RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;

20TH JANUARY , 2019 ; BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME;

THE WORDS OF JESUS ;

…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63).

The words of Jesus are life-giving words. His words are full of power, bringing the dead back to life (John 11:43-44), causing the blind to see (Matthew 9:27-30), and making the impotent whole again (John 5:2-9). When He walked the earth, He was a marvel. The Bible says, “…the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). His words appealed to every class with solutions to their pains and miseries. No one truly heard Him and remained the same.

When you study His speech, His communication, you have to come to one of two conclusions: He’s either God or was insane. But if He were insane, then insanity becomes wisdom, because His words were too consistent, too powerful, too gracious, too loving, and too divine to be insane. He spoke with such audacity and power that challenged the most erudite and authoritative minds.

When some officers were sent to arrest Him, rather than arrest Jesus, they were “arrested” by His words. They were so captivated by His teachings that they forgot their mission. When asked why they had come back without Him, they minced no words; they said, “…Never has a man talked as this Man talks! [No mere man has ever spoken as He speaks!]” (John 7:46 AMPC).

What did He say of Himself? Remember, as He is, so are we in this world. For example, He said, “I’m from above; I’m not of this world” (John 8:23); see yourself the same way and speak accordingly. He said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30); affirm the same thing. Study His words for yourself, because the revelation of Jesus is actually the revelation of the new creation. He said, “…carefully study the Scriptures because… They do in fact tell about me” (John 5:39 NCV). In Him, you see you! And like Him, your words are spirit and they are life. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Gracious Father, I thank you for your words in my mouth, for they’re life indeed. As Jesus is, so am I; therefore, the words I speak are spirit and life. Even now, I declare that your righteousness is revealed and manifested in all that concerns me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Matthew 12:35-37; Matthew 24:35; 1 John 4:17

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 14:13-36 & Genesis 49-50

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 8:12-22 & Genesis 21

Friday, January 18, 2019,
Rhapsody of Realities – TeeVo,
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome,

THE WORSHIP CONNECTION,
(Your Spirit Is Connected To Your Hands),

TO THE BIBLE 1 Timothy 2:8

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting”

LET’S TALK

When you lift your hands to the Lord, you may have observed that sometimes, they seem to tremble somehow. They weren’t shaking that way before you started praying and lifted them to the Lord. But the moment you raised them, the anointing came on them, and they started shaking; it’s a signal of the touch of the Spirit at that moment. And if you recognise it and accept what the Spirit of God is doing, and how He’s getting your attention, a lot more could happen.

But not many understand these things. They have to be taught. Spiritual things can be taught, just as natural things of life can be taught. And once you learn them and respond accordingly, you’ll be amazed at how your life just keeps moving forward and upward. There’s something deeply spiritual and pleasing to the Lord about lifting your hands to Him in worship and prayer. Though your hands are physical, there’s a connection between them and your spirit, when you lift them up to the Lord. It’s a spiritual connection between the outward nature and the inward man. It’s not a mere routine. You’re using them to guide your spirit towards God.

In Psalm 141:2, David said, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” The lifting up of your hands to the Lord is far more pleasing to Him than offering physical sacrifices. If the Lord delights so much in seeing you lift your holy hands to Him, then it means it’s something you should take very seriously. You ought to do it because the Word says so! It’s a training you must imbibe, for it’s a spiritual act of reverence.

Go Deeper
Psalm 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

1 Kings 8:54
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

Speak
Blessed Lord, I lift my hands to you in holiness, in praise and adoration, declaring that you alone are God; your glory fills the earth! Thank you for your beauty, and righteousness revealed in me; my heart is filled with praise, and my hands lifted high, in honour of your majesty, and greatness.

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Matthew 13:1-23, Genesis 42-43

TWO YEAR
Acts 10:9-20, Job 7-8

Act
Right where you are, lift those holy hands of yours and pray in the Holy Ghost; worship and magnify the Name of the Lord.

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;

20TH JANUARY,2019;PASTOR CHRIS OYAHILOME;

PRIVILEGED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ;

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

The Lord Jesus, after He paid the full price for our salvation by His death, burial and resurrection, gave us the great commission. He charged us to go into our world and preach the Gospel to every creature. If you find yourself with the opportunity to preach the Gospel in any capacity, you should count yourself tremendously blessed, because it’s a great privilege.

God gave us the privilege of being His partners in changing the world; His partners in soul-winning. Those who haven’t understood this, who haven’t caught this vision and fire, are the ones who still need to be counselled to win souls. God didn’t give the charge of soul-winning to angels; He gave it to you and me; He committed it to our trust. Like Paul, we all must personalise this and make it our life’s work. He said, “The glorious Gospel of the blessed God has been committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:11). You’ve been given the opportunity to serve in the Gospel; to bless and transform lives with the news of His saving power; maximise it.

In John 14:15, Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” If you truly love Jesus, the Lord of your life, you’ll be compelled by His commandment to preach the Gospel as He’s commanded you. He said we should preach the Gospel and teach it to all nations, and every creature. What does that mean to you? It means a life on the go with the Gospel. You’re not stopping until everyone, everywhere has had the opportunity to hear, and receive the Gospel of His grace.

So, be afire; keep running for, and with the Gospel; it’s a mandate that requires urgency. Paul said, “… necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Yes, because you can’t know it and be quiet.

What an honour! That the Lord would do all that He did and send us to herald it around the world is most gracious; a marvellous blessing and privilege! Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

I’m honoured and privileged to be counted worthy of the Lord’s commission to preach His glorious Gospel, and I preach it by the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing salvation to as many as hear and believe. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

1 Corinthians 9:16-18; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20; 1 Timothy 1:11-12

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 13:44-14:1-12 & Genesis 46-48

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 8:1-11 & Genesis 20

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;

19TH JANUARY , 2019 ; PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME ;

NEVER LOSE YOUR COOL ;

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you (Luke 6:28).

Never find yourself offended or losing your cool over the attitude of others towards you. It makes no difference if they mistreat you or take undue advantage of you; maintain the right attitude of love. Someone else’s bad attitude should never change your good behaviour. If anyone has a bad attitude, that’s their problem, but your responsibility is to walk in love towards all.

Some people make “new year resolutions,” part of which is a list of people whom they claim offended them, perhaps, in the previous year, and have decided never to talk to them or relate with them anymore. This is wrong. There shouldn’t ever be people or someone you don’t like or decide never to talk to, irrespective of what they may have done to you. The Word tells us to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).

God never promised that we’ll be well treated by everybody. You may not be treated right; you may not be treated the way you want or think you deserve to be treated; that’s not what’s important! What’s important is your response in whatever circumstances you find yourself; that’s where the blessing really is. If you respond negatively, because someone treated you badly, you’ll get in trouble with the Lord.

Read the Master’s statement in our opening verse; He said, “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:28). Emulate Jesus. He wasn’t vengeful at the wicked men who crucified Him, though the pain was real, and He felt it. They spat at Him. He asked for water, they gave Him vinegar to drink. Think about how they mistreated Jesus; yet, He said, “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34). Keep walking in love. Let that be something you’ve decided to do this year more than ever before.

Always remember that, irrespective of how you’re treated, you can never be disadvantaged. Romans 8:28 says, “… all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” If you’d live and act according to the Word, you’ll continually walk in blessings, and nothing would truncate your joy or dissipate your faith and progress in the Lord.

CONFESSION

I walk in love towards all. I express love and goodwill towards all, thus invoking the blessings of peace and salvation upon them, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 5:2; Luke 6:28-35

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 13:24-43 & Genesis 44-45

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 7:21-29 & Genesis 19

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DEVOTIONAL ;

18TH JANUARY , 2019 ; PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME;

IT’S ALL IN YOU ;

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness… (2 Peter 1:3).

Every seed has in it all that it requires to produce other seeds, and invariably, a forest. Being born again, you’re like a seed, loaded with everything you’ll ever need for growth and success in life.

When a seed is planted, it sprouts, develops a stem, branches, leaves and, eventually, fruits. Question: Where did the stem, leaves, branches and fruits come from? They all came from that seed! Everything the seed needed to have a normal plant-life; to become a big tree and to reproduce fruits with seeds in them, was in the seed. All the seed needed was to be in the right environment.

God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness. He’s already done it! You have within you everything you require for an excellent, triumphant, and balanced life. Everything you require for success and the effectual life of righteousness here on earth is all in your recreated human spirit! Everything you’ll be, and have, is in you.

Therefore, all you need is to be in the right environment, where you can build your inner man, and hear the right things, to help you think the right thoughts, and speak the right words. This is so important because if you hear the wrong things, you’ll say the wrong words and the result would be the wrong fruits showing up in your life, instead of fruits of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 gives us some further insight; it says, “Now we have received…the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak….” Here’s the connection: God has given us everything we require for life and godliness, but the Spirit of God teaches us and helps us know the things which God has given us freely in the spirit. You must learn to speak them as the Spirit gives you utterance in divine wisdom. Hallelujah!

Thus, every so often, affirm, “Glorious things are spoken and written of me. I’m a success and a victor; greater is He that’s in me than he that’s in the world. I reign and rule with Christ, triumphing gloriously every day!” Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

My origin is of God and that makes me an overcomer because greater is He that’s in me than he that’s in the world. The good life, health, success, strength, promotion and prosperity are mine, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Philemon 1:6; Luke 6:45; Proverbs 4:23

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 13:1-23 & Genesis 42-43

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 7:13-20 & Genesis 18

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL ;

16TH JANUARY, 2019 ; PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME;

NO MORE PRICE TO PAY ;

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 (Romans 5:7-8).

Some Christians believe they have to “pay a price” to get God’s approval, attain certain blessings or get to certain heights in their lives, but it doesn’t work that way. Some even have the notion that praying and fasting is a form of price to be paid to experience a greater measure of the anointing, but that isn’t right. Prayer and fasting is for devotional purpose.

If you’re planning on paying a price for the anointing or anything for which Jesus already died, then you don’t believe what Jesus already paid was enough. No more sacrifice is required for you to walk in, and manifest the glory of God. Think about this: God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” This was simply God’s choice.

Abraham didn’t do anything to impress God first before God chose to make him great. The Lord said this to him even before he believed, and his believing was accounted for righteousness. Coming over to the New Testament, it’s the same thing; it’s about Christ and all that He’s already accomplished for us. It’s not about our works. The Bible says not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:9). Colossians 1:12 (NIV) says, “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”

What a marvel this is! We couldn’t qualify by ourselves to become heirs of God and partakers of the divine nature. Neither your good works nor your selfrighteousness was good enough to qualify you for the divine heritage you have in Christ. Therefore, there’s no need striving or struggling to be good enough for God. Simply accept all that Jesus did for you. He paid the price for you to have, and enjoy all things that pertain to life and godliness. Therefore, live in His glory. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

I live in the glory of Christ; I have all things that pertain to life and godliness, because Jesus paid the price for me to have and enjoy life to the full. I live a life of blessings, being my heritage in Christ Jesus. Blessed be God!

FURTHER STUDY:

John 19:30; Hebrews 4:10; 1 Peter 1:10-11

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 12:1-21 & Genesis 38-39

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 6:25-34 & Genesis 16