RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL;

WE ALWAYS WIN .

Tuesday, June 25th , 2019;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour… (Acts 7:9-10).

As God’s children, we’re never disadvantaged. Everything in life, every situation we find ourselves, can only work to our advantage. Consider the story of Joseph. Everywhere he went, he prospered. He was described as a prosperous man, despite being a slave in Potiphar’s house. What made the difference in his life was God’s presence.

Genesis 39:2 says, “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man….”God’s presence, Christ in you, is your advantage; that’s your assurance for victory. 1 John 4:4 says, “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.”The reason we win, and would always win, is Christ in us; the greater One in us. Hallelujah!

I mean, think about it: Joseph was eventually unjustly sent to prison, due to false accusations from Potiphar’s wife. Yet, in prison, the Bible says, “…the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison”*_ (Genesis 39:21). The Bible doesn’t say you might not get into trouble; but the Lord’s assurance is that in the midst of the trouble, you’ll prevail. He’ll rid you of that trouble, because He’s with you, and in you.

Nothing compares to Christ in us! That’s our confidence and assurance for a triumphant and prosperous life. Christ in you means you can never be disadvantaged, irrespective of the situation or circumstance that you may find yourself. Right in that seeming dungeon, He’d cause you to triumph.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ….”This is your life. This is your story: one of endless victories and persistent progress and productivity in Christ Jesus.

It makes no difference the challenges you might be facing at home, in your workplace, etc.; be comforted! Christ in you will put you over and turn things around in your favour. Therefore, rejoice, because come what may, you’ll always win.

CONFESSION

I’m surrounded with God’s favour as a shield, and positioned by His grace for a life of peace and total prosperity! I win every day, because I live by the faith of Jesus Christ. His divine power has given me everything I require for life and godliness, and I know it. Therefore, I rejoice in my victories, prosperity, and blessed life in Christ. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: *Genesis 39:21-23* But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that [were] in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer [of it]. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing [that was] under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and [that] which he did, the LORD made [it] to prosper.

2 Corinthians 2:14* Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

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

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Acts 11:19-30 & Nehemiah 1-3

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Luke 4:1-13 & Deuteronomy 23

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo;

Tuesday, June 25 ,2019;

TRUTHS FOR TODAY;

(Delve Into Your New Creation Realities)

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

TO THE BIBLE
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

◀️ LET’S TALK
There’re certain truths about the new creation which, as Christians, we must be conscious of and live by. These are not promises but established truths in God’s Word—present hour realities. One of such is our opening verse above. When you received Christ into your life, you became a new creation. “If any man be in Christ, he ‘is’ a new creation.” “Is” is a “now” word—a presenthour reality! You’re not going to be a new creation when you get to heaven; you’re a new creation now! Your new life started the day you made Jesus Lord of your life.

An important truth in our Kingdom is about the Word as God’s cleansing material and agent of change. Jesus said in John 15:3, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” It doesn’t matter the depth of a man’s sin; if he would give attention to God’s Word, he’ll be cleansed. God’s Word cleanses your system of all unrighteousness and every anomaly, sickness and disease inclusive.

Another of such glorious realities is that we’re heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ! “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:17). To be a joint-heir with Christ means everything that belongs to Him belongs to you, in the same way and degree that it belongs to Him. Both of you own everything hundred per cent together. Therefore, like Him, you’ve also been appointed heir of all things. No wonder Paul said, “…all things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21).

The Lord Jesus took your place of sin and condemnation that you might become the righteousness of God in Christ. Now, you’re one with Him, having His life and nature in your spirit. These and more are present-hour realities of who you are, and your placement in Christ. Study the Word to know more, and take a hold of your inheritance in Christ!

Go Deeper
Psalms 16:6; Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 6:17

Pray
Dear Father, my faith increases as I give myself to the study of your Word. Teach me to take advantage of the grace that’s in Christ Jesus, and to live a life of faith that is based on your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 11:19-30, Nehemiah 1-3

TWO YEAR
2 Corinthians 8:18-24, Isaiah 13

Act
What other new creation realities do you know? Write them down below, with your reference scriptures.

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL;

IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BE “GOD-FEARING”

Monday, June 24th , 2019

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again (John 3:7).

Sometimes, there’re those who are described by others as “godly” or “god-fearing,” even though they’re not born again. But being godly or god-fearing isn’t the same as being born again.

In Acts 10, we find a most interesting case of conversion, the conversion of Cornelius, a very “godly” man. In fact, the Bible says he was a “devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2). What an amazing description!

He was benevolent, liberal and “god-fearing”; consistent and persistent in his prayer life. He was a just man (Acts 10:22). And he even saw visions: “He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him…” (Acts 10:3). Yet, he wasn’t saved; he wasn’t born again. An angel had to tell him, “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts 10:5-6).

In our opening verse, Jesus didn’t mince words when He spoke to Nicodemus. He said, “Ye must be born again.” He didn’t say if you’re “god-fearing,” it’s okay. He used the term, “born again” to express the necessity for man’s spiritual rebirth. Sometimes we encounter such people as Cornelius. They have a good reputation and moral character; but being well-spoken of by others doesn’t merit God’s salvation.

This is why we preach the Gospel. The Gospel is about Jesus Christ; it’s not about what you have done, or what you haven’t done. It’s about Christ and what He’s done for you, which if you’d accept was enough, then salvation is yours. The Bible says, “And by him (Jesus) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses”*(Acts 13:39).

In case you’re like Cornelius today reading this, you need to receive words by which you can be saved. Those words are in Romans 10:9. It says, “…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.” This is the Bible way to receive salvation.

PRAYER

*Dear heavenly Father, I’m forever grateful for the salvation of my soul, having confessed with my mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believed in my heart that you raised Him from the dead. And today, I pray for the unsaved around the world, that the light of this glorious Gospel will shine in their hearts, for salvation, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: *Mark 8:36-37* For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

John 3:3* Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

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

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Acts 11:1-18 & Ezra 9-10

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Luke 3:23-38 & Deuteronomy 22

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo;

Monday, June 24 , 2019;

SHOW SOME REGARD;

Honour Spiritual Authority ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

TO THE BIBLE
Jude 1:9 NASB “…Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

◀️ LET’S TALK
There’s a remarkable lesson for us to learn from the attitude of Michael the archangel, when he disputed with satan over the body of Moses. Michael, with all his power and glory, couldn’t dare bring an accusation against satan, an evil personality. This was because he recognised that satan had Adamic authority, which is higher than angelic authority. Adam lost his authority to satan when he ate of the fruit God had instructed him not to.

As a result, Michael could only rebuke satan in the Name of the Lord, a higher authority. This is very instructive on how we’re to relate to spiritual authority as God’s children. You should never criticise, dishonour or speak against those whom the Lord has placed in positions of authority. That’s the way I’ve lived; I don’t say things against God’s people, especially ministers of the Gospel, because they carry the authority of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “…we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work…” (NASB), Some people in the church have authority over you in the Lord, and they must be honoured as such.

Sadly, there’re some in the Church who believe they’re smarter than their pastors, and are always wanting to “advise” or instruct them on how to run the affairs of the church. This is wrong. You must remain submitted to spiritual authority in order to walk in the power of the Spirit, and fulfil the call of God on your life.

🎯 Go Deeper
Numbers 26:9-10; 1 Samuel 26:9

🔊 Pray
Dear Father, thank you for your Word that guides my thoughts, words, and actions. Your wisdom is at work in me today, and I’m yielded to the Holy Spirit, who perfects all that concern me, teaching me how to walk in wisdom and recognise spiritual authority, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

📚 Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 11:1-18, Ezra 9-10

TWO YEAR
2 Corinthians 8:9-17, Isaiah 11-12

▶️ Act
Pray for ministers of the Gospel around the world today.

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL;

CHRISTIANITY — A FELLOWSHIP ;

Sunday, June 23rd , 2019;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

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

Real or authentic Christianity is God alive and functioning in a human person. It’s the pulsating life of Christ in a human body; divinity at work in humanity. This is what many haven’t understood about Christianity; the fact that it’s a living relationship with a living God. This is what Jesus made possible for us: fellowship with God. That’s the biggest thing, the all-inclusive word that Christianity is about: FELLOWSHIP; everything else is inside it.

The greatest glory of Christianity is our fellowship with God. Once you come into that relationship, everything changes for you. The Lord Jesus Christ brought us into oneness, communion, partnership, union, and comradeship with Almighty God! He died, was buried, and God raised Him up with a new kind of life.

The Bible says He was “…crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man”(Hebrews 2:9). He did all He did to bring us into a divine, heavenly pantheon. Now, we’re partakers of the divine nature. The Bible says He has “…raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). He brought us into Himself.

Now, from that place, in Him and through Him, you’re reigning in life. This is what Christianity is about; God’s work in a man. It’s a call to oneness with Divinity. You have the divine life of God, and you’re in an everlasting fellowship with Him. This is a real experience. He took up His abode in you for you to live in, and through Him.

Get to know the reality of this relationship and live beyond mere religion. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the wonderful life I have in Christ and the everlasting fellowship I have and enjoy with you. I function in this oneness and live the life you’ve preordained for me before the foundation of the world: a life of progress, success, peace and prosperity; something greater than religion, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

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. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 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.

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Acts 10:24-48 & Ezra 7-8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Luke 3:12-22 & Deuteronomy 21

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WISDOM IS A GUIDING FORCE .

Saturday, June 22nd , 2019;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

Yet wisdom is vindicated (shown to be true and divine) by all her children [by their life, character, and deeds](Luke 7:35 AMPC).

True wisdom is the manifestation or revelation of the rightness of God in your spirit; it’s a guiding force that causes you to act, respond or speak beyond natural human reasoning. It’s also the expression of the power of God in thoughts, plans, purpose and decision-making. When the wisdom of God functions in you, it becomes the power that influences your choices in life. That’s why it’s a guiding force.

Wisdom propels you in the right direction in life, and positions you in the place of advantage. For example, Genesis 39 tells the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Nevertheless, the Bible says he found grace in the sight of Potiphar, his master, and served him: “…and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand”(Genesis 39:4).

In the course of time, Joseph was imprisoned because his master’s wife accused him falsely. But wisdom promoted Joseph, and gave him the advantage, such that even while in prison, he became the head of the prisoners. Joseph’s story is a very inspiring one.

Notice Pharaoh’s remarks to his servants as a result of the wisdom he saw and heard in Joseph: “…Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou…See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt”(Genesis 41:38-41).

The Egyptian Empire was preserved by the wisdom of God revealed in the thirty-year-old Hebrew prisoner, Joseph. Wisdom promoted him from being a prisoner to become Prime Minister of the most powerful empire overnight.

No wonder we’re admonished in the Word to celebrate and exalt wisdom (Proverbs 4:8). When you do, wisdom will promote you and propel you in the path of honour and greatness.

CONFESSION

I speak wisdom, I walk in wisdom, and I manifest wisdom, because Christ has been made unto me wisdom. I have great amplitude of comprehension, and deal wisely in all my affairs. I’m guided and propelled by wisdom to think, talk and act right always, in sync with God’s perfect will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 1:30* But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Proverbs 4:5-9* Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Acts 10:1-23 & Ezra 4-6

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>* Luke 3:1-11 & Deuteronomy 20

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL; 21^ST JUNE, 2019;

BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME;

SEE WITH GOD’S LIGHT;

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105) ;

God’s Word is the true Light that lights every man that comes into the world (John 1:9); it’s the compass with which you navigate your way successfully through life. Life is filled with chances and choices; and in making decisions you need proper guidance, which only God’s Word can provide.

The Bible says, “That which makes manifest is light” (Ephesians 5:13); meaning that light illuminates. Hebrews 4:1213, apart from highlighting the power and efficacy of God’s Word, also reveals its functionality as light. Part of it says, “”…Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

The Word of God sees and knows everything; it touches every subject in life and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. When you study the Word, you receive much more than inspiration; you receive divine light, insight, and wisdom to deal excellently in life.

No one can know what’s true or real except through the light of God’s Word, for the Word is truth (John 17:17), and truth means reality. If, today, there seems to be darkness in any area of your life, perhaps in your family, health, academics or business, use the true light, God’s Word. The solution to darkness is light. If the true Light (God’s Word) dwells in you richly, as admonished in Colossians 3:16, fear, failure, lack, sickness and all other results of darkness won’t have any place in you.

See with God’s light. See from the perspective of His Word. Interpret situations, circumstances and the conditions of your life from the standpoint of the Word. His light shows that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. His light shows that you’re prosperous and have been brought into a wealthy place. His light shows that divine health is your present-hour possession and right in Christ.

CONFESSION

I Know, and walk in my inheritance in Christ Jesus because I live and see from God’s perspective. His Word is my light, and that’s the light in which I live. I’m walking in the path of God’s destiny for my life, because I walk in the light, as He is in the light.

 

Hallelujah!

John 8:12; Proverbs 6:23; Hebrews 4:12-13

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Acts 9:32-43 & Ezra 1-3

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

 

Luke 2:41-52 & Deuteronomy 19

Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional ; Thursday, 20th June 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;

HE SAVES THROUGH WORDS ;

…Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved (Acts 11:13-14).

In Acts 11, we read the very insightful account of the conversion of Cornelius and his household. Cornelius was a Roman centurion who was devout and prayerful. He was God-fearing and regularly gave alms to the poor, yet he wasn’t saved. But on a certain day, an angel appeared to him, instructing him to send for Peter who shall tell him words, whereby he and all his house shall be saved

God saw the man’s “goodness” and moral uprightness, yet those weren’t enough to save him. The angel specifically said to him, “…Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). Yet, the man still needed to send for the Apostle Peter, who would lead him and his household to utter the words of salvation. This shows that God saves through words! But what words?

Romans 10:9 corroborates this principle. It says, “…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.” The word, “confess” is from the Greek “homologia,” and it means, “speaking the same thing in consent”; in other words, you have to speak words that are in agreement with what God has said, in order for you to be saved. That’s true confession and principle for salvation.

Salvation is all-encompassing. It refers to deliverance from sin and it’s consequences, preservation, divine healing and health, protection, prosperity and all the good things that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ obtained for you. To be saved, therefore, means to be severed and totally disconnected from all negative influences and circumstances of life; and there’s more. The Confession of His Lordship.

When you say, “Jesus is Lord over my life,” besides the fact that you’re immediately transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s love-Son, you’re also affirming that He’s the Shepherd and Lord over your life, business, finances; therefore, you’ll never lack or be poor! He’s Lord over your body; therefore, you’ll never be sick or diseased! You’re also declaring that He’s your refuge and your fortress, and for that reason, you dwell in safety. Blessed be God!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for your blessed Word that’s fulfilled in my life. I make progress from glory to glory, in the direction of your perfect will for my life, because I live in your Word, and speak faith-filled words. I dwell in health, safety, and peace forever, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

FURTHER STUDY:

Mark 11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Romans 10:9-10
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.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Acts 9:1-31 & 2 Chronicles 35-36

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Luke 2:33-40 & Deuteronomy 18

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo ; Thursday, 20th June 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;

THE DILIGENT VS SLOTHFUL ;

TO THE BIBLE Proverbs 12:24 AMPC ;

“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.”

LET’S TALK➡
Slothfulness is one of the antonyms of diligence. That means the one who isn’t diligent is slothful, and will of necessity live a hard life, while the diligent receive promotion. The New Living Translation puts Proverbs 12:24 this way, “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” It makes a difference what you do; if you work hard, you’ll be a leader and a champion. When it says, “Work hard,” it means to diligently do whatever is required to be done to achieve excellence in what you do. The slothful ending up a slave doesn’t mean he’s going to be a slave to somebody else but to a system. That means he’ll be hemmed-in in life—a slave of the world’s system— whipped by the whims of life.

The diligent, on the other hand, “will rule”; that means they shall have authority. If you want to be successful in anything, whether it’s about gaining some more weight or shedding some thereof, or perhaps about your health or studies, diligence is what you need. Diligence means careful, persistent and determined actions to achieve a definite purpose. Proverbs 22:29 tells us that the diligent is not only going to stand tall among kings, he’s going to walk among them. Whether he becomes a king or not, he’s going to be known among kings. Isn’t that wonderful?

You’re not going to be among obscure men when you’re diligent. God cares about your life and what happens to you; He wants you to have excellent results in all that you do, that’s why He wants you to be diligent. You may have set goals for yourself in the area of your finances, health, spiritual or career development; pursue those goals with diligence. To fulfill God’s destiny for your life, you have to work on being diligent in every area of your life. Diligence is truly a pathway to greatness.

GO DEEPER

Proverbs 12:24 AMPC
The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Romans 12:11
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

PRAY🗣
Dear Father, I thank you for granting me through your Spirit and through the effectual working of your Word in me, the discipline and ability to be diligent in all I do. Thank you for bringing me into places of influence and authority as I channel my energies into achieving excellence and perfection in all that I do, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 9:1-31, 2 Chronicles 35-36

TWO YEAR
2 Corinthians 6:11-18, Isaiah 7

Act🔽
Practice applying painstaking effort and giving close detail with the things you do today. That’s the first step toward being diligent and excellent.

Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional ; Wednesday, 19th June 2019  ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;

IT’S HAPPENING REAL-TIME ;

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

Notice that the verse we just read doesn’t say, “For it is God who used to work in you….” Rather, it says, “For it is God which worketh in you….” The word, “worketh” is old English for “works”; it’s not in the past or future tense. It’s present progressive tense. God is at work in you, NOW! It’s happening in real time. He’s effectively at work in you, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill His perfect will for His good pleasure. Aren’t you glad about that!

This means there’s no margin or possibility for failure or weakness, because the Almighty God Himself is the one propelling, inspiring, enabling and driving you to do His will! There’re those who are concerned and even scared about tomorrow; not being sure if they’d still be pleasing God, and walking in His light. No! Not when you’re conscious that He’s the One at work in you.

Yes, by your own strength you won’t make it; you might falter and fall. The Bible says “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength (natural human ability) shall no man prevail” (1 Samuel 2:9). He thus gave us the Holy Spirit, to live in us and help us live the God-life to the full.

Walking in righteousness, participating in godly and productive activities, attending church meetings, preaching the Gospel, loving others, etc., are results of His effectual, real-time work in you! All that time you had the thought to do something that’s good for God, and good for people, it wasn’t your mind or your flesh; it was God working in you.

Even now, He’s the One at work in you as you study this devotional. Through the teachings, prayers, further study, and the different daily Bible readings, He’s bringing you information and enlightenment. The intensity of His glory is increasing in your life, as you bask in untold blessings of His Word. He’s making necessary adjustments, transformations and changes in your life, to keep you a champion and a victor forever. And He’s doing this in real time! Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I acknowledge and take full advantage of your inherent power and energy, which so powerfully works in me. I bask in your mighty grace that’s at work in me even now, and I declare that I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. I’m sufficient in your sufficiency, functioning by the ability, efficiency, and might of the Spirit, in Jesus’s Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

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

Colossians 1:29 NIV
To this end, I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

1 John 4:4 AMPC
Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Acts 8:9-40 & 2 Chronicles 33-34

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: