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RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 23RD JULY 2023
YOU’RE TOP-CLASS
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Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (James 1:18).
Pastor Chris Says
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Observe the beginning of the construction in the opening verse; it says, “Of his own will begat He us….” That means the Lord gave birth to us of His own volition. It was His choice to give birth to us with the Word of truth that we should be a kind or a type of first fruit of His creatures!
What’s the meaning of first fruits? First fruit means the first and the best of anything; it implies top class. You’re top class, excellent all the way, because you’re born of God. Hallelujah!
The same truth is reiterated by the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:23: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” John also referenced the fact that this happened by God’s own design; it was His will: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
It was His will to make you top-class. So, live your best and be your best for Him. Keep your mind on the image of you that God has given you in His Word. You’re His peculiar treasure, His reproduction, His excellent handiwork, a bundle of success, an achiever, and a victor in Christ Jesus.
He made you for glory and beauty. See how He describes you in Ephesians 2:10 AMPC: “For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Let this put springs in your steps.
It makes no difference who condemns you; refuse to be distracted by what others might be saying about you. What counts is who you are in Christ: you’re top-class; perfected in righteousness, holy unblameable and unreproveable in God’s sight (Colossians 1:22). Glory to His Name forever!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for you’ve made me the expression of your beauty, excellence, perfections and grace. Thank you for your glory in my life. I declare that my life is for your praise and glory, and I fulfil my destiny in Christ, bringing forth fruits unto righteousness, 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.
1 Peter 2:9 AMPC; But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 28:1-16 & Psalms 26-29
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 10:25-37 & Joshua 20-21
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 21ST JULY 2023
A MOST SUBLIME AND IMPERIAL IDENTITY
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Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans 8:30).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Amplified version of the opening text says, “And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].”
Observe the explanation of the word “Glorified”; it says, “… [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].” In other words, when you were born again, when you came to Christ and received eternal life, you were brought into a life of heavenly dignity. We have the most sublime and most imperial identity!
The apostle John explains the fellowship that has ushered us into this life of glory: “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). The word translated “fellowship” is the Greek, “Koinonia.” It also means partnership. So, he’s dealing with comradeship.
Thus, our fellowship, partnership or comradeship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Peter says we’re called to glory and excellence: “For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue)” (2 Peter 1:3 AMPC).
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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Thank you, Father, for the awesome fellowship and comradeship in Christ, with your divine life in my spirit. This imperial union with divinity makes me indestructible, and eternally victorious. Hallelujah!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Psalm 82:6; I have said, Ye are gods; And all of you are children of the most High.
John 1:12; But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
2 Peter 1:4: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 27:1-26 & Psalms 21-22
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 10:1-9 & Joshua 18
EXERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 19TH JULY 2023
SPIRITUAL INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING
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For this cause we…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 (Colossians 1:9).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Spirit, through the apostle Paul, prayed an insightful prayer for the Christians in Colossae, that they might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. It lets us know that there's such a thing as spiritual understanding, just as there’s a natural understanding.
It takes the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and give you spiritual understanding. He unveils mysteries and secrets of the Kingdom to you. He’s the Spirit of truth, and part of His ministry in your life is the unveiling of truth. It brings to mind another prayer of the Spirit through Paul in Ephesians 1:17 AMPC: “For I always pray to God… 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.”
Without the understanding and insight that the Spirit gives, your interpretation of life would be ordinary, mundane and useless. It will be difficult to grasp spiritual realities.
Consider the disciples of Jesus for example; though they had been with the Master, they didn’t understand many things that He taught them, because they hadn’t received the Holy Spirit. When He spoke of His death, burial and resurrection, they grappled with it, because they lacked spiritual insight and understanding at the time.
That’s how come even after He rose from the dead, some of them still doubted. But after His resurrection, when He came among them, the Bible says “…he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22). What He did was to open their understanding by the Holy Spirit so they could receive and comprehend spiritual realities. From then on, they had spiritual insight; they understood the words of Jesus.
When the Holy Spirit comes into your life, He gives you understanding so you’re no longer in the dark about God’s Word, life, or anything. Through that insight and understanding, you know the paths of life that bring success, joy, victory and prosperity; you’re led in wisdom, glory and righteousness. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit who grants me spiritual insight, sets me on the right course, and makes me a master in life. Christ is my wisdom, and I live a glorified life in and through the Word, by the power of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Colossians 3:16; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Acts 20:32; And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Ephesians 1:17-18: 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:
18. 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,
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 26:2-18 & Psalms 17-18
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 9:37-48 & Joshua 15
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 17TH JULY 2023
CHRISTIANITY: A CALL TO THE TRANSCENDENT LIFE
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God did this because he wanted you Gentiles to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery. And the mystery is that Christ lives in you… (Colossians 1:27 CEV).
Pastor Chris Says
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In Christianity, we haven’t embraced a religion; what we’ve actually received is God's nature—His life. Don’t let anyone deceive you that Christianity is just one of the religions in the world; it’s not. It’s a relationship; a call to the transcendent life of glory and love. When you have a relationship with someone, that isn’t religion.
Those who describe Christianity as a religion do so because all the outward things that religious people do seem to be consistent with some of the outward things Christians do. For example, in religion, they pray, or probably have a book that they read; they also have religious rites and rituals that they follow.
In Christianity, we have sacraments like the Holy Communion, Water Baptism, etc.; yet, that doesn’t make it a religion. You can’t look at an animal and say “If it has two hands and two legs and can walk, then it is a human being”; that isn’t enough. Otherwise, gorillas and other apes will be categorized as humans.
Christianity is a real experience; it’s the active life of God in a human being; it’s Christ alive in you; it’s a real comradeship with the real and living Christ—a call to oneness with divinity: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). Hallelujah! In Christianity, we live and move in Christ (Acts 17:28); we’re members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones (Ephesians 5:30).
Colossians 1:26-27 consummates it all! It says, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christianity is Christ alive in the quarters of your heart; a real relationship with a real God. Christianity is a walk with God in righteousness. Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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Christ in me has made me an associate of the Godkind, the effulgence of God’s glory and dispenser of His goodness to my world. Christ is my life; in Him, I live, and move and have my being! I’m fruitful, productive and excellent, because I’m one with the Lord, in a real relationship, being a member of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. Blessed be God!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Peter 1:4; whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
1 John 5:11-12 NIV; And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 Corinthians 1:9; God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 25:1-12 & Psalms 7-10
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 9:18-27 & Joshua 13
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 15TH JULY 2023
WE WERE IN HIM
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But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Pastor Chris Says
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What a profound portion of scripture we just read! The Apostle Paul explains a spiritual truth that emphasizes our union with the Lord in His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection when he said, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ…” (Ephesians 2:5).
When Jesus was on the cross, we were the ones on the cross; He was our substitute. When He died, we were in Him. When He was buried, in the mind of justice, we were all buried. When He went to hell and defeated Satan and the demons of darkness as Paul detailed in Colossians 2:15, in the mind of God, we were in Him. We defeated Satan in Christ.
Then the Bible shows that God raised Jesus from the dead; when that happened, we were raised together with Him. Ephesians 2:6 says, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This is how God sees us now. Everything that Jesus did was for us—the whole world; we were in Him.
Think about it: Jesus rose from the dead with a new life—the resurrection life; that’s the life we have in us today, because as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). When you received Christ, you didn’t receive the life with which Jesus went to hell; you received the life of the righteous Jesus without sin.
He went to hell with our sins, defeated the devil, paid the full penalty for sin, and came back to life as the righteousness of God. Hallelujah! Now, by virtue of the New Birth, we also have become the righteousness of God in Him: “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” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus that ushered me into a newness of life. I’m seated together with Christ in dominion and great glory, far above all principalities, powers, might, and every name that is named. Hallelujah!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Romans 6:4 AMPC; We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life.
Romans 4:25 AMPC; Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].
Ephesians 4:24 AMPC; And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 23:12-35 & Job 40-42
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 9:1-9 & Joshua 11
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 13TH JULY 2023
RECREATED IN CHRIST
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For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live] (Ephesians 2:10 AMPC).
Pastor Chris Says
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Observe that the apostle Paul didn’t say “We were or we shall be God's own handiwork.” He uses the present tense to describe that right now, God has His label on you. In other words, no matter where you go in this great world, in the realms of the spirit, they recognize who you are because God’s label is on you.
You’re recreated in Christ Jesus. Someone might say, “But God created everything, so everyone is his workmanship.” That’s different from Paul’s thoughts. There was the first creation in the book of Genesis, but Paul’s emphasis was on a special creation—a recreation in Christ Jesus—those of us who are born again.
Then he tells us the purpose of this new birth: that we may do those good works which God predestined and planned beforehand for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time. Hallelujah! Again, this shows that for those of us that have been recreated in Christ, God has prepared our paths—everything about our lives—to be excellent and full of glory.
That’s not all; we’re to live, not just life, but the “good life” which He prearranged and made ready for us to live. Now, you can better understand why sickness, disease, infirmity or poverty shouldn’t be a part of your life. Let this be your confession. Every so often, declare, “I’m recreated in Christ, for beauty and for glory; good things are in my path, and the righteousness of God is expressed in and through me always.” Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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Dear Father, thank you for I’m your excellent handiwork, fashioned for good works, and to live the good life which you prearranged for me. I refuse to succumb to sickness, disease, or the elements of this world, because you’ve made me superior to them and the corrupting influences and negativities in this present world of darkness. Glory to God!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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James 1:18 TPT; God was delighted to give us birth by the truth of his infallible Word so that we would fulfill his chosen destiny for us and become the favorite ones out of all his creation!
Ephesians 2:10 TPT; We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 21:37-22:1-21 & Job 32-35
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 8:26-39 & Joshua 9
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 11TH JULY 2023
JESUS—THE FIRST TO BE BORN AGAIN
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And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth… (Revelation 1:5).
Pastor Chris Says
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When I was a much younger Christian, as I went about preaching to people, asking them to receive Christ’s salvation and be born again, some of them confronted me with the question: “Why should I be born again, when even Jesus wasn’t born again?”
From my limited understanding at the time, I answered that Jesus didn’t have to be born again, because He was the Son of God. But as I studied the Bible, I found out Jesus had to be born again, and He was indeed born again. The question that this may immediately bring to your mind would be: when was He born again?
According to our opening scripture, Jesus was born again the day He was raised from the dead. So why did Jesus have to be born again? The answer is simple: He needed to be born again because He was made sin for us on the Cross. The Bible records that God “...made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus took on our nature as our perfect substitute. He took our place and became ‘us’ on the cross. When God looked at Jesus on that cross, He saw you; He saw me; He saw every man, woman, boy, and girl ever born, and that’ll ever be born into this world. Our sins were laid on Him and He died in that state—our sin bearer—and was buried for us.
But thank God it didn’t end there! When He had paid the full penalty for our sins, the Bible says He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father for our justification: “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).
He needed to be raised from the dead into a new life, the resurrection life, to prove that what He did for us was adequate for our justification. He’s called “the first begotten of the dead”; that means the first to come out of spiritual death and be born again. He heads up the new creation. Glory to God!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Righteous Father, I thank you for the vicarious death and sacrifice of Jesus in my behalf by which I’ve been made righteous. Now, through His glorious resurrection, I live the divine life, reigning and ruling with Him from the heavenly realms, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Colossians 1:18 NKJV; And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Romans 8:29 AMPC; For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
Acts 13:33; 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.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 21:1-16 & Job 25-28
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 8:11-18 & Joshua 7
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN 9TH JULY 2023
HE HAS PRESENTED HIS BLOOD
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For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:24).
Pastor Chris Says
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John 20:11-18 tells us the story of the first appearance of the risen Lord. After Jesus was crucified and buried, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb on the third day to anoint His body with spices. When she arrived at the tomb, she found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled away. Rattled, Mary ran to tell Peter and John, two of Jesus' disciples, that someone had taken the body of the Master.
The Bible records for us in the 11th verse that after Peter and John left, Mary stayed at the tomb, weeping. As she turned to leave, she saw a man standing there, whom she did not recognize (the man was Jesus). He asked her why she was crying, and she again explained that someone had taken away Jesus' body.
At that moment, the Master called her by name, "Mary," and she realized that it was Jesus Himself. Overjoyed, Mary turned, perhaps to hug Him, but He instructed her to not touch Him, and told her why: “…Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:17).
This means that before meeting with the disciples in Galilee, and before anyone could touch Him, He would have ascended to the Father, as our High Priest and presented His blood. Whereas the priests of the Old Testament had to offer sacrifices year after year for a yearly atonement, Jesus did it once and obtained eternal redemption for mankind.
So, His sacrifice was in His own blood which He went to heaven to present. His blood was accepted as read in Hebrews 9:12: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
In Matthew’s account, when He came to Galilee, the first thing He said to His disciples was “...All hail...” (Matthew 28:9). In other words, “It’s done! It has happened! I’ve presented my blood and obtained eternal redemption for mankind.” Blessed be God!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing our sins and washing them away with your blood, once and for all! You paid the ultimate price for sin, which man had incurred without a means of settlement. Now, I’m washed, sanctified, and justified, free from sin, death, and destruction. Your Name be praised and adored forever!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Hebrews 9:11-14; But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12. neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14. how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
John 3:16; 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.
Colossians 1:12-14; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13. who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14. in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 20:1-16 & Job 19-21
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 7:36-50 & Joshua 5
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 7TH JULY 2023
BE CONFIDENT IN HIS WORD
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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 (2 Peter 1:3).
Pastor Chris Says
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The latter part of 1 Corinthians 3:21 corroborates what Peter pens for us in the verse above. It says, “…all things are yours.” That’s because all things are in Christ, and Christ is in you. Therefore, both things present and things to come, are all yours!
God’s divine power, not your own ability or human wisdom, has given unto you ALL things that pertain to life and godliness. This means you’re not supposed to ever be in lack or want except you choose to. You’ve got to believe this because it’s God’s Word about you.
When God says He’s done something, you don’t have to try to claim it; you simply accept it and act accordingly. His Word is all the proof you need. For example, when money is paid to your account in the bank, they probably send you a message or give you a document that confirms that the money has been paid into your account, and you believe it. You go about living and acting as one who has that amount deposited in the bank. You even make deals and transactions on the basis that you have that money in the bank. Meanwhile, all you have is a text message or deposit slip from the bank that they have your money.
Now, that’s the way God wants you to act. Trust what God has written to you—His Word—more than the writings from the bank. His Word is more dependable. Let your confidence be on the basis of His Word.
Don’t place a limit on your life. You’re a child of God, and He’s brought you a life of endless resources, limitless blessings and opportunities. Consciously and consistently walk in the light of God’s Word. There’s nothing you could ever need or desire for a godly life that’s not already yours in Christ. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for giving me everything I require to live victoriously and be a success in life. You’ve called me to glory and virtue. You’ve given me a life of praise and thanksgiving every day, everywhere, and at all times. Praise God!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT; For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
Isaiah 55:10-11; For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11. so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 18:24-19:1-7 & Job 12-14
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 7:11-17 & Joshua 1-2
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 5TH JULY 2023
THE DIVINE PATH
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For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live] (Ephesians 2:10 AMPC).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Bible teaches that there are two paths for every man. There’s a natural path, and then there’s a divine path. The natural path is subject to causes and effects. For example, if you were born in a certain neighbourhood or attended a certain school, it would be easy to predict how you’d turn out. This is why it’s easy for Satan to toy with the natural paths or natural destinies of people.
The divine path, however, is different. It begins when you’re born again, and this path is like a mystery. The world can’t figure you out or predict your life, because being born again, God has made you a limitless wonder. Your life is one of infinite possibilities because of His divine ability at work in you.
Choose the divine path. The divine path makes your life worth living. You’ll keep making remarkable progress on every side, because you’re piloted by the Holy Spirit. While people are still wondering at your advancement, you’ll hear the Spirit’s voice saying, “Look up, I’m taking you higher.” You’ll just keep pushing forward and making progress.
Perhaps you’re reading this today, and you’ve never been born again, I urge you to give your heart to the Lord even now, so that you can begin your journey on the divine path. Turn to the Prayer of Salvation page at the back of this devotional; pray that prayer, and mean the words with all your heart. You’ll be awakened to the fatherhood of God and His light will shine in your spirit, guiding you in the way of success, prosperity and victory evermore.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Thank you, Father, for leading me by your Spirit in the divine paths that you’ve prearranged for me. You’ve granted me everything I’ll ever require to fulfil all you’ve called me to do. Thank you for leading me in the paths of glory and greatness, as I live in your perfect will, pleasing you in all things, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Romans 8:29-30; For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Romans 12:2; And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 1:11; in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 17:16-34 & Job 6-8
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:39-49 & Deuteronomy 33
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 3RD JULY 2023
TRIUMPHANT IN ADVERSITIES
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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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Sometimes, when people give their hearts to Christ, they assume they aren’t supposed to face adversities or persecutions. But the Bible says count it all joy when you go through diverse tests (James 1:2). Tests, trials and persecution are all part of the package; never be flustered by them, because you’re more than a conqueror. You’re a victor in Christ Jesus.
The devil will try to sway you or throw darts at you. He may prowl around, seeking whom he may devour, but the Word tells you what to do: resist him with your faith! Ephesians 6:16 says to use the same faith—your shield of faith—to neutralize and extinguish Satan’s fiery darts: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
We’re not on the defensive but on the offensive against Satan and his cohorts of darkness. We’re adequately fortified against their onslaughts and have dominion over them. Whether they are principalities, powers, or the rulers of the darkness of this world—they are subject to you in the Name of Jesus.
Keep living in the victory of Christ. Dominate your world, dominate your environment, and give Satan no chance. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:27 to give no place to the devil. Remember Jesus gave us power to cast out devils. Therefore, use that authority in His Name and subdue the evil and wicked one.
That’s what Jesus said to do: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils...” (Mark 16:17). It’s the first of the things He said we could do in His Name. Praise God!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I have dominion and authority over principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. I dominate my world and frustrate the tokens of the adversary—His stratagems and manoeuvres—by the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 Peter 5:8-9; Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
8. whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
9. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Ephesians 6:14-18; Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15. and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NIV; For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
4. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 16:16-40 & Job 1-2
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:20-30 & Deuteronomy 31
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 1ST JULY 2023
HIS GRACE SETS YOU APART
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And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Pastor Chris Says
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We just read that God is able to make all grace— every favour and earthly blessing—come to you in abundance. Grace sets you apart. It brings you acceptability, honour, dignity, liberality and kindness. It attracts to you the right people, circumstances, and resources that are in line with God’s purpose for your life.
Therefore, you ought to thank the Lord every day for His grace at work in your life. According to the opening verse above, God makes this grace abound towards you. He directs it towards you in abundance.
Even now, say out loud, “I walk and function in divine grace that differentiates me in the world and sets me apart for glory and excellence. I’m a child of grace.” Hallelujah! The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:1, “…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Take advantage of His grace.
Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMPC and see the will of God for your life and the result of His grace at work in you: “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].” Blessed be God!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I’m piloted by grace to excel and fulfil my destiny in Christ. Every favour and earthly blessing comes to me in abundance, and I’m always and under all circumstances self-sufficient, possessing enough to require no aid or support, and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. Glory to God!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Peter 1:2; Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
James 4:6; But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
2 Peter 3:18; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Acts 4:33; And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 15:22-35 & Esther 5-7
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:1-11 & Deuteronomy 29
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 29TH JUNE 2023
HIS GOOD WORKS
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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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In John 9, the disciples, walking alongside Jesus saw a man who had been born blind. They asked, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" As far as they were concerned, God in His justice system was punishing the blind man or his parents for their sin. What a mindset!
Read the Master's response: "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:3-4). Many read this and run off with the idea that the man's blindness is one of the "works of God." That's erroneous!
The translators, on their own prerogative, put a punctuation-a full stop at the end of the 3rd verse-that should have never been there. The more accurate rendering is," ... that the works of God should be made manifest in him, I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day."
Jesus was saying, "In this blind man, we see the work of Satan, but for the work of God to be manifest in him, I have to do something about it!" He then went ahead and healed the man. Hallelujah! The work of blindness didn't come from God. Acts 10:38 tells us, "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."
The oppression came from the devil, but the Father sent Jesus, anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, to heal and restore maimed limbs, give sight to the blind, mend the brokenhearted, deliver those who are oppressed of the devil, and even raise the dead. These are the works of God! Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for your unmatched goodness, kindness, love and righteousness displayed in the world today. I declare that Satan's hold over men's lives is destroyed, as you work in and through your children to perfect your will in the earth and in the lives of men, for indeed, the earth is filled with your goodness, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Matthew 10:8; Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Hebrews 10:7; Then said I, Lo, I come (In the volume of the book it is written of me,) To do thy will, O God.
Ephesians 2:10 AMPC; For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
John 11:4-5; When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 14 & Nehemiah 11-13
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 5:12-26 & Deuteronomy 27
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅TUES. 27TH JUNE 2023
LOVE NOT THE WORLD
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Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15).
Pastor Chris Says
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This was one of the first Bible verses that impressed upon my young receptive mind as an eight-year-old. It's God's declaration, and it's final. It says if you love the world, the love of the Father isn't in you. You may confess a thousand times that you love God, but if you're in love with the world or the things of the world, the love of the Father isn't in you.
Some have asked, "Why would God tell us not to love the world when the Bible says, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son? Why can't we also love the world like the Father did?"
God loved the world of men; not the systems and the things therein. He loved the people and sent Jesus, His Son, to save them from their sins; 1 John 2:16 says, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." The Scripture is admonishing us against worldliness and carnality.
Refuse to be influenced or carried away by the spirit of the world. The Bible says, "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).
As saints of God, we shouldn't engage in unspiritual discussions where sometimes they spend hours arguing about their favourite sport teams and almost get into fisticuffs. They spend hours watching movies and TV shows, but when it's time to pray or study the Word, they fall asleep.
Don't get carried away and sucked in by such things to the point that they drive your life and distract you from your purpose. You're in this world for a divine purpose. So, think differently and be conscious of that higher purpose for which God in Christ has called you.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! I live for Christ, and I refuse to be swayed by the spirit of the world, nor enticed by the sensual, carnal, fleshly and worldly trends. I'm from above, and my mind is set on things above. I'm an ambassador for Christ, called to establish heaven and righteousness in the hearts of men, in Jesus' Name. Amen
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Galatians 6:14 AMPC; But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!
2 Timothy 4:10 CEV; Demas loves the things of this world so much that he left me and went to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.
James 4:4 AMPC; Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 13:1-12 & Nehemiah 7-8
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 4:33-44 & Deuteronomy 25
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
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RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 22ND JULY 2023
BORN OF HIM
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But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Christian is not an ordinary person. He’s born into God’s class. Being born again made you a partaker of the divine nature; an associate of the Godkind (2 Peter 1:4). When you were born of your biological parents, you became an associate of the human-kind; you became as human as your parents that gave birth to you.
However, that human life you got from your parents was depraved, death-doomed, and corruptible. Therefore, it needed to be supplanted by the life and nature of God. It’s the reason Jesus said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).
Now that you’re born again, the indomitable, incorruptible and transcendent life of God has supplanted the human life. This absolutely beggars the natural mind; to think that in reality, we’re literally sons of God—born of Him.
No wonder John cries out, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…Beloved, now are we the sons of God…” (1 John 3:1-2). The word translated as “Sons” is the Greek, “teknon”; it actually refers to someone that is born of another, in contradistinction to the Greek “huois”, which may not be ‘sons’ by birth.
The apostle John uses the word “teknon” to emphasize that you’re actually born of God. Everything in life reproduces after its kind. An eagle reproduces eagles, a dog gives birth to dogs, and humans give birth to humans. Now, since God gave birth to us, who are we?
The Lord Jesus, quoting the psalmist, gives us an answer. He said, “...Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” (John 10:34). Think about yourself the same way you’d think about Jesus when He walked the earth; how He lived, His extraordinary walk! The scripture declares: "...as he is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for the vital experience of eternal life which has completely inundated my entire being— spirit, soul and body! I walk in righteousness, glory and victory, as your divinity is fully expressed in and through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Corinthians 5:17; Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
John 10:33-36; The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36. say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
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 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 27:27-44 & Psalms 23-25
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 10:10-24 & Joshua 19
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 20TH JULY 2023
TRUTH: REALITY BEYOND FACTS
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Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).
Pastor Chris Says
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If you don’t know Jesus, you can never know or find truth. You may only find facts without truth. Truth and fact are not the same. A fact is the assertion of sensorially verified information about something that exists or has happened. While truth, on the other hand, is reality beyond the senses.
According to the Scriptures, the Word of God is truth— reality: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth is an affirmation of what God has said about any given condition, situation or circumstance. Truth is spiritual law. Someone may tell you a “fact” but not tell you the truth, because truth goes beyond facts.
Truth will reveal motives. In a law court, for example, one of the things the justice system looks at is the accused's motive, purpose or intent in committing a crime. That is, the driving force, the urge, the impulse, or the desire that induces the criminal’s action.
It’s true that a motive can be useful in conjunction with other evidence to confirm or prove that a person committed a crime, especially if the accused offender denies doing so. However, time and time again, these unreliable systems of criminal justice have misjudged and convicted the wrong people, because they deal mainly with facts.
How can you judge a man’s motive? You have to know his heart. How can you know a man’s heart? It’s only God’s Word—the truth—that exposes, sifts, analyzes and judges the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Therefore, always subject the facts about any situation to the truth of God’s Word. Override facts with truths. For example, it doesn’t matter the facts resulting from the doctor’s diagnosis concerning your health; the truth is you have the divine life; therefore, divine health is your nature in Christ. Sickness, disease and infirmities have no place in your body. Hallelujah! Truth is greater than fact. Live in and by God’s truth today, and every day. Amen.
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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God’s Word is my life and the truth by which I live today and every day! I walk in truth, filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. I walk in dominion over fear, sickness, poverty and death, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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John 8:32; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Psalm 91:14; Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
3 John 1:4; I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 26:19-32 & Psalms 19-20
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 9:49-62 & Joshua 16-17
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 18TH JULY 2023
THE TRUE ROYAL “BLOODLINE”
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But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9 AMPC).
Pastor Chris Says
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The verse we just read is absolutely profound! How I jumped, ran, skipped and shouted for joy at such a sublime discovery many years ago when I first read it as a young lad. I’m still so stirred and excited each time I meditate on it. We’re of the true royal bloodline.
First, observe that the apostle Peter didn’t say, “But you shall be”; rather, he says, “But you are!” That’s not a promise but a present-hour reality. Nobody knows you better than God. His Word is a mirror, and now the mirror is showing and describing how God sees you. You’re a royal priesthood; you’re royalty.
This is far bigger and more transcendent than all the royal families of the world put together. Theirs is just a matter of political position. But ours is the result of our divine ancestry. Read our opening scripture again; it says “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people….”
How were you purchased? The Bible says, “You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19 AMPC).
The blood of Jesus represents His life; that’s your true value. And because of that blood with which you were purchased, you live above the corrupting influences of this world. Yours is the true royal bloodline. Your heavenly Father is the Monarch of the universe, and you’re His heir—His purchased, priceless possession!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I thank you for the blood of Jesus gives me remission, justification, redemption, access, fellowship, cleansing and the blessings of the New Testament. I’m born of His Word, a new creation, superior to Satan, the world and its failing systems and elements. Blessed be God!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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1 Peter 1:18-19; forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19. but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV; But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 25:13-26:1 & Psalms 11-16
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 9:28-36 & Joshua 14
EXERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 16TH JULY 2023
KEEP YOUR HEART SANCTIFIED
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Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).
Pastor Chris Says
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The word 'keep' in the opening scripture doesn’t mean to hide something. The Hebrew word is “natsar” and it gives the picture of a stronghold mounted over something valuable. Thus, you’re to mount guard over your heart; keep your heart sanctified with the Word.
The reason the Bible places a premium on mounting guard over your heart—maintaining a perfect heart—is that out of it are the issues of life. Everything flows from your heart. In other words, everything you need for life is actually in your heart right now.
Everywhere you would ever go, everything you would ever have, everything you’d ever enjoy in this world is in your heart. The Bible says He has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The Kingdom of God is in our hearts (Luke 17:21). What then are you supposed to do?
Fill your heart with the Word so only good will always come forth from your heart. Never let anything unwholesome take root in your heart. Pride, anger, malice, bitterness, hatred—these are poisonous to the heart.
Philippians 4:8 gives us an idea of what God wants you to fill your heart with: things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Nothing meets this qualification better than God’s Word. That’s why you must allow the Word of God to dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16).
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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My thoughts are renewed by the Word, and therefore filled with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. I think on the Word, as it creates and produces in me ideas and pictures of success, endless possibilities and victories, love and fellowship with God. Hallelujah!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Romans 12:2; And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Timothy 4:15; Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
Luke 6:45; A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 24:1-27 & Psalms 1-6
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 9:10-17 & Joshua 12
EXERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 14TH JULY 2023
EQUAL OWNERSHIP
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The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:16-17).
Pastor Chris Says
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Some Bible Translators grappled with the Spirit’s communication through the apostle Paul in our opening scripture when He referred to us as “joint-heirs” with Christ. It was too big for their theology. Therefore, some of them decided to translate it as “co-heirs” instead of staying with the original Greek rendering which is “sugkleronomos”: joint-heirs.
A “Co-heir” shares in the inheritance, but not in jointownership. Unlike co-heirs, joint-heirs own the inheritance jointly, with undivided interest; they have equal rights to the entire inheritance. Let’s put it this way: while co-heirs can share it thirty-seventy or sixty-forty, or some other relevant fractions, the case with joint heirship is that, no one gets anything without the other; they have equal ownership over the whole hundred percent.
To be a joint-heir with Christ means everything that belongs to Him belongs to you, in the same way and degree that it belongs to Him. No wonder the Word declares that in Christ, all things are yours (1 Corinthians 3:21). Praise God!
How can you know this and be limited in life? Nothing should limit you, not your job or business. Nothing should get you hemmed in financially, because you’re an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ. Think about what He owns, then you’ll know how limitless and unsearchable your riches and resources are.
You have all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Therefore, lift your head above the clouds, and think like God; live a limitless life. Meditate on this truth today that you’re a joint-heir with Christ, and your creativity, ingenuity, inventiveness and innovativeness will come alive; you’ll become a solution provider!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I’m a joint-heir with Christ, and an heir of God’s Kingdom of blessings! I have all things that pertain to life and godliness. I walk in divine health and prosperity, and function from a position of victory and unending success in Christ. I flourish exceedingly in every good work, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Galatians 4:7; Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Galatians 3:28-29 MSG; In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.
29. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 22:22-23:1-11 & Job 36-39
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 8:40-56 & Joshua 10
EXERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 12TH JULY 2023
RESPOND WITH THE WORD
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The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts (Mark 4:14-15).
Pastor Chris Says
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Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15 record a simple story Jesus used to illustrate and teach spiritual lessons: the parable of the sower. In explaining the parable, Jesus said the seeds that fell by the wayside represented those who hear the Word of God and don’t understand it. Thus, Satan comes immediately and steals the Word from their hearts (Mark 4:14-15).
This means Satan is watching out for the Word. When the Word of God comes to you, Satan comes also. Recall that the first time the Word of God came to Jesus openly, Satan came also. In Matthew 3:17, God said from heaven, “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Immediately, Satan also came and tempted Jesus, saying, “…If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matthew 4:3). He challenged the Word that came to Jesus. but Jesus responded with the Word, saying, “…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). He affirmed scriptures back to Satan.
When the Word comes to you about the glory or the power of God for your life and future, receive it with your spirit, and through meditation, drive it deep into your heart. Refuse to allow Satan to steal or take the Word away from you; he will try. He’ll throw his darts at you like missiles. But do what Jesus did; respond with the Word!
The Word of God in your mouth is the sword of the Spirit that cuts the adversary in pieces and discomfits his agenda, stratagems and manoeuvres. Hallelujah!
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, by your Spirit, I have an accurate understanding of the Word and apply it rightly to produce results in my life, family, ministry and all that concerns me. I hear and receive the Word into my heart with faith, meekness and gladness for it to take root in me and produce the fruits of what it talks about, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Mark 11:23; For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Ephesians 6:16-17; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
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.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 21:17-36 & Job 29-31
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 8:19-25 & Joshua 8
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 10TH JULY 2023
GIVE JOYFULLY IN FAITH
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Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Pastor Chris Says
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The story of Abraham in Genesis 22 helps us to better understand Paul’s words in our opening scripture. After years of waiting to have a child, Abraham and Sarah eventually gave birth to Isaac in their old age. But one day, God asked Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:2).
I’m aware that there’re religious books and certain movies that highlight Abraham’s disappointment upon receiving that instruction. To them, he gave Isaac reluctantly, grudgingly, sorrowfully, and regretfully. No, he wasn't sorrowful; he did it by faith.
Remember the Bible calls Abraham the father of faith; he was a man of faith who demonstrated his faith that God could raise Isaac from the dead, and symbolically, that’s exactly what happened: “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son…Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death (Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV).
Abraham trusted completely in the Lord and offered Isaac cheerfully. No wonder, in the Lord’s impending judgement against Sodom, He deliberated, “…Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” (Genesis 18:17).
God wouldn’t leave Abraham out of His plans; He wouldn’t do without him. That’s exactly what the Word says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMPC: “...for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]."
We’re Abraham’s seed. Like him, we give in faith; we’re cheerful, joyous, “prompt to do it” givers. We give from the heart, and nothing is ever too much for us to put into the spread of the Gospel. The result is a life of ever-increasing greatness, relevance and impact in the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I give cheerfully for the propagation of the Gospel, and as a result, the Lord multiplies the fruits of my righteousness, even as He has made all grace available to me, to have all sufficiency in all things. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Acts 20:35; I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Matthew 19:21; Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Luke 6:38; give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 20:17-38 & Job 22-24
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 8:1-10 & Joshua 6
EXERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SAT. 8TH JULY 2023
GIVE FOR SOUL-WINNING
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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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Give financially for soul-winning and the establishment of God’s righteousness in the earth and in the hearts of men. In 2 Corinthians 9:7-10, the Spirit, through Paul, emphasized how giving is directly connected to righteousness.
A true giver is concerned about the spread of the Gospel to all peoples, and the reign of God’s righteousness in the earth. Therefore, do all you can, and more, to support and promote the spread of the Gospel around the world. Be extravagant about it.
God showed us the perfect example: He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of mankind, showing that the true value of a human soul is Jesus. The whole world is nothing, compared to the value of a human soul.
No wonder Jesus said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). Knowing this, therefore, commit yourself and your resources to soul-winning.
Let the spread of the Gospel around the world become your heartbeat. Be radical in your commitment to Christ and His cause, and live for Him wholly and truly. Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I declare that I shall always be a cheerful, joyous, "prompt to do it" giver whose heart is in his giving. And I commit to giving increasingly into the spread of the Gospel around the world that men might be saved to the glory of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Luke 6:38; give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Proverbs 3:9-10; Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 19:8-41 & Job 15-18
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 7:18-35 & Joshua 3-4
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 THURS. 6TH JULY 2023
ALWAYS FULL OF JOY
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Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:24).
Pastor Chris Says
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Our opening scripture reveals the heart of the Father and His desire for us: He wants your joy to be full always! That’s because being joyful is very important in the Kingdom of God. The Bible says “A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul…” (Proverbs 17:22 TPT).
Therefore, it makes no difference what happens around you or the situations you face; exude joy; rejoice evermore. The beautiful part is that our joy is of the Holy Spirit, and therefore, independent of circumstances: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).
We’re full of joy even in the face of adversities and persecution: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2). That means no room for frustration in your life; no room for anger, sadness, or bitterness. Only the joy of the Lord is expressed and manifested through you. When others see you, they see joy: joy unspeakable and full of glory.
The Bible tells us about the children of Israel that their joy was heard afar off as they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced after rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem: “Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off” (Nehemiah 12:43).
Their joy was heard afar off! That tells us joy has expressions. Laughter is an expression of joy. Praising God—being exultant and exuberant with praise to Him—is an expression of joy. Singing songs of praise in thanksgiving is an expression of joy.
Give no place to gloom in your life. In spite of the terrible things happening in the world today, be full of joy every day. Joy is one of the products of your recreated human spirit (Galatians 5:22). Therefore, generate and release joy and excitement from inside you—always.
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I’m exuberant with praise, expressing joy unspeakable and full of glory, because the joy of the Lord is my strength. My joy is independent of circumstances; it comes from my inner man and transcends physical circumstances. Glory to God!
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Isaiah 12:3; Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Galatians 5:22; For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
1 Peter 1:7-8; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8. whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 18:1-23 & Job 9-11
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 7:1-10 & Deuteronomy 34
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 TUES. 4TH JULY 2023
HIS PROMISES ARE FULFILLED
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For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV).
Pastor Chris Says
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God never makes a promise until He has fulfilled it. Every promise was fulfilled in Christ: “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
So, if God tells you something that sounds like a promise, He already fulfilled that promise. Let me explain it to you this way: imagine He puts ten thousand dollars in your account, then He calls you on the phone and says, “Son, or daughter, I will give you ten thousand dollars if you’d do XYZ.”
Now, He only made that promise because He already put the money in your account. This is simple to understand when you realize that God doesn’t have a future; He lives in eternity. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Future for man is history with God.
Now you can better understand Paul’s beautiful conclusion in Hebrews 4:3 that all “…the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” In other words, before the earth was created, God had completed His work. Before you ever came on the scene, before your parents ever dreamed of coming together, God had known you and concluded everything about you.
Think about it: we’re already in the month of July, but before we ever knew 2023 was the Year of the Prolific Church, the Lord already put everything in place to make it so. What you require isn’t to ask God to make you prolific; no! Simply walk in the grace of that word.
With that grace, take your community, seize your city, and dominate your country for Christ. Flood everywhere with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let it be said of you as it was said of the apostles in Acts 5:28: “… behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine....”
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for making the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel possible and available to me in Christ, for all your promises have been fulfilled in Him. Now, I walk in the light of my prosperity, victory, success, joy, peace, and all the blessings of the Kingdom, for all are now mine! Praise God!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Peter 1:3-4; 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:
4. whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
1 Corinthians 3:21-22; Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22. whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 17:1-15 & Job 3-5
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:31-38 & Deuteronomy 32
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 2ND JULY 2023
LOVE—THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD AT WORK
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He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 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 (1 John 4:8-9).
Pastor Chris Says
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When we talk about the love of God, it’s actually the demonstration of the righteousness of God. The love of God is the righteousness of God at work. Why does God love? It’s because of His righteousness. Our opening text says, “God is love.” He is love because it is righteous to love.
If there’s no object of love, love can’t be expressed. Moreover, you can only express love to a being that can receive and reciprocate love. So, the righteousness of God causes the nature of love to emanate from Him and be expressed from Him. Love that is inactive is not love.
Wherever the righteousness of God is in manifestation, the love of God is experienced. Therefore, when you see a brother or a sister who's not walking in love, it's because they don’t understand the righteousness of God. And because they don’t understand it, they’re not living in it. Their problem begins with their very relationship with God, not even with the person or the people they have trouble with.
The more you know the Lord, the more you understand His righteousness, and the more His love is reflected back to you and from you. Remember what He did: In Christ Jesus, He made you the righteousness of God; you’re the expression of His righteousness. If that's true, how can you not walk in love?
God is love; in other words, that’s who He is; that’s His nature. The same is true of righteousness; God is righteous; that’s His nature. So when we teach people about walking in love, that's really for the babes in Christ. You haven’t matured in Christ until you're really walking in love, and you will not walk in love until you understand and live in the righteousness of God.
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, thank you for guiding me by your sweet Holy Spirit in the way of love, righteousness, and true holiness. The more I know you, Lord, the more I understand and seek the establishment of your righteousness in the earth and in the hearts of men. Thank you for your love that’s revealed in and through me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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John 3:16-17; 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.
17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Ephesians 3:17-19; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18. may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19. and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 15:36-16:1-15 & Esther 8-10
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 6:12-19 & Deuteronomy 30
EXCERPTS FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 FRI. 30TH JUNE 2023
IT'S ABOUT YOUR FAITH
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...If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Lord isn't responsible for the evils or the mishaps that people experience; it's not consistent with His nature. He is love personified; there's no darkness in Him. Whatever you may have suffered that's inconsistent with the provisions of Christ in His Gospel didn't come from God. You're responsible for your life-the things that happen with you. It's about your faith and how you use it.
The Lord Jesus said in our opening scripture, "... nothing shall be impossible unto you." This is a sovereign declaration; so, the question is, what are you doing with your faith? How are you putting your faith to work? The Bible says, "Now the just shall live by faith..." (Hebrews 10:38).
Using your faith to deal with the crises of life every day is your responsibility. But the problem is some have made their faith void or of non-effect: "For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect" (Romans 4:14). Can faith be made vold? Emphatically yes!
In Mark 7:13, Jesus rebuked the Jews for making God's Word of non-effect by their tradition. "Tradition" here refers to your way of life, your culture, and the things you believe. If these things are inconsistent with the Word of God, you make the Word of non-effect in your life, and your faith is made void.
Your trust must always be in the finished works of Christ; live by His faith (Galatians 2:20). Hallelujah! How do you live by His faith? It’s by living the Word, being a doer of the Word. James 1:22 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, by my faith in your Word I prevail over situations and circumstances. The forces of righteousness, success, divine health, victory, and prosperity are activated in my life as I live by your Word, guided and inspired by your wisdom to fulfil your perfect will for me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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2 Thessalonians 1:3; We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
Romans 10:17 AMPC; So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).
Mark 11:22-23; And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 15:1-21 & Esther 1-4
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 5:27-39 & Deuteronomy 28
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 WED. 28TH JUNE 2023
GET FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
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And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness... And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:31-33).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Scriptures give a vivid account of an extraordinary prayer meeting that the members of the early Church had following the threats from the religious council. It records that as they prayed, the entire building where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Notice the resultant effect of being filled with the Holy Spirit: they went forth and preached the Word of God with boldness-the very thing they had been threatened to desist from or face dire consequences. They had already received the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4. But in Chapter 4, they were filled again with that same Holy Spirit whom they had earlier received.
The Bible charges us, be not drunk with wine wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit." The International Standard Version says, "Keep on being filled with the Spirit," speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-20). When you're filled with the Spirit, you're not timid or intimidated; you preach the Gospel with boldness and power.
Perhaps you've been desiring to preach the Gospel to the people you work with, but it seems you've been shy or afraid. Get filled with the Holy Spirit! Pray in tongues until you're supercharged-speaking to yourself in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Soon enough, you won't need to be prompted, instructed or encouraged by anyone to witness to those around you. Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers (gushers) of living water" (John 7:38). You won't have to force it out; there'll be an overflow, and the Word will issue forth from your lips with power. Hallelujah!
🗣 C O N F E S S I O N
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I'm an effective witness and custodian of the Gospel- God's saving power that unveils His righteousness, eternal life, and divine destiny for all mankind. I'm His light in a dark world, called to bring men out of sin and bondage into righteousness and the glorious liberty of the sons of God. I'm fulfilling my calling. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Acts 1:8 AMPC; But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
Zechariah 4:6; Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
1 Corinthians 2:4; And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 13:13-52 & Nehemiah 9-10
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 5:1-11 & Deuteronomy 26
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 MON. 26TH JUNE 2023
LOVE THE LORD WITH A PURE HEART
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Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15).
Pastor Chris Says
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1 Timothy 1:5 says, "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." A pure heart is a heart that loves the Lord truly and believes His Word absolutely (without any questions or doubts).
Something you should do often is to check the condition of your heart that it's pure towards God in love. Your love for Him must be unfeigned. In reviewing what we read in our opening verse, the example of Demas, a certain character in the Bible, readily comes to mind.
Demas worked closely with Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke" and "Acts of the Apostles." He also worked very closely with the great Apostle Paul. In fact, Paul listed him among his fellow-labourers in the Gospel: "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers....Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you" (Colossians 4:12-14 NKJV).
Paul also mentioned him in Philemon 1:23-24 NKJV: "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers." So, Demas was a co-labourer with Paul. He was in very good company, and had a ministry to fulfil.
But in 2 Timothy 4:9-10, Paul tells Timothy: "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica...." This explains why some people start well and end up badly: their love for the Lord is not genuine. Paul said Demas forsook him, because he loved the world. You can't love the Father and love the world at the same time. To love this world is to not have the love of the Father in you.
All the while Demas was labouring with Paul, Luke and the other ministers of the Gospel, he was lusting after the world and the things of this world. And for that reason, he ultimately couldn't fulfil his divine destiny and purpose.
Love the Lord with a pure heart. Serve Him truly. Let Him be all that matters to you, for the Bible says, "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen" (Ephesians 6:24).
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Lord Jesus, you reign in my life; you're all that matters to me. Thank you for the grace to live for you and serve you with a perfect heart; you're everything to me. You're holy, pure, righteous, loving and true! You're the only true God; and I love you forever. Amen!
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Galatians 6:14; But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Colossians 3:1-2; If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
2 Peter 3:11-14; Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 12 & Nehemiah 4-6
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 4:14-32 & Deuteronomy 24
EXCERPTS from Rhapsody of Realities Dailies
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
📅 SUN. 25TH JUNE 2023
DON'T MISS GOD
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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 (Colossians 1:9).
Pastor Chris Says
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The Book of Genesis tells the touching story of Abraham and his nephew, Lot. When God called Abraham to leave his homeland for a foreign country, Lot journeyed with him (Genesis 12:4). As God blessed Abraham in his pilgrimage, Lot was also blessed. They were both so blessed that the land where they sojourned at some point could no longer contain their herds.
Fighting often broke out between Abraham's herdsmen and Lot's, until Abraham said, "... Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left" (Genesis 13:8-9).
This was where Lot's problem began. He looked at the lush green plains of Jordan on one side and the dry patch of land on the other. He chose the luxuriant side, and pitched his tent near Sodom, a land of wickedness, not knowing that God's Judgement was imminent upon Sodom.
When God rained fire on Sodom as retribution for the iniquity of its people, Lot's life was spared as a result of Abraham's intercession. But he (Lot) lost everything he owned in the crisis and ended up in a cave. This happened to Lot simply because he missed God; not because he was a bad person. In fact, the Bible says that Lot was a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7-8 NIV).
So in your life, the best place to be, always, is at the centre of God's will. Never be carried away by the allures of this world. The choices you make shouldn't be based on the cravings of the flesh, but according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. For example, don't relocate to a particular city or country simply because of its economic prospects. You could be making a costly mistake. The Bible says, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).
🙏 P R A Y E R
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Dear Father, I lay down my goals, ambitions, aspirations, desires and dreams at your feet. I trust your Word, which is the light that guides me in the path of success, victory, and greatness. Through your Word, I receive direction, illumination and insight into the mysteries and realities of the Kingdom. I recognize and act on God-given opportunities alone, yielded only to the guidance of your Spirit, in Jesus' Name. Amen.
📖 FURTHER STUDY:
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Colossians 1:9-10 AMPC; For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things–
10. That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].
Proverbs 3:5-7 MSG; Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
6. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
7. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
Romans 12:2; And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 11:19-30 & Nehemiah 1-3
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 4:1-13 & Deuteronomy 23