READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES, DAILY DEVOTIONAL,

A LIFE OF GLORY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
TUESDAY 31ST JANUARY, 2023.

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 (1 Peter 2:9).

When we say Christianity is a call to a life of glory, righteousness, greatness, honour and peace, it’s a present-hour reality. It’s a literal truth, not a promise we’re looking forward to enjoying when we get to heaven. We have the Christ-life in us NOW! We have His righteousness and His glory. The Bible says, “…As he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

Colossians 3:3-4 tells us something super-sublime; it says, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then will ye also appear with him in glory.” Christ is your life. There was an exchange; a supplanting of your natural human life by His divine life. The Lord Jesus took your depraved, defeated, destroyed and broken human life away from you. He took the life of sin and shame away from you, and in its place, He gave you a life of glory and righteousness.

Think about it: if Christ is your life, then everything about your life should be absolutely divine. How then could you be said to have an incurable ailment? Satan has tried to deceive many to believe nothing has changed in their lives even though they’re now born again.

The darkness, misery, infirmities and pains that were associated with your old human life have all passed away. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

You’re now in a new environment—the environment of His glory and righteousness. That’s why your life is full of glory and you produce fruits and works of righteousness. Have and walk in this consciousness. Be full of faith and confidence, knowing that your life is the expression andmanifestation of these truths. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION:
I’m full of faith and confidence, knowing that my life is the expression and manifestation of the glory and righteousness of Christ. I have the life of Christ at work in my spirit, soul and body. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY:
Colossians 1:26-27 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 21:33-22:1-14 & Exodus 20-21

2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 11:11-20 & Genesis 31

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

YOUR EXALTED PLACE IN HIM.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2023.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Oftentimes, some Christians describe their encounters with demons and how they’re often oppressed by the powers of darkness. To such folks, the question that often comes to my mind is, “Who is Jesus? Didn’t He give us power over devils?”

The Bible says we’ve been delivered—transferred and translated—from the jurisdiction of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Love-Son. That’s your current place of domicile. You’re far above principalities and powers; vitally and effectively superior to Satan and the demons of hell!

Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Until and unless this becomes your present-hour consciousness, perception and outlook on life, you’ll live a life that’s far lower than your calling in Christ.

Here’s something I did many years ago that I recommend you do for yourself: get your notepad or diary and write as a title, “Why I have power over devils.” Then, get into the Bible and write out every scripture you can find about Jesus, who He is, and who you are in Him! You’d be amazed and inspired by what you’d discover about Jesus Christ, the power He’s given you, and your exalted place in Him. You’re in Him; inseparably one with Him.
As He is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17).

How is He? He is the effulgence of the Father’s glory. He is glory personified. Who is He? He’s Himself, God! Where is He? He’s at the place of highest honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realm: “…exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming” (Ephesians 1:21 TPT). The most enthralling part of it all is that you’re in Him, gloriously enthroned with Him and exalted, far above every ruler, authority, government and realm of power in existence. Blessed be God!

PRAYER:
I live in the Kingdom of God’s Love-Son; that’s the realm into which I was born; a realm of glory, beyond time and space; the realm of the miraculous. I refuse to condescend to the earthly level of life or reasoning. I rule over demons and circumstances, dominating this physical world with the principles of our heavenly Kingdom. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:
Colossians 1:12-13
New English Translation
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Ephesians 1:21-23 TPT
And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming! And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others. And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it!

Ephesians 1:21-23
New English Translation
21 far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. 23 Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 2:6
New English Translation
6 and he raised us up together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 21:1-32 & Exodus 18-19

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 11:1-10 & Genesis 30

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE DIVINE ESSENCE.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2023.

That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination] (2 Timothy 1:6 AMPC).

Think about this: The same Spirit by which Jesus cast out devils, healed the sick, raised the dead and did all the amazing miracles that He did, lives in you today. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God; He’s the divine essence. He’s exactly like Jesus. He doesn’t receive power from God; He’s the POWER of God! He’s the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father.

The Holy Spirit isn’t less than the Father, nor is He less than Jesus. The Bible says it was Him that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). This Holy Spirit has also vitalized your hitherto death-prone body. Your body is now His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). Hallelujah! What does this mean for you?

It means if ever your body is afflicted, if any wound or anomaly surfaces in your body, it’ll be taken care of by the Holy Spirit. He perambulates in you to ensure nothing goes wrong in or with your physical body. This is the reality! So, every so often, activate His power in you by speaking in tongues and affirming His Word.

You don’t have to attend “revival” meetings to activate the power of the Spirit. Just start declaring His Word concerning your life, and before long, His divine power will course through your being. Blessed be God!

CONFESSION:
Everything in my body is touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s life in me. There’s no situation I can’t change, for the inherent power to do exceeding abundantly above all that I could ask, think or imagine is within me. I’m infused with divine strength, and the glory of God is revealed through me. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Timothy 4:14 (AMPC) Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].

Romans 8:10-11 (ESV) But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 19:16-20:1-16 & Exodus 15

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 10:23-33 & Genesis 28

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

ENERGIZED PRAYER.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 2023.

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed (Acts 19:20).

If you desire certain changes in your life, your city, state or nation, you can make it happen through effectual prayers—praying with passion. Paul knew how to pray effectively; that was what changed Ephesus and other places where he ministered.

Paul was in Ephesus for two years and three months, and during that period, he shook up the whole place. The Bible says, “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds” (Acts 19:18). In other words, they gave up idolatry and their heathen practices and openly confessed the lordship of Jesus.

The 19th verse says those who had been into magic and cults were converted to Christ. How was Paul able to achieve this? He gave us an idea when he said in 1 Corinthians 15:32,
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me….”

When you study the context, you don’t find where he personally encountered beasts or was physically attacked by wild beasts. Evidently, Paul was speaking spiritually. He was referring to something that happened in the spirit. Recall what we read in our theme verse: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

The Gospel prevailed in Ephesus because Paul understood how to pray with passion, how to prevail in the spirit through prayer. The Bible says, ..The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). The phrase “effectual fervent” is “energeō” (Greek), and it means “energized.” In other words, the “energized” prayer of a righteous man avails much. Hallelujah!

To drive this point home, James gives us the example of Elijah’s prayer and says, Elijah “prayed earnestly” (James 5:17). The phrase “prayed earnestly” literally means that Elijah “prayed with prayer,” giving it a Hebraistic form of emphasis. He was talking about the intensity of Elijah’s prayer. He prayed energized prayer.

There’re many things happening in our world today that should move us to pray intensely as Elijah did. It’s your responsibility as a child of God to put a halt to evil works masterminded by Satan in your world and the regions beyond.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for the privilege and blessing of prayer. Now I pray for the unhindered spread of the Gospel, that your Word may have free course and be glorified. I pray against fear, violence, wickedness and all forms of injustice; I declare peace, progress, stability and prosperity, for the furtherance of your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
James 5:16‭-‬18 AMPC
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].

Luke 22:44 TPT
He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until he was in such intense agony of spirit that his sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 19:1-15 & Exodus 13-14

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 10:12-22 & Genesis 27

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SAVED BY HIS RESURRECTION.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2023.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

In Romans 10:9, the Bible says, “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” It lets us know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is where Christianity came from.

To be a Christian, you’ve got to believe in the resurrection. If you don’t believe in the resurrection, you can’t believe in the death, because the death had to occur before the resurrection. Actually, the best rendering of Romans 10:9 is, “If you’ll confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you’ll be saved.”

You may say, “Pastor Chris, but it says you confess first and then you believe next.” No; you believe first before you confess. That’s the principle. The next verse explicitly clarifies it: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Hallelujah!

When you believe with your heart, you’re made right with God. We believed in Jesus Christ and we were given right standing, and with the confession of His lordship, we were catapulted into salvation. That’s the simple principle.

2 Corinthians 4:13 says, “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.” It shows that you believe, and then you speak. Every man, woman, boy and girl ever born, and that’ll ever be born into this world has already been legally “saved” by Jesus Christ. When He died, He died to save all humanity. But that salvation becomes a vital experience—active—in the life of the one who believes, not only that Jesus died, but that He was raised from the dead for our justification. Praise God!

CONFESSION:
As we await the soon return of the Lord, may the clouds pour down righteousness continually; may the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, and righteousness sprout with it, according to the Word of the Lord, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Isaiah 45:8
New American Standard Bible
God’s Supreme Power

8 “Drip down, heavens, from above,
And let the clouds pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit,
And righteousness sprout with it.
I, the Lord, have created it.

Isaiah 45:8
New English Translation
8 O sky, rain down from above!
Let the clouds send down showers of deliverance!
Let the earth absorb it so salvation may grow,
and deliverance may sprout up along with it.
I, the Lord, create it.’”

1 Corinthians 15:12-19
New English Translation
No Resurrection?

12 Now if Christ is being preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty. 15 Also, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified against God that he raised Christ from the dead, when in reality he did not raise him, if indeed the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins. 18 Furthermore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.

John 11:25
New English Translation
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 18:15-35 & Exodus 10-12

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 10:1-11 & Genesis 26

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PRODUCTS OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25TH, 2023.

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24).

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “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.” Being born again, we’re the exact manifestation of the righteousness of God. A dog gives birth to a dog. Likewise, when God in His infinite righteousness gave birth to us, we became the righteousness of God.

We’re the product of His righteousness; we’re His righteousness manifested! Declare this about yourself every so often. When you say it, it’s not a boast; you’re simply affirming truth—you’re declaring who you are in Christ!

This is different from the gift of righteousness by which you stand in the presence of God to receive eternal life. When you were born again, you were recreated in righteousness. The Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This new creature, as read in our opening verse, was created in righteousness and true holiness. The Amplified Classic calls it “true righteousness” (Ephesians 4:24).
Hallelujah! In other words, no more shadow or figure of righteousness. You’re God-like in true righteousness and holiness. What a blessing! Live with this consciousness and walk in glory and dominion over circumstances, every day.

CONFESSION:
I’ve received true righteousness; I’m now God-like in true righteousness and holiness, superior to Satan, his demons and circumstances! And by the power of Jesus Christ, the whole world is subdued before me in absolute dominion. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 4:24
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:24
New English Translation
24 and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.

Romans 5:17
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Romans 5:17
New English Translation
17 For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 17:14-18:1-14 & Exodus 8-9

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 9:27-38 & Genesis 25

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

INTERCEDING FOR ALL MEN.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24TH, 2023.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

The scripture above outlines the kinds of prayers that we should pray for all men: “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.” We must pray like this, and oftentimes, with fasting, so that God’s purpose to have the mass of humanity come to Christ will be actualized. The Bible says He wants all men saved, including leaders of nations.

This is the day of His grace and of His salvation. Therefore, in prayer, present that argument; the Bible says the grace of God that brings salvation has been made available to all men (Titus 2:11). In Christ, salvation has already been wrought for every man. But we know what keeps people in darkness. The Bible says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Satan is the one who has blinded the minds of men so they wouldn’t believe the Gospel; he’s the reason some will do anything to resist the message of the Gospel. But in prayer, you break his hold and influence over men’s lives.

Always take out time to intercede passionately for those in your world who haven’t yet known the Lord. Pray that every resistance is removed for them to receive the truth with understanding and embrace the Word of God for their salvation.

Also, pray for leaders, that they’ll have the will, desire, and boldness to do what is right and refuse to yield to corruption and negative influences. Prophesy often that peace prevails in the cities, towns and nations of the world, and the Gospel has free course where you live and work.

PRAYER:
This is the day of salvation and grace, for the grace of God that brings salvation has been made available to all men. Therefore, I pray for massive numbers of men and women around the world to receive this precious message of salvation. I pray that the veils be taken off their eyes, and their hearts and minds be opened to the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬4 (AMPC) FIRST OF all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 16:13-17:1-13 & Exodus 6-7

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 9:14-26 & Genesis 24

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

SANCTIFIED PRAISE.
MONDAY, JANUARY 23RD, 2023.

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever (2 Chronicles 20:21).

1 Peter 2:9 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.” That’s our calling right there: it’s to a life of praise. We’re sanctified to praise the Lord.

In the Bible, David, being a prophet of God was inspired of the Lord to organize the Levites into choirs. That’s because He had the revelation of true worship. David was a musician, an instrumentalist and a songwriter. He was a singer and he also made instruments. In the palace of Saul, King of Israel, he often played the flute (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

The Bible tells us they did make music in Kings’ houses; music wasn’t something new to the world. But music for God was different. If music was going to be offered in sacrifice to God, it could only be done by the Levites inside the temple (1 Chronicles 16:4).

Furthermore, our praise is a weapon against the adversary. Recall what happened with Jehoshaphat: three enemy nations allied against Judah. But Jehoshaphat organized with the people and put the singers in front of the army. The Bible says, “And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir…” (2 Chronicles 20:22).
That’s the power of sanctified praise.

There’re battles you win with praise. Read Acts 16:25-26 and see how Paul and Silas were supernaturally delivered from their captors as they praised the Lord. In the New Testament, we’re the circumcision that worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). We are the ones He’s sanctified to offer Him true worship. It’s the reason we can worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

We often have our Praise Night Services, where as a global audience, we pour out our hearts in worship and praise to the Lord for His love, goodness, grace and wondrous works. Be sure to be a part of these live services and relive the moments during the rebroadcast on our Loveworld Networks.

CONFESSION:
Precious Lord Jesus, I worship you; you’re the King eternal, immortal, with all power, glory and majesty. You’re the Monarch of the universe, and you alone have all authority in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth. You’re the Most High God, worthy of all praise, honour and adoration. You’re King of the ages. I worship you today and forever. Amen

FURTHER STUDY:
2 Chronicles 20:21-22
New English Translation
21 He met with the people and appointed musicians to play before the Lord and praise his majestic splendor. As they marched ahead of the warriors they said: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his loyal love endures.”

22 When they began to shout and praise, the Lord suddenly attacked the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

Acts 16:25-26
New English Translation
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors flew open, and the bonds of all the prisoners came loose.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 15:29-16:1-12 & Exodus 3-5

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 9:1-13 & Genesis 23

READ YOUR RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

AGONIZING FOR SOULS IN PRAYER.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22ND, 2023.

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

The Apostle Paul knew how to agonize in prayer for the souls of men. He understood the principles of prevailing prayer—soul travail. For example, in 1 Corinthians 15:32, he said, …I have fought with beasts at Ephesus….” There, he was talking about something that happened in the spirit. It was a spiritual warfare.

In Revelation 19:11, the Apostle John tells us, “…in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” We judge and make war in righteousness. The phrase “make war” is the Greek, “polemeō” and it means to be (engaged) in warfare, to battle or fight. Instead of “war,” it’s also sometimes translated “battle.”

“War” is also translated from “stratomai,” which has to do with war as in soldiers in a warfare. But then there’s “Agonisomai” (Greek); another word for war which is more about contending for something (Colossians 1:29; 4:12). This time, it’s more passionate and intense, and it doesn’t necessarily use arms.

That’s where the English word “agonize” is derived. That’s what we’re expected to do in praying for lost souls—we “agonize,” because we have an adversary that’s warring against us. Ephesians 6:12 says, “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.”

The word “wrestle” is the generic term for war, battle, fight, or struggle; letting us know that all of these have to do with our adversary. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us about this adversary and the extent of his wickedness. It says, _*“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

This is why you must pray intensely for sinners to be delivered from the power of Satan into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Agonize for them in prayer. This is a priority in warring a good warfare (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

PRAYER:
Dear Father, I thank you for pouring out your Spirit upon all humanity, making it possible for all men to receive the glorious Gospel of Christ. I break the power of the devil over people’s minds whom you’ve destined for salvation today; they’re delivered from darkness to light and into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 6:12-13
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]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 15:1-28 & Exodus 1-2

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 8:23-34 & Genesis 22