💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8TH 2025. PASTOR CHRIS. 💎✨TOPIC :✨PRAYER IN THE NIGHT WATCHES✨

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8TH 2025. PASTOR CHRIS. 💎✨

TOPIC :✨PRAYER IN THE NIGHT WATCHES✨

SCRIPTURE 📖:Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children… (Lamentations 2:19).

Another mystery revealed to us in the Word is a secret about prayer that God's people need to understand. In Lamentations 2:19, we see a situation where the people needed deliverance for their children. Observe that the prophet didn’t just say "Cry out”; rather, he said, “Arise, cry out in the night....” There was a specificity; it had to be at night.

There’s something about praying in the night. Even though He didn’t say you should pray every night, there’re specific times when the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray in the night; that’s why walking with the Spirit is so important. Night here isn’t just 9 pm or 10 pm; it’s the wee hours of the morning, at the beginning of the watches, that’s after 12 midnight.

Notice what He tells you to do at that time of the night: “...pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord...” (Lamentations 2:19). This is no casual prayer; you pour out your heart before God. Then, what else? “Lift up thy hands toward Him for the life of thy young children.” Some parents have faced situations where a child had become wayward or errant, delinquent and unruly, ensnared by the devil. Don’t stand by helplessly, as if you can’t bring about a change in that child’s life; deal strongly in prayer and deliver your son or daughter.

Get up at midnight and pray! Use this secret of prayer that I’m sharing with you now. Lift up your hands and pray that child back into the will of God. Declare that he or she is turned away from the world’s influences, drawn to the Word, and inspired by the things of the Kingdom. Declare that Satan has nothing in your child and that henceforth, the visions of the Spirit will be kindled in the heart of that child, imbuing him or her with the boldness and courage to fulfil divine purpose with joy.

 Perhaps it’s sickness or disease that has taken hold of that child; you must deliver that child in prayer. Pray this way and the Lord will intervene in the situation and restore the child to perfection. The instruction is for you to pour out your heart and lift up your hands toward God at night. This is how you take charge and bring deliverance to your children. Hallelujah!

                          PRAYER

Dear Father, I pray against every influence of darkness that seeks to capture the hearts of children and young people, including peer pressure, negative media and worldly ideologies. I declare that they’re walking in the light and rejecting every unfruitful work of evil as they walk in righteousness and fulfil their purpose in Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: Psalm 63:6; Psalm 119:62; Luke 6:12

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 6:19-7:1-6 & Genesis 20-22

 2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 4:12-25 & Genesis 8 2

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES TUESDAY JANUARY 7TH, 2025.💎✨TOPIC :✨VICTORY AND POWER THROUGH OUR HANDS

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES TUESDAY JANUARY 7TH, 2025.💎✨

TOPIC :✨VICTORY AND POWER THROUGH OUR HANDS✨

SCRIPTURE 📖:And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed (Exodus 17:11).

In the next few days, I’ll be explaining certain mysteries, which you can practise and have amazing results as shown to us in the Scriptures. These mysteries are imperceptible to the human mind, but they’re things we learn from studying the Word. For example, Exodus 17:8-16 tells a beautiful story that shows one of such powerful mysteries. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses then instructed Joshua to lead the people in battle while he stood on a hill with the staff of God in his hand.

Then the Bible says, "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed" (Exodus 17:11). Aaron and Hur noticed that there was a connection between the lifting of Moses’ hands and the victory in the battle. So, when Moses’ hands grew tired, they brought a stone for him to sit on and held up his hands, one on either side, ensuring that his hands remained raised until they vanquished Amalek by sunset.

God then told Moses, “...Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (Exodus 17:14). This made Joshua to understand how the battle was really won. The secret was in the spirit: the lifting up of Moses’ hands.

There’s victory and power through your hands. The psalmist said in Psalm 141:2, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Also, the apostle Paul said, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands…” (1 Timothy 2:8). Practise this and you’ll see greater successes and profound victories in your life, in your finances, health, job, ministry and everything that concerns you. Even now, lift your hands to the Lord; it’s a strategy of the Spirit for your continual victory and life of ever-increasing glory. Hallelujah!

                            PRAYER

Dear Father, I lift up my hands in faith to you who always leads me in perpetual victory parade in Christ. My raised hands are as the evening sacrifice. I’m victorious and triumphant over the adversary; no opposition can prevail against me, and every challenge crumbles before me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: Lamentations 3:41; Psalm 63:4; Psalm 141:2 NIV

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 6:1-18 & Genesis 18-19

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 4:1-11 & Genesis 7

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES MONDAY JANUARY 6TH, 2025. PASTOR CHRIS. 💎✨TOPIC :✨WE’RE HEAVENLY BEINGS✨

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES MONDAY JANUARY 6TH, 2025. PASTOR CHRIS. 💎✨

TOPIC :✨WE’RE HEAVENLY BEINGS✨

SCRIPTURE📖 :The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven (1 Corinthians 15:47).

Part of what we observed from our previous study is that if you have Christ, you have eternal life, and if you don’t have Christ, you don’t have eternal life. It’s as simple as that. Without Him, you’re still living in the state of the first Adam, 100% human, earthly, and of this world. The Bible paints a clear picture of this reality in 1 Corinthians 15:47: *_“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”_*

The first Adam represents humanity’s earthly nature, the fallen state that began with him. This nature is limited, bound by the world, and destined for destruction. That’s a painful truth to acknowledge, but it’s what the Bible says. Those who aren’t born again are doomed to judgement and destruction. They may be your family members, friends, or leaders in society, but without Christ, they are earthy, and reserved for judgement; hence we must preach the Gospel to them as the only means of salvation.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:48 (AMPC) and see the powerful contrast between the earthy and the heavenly: *_“Now those who are made of the dust are like him who was first made of the dust (earthly-minded); and as is [the Man] from heaven, so also [are those] who are of heaven (heavenly-minded).”_* Those who are not born again (the earthy) are earthly-minded, but those who are born again in Christ are heavenly-minded. This doesn’t mean we are simply thinking about going to heaven; it means that we operate with the mindset and principles of heaven here on earth.

Heavenly-mindedness means living and thinking in alignment with how things are done in heaven, following God’s will, operating by His principles and thinking His thoughts. That’s the transformation that takes place when you’re born again. Verse 49 (AMPC) continues: *_“And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven.”_* We once bore the image of the man of dust, earthly, fallen and bound to the limitations of this world. But now, as new creations, we bear the image of the Man from heaven: Jesus Christ!

We are no longer earthy but heavenly. We live in this world, but we are not of this world (John 17:16). You’re a heavenly man or woman, a heavenly being, living by the thoughts, principles and ways of God’s Kingdom. Hallelujah!

                              PRAYER

*_Dear Father, I refuse to be limited by the earthly system, for I bear the image of Christ, the Man from heaven, and I’m aligned with your will and your ways as it is in the Word. Thank you for my life in Christ. I walk in victory, being heavenly-minded and empowered by your Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen._*

*FURTHER STUDY:*

*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.

*1 Corinthians 15:47-49 AMPC* The first man [was] from out of earth, made of dust (earthly-minded); the second Man [is] the Lord from out of heaven. [Gen. 2:7.] *48* Now those who are made of the dust are like him who was first made of the dust (earthly-minded); and as is [the Man] from heaven, so also [are those] who are of heaven (heavenly-minded). *49* And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven.

*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 : Matthew 5:21-48 & Genesis 15-17

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN : Matthew 3:10-17 & Genesis 6

If you are not yet born again, we invite you to make Jesus Christ the LORD of your life by praying thus:

*_“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”_*

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES SUNDAY JANUARY 5TH. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨TOPIC :✨YOU RECEIVED SOMETHING WHEN YOU BELIEVED✨

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES SUNDAY JANUARY 5TH. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨

TOPIC :✨YOU RECEIVED SOMETHING WHEN YOU BELIEVED✨

SCRIPTURE📖 :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).

The most beautiful part of the Gospel is not only that Jesus bore our sins and sacrificed Himself for us, but that He gave us something in return—eternal life. One of the most well-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16 and it says, “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.”

This means anyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives eternal life. It’s a guarantee! The moment you believe in Jesus, you have it. You don’t have to wait for it or hope for it; you have it immediately. John 6:47 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” It’s not a promise of something to come in the future. If you believe, you already have it!

Often, I ask people, "Do you believe in Jesus?" and some would say yes. Then I’d say, "Did you receive anything when you believed?" I found that most weren’t sure. They weren’t taught that something extraordinary happened as a result of their believing in Jesus. The Master was clear: “...He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

1 John 5:11-12 says, “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.” Notice the tenses: if you have Jesus Christ, you have eternal life. So, don’t pray for eternal life. The 13th verse is absolutely remarkable; 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...” (1 John 5:13).

God wants you to know that you have eternal life. This knowledge changes everything. When you know that you have eternal life, it impacts the way you live. You no longer live in fear or uncertainty but in confidence and victory. Hallelujah!

                             PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. I walk in the consciousness of this life, living boldly and confidently, knowing that I am secure in Christ. Thank you for this precious gift that changes lives and empowers men to live in victory, prosperity and health every day, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 5:11-13 NIV; John 3:36 NKJV; John 5:24

 1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 5:1-20 & Genesis 12-14

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 3:1-9 & Genesis 5 1

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES SATURDAY JANUARY 4TH 2025. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨TOPIC :✨HIS SACRIFICIAL LOVE✨

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES SATURDAY JANUARY 4TH 2025. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨

TOPIC :✨HIS SACRIFICIAL LOVE✨

SCRIPTURE📖: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

Our opening scripture brings to mind the words of the Spirit through the apostle Paul in Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Think about such sacrificial love. He was condemned in our place. No wonder the Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).

 The word translated "condemnation" also means "judgment"; Jesus Christ was judged for us. 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV) says, "…God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them…." Did you notice that? God isn’t counting men's sins against them because He laid their sins on Jesus. Jesus became the sin-bearer.

1 Peter 2:24 further makes it clearer; it says, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live untorighteousness….” It’s the reason when we pray for sinners, we pray that they’ll come to terms with the revelation that God has given: Christ bore their sins and they don't need to live in sin anymore. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 5:14 says, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead." This is absolutely legal and logical: He died for everybody; therefore, everybody died. Verse 15 says, "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." Don't live unto yourself but unto Him. This is the right response to His sacrificial love. Hallelujah!

                          PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the priceless sacrifice of Jesus Christ who bore our sins and took our judgment upon Himself. Thank you for reconciling the world to yourself, and now we have the ministry of reconciliation, to share this glorious truth with others, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 4:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 2:20

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 4 & Genesis 9-11

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 2:13-23 & Genesis 4 

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD 2025. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨TOPIC:✨STAY IN THE WORD✨

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD 2025. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨

TOPIC:✨STAY IN THE WORD✨

SCRIPTURE 📖:Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth (Ephesians 6:1-3)._*

Someone asked the question: “How powerful are curses or blessings spoken by parents over their children?” Such curses or blessings, according to the Bible, have impactful implications; they could be quite powerful. When you study the Bible, you’d find blessings by parents and curses by parents and how they came to pass.

Being born again, it’s important to understand that we’re called into a life of blessings by God. We were called to inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). If, however, you had a problem with your parents before you were born again and they pronounced a curse on you, now that you’re born again, that curse will no longer have any effect. You should nevertheless go and reconcile with them. That’s important. If reconciliation is impossible or difficult, consult your pastor. Your pastor can counsel you and guide you on what to do next.

If you were already born again and then your parent cursed you, generally, that curse will not work. However, if your actions were contrary to the Word of God, you could face real trouble. This is because being outside the Word of God places you in a vulnerable position where such a curse could have an effect on you. Remember the Israelites in Egypt: when the death angel was to come into Egypt, God instructed them to mark their doorposts with blood. This marked them out from the Egyptians, protecting them from harm.

Similarly, staying within the Word of God and functioning according to God’s principles keeps you protected. If you live outside the Word, you open yourself to potential danger; you break the hedge as it were. And the Bible says, *_“...whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him”_* (Ecclesiastes 10:8). 

God wants us to live in peace, for He has called us to peace, especially with our parents. The Bible teaches us to honour our parents as stated in Ephesians 6:1-3, which is a quote from Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16. This commandment comes with a promise: that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. Christian parents should also never curse their children but bless them.

                                PRAYER

*_Dear Father, I choose to live in the light of your Word, honouring my parents and those you’ve placed in my path as leaders and walking in peace and in the blessings that come from doing your Word, in Jesus' Name. Amen._*

                      FURTHER STUDY:

*Colossians 3:20* Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

*Exodus 20:12* Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

*Deuteronomy 5:16* Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

*1 Peter 3:8-9* Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: *9* not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN : Matthew 3 & Genesis 6-8

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN : Matthew 2:1-12 & Genesis 3

If you are not yet born again, we invite you to make Jesus Christ the LORD of your life by praying thus:

*_“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”_*

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND 2025. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨TOPIC :✨THE FULL PICTURE OF THE GOSPEL MANDATE✨

💎✨RHAPSODY OF REALITIES THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND 2025. PASTOR CHRIS.💎✨

TOPIC :✨THE FULL PICTURE OF THE GOSPEL MANDATE✨

SCRIPTURE📖 :And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen (Mark 16:20).

When you study the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark and Luke—you’d observe different perspectives to the Lord’s instruction with respect to the preaching of the Gospel. However, one theme stands out: The Gospel is to be preached to every man, woman, boy and girl; it’s for all nations.

Mark gives us a clear structure for our mission as read in our opening scripture. The disciples went forth and preached everywhere; they did their part, and the Lord did His part by confirming the Word they preached with signs. This makes our responsibility clear: We preach the Word, and it’s the Lord’s responsibility to confirm it with signs following.

In Luke 24:46-47, we see another significant aspect of the Master’s instructions. Luke, who had a deep understanding of the events surrounding Jesus' ministry, adds a crucial point about the content of the Gospel that we’re to preach: repentance and remission of sins, “...Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” 

While Matthew emphasized teaching all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20), and Mark focused on preaching the Gospel which the Lord confirms with signs (Mark 16:19-20), Luke gave us the full picture. The Lord’s message was not just to teach or preach but to declare repentance and remission of sins among all nations.

The early disciples initially kept the message within the Jewish community. They may have thought the Gospel was only for the Jews scattered among the nations, or perhaps they misunderstood the global scope of the Lord’s command. But the Gospel was always meant for all nations, for every creature (Mark 16:15). This revelation became clear through discussions like those recorded in Acts 15, where they finally embraced the full scope of the Lord’s mission.

Today, we carry that same mission, teaching all that Jesus commanded, preaching the Gospel to every creature and to all nations, declaring repentance and the remission of sins in His Name. And the Lord continues to work with us, confirming His Word with signs following. Praise God!

                               PRAYER 

Dear Father, thank you for confirming your Word with signs, blessings and miracles as we, your children, all go forth and preach your Word today. Many receive salvation and are converted as your Word comes to them in the power of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 15:7-9; Mark 16:19-20

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 2; Genesis 3-5

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 1:15-25; Genesis 2