Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo; Monday, 15th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;

IT’S GOOD AS DONE!
(Have Child-Like Faith With God’s Word)

TO THE BIBLE Matthew 8:13 CEV
“…Jesus said to the officer, “You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.” Right then his servant was healed.”

LET’S TALK➡
“But Dad, I thought you’d go with me to get my gift,” Kathy inquired from her dad on the morning of her eighteenth birthday. “Not to worry, darling. I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you get to the dealership: tell the manager you’re my daughter and show him your ID card,” he responded with a confident smile. Kathy had a big grin on her because she believed her father’s words and went ahead with her friends to get her birthday present, which was a brand new sports car!

This reminds me of the story in the Bible of a certain centurion whose beloved servant was sick to the point of death. He heard of the Lord Jesus and sent the Jewish elders to plead with Him to heal his servant. Jesus agreed to go with them, but along the way, the centurion sent word to the Lord, telling Him not to take the trouble to come into his house, but to “…say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6-7). For the centurion, the matter would be settled if only Jesus spoke the Word from wherever He was. And just as he believed, his servant was perfectly healed the very moment Jesus declared the Word of healing.

This is the kind of child-like faith God wants you to demonstrate. Whatever your desire, understand that the Master’s Word has all the power to produce the miracle. God’s answer to whatever trouble you might be facing is His Word! The Word of God for your next level of success, victory, and prosperity has already been given; go ahead and take a hold of it!

Go Deeper

John 16:23-24
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Psalm 107:17-20
Fools, because of their transgression,
And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.

18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food,
And they drew near to the gates of death.

19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.

20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.

PRAY🗣
Dear Father, I thank you for your precious Word, which I regard more than physical food! Your Word is the divine nourishment for my spirit, and by your Word, I profit today and always. I make progress, excel and triumph over all circumstances, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 23:12-35, Job 40-42

TWO YEAR
Galatians 4:12-20, Isaiah 35

Act🔽
Read about the Syrophenician woman and how she received a miracle for her daughter (Mark 7:24-30). Then ask whatever you desire, knowing that the Lord who invited you to do so is bound by His Word; He never fails, so receive as you ask.

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL; Monday, July 15th, 2019;

HE DOESN’T TAKE AWAY BY DEATH.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome;

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26).

In most religious circles, when funerals are being conducted, it’s common to hear the officiating minister say, “The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.” But the Lord doesn’t “take away” by death. He’s the giver or author of life, and death isn’t from Him.

The Bible lets us know that death is an enemy, and refers to it as the last enemy that shall be destroyed. However, it’s already been defeated as the scriptures show us.

God never takes anybody away by death. The only people He took away from this world, He took them alive. Enoch, the Bible says, walked with God and suddenly, he was taken away from the earth by the Spirit of God—alive into heaven (Genesis 5:24). Elijah was also taken away alive (read 2 Kings 2:11).

What about Jesus? He too was taken away alive! And for those who believe in Him, they’re going to be taken away alive. Hallelujah! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” This is how God “takes away”; it’s not by death. It’s called a translation.

Moreover, those whom God took away knew ahead of time. Enoch, the Bible says, before his translation, had the testimony that he pleased God. Elijah knew he was to be taken away and he discussed it with Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-11). The Lord Jesus was in a meeting with His disciples, after discussing with them, He levitated (Acts 1:9). He had told them He was going to leave that way.

For the rest of us, we’ll have the same witness in our spirits that our departure is very close, so much so, we’ll be talking about it. There’ll be an urgency in the spirit and we’ll preach the Gospel with greater fervency, compelling men to believe in Jesus Christ. While we’re at it, suddenly, the trumpet will sound, and we’ll all be taken out of this world. Glory to God!

PRAYER

Thank you, precious Father, for you have abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Thank you for granting me eternal life in Christ, by which I live eternally in your presence, and for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Timothy 1:8 -10 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Hosea 13:14* I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54* Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

1-Year Bible Reading Plan =>* Acts 23:12-35 & Job 40-42

2-Year Bible Reading Plan =>* Luke 9:1-9 & Joshua 11

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional ; Sunday, 14th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;

HIS LOVE—A COMPELLING FORCE;

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead (2 Corinthians 5:14).

Did you know that at the end of all things, the only thing that’ll stand is your love for the Lord Jesus? If you lived a whole life to be recognized by men, to be famous and have all that money could buy, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ wasn’t a compelling force in your life, you’d have lived an empty life.

The Lord Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”*Then in Matthew 6:33, He said, *“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What else could a Christian possibly live for, if not Christ and His Gospel? He’s all that counts. He’s the joy of heaven and earth.

As Christians, we’re not to be moved by anything else, but by Christ and His eternal Word. That means His Word doesn’t just come to you without impact; it brings a conviction to your heart and compels you to act; to do things that are pleasing to the Father. No wonder the Lord Jesus said in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

It matters that you’re compelled by the love of Christ to do the things that you do on earth. The Apostle Paul in our opening scripture shows us the motivational force behind his overwhelming passion for the Gospel; it was the love of Christ. He was constrained by this love to preach the Gospel and do all that he did in furtherance of the Gospel. Have the same consciousness. Make Jesus your focus, and be compelled by His love in all you do.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, I love you with all my heart. I thank you for the privilege of being a custodian of the Gospel, which has become the compelling force in my life. I’m ever afire for the Gospel, shining ever so brightly as a light in my world. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 5:5
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

John 14:15 AMPC
If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

2 Corinthians 5:14 AMPC
14 For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died;

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 22:22-23:1-11 & Job 36-39

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 8:40-56 & Joshua 10

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo ; Sunday, 14th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;

WHAT IS GOD’S APPEARANCE? ;

Don’t Represent God’s Spirit With Any Form!)

TO THE BIBLE Matthew 3:16-17 AMPC
“And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!”

LET’S TALK➡
Some Christians symbolize the Holy Spirit with a dove, and this stems from a lack of proper understanding of the verse above. Acts 17:30 (MSG) tells us that, “God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better–but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change.” In other words, God wants you to know and live by the truth.

Now, understand that Matthew 3:16 is in no way describing the shape of the Holy Spirit when it says He descended on Jesus like a dove. The key phrase there is “like a dove,” and it means “in the manner of the descent of a dove.” The Holy Spirit alighted on Jesus just the way a dove would, not that He came on Jesus in the shape of a dove! Thus, we’re not supposed to represent Him with a dove or any other animal for that matter! (Deuteronomy 4:15-17, Acts 17:29).

Want to know what the Holy Spirit looks like? Here’s how: the Lord Jesus, talking about the Holy Spirit, said, “ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16 NIV). “Another Comforter” (as rendered in the New King James version) is translated from the Greek words “Allos parakletos,” which means “another one who is exactly like Me.” That means the Holy Spirit looks exactly like Jesus, who looks like the Father (John 14:8-9).

GO DEEPER

Hebrews 1:3 AMPC
3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the [c]out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,

John 14:16-17 MSG
The Spirit of Truth
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

PRAY🗣
Dear Father, I thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit that you’ve given to live in and abide with me forever. He is the third Person of the Godhead, and is Himself, God, not to be represented with an image, shape, or form!

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 22:22-23:1-11, Job 36-39

TWO YEAR
Galatians 4:1-11, Isaiah 34

Act🔽
Share this truth with at least two people around you today.

Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional; Saturday, 13th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;

KEEN TO DO GOOD;

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

Nowadays, they’re those who have resolved not to be kind and helpful to others anymore. Why? They’ve had bad experiences, or seen other people who have been harmed or taken advantage of, in their bid to help others.

Our societies have become increasingly cruel such that many have shut their bowels of mercy and compassion. Many years ago, if you were driving and saw someone that was stranded, you were quick to help. But because of so much evil in the world today, many are more concerned about the danger of assisting strangers. This is what evil has caused.

Evil has brought hardness of heart to many. They want to help, but they don’t want to become victims at the end. But you see, you must never give up on doing good. Never be reluctant to help, for there’s power in you that far outclasses all the power of evil in the world, put together.

Greater is He that’s in you than he that’s in the world. You’re not helpless. Think about Jesus: The servants of the High Priest came to arrest Him, and the Bible says, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?(John 18:4). They said, “Jesus of Nazareth,” then, He replied, “I am He” (John 18:5). Immediately, the power of God was released, and they all fell under power! Why did that happen?

Just a short while before then, in Matthew 26, Jesus had been praying in the garden of Gethsemane, and the power of the Holy Ghost was surging through His being. When He said, “I am He,” the word went forth with power. He wasn’t empty. It’s the same with you. Your words are filled with power because you carry divinity inside you.

What you need is the Spirit’s admonition in Ephesians 5:18: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” When you’re filled with the Spirit, you’d never have to bother about being victimized for doing good.

Therefore, before you hit the road or get about the day’s business, get filled with the Holy Ghost! He’ll lead and guide you through all the good things He’s put in your heart to do, and no one would be able to harm or deter you. Praise God!

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for blessing me and making me a blessing, such that in every situation, I have all I need for every good work. I’m never weary of doing good because I’m guided by the Spirit to be a blessing to my world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Galatians 6:9-10
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Hebrews 13:16 NIV
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from [a]those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 21:17-37-22:1-21 & Job 32-35

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 8:26-39 & Joshua 9

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo; Saturday, 13th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;

YOU’VE BEEN MADE ALIVE!

(Christ Has Given You His Kind Of Life)

TO THE BIBLE Ephesians 2:1,5 AMPC

“And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins… Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).”

LET’S TALK➡
When Paul said in Ephesians 2:1 that you’ve been made alive in Christ, he meant that the life of Christ is at work in your system. In other words, every fibre of your being has been inundated with the divine life and energy of God. Consequently, no one and nothing can destroy you; you’re unconquerable!

This is the life that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died and resurrected to give you. In John 10:10, He emphasized: “…I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (AMPC). This life that Jesus talks about isn’t at all subject to defeat, failure, or death. He couldn’t have done all He did for nothing.

Now that you’re born again, you ought to live Jesus’ dream for you and indeed show that what He did wasn’t for nothing! Maintain your superiority and victory over Satan and the cohorts of darkness. You’re Jesus’ seed, and He is prolonging His days through you today (Isaiah 53:10).

When you show up, let Jesus show up in and through you! You’re the express image of His person, called to show forth the beauty and excellence of His divine life in you. This is a consciousness God wants you to have.

Go Deeper

1 John 5:11-13
11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

PRAY🗣
Dear Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to die in my stead–a display of your love and testimony of my worth and value to you. I live triumphantly today and always, conscious of your infinite grace and love, and the life of righteousness that I have in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 21:37-22:1-21, Job 32-35

TWO YEAR
Galatians 3:23-29, Isaiah 33

Act🔽
Read the “Go Deeper” scripture again. Personalize and meditate on it throughout the day.

Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional; Friday, 12th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;

YOU NEED HIM (GOD) TO FUNCTION;

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 (John 15:5).

It’s important to understand that nothing works without God. It doesn’t matter what your job is today, it’ll end in failure if God isn’t at work in you. Man is a total failure without God. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and worked with the Holy Spirit, and He ensured we have Him living in us today.

No one can live the Christian life or do God’s work without the Holy Spirit, for it’s written, “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). An extraordinary life, a glorious future, starts with you acknowledging the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life. Jesus called Him “The Father that dwelleth in me” (John 14:10).

The same Holy Spirit gave birth to us; He’s our Father—the Father that lives in us! Your consciousness of His indwelling presence will help you realize that indeed, all things are possible. Things that aren’t possible with men are possible with Him. He’ll make you an absolute success and a victor forever.

Think about the fact that not even Jesus could do without the Holy Spirit. He needed the Holy Spirit to function. All the great works He did were by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, it then means you can do nothing without the Spirit. No wonder, God wants us to be filled with the Spirit always. Ephesians 5:18-21 reveals how to get yourself constantly filled with the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is God at work in us, building His Church through us. Recognize Him as your helper, and His ability will become your ability; His strength will become your strength. With Him, you can never fail or lose. He’s your guarantee of a life of absolute success, victory, and dominion.

PRAYER

Precious Holy Spirit, I acknowledge your ministry in my life. Thank you for your ability, strength, and wisdom that is mightily at work in me. Thank you for guiding me in all things; I walk in health, victory, strength, prosperity, and success, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

2 Corinthians 3:5
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

John 14:10-11
10 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.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Acts 21:17-36 & Job 29-31

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 8:19-25 & Joshua 8

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo ; Friday, 12th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;

SEE THE WORD’S IMAGE ;

(By Faith, You Can See Into The Unseen Realm) ;

TO THE BIBLE 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NASB ;

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

LET’S TALK ➡
I love how the Message Bible succinctly translates Paul’s charge to the people of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 4:17. It says, “These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.” This great apostle wasn’t talking to the Christians in Corinth alone but to every child of God, and that includes you. As a child of God, you shouldn’t view situations from the ordinary standpoint, that is, with your natural senses. You must learn to see the invisible with the eyes of faith, through God’s Word.

It doesn’t matter how unpleasant the situation is that you may have found yourself in, I want you to know it’s nothing compared to the testimonies that await you at the end of it all. In other words, even though that pain or challenging circumstance may have been there for a while, it only came to pass and will produce for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. “How?” you may want to ask. It’s by you learning to behold the invisible.

Learn to shift your focus from your present condition or circumstances and keep your focus on the Word instead. There are a greater victory and celebration that awaits you as you keep your gaze on Jesus, the Author, and Finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). See God doing great things in your life with your eyes of faith. Imagine yourself in health, prosperity, and victory at all times as the Word has said concerning you.

GO DEEPER

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Pray🗣
Dear Father, I look away from all distracting situations, and I fix my gaze upon Jesus, the Living Word. I walk by faith and not by sensory perception. I thank you for the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and causes me to see the mysteries and secrets of the Kingdom, and apprehend my inheritance in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 21:17-36, Job 29-31

TWO YEAR
Galatians 3:13-22, Isaiah 32

Act 🔽
Meditate on what God said in Genesis 11:6.

Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo ; Thursday, 11th July 2019 ;

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;

“I’VE GOT GREAT PLANS FOR YOU”

(Trust The Lord With Your Life);

TO THE BIBLE Psalm 119:9 MSG;
“How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.”

LET’S TALK➡
As a young person, you’re beautiful, energetic, and enthusiastic; you have your whole life ahead of you. Understand, however, that as you journey into the prime of life, God wants you to have a rich knowledge of His Word so you can make wise choices. That’s because the path you choose today will determine the kind of life you’ll live tomorrow.

Some people make decisions according to the dictates of their senses, but you’re different. God doesn’t want you living merely by your human senses. To live a perfect and balanced life, you must function according to the knowledge of God’s Word. That’s the only way to be in sync with His perfect will; it’s the key to fulfilling His purpose for your life.

Christians who plan their lives without involving God are still infants spiritually. When you grow in Christ, you cease to have your own ways. Instead, you plan according to God’s instructions and directions. Your goal becomes to serve God with your life, to live according to His Word, and to function in the centre of His will. When you do this, everything that you require, within the ambits of His plans for your life, will always be in place.

GO DEEPER

Ephesians 5:17 AMPC
Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

PRAY🗣
Dear Father, I thank you for guiding and leading me in the path of your perfect will for my life. I surrender completely to the Lordship and tutelage of your Word and your Spirit today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR
Acts 21:1-16, Job 25-28

TWO YEAR
Galatians 3:1-12, Isaiah 31

Act🔽
What plans have you had lately? Review them prayerfully to be sure they align with God’s plans for you.