RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SUNDAY 8TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨ FOLLOW THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SUNDAY 8TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨ FOLLOW THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE✨

📖 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19).         

Everything about your life should focus on winning people to Jesus Christ; there’s no higher priority than that for the Christian. The Lord Jesus Himself was a Master soul winner. In John 4:6- 42, He encountered a certain woman at the well of Samaria, and engaged her in a dialogue. The woman came to draw water from the well. But to get her attention, the Lord initiated a conversation with her on something that was of interest to her—the water. 

Upon getting her full attention, the Master witnessed to the woman, who believed and went about telling others about her encounter with the Christ. Matthew 4 tells us another beautiful story of how Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee and saw two brothers who were fishermen: Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew. He said to them, “…Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). 

The Master always knew how to engage others in a conversation on a subject that was of interest to them, in a bid to witness to them. If you’ve often wondered how to engage people in a conversation in order to lead them to Christ, emulate the strategy of the Master. Observe what such people might be interested in, and initiate a conversation along that line.

You can ask that he or she explain something to you about a book or magazine they might be holding or reading, and then you listen with rapt attention. If you do, they’re more likely to also give you their attention when you start witnessing to them.

Of course, there are times the Lord could give you specific instructions about someone you need to witness to. At such times, don’t negotiate; go right ahead and follow the Lord’s guidance. Whatever He tells or inspires you to say at that time and place, that do. He said in Psalm 81:10, “…open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Always be bold, and the Lord will honour His Word in and through you.

 PRAYER 

Blessed Father, I thank you for the Holy Spirit who lives within me, making me an able steward and minister of the mysteries of Christ. I take advantage of the opportunities I have today, to preach Christ to those whom you’ve ordained to receive salvation through me; they’re turned from darkness to light and established in your righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

1 Corinthians 9:16; Acts 17:22-34

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 11:1-24 & Psalms 79-81

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 14:1-14 & Judges 15-16

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SATURDAY 7TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨RAISED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SATURDAY 7TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨RAISED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST✨

📖 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).         

When Jesus died on the Cross, He died for all men. This means legally, all men have been saved. But Christianity didn’t begin from the Cross or death of Jesus, but from the resurrection. His resurrection made the new life in Christ possible.

This is the reason the only way anyone can experience the vital reality of salvation is to act on Romans 10:9-10. It says, “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Recall the words of the Spirit through the Apostle Paul in Romans 6:4: “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.” When God raised Jesus from the dead, we were raised together with Him, to a newness of life. We became new creatures in Christ Jesus, alive to God, with the transcendent life.

The new creation is the product of His resurrection. You’ve been brought out of spiritual death into life. You’ve been raised together with Christ, and seated with Him in the heavenly realms; now the Bible says you should seek those things which are above: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Have the consciousness of one who’s born from above and is seated together with Christ in the place of dominion, glory and power! Let the things of God, of His heavenly Kingdom to which you’ve been born mean more to you. Speak the heavenly language; live and see from above.

 PRAYER 

I live and see from above, because I’m seated with Christ in the place of dominion and power; I’m alive to God, with the transcendent life. I walk in prosperity, victory and glory; reigning and ruling in the realm of life through Jesus Christ. My affections are set on Him and the glories of His heavenly kingdom, now and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Ephesians 1:18-23; Ephesians 2:4-6

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 9:1-29 & Psalms 74-77

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 13:31-35 & Judges 13-14 

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST FRIDAY 6TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨ CHRIST AT HOME IN YOU✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST FRIDAY 6TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨ CHRIST AT HOME IN YOU✨

📖 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).         

“Christ in you” refers to all that’s in the character, personality, potency of the glory and graces of Christ embodied in you. And that’s done by the Holy Spirit. Recall the words of Jesus in John 14:23; “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” This was before His death, burial, resurrection and ascension to heaven. He had said in John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter… ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

He made good on His promise, and on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and indwelt the disciples. Today, being born again, we’ve become His living temple; He’s set up His abode in us. This was a mystery in the Old Testament; the prophets and even the angels wondered how it would be possible for God to make His home in men’s hearts.

But it was ever God’s desire; He said in Proverbs 8:31, “…my delights were with the sons of men.” Paul, by the Spirit, eventually writes and unveils this mystery as read in our theme scripture. So, when we say, “Christ in you,” we’re looking at the character, the beauty, all of the glory, power, and the righteousness of God encapsulated in a man.

Ephesians 3:17 says, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith….” That word “dwell” means “settle”; so, you’re one in whom Christ has settled. He has made His home in your heart by faith; there’s a mingling; a oneness of spirit. His very life, the very quality of His personality and the characteristics of His glory are all in you today. Glory to His Name forever!

 CONFESSION 

Blessed Lord, thank you for setting up your abode in the quarters of my heart. You sanctified me, and made me your living tabernacle, with your very life—the very quality of your personality and the characteristics of your glory—resident in, and expressed through me. What a blessed reality; for this, I’m forever grateful.

FURTHER STUDY

1 Corinthians 6:19; John 14:16-17AMPC; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 9:1-29 & Psalms 74-77

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 13:22-30 & Judges 12

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST THURSDAY 5TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨ALIGN YOURSELF WITH GOD’S VISION ✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST THURSDAY 5TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨ALIGN YOURSELF WITH GOD’S VISION ✨  

📖 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Some people live their lives pursuing their own selfish interests, not aligning themselves with God’s vision. What’s God’s vision? It’s that men come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Therefore, connect your dreams to His dream; and purify your motives with His love.  

Soul winning should be the compelling motive and propelling force in your life. You’re first a Christian before being a politician, teacher, banker, student, etc.; therefore, fulfil your calling in the Gospel. Let the expansion of God’s Kingdom be your number one passion. Therein lies true joy, fulfilment and all the blessings you could ever desire. 

There’s a depth in God, a realm of joy and fulfilment you’ll never know until you make your life count in soul winning. Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “... Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” In Matthew 24:14, He said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” 

The instruction to take the message of salvation to the ends of the earth wasn’t just to pastors and evangelists, but to every Christian. You’re a minister of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 3:6); a bearer of the glad tidings of salvation. You’ve been commissioned to reach out to those living in darkness with the light of salvation. 

You’re a light in a dark world; therefore, be aglow with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Beam it with steady radiance to others so they can become lights as well. You’re God’s man for the hour, holding forth the word of life—opening the eyes of them that are lost—turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the grace for salvation that’s at work even now as your children all around the world proclaim the Gospel. Many are turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, as they hear and receive the Gospel today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Habakkuk 2:14; Acts 26:16-18

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 8:18-39 & Psalms 70-73

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 13:10-21 & Judges 11

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST WEDNESDAY 4TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨THE KINGDOM IN YOU ✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST WEDNESDAY 4TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨THE KINGDOM IN YOU ✨

📖 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14).

Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He said the time was fulfilled, and that the Kingdom of God was near (Mark 1:15). What is the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God isn’t a place; it’s the reign of God, where He rules as Lord, and expresses Himself—His glory and His goodness. 

That’s why Jesus cautioned that when we’re told, “the Kingdom of God is over there,” or “it’s over here,” don’t believe it, because the Kingdom doesn’t come by observation; it’s within you (Luke 17:20-21). God’s plan in this age is to set up His Kingdom in the hearts of men as a spiritual kingdom. 

Recall when Jesus was brought before Pilate, in John 18:36-37; Pilate asked Him some questions to which He responded, “…My Kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36). God’s Kingdom isn’t a physical structure; yet Jesus said, “It has come!” Indeed, it has, because it’s in our hearts. 

The Gospel today is that God’s Kingdom can be set up in the hearts of men; it has arrived! Jesus said, “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). This wasn’t provided in the days of Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, David, Solomon and the patriarchs of old; but it is in our day. 

When Jesus came, He brought the Kingdom in Him. Now that we’ve received Him, we have the Kingdom in us: the glory, grace and the life of God— all of divinity has been set up in your heart! God is at home in you now. You’ve become, not just a citizen of the Kingdom, but also the bearer or carrier of the Kingdom, of divine verities. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for your Kingdom that’s in my heart; your glory and righteousness that are in me and revealed through me. Your Kingdom reigns, and it’s established in the earth, and in the hearts of men as the Gospel is proclaimed around the world today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; Luke

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 8:1-17 & Psalms 68-69

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 13:1-9 & Judges 10

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DEVOTIONAL 3RD AUGUST 2021. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨ “Righteousness through the gospel”✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DEVOTIONAL 3RD AUGUST 2021. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨ “Righteousness through the gospel”✨

 Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith…

Through the years, men have sought righteousness, but the righteousness of God is only revealed in the Gospel of Christ. Until one accepts the Gospel he or she will never know or receive the righteousness of God, and be able to live a righteous life.

This Righteousness is the rightness of God in the human spirit. It is the nature of God that gives the ability to stand in the presence of God without condemnation, guilt, fear or inferiority. It’s the ability to stand in fellowship and rightness with God. There’s no other way to come into this extraordinary fellowship and oneness with the Lord except through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is why we can’t afford to be quiet about the Gospel. It’s the answer to man’s cry. There’s no other way for men to receive salvation, learn of and understand the righteousness of God, outside of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, preach the Gospel. Spread the good news of righteousness to everyone in your world, being absolutely convinced that it’s man’s only way to be made right with God. Romans 10:9-10 says, “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” If you’ve never been born again, now is the time: Confess the Lordship of Jesus over your life, believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Accordingly, the life and nature of God will be imparted to your spirit—with the ability to walk in, and manifest the righteousness of God. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for your righteousness that’s unveiled through the Gospel, and your grace to save, heal, deliver, uplift and prosper all those who embrace Christ’s saving power. As the message of salvation gets into men’s hearts today, faith is ignited in them to receive the gift of righteousness, as eternal life is imparted to their spirits, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 3:20-22; Romans 4:1-5

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 7:7-25 & Psalms 64-67

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 12:49-59 & Judges 9

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES JULY MONDAY 2ND. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨JUSTIFIED AND AT PEACE✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES JULY MONDAY 2ND. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨JUSTIFIED AND AT PEACE✨

📖 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ has brought you into a harmonious union with God; an inextricable oneness. Before Jesus came, we were estranged from the God-life; we were in enmity toward God: “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight” (Colossians 1:21-22). Blessed be God! 

Ephesians 2:13 (NIV) says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Following His substitutionary work, you’ve been justified, acquitted, declared righteous. So, God isn’t mad at you and doesn’t count your sins against you. 

Read what He says in Romans 5:6-10: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” This is absolutely profound. 

Don’t be afraid that one day God may remember all the wrong things you’ve done and punish you as a result. You’ve come home to Him; you’re at rest in Christ Jesus. Now you can relate to God as your loving, heavenly Father. Romans 5:2 says, by Him we have “… access by faith into this grace wherein we stand….” In Christ, we’re in God’s divine presence, at peace and in fellowship with the Father. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for bringing me into a life of peace and fellowship through Jesus Christ! Now I live in your presence forever, justified, holy and righteous before you in love. Thank you for an everlasting life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 5:15-17; 1 John 1:3

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 6:15-7:1-6 & Psalms 60-63

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 12:35-48 & Judges 8

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional