RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

FAITH IS KEY .

Friday, November 16th .
Pastor Chris

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (Hebrews 11:8).

The Bible described Abraham as the father of faith. The Lord spoke to him to travel to an unknown destination that would become his home, and without further instructions, Abraham stepped out in faith. He didn’t question the Lord; he simply acted on the instruction.

Hebrews 11:9 says, _*“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”*_ In other words, as he journeyed, wherever he pitched his tent or lived with his family at any given time, he lived unto God by faith, on the basis of what God had told him.

On another occasion, the Lord said to him “…for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5). Abraham believed the Word of the Lord, even though he was still childless and all he had were his servants. Nevertheless, by the spirit of faith, he apprehended what the Lord had said, made confessions accordingly, and walked in the reality of it.

Galatians 3:7 tells us they that are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham; which means we’re to follow his example. Therefore, ours is a life of faith; faith is the currency by which we operate in the Kingdom. We’re creatures of faith, from a lineage of faith. The Bible says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Hebrews 11:1 NLT says, _*“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.”*_

Faith is living according to God’s principles, trusting that He’s whom He says He is, that He’s done what He says He’s done, and that He’s given you what He says He’s given you. Faith is anchoring your life on God’s Word, refusing to be swayed to the left or to the right; it’s the title-deed to unseen realities. Blessed be God!

PRAYER

*Dear Father, thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate my faith and live by the principles of our glorious Kingdom. I live a life of faith, and as I act on the Word, my faith is built strong, exercised and energised for continuous success, victories and triumphs. My faith is alive and working, producing the desired results, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 12:14-29 & Ezekiel 13-15

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 John 3:1-12 & Ezekiel 47

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

STAY IN THE TRUTH

Thursday, November 15th , 2018

Pastor Chris

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (Hebrews 2:1).

When you read our opening verse in some newer translations, it seems to suggest that it’s referring to us slipping off what we’ve learnt or have been taught. For example, the NIV says, _*“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”*_ Whereas, the King James Version seems to be saying we shouldn’t allow what we’ve learnt, or the truth, to slip away from us.

However, whether it’s you allowing the truth to slip away from you, or you’re the one drifting away from the truth, the point is, losing what you’ve learned or have been taught. If it left you, or you left it, the result will be the same. You’re supposed to be together or be one with the truth; what you’ve learnt shouldn’t leave you, and you shouldn’t drift away from it either.

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, _*“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves….”*_ In your life, are you following the direction that the Lord gave you, or are you drifting away? Are you doing the things He asked you to do? Look through the instructions you were given in the Word of God, or even in your local assembly, and be sure that you’re walking in the direction that the Lord gave you.

It’s important that you reflect on your life and be sure that you’re walking in sync with the Spirit; you’re following God’s plan for your life. It’s the ministry of the Holy Spirit, not only to teach you, but also to remind you of all He’s taught you. If you give Him your attention, He’ll guide you aright always; Jesus said He’ll guide you into all truth. Trust Him with your life, and He’ll lead and guide you in God’s perfect will for you.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the words of inspiration and instructions you pass to my spirit by the Holy Ghost; I make full-proof of them, living the triumphant life you prearranged for me before the foundations of the world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Proverbs 4:20-21* 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.

1 Timothy 1:18-19* This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 12:1-13 & Ezekiel 11-12

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 John 2:15-29 & Ezekiel 46

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

NOTHING WORKS WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

Wednesday, November 14th ,2018

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (John 14:10).*_

The Holy Spirit is the active agent of the Godhead; He’s the power of God; He carries out the acts of God. Man was created and formed by the Holy Spirit; everything God does outside of His throne is through the Holy Spirit. It’s important to understand that nothing works without the Holy Spirit; there’s no life without Him.

If you were tasked with an evangelical assignment in your local church, for example, until and unless, you execute it by the power of the Spirit; except He’s the one working in, and through you, it’ll be a fruitless expedition. The Bible says, _*“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”*_ (Philippians 2:13); that’s referring to the Holy Spirit. No one can do God’s work without Him. The Bible says, _*“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts”*_ (Zechariah 4:6).

Not even the Lord Jesus could do without the Holy Spirit. All the great works He did were done through the power of the Holy Spirit. We read what He said in our opening verse: _*“…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”*_ If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, it then means you can do nothing without Him.

No wonder God wants us to be filled with the Spirit always (Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit is God at work in us, building His Church through us. Recognise Him as your helper, and you’ll function always with His ability and strength; He’ll make you a success in life and in all that you do.

PRAYER

*Precious Holy Spirit, I acknowledge you as my helper, and the one I need to be an absolute success in life. Thank you for your ability, strength and wisdom mightily at work in me. Health, victory, strength, prosperity and success are mine now and always, as you work in me, both to will, and to do of your good pleasure, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY:
John 15:5* I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 3:5* Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;

John 14:16 AMPC* And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 11:17-40 & Ezekiel 8-10

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 John 2:1-14 & Ezekiel 45

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WALKING IN HIS STEPS .

Tuesday, November 13th , 2018

Pastor Chris

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

The Lord Jesus, in His earth-walk, led an exemplary life. Not only was He a phenomenal intrusion into the sense realm, He was extraordinary in all facets. He was never in want; He had no consciousness of need; He was always in charge of situations and circumstances. He was a marvel, to say the least. He used words like no one ever did.

There isn’t a more perfect example for us to emulate than Jesus. He exercised absolute mastery over circumstances; never flustered or ruffled by anything. Every word He spoke came to pass. Once, He was in a boat with His disciples and they heard Him talk to the boisterous winds and waves. Prior to that time, they had heard Him talk to a tree, and the tree withered from its roots. He talked to blind eyes, and to lame legs, they all heard and obeyed Him. No wonder they asked in utter bewilderment, “What manner of man is this?”

Well, I’ll tell you the manner of man Jesus is: He heads up the new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says if any man be in Christ, he’s a new creature; a new kind of man; this new kind of man is like Jesus. We’re of the same stock. 1 John 4:17 says, “…as he is, so are we in this world.” This is the reason we can emulate Him. Our theme scripture tells us to follow His steps; in other words, follow His examples, because as He is, so are we. He said in Mark 11:23, “You shall have what you say.” Hallelujah!

Practise this even now: command any boisterous wind and wave that may be billowing against your finances, your job, your academics, family, ministry, etc., to cease. Speak to diabetes to be healed; tell that cancerous growth to dematerialise. Like Jesus, you can talk to anything and it’ll obey you. That’s the example Jesus left us with, His very steps that we have to follow.

PRAYER

Thank you blessed Father, for the worthy and glorious examples of Jesus. I take charge of situations and circumstances, and reign in this life over Satan and the elements of this world by the power of the Holy Spirit, and authority in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
John 14:12* 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.

Ephesians 5:1 AMPC* Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 11:1-16 & Ezekiel 5-7

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 John 1:1-10 & Ezekiel 44

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DO IT BECAUSE HE SAID IT .

Monday, November 12th .

Pastor Chris

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

The Christian who’s come to spiritual maturity is always quick to act on the Word; he doesn’t question or try to rationalise God’s Word or His instructions; he simply takes the required actions. That’s where the blessing really is: acting on the Word. As we read in our opening verse, it’s the doers of the Word that please the Father, not those who hear, and do nothing. As long as it’s His Word, be quick and willing to act.

In the New Testament, God doesn’t have to convince us to obey His voice or do His Word, because we live the Word. Like Abraham, we’ve come to trust Him, because we’re acquainted with Him through fellowship. Abraham is, for us, an example of one who greatly esteemed God’s instructions. In Genesis 22:2, the Lord said to him, “…Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”

As tough as this instruction was, Abraham didn’t question it; he acted accordingly and would have sacrificed his son, had the Lord not stopped him. His motivation was simple: God said to do it, and that’s it! This should be your attitude to the Word always. Your pleasure and delight should be in doing the things the Lord said to do. His instruction to you may seem unpleasant or illogical, but be wise and do what He says, because God’s “foolishness” is wiser than man’s wisdom.

If you’re about to make a decision and the Word of God reveals something different, don’t harden your heart; go with the Word. God’s Word will always show you the “more excellent” way. Yield yourself completely to the lordship of the Word, and watch the Word mould, correct, transform, and position you for greatness, and fulfil His destiny for your life.

*PRAYER

*Dear Father, your Word to me is the greatest of all treasures; I’ll forever yield myself to the lordship of your Word to mould, correct and fashion me into that glorious personality that you’ve ordained me to be, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Timothy 3:16-17* All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 10:19-39 & Ezekiel 3-4

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
2 Peter 3:1-18 & Ezekiel 43

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2018

BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR ABILITY IN CHRIST*

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:5).

2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” The power at work in you is divine; it’s got nothing to do with how physically endowed or naturally intelligent you are. The reason you can do anything, be anything, and prosper in whatever you do is the ability of Christ in you. He’s the power at work in you. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Therefore, when circumstances place a demand on you, don’t say, “I’m not sure I can do this,” even if it’s something for which you think you’re not naturally able; by the Holy Ghost, you can do all things! Become conscious of this reality. Always declare, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Christ in you is your strength for success in any endeavour, and your assurance of victory in the face of adversities.

Christ in you is everything! His presence in you makes you supernatural; He strengthens you with might in your inner man; that means no weakness in your life. Before you received the Holy Spirit, you may have been weak and timid, easily discouraged, but now you’re turned on from within by His divine power! You’re bold and courageous, audacious in faith, with power over crises.

Become conscious that you’re not alone; 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.” No matter the challenges you might face in life, you can chew them up; you have Christ’s ability to face whatever comes out against you and win. When you face oppositions, you’re not to rely on or boast in your human ability, but in the life of Christ within.

Make up your mind to live triumphantly every day, and do big things for the Lord, for He’s granted you the ability of Christ.

CONFESSION

My sufficiency is of God, who has lavishly endowed me with tremendous abilities and uncanny skills to make me fit for any task. He’s the One at work in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Therefore, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me!

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Galatians 2:20 AMPC
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Hebrews 10:1-18 & Ezekiel 1-2

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Peter 2:1-22 & Ezekiel 42

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE PRAYER THAT WORKS .

Saturday, November 10th , 2018

Pastor Chris

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7).

Sometimes, you find Christians who say, “I need powerful prayers; so please, pray a powerful prayer for me.” But what’s a powerful prayer anyway? What makes a prayer powerful? Is it the loudness of the voice of the one praying, or is it because they’re speaking religious words? Well, what you need isn’t a “powerful” prayer, but a simple prayer to a powerful God.

The Lord Jesus, in our opening verse, said that when you pray, you shouldn’t act like the heathen who use vain, repetitive words. They erroneously think they’ll be heard for their much speaking; Jesus said we shouldn’t pray like that. Read His words: “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matthew 6:8).

Learn to pray like Jesus; He prayed and acted simply. Imagine the simple way He prayed at the tomb of Lazarus. The Bible says, “…And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth”(John 11:41-43).

What makes prayer work is faith, and not the multitude or multiplicity of words. Jesus made this very clear in Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”Therefore, make your prayers simple; pray with faith, and avoid vain repetitions.

When you pray in other tongues, your spirit, by the Holy Spirit, prays according to the will of God. That’s primarily the way you ought to pray as a Christian: pray with the spirit first; that is, in tongues, before you pray with your understanding, your natural earthly language. “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15).

*PRAYER*

*I declare that my faith is effectual. Therefore, I effect necessary changes in my life and circumstances by the power of the Holy Spirit and with the Word, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

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FURTHER STUDY:
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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

James 5:14-16 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 9:11-28 & Lamentations 3-5

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
2 Peter 1:13-21 & Ezekiel 41

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RIGHTEOUSNESS—A GIFT OF GRACE .

Friday, November 9th, 2018

Pastor Chris

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21).

Righteousness is the nature of God in you that produces the ability to stand before God without guilt, inferiority, or condemnation. Righteousness is the outworking of divine grace, granting acceptance, liberty, and rights to the human spirit in the presence of God. So, the grace of God has given us this righteousness; that’s what we read in our opening verse.

Our righteousness is God’s gift to us in Christ Jesus, because of His grace. By grace, we received God’s nature of righteousness and were translated into the Kingdom of His Love-Son, where we reign and rule with Him. John 1:17 says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17 says, “…they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”

Not only do we have dominion over the devil and circumstances, we live in the righteousness of God, and live as the righteousness of God. Nothing, and no one, can condemn us anymore, because God has justified us; He’s acquitted us, and it was righteous for Him to do this for us: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

It’s your responsibility to take a hold of your righteousness; that is, to become righteousness-conscious and exercise dominion over Satan, the world, and all circumstances. Righteousness-consciousness gives you that boldness and confidence to pray and expect answers. It gives you mastery over demons and their manipulations. It makes you a champion in life!

It really doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or who you’ve been; you’re now accepted in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:6). Now, in His presence, you’re at liberty; you don’t have to be afraid anymore; you’re free to express yourself and to be yourself, unashamed before Him. You’re free to live joyfully, and to worship Him, because you have right-standing with Him; you’re His righteousness. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the gift of righteousness; now I stand justified and glorified before you in love, free to worship you and live joyfully in your presence. I take advantage of my right-standing with you to rule and reign as a king in life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

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.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

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

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
2 Peter 1:1-12 & Ezekiel 40

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

ACTING YOUR FAITH .

Thursday, November 8th , 2018

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life (John 6:47).

Sometimes, people confuse faith with believing. Both concepts are actually related, and they work together, but they’re not the same. Faith is translated from the Greek word “pistis,” which is a noun, while believe, on the other hand, is “pisteuo,” a verb which means to demonstrate your faith, to act your faith.

When you say you “believe,” it’s not passive but active; there’s action to it. “Believing” is a word of action; it’s actually “doing” your faith. So, when we say we’re “believers” in Jesus, it means we’re doers of the Word; we’re Word practitioners. That’s why the Bible says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). Faith requires a corresponding action; you prove your faith by your actions; that’s believing.

The Apostle James explained the difference between faith without actions, and faith with actions. Faith without actions is dead, but faith with actions produces results. He says, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). What he explains here is the simple word “Believe.” If I say, “I believe in Jesus Christ,” it means I do my faith; whatever it is that I believe about Jesus is revealed in my actions; I’m talking it; I’m walking it. I’m acting it. Hallelujah!

Understanding the relationship between faith and believing is very important, because they’re fundamental to your possessing and enjoying other blessings of the Gospel. Believing is faith and corresponding action put together. You must act your faith as a believer in Jesus Christ. Your faith calls the unseen into manifestation. With your faith, you see and create the invisible and make impossible things possible. Praise God!

PRAYER

*Dear Father, I thank you for the blessing of acting my faith on the basis of your Word, thereby enjoying all the blessings encapsulated in the Gospel. I make progress by the Word today, confident in its ability to put me over and cause me to excel in all I do, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

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Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Mark 9:23* Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Hebrews 8 & Jeremiah 52

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=>
1 Peter 5:1-14 & Ezekiel 39