RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY 5TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: YIELD YOUR AMBITIONS TO DIVINE GUIDANCE

THEME SCRIPTURE: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Bible tells us how God chose Moses to be lsrael's deliverer. However, his ambition got the better of him and he took matters into his own hands. In Exodus 2:11-22, Moses witnessed an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew. In anger, he killed the Egyptian and tried to hide the body.

The next day, when he tried to intervene in a scuffle between two Hebrews, one of them questioned his authority and asked if he was going to kill him as he killed the Egyptian. Afraid that his action of killing the Egyptian wasn't a secret after all, Moses fled to the land of Midian.

In Stephen's address to the Sanhedrin, as recounted by Luke in Acts 7, he underscores Moses' assumption that his brethren would have recognized him as God's chosen deliverer. Acts 7:25 (MSG) says, "He thought his brothers would be glad that he was on their side, and even see him as an instrument of God to deliver them. But they didn't see it that way."

Moses allowed his zeal to becloud and overshadow God's intended process. At the time, he didn't surrender his ambition to divine guidance. He was chosen by God to be the deliverer alright, but tried to work things out his own way. It's a mistake a lot of people make.

In your life, learn to surrender your ambitions to His divine guidance. Follow God's plan, the divine blueprint. He's more passionate about your success than you could ever be. I discovered this early as I started out in ministry and it changed my life. Learn to pursue His dream and do things His way; it'll take away the stress and the struggle.

Remember the admonition that God gave to Moses later when he was to build the Tabernacle; He said, "...See...that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount" (Hebrews 8:5). When you follow His prescribed order, you won't have to fight for anything; success will be effortless. You'd keep gliding from glory to glory. Things are remarkably easy when you follow the Lord's guidance and do things His way.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I surrender my ambitions to your divine guidance, and I make every moment of my life count for the Gospel. I find joy in pleasing you and walking in your perfect will. Thank you for being more interested in my success than I could ever be, a reflection of your unflinching love and overflowing grace, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 10:25-42 & Joshua 23-24

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 7:12-25 & Psalm 108

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS

SATURDAY 6TH APRIL

THEME: COURAGE, RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH

THEME SCRIPTURE: Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight (1 Samuel 4:9).

In 1 Samuel 4:1-9, the Israelites faced the Philistines in battle and suffered a defeat, losing about four thousand men. Troubled, the elders of Israel decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, hoping it would save them from their enemies.

As the Ark arrived, there was a great shout, and the Philistines, hearing it, became afraid. They expressed concern about facing the mighty God of the Hebrews, but in response, the Philistine leaders urged their people, “Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight” (1 Samuel 4:9).

The phrase “quit yourselves like men” in this context means to “be a man” or “act like a man.” With this instruction, they encouraged themselves to demonstrate qualities of strength, courage and resilience in the face of challenges or adversity. They went out and fought more fiercely, ultimately defeating the Israelites.

In 1 Kings 2:2, David, in his final days, charged Solomon, saying, “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man.” It’s quite interesting that David didn’t instruct Solomon to show himself as a king or a prince even though Solomon was crowned king.

Instead, the emphasis was on him demonstrating qualities of leadership and strength. Since David himself was a man of war, he encouraged Solomon to be strong and courageous, resilient in the face of adversity.

In the New Testament, Paul made a similar call when he exhorted God’s people in 1 Corinthians 16:13, saying, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” The phrase “quit you like men” is a specific expression urging the Corinthian Christians to embody qualities associated with leadership, resilience and strength.

It’s essential to note that the expression isn’t addressing gender but rather emphasizes virtues of courage and resilience in the context of faith and steadfastness.

CONFESSION
I’m full of courage, resilience and strength. I’m strengthened to stand firm in faith and produce a legacy of leadership in my family, community, nation and beyond, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
Joshua 1:7 NIV – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 11:1-13; Judges 1-2

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 10

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY 7TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: A ROYAL PROGENY

THEME SCRIPTURE: And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10).

Isn't it remarkable that all through the Scriptures, Abraham was never referred to as a king? But he became a progenitor of kings. In Genesis 17:6, God said to Abraham, "And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee."

God reiterated the same thing to Jacob: "...l am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins" (Genesis 35:11). So, God gave a directive that from Abraham, kings would emerge.

Then we come to the New Testament and Revelation 1:5-6 unveils a glorious truth, that through the Lord's redemptive work, He has not only washed us from our sins but has made us kings and priests unto God. It says, "...Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." We now share in the royal heritage. Blessed be God!

Embrace your identity; you're a king. God has ordained you to reign and rule in the realms of life. Not only does He want you to have the consciousness that you're a king, He also expects you to reproduce kings like you, just as the Lord Jesus, the ultimate King, has made us kings and priests.

Kings reign by issuing decrees and pronouncements. Embrace your identity as a royal progeny.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I'm of the lineage of kings, and I issue decrees and pronouncements, establishing your will, plans and purposes in the hearts of men, and the nations of the world. I declare that I'm reigning as a king in life over all circumstances through the Word and the power of the Holy Ghost at work in me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Peter 2:9 AMPC
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Revelation 5:10
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 11:14-36 & Judges 3-4

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 8:12-19 & Psalm 110-111

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY 8TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP

THEME SCRIPTURE: Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28 RSV).

Observe that the opening verse tells us to offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. What does "acceptable worship" mean? It's worship that's according to the Word; that's the worship God accepts.

That you "felt" good during worship doesn't mean it's acceptable worship. Many songs that many have sung through the years and have called worship were not worship at all.

For example, they're those who made a song out of what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 100:4, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise..." King David may have composed it, but today, we do not "enter" into the presence of God. The day you were born again, you were born into the presence of God; that's where you live. In fact, you carry the presence of God in you and with you!

That's why when someone says, "Let's enter into His presence" I ask, "Where are you coming from?" These distinctions may seem subtle, but they are far from mere semantics. True worship is not about emotions, singing, dancing or having melodious tunes; it has to be according to the Word.

The Lord Jesus said, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:23). Someone says, "But I worship with pure conscience." The danger lies in assuming that a pure conscience equates to acceptable worship.

Your conscience will guide you based on the knowledge you possess. If your understanding is limited, your conscience too will be limited; so, it's an insufficient guide. The conscience, as the voice of the human spirit, requires training through the knowledge and understanding of the Word to be able to present to the Lord acceptable worship.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the blessing and privilege to offer acceptable worship to you. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, and glory forever. You're exalted as head over all, and I worship you today in holiness and truth, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

Psalm 29:2
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 11:37-54 & Judges 5-6

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 8:20-28 & Psalm 112-113

CONGRATULATIONS, THE MONTH OF INTERCESSION AND OUR YEAR OF REDEMPTION

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY 9TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: CHRIST IS THE ROCK

THEME SCRIPTURE: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

The Lord Jesus made the remarkable statement in our theme scripture above in response to Peter's amazing revelatory insight about the Master's identity as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Many have misconstrued what the Master meant when He said, "Upon this rock I will build my Church."

Some have speculated that Jesus was referring to Peter's revelation about Jesus being the Christ, but no! He wasn't referring to Peter's revelation. The Master was succinct in His communication; He didn't say, "Peter, upon the revelation that I'm the Christ will build my Church." Rather, what He said in essence was, "I will build my Church on Christ." Christ is the Rock.

To further clarify this, it's important to follow and understand certain prophetic nuances in the Bible. For example, in Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus asked the Pharisees about their understanding of the Messiah, and they replied that Christ was the Son of David. Then He asked them if the Messiah was the son of David, how come David addressed Him as Lord? And then He quoted what David said in Psalm 110:1, "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."

When you read several other portions of the Scriptures, you'll observe where David referred to the Lord as "the Rock." In 2 Samuel 22:1, for example, he spoke to the Lord, expressing gratitude for the deliverance from all his enemies, including Saul. He declared, "...The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer..." (2 Samuel 22:2).

Then in Psalm 18:2, he said, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength..." In the 46th verse, he continues, "The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted" (Psalm 18:46 NKJV). In essence, Christ the foundation of the Church, He is the Rock. 1 Corinthians 10:4 states clearly, "...and that rock was Christ." The Church is not built on Peter's revelation; it stands unshakeable on the Rock—Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the revelation that the Church is built on Christ, the solid Rock. I stand firm on this foundation, anchored in Christ's unchanging, unmovable, unshakeable, resolute, firm, constant and unwavering truth. The Church is marching on, making progress, establishing your will in the earth, and in the hearts of men, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Psalm 18:2
The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

1 Corinthians 10:4 AMPC
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.

Psalm 18:31 AMPC:
For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 12:1-21 & Judges 7-8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 8:29-39 & Psalm 114-115

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY 10TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: CONSTANTLY ENERGIZED

THEME SCRIPTURE: But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20 AMPC).

What the Bible says in Isaiah 40:31 needs to be properly understood. It says, _
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength..." Some have read this and ran off with the notion that to be constantly energized, strengthened or invigorated spiritually, you have to "wait on the Lord"; in other words, fast for a protracted period.

Well, fasting is an important spiritual exercise, but someone can fast for 40 days and 40 nights and still not have their strength renewed. In the New Testament, the Lord provides us a sure and effective means to be constantly rejuvenated and invigorated spiritually: being filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18-20 says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." This is the answer. Stay perpetually filled with the Spirit, studying and speaking the Word, and praying in tongues. When you do this, you're constantly energized.

Paul tells us, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself..." (1 Corinthians 14:4). In other words, when you speak in tongues, you're invigorated, revitalized, refreshed, energized and edified. There's a transformation in your life, and your spirit is conditioned for success, excellence, prosperity and victory.

When you speak in tongues a lot, the words of Jesus in John 7:38 become your everyday reality: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." What a blessing it is to be able to build up yourself like an edifice, formidable and able to withstand anything and win always as you pray in tongues.

CONFESSION
I'm invigorated, vitalised, refreshed, energized and edified even now by the Spirit as I speak in tongues. My inner man is built up strong, and I constantly walk in dominion over all adversities and the adversary; out of my belly flow gushers of living waters, words of salvation, healing, power and strength, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 14:4 AMPC
He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself, but he who prophesies [interpreting the divine will and purpose and teaching with inspiration] edifies and improves the church and promotes growth [in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, and happiness].

John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 12:22-48 & Judges 9

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 9:1-13 & Psalm 116-117

FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 18:2
The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

1 Corinthians 10:4 AMPC
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.

Psalm 18:31 AMPC: For who is God except the Lord? Or who is the Rock save our God,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 12:1-21 & Judges 7-8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 8:29-39 & Psalm 114-115

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS

THURSDAY 11TH APRIL

THEME: BONDED TOGETHER WITH HIM

THEME SCRIPTURE: Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:30-31).

The term “wait upon” is translated from the Hebrew word ‘qâvâh’, signifying to “gather” or to “bind together” perhaps by twisting. It’s comparable to twisting ropes together to form one braided rope. Contextually, therefore, “wait upon” might not be the most accurate choice of words in translating what the prophet Isaiah said in that verse.

For example, when you read the creation story in Genesis 1:9, the same Hebrew word ‘qâvâh’ is used when God commanded the water below the sky to come together in one place so that the land will appear: “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be GATHERED TOGETHER unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.”

Also, in Jeremiah 3:17, where the Scriptures emphasized the idea of people being united or bonded together, the same word is used: “At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be GATHERED unto it….”

So, when Isaiah 40:31 speaks of those who “wait upon the LORD”, a more accurate understanding would be those who are “gathered together” or those who are “bonded together” with the Lord; they shall renew their strength. What does this tell us in the light of the New Testament?

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:17, “…he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” Now, you can understand why the Holy Spirit has come to live in you; you and the Holy Spirit have become one in that rich fellowship. It’s a “bonding together” as it were.

We’ve been brought into oneness with divinity; it’s an inseparable union. We’re in Him, and He is in us. Glory to God! This is the reason we can enjoy rich fellowship with Him in prayer—praying in tongues—and be reinvigorated through and through. We’ve been brought into a communion, a place of relationship, a oneness of spirit. Hallelujah!

You ought to enjoy that fellowship every day; it’s not something you go into and come out of, for you’re in Him, and He’s in you.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for my inseparable oneness with you, which gives me the privilege and awesome blessing of constant fellowship with you. As a result of this deep communion, I’m strengthened, energized and continually afire to serve you, live for you and fulfil your purpose for my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 1:9
God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13;
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 12:49-59 & Judges 10-11

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 9:14-25 & Psalm 118

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY 12TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: THE GLORY OF THE WORD

THEME SCRIPTURE: And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him (Exodus 34:29).

Many of us acknowledge that the Word of God, as the Scriptures tell us, "...is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." (2 Timothy 3:16). Also, the Lord Jesus emphasized in John 15:3, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." So, we understand that the Word of God does all these. That's because the Word of God is the first glory of the Kingdom. Recall the experience of Moses in the Old Testament, part of which we read in our theme verse.

He had spent forty days and forty nights with God on Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments. And because he had been in communion with God, when he came down from the mountain, his face radiated the glory of God such that everyone who saw him couldn't look at him.

There was a distinctive glory on Moses that emanated from his attentive reception of God's Word. Moses had to wear a veil to shroud the glory that had rubbed off on him (Exodus 34:29-33). That's the effect of deep contemplation and meditation on the Word.

It's crucial to recognize the difference in how Moses and the children of Israel perceived the Word. While the people viewed it as commandments and instructions, Moses understood God's Word as life (Deuteronomy 32:46-47).

In the New Testament, this same glory is now within us. When you received the Word of God into your spirit for salvation, the Word came to live in you and the glory of God's Word is now in your spirit. The best part of it is that the glory of the Word in us today outclasses what Moses had.

Ours, according to 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 (read the entire reference), is the more excellent glory: "...For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth; for if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious" (2 Corinthians 3:10-11).

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the transformative power of your Word. As I contemplate, meditate and speak the Word, the glory of the Word in my life increases with greater intensity; I walk in supernatural grace, perfection, beauty and righteousness. I'm continually metamorphosed from glory to glory, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 NIV
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Psalm 119:105
Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 13:1-21 & Judges 12-13

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 9:26-33 & Psalm 119:1-40

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY 13TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: POWER THAT WORKS

THEME SCRIPTURE: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8 ).

In Acts 1:8, the Lord Jesus told His disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and that power would make them effective witnesses. The word "power" in this context means power that works! The Greek rendering is "Dunamis"; it signifies inherent power—power that reproduces itself; it's the root word from which we get the English, 'dynamo.'

A dynamo is a device that generates electrical power through the conversion of mechanical energy. So, the term dynamo is often used to describe a generator that continuously generates power without requiring external assistance. This is the kind of power at work in you today. It's a miracle-working ability.

This power makes you an effective witness to your world. A witness is one who possesses evidence and proof; he's one who's called to testify of what he knows. So, should you ever feel weak as a witness, activate the power within you! Paul explains how to do this in Ephesians 5:18-20; it's by getting yourself drunk in the Holy Ghost!

Also, in 1 Corinthians 14:4, the Bible says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself...." In other words, when you speak in tongues, you activate the power within you and make it effectual, if it had been lying dormant. There is power inside you—inherent power. It's the power that works; with it, you can produce anything.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the inherent power I have received through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I'm always afire, burning with zeal and passion for the work of the Lord, winning souls everywhere because I'm an effective witness, functioning by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Acts 1:8 AMPC
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 13:22-35 & Judges 14-16

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 10:1-10 & Psalm 119:41-64

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS

SUNDAY 14TH APRIL

THEME: THE DYNAMICS HAVE CHANGED

THEME SCRIPTURE: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).

One remarkable distinction between Jesus and the prophets of old is that Jesus had the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in Him. The Holy Spirit was within Him, but the prophets only had the Holy Spirit come upon them from time to time.

For example, we read the story in Judges 6 when Gideon was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. The Bible says, “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him” (Judges 6:34).

Also, in the 14th chapter, we find the story of Samson who encountered a young lion while on his way to Timnath. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, enabling him to tear the lion apart “as he would have torn a kid” (Judges 14:6).

In 1 Samuel 10:10, before Saul became king, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he prophesied among the prophets. Also, read the story of David in 1 Samuel 16:13. After Samuel anointed David as the future king of Israel, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him.

But today, the dynamics have changed. We’re in the generation of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit doesn’t come on us like He did with those in the Old Testament. He lives in us now in His fullness. The Holy Spirit lives in you in His maximum capacity and entirety, just like Paul said about Jesus in Colossians 1:19, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.”

In the next chapter, Paul also reiterated, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Then in the very next verse, He was quick to add that we are complete in Him: “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10).

So, today, just like Jesus, when you walk the streets, it’s with the fullness of the Godhead. God Almighty, in His fullness, lives, walks and talks in you. Hallelujah! Can you see that you aren’t an ordinary person? You’re a God-carrying vessel, filled with His fulness, and doing extraordinary things. Glory to God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the indwelling of your Holy Spirit within me. I’m a God-carrying vessel, replete with the maximum load of God. I am not an ordinary person; I am a vessel of divine power. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Ephesians 3:14-20 – For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Colossians 1:26-27 – [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 14:1-24 & Judges 17-18

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 10:11-21 & Psalm 119:65-80

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY 15TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: THE WHOLE WORLD IS YOURS

THEME SCRIPTURE: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Matthew 13:44).

The Lord Jesus vividly describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a hidden treasure in a field. The field symbolizes the world, and the treasure within it is the Church. Jesus saw the Church in the visions of His Spirit. He, in turn, paid the ultimate price, shedding His own blood to legally acquire the whole world for the sake of the treasure therein.

Thus, the world belongs to Jesus; He is its rightful owner. Hebrews 1:2 AMPC emphatically declares that Jesus Christ is not just an appointed heir, but He's the lawful owner of all things: "[But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things...."

Then in Romans 8:16-17, we learn that as children of God, we're joint-heirs with Christ. This implies that everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to the Church in the same way that it belongs to Him. Therefore, as He is—the lawful owner of all things—so are we. He doesn't own it without us, and we don't own it without Him. We have equal rights to everything that the Father gave to Jesus.

Ephesians 3:8 (AMPC) describes our wealth and inheritance as boundless, fathomless, incalculable and exhaustless. Hallelujah! Have this consciousness. Walk through life with the mentality that the whole world belongs to you, because it does in Christ Jesus.

The whole world was willed to Abraham, but the promise had to be fulfilled in Christ. The Bible says, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29). The whole earth is ours; we're not trying to get it; it belongs to us in Christ. Now you can understand why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:21-22, "Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world...all are yours." Blessed be God!

CONFESSION
The whole world is mine because I'm an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. In Christ, I'm the rightful possessor of boundless, incalculable riches, wealth which no human mind can unravel. I walk in this confidence today, that in Christ, I have access to every blessing and all things are mine, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 3:21-22
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

Ephesians 3:8 AMPC
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out],

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 14:25-15:1-10 & Judges 19-21

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 11:1-12 & Psalm 119:81-104

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY 16TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: POWER TO HEAL

THEME SCRIPTURE: And these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17-18).

Did you know that when it comes to healing the sick, we're the ones God asked to do it? He gave us power to heal. In our theme scripture, the Lord Jesus didn't say the believing ones shall pray to me to heal the sick; rather, He said, they shall lay hands on the sick, and the sick shall be healed.

Then in Luke 10:9, He was just as direct when He sent His disciples out to preach the Gospel. He said, "...heal the sick...and say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Also, He told them, "And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:7-.

Remarkably, He didn't say, "pray for the sick"; rather, He said, "heal the sick." Hallelujah! In Acts 3, Peter exemplified this authority to heal the sick when he encountered a man who had been crippled from birth at the Temple gate. He declared, "...Silver and gold have I none, but such as l have give I thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). This wasn't a plea or a prayer; Peter simply acted on the Words of the Master; He used the Name of Jesus as a powerful instrument.

In Acts 3:16, he further emphasized the power of the Name of Jesus when he said that faith in His Name had made the formerly lame man strong: "And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

One of the most beautiful things about Christianity is the blessing of using the Name of Jesus. When you speak or proclaim healing for the sick in His Name, your words are effective, producing exactly what they talk about. Even now, go ahead and make declarations in His Name about your health and that of your loved ones. Proclaim healing for many today who are sick and in hospitals. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for granting me the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus and bring healing and health to the sick. Even now, I proclaim healing for many today who are in hospitals and might have been given up to die; the handwriting of death concerning them is cancelled, and they're restored to sound health, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 9:2
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Acts 3:1-8
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 15:11-32 & Ruth 1-4

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 11:13-24 & Psalm 119:105-128

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY 17TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: LIVING IN THE WORD IS FUNDAMENTAL

THEME SCRIPTURE: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

It's essential to recognize that not everyone in this world will fulfil their God-given purpose. In fact, many are unaware that God has a unique plan for each person born into this world. Every human being faces two destinies: a natural destiny shaped by circumstances such as birth, family, environment, etc. and a divine destiny initiated when Jesus becomes the Lord of one's life. From then on, He takes charge of your life.

The Word of God has to be the guiding light for your life. Every time you hear the Word, faith is imparted to you. Through this faith, you can please the Lord, serve Him, and accomplish anything in alignment with His will; you can fulfil the calling of God on your life.

The Bible says, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures" (James 1:18). 1 Peter 1:23 says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever:

As one born of the Word, living in the Word is fundamental to fulfilling your purpose. The Word fortifies your faith, guides your spirit, and serves as the nourishment for your spirit; it is your life. Praise God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the life-transforming power of your Word. As I receive and embrace your Word, faith is ignited and kindled within me; I'm fortified, energized and strengthened to fulfil your plans and purposes for my life. I walk in union with your Word; therefore, I'm guided in your perfect will to fulfil the purpose you have for me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 119:105
Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

James 1:22-25
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Acts 20:32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 16 & 1 Samuel 1-2

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 11:25-36 & Psalm 119:129-144

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY 18TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH

THEME SCRIPTURE: l exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

The Greek word translated "knowledge" in the scripture above is "epignosis." It means full, exact or precise knowledge. God wants all men to be saved and to come to the full, exact or precise knowledge of the truth. If this weren't possible, He wouldn't have said so. This is His desire.

It's also the reason He set ministers and ministries in place as gifts to the Church: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF CHRIST" (Ephesians 4:11-13).

God wants you built up and established in the Word until you come to such a high level of faith and knowledge of the Son of God—mature and fully grown in the Lord. As you develop in Christ and in the things of the Spirit, and as you increase in the revelation knowledge of the Word, you're able to tame circumstances and live above the elements of this world.

When you have precise knowledge of the truth—the truth about Christ and what He's done for you and in you—your life will be an endless stream of peace, joy and victories. Get to know the truth.

For example, Psalm 87:3 says, "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." Then in Psalm 50:2, the Bible says, "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." Hallelujah! God shines through you, not cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, poverty or any of the negativities of this world. You're the perfection of beauty.

When you stand in front of the mirror, look at yourself and say, "I know who I am; greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. My life is for the glory of God because Christ lives in me." Be established in these truths. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for granting me absolute and exact knowledge of your Word, far removed from assumptions, doubts and uncertainties. I function by the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge in all my endeavours, fruitful in every good work. Christ is the glory of my life and by His grace, I reign triumphantly every day, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Peter 1:2-4
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Philemon 1:6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:9-10
For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 17:1-19 & 1 Samuel 3-7

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 12:1-8 & Psalm 119:145-160

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY 19TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: KEEP BEARING FRUITS

THEME SCRIPTURE: You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name (John 15:16 CEV).

Isn't it wonderful to know that the Lord Jesus chose and ordained you to produce abiding fruits: results that stand the test of time? Whatever you do is expected to succeed and "abide."

The Bible tells us about Joseph who was brought into the house of Potiphar as a slave. However, because the Lord was with him, everything he did prospered. When his master, Potiphar, saw this, he promptly made Joseph the overseer of his house. Potiphar recognized that Joseph was blessed to produce lasting results.

The grace of God is on your life to produce excellence in everything you do. Become conscious of this. Whatever you're required to do should be a success because you're a child of God, and you're fashioned for good works. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Keep bearing fruits. Keep winning. Remain effective. Wherever you find yourself, make a difference. Joseph's excellence wasn't discovered when he became the boss; it was discovered while he was a slave. He only became the boss because of his effectiveness.

Thanks be unto God; the Spirit of God in you makes you an effective and efficient person. Read what the Bible says in Acts 1:8 AMPC: "But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...."

Psalm 1:3 also gives a vivid description of your ever-fruitful and ever-productive life in Christ. It says, "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper:"

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the inherent ability in me to be effective and efficient in all that I do, producing lasting and extraordinary results. You've equipped and ordained me for a fruitful and productive life. I'm effective in the ministry of reconciliation and every other area of my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 3:5 AMPC
Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.

Psalm 1:1-3 TPT
What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat. 2 His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” meditating day and night on the true revelation of light. 3 He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 17:20-18:1-14 & 1 Samuel 8-10

2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 12:9-21 & Psalm 119:161-176

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY 20TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: HE DELIGHTS IN YOUR PROSPERITY

THEME SCRIPTURE: If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who wil commit to your trust the true riches? (Luke 16:11).

There are Christians who make snide remarks When they hear the teachings on prosperity in Christ. Sometimes, they accuse preachers of focusing too much on money and the prosperity message. Ironically, the same individuals work tirelessly al day and all week for money. Some of them even resort to dishonest means to obtain it and often feel distressed when they lack it.

There's no better place to learn about financial prosperity than God's Word. The Lord delights ni your prosperity. The Bible says in 3 John 1:2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

It brings to mind the words of David in Psalm 35:27; he said, "...Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant." The Lord has pleasure in your prosperity. That should let you know that poverty, lack and want aren't the will of God for you.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (AMPC) says, "And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self- sufficient possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]."

His will is for you to be in surplus, ever-prospering. Hallelujah! Read Psalm 1:1-3 (TPT); it says, "What delight comes to the one who follows Gods ways...He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God's design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous."

In Christ, you're self-sufficient; you have whatever you require in abundance. Praise God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your grace at work in me for a life of superabundance, where I require no aid or support but furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. Thank you for delighting in my prosperity, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Chronicles 29:12;
Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Psalm 23:1;
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 18:15-43 & 1Samuel 11-13

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 13:1-14 & Psalm 120-122

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY 21ST APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: THE LIFTING OF OUR HANDS

THEME SCRIPTURE: Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).

In the Scriptures, there're copious references to the import and blessings of the lifting of our hands. Psalm 134:1-2 says, "Behold, bless ye the LORD... Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." When we lift our hands, blessings are released; divine power flows through our hands.

Once, I was in a meeting where there were many people with arthritis, and a lot of them couldn't lift their hands. I asked the Lord, "Why do we have so many people in that place with arthritis?"

The Lord's response to me was very interesting. He said, "I said in my Word to lift your hands and worship me; lifting your hands in worship will keep you away from such ailments as arthritis." Sadly, many don't know this.

Then He said, "If those people had been praying, worshipping, praising with their hands lifted, as the Scripture says, they would have never suffered arthritis." The things that God tells us to do are for our sake, for our blessing, such as the lifting of our hands. Every so often, in times of prayer and worship, let your hands go up.

Lifting your hands to the Lord is a sign of your recognition of His grace and glory in your life. Remember, the symbolism of the evening sacrifice offered on the brazen altar is reflected in the lifting up of our hands. Therefore, when you lift your hands in worship, it pleases God more than all the bulls and goats sacrificed on that brazen altar in the Old Testament.

David was well acquainted with the priesthood ministry in the old tabernacle. Also, he was a prophet of God, and by the Spirit, he had a revelation of the New Testament and saw that the lifting of our hands today had taken the place of the burnt offering in the Old Testament.

In 1 Timothy 2:8, the Bible says, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting." The Apostle Paul here was referring to spiritual worship and offering of praise to the Father from a joyful heart, full of love and thanksgiving.

Even now, lift your hands and worship the Lord for His love, mercy and kindness; tell Him how much you love Him.

PRAYER
Holy Father, I lift up my hands in worship to you, in praise of your majesty, for you alone are God, worthy of all adoration. There's none like you; you're great and mighty. Throughout all generations, you're the same: faithful, just, righteous, holy, pure and true. I love you, Lord!

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Kings 8:22-23
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: 23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

Lamentations 3:41
Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto God in the heavens.

Psalm 63:4 ESV
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Luke 24:50
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 19:1-27 & 1 Samuel 14-15

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 14:1-11 & Psalm 123-124

Skyfornia:
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY 21ST APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: THE LIFTING OF OUR HANDS

THEME SCRIPTURE: Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).

In the Scriptures, there're copious references to the import and blessings of the lifting of our hands. Psalm 134:1-2 says, "Behold, bless ye the LORD... Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." When we lift our hands, blessings are released; divine power flows through our hands.

Once, I was in a meeting where there were many people with arthritis, and a lot of them couldn't lift their hands. I asked the Lord, "Why do we have so many people in that place with arthritis?"

The Lord's response to me was very interesting. He said, "I said in my Word to lift your hands and worship me; lifting your hands in worship will keep you away from such ailments as arthritis." Sadly, many don't know this.

Then He said, "If those people had been praying, worshipping, praising with their hands lifted, as the Scripture says, they would have never suffered arthritis." The things that God tells us to do are for our sake, for our blessing, such as the lifting of our hands. Every so often, in times of prayer and worship, let your hands go up.

Lifting your hands to the Lord is a sign of your recognition of His grace and glory in your life. Remember, the symbolism of the evening sacrifice offered on the brazen altar is reflected in the lifting up of our hands. Therefore, when you lift your hands in worship, it pleases God more than all the bulls and goats sacrificed on that brazen altar in the Old Testament.

David was well acquainted with the priesthood ministry in the old tabernacle. Also, he was a prophet of God, and by the Spirit, he had a revelation of the New Testament and saw that the lifting of our hands today had taken the place of the burnt offering in the Old Testament.

In 1 Timothy 2:8, the Bible says, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting." The Apostle Paul here was referring to spiritual worship and offering of praise to the Father from a joyful heart, full of love and thanksgiving.

Even now, lift your hands and worship the Lord for His love, mercy and kindness; tell Him how much you love Him.

PRAYER
Holy Father, I lift up my hands in worship to you, in praise of your majesty, for you alone are God, worthy of all adoration. There's none like you; you're great and mighty. Throughout all generations, you're the same: faithful, just, righteous, holy, pure and true. I love you, Lord!

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Kings 8:22-23
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: 23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

Lamentations 3:41
Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto God in the heavens.

Psalm 63:4 ESV
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Luke 24:50
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 19:1-27 & 1 Samuel 14-15

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 14:1-11 & Psalm 123-124

Bless you to brother. I have not eaten anything in 2 days. Can you help brother?

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY 22ND APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: AN ACT OF VICTORY

THEME SCRIPTURE: When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword (Exodus 17:12-13 NIV).

As referenced in our last study, the lifting of our hands to the Lord is an offering to Him, not a mere religious routine as some folks think. It’s a ministry. For example, Exodus 17:8-13 gives us the account of the Israelites’ battle against the Amalekites.

The Amalekites attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses instructed Joshua to choose men to fight against Amalek while he went to the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. As the battle progressed, whenever Moses held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed, but when he lowered them, the Amalekites gained the upper hand.

Aaron and Hur, the two men who were with Moses noticed that every time Moses lifted his hands, Israel had the advantage, and every time his hands dropped, the opposing side prevailed. Moses, unaware of the impact, was informed by Aaron and Hur that the lifting of his hands influenced the outcome of the battle.

Recognizing the importance, Aaron and Hur provided a stone for him to sit on, and they both helped to bear his hands up on either side. By so doing, Israel prevailed against Amalek. What did that signify? It wasn’t about the height of the hands; it was the lifting of the hands.

Remember that he had to sit down; when he sat down, the height was reduced. So, it wasn’t about how high the hands were; it was the fact that the hands were lifted. With his hands steady until sunset, Joshua overwhelmed the Amalekite forces.

There’s something about the lifting of our hands. If you desire to witness continuous victories and triumphs, always praise the Lord with your hands lifted. When you face challenges, declare, “Father, I lift my hands to you against these issues, against the forces of darkness, against those that war against me.” This act has the power to paralyze opposing forces! Blessed be God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I lift my hands to you today in holiness, to bless and adore you for your glory, majesty and grace. I rejoice in you today, knowing that you’re the glory of my life and the solid Rock on which I stand. With my hands lifted in praise, I declare that you alone are God; you’re the great King of all. Thank you for your lovingkindness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Psalm 63:4
Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psalm 141:2
Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 134:1-2
Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 19:28-48 & 1 Samuel 16-17

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 14:12-23 & Psalm 125-126

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY 23RD APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: AN UNDERSTANDING OF HIS LOVE

THEME SCRIPTURE:..that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (John 17:23).

God loves you so much as He loves Jesus. Has this reality dawned on your spirit? When it does, it completely transform everything about your life. Years ago, when I discovered this verse, I shouted, cried, danced, and screamed for joy!

God's love for us is beyond human description and imagination. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Your value to God is the price He paid for your salvation, which is the blood of Jesus Christ: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).

This should help you further appreciate the infinite magnitude and boundless nature of His love. In Ephesians 3:17-18, the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, prayed that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend the unfathomable dimensions of the Father's love.

Furthermore, in Romans 8:32, the Apostle Paul raised a thought- provoking question as he reflected on God's matchless love for us. He asked, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" In other words, why should anyone be sick, weak, poor, broke, depressed or live a down life, judging how much the Father loves us?

An understanding of our heavenly Father's love will rid your life of fear, sickness and everything associated with Satan and darkness. Matthew's account of what the Lord did as a demonstration of His love for the people lends credence to this. It says, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people" (Matthew 9:35). Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Ever-loving Father, thank you for the unfathomable and immeasurable love you've so lavished upon me. It's such a delight to know that I'm special and valuable to you. I walk in the consciousness of your unfailing love today, and I manifest and radiate your love to my world, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 3:17-19
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

1John 4:9-10
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 20:1-19 & 1 Samuel 18-19

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 15:1-9 &Psalm 127-128

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY 24TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: A MANIFESTATION OF HIS GOODNESS

THEME SCRIPTURE: The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) (John 10:10 AMPC).

The Lord Jesus said He came that we may have and enjoy life to the full. Aren't you glad about that? He lived and died, and came back to life to see to it that nothing cheats you out of His perfect will for you.

In 3 John 1:2, He said, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." In this verse, the Apostle John describes the comprehensive prosperity of the human person, which includes spiritual, material and physical well-being.

God knows that without sound health, you can't enjoy the life that He gave you. That's why He sent us to heal the sick. Divine healing is a manifestation of His goodness. Acts 10:38 further reinforces this truth. It says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

God sent Jesus, and He went about doing good, healing all those who were oppressed of the devil. The Bible shows that He gave us the same charge. He said in Matthew 10:8, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

Luke 9:2 says, referring to the disciples, "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." Hallelujah! Think about Peter and John at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. They encountered a man who had been lame from birth, begging for alms. The Bible says, "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6).

The man, previously unable to walk, was healed instantly, and he entered the temple with Peter and John, praising God. The crowd, astonished at the miraculous healing, saw in the hitherto lame man the manifestation of the goodness of God. God doesn't want people sick, weak, or broken. That's why He sent us to take healing to the nations. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION
I declare that Satan has nothing in me, for I walk in the transcendent, victorious and ever-triumphant life in Christ Jesus. I'm a partaker of the divine nature, with a life that's sickness-proof, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 2:14-15
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Matthew 10:7-8
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 20:20-21:1-4 & 1 Samuel 20-22

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 15:10-19 & Psalm 129-130

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY 25TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: BOLDNESS AND ACCESS

THEME SCRIPTURE: According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him (Ephesians 3:11-12).

If you read the opening text from some Bible translations, they missed the profound simplicity of what Paul was saying. They translated it as having access and boldness into God's presence, but we already have that in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit. So what was Paul referring to here?

First, boldness in this context implies the freedom to express ourselves openly, being able to say whatever you want to say. While worldly systems grant freedom with limitations, in Christ Jesus, we have absolute freedom of speech.

We possess the freedom to speak boldly in the presence of the Father, angels, and even demons, and express ourselves freely anywhere. This boldness extends beyond uttering mere words; it empowers us to speak things into existence.

Secondly, we have "access"; meaning we can go anywhere. No nation can ever close its doors to you; you have access to every country, to every wealth and to all riches. Ephesians 3:12 (MSG) beautifully captures it; it says, "When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go."

Even with that, it has a limited understanding of the word "access." It's not just about going wherever you need to go; you have access to the spiritual and the material, to the wisdom of Almighty God. You have access to the unending, boundless, fathomless, incalculable and exhaustless riches of Christ.

When you grasp the depth of your access and vast wealth in Christ, giving and lavishly sponsoring the spread of the Gospel becomes a lifestyle, because you know you have access to an unending supply. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for I have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Jesus Christ, in whom I've obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to His divine will. I live above circumstances, with access to your wisdom and the exhaustless riches of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

1 Corinthians 3:21-22
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

Ephesians 3:11-12 AMPC
This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord, In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 21:5-38 & 1 Samuel 23-25

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 15:20-33 & Psalm 131-132

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: PERFECT WITHOUT DEFECTS

THEME SCRIPTURE: And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all (Acts 3:16).

I want you to notice the expression "perfect soundness" in our opening verse. It's rendered from the Greek word "holoklēria", which means a perfect state of health; a condition of health with no problems whatsoever. This is God's desire for you, and it's one of the
many blessings of living in and by the Name of Jesus.

James 1:4 expresses a similar thought; it talks about being "perfect and entire, wanting nothing." The term translated "entire" is "holokleros," the verb form of "holokleria." it implies being perfectly sound, complete without blemish. What a life!

Then, to make this happen, God gave us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of life, to keep us perfectly sound. Romans 8:11 says, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Hallelujah!

In the previous verse 10, it says, "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10 NIV). Christ in you, the Holy Spirit in you, guarantees you perfect soundness of spirit, soul and body.

It brings to mind Peter's encounter with Aeneas who had been crippled for 8 years. All Peter said to him was, "...Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately" (Acts 9:34). Aeneas was restored to a perfect state of health because Peter understood the transcendent power of the Name of Jesus and Christ living in us.

As a Christian, Christ lives in you, and you live in Him. Your faith in His Name and consciousness of His indwelling presence will keep you in perfect soundness. Glory to God!

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for making me perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I’m righteous, holy, unblameable and unreprovable in your sight, to the glory and praise of your Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Thessalonians 5:23;
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

James 1:4 AMPC
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 22:1-38 &1 Samuel 26-28

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 16:1-11 &Psalm 133-134

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY 27TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: REJUVENATED BY THE HOLY GHOST

THEME SCRIPTURE: And if Christ (be in you, the body (is) dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness (Romans 8:10).

Often in a well translated King James Versoin of the Bible, you’d observe some parenthesized words due to missing links in the manuscripts. Consequently, the correct rendering of our opening verse ought to have been, "And if Christ be in you, though your body is dead because of sin, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness." The updated New International Version actually renders it similarly.

Then we come to the 11th verse of the same Romans 8; it says, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." The word translated as "but" doesn't necessarily have to be 'but'. It's best rendered as 'and', 'now', 'then' or 'so'. Either of these foregoing words provide a more fitting connection.

So, let's now put these in the right context and read: "And if Christ be in you, though your body is dead because of sin, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness. Now, if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:10-11).

Even now, as you read this, if your physical body has already been so battered, bruised, damaged and ravaged by sickness and disease, there can be a change. If it has been paralyzed, the Holy Spirit can give life to your physical body and restore you to perfect health.

It's one of the reasons we speak in tongues. The Bible says, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself..." (1 Corinthians 14:4). The Greek word translated "edifieth" is "oikodomeo"" which means to construct or build up, to embolden or charge up like you'd charge a battery.

Thus, the one who speaks in tongues builds himself up, charges himself, and rejuvenates himself. What happens when you do this is that the power of God within you courses through your being, vitalizing your physical body. Spend some time right now to speak in tongues; the power that's at work in you even now will revive, vitalize and produce life in your body or wherever you require it.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the impact of the Holy Spirit in my life and on my physical body. I activate the power by speaking in tongues; therefore, I’m invigorated, refreshed, energized and vitalized; health courses through my being, and sickness and all that hurts and binds are dispelled, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 9:32-34;
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Romans 8:10-11 AMPC
But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you]. And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.

1YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 22:39-65 & 1 Samuel 29-31

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 16:12-27 & Psalm 135-136

CONGRATULATIONS, THE MONTH OF INTERCESSION AND OUR YEAR OF REDEMPTION

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY 28TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: COUNTERACT THEIR EFFORTS

THEME SCRIPTURE: Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought (1 Corinthians 2:6 ).

It's important to become more acquainted with the Word and let it dwell in you richly. This is crucial, because we're in the last days, and some individuals and groups have come up with sinister schemes to cause pain, untold hardship, famine, wanton destruction and death in the world. But with the Word in your heart and on your lips, you can counteract their efforts and bring them to naught.

Read our theme verse in the Amplified Classic translation; it says, "...when we are among the fullgrown...we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away."

Observe that as a result of speaking wisdom, that is speaking the Word, the adversary is discomfited, his plans are foiled and brought to nothing. God isn't doing that from heaven, no! It's happening through us. We're His battleaxe and weapons of war (Jeremiah 51:20).

When discussing the actions and activities of wicked and unreasonable men, feudal lords that seek to keep men and nations in bondage, declare only what the Word says about them. The Word says they are doomed to fail. Speak the truth about their failure.

Declare that in the clutches of their sinister agenda, they find no foothold, no progress, and no advancement against the Church and God's people. The greater One lives in us; therefore, the malevolent designs of Satan and his cohorts of evil are doomed to wither and perish as we, the Church, walk on in victory. Hallelujah!

Remember that in the Church age, God has not bestowed any governmental structure, group or individuals with the power of global control. Only what we—the Church—permit will come to pass. Our work and responsibility is to bring forth the will of the Father. Therefore, in prayer, and with your words, enforce and execute the will of the Father here on earth.

PRAYER
Dear Father, your righteousness and peace prevail in the nations of the world today; your goodness is heard, seen and experienced by all men, for the earth is filled with your goodness. All the works of the adversary are thwarted, and men of corrupt minds shall proceed no further. We reign through Christ in all the earth; His righteousness overshadows the hearts of men, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; i in

Romans 8:31-37
What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth. 34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or unclothedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 22:66-23:1-25 & 2 Samuel 1-3

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 & Psalm 137-138

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS

MONDAY 29TH APRIL

THEME: JUSTIFIED “WITHOUT CAUSE”

THEME SCRIPTURE: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

In Romans 4:24-25, the Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Justification means acquittal, to be declared not guilty. How did this happen?

First, when Jesus died and was buried, in the mind of justice, we died and were buried with Him. When He was raised back to life, we were raised together with Him, a new creation. It happened at the same instance that God said of Him, “…Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (Psalm 2:7).

Jesus was born again when He was raised from the dead. That’s where we—the Church—came from. We came from the resurrection, not from the Cross. In the mind of God, when Jesus resurrected, you resurrected, you were born a new creature because you were in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17, says, “…If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Now that you’re born again, you’re without a past. The question then is, what happened to your past? It died with Jesus, because when Jesus died, the whole world died in Him. So, by His resurrection, all men should have a new life. Hallelujah!

That’s why when you were born again, you were born justified. The Bible says, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). The word “freely” is translated from the Greek “dōrean,” meaning “without cause.” To be justified is also to be declared righteous.

This means you were justified, declared righteous without cause; you didn’t have to do something about it to make it happen. It was by His grace; you were born that way. Now He says, “…as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Blessed be God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus which ushered me into a newness of life. Now I’m a new creature in Christ Jesus, born anew, and justified by your grace, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of the Lord. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Galatians 2:16 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 4:23-25: Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Acts 13:38-39; Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 23:26-49 & 2 Samuel 4-6

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 1:10-21 & Psalm 139-140

This is a waste of your time.

Read Helpyourself posts here on Nairaland and stop wasting your precious time on nonsense baseless declarations

To anyone here if you value your time, don't waste it foolishly here.

One Love
Lolzzzz

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

TUESDAY 30TH APRIL 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: LIVING EPISTLES

THEME SCRIPTURE: Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:2-3).

1 Peter 1:23 says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." Every Christian is thus the epistle of Christ, because we're born of the Word; we're offsprings of the Word. James 1:18 says, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

You're the Word in flesh! This is what the Apostle Paul meant by us being "living epistles." Today, anyone who wants to see the Word of God should look at you, for you're the epistle of Christ! This is what the Church is. Hallelujah!

The Lord Jesus was the Word of God in human flesh: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14 NKJV). Jesus was the epistle of God. He was the love-letter sent to the world by God. The same Word that became flesh gave birth to us.

We were born in the realm of the spirit to be like Jesus through the Word. Glory to God. Your life is the life of the Word. You're not born of the corruptible seed of man, but of God's incorruptible seed. This is the reason the life in you is the God-life—the life of the Word. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION
I live the supernatural life and my potential is limitless because I'm born of the Word. The Life in me is the God-life; therefore I'm divinely endued to live triumphantly according to God's mighty power at work in me. Through me, many come to the knowledge of Christ today, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some [others], epistles of commendation to you, or [letters] of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

John 1:12-14 NKJV
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

James 1:18 AMPC
And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 23:50-24:1-12 & 2 Samuel 7-8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 1:22-31 & Psalm 141-142

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS

THEME: THE TRUTH DWELLS IN US

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1ST 2024

THEME SCRIPTURE: For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever (2 John 1:2).

John discovered Jesus in a way that most others never did. He saw something about the Word of God that was unique. He alone shares with us in his gospel writing, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

John understood it because he was there when Jesus taught them and said, “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He heard Jesus say, “I am the truth.” And so, when Jesus, in His prayer to the Father, said, “…thy word is truth” (John 17:17), John was able to put it together: The Word is Truth, and the Truth became flesh.

Jesus was more than a man, more than a prophet, and more than a Rabbi; He was God's Truth—God in the flesh. What is truth? Truth is reality—absolute reality. Everything else fades away, but the Truth of God dwells in us, and shall be with us forever (2 John 1:2).

Once this reality settles in your heart, you’ll realize there's nothing you can’t have and nothing you can't do, because the Truth dwells in you, and this Truth—the Word of Truth—created everything, including you: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:18). Glory to God!

PRAYER:
Dear Father, I thank you for your Word. Your Word is Truth, and I walk in truth, because I’m one with the Truth. Your Word confirms my prosperity, divine health, victory, dominion and glorious life in Christ. I make progress from glory to glory as I walk in your truth, established in righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
John 14:16-17; Colossians 3:16; 2 John 1:1-2 NIV

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 24:13-35 & 2 Samuel 9-11

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Corinthians 2:1-11 & Psalm 143-144

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PASTOR CHRIS

THURSDAY 2ND MAY

THEME: HAVE NO FEAR

THEME SCRIPTURE: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

There’s so much negative information in the world today and this has instilled fear in the hearts of those who aren’t rooted and grounded in the Word. But as a Christian, you live on the mountaintop, because you’re seated together with Christ in the place of glory and dominion.

Therefore, when you face distressing situations, turbulent times, live above them. Even if you were told a certain infectious disease has gotten into your system; it shall have no power over you. Refuse to fear. In Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU.”

Live with the consciousness that you’re a partaker of the divine nature. The life in you is divine; it’s not sustained by blood but by the Spirit of God who lives in you: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11). This verse isn’t a promise but a vital reality now that the Holy Spirit lives in you: He’s the life of your physical body.

Maybe you’ve even been diagnosed with an incurable disease as you read this; have no fear. Declare the Word until the divine life in you gains the ascendancy. With faith in your heart, keep affirming, “The same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in me and has invigorated my physical body. I walk in divine health!”

Stand your ground in faith, declaring the Word, irrespective of the symptoms and the circumstances around you. The Word already declares your victory. Satan and the powers of darkness are under your feet. Even now, declare that you live victoriously through the Word and by the Spirit over and above sickness, disease and death. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION
My life is for glory and beauty; and in my path is life, success, victory and health. I walk in dominion over the debilitating elements of this world because I have the life of God in me. I live by the Word and the Holy Spirit triumphantly above sickness, disease and infirmity, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Romans 8:35-37; Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or unclothedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:10-11 NIV – But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Luke 24:36-53 & 2 Samuel 12-14

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Corinthians 2:12-16 & Psalm 145-146

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY 3RD MAY 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: YOU ARE THE CHURCH

THEME SCRIPTURE: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23).

‭‭The opening text shows that Jesus cannot operate without His Church. The Church is the completeness or full expression of Christ. In other words, if you desire to know about Christ, receive His blessings, or make contact with Him, the Church is the answer.

Now, who constitutes the Church? Christians all over the world are the body of Christ. Wherever they are, they form the body of Christ in that location. Someone might ask, “Pastor Chris, what if I’m the only Christian in that location?” Then you’re the Church—the body of Christ—in that place.

The body of Christ is that man or woman in whom Christ dwells. We don't have to be many to form Him. For example, in Acts 8:26-39, Philip, one of the disciples, was led by the Holy Spirit to approach a high-ranking Ethiopian official—a eunuch. He preached to him and baptized him.

The Ethiopian eunuch received Christ, alone. When the eunuch journeyed back to Ethiopia, where was the body of Christ in Ethiopia? It was in the Ethiopian eunuch; he was the body of Christ in Ethiopia until he preached the Gospel to other people.

As the body of Christ, operating in your world, you’re His fullness. The fullness of His love, grace, glory and power is in you. This understanding eradicates weaknesses and limitations. Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

He didn’t say "we can" but "I can," because Paul comprehended that he was the body of Christ. This has to be your consciousness. If it’s just two of you in a certain location, both of you are the body of Christ there. If you’re a thousand, all of you are the body of Christ.

But if you’re the only one; anywhere you are, when you operate outside the assembly, outside the Church, you’re the body of Christ there. You’re His full legal representative and representation. That means you’re authorized by Him, and you’re His image or expression. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION
I’m the body of Christ, His full legal representative and representation of Him anywhere I am. And I declare that in the Church, there’s unity, stability, and growth, as we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 10:25 TLB* Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 1:1-18 & 2 Samuel 15-17

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 & Psalm 147-148

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY 4TH MAY 2024. Pastor Chris

THEME: ALIVE IN CHRIST JESUS

THEME SCRIPTURE: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3).

‭‭I remember reading a number of books, many years ago, that taught on the Christian dying to the flesh so that we could please God. This got my attention as a young Christian who really wanted to serve God with his life. I would lay on my bed and pray, “Lord I want to die to the flesh so I can please you.” I prayed this way until I came across Colossians 3.

At this point, I had learnt how to accept the Word of God simply like a child. So, I read the first two verses whichtold me to set my affections on things above and not on things on the earth, and I was ready to do that. I however wasn’t expecting what came next in the third verse; it says, “For ye are dead….”

This changed my life! Then I came across Galatians 5:24; it says, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” I began to walk tall with this new information. I went to my friends and said, “Guess what I found? We no longer need to die to the flesh, because we already died; the flesh has been crucified; now we have a new life in Christ Jesus.” Hallelujah!

Then Romans 6:11 sealed the whole thing! It says, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We’re dead to sin but alive to God! This means you can serve the Lord joyfully and confidently; you can live a life that’s pleasing to Him. Glory to His Name forever!

CONFESSION
I’m seated with Christ in the place of dominion and power. I live and see from above, reigning and ruling in the realm of life through Jesus Christ. My life is a daily adventure of the supernatural as I walk in the Spirit and constantly set my affections on Christ and the realities of our glorious eternal Kingdom. Amen!

FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 2:1 NKJV
And you [He made alive,] who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:1-4
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 1:19-51 & 2 Samuel 18-19

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 & Psalm 149-150