Christian Daily Devotional

"The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant." Psalm 35:27

He Who sits in the heavens laughs….

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LOOSEN UP!

Show Some Emotion

 

TO THE BIBLE: Psalm 2:4 AMP

“He Who sits in the heavens laughs….”

LET’S TALK

At various times, the Lord Jesus expressed His emotions. At Lazarus’ grave, He wept. At another time, He laughed and danced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21). Once, He got so angry that He whipped the money-changers, and drove them out of the temple (Matthew 21). The Lord Jesus said to Philip, “…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So asking to see him?” (John 14:9 TLB). In other words, He’s the perfect reflection of the Father. This shows us the why are you kind of person God is. He has emotions.

This consciousness should let you know that you should relate with God as one who feels, not as a computer. God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22), because David was so passionate about Him. When the Ark of the Covenant was being returned into Israel, he danced and praised so much before the Lord that his wife became offended at him (2 Samuel 6:20-22). Yet, he didn’t care; all he cared about was pleasing God and expressing his appreciation.

When you worship and pray, do it with your emotions; talk to God as you would to someone who is actually listening to you. Some people are just too stiff with God! They sing “I love you Lord” without showing any emotion whatsoever. There’s nothing wrong with showing your emotions in your communication with God. Worship God with your heart and emotions. Put yourself into your praise. You’ll soon discover the glorious blessing that comes from such intimacy with God.

Go Deeper: Psalm 42:1

Pray

Precious Father, you’re everything to me. I love you with all of my heart, and I love being in your presence. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after you.

Act

Talk with God. Pour out your heart to Him, telling Him how much you love Him and what He means to you.

 

The Kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Ghost,” Pastor shares, revealing God’s plan for our perpetual joy.

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Discover Three Expressions Of Joy In The Holy Ghost.

“The Kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Ghost,” Pastor shares, revealing God’s plan for our perpetual joy.

“Some people only express joy when something nice has happened to them,” Pastor Chris says in this video excerpt from ‘Holy Spirit Conference’, explaining that this is contrary to the scriptures in Romans 14:17. “The Kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Ghost,” the man of God pointed out.

“A smile does not express joy,” Pastor Chris went on to say, before enumerating three major expressions of joy in the life of a Christian.

Watch the featured video, and begin today to experience the effervescent joy that came into your life with the person of the Holy Spirit. .

 

God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22), because David was so passionate about Him.

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DON’T BE RIGID!

(Relate To God With Your Emotions)

 

TO THE BIBLE: Psalm 2:4 RSV

“He who sits in the heavens laughs…”

LET’S TALK

At various times, the Lord Jesus expressed His emotions. At Lazarus’ grave, He wept. At another time, He laughed and danced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21). Once, He got so angry that He whipped the money-changers, and drove them out of the temple (Matthew 21:10-14). The Lord Jesus said to Philip, “…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him?” (John 14:9 TLB). In other words, He’s the perfect reflection of the Father. This shows us the kind of person God is – He has emotions.

This consciousness should let you know that you should relate with God as one who feels, not as a computer. God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22), because David was so passionate about Him. When the ark of the covenant was being returned into Israel, he danced and praised so much before the Lord that his wife became offended at him (2 Samuel 6:20-22). Yet, he didn’t care; all he cared about was pleasing God and expressing his appreciation.

When you worship and pray, do it with your emotions; talk to God as you would to someone who is actually listening to you. Some people are just too rigid with God! They sing “I love you Lord” without showing any emotion whatsoever. There’s nothing wrong with showing your emotions in your communication with God. Worship God with your heart and emotions. Put yourself into your praise. You’ll soon discover the glorious blessing that comes from such intimacy with God.

Go Deeper

Psalm 42:1

Pray

Precious Father, you’re everything to me. I love you with all of my heart, and I love being in your presence. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after you.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

2 Corinthians 5:1-6:1-2, Proverbs 18-19

TWO YEAR

Luke 21:10-19, 1 Samuel 25

 

 

Act

Talk with the Father. Pour out your heart to Him, telling Him how much you love Him and what He means to you.

WORSHIP HIM EVERY DAY .

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Christ Embassy

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

WORSHIP HIM EVERY DAY .

Monday, September 11th .

Pastor Chris

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me (Hebrews 10:4-5).
When you study the twenty-ninth to the thirtieth chapter of the Book of Exodus, you’d find how that the Lord gave the children of Israel certain instructions, and asked that they rendered sin offering, burnt offerings and incense. These were to be done every day.
However, God wasn’t pleased with the sacrifice and offerings of these animals; He wanted the perfect sacrifice: Christ Jesus.
Over in the New Testament, Jesus became our sin offering. He was offered for us as one sacrifice, forever. We never need to offer animals to God anymore. Hebrews 10:14 says, _*“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”*_ He wasn’t just the perfect sacrifice; His sacrifice perfected us.
The Psalmist, David, gives us a light into this and tells us something striking in Psalm 141:2. He said, _*“Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”*_ Being a prophet, he had a revelation of the future and the new dispensation that should come into effect after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The sanctuary of the old covenant was going to be removed and replaced. What then would take the place of the incense that was offered to God regularly, and the sacrifices that He commanded the priests to offer morning and evening?
It’s our prayers of worship and the lifting up of our hands! God says this should be perpetual; it should never cease. It’s the reason we worship Him always, with our hands lifted. Every time you worship the Lord, especially when you do it in the spirit, that is, in other tongues, your prayers go to Him as incense. The Bible says, _*“And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand”*_ (Revelation 8:4).
As you lift your hands to Him, eulogizing and making confessions to His Name, it’s like the evening sacrifice, a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God. And we’re to do this every day.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, I bless and extol your majesty, for you alone are God. You’re worthy of all praise, glory, adoration, majesty, splendour and grace; blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might, be unto you, forever and ever. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:* || Psalm 134:1-2 Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. 2 Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. *||
*|| *Revelation 7:11-12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. *||
*|| *Hebrews 13:15* By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. ||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15,
Proverbs 29-31
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 22:24-34,
1 Samuel 30

THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP.

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Christian Devotional - Rhapsody of Realities

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MONDAY, 10TH JULY.2017

THE ESSENCE OF WORSHIP.

As they ministered to the Lord , and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (Acts 13:2).

The underlined portion is a remarkable construction. Deuteronomy 10:8 shows us something along this line about the Levites: “At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.” Today, we’re king-priests unto God, to minister to Him (Revelation 1:6).

Ministering to the Lord is the essence of worship; it’s something you do consciously, not passively. Many Christians wonder why they don’t seem to experience the power of God, as they should; the problem, for the most part, lies in this area. They haven’t learnt how to minister to the Lord in worship. Hebrews 13:15 shows us what, and how, to minister to the Lord: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Thus, in ministering to the Lord, you offer tribute or speech that acknowledges and celebrates the Name of the Lord. You testify of His greatness, His love, power, righteousness, grace, wisdom, glory and blessedness! Ministering to Him involves consciously lifting your hands in worship, and adoration for who He is, speaking words from your spirit that extol His majesty.

It’s not enough to say, “Lord, I bless you. I praise you and I worship you!” Your worship must have content. You should rather say, “Lord, I praise you, because you’re wonderful, merciful, considerate, so loving and kind; gracious and glorious”; that’s different. You’ve added content. The book of Psalms is replete with spirit-filled and inspiring contents that extol His majesty, and speak of His greatness; you can use some of the examples to make your psalms of praise and worship to the Lord.

PRAYER
Dear Father, from the depth of my heart, I extol your majesty and revere your matchless Name, for you alone are worthy of all praise. You’re gracious and glorious, righteous, wonderful, kind, and merciful; your loving-kindness is beyond comprehension and your love, unfathomable. You’re great and greatly to be praised. I adore you now and forever. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Revelation 7:11-12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:15 AMP Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 20:17-38, Job 22-24
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 8:1-10, Joshua 6

SPEND TIME WITH GOD

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THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDITATION BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

TO  THE  BIBLE     Jeremiah 29:13-14

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord….”

LET’S  TALK

Having a strong desire for God’s Word and His presence is something that should be evident in your life as a Christian. That’s what the Lord talked about in our opening verse when He said, “And you will seek Me and find Me….” Seeking God doesn’t mean He’s missing; rather, it refers to a keen desire for God’s presence and fellowship.

God loves you very much, and He wants you to spend time fellowshipping with Him. Even now, He’s calling your attention to a deeper and more intimate walk with Him. That’s what He desires, and He knows you want the same thing. So, all you have to do is say “Yes” to Him, and act accordingly. Also, the strong desire you have for the Lord will make an intercessor out of you. There’re Christians who say, “My problem is that I’m too lazy to pray.” This has nothing to do with being strong or lazy; it’s a matter of a burden. If you have something you’re concerned or passionate about, you’ll surely want to pray about it.

When you really want something, and you know the situation is such that only God can fix, it’ll create a strong desire in your heart to seek Him. However, you don’t have to wait until you’re in a fix. Be like David, who, inspired by a strong desire for the Lord, declared, “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).

Go Deeper

Psalm 63:8; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2

Pray

As the deer pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after you, O God. You’re my life, my joy, and my satisfaction! In you I’m complete! Thank you for your glory that fills my heart, and your love that overwhelms my soul! I live for you today, and always to do your will and bring you glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily  Bible  Reading

ONE YEAR

Acts 23:12-35, Job 40-42

TWO YEAR

Luke 9:1-9, Joshua 11

Act

Spend quality time talking to the Lord and studying His Word today.

LET NOTHING STEAL YOUR JOY

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TO THE BIBLE: 1 Peter 1:8-9 AMP

“Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

LET’S TALK

Being happy and full of joy is a personal decision and a deliberate choice that you have to make. Demons can’t stand joy, and if satan can knock the joy out of you, he’ll have you in a corner. That’s why the Bible says, “…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). This joy is in your spirit, and you’ve got to stir it up all the time.

One sure way to stir up joy in your spirit is to spend time fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit. Being born again, you’re in that environment of the Spirit, where there’s glory, life, righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). Hallelujah! Those who function outside this environment face frustrations and easily get agitated, because nothing seems to work out in their lives. And because they’re constantly hurting, they tend to hurt others around them too. Don’t be that way!

In John 15:11, Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” The Lord’s desire is for His joy to be in you twenty-four hours a day, irrespective of the circumstances you face. He’s given you joy that’s independent of the happenings around you; joy that flows from your spirit, indescribable and full of glory! (1 Peter 1:8). Inspire others by how you’re able to remain joyful and on top, in the midst of challenges. Refuse to wear a sad look as though the whole world hung on your shoulders. Jesus has taken your sorrows and He’s brought you into His joy, abundance, and peace. Hallelujah!

Go Deeper

Philippians 4:6-7; 1Timothy 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Speak

I’m full of joy, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit today! I live in God’s presence where fullness of joy and pleasures abound forevermore. Hallelujah!

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 3:22-36, 2 Samuel 23-24

TWO YEAR

Mark 8:22-33, Numbers 10

Act

Make it a point of duty today to be glad in everything, and at all times.

PRESENT-HOUR TRUTHS.

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Christian Devotional - Rhapsody of Realities

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY, 25TH MAY. 2017

PRESENT-HOUR TRUTHS.

Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart (2 Corinthians 3:3).

The epistles are special out-breathings of the Spirit addressed to the new man in Christ, and they mostly consist of present-hour truths. When you study the Pauline revelations, Peter’s epistles and some of John’s Spirit-inspired thoughts, you’d discover truths that are operative in the “now” of our lives.

For example, Paul tells us, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”(2 Corinthians 5:17). This isn’t history, a prophecy, or a promise. You aren’t going to become a new creation when you get to heaven or after you’ve prayed hard enough; you’re a new creation NOW! It’s a fact for today.

Another beautiful present-hour fact is 1 Peter 2:9. It says, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” You were created to display and manifest the beauty, glory, excellence, holiness, grace, and righteousness of God. This is your calling in Christ Jesus.

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When you study Revelation 1:6, you find yet another operative truth: “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”This isn’t something to hope for; it’s already happened. You’re a king-priest, ordained of God to reign in life; to decree a thing and have it established unto you.
Another of such glorious realities is that you’re an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ! And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ… (Romans 8:17). This means everything that belongs to Him belongs to you in the same way and degree that they belong to Him. Both of you own everything one hundred percent together! Therefore, like Him, you’ve also been appointed heir of all things. It’s for the same reason that Paul said, all things are yours” (1 Corinthians 3:21).

These are some of the truths about the new creation, which, as a Christian, you must be conscious of and live by. Study the Word to know more, and live in the reality of who you are in Christ!

PRAYER.
Dear Father, I thank you for imparting me with the knowledge of the truths in your Word, which are operational in the “now” of my life. I’m enlightened in my spirit to grasp deeper and higher truths in your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
John 12:1-19, 2 Kings 16-17
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 12:35-44, Numbers 28

 

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VICTORIOUS ALL THE WAY.

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Christian Devotional - Rhapsody of Realities

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY, 13TH MAY.2017

VICTORIOUS ALL THE WAY.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
While many are only particular about, and overwhelmed by the wickedness, evil, perils, destruction, and darkness that are prevalent in today’s world, some of us are enjoying a triumphant life in Christ. We’re celebrating the goodness of the Lord, reigning and ruling over circumstances. That’s Christianity; it’s a call to the victorious life.

2 Corinthians 2:14 unveils God’s desire for you to live triumphantly every day, and in every situation: “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.” You’re born a victor. Success is in your spirit; acknowledge this truth. Refuse to allow anything or anyone frustrate you. The Lord Jesus has given you the victory over limitations, struggles, and the pressures of life. He said in John 16:33, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” It makes no difference what you’re going through or the situation you may be in right now; your victory is assured.

1 John 4:4 declares, 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.” This is something to shout about! You have to maintain your place of victory over Satan, the world, and the circumstances of life by keeping your gaze on the Word.

Even when you go through diverse tests, He says, “Count it all joy” (James 1:2), because your victory is inevitable. Paul said, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). So you see? You can only win! Keep walking in victory, excellence, righteousness, and blessings, for they’re your birthright in Christ Jesus, irrespective of the persecutions and crises of life.

CONFESSION.
Thanks be unto God who gives me the victory in all things, through our Lord Jesus Christ! I reign and rule over circumstances. Success is in my spirit. I walk in excellence, righteousness, and prosperity. Christ is in me; therefore, there’s glory, honour, and beauty in my life. Hallelujah!

Further Study:
Romans 8:33-37 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth. 34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
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.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
John 6:25-59, 1 Kings 10-11
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 10:1-12, Numbers 16

THE SHOUT OF VICTORY

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23RD APRIL, 2017

THE SHOUT OF VICTORY

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph (Psalm 47:1).

Our opening verse is talking about the shout of victory. Some people shout out of fear, but in Christianity we shout in victory. We shout unto the Lord with the voice of triumph. It’s like the shout the children of Israel gave in conquering Jericho. As they journeyed to the Promised Land, they got to Jericho, but the city was shut with thick and imposing walls (Joshua 6:1).

The Lord, however, gave Joshua the strategy to conquer Jericho. It was the “shout strategy”: “…And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall SHOUT WITH A GREAT SHOUT; AND THE WALL OF THE CITY SHALL FALL DOWN FLAT, AND THE PEOPLE SHALL ASCEND UP EVERY MAN STRAIGHT BEFORE HIM” (Joshua 6:2-5). When the people did as the Lord instructed, the walls came down flat (Joshua 6:20).

Some people don’t understand it when we shout; it’s spiritual. The Bible tells us about Jesus, that He “… shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It’s like the kind of shout He gave at the tomb of Lazarus; the Bible says He yelled with a loud voice, “…Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43).

Lazarus, having been dead, and buried for four days, already believed to be putrefying, came out of the grave alive! When we shout in victory, the enemy is discomfited; the dead come back to life. Some people only shout out of fear; and that’s the wrong shout; ours is the voice of triumph. We shout ahead of the battle; ahead of the challenges; therefore, when they come, they’re walkovers.

There’s no victory without a shout. When you face challenges, shout, not in exasperation, but in triumph. Even when you’re not happy, shout! Even now, shout aloud with the voice of triumph; it’s an act of faith. Shout and declare that you’ve won. The future can depend on your shouting; so don’t keep quiet; shout your victory.

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Word to my spirit today. I triumph always and in every place, by the power of the Holy Ghost, and the shout of rejoicing is forever in my mouth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:
Joshua 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

1 Samuel 4:5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 20:1-19, 1 Samuel 18-19
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 4:30-41, Leviticus 23

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