RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WE MUST KEEP PRAYING .

Thursday, October 18th .
Pastor Chris

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

There’re many things happening in our world today that call for our importunity in prayer. If we must change things in the direction of God’s purpose and plan, then we must keep interceding for our nations and the environments in which we deal. We must also pray for the leaders of nations.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-3, we’re admonished to pray for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life in all godliness and honesty. This isn’t something we do once and go to sleep. The Bible says, “…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]”*_ (James 5:16 AMPC). Notice the word, “continued”; we’re to continue in intercession for the nations, leaders, and peoples of the world. If we want peace in our nations and in our environments, then we must pray in line with God’s Word.

Out of ignorance, many blame God for the things that go wrong in their lives and in our world: the troubles, the wars, earthquakes, rainstorms, mudslides, floods, wildfires, and other disasters. What such people have failed to realise or are unaware of is that the responsibility, as well as the authority to establish the will of God on the earth and keep Satan and his demons in check, rests with us—the Church.

It’s our responsibility to ensure that whatever changes we seek in our lives as individuals, in the lives of others, and in the nations of the world, are effected through intercessory prayers. Never think that your prayer isn’t making any difference; you make great impact when you pray. Therefore, continue in prayer for your country, for God’s people, and ministers of the Gospel; for the leaders and those in positions of authority; for the sick, needy, and those in pain. Even when you don’t “feel” like praying, pray!

Always stir yourself and respond to the call and urgency of prayer from your spirit. When you do this consistently, intercession will become a part of you, resulting in great changes in your life, in the lives of others, in your nation, and in your immediate environment, to the glory of Christ.

PRAYER

*Dear Father, your righteousness prevails, and is established in the nations of the world, and in the hearts of men, as your children all around the world proclaim the truth of the Gospel. The hearts of the leaders of nations are mantled with wisdom to walk in your will, and fulfil your purpose, which is the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

FURTHER STUDY:
*Ezekiel 3:17* Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

1 Thessalonians 5:17* Pray without ceasing.

1 Timothy 2:1-3
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 & Jeremiah 3-4

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 9:1-10 & Ezekiel 16

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SPEAK SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE.

Wednesday, October 17th , 2018

Pastor Chris

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).

The Apostle Paul had an experience with the Christians at Corinth; he wasn’t able to communicate with them in spiritual language. Therefore, in our opening verse, he reprimanded them for being carnal.

On another occasion, he said to the Christians in Rome, “I’m having to communicate with you at your level, because you’re yet to come to a higher level of maturity.” He said, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh…”(Romans 6:19).

It reminds of the experience Jesus also had with His disciples. John 11 tells us that Lazarus had fallen sick and died. When Jesus was informed, He said to His disciples, “…Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep” (John 11:11).

His disciples, not understanding His spiritual language, replied, “Lord, if he is asleep, he will get better.” Jesus had to tell them plainly, “…Lazarus is dead”*_ (John 11:14). He had to speak to them in a language they could understand.

Have you ever found yourself in situations where you had difficulty expressing God’s truth to carnal men? For example, you couldn’t say, “I have a headache,” even though you felt a headache. The carnal man, on the other hand, sees nothing wrong communicating at such a low level, failing to realise that as Christians, we don’t walk by our feelings, but by the Word.

You ought not to talk sickness, even when you feel the symptoms of sickness in your body. Use the Word against any pain or anomaly in your body; command it to cease, and it’ll pass out of your body. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “…for he (God) hath said…that we may boldly say….”*_ You’re only supposed to say what you have, that God gave to you. Don’t affirm or accept anything that’s from the devil. Talk spiritual. Speak the Word only, and always.

CONFESSION

*I’m what God says I am. God’s Word is my life; therefore, I live out the Word. My life is the testimony of God’s grace and infinite blessings. The Word of God is in my heart and in my mouth, and as I speak it forth, circumstances align with God’s perfect will for my life, in Jesus’ Name.*

FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 12:36-37* But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Hebrews 13:5-6 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 & Jeremiah 1-2

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 8:1-13 & Ezekiel 14-15

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RESPOND ONLY IN LOVE

Monday, October 15th , 2018

Pastor Chris

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

From the verse above, it’s clear that there’ll always be those who might dislike you, persecute you, and despise you; but you’re only permitted to respond to them in love. The actions or attitude of such people should never provoke you to act contrary to your true nature, which is love. God is love, and anyone who loves is of God, and knows God.

The summation of God’s character is love; we’re therefore to emulate Him by walking in love. Ephesians 5:2 (AMPC) admonishes us to _*“…walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.”*_ 1 John 4:7-8 says, _*“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”*_

In our journey of faith, there’ll always be those who’ll test us; everyone who relates with you is placed there by God for your benefit; whether they’re helping you or they’re against you doesn’t make any difference. It doesn’t stop God’s plan of promoting you. If they’re kind, loving, and helpful to you, appreciate them and praise God for them; if they’re otherwise, love them nonetheless.

If someone accuses you falsely, for example, or you’re lied against, don’t get upset and try to justify your innocence to the point of acting in a manner that’s not beffitng to righteouness. Rather, keep walking in love. Love is a force—the greatest power in the universe—and it’ll always win.

Our love-walk is the primary proof that we love the Lord, and it speaks of our oneness and like-mindedness with Him. Romans 5:5 says the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit; that means you have the capacity to love as He does. Jesus said, _*“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”*_ (John 13:35). What a way to distinguish ourselves from the rest of the world!

PRAYER

Dear Father, you’ve given me the ability to love like you, and I’m so grateful! You’ve granted me an understanding of the extraordinary dimensions of your love; that love radiates through me profusely to others! Thank you for making me the dispenser of your goodness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
*Luke 6:27-35* But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.

Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 & Isaiah 61-63

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 7:1-10 & Ezekiel 10-11

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RIGHTEOUSNESS MAKES US MASTERS .

Sunday, October 14th , 2018

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).*_

Righteousness is the nature of God, which was imparted to your spirit when you were born again; it’s a gift from God to the whole world, but not everyone has received it. However, those who receive the gift of righteousness, according to the scriptures, shall reign in life! The Amplified version says, they shall reign as kings in life.

The word “reign” in Romans 5:17 above is actually a verb, which in the original Greek construction means “to king”; that expresses authority, dominion, and mastery. Righteousness makes us masters in life; we reign, or “king” in life, through righteousness. Righteousness-consciousness eliminates any sense of guilt, condemnation, or inferiority from us; it places us ahead and above Satan and his accusations. It also gives us the boldness and confidence to pray to God and expect answers; we’re unafraid and unashamed before Him, because we have His righteousness.

Without an understanding of righteousness, a Christian can’t live victoriously over the enemy. He’ll be subject to the elements of the world, not understanding the extent and potency of his authority in Christ. This is why you must keep growing in the knowledge of God’s Word. Ephesians 4:14 says, _*“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”*_

Be conscious that you’re the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. There’re some Christians who experience spiritual attacks; that’s because they aren’t righteousness-conscious; they aren’t living the Word. They haven’t come to the realisation that they’re kings in life. Isaiah 32:1 lets us know that kings reign in righteousness.

By virtue of your new life in Christ, and your position as a righteous king-priest, the whole world is subdued before you. You have the mastery over Satan and his cohorts of darkness; you’re a champion for life! Glory to God!

PRAYER*

Dear Father, I thank you for your righteousness in my spirit, which has made me a master over Satan and the powers of darkness, and has put me in a position of advantage. I reign and rule as a king, walking in mastery and victory over circumstances. The world is subdued before me, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 5:21* For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 & Isaiah 59-60

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 6:11-20 & Ezekiel 8-9