What a privilege to host our visiting Ministers for our Kingdom Invasion Conferences in Abuja, Lagos and Kaduna, and to see our own teams working together in unity of heart and spirit. God is doing mighty things, and we all had the opportunity to see His mighty hand at work as we came together to worship and receive from Him.

Matthew 6:31 – 33 (NIV) tells us : ‘ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’  We know this scripture so well, but how do we apply it to our lives? For many of us it is a case of focusing on our own family and career first as we build up these important aspects of our life. The Kingdom can so easily be relegated to third place – still high on the list of priorities, but not quite correlating with the scripture.

So how do we find the balance? I have met many wonderful folk who know the answer to this. They manage a busy career, and at the same time prioritise the Kingdom in all that they do. Jesus is our example: He had daily interaction with His heavenly Father, and told us that ‘the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’ John 5:19 (NIV)  His earthly compass was fully aligned to what His Father was revealing to Him. How well calibrated is our own compass with what our Father is revealing?

Jesus brought heaven to earth. He was not distracted by sin, ill-health or lack.   He recognised them at work and dealt with them by releasing forgiveness (the paralytic lowered through the roof of the house by his friends in  Matthew 9:2 (NIV) ) .    The words  ‘Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven’   speak of encouragement, love and release from bondage – such simple words carrying so much power and authority.  Jesus went about healing the sick, supplying food for the hungry, casting out demons, raising the dead, teaching Kingdom principles, fellowshipping with outcasts. Finding the balance means doing these things in everyday life just as He did, not allowing ourselves to be intimidated by what the world tries to throw at us. Jesus has given us His commission:  ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19 – 20 (NIV)

During the Kingdom Invasion Conferences, we saw Femi & Mina Bajomo walk closely in the Lord’s footsteps as they stewarded Lapis Lazuli Ministries. They continue to hear His heart for Nigeria and for Africa. Their hearts are aligned to see unity in the Body of Christ, and we see them stepping out in faith to do what Papa God has commissioned them to do.  We see prayer, praise and worship underpinning all that Papa is asking of them and of those partnering with Lapis Lazuli Ministries.  Attending Praise parties in Lagos and Abuja was an incredible privilege for me. I also understand their was a Praise party in Kaduna. The praise singers indeed went ahead of the army in faithfulness and courage. Each one who was called to play his/her part was being ‘called to arms’ as we saw the spiritually hungry nourished and the sick healed. We saw chains of oppression and depression fell off as Jesus brought His freedom through those who know how to appropriate the authority He has given.

Paul tells us  ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ Galatians 6:9 (NIV).  As we see the Kingdom advancing let us continue to press in and do as our Lord did – spend time hearing our Father’s voice, and doing what He is asking each one to do as we co-labour with Him.

Blessings,
Trish Riley Lapis
Lazuli Ministries (Board Member)