RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

STABILIZING YOURSELF AT YOUR HIGHEST LEVEL OF FAITH .

Tuesday, September 19th .

Pastor Chris

But ye, beloved, BUILDING UP yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20).*_

There’s a big difference between the verse above and what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:4 which reads, _*“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself….”*_ The word “edify” in 1 Corinthians 14:4 means to build yourself up; it also means to charge yourself. However, what Jude was talking about is akin to building a super structure, when he said, “…BUILDING UP yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost”_ (Jude 1:20).
The Greek word translated “building up” is “epoikodomeo,” and it means to build on something that already exists. So Jude, by the Holy Spirit, is talking about building a super structure on something that’s already there. So, by telling you to build up yourself on your most holy faith, it means the most holy faith that he was referring to is already there.
That “most holy faith” refers to your highest faith; your most sanctified faith; the topmost level of faith that you’ve attained at any given time. He says build on it by speaking in tongues; don’t go below it. You know, we experience faith at different levels from time to time. Sometimes, we experience a very high level of faith, and some other times, our faith seems to go a little lower than usual.
However, by speaking in tongues often, you build yourself up on that highest level of faith that you attained, and it becomes the benchmark. The next time, that highest level of faith becomes your lowest faith. Then, you operate from there, and get to another high level of faith, and keep building on it.
It’s one of the reasons we emphasize speaking in tongues. As you receive God’s Word, your faith comes to a peak, but you build on it; you stabilize at that topmost level of faith through praying in tongues. At that level, no adversity, challenges, problems can pose a threat to you, for you’ve risen above them. Do this and watch your life grow remarkably.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of the heavenly vocabulary, which you’ve given me to build up myself on my highest level of faith. My faith is the victory that overcomes the world! And as I pray in tongues, I mount up with wings as eagles, soaring in victory above challenges and adversities, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:* *|| *1 Corinthians 14:2-4 AMPC For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding]. 3 But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation. 4 He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself, but he who prophesies [interpreting the divine will and purpose and teaching with inspiration] edifies and improves the church and promotes growth [in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, and happiness]. *||
||* *Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. *||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Galatians 3:26-4:1-20,
Isaiah 1-2
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 23:34-43,
2 Samuel 11-12

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

YOU’RE A LEGAL AND VITAL CHILD OF GOD .

Monday, September 18th,2017

Pastor Chris

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not (1 John 3:1).*_

The Christian is the legal and vital child of God—a bona fide child of God. In 1 Corinthians 6:20, the Apostle Paul declared, _*“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”*_ That’s the legal aspect of redemption: you’re bought with a price. And now, God has brought us to live in His class of being, and has poured Himself into us, thereby making our physical bodies His tabernacle of witness; His living temple: _*“…know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”*_ (1 Corinthians 6:19). This is the vital aspect. The legal aspect made the vital experience of the God-life possible!

It’s like our righteousness, some still think that what we have is just a legal righteousness, no; we have a vital righteousness. God has given us His righteousness, and now, you have the ability to stand in His presence without guilt, condemnation, or inferiority. In 1 John 3:1-2, the Apostle John cried out: _*“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED THE SONS OF GOD….”*_ This isn’t a promise, neither is it a prophecy. It’s a declaration of reality, a present-hour truth.

The vital aspect of our sonship is that when you were born again, you were born of the Spirit of God. 1 Peter 1:23 says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”*_ Now, you have the life of God in you; you have ceased to be an ordinary person; you live a supernatural life.

Rather than using the Greek word, “huiothesia” which explains adoption or placing as sons, that is, one who was taught how to handle authority, the Apostle John carefully chose the word, “teknon,” to explain that we’re vital sons of God; we’re born of Him. NOW are we the sons of God, not tomorrow or someday, or when we get to heaven, but now; it happened immediately you were born again. Galatians 4:6 says, _*“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the legal aspect of redemption which made the vital experience of eternal life possible. You’ve made me a partaker of the divine nature, an associate of the God-kind. I’m full of life, and I live victoriously to your glory and praise, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: || 1 John 3:1-2 CEV Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are. 2 My dear friends, we are already God’s children, though what we will be hasn’t yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. *||
||John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. *||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Galatians 3:15-25,
Songs of Solomon 6-8
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 23:26-33,
2 Samuel 9-10

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

REIGNING THROUGH WORDS

Sunday, September 17th, 2017

Pastor Chris

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness SHALL REIGN IN LIFE BY ONE, JESUS CHRIST (Romans 5:17).

Something important that you must do today is to meditate on our opening verse until it becomes a part of your system. The Amplified Classic Version renders the latter part rather beautifully. It says those who have received this gift of righteousness shall reign as kings in life. That’s talking about reigning in the earth; a kingly life on earth.
Revelation 5:10 says, _*“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”*_ Let’s examine one striking quality of a king in Ecclesiastes 8:4. It says, _*“Where the word of a king is, there is power….”*_ Kings reign with words. You’re a king; therefore, reign with words. When you command fear to go, it goes! If you’re attacked by any kind of sickness, and you call it by name and command it to go, it’s got to quit! Everything in life has intelligence; they’re intelligent enough to recognize when the king gives the word, and that king is YOU!

Can you see why you ought to speak right and never paralyze your own faith? When you feel symptoms of sickness or disease in your body, don’t succumb! Just say the word and effect a change! Every word you say goes out in the spirit-realm to cause changes.

Jesus said in John 6:63, _*“…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,”*_ and you’re like Him (1 John 4:17). Refuse to speak empty, idle, inoperative, nonworking words. Ordinary men may talk anyhow, but not you! You’re a spiritual man; your words have creative power.

Take your place of dominion, and reign in the Name of Jesus over circumstances, through words. Command every storm to be still in the Name of Jesus. Refuse the down life. Reign and rule in life as the king that you are, through words.

PRAYER
*Dear Father, I thank you for the gift of righteousness that gives me boldness in your presence, and causes me to reign in life as a king. I speak the right words only, thereby effecting changes in my family, health, business and ministry. I walk in righteousness, and produce works of righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY:* || Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. *||
*||* *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. *||
*||* *Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. *||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Galatians 3:1-14,
Songs of Solomon 3-5
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 23:13-25,
2 Samuel 7 – 8

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE GLORY OF HIS SACRIFICE

Saturday, September 16th,2017

Pastor Chris

_*Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow (1 Peter 1:10-11).

It was God-ordained that Christ should suffer and the result of His suffering be glory, victory, success and prosperity for us all. Therefore, you’re to celebrate what Jesus did for you; He didn’t die for nothing; His vicarious death gave mankind victory over sin and its effects.

By hanging on the cross, as God’s sacrifice for sin, He took your place and gave you the victory. Now, God wants you not only to proclaim that victory, but to live every day in the victory of His death, burial and glorious resurrection. This means, if you were lying on a sickbed, it’s time to get up for you’ve received life in Christ.

The same goes for poverty; it shouldn’t take a hold of you anymore for Jesus took your place of poverty and gave you prosperity: _*“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich”*_ (2 Corinthians 8:9). You can live absolutely debt-free now because the Lord supplies all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Live with this consciousness. You’ve been chosen out of the world and separated unto the glory-life. The Bible says you’re _*“…a chosen race, a priesthood of kingly lineage, a holy nation, a people belonging specially to God, that you may make known the perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”*_ (1 Peter 2:9 WNT).
You’re a special breed, born with the life and nature of God. He has designated your path to be that of victory and success only.

PRAYER
*I thank you Lord for bringing me out of darkness into your marvellous light, where I reign and rule as a king in life, enjoying the joy, health, peace, prosperity, progress, success and victory you’ve made available to me in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *2 Corinthians 5:21* For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. *||
*||Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. *||*
*||* *Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. *||*

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Galatians 2:1-21,
Songs of Solomon 1-2
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 23:1-12,
2 Samuel 5-6

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE LIFE OF VICTORY .

Friday, September 15th , 2017

Pastor Chris

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
When God raised Jesus from the dead, you were raised together with Him. Now, you’re seated with Him, _*“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”*_ (Ephesians 1:21).

It makes no difference what happens in this world, you’re more than a conqueror; you’re a success. God has given you a life greater than sickness, disease, failure and death; a life of peace, strength, health and prosperity; the victorious life.

The knowledge of these realities should evidently change the way you talk, walk or act. Don’t ask God to give you peace, strength, health, prosperity or make you a success. These and more are all encapsulated in the glorious life you have in Christ. I’ll give you examples.

First, the Lord Jesus said in John 14:27, _*“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you….”*_ That means He has become your peace. Secondly, Psalm 27:1 says, _*“…the LORD is the strength of my life….”*_ Thirdly, He’s made you healthy and strong. Isaiah 33:24 says, _*“And the inhabitant*_ (of Zion) _*shall not say, I am sick….”*_
In addition, He’s given you prosperity. 1 Corinthians 3:21 says, _*“Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours.”*_ Then Philippians 4:19 tells us, _*“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”*_ That means there’s no lack in your life, for the Lord supplies all your needs. Psalm 1:3 describes you as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in and out of season; and whatsoever you do shall prosper. What a blessing!

Now that you’re born again, you’re a bundle of success. You belong in God’s Kingdom, His realm of life where you reign victoriously with Christ.

PRAYER*
*Dear Father, I thank you for the glorious life in Christ! I walk in righteousness and exercise dominion over devils, sickness, and the negativities of life today and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

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

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*
*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Galatians 1:1-24,
Ecclesiastes 9-12
*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 22:63-71,
2 Samuel 3-4

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE SUPERNATURAL LIFE IN YOU .

Wednesday, September 13th .

Pastor Chris

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).*_

Certainly, our theme verse couldn’t be referring to biological life since those to whom Jesus spoke those inspiring words were already alive biologically. Rather, He was referring to the divine life—the God-life. The phrase, “more abundantly,” used in the King James is a little cloudy; the actual Greek rendering is, “to the full.” He actually said, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it TO THE FULL.”

Jesus didn’t need life from God when He walked the earth; He was the totality of life! John 1:4 says, _*“In him was life….”*_ In 1 John 1:2, the Apostle John describes Him as the manifestation and embodiment of life itself: _*“(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us).”*_ In John 5:26, Jesus Himself affirmed, _*“For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

Now you can understand why He’s able to give that life to the full to anyone who comes to Him. The Bible says he that has the Son, has this life (1 John 5:12). If you’re born again, you aren’t born after the first Adam, but after the second and last Adam—Jesus Christ. Eternal life, the divine life, is in your spirit. You can’t have this life and be infected with HIV or have your body ravaged by cancer! This life can’t coexist with diabetes or stroke; it destroys sickness and disease, and repels darkness.

The trouble with many is that they aren’t conscious of the supernatural life of God that they have. It’s for this reason that the Spirit, writing through John, admonished that you be conscious of your divinity; conscious that you have eternal life, the God-life in you: _*“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…”*_ (1 John 5:13).

You’re not ordinary. The life in you is incorruptible and superior to sickness, disease or the negative forces of life. Live every day with this consciousness.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the transcendent life of glory, righteousness, victory, success, prosperity, and health that I have in Christ; a life of mastery and dominion. I walk in the consciousness of my divine origin and life in Christ, soaring above the limitations of this world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:* *|| *1 John 5:11-12 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. *||*
*|| Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. *||
||* *1 John 4:4 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. *||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* 2 Corinthians 12:1-21,
Ecclesiastes 3-5
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 22:44-53,
2 Samuel 1

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE WORD: A SURE FOUNDATION

Tuesday, September 12th , 2017

Pastor Chris

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).
The Bible tells us how Peter healed the lame man at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. Even though the man had been in that condition from birth, Peter knew that the Word could transform him. And as he made a demand in the Name of Jesus, the man was completely healed (Acts 3:1-8). If the Word could change the life of an adult man who was crippled from birth, it can change anybody.
The Word of God has the ability to make a sick man well, turn a sinner into a saint, and a failure into success. Trust the Word. Put it to work in your life. When you live according to the Word, you’re building your life on a sure foundation.
The Lord Jesus alluded to this in Matthew chapter seven. First, He talked about a certain man who heard the Word, believed, and acted accordingly. He likened that man to someone who built his house on a solid rock—a firm foundation. When the crises of life struck, when the adversities and pressures of life beat vehemently against that house, it remained standing.
Secondly, He likened those who hear the Word but don’t put it to work to a man who built his house upon the sand, and when the winds and storms billowed against it, it came to shambles (Matthew 7:26-27).
A lot of people struggle with their faith because they don’t operate by the principles of the Word. Many have founded their lives on the assumptions and theories of men, rather than on the Word of God. Your foundation should be God’s Word. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away (Mark 13:31).
Unlike this world and everything in it, you can rely on the Word; it’s infallible, immutable; the Word is eternal. Build your life on the Word, and not on human philosophies that change with the times.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the Word, which is my sure and firm foundation; upon it I rest secured and immovable, strengthened, rooted and grounded. Your Word is the rock that holds me, for it’s absolutely trustworthy, reliable, and true. Thank you Lord, for my triumphant life in, and through the Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33,
Ecclesiastes 1-2
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 22:35-43,
1 Samuel 31

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST,2017

ADORNED WITH THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).”

Our opening verse clearly shows that we’re not in contention with human enemies, but with spiritual forces. Human beings aren’t your enemies. Whatever wickedness you might observe in human beings is actually perpetrated by the spirit-forces of darkness listed in our opening verse: principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. They’re the ones responsible for the varying degrees of evil and devilry that we see and experience around us.

Man in himself isn’t as wicked as you see, for God made man in His image and in His likeness. He made man to look like Him, and to function like Him (Genesis 1:26); but there’s something that remotely controls the unregenerate man and causes him to think, talk, and act wickedly (Ephesians 2:2).

But thanks be to God; we aren’t left hamstrung. When pressures from these wicked spirits come charging at you, be unruffled! As long as you’re fully girt with the full armour of God, you’ll be able to resist and extinguish the cruel and fiendish onslaught and oppositions from the evil one, and remain standing in the evil day.

Satan and his demons are no threat for the Christian. You have the dominion and authority over principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. God has given you the spiritual weapons with which to keep them at bay (Read Ephesians 6:13-19).

Act on the Word. Get on the offensive against the enemy by keeping the whole armour of God on you all of the time, not some of the time: Stand firm and be unshakable, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And pray in the Spirit on all occasion with all kinds of prayers and requests. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

I’m fully equipped and fortified with the whole armour of God, strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. My faith is a weapon of defence against the fiery darts of the wicked, and an instrument of victory over and against the adversary and adversities. I’m eternally triumphant in Christ. Blessed be God!

FURTHER STUDY

Ephesians 6:13-17

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

2 Corinthians

10:1-18

2 Corinthians

10:1-18

Proverbs 27-28

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Luke 22:14-23

1 Samuel 29