 1999 elections, I attended a national prayer conference in Kafanchan in central Nigeria. The convener of the meeting, the Rev. Emmanuel Kure, during one of the sessions described a vision he saw of the incoming civilian president, describing him as a combination of General Idiagbon (Buhari's stone-faced deputy in the eighties) and Abacha.

Most people wondered who could fit that description. Gradually, President Obasanjo is fitting that description.

The activities of the Obasanjo government since it secured its second tenure suggest that Nigeria is being treated as a conquered state. The anointing of Wabara is consistent with Mr. President’s contempt for the East from whom he received the Biafran surrender in 1967. However this conquest and contempt is now being extended to the whole country. Has it not being said that "they came for the Jew and I kept quiet because I was not a Jew..." As pointed out in a different bulletin the PDP motto has unofficially changed from PDP! Power to the People! to PDP! Power! The people matter a little in this government of conquest.

Listening to Mr. President on NTA last week should give cause for worry and concern to discerning minds. Mr. President sounded so partisan and in justifying Omisore's presence in the Senate, despite his ongoing trial as an accomplice in the Ige Murder. His reference to the Graham Douglas treatise on 'courts of law" versus 'courts of Justice' makes one wonder if he cares justice is done to the memory of his slain friend and ex- Attorney General.

Again, Mr. President misinformed deliberately Nigerians by insisting that the University of Ilorin lecturers were sacked for disrupting students examination, while there are documentary evidence that Mr. President has being properly briefed that they were sacked for their refusing to sign a go-back-to-work form. Even when a member of the interview panel suggested to the President that he was probably not properly briefed, our President dances round the issue, repudiating responsibility for what he knows better on. It becomes worrisome when a Christian president cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

The 50% hike in petroleum prices is the latest of the anti-people actions so brazenly done. In Ibadan, the price of diesel, which was 40- 45 naira before the hike to the official 38 naira, became 65 naira by Saturday morning. The PDP national chairman applauded the hike calling it inevitable.

The church should stop being carried away by the fact that a professed Christian is on the throne of Nigeria. We must be watchful and critical as we prophetically keep Mr. President in cheek of is human foibles. Otherwise by the end of his tenure, history will record that a Christian version of Sani Abacha has just ruled.

From: Dr Tayo Babalobi
Date: Fri May 21, 2004 10:56am
Subject: Are we really praying?
The article below was first published in 2002, as were other insights from various sources to the church.
With the trends and reoccurrence of situations around Mr. President, are we really praying (enough) for him?
Are you...?

UNDERSTANDING AND PRAYING FOR PRESIDENT OBASANJO

“A man may rise from poverty and become king of his country or go from prison to the throne but if in his old age he is too foolish to take advise, he is not as well off as a young man who is poor but intelligent… somewhere among them is a young man who will take the king’s place” (Ecclesiastics 4; 13-15).

“Better a poor a wise youth than an old and foolish king who will not be admonished no more” (Ecclesiastics 4; 13 New King James Version)

“...he who refuses correction goes astray (Proverbs 10; 17b)

From: Dr Tayo Babalobi >
Date: Sat Nov 1, 2003 5:09am
Subject: EXCUSING OBASANJO
The following word is taken from page 6 of Vol. 6, No 1 of The Alarm, a prophetic publication of the Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship Aba chapter, 94 Azikwe Rd, Box 5566, Aba, Nigeria.

EXCUSING OBASANJO

Nigeria is passing through a phase in her history. It is a phase that will soon be over. This level of wickedness shall not continue. The problem was the credibility of all contestants. A slip from Obasanjo could have made the mandate fall into Buhari's hand and I do not want him on the throne o matter what he does now he will surely fail. Give Obasanjo chance to complete his mandate and that will be the basis for his judgment. So much is entrusted into his hands now. He knows the country more than you do; he understands the intrigues better than you do. I may not punish him for electoral fraud but I will surely punish him for failure of the mandate. He has the mandate to cleanse this nation of corruption, this he must complete before leaving office in 2007. Therefore give him a chance to just do this. Watch how he is going to deal with those men. They will really fight him but they shall not succeed. There is time appointed for these programme.

6.REMAIN IN GOSHEN

While the heavenly constellations shake off vultures and other birds of prey from the corridors of the thrones of Nigeria (see Isaiah 13:9-10), and human agents in power are executing their own part of divine judgment/reward by their carnal standards, the call to the church and the members therein is to REMAIN IN GOSHEN.

By the Lampstand.
1st December 2005.

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9.0 A MESSAGE FROM THE THRONE : DWELL IN THE LAND OF GOSHEN

The text below is the well known instruction from the Egyptian Prime Minister Joseph to his Israelite brethren. It was ministered to me about a week ago to declare to the church in Nigeria. Whether it applies to the present political/economic situation in Nigeria is uncertain. I understand the Wailing Women Ministry (HQ Port Harcourt) had received an identical message.

Gen 45:66 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. NKJV

Gen 45:10-11
10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine." NKJV

The most important portion of the text is that CHRISTIANS MUST DWELL WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD, NEAR AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD,(TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS, GUIDANCE ETC), TO SURVIVE THE HARSH TIMES AHEAD IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

By the Lampstand. Date: Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:44am

---------------------------

10.0 TOWARDS GOSHEN: THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE.( PART 1)

Although, as mortals, we know in part and we speak (write) in part, the LAMPSTANDLETTERS have striven to state/ declare/ expound, by the Spirit of the Lord, the mind of God on specific issues of the Nigeria
church and state. Not as prophets, but expositors of the mind of God.

Even when President Obasanjo was stoutly opposed to anything Conference, we have stressed the need to address the issue of a National Conference before anyone could think of 2007. (2007? SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE OR REVOLUTION. Lampstandletters print edition May to August 2004, page 24) We have also raised as far back as 2003 that President Obasanjo need to be prayed for and upheld in prophetic check lest, he will be termed A CHRISTIAN ABACHA (see Message 89, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 24 July 2003).

Today, Mr. President in a dramatic swift turn around has accepted and inaugurated a National Political Reform Conference. What is the mind of the Lord in this development?

Towards last year ending, the Spirit of the Lord began to speak from Genesis 45:10-11, 46:34 and 47,1-4, 6, 27 of a Goshen experience, akin to that which Joseph's brethren experienced in Egypt during the seven year of word famine, while Joseph was the Prime Minister under Pharaoh. Impressing on minds, the Spirit of God asked that we call on Christians to prepare for a wind/ concept of a Goshen experience for the Nigerian church, while the Nigerian Nation undergoes a 5 year famine, as recorded in Genesis 45 (See above Message 180, 15th November 2004). Specifically, the passage indicates that TWO YEARS HAVE GONE AND THERE ARE STILL FIVE MORE YEARS TO GO (Genesis 45:6-11).

What is the Goshen Concept? The understanding is that while the nation brews in political/ economic famine or ferment, Christian households, under the rulership of a Pharaoh-Joseph dynasty`, should:

  1. Should maintain a daily walk and continuous presence before the Lord
  2. God will adequately take care of the family
  3. The king will let them settle in the best part of the country
  4. Those with special skills and abilities will personally serve the king
  5. They will prosper in the land living in Goshen.

In the biblical setting in Egypt, Joseph who God used to make the way for the brethren was in Government as Prime Minister, Counselor (The Living Bible)/"Father' (KJV) to Pharaoh, Manager/Lord over his household and ruler throughout Egypt. Although it appears that the initial divine concept was to have a Pharaoh-Joseph/ Saul-David dynasty for Nigeria, today, we have Pharaoh -and -Joseph in ONE MAN, PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO.

Yet there is a call for the church to prepare for Goshen, for only two years have gone, there are yet five more years to go;
...Five more years of a Pharaoh-Joseph anointing contracted in one man
... Five more years of a Saul- David anointing in one man
… Five more years of the Christian Abacha.

We know in part, we speak in part. Those who know better are free to fill the gap, correcting and expounding more. Those who know less are advised to seek His face, His voice and the Word before commenting or reacting.

By the Lampstand. Date: Tue Mar 1, 2005 9:23am

NOTE: FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE “FIVE MORE YEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN ABACHA”, PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR THE ARTICLES “CIVIL INTERREGNUM?” AND “IGBO PRESIDENCY”, FROM THE ALARM, PROPHETIC PUBLICATION FOR THE CHURCH AND THE NATION. VOLUME 8, NO. 1, 0CT, DEC 2005.ALSO THE ARTICLE BEFORE 2007 (28 June, 2005) FROM ‘THE PREACHER’ WEBSITE http://www.thepreacher.info, http://www.thepreacher.info/news.php?id=5

10. FROM THE ALARM. PROPHETIC PUBLICATION FOR THE CHURCH AND THE NATION. VOLUME 8, NO.1,0CT, DEC 2005
WED, OCT 5 2005 12.30PM: CIVIL INTERREGNUM?

Son of man, pray against an interregnum. It is being hatched against your nation by the kingdom of darkness. It is aimed at delaying the coming of Solomon. Your President is ignorantly yielding to it. His ambition is the primary reason. He will be suddenly withdrawn if he insists on having his way. The confusion that will ensue will culminate in the interregnum of the civil rule, but not with Solomon. I have told you that the President’s doom will be his insistence to build. I have not called him to build. I said he will prepare the builder. He is still insisting to build. He will destroy what he built within this period. I will not fold my hands for the evil one to thwart my programme. I will douse the tension and establish my will. But warn him before it is too late.

Monday Oct 23, 2005 10:35 am:” IGBO PRESIDENCY”

Orji Kalu will not be. He will pay the supreme price for the Igbos to become. His ordeal now, during and after 2007 will move your nation to give the Igbos a chance. As it was for the Yorubas in June 12 with Abiola, then Obasanjo, so will it be for the Igbos in 2007. After this shall a man be raised and manifested from the Igbo stock. Take note and watch. The interregnum is real. It shall come to pass. Watch and pray.

FROM ‘THE PREACHER’ WEBSITE http://www.thepreacher.info, http://www.thepreacher.info/news.php?id=5

BEFORE 2007
(28 June, 2005)
(The Irony of a Dream)
Anticipating the Presidency, what I see is a compromised fallen great tree, a dead Road, south east, not a man anymore, in his narrow last room, well dressed in a deep blue suit.
(N.B. FROM THE BOOK “IGBO NAMES-THEIR STRUCTURE AND THEIR MEANING” BY EBO UBAHAKWE (1981) PUBLISHED BY DAYSTAR PRESS, IBADAN (APPENDIX: PAGES 111-113), THE CODED DESCRIPTION ABOVE REFERS TO THE NAMES OJI/ORJI (“Iroko” tree), UZO/UZOR (“way, road”) AND KALU/KAMALU (“thunder”-a traditional god).-Editor Lampstandletters).
‘ A man may rise from poverty to become King of his country, or go from prison to the throne, but if in his old age he is too foolish to take advice, he is not as well off as a young man who is poor but intelligent. I thought about all the people who live in this world, and realized that somewhere among them there is a young man who will take the king’s place. (Ecclesiastes 4:13-15Today’s English Version, emphases mine)

----------------------------

11.0 TOWARDS GOSHEN: THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE. PART 2

11.1 THE DIVINE TASK AND CALLING OF THE CHRISTIAN ABACHA

Isaiah 45 provides the text for the divine task and anointing for the Christian Abacha over Nigeria for the next five years. While we meditate and study for the passage for more understanding and contemporary relevance, the following features are manifest:

  • Preserve the corporate existence of the world's biggest black nation
  • Deal with corruption in its leadership, BOTH in the CHURCH and Society
  • Promote/facilitate multi-religious status of the country, whether Christian, Islam or African Traditional religion. Allow the three religions tests of their spiritual strength in propagation, conversions and discipleship within appropriate legal ambits
  • Assert the black race against Arab, European (especially Francophone) and American domination, influence and exploitation.

11.2 THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NIGERIAN CHURCH

  1. It is obvious that Mr. President has suddenly (?) realized and is zealously ready to embark upon implement this task, hence this National Conference. But he needs a RE-ANOINTING by the genuine leadership of the Nigerian church.
  2. Church leaders at all levels must be ready for immediate repentance and remission of all forms of graft, fraud, corruption, etc,
  3. Be ready to submit and face the fierce fury of anger against all forms of social and worldly vice from Government and law enforcement agencies
  4. Understand the times. Individually and as family dwell in Goshen, daily communing and getting instructions form the throne of God, for sustenance and progress.
  5. Watch over the occupant of the throne of Nigeria in Intercession and spiritual rebuke, when carnality and humanity takes over/ interferes with divine assignment.
  6. Be ready to contend and live with the agitations and manifestations of other religions- Shariah, Dawah, African Traditional Religion, Voodoo, and EGBESU etc. To address and deal with them with spiritual warfare and prayers.
  7. De-emphasize church growth and embark on massive evangelism and church based discipleship.
  8. Prepare to be vilified, as the Christian Abacha implements the mandate. Dwell in Goshen. Bring your special skills and abilities to bear. And you shall prosper not only in your land, but also in government.
  9. Use Isaiah 45 in continual faith, prayer and prophesy for President Olusegun Obasanjo in the context of the divine anointing for this task. Amen.

11.3 CONCLUSION

We know in part, we have spoken in part. The plan of the Lord shall come to pass. Amen

By the Lampstand. 1st March 2005.

--------------------------------------------------------

12.0 USE ISAIAH 45:1-4 TO PRAY DAILY FOR PRESIDENT OBASANJO

Whether we like him or not, the truth and reality is that President Olusegun Obasanjo is SPECIFICALLY called and chosen (from prison, when he did not know God- Isaiah 41:4-5), to be President of Nigeria, for a divine purpose for Nigeria, and for the sake of the service ministry and mission of the Nigerian Church (Isaiah 45:4). How well he has executed the task is best left for Him who commissioned him. How long he has remaining on the task is left to God to decide. Obvious that Obasanjo himself has realized this divine calling, our task is to continually pray for him accordingly to God's concept contained in the call chart of Isaiah 45:1-5

  1. That Obasanjo will be daily anointed with the fullness of the sevenfold spirit of God (Isaiah 11:1-4)
  2. That his actions/right hand activities will be empowered by God himself
  3. That the fear of Obasanjo will subdue and paralyze entrenched national and local authorities/kings (doms)/interests, with fear
  4. Established spiritual gates and kingdoms to be pulled down, NEVER to be raised again.
  5. That the armies of God himself will always go ahead of Obasanjo in carrying out the tasks
  6. That the Lord help him to locate and recovery hidden treasures/loot of Nigeria locally and abroad.
  7. That he always remember and understand that the longtime purpose for which he is called and chosen if for the sake of the mission service of the (Nigerian) church, so that 'all the world from the east to the west will know that there is no other God' (Isaiah 45:4-6).

Please continually pray and mobilize intercessions for Olusegun Obasanjo as a person and as divinely called and chosen President.
Let’s not be distracted by human events and judgments.

By the Lampstand. December 2005.

13.0 "2006 - A YEAR NOT TO FEAR!"

Bill Yount www.billyount.com ;This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

INTRODUCTION TO THIS WORD. . .

For the year 2006, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." -Job 5:19-26

Notice this verse says "in" troubles. God doesn't always steer us away from trouble, but He majors in delivering us "in" our troubles. Trouble is a pretty good sign that God is with you! The three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, discovered that the king's order to "heat the furnace seven times hotter" was the perfect recipe for their miracle deliverance, and their fiery furnace was transformed into a four-man dance hall!

Daniel found his greatest deliverance took place inside of a lions' den, never having to fear lions again! Are you in any kind of trouble right now? If so, then you qualify for deliverance in the midst of your trouble this coming year--as you set your love upon Him! If you compare your troubles to yourself, you are in trouble. But if you compare your troubles to God, your troubles are in trouble!

2006 -"A YEAR NOT TO FEAR!"

"In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword." -Job 5:20
"I have been young and now am old; yet I have not seen the 'righteous' forsaken, or his seed begging bread." -Psalm 37:25

God prepares a table (provision) before us in the presence of our enemies. That means our enemies get to watch us eat while they are going hungry. But don't forget in the rough times ahead to feed your enemies and tell them who is feeding you in the time of famine! God delivers us from the power of the sword and protects us from our enemies so we can live long enough to bless them!

Imagine a God who fed millions in the wilderness and gave them water out of a rock and caused their clothing and shoes not to wear out for forty years. . . it sounds like their clothing actually grew with them!

Recently on the national television program, "It's a Miracle," there was a small church with 20 members who fixed a Thanksgiving dinner for the needy. As the people kept coming in to eat, they were concerned about running out of food. But as the people kept coming in, to their surprise, they discovered the food was not running out!

The 20 members who cooked the food figured they could only feed about four hundred people. But as the day ended, they counted around two thousand people who had eaten and there was still food left over, so they delivered the extra food throughout the neighborhood! After the members came back to the church, one needy family came late and was hungry and the food was all gone. To their amazement, the church members saw this fresh warm baked loaf of bread on the kitchen counter that no one had brought or baked.

They then noticed the cupboards that were emptied out for the dinner had one cupboard door ajar. As they went to close it, they discovered more food in it; there was even a turkey platter! As long as there were hungry people, the Lord kept multiplying the food! We can expect these multiplying miracles to increase as food becomes scarce!

"Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh." -Job 5: 21

If there are those who are speaking evil of you, talk to Jesus about it. If there is some truth in it, repent, and grow from their constructive" criticism."

"Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." -Psalm 141:5

There have been times--and probably still will be--when I have been reproved in my ministry. It's humbling, but I have discovered that as I receive it with a right spirit, it's not long afterwards that I experience fresh oil pouring over me, healing my hurt and anointing me with fresh oil. This often happens to us when God wants to refine our gifting and use us in a greater way. More importantly, these reproofs and grindings do wonders in conforming us into His image, which is His ultimate purpose.

Remember that "a soft answer turns away wrath." The tongue has probably brought more destruction to people than anything else. We ourselves are snared (brought into bondage) by the words of our own mouth. When we bless those who speak evil against us, we cancel the assignment of their words.

"At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth." -Job 5:22

What appears to be destruction in the natural is really construction taking place in the earth in the Spiritual realm from God's perspective, and "all things are working together for our good and for God's purposes." Many times, destruction is necessary before construction of something new and wonderful can take place.

14.0 AN OUTBREAK OF DIVINE HEALING

In this verse, it says that we shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. I believe the word "beast" represents anything the enemy can try to use to destroy us, including sickness, disease, and infirmities. We must not give in to fear as certain plagues, such as the bird flu, break out. We must pray against them and believe Psalm 91 for our protection. "Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. . . "

Recently in a large gathering, I sensed fear rising as the threat of the bird flu was being mentioned. I, myself, was wondering fearfully how devastating this bird flu could be. I then saw the Dove of the Holy Spirit, who is greater than any bird and any flu, flutter into the conference and light upon us. I sensed that as we trust while being under His wings and feathers, we will not only experience protection, but we will experience an outbreak of divine healing invading our spirit, soul, mind, and bodies!

Healing that is contagious, spreading to others, as healed people heal people! Healings that will capture the attention of world news will be the cure for cancer, aids, and other incurable diseases that had been discovered through the name of Jesus! On our Father's side, healing runs through our veins, through our arteries, through our bloodstream, and into our bone marrow! Healing runs in our family! Decree this coming year, "I'm being invaded by healing!"

15.0 DOMINION OVER THE EARTH

"For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee." -Job 5:23

God is releasing His authority in us to take dominion over the earth and all that is in it. The earth is groaning for the manifestation of the sons of God to come forth to take back the authority that was given to us through Jesus to subdue the kingdoms of this world so that they become the kingdoms of our God! When we sin, we give up our authority to the enemy. Lord, help us to come into full repentance to be filled with You, to have Your authority over all the works of the enemy, and to take dominion over what You have given us.

"And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin." -Job 5:24

The very peace of God shall guard our hearts and minds in these perilous times. Our homes will become the dwelling place of God as we allow Him to cleanse us from all sin and fill us with His presence--healing homes of refuge for the stranger, the lost, and the afflicted, including the prodigals coming home.

"Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth." -Job 5:25

This coming year, expect your seed and your seed's seed to become great in God and grow rapidly in the Spirit as the grass grows upon the earth in the spring time! Your children will be as signs and wonders in the earth, and God will increase you more and more, you and your children. Don't call your lost children a drug addict or an alcoholic; call them a royal priesthood, a chosen generation! Call their destiny forth in God! Even treat them as though they are already saved! (They will think you got saved!) Accept them right where they are and love them, and you will see God take over from there!

"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season" -Job 5:26.

What a promise! "With long life will I satisfy you and show you my salvation!" Make plans to live a long life! We shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord! When we really believe that God promises us a long life, then we know that He will deliver us out of all of our afflictions and troubles! Enjoy and appreciate life (as if) it is your last day on earth, but live like you will never die!

"LET GOD FIX WHAT YOU CANNOT FIX IN 2006! DON'T TRY TO FIX ANYTHING THIS COMING YEAR!"

I sense this coming year will be a year when many frustrated saints will finally let God be God and stop trying to fix things in themselves, to fix people, and to fix their own problems. We are not called to fix anything. You cannot fix yourself. My wife still cannot fix me! Only Jesus can fix anything and everything. And He has been waiting a long time for many of us to let Him do it.

Bob Mumford teaches that "If you get in a fix and you fix the fix before God fixes it, He will fix another fix to fix you. . . until you let Him fix it!" Let God fix the fix you are in this coming year!

AS THE YEAR 2005 COMES TO A CLOSE, I SENSE THE FATHER SAYING, "I WILL TAKE OVER FROM HERE!"

~Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries www.billyount.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joshua A/P Network E-List" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;.
To: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 10:36 AM
Subject: 2006 ~ A YEAR NOT TO FEAR!

Lampstand Ministry, University Post Office Box 4150, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Subscribe to the electronic version of commentaries on contemporay social and political issues of spiritual/intercessory issues at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access the electronic version at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lampstandletters.
Visit the website http://www.geocities.com/lampstandlettersnigeria/index.htm for past editions of the Lampstandletters.

Please remember us in prayers and financially. Please pray for the full restoration of my health from a cancer affliction and the fulfillment of Psalm 68:11 in the Lampstand Ministry. It costs above N30, 000.00.to publish and distribute each edition of Lampstandletters.

Publisher/Editor: Dr Tayo Babalobi < This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;
Editorial Assistance: Mr. Gabriel Ojo <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>;

“O house of Jacob, Come and let us walk in the light of the Lord” Isaiah 2:5
By the Lampstand. No. 38 Ibadan. July to December 2005
LAMPSTAND LETTERS Publisher/Editor: Dr TayoBabalobi, Lampstand Letter Ministry, University
Post Office Box 4150, Ibadan, Nigeria.
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