2093
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 8TH JANUARY 2024
GOD'S EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS
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...for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee (Acts 26:16).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Greek word translated minister above is "huperetes" and it means an official, an executive assistant. That's what the Lord said to Paul, "to make you my assistant, my official executive assistant." What an honour. The Bible says we're His witnesses; He's made us able ministers of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 3:6), ministers of reconciliation. Hallelujah!
2 Corinthians 5:18 says, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." You have a message; you have a purpose. Your job is so important: it's to help men and women discover Jesus, bringing them out of darkness, sin and death into righteousness and eternal life. What a ministry!
You're His representative; therefore, you have to be bold with the message that He's committed to you. You have to preach it confidently and with power. Think about the officials in your country who represent the government imagine how bold and how confident they work, walk, and talk-because they're conscious that their government is behind them.
You represent the government of Heaven; therefore, you're backed by divine authority. The Lord said in Matthew 28:18, "...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Then on the basis of that authority, He said to us in the very next verse, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations..." (Matthew 28:19). There's no higher mandate than the one given to us by Jesus Christ to take the Gospel to every man's world. He has commanded us to go and speak and act in His Name. We're His ambassadors, to make students of the nations, to show them how to live.
Be an effective witness in your world. Have a burning passion to make the Gospel known, and get everyone in your world ready for the Master's soon return. You might be the last or only hope they have to hear and receive the Gospel. Take advantage of every opportunity today to win souls for Christ!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for making me effective witness of the Gospel. I'm filled with a burning passion to make the Gospel known. I seize every opportunity to win souls for Christ, divinely empowered and strengthened to share your message with unwavering enthusiasm and conviction, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Romans 10:14-15; How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
1 Peter 2:9; 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:
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 Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 6:19-7:1-6 & Genesis 20-22
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 7:43-53 & Nehemiah 12
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 6TH JANUARY 2023
CALLED OUT TO SERVICE
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But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
Pastor Chris Says
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The word, "Church" in the New Testament really means "the called out ones"; from the Greek "Ecclesia" (a calling out). And when we say we're God's called-out ones, it doesn't refer to being called out of the world unto God. What actually happens is that we're called out from home to service.
We find this captured in Hebrews 13:13, which says, "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." Mark the expression, "without the camp"; it means outside the camp. We're the called out ones to serve Him outside the camp.
It mirrors what the Bible says, that Jesus Christ was crucified outside the city gates. So He says let us also go forth therefore unto Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. It's about our work of service, our evangelical work to the whole world. The ensuing verse 14 clarifies it some more; it says, "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." In other words, get to work, do His work.
When we gather as the Church, it's for a purpose; we come to praise Him for the purpose of going to do what He told us to do. He said: "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). The real work is outside the camp. We've been sent to spread the news of His saving power to the ends of the earth.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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I'm called out to a purpose, to a mission of service. Therefore, I commit myself to be diligent and faithful in the work of service the Lord has called me to, to reach the unreached and saturate the world with the message of the Gospel. I fulfil it with purpose and passion, in Jesus' Name. Amen..
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 Corinthians 15:58; Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Matthew 28:19-20; Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[20] teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 5: 21-48 & Genesis 15-17
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 7:22-32 & Nehemiah 10
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 4TH JANUARY 2024
THE RESURRECTION IS THE KEY
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But what saith it?... That 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 (Romans 10:8-9).
Pastor Chris Says
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Christianity begins with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not the death. This doesn't mean the death of Jesus Christ is not important, for there would be no resurrection if there were no death. If you believe in the resurrection, you definitely believe in the death, but the key is in believing in the resurrection. That's what gave us a new life.
In Acts 13:33, the Bible says, "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee." This isn't referring to His birth in Bethlehem but the rebirth at the resurrection.
Jesus was the first begotten of the dead, which means the first to be born out of spiritual death. On the cross, He died two deaths. He died spiritually first when our sins were laid on Him and He was cut off, separated from the Father. He cried out on the cross "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me" (Mark 15:34). When that happened, it became possible for Jesus to die physically.
When He died, He went to hell in the spirit, because that's where we all should have gone; He went to hell our place. But He was a righteous man, bearing the sins of others. The Bible shows us how in hell, Satan and all the demons of darkness grappled with Jesus in order to subdue Him. But He threw off from Himself principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15).
Jesus publicly defeated Satan and the demons of darkness and came out of death and hell in victory. When He arose, the Bible says He was justified; the resurrection was the sign. That rebirth at the resurrection meant that there was no sin, there was no condemnation; the debt of sin was paid by His death, but His resurrection of a new life brought us justification (Romans 4:25).
That's why today, anyone who believes that Jesus died for their sins and was raised back to life for their justification comes into a newness of life and becomes a new creature: "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" (Romans 6:4).
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the glorious resurrection of Christ that brought us the justification of eternal life. I acknowledge the glorious victory He achieved over Satan and the forces of darkness, triumphing over death and hell in my behalf. Now I'm raised together with Him in the place of victory, authority and dominion forever, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Galatians 2:20; Galatians 2:20 KJV
[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Romans 4:23-25: Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; [
24] but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
[25] who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 4 & Genesis 9-11
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 7:1-11 & Nehemiah 7-8
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 2ND JANUARY 2024
WE'RE HIS WITNESSES
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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 (Acts 1:8).
Pastor Chris Says
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A witness is a proof producer; one who has evidence. We produce evidence that Jesus is alive and that His message of salvation is a message that works. Hallelujah! 2 Corinthians 5:19 says, "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." This is our message.
Jesus brought humanity out of sin so that they might inherit His righteousness. He brought us out of death, pain and penury so that we might have life to the full and live in prosperity, health and wellness. Now we can help those who don't know Him to discover His light, learn about Him and receive His righteousness. He saved us and made us His partners in saving others.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 says, "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)." We're living in the day of salvation, the day of God's grace, today. Hallelujah!
As we approach the end of this present world, we're to live circumspectly, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). He wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). That's why He sent us to preach the Good News of salvation.
In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus said to His disciples, "... The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." We're His labourers for the end-time harvest, sent with the message of His saving power. We're the bearers of the Gospel of His grace. What an honour!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I'm grateful for the privilege of being your witness, and for entrusting me with the word of reconciliation-the message of your love and grace. I recognize that I am a partner in your divine plan to bring salvation to many and usher them into their glorious inheritance in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Isaiah 43:10; Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Acts 4:19-20; But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
[20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Matthew 28:19-20; Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[20] teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 2 & Genesis 3-5
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 6:1-8 & Nehemiah 4-5
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 31ST DECEMBER 2023
OUR MINISTRY OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
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Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).
Pastor Chris Says
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God sent us to take His presence to the peoples and nations of the world, demonstrating to them the character of the Spirit. But what's in that presence? It's the righteousness of God. When we bring the presence of God to an individual or a community, we're bringing them the righteousness of God.
This very much aligns with the vision of Jesus. He came to set up the Kingdom of God in the earth; He came to establish God's righteousness. Before His birth, the angel announced to Mary that His name shall be called Emmanuel- God with us (Matthew 1:23). That's God's presence, and Jesus was the righteousness of God unveiled in flesh.
God's presence is His righteousness in manifestation. That's why we preach and teach the righteousness of God; because only through His righteousness can the people experience His Person. You can't know God with your senses; you can't know Him until you understand His righteousness, which is revealed in His acts of love.
It's the reason we want the whole world to know who Jesus is. We want the whole world to experience the righteousness of God. When we talk about the love of God, the love of God actually is the demonstration of the righteousness of God.
Wherever the righteousness of God is in manifestation, the love of God is experienced. We've been made His righteousness, which means the righteousness of God is in manifestation through you in your world-in your office, in your home etc. You hold forth the fruits of God's righteousness everywhere.
It's the reason when you get involved in a matter, it shouldn't be about taking sides with anyone but about establishing the righteousness of God, because that's what we represent, that's what we're called to establish. Glory to God!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for making me a conveyor of your divine presence, a dispenser of your righteousness. Everywhere I go, I exude the excellence and elegance of the Spirit. I'm the manifestation of your righteousness. I spread and speak forth your righteousness and give vent to your glory and virtue, in Jesus' Name. Amen..
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Philippians 1:9-11; And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
[10] that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
[11] being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 2:13; For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
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.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 22 & Malachi 3-4
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 5:24-32 & Nehemiah 1-2
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 29TH DECEMBER 2023
JESUS MADE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD A REALITY
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For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (Ephesians 2:14).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Lord Jesus came to bring us into fellowship with God. He came to establish an intimate relationship - a oneness between God and man so that man can truly know God; and He achieved it. In Christ Jesus, we were given eternal life; the life and nature of God was imparted to our spirits.
He said in John 10:10 NIV, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The Christ-life in its fullness is what you received when you received Jesus as Lord of your life. The Bible says in Colossians 3:4, "Christ is our life"; He's the life of the one who's born again. What a Gospel!
This is what He wants us to preach and teach around the world. He said in Mark 16:15, "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." He wants us to let the world know that a relationship with Almighty God is possible; righteousness is possible and available. All it takes is to believe: "...whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:15). Hallelujah!
Jesus died for our sins, but He rose triumphantly from the dead after three days. His death settled the charges against us, but it didn't make us one with God. It was His resurrection that gave us eternal life and brought us into oneness with God.
Now, Jesus Christ isn't only the Lord of your life but also one in and by whom you've found rich and deep fellowship: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).
1 Corinthians 1:9 says, "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." This is what God had always wanted with man: fellowship! Jesus made it a reality. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the remarkable gift of fellowship, oneness, friendship and intimacy with you, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who has made your presence real to me. I enjoy the depth of this relationship, and walk in the love and righteousness that Jesus has made available for me to live by. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 John 4:9-10; 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.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 Corinthians 1:9; God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 1:3 AMPC; What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 20 & Zechariah 12-14
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 5:1-11 & Ezra 8
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 27TH DECEMBER 2023
NO FORCE CAN PREVAIL AGAINST YOU
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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Pastor Chris Says
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Did you know that the statement in our opening verse is a divine decree? You're kept from perishing for believing in Jesus Christ. That means nothing and no one can harm you. 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."
He also said in Mark 16:18 that if you drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt you. This is your heritage in Christ. Psalm 91:5-7 says, "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee."
Notice the latter part, it says the evil, the pestilence, and the terror that destroy others won't come near you; why? Because you're in Christ! Christ is a place; and therein you're shielded from the destructions, calamities and degradations of this present world. Hallelujah!
It further reminds of the words of the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 54:17, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper... This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD...." The reason the weapons can't prosper is that you have eternal life- the indestructible, incorruptible and impregnable life of God!
Remember what we read in our opening verse: "... whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It's a life of absolute mastery and dominion, a life of glory, victory, success and excellence. Because of this life in you, no evil force can prevail against you. You're more than a conqueror! Glory to His Name forever!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Thank you, Father, for your glorious life in me; I live triumphantly today, far above Satan and the negative systems of this world. Thank you for appointing me to a life of glory, victory, success and excellence, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 John 4:4; You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Romans 8:35-39; 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 Your sake we are killed all day long;We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
[37] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
[39] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 19:1-10 & Zechariah 7-8
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 4:13-22 & Ezra 6
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 25TH DECEMBER 2023
JESUS-THE TRUE GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE
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And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
Pastor Chris Says
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As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it's important for us to grasp the full import and meaning of eternal life. The fact that Jesus brought this life makes it absolutely imperative that we know what it means. What then is eternal life?
To understand what it means, you'd have to first understand what the Scripture says about God, about the divinity of Jesus Christ, idolatry, and life itself. Many have only known eternal life to be the life and nature of God. But I'll give you a definition that clarifies it. Eternal life is the organic and existential attributes of deity.
In those few words, you have the distinguishing factors- everything that separates our God from all others that may be called gods. These attributes must be organic, and they must be existential. And you can only find that in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as expressed in Jesus Christ.
That is what makes it beautiful because we don't see Him, yet we can call Him God. But who is He when you don't see Him? That is why many have represented God with whatever they think He is-stones, wood, or some materials and shape-but our God is real and true.
Some people may argue that He doesn't exist, but He came to us in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14 NKJV).
Jesus is Himself, God. Hallelujah! And He is eternal life: "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" (1 John 5:20). 1 John 1:2: "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."
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for the revelation of your personality to my spirit. I'm overwhelmed by your boundless love. I thank you for the privilege and blessing to be a partaker of your life, and show forth your praises and express your righteousness in the earth, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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John 17:3; And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
1 John 5:11-13; 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.
[13] 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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 17 & Zechariah 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 3:12-26 & Ezra 3-4
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 23RD DECEMBER 2023
THE INFINITE EXPANSE OF HIS DOMINION
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And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Pastor Chris Says
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When God raised Jesus from the dead, He set Him at His own right hand, "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).
Right hand in Scripture means the place or seat of power. It's like you say, "Jim is my right-hand man"; it means Jim represents and speaks for you; you've given him your authority. Jesus being seated at God's right hand means He's seated in the seat of power; God operates through Him. That's amazing!
But then we observe something remarkable about the infinite expanse of Jesus' dominion. His dominion surpasses all levels and hierarchies of power. It's "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). Blessed be God!
The Lord Jesus reigns supreme in this world as it is now and also in the ages to come. He holds unmatched authority over all things, and His Name stands above every title. Praise God! The Amplified translation renders it beautifully. It says Jesus is far above "...every title that can be conferred), not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come" (AMPC).
The New Living Translation emphasizes something even more interesting; it says, "...he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come." In other words, call them whatever you want-the superiority of the Lord Jesus is undeniable-transcending all persons, all limits and all boundaries.
That's the Lord Jesus Christ in whom you believe and whose birth is celebrated at this time all around the world. His authority knows no bounds and has no equal. His power extends throughout eternity. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I'm in awe of your mighty power, which was demonstrated when you raised Jesus from the dead and set Him at your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all levels and hierarchies of power, dominion and every title or name. Thank you, for I'm seated with Him in this glorious place of power and authority and have become his operational headquarters in the earth. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Colossians 2:9-10; For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
[10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Philippians 2:9-11; Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 1:1-3; God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
[3] who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 15 & Zephaniah 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 2:37-47 & Ezra 1
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 21ST DECEMBER 2023
ENJOY THE TRANSCENDENT LIFE
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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 AMPC).
Pastor Chris Says
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Our opening verse is so heart-warming and enlivening. It clearly states a specific reason for which Jesus came, which is for you to have and enjoy life to the full. Take a moment to meditate on this: He came for you to enjoy the transcendent life that He's given you. That's His plan and He doesn't want anything to cheat you out of it.
This is contrary to what religion teaches. In religion, people may feel compelled to sacrifice themselves to please God. However, in Christ, it's different. He died and was sacrificed for you. He gave His life for you to have His life.
The Bible says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). In 1 John 3:16, the Apostle John reveals, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us...." Thanks be unto God; after laying down His life for us, He was raised for our justification. And on that basis, you're to have and enjoy life to the full, till it overflows.
It may be challenging for some to believe that He came for them to have life and enjoy it, especially if they've had a different experience for a long time. Some others may wonder, can one truly enjoy life while battling sickness, pain, weakness or infirmity of the body?
The answer is evident-no! But as already stated, it's the reason Jesus6 gave us His life, which is uninfectable, a life that's superior to sickness and disease. 1 John 5:11-12 says, "...this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life...." You have that life now, it's the God-life. Enjoy it!
It's your heavenly Father's delight to see you healthy, vibrant, strong, joyful, and brimming with life. Therefore, embrace His plan for you to have and enjoy life to the full. Be exuberant with joy as you contemplate the life of glory, dominion, abundant grace and peace that He's given you in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I embrace your plan for me to have and enjoy life to the full. I'm exuberant with joy today as I contemplate the life of glory, dominion, abundant grace, and peace that you've given me in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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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.
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV; Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 13:1-10 & Nahum 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 2:14-24 & 2 Chronicles 35
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 19TH DECEMBER 2023
WORK THE WORD
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Wherefore, my beloved... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12 ).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Word of God is for doing; we're doers of the Word; we work the Word. As long as the Word remains in the pages of your Bible, it won't produce any results for you. But when you meditate on the Word and speak it forth, it comes alive and active.
Think about this: A lady who was diagnosed with breast cancer asked that I prayed for her. But I told her she could put the Word to work; she could use her mouth to cut out the cancerous growth. I explained to her what the mouth is -"stoma" (Greek), the front or edge of a weapon. She was excited and immediately got to work. She spoke consistently to the growth, in faith, over a period.
When I saw her a few months later, she was completely healed; the cancer had dematerialized and she was perfectly normal. She worked the Word. Glory to God! If you're sick, broken or afflicted in your body and you desire to be well, put your faith to work. Work the Word.
All the blessings of God are already packaged and delivered to you in Christ. The Bible says, "...all things are yours" (1 Corinthians 3:21). 2 Peter 1:3 says He's "...given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness...." Ephesians 1:3 says He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
God already did everything He needed to do for you to have and enjoy a glorious life. But you have the responsibility to put the Word to work in your life. You're the one to ensure all the wonderful blessings of God manifest in your life. Affirm the Word for your healing, prosperity, victory, promotion etc. Declare your prosperity without wavering. Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I belong to Christ; therefore, I'm the seed of Abraham, graced for greatness and ordained to be fruitful and productive in every good work. My life is for the glory of God and I reign and rule by the Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. I launch out today in faith, establishing the blessings and goodness of the Kingdom in my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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James 1:22-25; But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[24] for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jeremiah 1:12 AMPC; Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Isaiah 55:11 AMPC; So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 11 & Micah 4-5
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 1:12-26 & 2 Chronicles 33
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 17TH DECEMBER 2023
COMMUNICATE HIS LOVE
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Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers (Ephesians 4:29).
Pastor Chris Says
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As Christians, we have the Spirit of Christ. We're the light of the world. We're to think, love, talk, and conduct all our affairs in life like Him. Colossians 3:17 admonishes us to allow every detail in our lives-our words and actions-to align with the character of Christ: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...."
In other words, the character and presence of Jesus ought to radiate through you in your every day walk. Like Him, let your words be gracious and graceful. Practice the love of Jesus through your words.
People remember you more for the things you said to them and how you made them feel through your words. So, make up your mind that your words will communicate the presence and love of Jesus. Let the world see Jesus in you. Let them feel His love in the words you speak.
In the same way that the Lord Jesus was confident to say, "...If you have seen me, you have seen the Father..." (John 14:9 CEV); your testimony ought to be, "If you have seen me, you have seen Jesus." Let Him be who they see and hear when they listen to you.
Never use terrible, abusive and insulting words even if you're angry. Never be happy that your words made someone else sad. That's inconsistent with your nature of love. Be like Jesus: the Bible says, "...And the common people heard him gladly" (Mark 12:37). When people hear you, they should be glad because of your gracious and graceful words of life to them that stir the love for Christ in their hearts.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for your wisdom that's in my heart and in my words, and your love that's seen and heard in me today. Through my words, lives are transformed and improved; those you've placed in my path are blessed, encouraged, and edified by my gracious and graceful words, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📅 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 Peter 4:11; If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Proverbs 16:24; Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Ephesians 4:29 MSG; Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 9 & Jonah 1-4
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 21:13-25 & 2 Chronicles 31
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 15TH DECEMBER 2023
GRACE, TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE
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Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other (Psalm 85:9-10).
Pastor Chris Says
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In Psalm 85, the Psalmist prophetically shows a significant relationship between salvation and the land. Then, in the 10th verse, he prophetically paints a beautiful Imagery: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." The Hebrew word translated "mercy" is 'chêsêd, which is often translated as "lovingkindness."
What we have as lovingkindness in the Old Testament is the equivalent of grace in the New Testament. It represents God's unmerited favour, and this lovingkindness was often expressed through covenants. The New Living Translation calls it "unfailing love" because it was based on the unbroken covenant God had with His people, making it reliable and trustworthy: "Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed" (Psalm 85:10 NLT).
The Apostle Paul, in his beautiful discourse in Romans 5, brings this to mind when he said, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Thus, the psalmist's prophetic utterance finds fulfilment in us today the new creation in Christ. In us, grace and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Blessed be God!
Why is that so important? In those times, they were mostly farmers, and their prosperity often depended on what came out of the land. The Bible says, "Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase" (Psalm 85:11-12).
This was how the psalmist could relate with it; and remember, it was still prophetic in his time. This shows the relationship of God's blessings, salvation and righteousness with the land, that is, your nation or your country; they are key to what happens in the earth. In other words, as a result of grace and truth, righteousness and peace, there will be prosperity, wholeness and wellness in the earth. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Word and the understanding of your righteousness. I walk in the fullness of your grace and truth, righteousness and peace. Therefore, I speak prosperity, peace, justice, progress, wellness and wholeness to my country and the nations of the world, in Jesus' Name. Amen
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Ephesians 2:8-9; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [
9] not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5; not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Romans 4:5; But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 7 & Amos 5-9
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 20:19-31 & 2 Chronicles 29
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 13TH DECEMBER 2023
PEACE-THE WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
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Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Pastor Chris Says
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Isaiah 32:17 says, "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." We're the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, when the Bible talks about the work of righteousness being peace, it's telling you what you must produce as a result of your nature: your work is to establish peace.
The word "peace" is from the Hebrew "shålöm" and it refers to the totality of the human welfare-health, prosperity, etc. So, your work is to produce health, prosperity, and peace. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus in John 9:5. He said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
He didn't say those things just to distinguish Himself alone; He said it so we would know to speak accordingly. You're the bearer of His peace. Places where there had been war, bloodshed, hostilities, and wanton destruction of lives and properties can have peace when you show up; darkness is dispelled and the righteousness of God is established. Hallelujah!
Our God is the God of peace. Therefore, peace in the nations is His will. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...." How the world needs this today-the peace that only Jesus gives. We're the ones to help others and the nations experience this extraordinary life of peace through prayer, the preaching of the Gospel, and our works of righteousness.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "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." That's it! Peace with extraordinary grace for prosperity, excellence, preservation and rest will mantle the nations and hearts of men as we pray for all men, as we carry out the works of righteousness. So it makes no difference the turmoil, distress and troubles in today's world; decree peace, health and prosperity for your city and nation.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I'm the expression of your will and nature of righteousness, and I enforce your peace, health, and prosperity wherever I go. I decree peace over my city and nation, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Matthew 5:16; Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Romans 5:17 AMPC; 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).
Isaiah 32:17 AMPC; And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 5 & Joel 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 20:1-10 & 2 Chronicles 26-27
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 11TH DECEMBER 2023
THE MYSTERY OF THE GODHEAD
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And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16 AMPC).
Pastor Chris Says
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There're those who due to lack of proper understanding of the Scriptures are confused about the deity of Jesus. The Scriptures are unambiguous about it. Even the portion we just read in our theme verse leaves no one in doubt as to the fact that the one being referred to as God is Jesus.
Some have asked, "If Jesus is God, how can He set Himself at His own right hand in the heavenly places as stated in Ephesians 1:19-20?" First, you have to understand the extraordinary nature of God in which He's able to manifest Himself in different ways; it's the mystery of His nature.
The Bible tells us about the divine nature of the Godhead in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; one God, but manifests in three separate persons. We're never going to see three Gods in Heaven, or three thrones with the Father sitting on one, the Son on another, and then the Holy Spirit on the third one; no! It's only Jesus, because in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).
Colossians 1:19 says, "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." Recall at the baptism of Jesus, as He came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus. Simultaneously, a voice spoke from heaven and said, "...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
What an extraordinary manifestation of the three persons: The Son is baptized in water, and right away He's filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Father speaks from heaven! The first time the angels saw God Almighty in a body was when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The Bible says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14). God became flesh and dwelt among us, and yet His presence and His voice would speak from heaven. Amazing!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I worship the Lord Jesus, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the divine perfection, powers and attributes of divinity. Lord, you're the complete embodiment of Deity, the outward expression or image of the invisible God. You're the King eternal, gracious, loving and kind! I love you with all my heart! Blessed be your Name forever!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 John 5:7; So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One;
Colossians 2:9; For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 1:19 AMPC; For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 3:7-22 & Hosea 7-10
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 19:23-37 & 2 Chronicles 23-24
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 7TH JANUARY 2024
LAMBENT BY THE HOLY GHOST
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For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
Pastor Chris Says
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There's a remarkable thought in Ephesians 1:18; it says, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." The word enlightened is "photizo" (Greek). It means to shine the light on, to turn light on something or light up. This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Through the ministry of the Spirit, we're illuminated, and that's just one part. The second part is what happens in us through the ministry of the Word by the same Spirit. The Holy Spirit, through His ministry, enlightens us with the Word to become luminous-lambent. This happens in meditation.
It's one thing to be illuminated, but it's another thing to become lambent. You become a light because you were born to be a light through the Word. Without the Word, your light is dim. The Word of God is light (Psalm 119:105). No wonder the Bible says to let the words of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16).
The more you inundate your spirit with the Word, the more your light shines, the more lambent you become. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
With the Word inside you, the fire burns, you become Incandescent; you light up everywhere. You're not only a light to your family, but also a light to your city, your nation and the nations of the world. Even now, lift your hands and declare, "I'm a light to the nations. I'm lambent by the Holy Ghost that dwells in me. I'm a light in the Lord, and I walk as a child of light. I'm shining brightly." Blessed be God!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who enlightens me with the Word to become lambent. I'm a light to the nations. Thank you for flooding my heart with light so that I may know and fulfil my purpose and destiny in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖FURTHER STUDY:
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Ephesians 1:18 AMPC; By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),
Matthew 5:16; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Philippians 2:15: Philippians 2:15 KJV
[15] that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 6:1-18 & Genesis 18-19
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 7:33-42 & Nehemiah 11
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 5TH JANUARY 2024
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
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Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Church of the living God is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). It has systems, structures and principles. Except we understand them, many could live amiss and think they're doing right just because they feel good about their actions. That you feel good or are at peace about something doesn't make it acceptable to God.
The Word of God remains the ultimate guide. What should matter the most to you is what God says about anything. The Spirit of God inside you will always bear witness with His Word as He guides you from within. He said in Isaiah 30:21, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it...."
God's Word helps you know what God wants. Remember something that happened in the book of Genesis: Cain chose to bring to God an offering that he decided by himself. But Abel, on the other hand, brought to God an offering in accordance with God's will. He followed God's instructions.
Cain's offering was rejected, while Abel's offering was accepted. This shows how much God cares about how things are done for Him and towards Him. Don't find out late in life that you were living the wrong way or that all you were doing was rejected by God. How can you know that you're pleasing Him or that what you're doing is right? It's through the Scriptures.
The Word of God is clear as to how we must live; it's your perfect guide. The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). Recall the words of the Master in John 8:12: "...! am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
How do you follow Him? It's through the Word, by the Word, and in the Word. Follow the Word and you'll not make errors, for those who err, according to the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:29 do so because they don't know the Scriptures: "... Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures...."
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for your Word that's my sure guide and the Holy Spirit who leads me in your perfect will always. Your Word illuminates my heart to deal wisely in life, enjoy the blessings of righteousness and fulfil my purpose in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Joshua 1:8; This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.
[6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 5:1-20 & Genesis 12-14
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 7:12-21 & Nehemiah 9
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
WED. 3RD JANUARY 2024
YOUR PROSPEROUS LIFE IN CHRIST
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And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation] (2 Corinthians 9:8 AMPC).
Pastor Chris Says
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God's plan is for His children to have abundant supply. I've searched the scriptures and I find no place where it gives us the idea that poverty, lack and want might be God's will; there isn't even a suggestion of that in the Bible. Recall that even the devil blamed God for making Job rich and blessing him with great substance (Job 1:9-10).
You have to embrace the reality that your financial or material prosperity is important to God. He said in 3 John 1:2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Think about that!
Then Job 22:24-25 says, "Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust...and thou shalt have plenty of silver." If you ever wiped a table clean of dust, you'd observe that after a while, dust settled again on the surface. It paints a picture of the kind of prosperity God's people are called to experience—an unending and abundant supply.
It brings to mind the words of David in Psalm 23:1-2, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...." That's the way to think. You're plugged into an unending supply. This has nothing to do with the country where you live; it's the life you've been called to in Christ Jesus.
Recall again what we read in our opening scripture. God doesn't want you conscious of need. You're an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). 1 Corinthians 3:21 says, "...all things are yours." Your heavenly Father owns the whole world and has willed it to you because you're Abraham's seed: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).
Choose the joyful, prosperous life in Christ. Don't see your job or business as your source of livelihood but as a medium to bless others. In Christ, you've been brought into the life of superabundance; acknowledge and enjoy your inheritance.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, you're gracious and kind. I thank you for making me a joint-heir with Christ; the world belongs to me. I choose to live the joyful, prosperous life in Christ, for all things are mine, and nothing good is withheld from me. I dwell in the realm of superabundance and my life is a manifestation of your love and grace, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Peter 1:2-3; grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
[3] according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Psalm 23:1-2; The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
1 Timothy 6:17; Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 3 & Genesis 6-8
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 6:9-15 & Nehemiah 6
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 1ST JANUARY 2024
PRODUCT OF WORDS
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But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37).
Pastor Chris Says
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Your life is the outworking of all you've imbibed in words; your life is a product of words. Human beings were created with words. The physical body was formed from the dust of the ground but the human person—the real you, which is your spirit—was created with words.
Also, to be born again, a man is recreated with words (Romans 10:9-10). Words are so important. As a matter of fact, words are everything. They're the most potent and important things in the earth. Think about it: the whole universe was created with words.
Your circumstances are a product of words. And if your circumstances have been created for you by others, the only way you can change them is also by words. Now you can understand why the Bible says, "Take with you words..." (Hosea 14:2). Every time you speak, you shape your life and future; you chart your course. This new year, chart a greater and brighter future for yourself with your words. Declare your victories. Have the right words in your mouth.
More than ever, meditate on the Word to help you form the right mindset, because before you can talk right, you must first think right. God's Word renews your mind and produces faith in your heart.
God already ordained your triumphant and victorious life; your role is to respond by affirming the same things in consent (Hebrews 13:5-6). Even now, affirm that you have a great life. Acknowledge and declare that you're living the life of righteousness, dominion and glory in Christ Jesus.
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I chart a greater and brighter future for myself with my words. I take my place of dominion and I reign in the Name of Jesus over circumstances through words. I speak the right words only, thereby effecting changes in my family, health, business and ministry. The world is subject to me. I walk in righteousness and produce works of righteousness. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Matthew 12:37; For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Proverbs 18:21; Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
James 3:6; And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Proverbs 16:24; Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 1 & Genesis 1-2
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 5:33-42 & Nehemiah 3
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 30TH DECEMBER 2023
HE REHEARSED DIVINITY TO US
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No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him (John 1:18).
Pastor Chris Says
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The word "declared" in our opening verse originates from the Greek term "exegeomai, signifying not just a mere declaration but the act of rehearsing or unfolding something. In essence, Jesus rehearsed divinity to us. He came to reveal God in a way we could relate with and understand.
The life of Jesus was a living testament, a vivid portrayal of the Kingdom's principles and the divine way of living. This profound truth is why the Bible instructs us to follow in His footsteps, for He's given us an example to emulate.
1 Peter 2:21 underscores this beautifully: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." Jesus came to show us the Father's love, character and will. He said in John 14:9, "...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father..."; a claim only the One who was God in the flesh could make.
Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us...." The term "followers translates from the Greek word "mimetes," denoting not merely followers but imitators, those who copy another. We're called to be imitators of God, but how can we imitate God when we haven't seen Him?
Jesus made it possible! He came to reveal God's nature and His love for us. God loves us; we know because we see from the Scriptures how Jesus was moved by love and compassion. Jesus in action was God at work.
Now we can manifest the Father's love, His righteousness, mercy, compassion and grace because that's what Jesus did when He walked the earth. We have the life of Christ in us, and His love is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Apostle Paul tells us, "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" (Ephesians 5:2 NKJV).
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for revealing your nature and your love to us through the Lord Jesus. I follow in His steps and imitate Him in my daily life, loving as He loved, walking as He walked and thinking as He thought. Your love shines through me as a testament to your character and nature in me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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John 14:9; Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
1 John 3:16; Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Ephesians 5:1-2 AMPC; THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
[2] And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 21 & Malachi 1-2
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 5:12-23 & Ezra 9-10
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 28TH DECEMBER 2023
THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM FOR REVELATION
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That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:17-18).
Pastor Chris Says
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The underlined portion in our opening scripture above seems to suggest that the Apostle Paul was referring to two different things: the spirit of wisdom and the spirit of revelation, but no! He's dealing with one and the same thing: the Spirit of wisdom bringing you revelation- the unveiling of mysteries-apocalupsis" (Greek).
The Spirit of wisdom refers to the operations of the Spirit of God in wisdom, the Spirit of God manifesting Himself in wisdom. The use of the word "and" in that expression needs to be properly understood. In the Greek rendering, the word translated "and" is also translated "in," "with," or "for." Therefore, a better rendering of that expression is "...the spirit of wisdom in revelation" or "the spirit of wisdom for revelation" in the exact knowledge of God.
In the Amplified Classic version, it says, "[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:17). This is the ministry of the Spirit of wisdom in your life: He brings you revelation-insight into mysteries and secrets.
Secondly, He brings you light (photizo-Greek); He floods your path with light. He illuminates your mind with extraordinary sagacity and amplitude of comprehension. Thirdly, He brings you counsel and direction such that life ceases to be mysterious to you.
Always acknowledge that you're filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom and spiritual understanding; therefore you know and can discern His will. Every so often, declare, "I have insight into mysteries and secrets; I function at the highest level of excellence and in the perfect will of God, because I'm filled with the Spirit of wisdom for revelation in the deep and intimate knowledge of Christ." Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I'm filled with the Spirit of God in wisdom for revelation; I have insight into mysteries and secrets. I function at the highest level of excellence and in the perfect will of God, because I'm filled with the deep and intimate knowledge of Christ, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Amen.
🙏 FURTHER STUDY:
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Ephesians 1:17-18 AMPC; [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,
[18] By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),
1 Corinthians 1:30; But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Colossians 1:9; For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 19:11-21 & Zechariah 9-11
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 4:23-37 & Ezra 7
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 26TH DECEMBER 2023
JESUS-GOD'S WORD MANIFEST IN FLESH
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He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not (John 1:10).
Pastor Chris Says
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John 1:14 says, "And the Word became flesh..." (NKJV). In essence, the Word changed form and became manifest in the flesh, and that's Jesus! Where was Jesus before He was born in Bethlehem? He was in God as God's Word. For example, your words right now are in you until you speak them forth.
Words are thoughts clothed with vocabulary. When you speak, you speak your thoughts. Your thoughts are clothed with language so someone else can understand. So, your thoughts reside within you until you express them in words.
When you're thinking about something, nobody else can discern your thoughts; they remain concealed within your heart. However, when you speak, your words become tangible and can be captured in time. This is why we can record your voice and replay it later. Five years down the line, someone can hear what you said, but it was hidden in your heart until you uttered it.
Imagine if your words, once captured in time, could step out of a computer or a recorder and materialize as the very things you said. This is precisely what God did through Jesus Christ. Jesus became the embodiment of God's will, a revelation of His divine purpose and the manifestation of His boundless love.
If you wanted to understand what God is like, you only needed to look at Jesus. He declared, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). And He consistently performed the works and spoke the words that emanated from the Father. In essence, Jesus was the living expression of God's Word.
It's quite common for people to be puzzled by certain aspects of Jesus' life, such as when God spoke from heaven during His baptism. So, they say, "If Jesus was the manifestation of God, how come, when He was being baptized, God spoke from heaven?"
God's nature and capabilities are far beyond our understanding. We can draw a parallel from modern technology: when I preach from a particular location, anywhere in the world, my voice is heard in every known country and territory on earth and in multiple languages. If that is possible in this world, then think about what God can do! His ability to speak from heaven while Jesus was on earth transcends human limitations.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Lord Jesus, you're the God of heaven and earth; you pre- existed creation, and by you, all things exist and consist. I honour you, for you're the embodiment of wisdom, grace and truth; the only true God! Thank you for giving me a life of victory, success, prosperity and divine health. I love you forever.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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John 1:1-4 NKJV; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] He was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
[4] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:10-14 NKJV; He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
[11] He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
[12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
[13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 18 & Zechariah 4-6
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 4:1-12 & Ezra 5
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 24TH DECEMBER 2023
HIS GOODWILL TOWARD ALL
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And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8)
Pastor Chris Says
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Luke 2:8-14 provides a remarkable account of the angelic announcement to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. As the shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, filling them with awe and reverential fear.
The angel reassured the shepherds, saying, "Fear not" and went ahead to deliver the good tidings of great joy that would be for all people. The angel proclaimed the birth of a Savior in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord.
Furthermore, the angel gave the shepherds a sign to find the new-born Saviour. They would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Suddenly, the heavens were filled with a multitude of angels, praising God and declaring, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). What an announcement!
His goodwill toward all men hasn't stopped since then. This is our Gospel! This is what Christmas is about! The Bible says, "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" (2 Corinthians 5:19).
God is looking at all nations today with goodwill. Jesus Christ was God's love message; He was God's love letter to the world. When Jesus came, He was the expression of the will and nature of God; He was the expression of the Father's righteousness! He was the manifestation of God's love.
Now, the most sublime of it all is that He made us the expression of His will and nature. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "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." In Christ, we are made the righteousness of God. Every day of your life, you're the unfolding of the Father's heart. In other words, you are the revelation of the Father's heart and of His will.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for your love, grace and goodwill towards all men; we take advantage of your goodness and mercy to spread your Word of truth and thereby bring men into the glorious life, peace, blessings and righteousness in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Peter 3:9; The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 5:8-9; But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
1 John 4:9-10; 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.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 16 & Haggai 1-2
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 3:1-11 & Ezra 2
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 22ND DECEMBER 2023
WE ARE LIKE HIM
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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 (1 John 4:17).
Pastor Chris Says
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When you received Christ, you received His life and nature and became like Him. 1 John 3:1 further explicates this truth. It says, "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."
We're His offspring, born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). Think about it, if you're born of God, what does that make you? Divine! No wonder He said through the psalmist, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High" (Psalm 82:6).
The Lord Jesus reiterated this truth when He said, "... Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" (John 10:34). The people of the world may not recognize us, just as they didn't recognize Jesus when He came. But today, through divine revelation, our eyes have been opened to this truth to walk accordingly.
The Bible says "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). What does this mean? It means our physical bodies will be transformed into glorified bodies at the Master's return. But right now, we have His life and nature-as He is, so are we in this world.
Recall that after His resurrection, His disciples were gathered in a room, with the doors and windows shut, but Jesus came into their midst through a wall. They initially thought He was a ghost but He invited them to touch Him, emphasizing that He had flesh and bones, unlike a ghost.
Outwardly, our divine nature, personality and identity may not be readily apparent to the people of the world, but it makes no difference. We're who God says we are-sons of God-not only for the future but right NOW!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for your life and nature in me; I celebrate my identity, knowing that you created me in your image and in your likeness. I'm a partaker of your glory, majesty, splendour and righteousness. Thank you, for your organic and existential attributes are manifest in me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Ephesians 4:24; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1 Corinthians 15:48-49 AMPC; Now those who are made of the dust are like him who was first made of the dust (earthly-minded); and as is [the Man] from heaven, so also [are those] who are of heaven (heavenly-minded).
[49] And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven.
Colossians 3:10: and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 13:11-14:1-20 & Habakkuk 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 2:25-36 & 2 Chronicles 36
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 20TH DECEMBER 2023
HE WANTS YOU WELL
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How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him (Acts 10:38).
Pastor Chris Says
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It has never been God's will for anyone to be sick or afflicted with diseases and pains. Rather, He wants all men well. Read our opening verse again and notice those the Lord Jesus healed; they were oppressed by the devil, not God. The devil made them sick, but God wanted them well and sent Jesus to heal them.
Consider for example the man who was possessed by a legion of demons in the region of Gadara. The demons caused him to exhibit violent behaviour and live among tombs, but Jesus cast the demons out of him and he was instantly restored to his right mind (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39).
In Mark 7:24-30 and Matthew 15:21-28, we read about the Syrophoenician woman who approached Jesus, seeking help for her daughter who was demon-possessed. The Bible shows us how the Lord commended her faith and declared her daughter healed of demonic oppression.
Furthermore, in Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-21, and Luke 9:37-43, the Bible shows us how a father brought his son to Jesus, explaining that the boy had been suffering from seizures due to a demon. Jesus rebuked the demon and healed the boy. These and several other examples are proof that God wants people well, vibrant, strong and free.
In fact, in 3 John 1:2, His desire is clearly stated. He says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Think about that! He wants you to prosper, and that refers to material and financial prosperity, and also be in health, which is the physical prosperity or wellbeing of your body-your health.
Then He adds, "...even as thy soul prospereth," emphasizing that your spiritual prosperity is paramount, and your soul only prospers through the Word of God. So stay in God's Word; meditate on it and you'll always live in health, for God's Word is medicine-health for the physical body: "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body" (Proverbs 4:20-22 NIV).
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I declare that sickness, disease, infirmity, weakness and pain have no place in my body. I walk in perfect health always, for the spirit that raised up Christ from the dead vitalizes, energizes and strengthens me through and through, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Isaiah 33:24; And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Psalm 103:1-3; Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:
[3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
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.
[11] 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.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 12 & Micah 6-7
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 2:1-13 & 2 Chronicles 34
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 18TH DECEMBER 2023
FULL OF GRACE
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And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14)
Pastor Chris Says
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The opening verse is one of the descriptions given to us in Scripture of the Lord Jesus; He's full of grace and truth. Are you aware that the same is true about you? In the 16th verse, it says, "And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace."
The Amplified Classic says, "For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favour upon favour and gift [heaped] upon gift." Now that you're in Christ, your life exudes favour upon favour, grace upon grace.
Every day of your life, you can boldly affirm, "Of His fullness, I have received abundant grace-grace heaped upon grace. I have grace before God, grace before men, and grace for every assignment; I have grace everywhere I go, and I'm walking in increased grace every day."
The Christian life is a life of unending grace; there is more than enough grace for you every day. No need to be overwhelmed or exasperated by the burdens of life. No need for the struggle. Act on the Word. Hebrews 4:16; says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
What grace do you require? Is it grace to run your home? Is it for your academics? Is it for ministry? Is it to raise your kids? Is it to multiply your finances? That grace is available to you in superabundance; obtain it. Always affirm you're full of grace and your life is full of divine favour everywhere and every day.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the outworking of your grace in my life, which causes me to grow and manifest the beauty, character and blessings of your Spirit. My life is full of grace heaped upon grace, favour upon favour, and blessings upon blessings, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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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.)
John 1:14-16 AMPC; And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.
[15] John testified about Him and cried out, This was He of Whom I said, He Who comes after me has priority over me, for He was before me. [He takes rank above me, for He existed before I did. He has advanced before me, because He is my Chief.]
[16] For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.
James 4:6; But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 10 & Micah 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 1:1-11 & 2 Chronicles 32
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 16TH DECEMBER 2023
SPEAK THE TRUTH
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That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Pastor Chris Says
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Proverbs 19:9 says, "...he that speaketh lies shall perish." A Christian shouldn't tell lies. Colossians 3:9 says, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds." Telling lies is inconsistent with your nature as a new creation in Christ. You're a man or woman of truth, because you're the offspring of Truth: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth..." (James 1:18).
Lying is one of the cardinal attributes of Satan. In John. 8:44, the Lord Jesus aptly described Satan when He said, "...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
The Word of God is truth (John 17:17). And the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13).
Now, a liar isn't merely someone who told a lie but one who loves and makes a lie; he constructs lies (Revelation 22:15); he plans or strategizes his lies. He knows what he is doing is wrong but still goes ahead to do it for selfish reasons.
A liar is also one who speaks contrary to God's Word. As long as a man's confessions are inconsistent with God's Word, they're lies. 1 Peter 3:10 reveals something instructive; it says, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." To speak guile is to speak in antithesis to the Word.
The Bible says, "... put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). Now that you're in Christ, you've put on the new man; you have the God-nature. Act accordingly. Speak the truth always.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads and guides me to walk in truth. Thank you for my new life in Christ; thank you for bringing me into the liberty of the Spirit as I walk in the glory of my new life and nature in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Proverbs 6:16-17; These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
[17] A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 12:19; The lip of truth shall be established for ever: But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Zechariah 8:16; Zechariah 8:16 KJV
[16] These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 8 & Obadiah
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 21:1-12 & 2 Chronicles 30
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 14TH DECEMBER 2023
THE DEATH-FREE PATHWAY
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In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death (Proverbs 12:28).
Pastor Chris Says
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Though the verse above is in the Old Testament, it lays the groundwork for a principle that extends into the New Testament. It says, "In the way of righteousness is life...." The righteousness of Christ gave us eternal life. We couldn't please God, but Jesus did on our behalf.
Remember that Adam disobeyed God and committed high treason against God. But Jesus Christ, the second and last Adam, fulfilled God's will and on account of His obedience, we've been made righteous: "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (Romans 5:18-19).
Consider again the construction in our opening verse: "in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." In the path of righteousness, death has no place; it's a "death-free pathway."
The Bible says in Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." The Greek construction here isn't referring to being delivered from sin as if you were trapped in it, or being rescued or delivered from death as if you were in its clutches. Rather, it's saying that in Christ Jesus, you're death-free; there's no death in you.
The human body is referred to as the "body of death" in Romans 7:24. From the moment a person is born, they carry death within them. Everything is done to prevent the person from dying. This is because humanity inherited the curse of death in the world.
So Paul says, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). The very next verse says, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord..." (Romans 7:25). Jesus provided the solution; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us death-free. Praise God!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the righteousness of Christ by which I have eternal life. Therefore, I walk in righteousness, and in my path, there's no sickness, infirmity, pain, weakness or death. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me death-free. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Romans 5:18-21; Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
[21] that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 32:17; And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 6 & Amos 1-4
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 20:11-18 & 2 Chronicles 28
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 12TH DECEMBER 2023
BORN INTO THE VICTORIOUS LIFE
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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:35-37).
Pastor Chris Says
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You could have trials and challenges, from inflation to economic recession, health issues, family problems, etc. The good news, however, is that it doesn't matter the challenges you face or the situation in your country, the Word says, in all these things we're more than conquerors through Christ. This should give you comfort, peace and joy.
Knowing we would encounter challenges in this world, the Lord Jesus assured us of victory when He said in John 16:33, ...be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Distressing situations abound in all human societies because of man's fall and failure, but the Word declares "...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
You've been lifted over and above the depravities and corrupting influences of this world. Recall our opening verse again; it states clearly that neither tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, nor sword can separate us from the love of God, because in spite of them all, we are more than conquerors.
Now, if this meant that you'd conquer no matter what you face in this world, that would have been wonderful. But it means much more than that. It means you've gone past conquering, because you conquered in Christ! You're now living in the victory of Christ!
That means there's nothing to struggle with or try to overcome anymore, because you've already won. Don't allow the circumstances of life or the economic situation in your country make you a victim. You were born into the victorious life when you were born again.
Now you can understand why the Apostle Paul, in spite of the great persecutions and adversities he faced dismissed them as light affliction: "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). Then in Acts 20:24, he said, "...none of these things move me...."
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for the victorious life that I have in Christ! The greater One lives in me; therefore, I live in triumph over circumstances, in total fulfilment, joy, glory and dominion! I reign and rule by your Word, irrespective of what I feel, see, or hear, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 Corinthians 15:57; But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord 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.
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: Revelation 4 & Hosea 11-14
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 19:38-42 & 2 Chronicles 25
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 10TH DECEMBER 2023
REIGNING BY HIM
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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).
Pastor Chris Says
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Many think that the verse above refers to us reigning with Jesus Christ in the sweet-by-and-by; no! It's talking about us reigning-"kinging"-in the earth NOW by Jesus Christ. At the millennial reign, we will reign with Him; but today, we reign by Him or through Him. There's a great difference between the two.
What Paul captures for us in Romans 5:17 is different from Revelation 20:6 which says, "...they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Notice that here, it says, "and shall reign with him...." The word "with" is translated from the Greek, "meta," which denotes to do something together with another or alongside. That's the one that's coming in the future. So, now, we're not reigning with Christ.
In Romans 5:17 the Greek word 'Dia' is used, which means 'by' or 'through. Thus, we're reigning by or through Jesus NOW; we're reigning in His Name. Hallelujah! We're called to exercise dominion and to live as masters and victors in life through Jesus Christ. We reign over Satan, darkness, the world and all creation.
The actual Greek rendering of the word "reign" means "to king." You're supposed to be "kinging" in life. The Amplified Classic translation says we "...reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)" (Romans 5:17 AMPC).
As we take up the responsibility of prayer, using the Name of Jesus and operating in His stead, we enforce the Father's will in the earth and establish His righteousness in the nations of the world!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I exercise dominion over circumstances and the spirits of darkness, for they're subject unto me. I enforce the heavenly Father's will in the earth and establish His righteousness, peace, prosperity, wholeness and wellness in the nations of the world. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Revelation 5:10; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Ephesians 2:4-6; 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:
Romans 5:17 AMPC; 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).
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Revelation 2:18-3:1-6 & Hosea 3-6
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 19:13-22 & 2 Chronicles 21-22
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional