Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Thursday, October 7th.

TOPIC: PRACTISE ETERNAL LIFE

SCRIPTURE And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11).

MESSAGE
Oh, how the Church needs to teach and preach eternal life! Most have never understood it, because they’ve never been taught. In 1 John 5:13 NIV, John said, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” He wanted them to know they had eternal life, because just like today, many don’t know. So, you find a lot of Christians living as victims, buffeted by the vagaries and elements of this world.

It’s the reason for the colds, headaches, fevers and all the sicknesses and diseases many suffer from. Sadly, some even think it’s okay to be sick. No; not for the Christian! The life we have is divine. If an injury happens in your body, remind yourself that you’ve got divine life in you; it works in you—in every fibre of your being. Then, heal the wound! Command it to close up and be normal. You’ve got to practise this.

1 Timothy 4:15 says, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them….” The expression “Meditate upon” is “Meletao” (Greek), and it also means to practise. Many years ago, as I started learning this, I had a cut on my hand and it was bleeding profusely. But I wasn’t agitated. I had the consciousness of eternal life. So, I placed my finger over the cut and said, “stanch and be healed, in Jesus’ Name!”

Guess what? Not only did the bleeding cease, there was no trace of a wound whatsoever. Hallelujah! It’s important you learn to live the life that God has given you; practise it. Remember, when you were a child, you had to be taught how to talk and walk like humans, and you didn’t perfect it overnight but grew through practice into perfection.

Likewise, now that you’re born again, practise living the divine life. Superimpose the power of that life over your physical body by meditation, prayer (especially praying in the spirit), and by constant affirmation of the Word of God.

CONFESSION
Eternal life is at work in me; every facet of my being is inundated with, and supplanted by the divine life. I live above the rudiments and corrupting forces of this present world of darkness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| 1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. ||

|| 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:
Colossians 1:1-23 & Isaiah 44-45

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 4:19-29 & 1 Kings 13

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Friday, October 8th.

TOPIC: HIS SPIRITUAL TEMPLE



SCRIPTURE [/i]When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory (Psalm 102:16).

MESSAGE
Zion in the scripture above doesn’t refer to Israel at the Millennium but to the Church of Jesus Christ. When you read about the millennial reign from the beginning to the end, whatever the Bible says will happen at the Millennium must first happen with the Church; the reflection is in the Church. So, before building the temple in Jerusalem, which is going to be at the Millennium, He’s going to build His temple, which is the Church.

In Zechariah 6:12, the Bible says, “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.” Jesus is the One referred to as “The BRANCH,” and He’s going to build the temple of the Lord, and it started from the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. Ephesians 2:22 shows the veracity of the ongoing building; it says, “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Jesus is already building His spiritual temple of the Church, and He says we’re members of that very building. Hallelujah! Hebrews 12:22-23 says, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” The Church is Zion in this context, spelt “Sion.”

In building His Church, He gave some to be apostles, and some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12). When He’s done building His Church, He’ll appear in glory! Until then, the Church will reign in His Name, over the powers of darkness and the elements of this world, for He said, “...I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). “...Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).

CONFESSION
Dear Father, what a blessing it is to be your habitation through the Spirit. I acknowledge your divine presence in me, as you lead me by your Spirit, through your Word, in your perfect will. Thank you for beautifying my life with the glory of your presence, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. ||

|| 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. ||

|| 1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Colossians 1:24-2:1-5 & Isaiah 46-47

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 4:30-42 & 1 Kings 14

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Saturday, October 9th.

TOPIC: DECLARE WHAT YOU WANT IN HIS NAME

SCRIPTURE: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:12-13).

MESSAGE
When Jesus said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,” He wasn’t talking about prayer. The word “ask” is the Greek “aiteo” and it’s a substitute for the word “require.” It’s different from what we have in John 16:23 where Jesus said, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”

In the case of the latter, the word “ask” is “erotao” (Greek), which is prayer. Here, Jesus was showing us how to pray to the Father in His Name. But the “ask” in our theme verse is talking about you making a demand in the Name of Jesus.

In Acts 3:1-6, the Bible shows us how Peter and John put this to work. They encountered a man crippled from birth who daily begged for alms at the temple gate. Peter said to him, “...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). This isn’t prayer; Peter made a demand in the Name of Jesus.

Many of the evil things happening in our world today are caused by demons. But with the Name of Jesus, we prevail; we have the victory. Every time you face distressing situations, declare what you want in the Name of Jesus, and there’ll be a change. It’s about His authority. Use the Name of Jesus to keep your body in health, calm the storms around you, and effect changes in your home, family, community, town, city, and in your country.

CONFESSION
In the Name of Jesus, I come against the demons of darkness, the demons of deception, confusion and chaos; spirits of violence causing destructions in the nations of the world; I paralyse their efforts! I declare that these demons of violence will not prevail. I break the influence and dominion of Satan over the nations and their leaders, in the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Acts 14:8-10 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. ||

|| Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Colossians 2:6-23 & Isaiah 48-49

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 4:43-54 & 1 Kings 15

TOPIC: Managing Your Body (Rhapsody of Realities 10 October 2021)

SCRIPTURE: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

MESSAGE
Being born again, though your body is the temple of God, you’re its caretaker or custodian. It’s your responsibility to manage your body and keep it in health, in its utmost shape for God to use. Satan will try to do anything to ravage your body; he’ll run rampage in your body if you let him; but you must say, “No!”

Recall what we read in our theme verse; it says, “… present your bodies a living sacrifice….” God doesn’t do the “presenting” for you; rather, He tells you to present your body to Him. He gave you the authority to manage your body. This is why some Christians, even though they’ve received the Holy Spirit, can still be sick in their bodies. The reason is they’re the ones in charge of their bodies. God has a right to rule your body, but He appointed you to rule it for Him.

Imagine the Mayor of a city; he has the authority to run the city, but he doesn’t run the individual homes in the city. He leaves the running of your home to you. It’s the same with your body; you have to stop the devil from manipulating any part of your body. Use the authority that’s been granted you in Christ; use the Name of Jesus.

Furthermore, the Bible says you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20). You’re a spirit; you have a soul and live in a body. Your soul is the seat of your mind, your emotions and your will. God doesn’t control your will, your emotions, and your mind; He tells you to do that.

The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind….” Just as it’s your job to manage your mind, it’s your responsibility as well to manage your body. Renewing or managing your mind is done through the Word—meditating on the Word! That’s also how to manage your body and keep it in divine health. The Bible says the Word of God is medicine—health to your physical body (Proverbs 4:22).

CONFESSION

Sickness isn’t in my nature. I’m a new creation in Christ Jesus, and Christ has consummated the plan for my divine health; therefore, I refuse to be sick! I have Zoe, the supernatural life of God that makes me divinely healthy. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY:

Proverbs 4:20-22 (KJV)
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Isaiah 33:24 (KJV)
24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Colossians 3:1-4:1 & Isaiah 50-51

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 5:1-9 & 1 Kings 16

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Monday, October 11th.

TOPIC: PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING

SCRIPTURE: Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

MESSAGE
When the Bible says, “Pray without ceasing,” what does it mean? Moreover, how is that even possible? God never tells us to do something we couldn’t do. First, understand that in the verse above, the Apostle Paul wasn’t addressing an individual, but the church in Thessalonica. How could they have prayed without ceasing as a church? It’s simple; it’s by scheduling.

That’s what we’ve done since 2020 with the Pastor Chris Live “Pray-A-Thon.” We worked out a schedule so we could pray without ceasing, round the clock, every day, all year-round in a non-stop prayer-chain. Through our heartfelt, continued prayers, we’re causing changes and enforcing the will of the Father here on earth.

Never take this spiritual admonition as an exaggeration; take the Word of God seriously. When you re-interpret such clear instructions of the Spirit, you weaken the meaning and then lose the power of it. If as a family, or a group, you plan to pray for a specific number of hours, commit to it. Form a prayer chain; schedule those who would pray at different times during the day.

Let’s say, Susan, for example, takes a certain number of minutes; then Dave follows, and Casey takes the next slot, and Ben takes another and so on, such that no one breaks the chain. If you’d do this diligently, you’d be amazed at the giant leaps and strides you’d experience in the spirit. He didn’t ask us to pray without ceasing for nothing. The joy of it all is the answers we receive. Hallelujah!

Remember, the Church is the only restraining force against the evil manipulations and dictates of Satan. Through our prayers, we contend for the souls of men, and cancel the wicked plans of the devil, and establish the will of God in the earth. Always take advantage of the privilege, opportunity and blessings of prayer. When it’s time to pray, avoid all forms of distractions. If you’re going to walk in God’s unusual blessings continually, then you must pray without ceasing.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for raising an end-time army given to prayers, day in day out, enforcing your will in the earth through heartfelt, continued prayer, which is effective and dynamic in its working. I pray that your righteousness will be established in the earth and in the hearts of men, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| 1 Timothy 2:1-3 I 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; ||

|| Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; ||

|| James 5:16 AMPC Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Colossians 4:2-18 & Isaiah 52-53

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 5:10-18 & 1 Kings 17-18

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Tuesday, October 12th.

TOPIC: HEALING IN HIS WINGS

SCRIPTURE: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stalled (Malachi 4:2).

MESSAGE
In the Scriptures, there’re several instances where people touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received instant healing. For example, Luke 8 talks about the woman with the issue of blood, who suffered for twelve long years, spending all her earnings on physicians to no avail. But the Bible says she “… touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched” (Luke 8:44).

The word, “border” in this verse is “Kraspedon” (Greek), and it means fringes or tassels. Also, in Matthew 14, when Jesus came to the land of Gennesaret, the people of that region rushed to Him for healing, and the Bible says they “...besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole” (Matthew 14:36).

They brought so many sick people to Jesus, and He didn’t have to do anything; all they needed was to touch the fringes of His garment. Remarkable! Mark 6:56 says, “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.”

What was special about the border of Jesus’ garment? Every Jew had the same fringes in their garments as Jesus (Read Numbers 15:37-38). So, it wasn’t about the fashion or style of His garment but the one wearing it. Those that touched Him to be healed believed He was the Messiah; therefore, everything about Him, including the fringes of His garment, would produce healing.

That’s what we read in our theme verse. It says: “…the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings….” The word, “wings” is “kânâph” in Hebrew, and it refers to the border or the fringes. Jesus had healing in His fringes, and they knew it! Glory to God! That power is still available today in His Name. So, if you’re sick in your body today, or you know someone who is, use the Name of Jesus against that sickness, disease or infirmity; healing is guaranteed. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for your boundless love. I pray for your children who may be sick in their bodies, that they rise from that place of limitation and bondage today, and be made heathy and strong, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. ||

|| Acts 3:16 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. ||

|| Luke 8:43-48 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind [him], and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press [thee], and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Thessalonians 1-2:1-16 & Isaiah 54-56

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 5:19-27 & 1 Kings 19

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Friday, October 15th.

TOPIC:HE DIED FOR THE UNGODLY

SCRIPTURE: And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Colossians 1:21).

MESSAGE
The scripture above describes the ungodly as alienated from God, and enemies in their minds by wicked works. In other words, they were enemies of God in their minds because of their wicked works. Evidently, it wasn’t God who declared them enemies; rather, He’s the One reconciling them. The Bible says, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them…” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

This is similar to what transpired between God and Adam in the Garden. Adam sinned against God and ran into hiding (Genesis 3:. But God came looking for him; He said, “Adam, where are you?” How gracious He is! While we were sinners, in God’s mind, we weren’t enemies; He was working out how to bring us to Himself; He was working on a plan.

Colossians 1:22 tells us that the purpose and summation of Christ’s redemptive work was “…to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” He knew what He was going to do before He did it. Romans 5:6 says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” This is so touching.

He didn’t wait for us to become godly before He died for us. He initiated the reconciliation: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). Hallelujah! Let this love be expressed through you to the ungodly in reaching out to them with the Gospel. Let them know God isn’t mad at them; they can come to Him just as they are and be accepted.

He said in Isaiah 1:18, “…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He’s the One that washes, sanctifies and justifies the ungodly in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Holy Father, thank you for committing to me the ministry of reconciliation; I’m grateful for the privilege of being your co-labourer and partner in ministering to the ungodly and bringing them salvation in Christ Jesus. As the Gospel is preached around the world today, I pray that faith is stirred in the hearts of many to receive the message and be converted, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ||

|| 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: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. ||

|| Romans 4:5-8 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 & Isaiah 61-63

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 6:1-14 & 1 Kings 22

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Saturday, October 16th.

TOPIC: DON’T BE CARELESS WITH WORDS

SCRIPTURE: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground(1 Samuel 3:19).

MESSAGE
Our theme verse shows us something very significant about God; He places premium on words. Jesus emphasized the importance of words several times in His teachings. In Matthew 12:36, He said, “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” That’s a serious warning.

Notice He didn’t say men shall give account for some idle words that they speak, but for every idle word. Idle words are empty, ineffectual words; careless jesting and ramblings; coarse language. In Ephesians 4:29, He said, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Not only must your words be gracious and edifying always, they must also be faith words. Words are things; they have substance; they create or destroy. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” (Proverbs 18:21). Don’t be careless with words. Your words represent you; they’re your life.

Mark 11:23 says, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea…he shall have whatsoever he saith.” You’re what you say. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Even salvation is activated by words. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Take words seriously.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for infusing my words with your divine power to cause changes, bring about positive transformations, healing and prosperity. Out of the abundance of my heart, I speak forth life, strength, courage, and thus, dispel fear, weakness and failure. I impact my world with blessings through my words, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Matthew 12:36-37 AMPC But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. ||

|| James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 & Isaiah 64-66

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 6:15-21 & 2 Kings 1-2

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Sunday, October 17th.

TOPIC: BE BOLD ABOUT HIM

SCRIPTURE: It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! (Romans 1:16 MSG).

MESSAGE
The Apostle Paul was passionate about the Gospel and proclaimed it with all passion, boldness, audacity, faith, and conviction. In Romans 1:16-17, he said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

If you love Jesus, you’ll be passionate about His message and about serving Him. If you truly believe that the message of the Gospel has changed your life, you’ll be bold to speak about it openly; you’ll be bold to reach out to others with the Gospel you’ve received.

Never be shamefaced about Christ, the message of the Gospel or your identity with Him. At every opportunity, preach the Gospel. You might say, “I don’t know what to say”; begin with your testimony of Christ—how He changed your life. Talk about our inextricable oneness with Him, His liquid and unconditional love for all, His grace, mercy and kindness.

Be impenitent about your love for Jesus. Don’t be ashamed of who you are in Him, and don’t let others make you ashamed of what you believe. Jesus said, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). If you think Jesus changed your life, you have to be bold to talk about it; be bold to express it; be bold to tell others what Jesus Christ means to you and what He’s done in your life. You’re a witness of who He is.

PRAYER
Dear Father, you’re gracious and kind; thank you for your steadfast love that never ceases, your faithfulness that’s ever sure. Thank you for your grace; the grace of salvation that’s upon all men, and for the courage, guidance, and leading of the Spirit for all your children, as they preach the Gospel today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. ||

|| 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 & Jeremiah 1-2

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 6:22-29 & 2 Kings 3

Rhapsody Of Realities Monday, October 18th by Pastor Chris

TOPIC: THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

SCRIPTURE:As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2)

MESSAGE
Everything that would stand and endure needs a good, rock-solid foundation. Therefore, every Christian must have the right foundation of the Word of God and doctrine of Christ. It begins with a ravenous appetite for the pure, unadulterated Word of God. Nothing but God’s Word guarantees your spiritual growth.

The Scriptures emphasize growing unto perfection, starting with ensuring you understand the fundamentals. Luke reports how the Apostle Paul used The School of Tyrannus to debate and teach, presenting the Word of God on a daily basis to the new Christians for a space of two years (Acts 19:1-10).

Paul had different categories of people who were at different stages of learning, but he ensured they all had the right spiritual foundation. After the foundations, however, it’s important to move to the higher class, the more advanced teachings: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit” (Hebrews 6:1-3).

All of these help to lay a good and solid foundation upon which a successful and fulfilling Christian life and ministry can be built.

The words of Jesus about having a solid foundation for your life is an important food for thought; meditate on it always. He said, “…everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV).

PRAYER
Dear Father, I’m fully committed to you and to the Word of your grace, which is able to build me up and help me walk in, and enjoy, my rightful inheritance in Christ. I’m built on a rock-solid foundation in the Word, and growing through the Word and the Spirit. I’m transformed from glory to glory and positioned to fulfil your destiny and plan for my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| 1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able. ||

|| Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 & Jeremiah 3-4

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 6:30-40 & 2 Kings 4

Rhapsody of Realities 19th October 2021 Devotional

Scripture: Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Message
There’re certain situations you may face and all you have to do is pray once, and that’s it. But there’re other situations that call for persistence in prayer. The Word of God teaches us about different kinds of prayers and what rules apply to them.

For example, when dealing with things about other people, especially when it has to do with their wrong choices and beliefs, you don’t just pray once and go away. You continue in prayer, interceding for them, rebuking the adversary that’s deceiving them. You have to repeatedly mount pressure against the adversary until he lets go and there’s a change.

There’s so much evil going on in the world today and the plan of the enemy is to set up the world of the antichrist before the time. But we have to prevent that. The Bible says the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available. We will keep pressing in the spirit, overturning the decrees and activities of darkness.

God has never thought, and doesn’t think, Satan is a problem, because He gave us authority over demons and the powers of darkness. The problem, for the most part, has been that some of God’s children focused more on personal gains instead of the faith to save men. Our world would surely be a better place if we would focus more on the souls of men in fervent prayers, intercessions, supplications, giving of thanks and preaching the Word.

That’s what He charged us to do, and He told us the outcome and why we should do it: “I 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). Follow the Word and pray like this.

Jesus said, “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). If we’d follow the order and pray as the Spirit indicates, we’d take this whole world for Jesus Christ. Glory to God!

CONFESSION
I break the power of the devil off the souls of men and declare that the Gospel penetrates the hearts of many around the world today, turning them from darkness to light, with the righteousness of Christ established in their hearts. Every hindrance to the Gospel is destroyed in the Name of Jesus Christ, and there’s a massive harvest of souls in the nations. Amen.


FURTHER STUDY
1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Timothy 1:1-20; Jeremiah 5-6

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 6:41-51; 2 Kings 5

Rhapsody Of Realities Thursday, October 21st.
TOPIC: CHRIST IN YOU IS THE ANSWER

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).

MESSAGE
It doesn’t matter what your life was like before you gave your heart to Christ; the old, weak, sickly, poor and struggling “you” died with Christ on the Cross. A new you came alive when He resurrected. So, don’t look at the physical anymore; see through the Spirit. Now that you’re in Christ, and Christ is in you, glory, wholeness, perfection, success and prosperity are guaranteed in your life.

The Bible says, “...Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The assurance that there’s nothing missing or broken in your life is Christ in you. Someone may say, “But I’ve given my life to Christ; Christ is in me now, but I’m still blind” or “I’m still crippled.” I have news for you!

In Acts 9, Peter the Apostle went visiting the churches and came to a place called Lydda. There, he met a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed for eight years. Even though Aeneas had become a Christian, he was still paralyzed. But guess what? All Peter said to him was, “...Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed…” (Acts 9:34). The Bible says he jumped right out of bed, completely made whole.

If you have Christ inside you, that’s the end of paralysis! That’s the end of blindness, deafness, any kind of sickness or disease, failure and death! Hallelujah! Christ in you is the answer. Our theme verse says if Christ be in you, though your body be dead because of sin, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness. Why would you accommodate asthma if Christ is in you? You ought to boldly declare, “I refuse to be sick, diseased or afflicted.”

There’re not enough epidemics in the world that can withstand the life of Christ in you. You’re shielded in Him. No wonder He said, “…nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). Your life is divine. Make up your mind you’re going to live the life that Christ has given you, and you’ll be everything He’s called you to be. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION
Christ is in me, in every fibre of my being, in every bone of my body, and in every cell of my blood! I walk in victory and in glory. I’m a success; I’m a victor, because greater is He that’s in me than he that’s in the world. I’m shielded from all evil, with dominion over sickness, disease and the powers of darkness, for I’m in Christ and Christ is in me! Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Colossians 1:27 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 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. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Timothy 3:1-16 & Jeremiah 9-10

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 6:61-71 & 2 Kings 7-8

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Friday, October 22nd.

TOPIC: GIVING THANKS


SCRIPTURE: In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

MESSAGE
The will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you is that you give thanks in everything. What does it mean to give thanks? To give thanks is to speak blessings. When you study the Gospel, there’re several instances that show us how the Lord Jesus gave thanks by speaking blessings. In Matthew 26:26, just before His betrayal, the Bible says, “…as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.”

On another occasion, before He fed a multitude with five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish, “… he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all” (Mark 6:41). Notice what He did in both instances with the bread and the fish: He “blessed them.”

Mark, in His writing, gave further insight to what Jesus did: He “gave thanks”: “And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it” (Mark 14:23). Mark 8:6 says: “And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.”

So, when the Bible says that Jesus took bread and blessed it, what He actually did was to give thanks; the words that He spoke were words of thanks. Learn to bless. Remember, God speaks through you; He uses your mouth to “bless”, to change circumstances, to bring deliverance and salvation to others. He uses your mouth to bring correction to issues, such that no matter what’s going on in your life, or around you, He can mend it.

Hebrews 11:3 says, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God….” In other words, through the “rhema” of God, God would bring a blessing where a curse had been intended; He’ll bring about prosperity, success, peace and victory where poverty, failure, defeat or destruction had been intended. Hallelujah!

Every so often, declare, “Father, I thank you in the Name of Jesus; I offer thanks for, and in this situation, because it is corrected; it is working out for my good, and your perfect will is established.” Hallelujah! Even in “blessing” the Lord, it’s the same thing; you bless Him by giving thanks. Without the “thanks” in it, it would be empty.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I speak blessings in everything; I speak blessings over my family, and invoke your prosperity over my job, finances, health, ministry and all that concerns me. I thank you for your grace, power and love that’s manifested in all areas of my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. ||

|| Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever. ||

|| Psalms 105:1-2 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. ||

|| Psalms 41:13 Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Timothy 4:1-16 & Jeremiah 11-12

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 7:1-10 & 2 Kings 9

Rhapsody Of Realities Saturday, October 23rd. By pastor Chris
TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS ARE WORDS

SCRIPTURE: Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips (Hosea 14:2).

MESSAGE
1 Peter 2:5 tells us that we’re living stones, built up as a spiritual house—a holy priesthood—to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. These sacrifices are no longer those of bulls and calves offered over the brazen altar; they’re the fruits of our lips. Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

The fruit of our lips are “words,” as shown in our opening verse. The Greek construction of “giving thanks” is “homologeo” and it means to make confessions; so, we’re to make confessions; that is, speak words that give thanks to His Name. For example, you say, “Father, you’re greater than all; you’re the sovereign God; gracious and kind; forever loving, ever faithful and true; absolutely good! The King of kings and the Lord of lords; I thank you for your love, your greatness, and your kindness.”

That’s offering the fruit of your lips; that’s making confessions of His greatness, power, love, kindness, goodness, and of His work and ministry in your life. These “fruit of our lips” which are words that we offer must be done continually, just like the priests of the Old Testament did.

The Bible tells us what the priests were to do: “… stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even; And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD” (1 Chronicles 23:30-31).

In the New Testament, with our words, we’re required to offer spiritual sacrifices continually. You can practise this even now! With a heart full of thanksgiving and praise, make confessions of how great He is, and how matchless His Name is. Render sacrifices of praise to His majesty! Extol His greatness and worship His holy Name. Remember, there’s none like Him, for His kingdom and reign is everlasting!

PRAYER
Thank you, blessed Father, for your greatness and kindness. You’re the only true and wise God, who reigns and rules in the affairs of men; the One who is the blessed and only Sovereign. To you, Lord, be all glory, honour, majesty, dominion and praise, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Hosea 14:2 AMPC Take with you words and return to the Lord. Say to Him, Take away all our iniquity; accept what is good and receive us graciously; so will we render [our thanks] as bullocks [to be sacrificed] and pay the confession of our lips. ||

|| Hebrews 13:15 AMPC Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Timothy 5:1-25 & Jeremiah 13-14

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 7:11-19 & 2 Kings 10

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Sunday, October 24th.


TOPIC: PRAYING FOR THE SICK

SCRIPTURE: And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? (Luke 13:16).

MESSAGE
In praying for the sick to get well, there’re certain truths to be mindful of; otherwise, you may pray from sunup to sundown with little or no impact. First, recognize that God wants them well; He isn’t the one responsible for the sickness. Some believe God uses sickness to carry out His plan or to correct His children; that’s a lie from the pit of hell. No sickness or disease is from God.

Secondly, does that sick person want to be well? This would be an important question to answer. Jesus asked certain folks in the Bible who apparently were in distressing health situation the simple question, “What do you want?” So, it’s important the person is willing and ready to get well and that there’s mutual faith.

Thirdly, be in tune with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit can guide you to know whether or not a demon is responsible for that sickness or disease. That way, you’re able to deal with the situation. For example, the woman that was bowed-over in Luke 13, Jesus showed us Satan was responsible for her infirmity. The moment Jesus cast the devil out, the woman was healed.

Never be afraid of demons or evil spirits. The Name of Jesus is greater than all. We cast out evil spirits with words, as Jesus did. In Matthew 10:8, Luke 9:2, Luke 10:9, Jesus charged the disciples to heal the sick, and He didn’t ask them to pray to Him or to the Father to heal the sick. Evidently, we have authority from Jesus to heal the sick and bring health and joy to a dying world. Be bold about it. Glory to God!

CONFESSION
I’ve been given the authority in the Name of Jesus to heal the sick and cast out devils. I’m yielded completely to the Holy Spirit, and I’m filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding in dealing with every situation. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. ||

|| Matthew 10:8 NIV Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Timothy 6:1-21 & Jeremiah 15-16

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 7:20-31 & 2 Kings 11-12

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Monday, October 25th.

TOPIC: THE MAN AND HIS NAME

SCRIPTURE: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Resuscitated every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth (Philippians 2:9-10).

MESSAGE
In the 3rd chapter of the book of Acts, we read that Peter healed a certain man who was crippled from birth. The man, obviously filled with joy, threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic with praise to God. All the people who recognized him ran up to where they were at Solomon’s Porch to see for themselves. When Peter saw that he had a congregation, he took the opportunity and preached Christ to them.

In the 4th chapter, Peter made a statement, the profundity of which is of staggering proportions. He said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Here, Peter was referring to the Name, Jesus! Some have asked, “What’s so special about the Name, Jesus? There are people who have it as their first or last name today.”

It’s not how a name is spelt or pronounced that matters. There may be a thousand and one other people bearing the same name as the president of your country, but only one of them has the power and the authority over your country at the moment. In some parts of the world, as in South America, there’re some people called “Jesus.” So, the point isn’t how it is spelt or the sound of the name; it’s about the authority of the one bearing the name.

You can’t separate a man from his name. The name identifies the man, and whatever authority that’s given to the man is vested in the name. In the case of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, all authority in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth is given unto Him. So, when you say, “I come in the Name of Jesus” or affirm anything in His Name, you’re invoking His authority.

That’s the only Name in whom all of God’s power is vested. That Name has power and it’ll unlock every door, destroy every sickness, and cause you to walk in unending glory and victories. The one who’s crippled may not be able to walk in his own name, or in the name of the president of his country, but in the Name of Jesus, even maimed limbs are restored. Even now, receive strength into you in the Name of Jesus. If you’ve been sick or afflicted, be made whole; be healed in Jesus’ Name. Right away, rejoice and thank Him for healing you and act accordingly.

The Bible says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Learn to live in, and use His Name. That Name ends failure, poverty, sickness, lack and darkness once and for all. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I’m confident to use the Name of Jesus, and live every day in, and by the power of His Name. I speak in the Name of Jesus, knowing that my words carry the same power and authority as though Jesus Himself were the One speaking. I make demands right now, and declare that all things are brought into subjection unto me. I’m victorious, triumphant, and successful, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. ||

|| Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Timothy 1:1-18 & Jeremiah 17-18

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 7:32-44 & 2 Kings 13-14

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional.
Tuesday, October 26th.

TOPIC: TRAVAILING IN PRAYER

SCRIPTURE: My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

MESSAGE
In the 3rd chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Galatian Christians, he calls out their outright repudiation of the message of faith. They had left the simple message of grace in Christ to keeping the Law of Moses in order to be justified. Having learnt that they had accepted the teachings of false teachers, Paul chided them, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…” (Galatians 3:1).

There’re some like that in the church today; they started well but went on listening to wrong doctrines and were misled. They became argumentative, confrontational, disorderly, rude and unruly in the house of God, and some even stopped fellowship with the church altogether.

When you have a brother or sister in the Lord or a whole family disobeying the truth of God’s Word, obstinate, and walking contrary to the instructions of the Spirit, it’s because the spirit of foolishness has taken over their minds; thus, it’s time to travail in birth again until Christ is formed in them, as Paul the Apostle did.

Why did Paul have to travail in birth again for the Galatians? He travailed in birth previously, by which they came to Christ. He determined to do so again now that they were falling away from the truth. This travail in birth is intercessory prayers that leads to salvation and deliverance of one who’s lost or fallen out of the way.

That’s what you do for such people; you pray again and again, in intercession and fasting—that the Christ-life gains the ascendancy in them, and they be fully yielded to, and established in God’s truth and righteousness.

The words “…travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” show that the life of Christ wasn’t being manifested in them; they had become worldly, living on the wrong information that was destroying their faith. So, learn to pray fervently in the spirit for new converts and new members in the churches of Christ around the world. Pray that they’ll increase in the knowledge and revelation of Christ, and be established in the faith through the ministry of the Word and the Holy Spirit, fulfilling their purpose and leading others to Christ.

Also, pray for those who may be facing difficult times and persecutions, or wavering in their faith, that they be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, rooted and grounded in love, pleasing Him in all things, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the blessing and privilege of prayer, and the opportunity to travail in birth until Christ is formed in the hearts of new converts and those who might have strayed from the Faith. Even now, I pray for your children, that your wisdom will guide their hearts and rule their minds to produce works of righteousness for the Kingdom, and that they’re rooted and grounded in love, pleasing you in all things, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Ephesians 3:14-17 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ||

|| Colossians 1:9-11 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; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Timothy 2:1-26 & Jeremiah 19-22

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 7:45-53 & 2 Kings 15-16

*
Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional
Wednesday, October 27th.

TOPIC: THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH


SCRIPTURE: Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations (Psalm 90:1).

MESSAGE
In this day and age, when there’s so much trouble and crises, with a seemingly overwhelming spread of evil around the world, many are thinking, “Is there hope?” But when you study the Scriptures, you’ll understand God’s divine plan for His children in a tempestuous world. For example, Psalm 91; the first verse is as inspiring as it is comforting. It says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Your location in the Spirit is the “secret place of the most high”; that was the best way the psalmist could put it. The second verse (Psalm 91:2) sheds more light on it; it says, “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” That means the Lord Himself is that secret place, because He is your refuge and your fortress. Therefore, that you dwell in the secret place of the most high means you dwell in Him. In the New Testament, that place is called Christ: “…if any man be in Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Notice the underlined expression, “in Christ,” showing that Christ is a place in God. How could anyone be disadvantaged in Christ? It’s impossible! In Christ is glory only—always and forever! In Christ is life forevermore; you’re shielded from harm, evil and destruction. No wonder it says in Psalm 91:7 NIV “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your glory in my life, for your presence in and around me. No weapon fashioned against me shall prosper, because I dwell in the secret place of the most high, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. The greater One lives in me, and in Him and through Him, I reign and triumph gloriously over Satan and the elements of this world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ||

|| John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
2 Timothy 3:1-17 & Jeremiah 23-25

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 8:1-11 & 2 Kings 17-18

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2021

TOPIC:THE JOY OF THE LORD

SCRIPTURE:Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
MESSAGE
Our God is so gracious and kind; think about what we just read! The children of Israel were in sadness, weeping because they hadn’t quite obeyed God. But while they were weeping and repenting, the Lord said to them, “Go and celebrate, for this day which you’ve assembled to hear my Word is holy; don’t be sorry, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Hallelujah!

The eleventh and twelfth verses say, “So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions….” Now, it’s not about the eating and the drinking, for the Bible says, “…the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”*_ (Romans 14:17). It’s about the joy you have in Him through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we’ve now received the atonement (Romans 5:11).

In Nehemiah 12:43, when they had built the walls of Jerusalem and it was time for them to celebrate, the Bible says, _*“Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” Wow! 1 Peter 1:8 calls our joy “indescribable and full of glory.” Their joy was heard afar off! They were exuberant with joy and rejoicing.

In spite of the terrible things happening in the world today, you can be full of joy every day and express it lavishly. Celebrate the Lord—His greatness, goodness, love, grace and mercies—every day, like you’ve never done before. Give no place to gloom in your life. Joy is a fruit of your recreated human spirit; so, always release it from within you. Jesus said, _*“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”*_ (John 15:11). Glory to God!

CONFESSION

I’m ever joyful and exuberant with praise, because the joy of the Lord is my strength. My joy is independent of circumstances; it comes from my inner man and transcends physical circumstances. My joy is permanent, and it keeps me strong and alive. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY

Isaiah 12:3
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

1 Peter 1:7-8
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Timothy 4:1-22 & Jeremiah 26-28

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 8:12-21 & 2 Kings 1-2

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Friday, October 29th.

TOPIC: TRUST AND ACT ON HIS WORD

SCRIPTURE: 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 (2 Peter 1:3).

MESSAGE
In 1 Corinthians 3:21, the Apostle Paul, by the Spirit, corroborates our underlined portion of the verse above; it says, “…all things are yours.” That’s because all things are in Christ, and Christ is in you. Therefore, things present and things to come are all yours! His divine power—not your own ability or human wisdom—has given unto you ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. This means you’re not supposed to ever be in lack or want.

Read our theme verse again: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness….” When God says He’s done something, you believe and act accordingly. For instance, you probably have some money in the bank; when you made the deposit, they probably sent you a confirmatory message that XYZ amount of money had been credited to your account, and you believed it. When you needed to spend it, you didn’t “try” to claim it; you just knew the money was yours and accessible to you.

Did you know that God’s Word to you is the confirmatory message that you have what He says you have, and are who He says you are, and can do what He says you can do? Trust and act on His Word; you’d be amazed at the quality of life you’d live. His Word is absolutely dependable! Let your confidence in life—your guarantee that you’ll forever be a victor and a success—be on the basis of your faith in the Word.

If, today, you seem to be struggling through life, living as a victim, it’s most likely because you haven’t believed the Word enough. Rather than blame circumstances, the government or other people for your situation, consciously and consistently walk in the light of God’s Word. There’s nothing you could ever need or desire for a godly life that’s not already yours in Christ. The question is, do you know this? If you do, then you have before you a life of endless possibilities: nothing shall be impossible unto you (Mark 9:23). Put the Word to work in your life, and you’ll always be victorious.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for giving me everything I require to live victoriously and be a success in life. You’ve called me to glory and virtue, and given me a life of praise, glory and thanksgiving. Thank you for being so gracious and kind, and for your Word that prevails in and through me always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| 2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes" ascends to God for his glory. ||

|| James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 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: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Titus 1-2 & Jeremiah 29-30

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 8:22-32 & 2 Kings 21-22

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Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Saturday, October 30th.

TOPIC: THE CHRIST-LIFE IN YOU


SCRIPTURE:When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4).

MESSAGE
In John 5:26, Jesus said, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” This means that Jesus had the same life as God when He walked the earth. He had to, because He is Himself God. He said in John 10:38, “I want you to know and believe that the Father is in me and I in Him.”

What we just read is simply extraordinary; it’s the very thing that God wanted with man, for which He created man: to be in us, and us in Him, so we would be one with Him—super beings of His reflection— associates of the God-kind, and His icons in the earth. Hallelujah! This happened when you were born again. The Bible says, “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

Even though you were born of a human being, this oneness with Christ makes you supernatural, because the life in you is the life and nature of God; now, Christ is your life. That’s what we read in our theme verse. 1 John 5:11-12 NKJV says, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Blessed be God!

If you have Jesus Christ, you have divine life in you now. Romans 6:23 says the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. But that’s a fundamental truth of the Gospel. As you get higher in the understanding of the Gospel, you’d discover that Jesus really doesn’t stand away and give you eternal life; He’s Himself eternal life! In giving you eternal life, He actually gave you Himself. What could be more glorious!

CONFESSION
My life is hid with Christ in God; Christ is my life! The life of sin, failure, defeat and shame was nailed to the Cross, and I arose triumphantly with Christ to a life of righteousness, honour, peace and glory. My humanity has been supplanted by His divinity. Blessed be His Name forever!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Colossians 1:26-27 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 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 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Titus 3:1-15 & Jeremiah 31-32

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 8:33-43 & 2 Kings 23

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Sunday, October 31st.

TOPIC: DOMINION OVER DARKNESS


SCRIPTURE: Giving thanks unto the Father…Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:12-13).

MESSAGE
Being born again, you’re superior to Satan; you defeated Satan in and with Jesus—in Satan’s own domain—hell! Colossians 2:15 (NIV) says, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” When Jesus did this, you were in Him. Hallelujah!

Therefore, you’re not under the authority, dominion, jurisdiction, or powers of darkness; they can’t affect your life anymore. Where you are is a realm they can’t attain to or approach; it’s the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. You’re not supposed to be at the mercy of demons. But the problem is that many in the Church haven’t exercised their authority and dominion over Satan and the powers of darkness.

In dealing with Satan, there’s no need for argument or pointless tussle. Jesus didn’t say, “You shall “push” away or tussle with devils in my Name”; He said, “... cast out devils...” (Mark 16:17); that is, kick out, throw out, fling off with force. You give them commands. Hallelujah! You’ve got to put the Word of God to work.

If, for example, the devil is causing you Essential Tremor—causing your hands, head, trunk, voice or legs to shake rhythmically—you say, “Hold on, devil! I belong in the Kingdom of Christ, not in the domain of darkness. Therefore, in the Name of Jesus, body, I command this anomaly to stop!” That’ll be the end of that trouble. When you insist, your body will comply, because God’s Word is law! Nothing can resist the power in the Name of Jesus.

The Lord has given you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the ability of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Satan has no right to run things in your life or in your home or in the lives of your loved ones, because you’re one with Christ, vested with all power and authority in heaven and in the earth to subdue Satan, dominate circumstances, and take charge of your world. Glory to God!

CONFESSION
The Lord has given me power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the abilities of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt me. Satan has no right to run things in my life, or in my home or in the lives of my loved ones, because I’ve been vested with all power and authority in heaven and in earth to subdue, dominate and take charge of my world. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Mark 1:25-27 GNB Jesus ordered the spirit, “Be quiet, and come out of the man!” The evil spirit shook the man hard, gave a loud scream, and came out of him. The people were all so amazed that they started saying to one another, “What is this? Is it some kind of new teaching? This man has authority to give orders to the evil spirits, and they obey him!” ||

|| Colossians 2:15 NKJV Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. ||

|| Luke 10:19 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. ||

|| Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Philemon 1:1-25 & Jeremiah 33

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 8:44-59 & 2 Kings 24-25

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

TOPIC: OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SPIRIT[/b]

THEME SCRIPTURE : The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen (2 CORINTHIANS 13:14)

MESSAGE
“The communion of the Holy Ghost” in the verse above refers to the partnership, communication, or fellowship with the Holy Spirit. It involves talking with Him; yielding to His Lordship and guidance; sharing your thoughts with Him, and receiving His thoughts in your spirit and through the Word. This is what marks you out for extraordinary success in life.

Some haven’t understood the incontrovertible benefits and blessings of fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Fellowship with the Spirit should take or form the most part of your daily routine. He wants to be involved with every part of your life.

Christians who take their fellowship with the Holy Spirit seriously are often shielded and protected from chance and unfortunate occurrences. He said in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Think about that! But then, in the ensuing verse 9, He gave an important admonition: “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle...” (Psalm 32:9).

Sometimes you hear, “Twenty-five people were killed in an inferno, and a Christian sister was among them.” Or you hear, “Brother so and so was travelling to see his parents, there was an accident, and he died.” It’s not supposed to be so! There’re no accidents or mishaps to the child of God who’s in tune with the Spirit, filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

When you’re yielded to the Spirit and the Word, the Bible says you “…shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33). Hallelujah! Develop an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Know Him for yourself. Commune with Him constantly in prayer and through meditation on the Word. Remember He’s the Helper, Counsellor, Teacher, Advocate, Comforter, Strengthener and Standby that Jesus said the Father would send to us.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, whom you sent to lead and guide me through life, in fulfilling my destiny in Christ. Through my fellowship with the Holy Spirit, I rule and reign over the forces of darkness, the world and its systems, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
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.

PROVERBS 1:24-33
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 24 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Year Bible Reading Plan:
Hebrews 1 & Jeremiah 34-35
2 Year Bible Reading Plan :
John 9:1-7 & 1 Chronicles 1

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Tuesday, November 2nd.

TOPIC: IN CHRIST—EVERYTHING IS ALIVE

SCRIPTURE: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19).

MESSAGE
Everything in man’s world is in captivity (Romans 8:20), but in God’s world, things are different. For example, Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fishes, talked to them and they multiplied, such that about five thousand men (women and the children not counted) were fed with many baskets of leftovers (Matthew 14:17–20).

In Mark 3:1-5, Jesus looked at the man who had a withered arm and said to him, “Hold out your hand.” When the man held it out, his hand was completely restored. He talked to lame legs and they were revived. He talked to a man who had no legs the legs grew out.

When He got to the entrance of the sepulcher where Lazarus was buried, He uttered a simple prayer of thanks to the Father, and then cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” Lazarus, having been dead and buried for four days, came out of the grave alive (John 11:41-44).

He also raised the daughter of Jairus back to life. He took the dead girl by the hand and said, “Get up!” And she came back to life (Luke 8:54). How about the son of a widow who lived in the city of Nain? He was being borne by the undertakers to the place of internment. Seeing the widow in distress, Jesus walked over, touched the casket and said, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” The hitherto dead young man sat up and Jesus presented him to his mother (Luke 7:11-15). There is a liberty in Christ, and He demonstrated that liberty of the Spirit that He brought to us. In Christ, there’s no such thing as “non-living”; there’re no such things as waste, vanity and death.

The entire creation is groaning in pain, waiting to be liberated into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Now that you’ve arrived on the scene, set the creation free; liberate them. Speak blessings to everything around you that’s “dead” and bring deliverance to every creature in your world. In Christ, take them out of bondage and corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

CONFESSION
I release words of prosperity, health, blessings and life to every creature in my world, taking them out of bondage and corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Everything in and around me is always new, excellent, perfect and full of beauty, because life is working in and through me. The supernatural is an everyday occurrence, because I manifest eternal life. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Matthew 15:30-31 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. ||

|| Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. ||

|| 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 2 & Jeremiah 36-37

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 9:8-17 & 1 Chronicles 2

Rhapsody Of Realities Wednesday, November 3rd.

TOPIC: VICTORY IN HIS NAME


SCRIPTURE: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7)

MESSAGE
In the verse above, like several other portions of the Scriptures, we find the Lord constantly prompting us to overcome. In a reiterative pattern, He announced in Revelation 2:11, “…He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” This is Jesus talking, and in Revelation 3:12, He repeated, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God….”

Jesus already overcame the world and when He did, we were in Him. His victory was for us. In John 16:33, He said, “…be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” In Him, we defeated Satan and all the demons of hell, but we’re required to maintain our victory; that’s our role. That’s the fight of faith.

The Lord knows that the adversary would try to fight us with the systems of this world. But He charged us to resist him, steadfast in the faith. This is what the fight of faith is about and He didn’t leave us without the weapon for the fight. When David confronted Goliath, he said, “...Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts…” (1 Samuel 17:45). That was his weapon: The Name of the LORD of hosts! With that Name, he overcame the Philistines. Hallelujah!

That’s our weapon today. Jesus said, “...In my name shall they cast out devils…” (Mark 16:17). That means, in His Name, you’ll rule over, control, and dispel demons. Then He said we should use His Name in all circumstances: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17). That’s the victory!

As you go to your office, school, place of work or business today, go in the Name of Jesus. That means no matter what’s waiting for you there, you already have the victory; you’ll overpower it in the Name of Jesus! Others may be complaining about their dwindling business fortunes, but your testimony is different. Why? You’re running your businesses in the Name of Jesus.

The Bible says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world…” (1 John 5:4). You’ve overcome the world with its hatred, death, deception, falsehood and falsities, economies and economics—in His Name. Glory to God!

CONFESSION
I’m born of God; therefore, I’ve overcome the world and its hatred, unbelief, wickedness, deceptions, economies and economics, death, falsehood and falsities. I’m victorious forever in the Name of Jesus! Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; ||

|| Ephesians 1:18-21 AMPC By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. ||

|| Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 3 & Jeremiah 38-40

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 9:18-27 & 1 Chronicles 3

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional Thursday, November 4th.

TOPIC: OFFERING SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES

SCRIPTURE: By him (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15).

MESSAGE
The Kingdom of God to which we belong is a spiritual Kingdom. Therein, we carry out spiritual ministry and offer spiritual sacrifices. This is why it’s so important that we’re spiritually minded, because the sacrifices we offer to God must be spiritual sacrifices. God moved from the sacrifices of bulls and goats that couldn’t take away sin, to spiritual sacrifices.

When we say “spiritual,” we’re dealing with spiritual substance, spiritual tangibility. God’s interpretation of our prayers and sacrifices, for example, is spiritual. Even the prophets could see it that way; in Hosea 14:2, the Bible says, “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.”

The words we speak to God come up to Him in the quality of those calves that were sacrificed unto Him in the Old Testament. Our words in worship have the same power and effect in heaven as when they brought the sacrifice of bulls to offer to God. Our words are even more important because they go directly to God, but the bulls and calves were killed and eaten by the people.

Our prayers are spiritual sacrifices. In Psalm 141:2, David said, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” “The fruits of our lips, giving thanks to His Name” is a spiritual sacrifice; that means you’re confessing the greatness of God; you’re confessing that He’s gracious to you, and that He’s been good to you.

When you’re worshipping the Lord in Church, or in your home, or on your knees or standing with your hands lifted, something is actually happening in heaven. But that’s not all! Hebrews 13:16, which is the very next verse to our theme verse says, “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Showing mercy to the poor and looking for opportunities to express acts of kindness to others are sacrifices that are acceptable to God. It means that in heaven, they’re spiritual.

The importance of this is for us to be spiritually minded and understand that these things are real. Do them better, more carefully, and more truthfully.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, you’re gracious and kind; from generation to generation, you’re God! Thank you for your love; thank you for your protection and preservation. Thank you for bringing me into a life of liberty and dominion, to reign and express your will, character and goodness in the earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| Hebrews 13:15-16 AMPC Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. 16 Do not forget or neglect to do kindness and good, to be generous and distribute and contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. ||

|| Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 4:1-13 & Jeremiah 41-43

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 9:28-41 & 1 Chronicles 4

Rhapsody Of Realities Friday, November 5th.
TOPIC: GIVE MORE TIME TO PRAYER

SCRIPTURE: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)

MESSAGE
Esther Chapters 3 and 4 give us an amazing account of Haman, a wealthy man who was close to the reins of power; he was the king’s friend. For some reason, he hated the Jews and wanted them exterminated. He presented a proposal to the king to that effect and with the king’s express permission, he drafted and published a decree for the elimination of all Jews, both young and old.

But the Bible says, “When Mordecai (one of the Jews) perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry” (Esther 4:1). Mordecai understood that even though the decree had been made, God could cause a change in their circumstance.

He thus galvanised the Jews, and called for prayer and fasting. The Bible says “...there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes” (Esther 4:3). All they could do was call on God, and they were miraculously delivered from their enemy!

There’s a similar account in 2 Chronicles 32; the Bible tells us how the Assyrians under Sennacherib, King of Assyria, planned to destroy Judah and take over Jerusalem. The Bible says, “And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria…” (2 Chronicles 32:20-21). Hallelujah!

It makes no difference how many or how strong your adversaries are; in the place of prayer, you can cut off their influence by the power of the Holy Spirit. What you need is to give time to prayer. In the place of prayer, you obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

You have a right to be heard when you pray; therefore, pray often. Remember, He invited us to pray; He’s more willing and passionate to answer you than you could ever imagine. The Bible says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers...” (1 Peter 3:12). Hallelujah! Think about that!

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your love, your grace, your presence, your Word, and for your wisdom at work in me. Thank you for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. As I take advantage of the opportunity and privilege of prayer, I’m victorious always and in all things. I’m making progress from glory to glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| James 5:16 AMPC Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. ||

|| Philippians 4:6-7 AMPC Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ||

|| 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 4:14-5:1-10 & Jeremiah 44-47

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 10:1-10 & 1 Chronicles 5

Rhapsody Of Realities daily devotional. Saturday, November 6th.

TOPIC: HIS RESURRECTION GAVE US ETERNAL LIFE

SCRIPTURE: 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 (John 3:16).

MESSAGE
There’re fundamental tenets of the Faith that every Christian must live by. For example, you must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead; otherwise, you’re not a Christian. That’s because salvation was made available by the resurrection of Jesus. The death of Jesus paid for the sins of the world, but that was neither the end nor the purpose of Jesus’ death.

If you found a poor man who owed a lot of money and you paid his debt, that’ll be great, but not enough. Paying his debt made him a free man, but a “poor free man.” He’ll require something more to live on so he’d be out of poverty. In the same way, when Christ paid for the sins of the world by the shedding of His blood, we were free from the consequences of sin. Awesome! But it didn’t make us free from the nature and power of sin.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ gave us a new life and power over sin. It gave us a new life of righteousness. Hallelujah! Believing in the resurrection means you believe in His death too, because there’ll be no resurrection without the death.

The resurrection is what gave us eternal life. The Bible says in Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” His resurrection ushered us into the new life of righteousness and the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION
Dear Father, thank you for the vicarious death of Jesus, and His glorious resurrection that has made salvation possible for everyone who believes and declares the same. Now, I walk in righteousness, in the newness of life, walking in fellowship with God, by Christ Jesus. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

|| John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: ||

|| Romans 6:7-11 For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ||

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 5:11-6:1-20 & Jeremiah 48-49

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 10:11-21 & 1 Chronicles 6