TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Wednesday, January 1st, 2013.

Theme: "No Limits"

By Pastor Chris

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…"- (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV).


One of your major determinations this year should be to achieve all that God has set in your heart to achieve, leaving nothing out. He has set eternity in your heart, meaning that there's no limit to the extent of your faith; that is, how far your faith can go and how much you can accomplish.

The Lord said to Abraham in Genesis 13:14-15 "... Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever."

How was Abraham supposed to view the entire expanse of land and seas from where he stood? Was he to stand up, march around the whole world to take possesion of it?" No! Abraham was the father of faith; he understood the faith principle of seeing with the eyes of the spirit. Hence, he projected himself in faith; with his spirit, he saw the whole world. According to the Scriptures, God gave the world to Abraham by promise.

There're no limits to what your faith can accomplish. The question is, "What can you see?" In 2 Kings 2, when Elisha said to Elijah, "…let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." Notice Elijah's response: "Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so" (2 Kings 2:10). We see, we speak, and we receive. As far as the other prophets were concerned, Elijah simply vanished. However, Elisha, by the eyes of the spirit, saw a chariot of fire pick up Elijah into heaven. That was how he was promoted and became the head amongst the prophets.

You have an extraordinary capacity to contemplate, think, envision and see endless possibilities. There're things you might have desired and prayed about; take a hold of them with your spirit and they'll be yours!


Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for setting eternity in my heart, such that there's no limit to what I can envision. Thank you for lavishly granting me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you; the eyes of my understanding being enlightened, to know the hope of your calling and the glory of your inheritance in the saints, in Jesus' Name. Amen.


F u r t h e r s t u d y: Joel 2:28; 1 Corinthians 2:11

Daily Scripture Reading

1 Year Reading Plan : Matthew 1, Genesis 1-2

2 Year Reading Plan : Acts 5:33-42, Nehemiah 3


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013.

Theme: "Honour The Lord By Acting On His Word"

By Pastor Anita

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went"- (Hebrews 11:8).


In Genesis 12:1, the Lord told Abram, who later was named Abraham, to go to a land that He (the Lord) would show him. It was a land He intended Abraham to inherit; howbeit, He didn't tell Abraham where the land was. Abraham obeyed, and began his sojourn of faith, not knowing where he was going. This is the way to honour the Lord: it's by acting on His Word, and doing what He says to do, even when the details are not clear to your physical senses.

In Acts 8:26-40, we read about Philip, who also acted like Abraham. When the Lord told him to arise and go to a certain place, not telling him immediately what he was going there to do, Philip didn't argue. The Bible says, "…he arose and went…" (Acts 8:27). That's acting on His Word! Philip's obedience to the Word is the reason the Ethiopian eunuch received the Gospel (read Acts 8:27-39).

The Lord is the Boss; when He tells you to do anything, don't ask Him, "What's in this for me?" or "I'll do it if it's easy!" Simply act on what He says! His Word is His will expressed, and each time you take a step in accordance with His Word, you're honouring Him.

For example, Mark 16:15 says, "…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." That's a direct instruction from the Lord. Therefore, make soul winning your lifestyle; talk to people always about Jesus. Do this because the Lord said to do so, and you want to honour Him.


Confession

The Word of God is my life. I'm one with the Word because I'm born of the Word. When I hear the Word, I receive it with my spirit, and function accordingly because I have the ability to do the Word!

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 Samuel 2:30; 1 John 5:3

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1 John 4, Ezekiel 16

2 Year Reading Plan : John 17:11-21, 2 Chronicles 7-8


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Monday, December 2nd, 2013.

Theme: He Lives On… Through You!

By Pastor Chris

"Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand"- (Isaiah 53:10).


The Lord Jesus came into this world, lived, conquered Satan and the world, was crucified and buried, rose triumphantly from the dead, and ascended to heaven. He is in heaven now. In our opening verse, we read that, He shall see His seed, and shall prolong His days. The seed of Jesus Christ is the Church: He prolongs His days in the earth through the Church.

Acts 1:1 talks about "…all that Jesus began both to do and teach,"; this refers to His miraculous works and teachings about the Kingdom of God. As you read further into the book of Acts, you'd find that the Lord continued to teach and to do the same things through the Apostles whom He had chosen. They, in turn, delivered the same teachings to others, and finally, it got to every one of us, and it'll continue until Jesus comes again. We're His ambassadors, teaching the same things He taught, and doing the same works He did.

Always be mindful that Christ is living through you. Today, anyone who needs to know what Jesus looks like only needs to look at you! You're the effulgence of His glory; the express image of His person, a partaker of His life, and a dispenser of His love, righteousness, and grace.


Prayer

Precious Father, I thank you for expressing yourself to the world through me. I declare that Christ is alive in me, dispensing His righteousness, love, grace, and mercy through me; and my life is a veritable manifestation of your praise and glory, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Galatians 2:20

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1 John 3:11-24, Ezekiel 13-15

2 Year Reading Plan : John 17:1-10, 2 Chronicles 5-6


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Saturday, November 30th, 2013.

Theme: "Living In The Name Of Jesus"

By Pastor Chris

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring"- (Acts 17:28).


The Bible says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17). That's the way to live a supernatural life. True Christianity is functioning in the Name of Jesus. That means you're living for Him in His authority. How could you be defeated if you live for Him? That'll be impossible; and so will failure and poverty.

Some people believe rightly the Name of Jesus is powerful and has all authority, but they don't know how to function in that Name on a day-to-day basis. The Lord Jesus taught us how in John 14:12-13, where He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Here, the Lord was teaching us to make demands in His Name.

Peter understood this, and he commanded a man who had never walked from birth to rise up and walk in the Name of Jesus (Acts 3:1-6). The Bible says, "And he (the lame man) leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (Acts 3:8). We're called to live in the Name of Jesus, the creator of the universe. That's big, and nothing can compare with it. If you function in His Name, and discover there's a tumour in your body, say, "Tumour, in the Name of Jesus, you can't stay in this body, I command you to go!" and it'll go.

If there's a problem with your heart, say, "Heart, I command you to function normally in the Name of Jesus!" If your child isn't growing right, lay your hands on him or her, and say, "Child, grow right in the Name of Jesus, and be excellent!" If you had trouble at work, lift your hands in the presence of the Lord and say, "I command the storms in my office to calm down in the Name of Jesus!" And it will be so. Make your life beautiful, and live triumphantly every day, by living in the Name of Jesus.


Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for giving me the Name of Jesus, to use and to live by. I live in, and by, the power of that Name today; and I declare, that I'm making progress with giant strides as I fulfill the ministry and destiny that you've given me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Acts 4:12; Colossians 3:17

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1John 1-2:1-14, Ezekiel 8-10

2 Year Reading Plan : John 16:12-22 2, Chronicles 1-2


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Friday, November 29th, 2013.

Theme: "How To Give Him Glory"

By Pastor Chris

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him"-
(John 2:11).


Many believe they're giving God glory when they merely say, "Lord, I give you the glory." If truly they're giving Him glory that way, then where is the glory? There has to be something to show for it. It's like going to church, and saying, "Lord, I give you the offering," and you don't put anything in the offering basket. If you picked an item in a shop and told the shopkeeper, "I give you the money," will the shopkeeper let you go just because you said, "I give you the money?" Certainly not! He'd ask you for the money. You'll have to back up your statement with paying the required amount for the purchased item.

In the same way, much more than saying it, the way to give God glory is by doing what He asked you to do and showing the results: declaring that they were done in the Name of Jesus, according to His Word. Let's take the Lord Jesus for an example; when He turned water into wine, the Bible says, He manifested forth His glory.

When He commanded the paralytic to rise up and walk and it happened, the people glorified God when they saw the miracle (Luke 5:26). Likewise, in the city called Nain, when He raised the only son of a widow back to life, the Bible says, "And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people" (Luke 7:16). Whenever you act on God's Word, and it produces result, and then you go ahead to praise Him for it, or others see it and praise Him, the Lord is glorified.

That's why He delights in answering our prayers. He loves to see us actualize our hopes and dreams, and then praise Him for it. Some people don't know this, so they pray "religiously," not expecting to receive answers. If only they knew that the glory of God lies in answering our prayers! Have the audacity of faith to expect answers when you pray, because the Lord derives glory from answering your prayers. It brings to mind the words of Jesus in John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." His joy is for you to have a fruitful, productive, and effective walk in righteousness.


Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you that my life is for your glory, and I show forth your virtues, excellence, perfections and beauty today. I'm prospering and making progress on all sides because you've ordained me to an excellent life of fruitfulness and productivity, in Jesus' Name. Amen!

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Matthew 5:16; John 15:7-8

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 2 Peter 3, Ezekiel 5-7

2 Year Reading Plan : John 16:1-11, 1 Chronicles 29


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Thursday, November 28th, 2013.

Theme: He Gives More Ability!

By Pastor Chris

"A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength"-(Proverbs 24:5).


As someone once said, "All you can do is all you can do." You can't do more than you can do. Some people have the ability to run a business that handles money in multiplied millions. Some others can run businesses that handle hundreds of thousands, while some can only handle a few thousands. Even if you gave the latter group millions of dollars to manage, they wouldn't be able to do much with it, because they're not graced to handle that much.

In the areas of leadership also, some people can only run their own biological families successfully; outside of that, they can't lead anyone else. Some can lead a whole city, or even a whole nation; it all depends on the ability that God gives you. However, when He wants to upgrade your life, increase your sphere of influence and the responsibility that He's given to you, He increases your ability. James 4:6 says "But he giveth more grace…."

If you desire more grace or ability today, God is more than willing to increase it. When God increases your ability, you'll suddenly discover that you're able to do more than you used to do; you'll become more efficient. With the same efforts as before, you'll be able to produce more results! Proverbs 24:5 tells us that a man of knowledge increases ability. Thus, with knowledge, you'll multiply your abilities; with knowledge you discover that there's so much more you can do.

As you study the Scriptures and increase in knowledge, you're automatically multiplying your abilities to do more, in whatever field, as you may desire. The Hebrew word translated "strength" in the opening verse is "kôach" which also means "ability" or "power." It's the same Hebrew word translated "power" in Isaiah 40:29: "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." The Lord can do this for you today, if you desire it of Him.


Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for the knowledge of your Word in my spirit, causing me to be more effective in the works of righteousness. I'm energized to do things beyond the ordinary. I recognize the working of that power and take advantage of it in accomplishing everything I need to do, to the praise and glory of your Name, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Colossians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 3:5

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 2 Peter 2, Ezekiel 3-4

2 Year Reading Plan : John 15:20-27, 1 Chronicles 28


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013.

Theme: "Talk Right"

By Pastor Anita

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit"- (Proverbs 15:4).


God has given you the power to control the circumstances of your life, and that power is in your mouth. The Apostle James, in James 3:5 cautions on the importance of talking right: "A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything--or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire" (James 3:5 MSG). By your words you create or destroy. By talking right, you create your triumphant life, and maintain your victories in Christ. In the same vein, through negative confessions, many breach the hedge and give Satan the opportunity to plunder their lives.

You may have read the inspiring story of a Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-36. Even though her son had just died, she quickly dashed off to the Prophet Elisha with only one declaration on her lips, "It is well." She wasn't screaming for help or complaining; rather, she went to the prophet of God with the right confession, and she got a miracle. Jesus said in Mark 11:23, 'you shall have what you say'; she said it was well, and her faith-confession produced results.

Choose always to talk right, and by that, I mean talk the Word. Expose yourself to the right information— from God's Word to help you form the right mind-set— because before you can talk right, you must first think right. Words are thoughts clothed with vocabulary. Thoughts are the specific, descriptive imaginations of the mind, which are from the information received through the senses. This is why you must constantly fellowship with the Word; let the Word dwell in you richly through constant study and meditation.

The Bible says out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). When your spirit is inundated with the Word, you'll talk right; you'll talk the Word! And the Word of God on your lips will prevail and catapult you to higher levels of success, victory and prosperity.


Confession

My faith is built on God's Word of power, and I'm transformed from glory to glory as I live in, and by the Word. I'm experiencing unlimited victories and success because I'm being piloted by the Spirit, with the Word prevailing mightily in my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 Peter 3:10; James 1:26 AMP

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 2 Peter 1, Ezekiel 1-2

2 Year Reading Plan : John 15:11-19, 1 Chronicles 27


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Tuesday, November 26th, 2013.

Theme: The Expression Of The Christ-life!

By Pastor Chris

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"- (Colossians 1:27).


Christianity is the unveiling of Christ in you; it's the outworking of the Word of God in a human person. When you're born again, you become the expression or image of the Word of God, so much so that all the steps you take—all the things you do—are the "outworkings" of the Word of God. When Jesus walked the earth, He was the unveiling of the Word. He was the manifestation of divinity; the effulgence of the glory of God (Hebrews 1:3).

You're the express image of Christ today. Everywhere you go, you're "Christ alive in the world." In your office, you're the Christ they see. Your communication, therefore, shouldn't be at the ordinary level of life; when you speak, speak the wisdom of God. The words you speak, the life you live, the way you do what you do should communicate the presence of Jesus. That way, when people look at you, they'll see the glory of the new creation.

This is the higher life in Christ! Become conscious of it; carry that awareness with you everywhere. Practise it consciously until it works out in you unconsciously. Don't say, "You know I'm still human!" Being in Christ, your humanity has been supplanted by His divinity. You ought to give vent to the divine life in you: expressing the Christ-life is God's dream for you.

Become conscious that as the Father has life in Himself, so do you (John 5:26). That life is the transcendent life; it's not susceptible to sickness or defeat. If you feel pressures from the adversary, say, "I'm strengthened; I'm empowered; greater is He that's in me, than he that's in the world. I'm the healed of Christ. I'm born of God, and I've overcome the world!"


Confession

My life is the expression of the Christlife. Christ is unveiled in me to my world today; His divinity is manifested through me, and I live in the consciousness of the higher life in Christ! Thank you Lord, for your wisdom, ability, and power, that's inherent and revealed in, and through me today, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 1:14; Colossians 1:27

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1 Peter 5, Lamentations 3-5

2 Year Reading Plan : John 15:1-10, 1 Chronicles 26


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Monday, November 25th, 2013.

Theme: "Intimate Knowledge Of The Truth"

By Pastor Chris

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men… this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth"-
(1 Timothy 2:1-4).


Not only does God want all men saved, He also wants them to come into the knowledge of the truth. This kind of knowledge is "epignosis" (Greek); intimate knowledge of, fellowship or oneness with, the truth. When you come into oneness with truth, you'll discover who you really are.

For example, 1 Peter 1:23 says, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." You're born of God's Word in exactly the same sense that Jesus is described as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). God wants you to come into oneness with this truth; He wants you to relate with it and understand that your life is the manifestation of the Word of God. That's true Christianity.

Have the knowledge in your spirit of what Paul meant when he said, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Notice the phrase, "…all things…." That means there's no disadvantage to you as a child of God. The whole world is yours because you're the seed of Abraham.

2 Peter 1:4 says you belong in the fraternity of the God-kind, having been born into God's class, with His nature and character in your spirit. You've been translated from the ordinary realm of "mankind" to the supernatural class of the "God-kind." Therefore, there's no room for failure or defeat; poverty, sickness and weakness are not a part of your life. You're indestructible, because you're born of God's incorruptible Word.

God wants you to have intimate knowledge of these and other truths revealed concerning you in His Word. No wonder the Psalmist vociferates in Psalm 87:3, "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah." Accept and walk in the light of God's truths concerning you.


Confession

I have overcome the world, sin and the devil because I'm born of the Word. My life is the life of God's Word, and that makes me invincible and superhuman. Sickness, disease, lack and death have no place in me because I belong in the fraternity of the God-kind! Blessed be God.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 1:12-13; 2 Peter 1:4

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1 Peter 4, Lamentations 1-2

2 Year Reading Plan : John 14:22-31, 1 Chronicles 25


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Sunday, November 24th, 2013.

Theme: "Victorious In Him"

By Pastor Anita

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place"- (2 Corinthians 2:14).


Jesus already defeated Satan and the cohorts of darkness on your behalf. In Luke 10:18-19, He said, "...I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven…." The Apostle Paul relayed a graphic illustration of the victory of Jesus over Satan and the cohorts of hell: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).

The Lord Jesus dispossessed Satan of his authority, rendered him powerless and gave us the victory! Therefore, Satan doesn't have any right over the world today, neither does he have the power to run your life. All you have to do is enforce your victory through the fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." This isn't a fight with the devil, your flesh or the world; rather, it's maintaining your victory in Christ.

In John 16:33 Jesus said, "…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Galatians 5:24 says "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." This means you don't have to try to overcome the world or the flesh; rather, you're to live beyond the flesh by walking in the light of God's Word, in spite of sensory evidence.

Appropriate, and lay hold of, the victories Jesus already wrought and accomplished for you through your faith-filled declarations. It may be in your job, finances, health or family; refuse to accept failure or defeat. Keep declaring your victory.


Confession

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I'm what God says I am; a victor, an overcomer and more than a conqueror! No weapon formed against me shall prosper because the greater One lives in me! I'm filled with His glory, grace, and might. Halleluiah.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 1 John 4:4; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1 Peter 3, Jeremiah 52

2 Year Reading Plan : John 14:10-21, 1 Chronicles 24


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Friday, November 22nd, 2013.

Theme: "Why You Must Pray"

By Pastor Chris

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him"- (Matthew 6:7-8).


"Since God already knows what's on our minds, and what we need, why then do we need to pray?" You might want to ask. First, prayer isn't all about asking God for what you need; rather, and more importantly, prayer is a romance of righteousness: a time to fellowship in the communion of the God-kind.

Secondly, there's a big difference between life in the natural world, and in the Spirit-realm where God lives. Just as physical laws and principles govern life in the physical world, spiritual laws equally govern the spirit-realm. Ezekiel 36:26-36 gives us a better understanding of this. God made several beautiful promises to the Israelites about the wonderful things He'd do for them. However, very strikingly in the thirty-seventh verse, He said, "…I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock." What's God telling us here?

He's letting us know that we have to work together. Even though He wants to do great things in your life, there has to be a connection of faith; you have to give Him the permission to do what He wants to do in your life. We serve a kind, loving, great and gracious God who daily loads us with benefits (Psalms 68:19).

Furthermore, Matthew 18:18 says, "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." That means "heaven" will give the authority and the go-ahead for whatever you decree on earth. If you say "no!" to sickness, and bind the works of the devil in your family, or in your job, or in your own body, the Holy Spirit will endorse it. You have to take a faith-stand in prayer for things to change. This is your responsibility.


Confession

I take advantage of the power in the Name of Jesus against sickness, lack, failure and defeat; and I declare that I walk in the reality of my Kingdom-inheritance, basking in the glory of Christ and strengthened by His supernatural might in my inner man. Blessed be God!

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Matthew 7:7; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : 1 Peter 1:1-21, Jeremiah 48-49

2 Year Reading Plan : John 13:31-38, 1 Chronicles 22


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Wednesday, November 20th, 2013.

Theme: "From Death To Life"

By Pastor Chris

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life"- (John 5:24 NIV).


Great news! This means if you're born again, you've already crossed over from death to life. You're no longer in the fiefdom of death where Satan, sin, sickness, disease, poverty, disadvantage, and failure hold men in bondage; rather, you've crossed over into the realm of life.

Some Christians, however, still find themselves buffeted by the challenges of life. Their problem, for the most part, is their ignorance of God's Word. God said, "My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge…" (Hosea 4:6). The quality of life you live here on earth depends on the knowledge of God you have and live by. The Apostle John recognized this when he said, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren…" (1 John 3:14).

The word "know" in this verse is from the Greek "aido," which means, "to be aware." Have you come to the awareness that you've crossed over from death to life, therefore, nothing in you should produce death? Has it dawned on you that you're not supposed to be sick, broke or snowed-under by the pressures and adversities of life?

The Spirit of God, speaking through the Apostle John said, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know (aido) that ye have eternal life…" (1 John 5:13). You need to become aware of these realities! Take possession of the knowledge that you've been called into the transcendent life: the supernatural life of dominion, where you reign by grace through righteousness.


Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for bringing me out of spiritual death into the arena of life. I have eternal life now; therefore, nothing in me produces death. I live in absolute victory and mastery over Satan, the world and its systems because the greater One lives in me. Halleluiah.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 5:24; Romans 8:2

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : James 3:14-4:1-12, Jeremiah 41-43

2 Year Reading Plan : John 13:12-20, 1 Chronicles 20


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Tuesday, November 19th, 2013.

Theme: "The Word Gives Light"

By Pastor Chris

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple"- (Psalm 119:130).


Some people may not know this, but every human being has two sets of eyes. The first is our physical eyes with which we see and appreciate the world around us. The other set is the spiritual eyes, which, incidentally, most never use, or don't know how to use; they've never seen with the spiritual eyes. Such people only see things from the natural point of view.

Only the Word of God can open your spiritual eyes. I remember the testimony of a man who was healed in one of our meetings. For two years, he couldn't recognize anyone, not even his wife or siblings. While at the meeting, however, he was fully restored to normalcy. Even though we didn't physically lay hands on him, he experienced a divine touch because he was in the presence of God, where the Word was being taught. Hence, his mind was illumined to see and comprehend rightly again—that's the power of God's Word!

Our opening verse says, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Interestingly, the Greek Septuagint uses the word "photizo," which means to illuminate or flood with light. Therefore, the verse should actually read, "The entrance of thy words floods with light…." As you allow God's Word into your heart through diligent study and constant meditation, your heart is flooded with light. It's akin to the Spirit's prayer through the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:17-18 which says "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened…." He prays that the eyes of your spirit will be flooded with light.

Even now, as you're studying God's Word in this devotional, something is happening in your spirit. Your spiritual eyes are being flooded with light; they're being enlightened to see and apprehend the realities of our heavenly Kingdom.


Confession

I testify that there's light in my life and in all that concerns me, because I'm yielded to the ministry of the Word. I refuse to fret today or in the future because the light of the Gospel shines in my heart, showing me the path of victory and success! There's no darkness whatsoever in my life; my way is bright and my future secure. Halleluiah!

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : James 2-3:1-13, Jeremiah 38-40

2 Year Reading Plan : John 13:1-11, 1 Chronicles 19


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Monday, November 18th, 2013.

Theme: Look To The Glory Within!

By Pastor Anita

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us"- (2 Corinthians 4:7).


Once you're born again, your life becomes one of blessings; 1 Peter 3:9 says you were called to inherit a blessing. Then 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue. Inside you is the glory of God—the beauty and excellence of the Spirit. Therefore, always look inwards to the glory within.

The Lord Jesus said in Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good…." He didn't say you should pray to God to give you good things from heaven, because your spirit is a reservoir of good things; you only need to bring them forth!

When you received the Holy Spirit, you received into you life and godliness. You don't need to look for help outside, because the "Helper" lives in you. His presence in your life represents solution to every crisis, and deliverance from all troubles. You don't need to seek to be blessed because you've already inherited a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). What you need to do now is to "search and discover"; in other words, look into the mirror of God, and discover who you really are.

Acknowledge that you're the blessed of God. Testify that in Christ, you have everything you require for a heaven-inspired, successful and victorious life in this world. The communication of your faith becomes effectual as you acknowledge every good thing, which is in you in Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:6). There're good things already in you—pleasurable things—things that bring joy, honour, and excellence, because you're in Christ Jesus! Look inwards and bring forth excellence from within you.


Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for endowing me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I'm full and loaded with good things, and I bring forth excellence from within me today, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: 2 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:3

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : James 1, Jeremiah 36-37

2 Year Reading Plan : John 12:42-50, 1 Chronicles 18


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Sunday, November 17th, 2013.

Theme: "The God-life In You"

By Pastor Chris

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God"-
(1 John 5:11-13).


Observe the tenses carefully in our theme scripture; they emphasize that everyone who's born again already has eternal life. It's something God has already made available in Christ Jesus; if you're born again, eternal life is your present-hour possession.

Eternal life is the "God-life"—Zoë (Greek); it refers to the essence or character of divinity. Now, Philemon 1:6 points out an important faith-principle; it says, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." It brings to mind the words of the Apostle John in 1 John 5:13. It says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…."

When you were born again, you were born of the Spirit, and your human life was supplanted by the God-life. You need to become aware of this reality; it has to become a present-hour consciousness in your spirit that you have the God-life. This life can't be infected by sickness or disease, because it's the very life of God.

The Lord Jesus talked about this life when He said, "...As the Father has life (Zoë) in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life (Zoë) in Himself" (John 5:26). In other words, the life that Jesus has in Him is the same life God has, and that's the life that's in you now. This life is immune to failure, defeat, and death! It's the supernatural life, and God wants you to have, and live with, the full knowledge that you have His divine life in you.


Confession

I'm a success; I'm immune to defeat and failure. I can never be disadvantaged, because I'm an associate of the Godkind; I manifest the excellence of the Spirit. The life of God in me makes me superior to the devil and all his works. Glory to God!

f u r t h e r s t u d y: John 10:10; 2 Peter 1:3-4

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : Hebrews 13, Jeremiah 34-35

2 Year Reading Plan : John 12:30-41, 1 Chronicles 17


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Saturday, November 16th, 2013.

Theme: "A New Parentage"

By Pastor Chris

"As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly"- (1 Corinthians 15:48).


The Bible tells us in the book of Genesis how God formed Adam, the first man, from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils to become a living soul. However, the Bible described him as "earthy" because he was of the earth and possessed the natural human life: "The first man is of the earth, earthy…" (1 Corinthians 15:47).

We're however introduced to the Second and Last Adam, Jesus Christ: "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45). This Second and Last Adam, whose icon we are, is the Lord from heaven. Unlike the first Adam, He's a life-giving Spirit. Now that you're born again, the life in you isn't the same as what you got from your biological parents. There's a new parentage; Jesus Christ is now your root; you're connected to, and born from, the Second and Last Adam.

Your ties with the first Adam have been severed completely and forever. Colossians 3:3 says, your life is hidden with Christ in God; in other words, your life is in Christ, and Christ is your life (Colossians 3:4). This means that the first life, which was terrestrial—of the earth—has been supplanted by the life of Christ, which is celestial: "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven" (1 Corinthians 15:47). No wonder, Jesus said, "...I am from above…" (John 8:23).

Just as we have borne the image of the first Adam, it's our responsibility to bear the image of the Second Adam. We're to put on the new image of our new nature in Christ; how? By simply saying, "Yes" to God's Word. For example, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Your response should be, "that's who I am; a new creation in Christ, and I've put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ that created him."


Confession

Dear Father, I thank you for the miracle of the new creation. My life is from above, therefore, I'm free from the corrupting influences of this world. I've put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Colossians 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 3:18

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : Hebrews 12:14-29, Jeremiah 33

2 Year Reading Plan : John 12:20-29, 1 Chronicles 16


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Friday, November 15th, 2013.

Theme: "It Begins From Your Spirit"

By Pastor Anita

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life"-(Proverbs 4:23).


Often in the scriptures, heart is used in lieu of spirit and the reason is clear. Just as the physical heart is the operational centre of the human body, so also the spirit is the controlling centre of human existence. Everything about your life actually originates from your spirit. Success or failure, wealth or poverty, excellence or mediocrity will emanate from a man's spirit.

Your mind is the door to your spirit. That's why whatever words and thoughts you allow to go through your mind, unchecked, will be deposited in your spirit. This is the reason you have to sift what goes through your mind to your spirit. Every day, we hear words, see things, and receive all kinds of information, positive and negative alike. You're required to mount guard on your heart and not allow your spirit receive and process the wrong information.

If, for example, you heard that there's trouble in the economy or that recession is setting in, and there's hardship everywhere, don't be perturbed, because you're not of this world. Refuse to process such negative information; don't dwell on it. Rather, you should say, "I refuse to fret or be anxious, because I function in the realm of superabundance. I'm an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. I function above the economies and economics of this world."

If you give wrong thoughts access into your heart, they'll instil fear in you. So, keep vigilant watch over your heart. Embrace only thoughts of success, victory, health, prosperity, happiness and fulfilment that come from God's Word.


Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for your Word that gives me the right information to think and meditate upon; your Word continually finds its home in my heart, is effectual and effective in me, and produces everything it talks about, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: Luke 6:45; Philippians 4:8

Daily Scripture Reading:

1 Year Reading Plan : Hebrews 12:1-13, Jeremiah 31-32

2 Year Reading Plan : John 12:12-19, 1 Chronicles 15


Sent from my iPad

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Wednesday, November 13th, 2013.

Theme: "The Truth"

By Pastor Chris

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth"- (John 17:17).


Whatever God has said about you in His Word is the reality; that's the truth about you. For example, the Word says, "...Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). That means you can't be oppressed; you can't be defeated or disadvantaged in life, because the greater One, with all His wisdom, power, and glory, lives in you. Another truth is in 1 John 3:2 that says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God…." You're a child of God now; not next year or when you get to heaven; it's a present-hour truth. You're born of Him, and that makes you an associate of the God-kind.

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
Tuesday, November 12th, 2013.

Theme: "Be Conscious That You Are Light"

By Pastor Anita

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light"- (Ephesians 5:8).


The above scripture is very explicit in its description of you; it says, "...ye are light in the Lord...." Praise God! You're the light because you've been born of God who is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).