Month: July 2022
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READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
HE’S FOREVER THE SAME.
SUNDAY, JULY 31ST, 2022.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8).
When we say, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,” it isn’t a statement we made up, neither is it a cliché. It’s absolute TRUTH and it came from the Scriptures! Jesus hasn’t changed. He’s the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Oftentimes when people go through difficulties, in their frustration, they cry, “Oh God, where are you?” The reason is that they’re ignorant of the fact that God has already laid out a good plan for them (Ephesians 2:10). He has a good plan for every man, woman, boy or girl.
Nevertheless, except and unless they look into the Scriptures, they may never discover that plan. And when they don’t discover it, they may cry, beg or plead, and it’ll look like God isn’t listening to them; meanwhile, He already provided the solution ever before they were born. But how can they know, except someone shows it to them? (Romans 10:14). That’s why He sent us to preach the Gospel.
The Bible, for example, tells us in Psalm 33:5 that “…the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.” Yet, the experience of a good number of people is one of sadness, pain, frustration. Why is it so? Has God changed? Absolutely not!
There’re two major reasons for this, aside ignorance: the number one reason is that there’s a devil that makes them blind to God’s perfect will. The second reason is that other human beings who are inspired by Satan and the demons of darkness afflict other people with their selfishness and greed. They’ve used their own wickedness to frustrate other men. It’s man’s inhumanity to man.
God knew what would happen and that’s the reason He planned the answer long before you came. The answer is Jesus Christ! If you embrace the life that He brought and walk in the light of it, His glory will be manifested in your life. And in spite of the two aforementioned factors, you can use the power of His Name to live above Satan and the systems of this world. His Name has power in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth.
CONFESSION:
Thank you, dear Lord, for the honour of helping people discover Jesus and their inheritance in Christ. I pray for new converts and God’s people around the world today, that they walk in the reality of the fullness of the blessings of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Psalm 33:4-5
World English Bible
4 For Yahweh’s word is right.
All his work is done in faithfulness.5 He loves righteousness and justice.
The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
John 10:10
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
John 10:10
World English Bible
10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
Malachi 3:6
World English Bible
6 “For I, Yahweh, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Romans 5:12-21 & Psalms 52-55
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Ephesians 4:25-32 & Isaiah 51
READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
SATURDAY, JULY 30TH, 2022
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 (John 14:16 AMPC).
The Holy Spirit is not some smoke or cloud, nor is He a light. He’s not a thing! The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. This is because He’s the last of the Trinity to be known by us! In Genesis 1:1, God was introduced to us as “Elohim” (Hebrew). “Elohim” in Hebrew is plural for God. We’re then told in the second verse that “the Spirit of God moved over the face of the deep.” Thus, even though the Holy Spirit is the first to be revealed from “Elohim,” He’s the last that we get acquainted with because of what Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:16-17: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
The Holy Spirit is exactly like Jesus. He doesn’t receive power from God. In fact, He’s the POWER of God! He’s the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. He’s not less than the Father, nor is He less than Jesus. If you went to heaven, you wouldn’t find the Holy Spirit outside the Father, for He’s in the Father. On earth, His presence is everywhere! Everywhere you go as a child of God, the Holy Spirit goes with you and His presence rubs off on everything that’s connected with you. He doesn’t have a different name; “Holy Ghost” or “Holy Spirit” is a description of His person, His character. Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…” (John 14:26).
This simply implies that though the Holy Spirit has no name of His own, He answers to the Name of Jesus. Oh, so many things to show you about this awesome Personality! He’s the Beauty of heaven—our Comforter, Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener and Standby. Hallelujah! Learn more about Him from our book, “The Holy Spirit And You.”
CONFESSION:
Blessed Holy Spirit, thank you for residing in me permanently. I recognize you as the One who guides me into all truth, teaching me to make the right choices and decisions that are consistent with God’s perfect will for me. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
John 14:16-18
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
16 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—
17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.
John 14:16-18
World English Bible
16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.
John 15:26
World English Bible
26 “When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 5:1-11 & Psalms 49-51
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Ephesians 4:17-24 & Isaiah 50
READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WAGE WAR WITH PROPHECY.
FRIDAY, JULY 29TH, 2022.
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 (1 Timothy 1:18)
In Acts 5:26, the Bible says, “Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.” From the foregoing verse, there’s the captain, then there’re officers. The word “captain” is the Greek “strategos”, and that’s the ̄commanding officer.
However, the word “officers” is “hupēretēs” (Greek), which refers to those that work with their hands; that is, those that carry out the assignment or instructions given by the “stratēgos” the captain or commanding officer.
Then, when you read 2 Timothy 2:3, it says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” The word “soldier” is the Greek, “stratiotē s” and it’s different from both “strate ̄ gos” and ̄“hupēretēs.” But when it says to “war” a good warfare as read in our opening verse, it uses “Stratiomai” for war. That refers to a commanding officer in the military expedition..a strategist. He’s not the “huperete ̄ s,” he’s ̄not the “stratēgos,” but the strategist!
You’re required to be tough like the “stratēgos”; tough as a good soldier. But you’re not to carry out the “war” like the “hupēretēs” the officers; rather, use prophecy. Hallelujah! Use prophecy to wage war; that’s the strategy, and it’s a strategy of the Spirit. In prophecy, you’re declaring words of power, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Use the spoken Word to frame and plan your course of life. The Word is a spiritual substance. That’s why it’s important you pray in the Spirit a lot. As you do, you’ll find yourself uttering words in your understanding that are inspired by the Spirit of God, by which you prevail over demons and the adversities of life.
CONFESSION:
I’m functioning in supernatural supply, strength, ability, wisdom and knowledge. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I’m fulfilling God’s purpose for my life. I’m forever protected and fortified against all evil and wickedness in this world. I dwell in the safety and peaceful habitation of the Almighty; a place of glory, dominion and everlasting joy, where I reign and rule with Christ over circumstances, in Jesus’ Name. Amen._
FURTHER STUDY:
Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. *6* So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Ecclesiastes 8:4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Romans 4 & Psalms 45-48
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN :
Ephesians 4:11-16 & Isaiah 49
READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE POWER OF A COMPELLING DESIRE.
THURSDAY, JULY 28TH, 2022.
PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
There’s a promise of a higher realm of life for you regardless of where you are presently. But until and unless you have a compelling desire for it, you may not move to that new and higher realm of life.
Let’s look through the Scriptures for two examples of those whose lives were transformed as a result of their compelling desire for a change in their circumstances. In the early period of the history of the nation of Israel, some had become comfortable with the Egyptian lifestyle and possibly forgotten about the land God promised their forebears (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).
However, it wasn’t until they were subjected to slavery, and the Egyptian whips bruised and tore into their skin that they remembered God’s promise. Suddenly, Israel’s desire for a change grew and God heard their cry and sent Moses, a deliverer, to bring them out of slavery and lead them into the Promised Land.
There’s another inspiring story of a woman named Hannah in the Book of 1 Samuel 1:1-21. She had no child because she was barren and had been in this situation for many years. Her situation seemed bearable because her husband loved her very much. However, the tide turned for her when her rival began to goad her with her condition.
Suddenly, she became sad and very desperate. This time, her husband’s effort to assuage her grief was meaningless; her desire for a child had become overwhelming. The Bible says, “…she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore” (1 Samuel 1:10).
In these two situations, God’s response came as a result of a strong desire for a change. So, do you desire a change in your situation today? Do you want the power of the Kingdom of God to produce results for you? Then, your heart must reach out; you must be bursting with a strong desire. This is just the beginning of the steps you need to take to make a lasting change in your life. To learn more on the subject, get our book, “When God Visits You.”
CONFESSION:
Dear Father, thank you for the inner strength to desire and experience the supernatural in my life, ministry, finances, business and career. More than anything else, I desire your righteousness to fill the nations, and that through me, many be won into your glorious Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Proverbs 23:18
World English Bible
18 Indeed surely there is a future hope,and your hope will not be cut off.
Psalm 37:4
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
World English Bible
4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh,and he will give you the desires of your heart.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 3:1-31 & Psalms 42-44
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Ephesians 4:1-10 & Isaiah 48
READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
BEARERS OF SALVATION.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27TH, 2022.
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:11)
As Christians, we have a ministry of reconciliation; our work of the Gospel is to reach our world and reconcile men to God. We have to do it. Those of us who have believed in Jesus Christ have been brought into fellowship with God (1 John 1:3), but the whole world is not. It is our responsibility to bring them in.
Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This charge was not given to angels, but to us – His disciples. There are Christians who pray to God to send angels to get people to come to Christ; but that is not their job. Their job is to get the people in contact with us so we can minister the Gospel to them.
We are the bearers of the message of salvation; we are the ones to lead people to salvation in Christ Jesus. Somebody might say, “But in Revelation 14:6-7, we are told the angel that was to preach the everlasting Gospel: ‘And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.’”
The message of this angel was not a message of salvation, but of judgment as seen in the underlined portion above. Preaching the Gospel of salvation is an assignment clearly cut out for us. In Acts 10, the Bible tells us how an angel was sent to a Roman soldier by the name of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-3). But the angel did not preach the Gospel to Cornelius. Instead, the angel got him to make contact with Simon Peter who came and preached to Cornelius and his household, and they received salvation.
What an honourable assignment it is for us to be the bearers of the message of salvation to the ends of the earth! Blessed be God! You should be glad about that. Make it your life work. You have been given the opportunity to serve in the Gospel, to make His righteousness known, and establish His Kingdom in the earth and in the hearts of men. Hallelujah!
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for the privilege to be a bearer of the message of salvation. Thank you for granting me the grace to turn men to righteousness, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. I fulfil my ministry today as an ambassador of Christ and of the Gospel in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Mark 16:15-16 (KJV) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Daniel 12:3 (KJV) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 2:1:29 & Psalms 38-41
2 YEAR 10BIBLE READING PLAN
Ephesians 3:13-21 & Isaiah 47
READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S LOVE.
TUESDAY, JULY 26TH, 2022.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8)
The Bible says God is love, a simple but very profound statement. But what does it mean? If God is love, what does He look like? Or what does love look like? For generations and thousands of years, the understanding of this revelation was obscure to many because no one had seen God (1 John 4:12). So, all they had were wild imaginations of who God was, and what love is.
But then came Jesus who said, “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9). Jesus was God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). When He walked the streets of Galilee, He was the embodiment, the manifestation of God’s love. 1 John 4:9 says, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” Jesus was love made flesh. That’s one of the most extraordinary things that I ever discovered. And it came to me like a vision: I saw love walking like a man in front of me, in the person of Jesus Christ! Truly, Jesus is the perfect description of love! What’s more?
The Bible says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NKJV). That means, the proof that we know God’s love is how we show it, because we’re the expression of His character, ability and nature today. You’re the proof of God’s love.
You can’t claim to know God’s love if you don’t show it. His love must be demonstrated through you. It reminds of what the Bible says in Ephesians 3:10 NKJV: “To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and Powers in the heavenly places.” This is God’s plan; His dream is to manifest Himself, His love, His divine excellence and wisdom through the Church. And it’s happening through you. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION:
The love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost who lives in me. His love is daily manifested in me; I’m the proof of His love, the expression of His character, ability and nature, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 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.
1 John 4:12-13 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 1:18-32 & Psalms 35-37
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Ephesians 3:1-12 & Isaiah 46
READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WHY SPEAK IN TONGUES?
MONDAY, JULY 25TH, 2022.
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church (1 Corinthians 14:4).
When you receive the Holy Spirit, you receive the power of God to reside in you as Jesus said (Acts 1:8). This power is triggered or activated when you speak in other tongues. The Greek word translated “edifieth” in the opening scripture is “oikodomeo,” which means to construct or build up, to embolden or charge up like you’d charge a battery.
That verse is therefore telling us that the one who speaks in tongues builds himself up like an edifice; he emboldens himself and charges himself like a battery. When you spend time to speak in other tongues, you’re building up your spirit: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 1:20). If you were weak in your Christian life, as you speak in other tongues, the power of God that had lain dormant within you would be stirred and you’ll be strengthened to do the things of God.
Speaking in tongues is the antidote to fear and timidity. God hasn’t given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Activate the power within you by spending time speaking in other tongues; do this every day and every so often. Your inner man will be built up strong and you’ll constantly walk in dominion over all your adversaries.
Also, speaking in tongues empowers you to preach. I heard the testimony of a nine-year-old boy who was timid and unable to preach to his friends. After he began speaking in tongues, he became confident, and the hitherto timid boy became a bold preacher of the Gospel everywhere. There’s no limitation as to what the Spirit of God can do in your life if you’d spend time to speak in other tongues every day, knowing that you’re speaking mysteries to God, which will provide divine wisdom.
Furthermore, speaking in other tongues aids “quick charge” and causes your spirit to respond quickly to divine signals. Speaking in other tongues is a great blessing. You can learn more about this from our book, “The Power of Tongues.” Get it and study it carefully and expose your spirit to the rich benefits of “glossolalia” (Greek)—speaking in tongues.
CONFESSION:
Dear Father, I thank you for the invigorating, revitalizing, refreshing, energizing and edifying experience of speaking in tongues. There’s a transformation in all that concerns me; my spirit is conditioned for success, excellence, prosperity and victory. As I speak in tongues even now, out of my belly flow gushers of living waters; words of salvation, healing and strength flow through me to my world, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 14:2-4
World English Bible
2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
Acts 2:1-4
World English Bible
2 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Isaiah 28:11
World English Bible
11 But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language,
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Romans 1:1-17 & Psalms 32-34
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Ephesians 2:11-22 & Isaiah 45
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