RHAPSODY OF REALITIES SEPTEMBER TUESDAY 1ST. pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨LIVE FOR CHRIST✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES SEPTEMBER TUESDAY 1ST. pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨LIVE FOR CHRIST✨

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live (Deuteronomy 30:19).

There re Christians who are fretful about the rapture, uncertain about their eternal security. The Lord doesn't want us to live in such fear or anxiety. The truth is, eternal security is real for the one who as born again, but it at conditioned on your living the Christ-life, living in His righteousness until the end.

If, for example, someone who as been born again, changes his mind later about following Jesus, such a person is in trouble, because his eternal security with God is in jeopardy. When you're born again, you're born into God's presence; you live in God's presence. He's your Protector. He keeps you, and no one is able to pluck you out of His hand, according to the Scriptures.

However, life is full of choices. You are the one to make a choice to live for Him continually. When God guides us, He presents us with the options, and then He also tells us what to choose. But He doesn't force us in the choices we make, though He lets us understand the consequences of making the wrong choices.

What you must do, therefore, is to live according to His Word. That as the simplest thing ever. When you're born again, living for Christ is the most natural thing to do with your new nature in Christ. Living right is so natural to you that you have to be tempted to do wrong. This is also where the ministry of the Holy Spirit comes in. The Holy Spirit helps you live the Christian life, and with Him in your life, you never have to worry about missing your way.

Moreover, the Bible says Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 1:24). As you live for the Lord, serving Him passionately with absolute conviction, He'll fulfil His purpose and ministry in your life.

CONFESSION

I live purposefully, fulfilling my ministry and calling in Christ Jesus. I refuse to allow anything take my attention away from the Lord and His eternal Kingdom. I am not slothful in business; I am fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I've received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY

2 Peter 1:5-11; 2 Corinthians 5:15

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians15:35-38  Proverbs 7&9

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-20 & Jeremiah 18

EXTRACT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST MONDAY 31ST. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨IT’S ALL PART OF GOD’S PLAN ✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST MONDAY 31ST. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨IT’S ALL PART OF GOD’S PLAN ✨

  

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect (Romans 12:2 GNB).       

As a Christian, every person who comes into your world has a role to play, whether good or bad. You’ll surely come across different kinds of people in your journey of life. No matter how they relate with you, recognise that God has placed them along your path for your benefit.

It doesn’t make any difference whether they’re helpful or hostile; their relationship with you is part of God’s plan to promote you. Once you understand this, you’ll be happy and grateful to God for anyone who comes into your world. A playwright once said, “All the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their entrances and their exits, and one man in his time plays many parts.”

Your only concern should be to please your heavenly Father. Don’t get concerned about the wrongs done to you; ignore the negative actions, comments or ill-treatments from others. Only respond in love to those who hurt or despitefully use you. 

The highest and topmost quality of God’s character is living out His love in you, for the Bible says “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). You’re a testimony of the Father’s love, and your life is an outshining of that great love—unconditional and self-giving. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

It makes no difference how I’m treated by anyone, I respond only in love and kindness, because the love of God has been shed in abundance in my heart by the Holy Spirit. Every day and in all circumstances, I’m living out that love in me that the Name of Jesus may be glorified. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 5:43-48

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34 & Proverbs 5-7

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 & Jeremiah 17

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SUNDAY 30TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SUNDAY 30TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH✨

  

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God (Daniel 3:25).       

In Daniel chapter three, we find the story of King Nebuchadnezzar; his image of gold, and the decree that everyone worship it. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wouldn’t bow to this golden image, he threatened to throw them into a burning furnace. But the three Hebrew boys were unmoved. They believed only in the God of Israel and wouldn’t give up their faith.

“We won’t bow to your god,” they told the king. “You may set up your fire; do what you have to do!” Their courage and doggedness made the King furious; so he commanded that the fire be made seven times hotter. “Our God is able to rescue us from the fire. But even if He doesn’t, we still won’t bow,” they added.

“All right then,” fumed the angry king, “We shall see!” When the Hebrew boys were eventually cast into the furnace, the fire was so hot that even the men who threw them in died in the process. Inside the fire, the bonds on their hands and feet burnt up, but they were unharmed by the fire.

They got up and began pacing in the midst of the fire, most likely worshiping the Lord. To the king’s amazement, there was a fourth man in the fire, walking with the three lads. The Lord had joined them in the fire and rescued them. Thus, neither King Nebuchadnezzar’s threat nor his brutal actions could stifle the faith of the lads. God ensured they came out victoriously. 

Similarly, you must refuse to be intimidated or swayed by obnoxious laws or decrees enacted against the faith and Gospel of Jesus Christ. Take a stand for Christ; stick to His Word and watch Him do great wonders in, and through your life. Focus on pleasing Him, doing what He wants. Don’t be bothered by what people think about you or what they do to you. What matters is what God thinks. Therefore, love and serve Him with all your heart.

CONFESSION

Dear Father, I thank you for your Word is my life. Irrespective of circumstances and situations, I stick to your Word and follow your guidance and will for my life. Thank you for the blessings I receive and enjoy today, and for showing me the key to a victorious faith-walk, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Acts 18:9-10; Daniel 3:25-30

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 14 & Proverbs 3-4

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 & Jeremiah 16

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SATURDAY 29TH. pastor Chris TOPIC ✨STAY FOCUSSED ON THE WORD✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST SATURDAY 29TH. pastor Chris
TOPIC ✨STAY FOCUSSED ON THE WORD✨
 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:2).    

The Amplified Classic translation of our opening verse says, “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus….” What God is telling you here is simple: stay focussed on the Word! Jesus is the incarnate Word; fix your gaze on Him; don’t get distracted.

Recall the case with Peter and the Master when they walked on the sea; Peter began to sink when he took his focus off Jesus. If he had kept his gaze on the Master, he wouldn’t have been overwhelmed by the billowing waves and tempest (read Matthew 14:25-31). The same thing happens to many today; when they allow themselves to be overwhelmed by problems and circumstances instead of focussing on the Word of God, they sink even further.

There’s no situation you can’t handle successfully with the Word of God. Make the Word of God your stay; live in the Word! Learn from Jesus; He lived the Word, even though He is the Word! He was focussed, and was never distracted from the Word. He looked at the result of His faith; for the joy that was set before Him He endured the Cross, despising the shame. He didn’t care what people thought about Him; His focus was to carry out the will of the Father.

It should be the same with you. They may call you names because of your devotion and dedication to the Lord, but don’t let that affect you. If anything, be inspired to love Him more; be challenged to serve Him even more passionately. Don’t be moved by hard times and turbulent circumstances; hold on tight, with your focus on Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life….” Don’t turn away from the Word. Isaiah 26:3 reveals part of the result of keeping your focus on God’s Word; the Lord will keep you in the peace of prosperity: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

CONFESSION
The Word of God is producing results in me by the power of God’s Spirit as I walk in my heritage in Christ! I experience the peace of prosperity because I live in God’s Word! I’m unflustered by tests, trials, and persecutions, because the Word makes me triumphant always. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY
Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:10-11

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 13 & Proverbs 1-2

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 4:10-18 & Jeremiah 15

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST FRIDAY 28TH.Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨HE BEARS YOU UP✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST FRIDAY 28TH.Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨HE BEARS YOU UP✨

 

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).       

There’re times you may be confronted with so many predicaments that you wonder, “How am I supposed to pray about all of these problems?” The truth is, if you decide to pray about every problem or issues around you one after the other, you may spend eternity on your knees. Moreover, you may not even remember all of them. 

But the good news is, God doesn’t expect you to carry your own burden. The Bible says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). In fact, He doesn’t expect you to pray about your problems, because you don’t even know about all of them. So how do you handle them? It’s part of the reasons He gave you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bears you up in the time of weakness or limitation.

 When you don’t know what to do, what to pray for or how to go about a certain situation, He steps in. God gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us in all situations of life. When it comes to dealing with everyday problems, the same Holy Spirit stands in the gap (intercedes) for us as read in our theme verse. He takes charge in our behalf.

Be ever conscious and yielded to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your personal life. He prays through you with groanings and deep sighs which can’t be uttered in articulate speech, making intercession for you according to the will of God. 

This is why it’s important that you pray often in other tongues; it helps you to activate your spirit and give vent to the divine utterances of the Holy Spirit. When you pray through your spirit, you inevitably address every necessary issue in your life that needs attention. 

The psalmist remarked, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me…” (Psalm 138:8). As you pray in the Spirit, the Lord would indeed put everything that concerns you into shape, even those things that you’re unaware of. You only need to trust Him with your life, realising that He’s big enough and willing to take care of you. Blessed be His Name forever!

PRAYER

Dear loving Father, thank you for the extraordinary ministry of your Spirit who imparts to me the knowledge of your will concerning issues of importance, and helps me pray aright, causing circumstances to align with your perfect will for me and my loved ones, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

1 Corinthians 14:2; Romans 8:26-27; Jude 1:20

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 12 & Psalms 146-150

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 4:1-9 & Jeremiah 14

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST THURSDAY 27TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨✨GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST THURSDAY 27TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨✨GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT✨

 

[And it is indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain (1 Timothy 6:6 AMPC).       

The Bible defines contentment for us in our opening verse as “a sense of inward sufficiency”; then it says that “godliness accompanied with contentment is great and abundant gain.” Paul, by the Spirit, further writes, “For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied). But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing” (1 Timothy 6:7-9 AMPC). 

This is the ordeal of those who struggle to be rich. But you shouldn’t get into that dilemma as a child of God, because being born again, you’ve entered into a life of contentment. You’ve ceased from your struggles and the glory of God now works within you. 

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” And in Proverbs 10:22, it says, “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” This is your life as a child of God! God’s inherent blessing in your life is the basis for your riches.

Your prosperity is inherited through the Spirit, because you’re the seed of Abraham. In Christ, you have entered into God’s rest. You no longer worry over your rent and other bills. As Abraham’s seed, you’re ever aglow, full of praise and giving glory to God.

Function from a place of inward sufficiency, and operate from a vantage position of rest and satisfaction, irrespective of circumstances. No matter the situation, be full of joy; continue to praise, serve the Lord, and delight yourself in Him. He’ll create the opportunities for you to keep making progress from glory to glory.

CONFESSION

Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as the Lord of my life; you’re the Lord over my choices, desires, plans, and purposes. Always and at all times, I function from a place of inward sufficiency, and operate from a vantage position of rest and satisfaction, irrespective of circumstances. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 4:10; 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMPC

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 11:2-34 & Psalms 142-145

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 3:12-25 & Jeremiah 13

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST WEDNESDAY 26TH. Pastor Chris.TOPIC ✨A HAPPY HEART AND A CHEERFUL MIND✨

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES AUGUST WEDNESDAY 26TH. Pastor Chris.

TOPIC ✨A HAPPY HEART AND A CHEERFUL MIND✨

 

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22 AMPC).       

A disease such as cancer draws its life from depression, bitterness, anger, resentment, malice and sadness. But laughter, which is one of the easiest, quickest and instantly recognizable expressions of joy and cheerfulness, has curative powers. If people who are sick or faced with dire circumstances in their lives would act simply on God’s Word by learning to laugh often, they’ll be amazed at the sudden change.

There’re those who haven’t laughed in a long time. They’ve almost forgotten how to laugh. They look at their lives and conclude there’s nothing to be happy about. In fact, they’d feel guilty if they caught themselves laughing. They believe laughing is for those who aren’t serious about life. Yet, their stiffness hasn’t made life any easier for them.

God wants you to know from His Word that laughter is a healer. Your expression of joy is a good starting point for healing and restoration. Sometimes, when life seems to get tough, learn to pull back and laugh. Have a merry heart and a cheerful mind.

Interestingly, you don’t have to pray to God to give you happiness or cheerfulness; it’s a function of your recreated human spirit. You make yourself joyful with the Word of God. Remember, one of the fruits of your recreated human spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22); you’ve got joy in your spirit; and laughter and cheerfulness are expressions of joy.

CONFESSION

Irrespective of the circumstances, I’m full of joy twenty-four hours a day, for the joy of the Lord is my strength! I’ve been brought into a life of rest, with joy unspeakable and full of glory. The Lord continually fills my mouth with laughter and joy in the Holy Ghost! Glory to His Name forever!

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 14:17; Psalm 126:2; Galatians 5:22

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 & Psalms 139-141

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 3:1-11 & Jeremiah 12

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional