RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*MONDAY 02 AUGUST 2021*

PASTOR CHRIS

*TOPIC:* *JUSTIFIED AND AT PEACE*

*KEY VERSE:* _*Therefore, having been 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*

_15- But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many._

_16- And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification._

_17- For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)_

*1 John 1:3*

_3- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ._

*1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN*

Romans 6:15-23; Romans 7:1-6; Psalms 60-63

*2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN*

Luke 12:35-48; Judges 8

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SUNDAY 01 AUGUST 2021 PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: HIS STRENGTH FOR YOUR “WEAKNESS” KEY VERSE: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness… (2 Corinthians 12:9).

As you serve the Lord, you should know that He never allows you to burn out or wear out. He renews your strength. Isaiah 40:30-31 puts it beautifully; it says, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Hallelujah!

The Hebrew word translated “renew” above literally means “to bring back to life.” The picture is of an axed tree that’s expected to die but suddenly revives. It’s a kind of transformation where “death” is replaced with a new life; weakness is replaced with strength. One of its synonyms is “substitute” or “exchange.” Thus, your weakness is exchanged for His strength.

No wonder Paul said in Colossians 1:29, _*“Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”*_ So, it’s about His divine strength at work in you.

Also, in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, he said our competence (Greek: Hikanotes)—the ability with which we function as able ministers of the Gospel—is divine and not human: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament….”

This is God’s plan; He gives power and strength to the weak (Isaiah 40:29). With Him, you never run out of might and inspiration. It brings to mind the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”*

As a labourer with the Lord, working for and together with Him, there’s a renewal of your strength. You’re constantly refreshed and rejuvenated by the Spirit of God to be afire, inspired and full of joy as you serve Him. Be conscious of this.

FURTHER STUDY: Isaiah 40:29

Psalm 103:1-5 & Ephesians 3:16

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SATURDAY 31 JULY 2021

PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: KEEP SATAN IN CHECK

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KEY VERSE: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils… (Mark 16:17).

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One important truth every Christian must understand is that Satan and all his demons have been thoroughly, and completely dethroned and defeated by Jesus. So, no Christian should be afraid of Satan; he’s not a factor. Think about the fact that the very first thing Jesus said we could do in His Name is casting out devils; it shows just how much Satan has been paralysed.

Even if you only gave your life to Christ moments ago, you have authority over Satan and can cast out demons. That’s because being born again, you have the life of God and the righteousness of Christ; you have the authority of Jesus. Therefore, keeping Satan in check isn’t a question of how long you’ve been a Christian or how “spiritual” you think you are; it’s about Jesus and the authority He’s given you to walk and live in His Name.

Satan has no right to run things in your life, in your home, city, nation, or in the lives of your loved ones; cast him out! Exercise your authority in Christ over him. Cast him out any day, anytime and anywhere by using the Name of Jesus. When you address Satan in the Name of Jesus, he responds as though he’s hearing directly from Jesus.

You might ask, “What if the demon doesn’t go when I try to cast him out?” That’s not an option if you’re doing it in the Name of Jesus; when you have the consciousness of what that Name represents. Understand this: we walk in His Name, and walking in His Name is recognizing the power and authority of His Name; living with the consciousness of what His Name represents.

Philippians 2:9-10 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” You couldn’t know this and be negotiating with demons; you cast them out! No devil can stand the Name of Jesus; they know what that Name represents because they are aware that in hell, Jesus spoiled principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 John 4:4, Luke 10:18-19

& Acts 16:16-18

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY 30 JULY 2021

PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: SETTLE IT IN YOUR LIFE

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KEY VERSE: Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).

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Never accept anything contrary to what the Word says about you. Never question the integrity of the Word. Believe, accept and affirm that you’re who God says you are, you have what He says you have, and can do what He says you can do.

Let the Word of God give you a new mentality, a new way of thinking. Don’t say you’re sick just because you felt the symptoms of sickness in your body. To talk that way is to take sides against the Word. The Word says if the Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (and thank God He does), that same Spirit shall vitalize your mortal body (Romans 8:11). Your confession, therefore, should always be, “I’m vitalized by the Holy Spirit; divine health is my nature and one of the many blessings I have and enjoy in Christ Jesus.”

If you’re experiencing weakness, doubt, discouragement or lack, don’t accept these anomalies as what your life should be; your life is for the glory of God. 1 Peter 2:9 (AMPC) says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” The Word of God is practicable; when you read a scripture like this, you must respond. You say, “Blessed be God! My life is full of the glory, beauty, wisdom and excellence of the Spirit, and I manifest these to my world!”

The Word says, “All things are possible to a believing one”; respond by saying, “Yes, Lord, because of your ability that’s at work in me, my potentials are limitless; I have an ever-increasing capacity to do more.”

The Word of God will work for you only when you give it the right response. Yes, God’s Word is all-powerful and settled in heaven, but you have to settle it in your life by your affirmations: “He has said…that we may boldly say…” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Isaiah 55:10-11 & Mark 13:3

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

THURSDAY 29 JULY 2021

PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: YOUR MIND: THE INSTRUMENT FOR YOUR TRANSFORMATION

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KEY VERSE: 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 (Romans 12:2).

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The Word of God is clear on how to have a fruitful, productive and efficient life of success: it’s by the renewing of your mind with the Word. Why is your mind so important? It’s because God has fashioned the mind as the instrument for your transformation.

Your mind is unlimited in its potential to create whatever you desire. When you put your mind-power to work, the possibilities are endless. There’re no limits to what you can achieve, and absolutely no restrictions to how high you can propel yourself in life.

Your prosperity is essentially determined by the content and quality of your mind, because with your mind, you can change anything about yourself: you can establish a perfect structure and administration for your life, and enjoy to the utmost the special life and blessings God has given you.

Open your mind to God’s Word through study and meditation. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”*

Through conscious meditation on the Word, your mind is organized and programmed for excellence, greatness and success. Its contents and processes are synchronized with God’s thoughts and perfect will for your life. This is what brings about the transformation.

Who you are today is a function or expression of your mind-work. Through God’s Word, you can work on your mind and change its contents, and that change will show up in your life as an upgrade, reflecting in your character and the results you produce.

Proverbs 4:23 &

*Philippians 4:8

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

WEDNESDAY 28 JULY 2021

PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: THE HOLY SPIRIT—YOUR ADVANTAGE

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KEY VERSE: But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…(Acts 1:8 AMPC).

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In your life, career, ministry, business, job or academics, are there limits you want to break? Are there new records you want to set? Do you want to chart new vistas? What is it you want to achieve? The Holy Spirit in you is your advantage! There’s something about His power and grace that causes you to do the extraordinary and unimaginable!

If you were tasked with any project or assignment, maybe in your school, place of work or an evangelical assignment in your local church, execute it by the power, wisdom and guidance of the Spirit. Become conscious that you’re up to that task because of the greater One who lives in you; working in, and through you.

The Bible says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Zechariah 4:6 says, _*“…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”*_ That same Spirit is in you today, and has brought the glory of God into your life, giving you guidance and direction, with the wisdom and ability to walk through “walls” and blaze new trails. He’s filled you with supernatural ability to do things that can’t be humanly explained.

2 Corinthians 3:5 AMPC says, “Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.” Blessed be God! Every day, tell yourself, “I can do all things by the Holy Spirit who lives in me!”

Take advantage of the person, power, grace and ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life! He’s your advantage. He causes you to see, think, say and do things ordinary men can’t. FURTHER STUDY: John 14:16-17 AMPC &

Colossians 1:26-29

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TUESDAY 27 JULY 2021 PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: “A COMPELLING DESIRE FOR CHANGE

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KEY VERSE: …The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16 AMPC).

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Any kind of positive change you might desire is possible in the Name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Looking through the Scriptures, you’d find examples of people who were desperate for a change and what they did. You too can learn what they learnt, act as they did and get what they got.

Take Hannah for an example. For many years, she remained childless until she decided she must have a miracle. She went into the house of the Lord, fell on her face before God and prayed, made a vow and prevailed.

How compelled are you to change your financial status? How compelled are you to change your health situation? How compelling is your desire to move to the next level and experience the supernatural in your daily walk, in your ministry, academics, business or career?

Success and progress in any area requires very simple and basic principles. One of such is a strong compelling desire. Let your desire be strong enough to compel you to take the right and necessary actions.

In Mark 5:25-29, we see another striking example of an actualised desire for change. It’s the account of the woman with the issue of blood who, having suffered for twelve long years, made up her mind to receive a miracle.

Compelled by her desire, she pressed through an impossible crowd to get to Jesus, defying the injunction that forbade her from having physical contact with other people. The haemorrhage she suffered made her ceremonially unclean; therefore, she stood the risk of being stoned to death if found in public, following the Jewish law of the day (Leviticus 15:25-27).

However, her desire for freedom, for her healing, compelled her to act her faith and she got a miracle. In Mark 9:23, Jesus said, “…all things are possible to him that believeth.” So, it makes no difference where you are in your life today, anything is possible. Act on God’s Word. Act your faith and be absolute about the result that you want, and it shall be so.

FURTHER STUDY: Luke 18:1-8, Hebrews 11:32-33 & Mark 5:25-29

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

MONDAY 26 JULY 2021

PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: WALKING IN BLESSINGS

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KEY VERSE: 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 Peter 3:9).

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Isn’t it great to know that the life of blessings is your heritage in Christ Jesus? God already blessed you beyond measure; He’s blessed you with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). According to the Scriptures, He blessed you ever before you knew Him. How gracious the Lord is!

However, it’s one thing to be called to inherit a blessing, and a completely different thing to actually walk in it. To walk in God’s blessings, you have to recognize that you’re blessed. You have to see yourself the way God sees you and call yourself what He calls you.

Whenever God looks at you, all He sees is a success, a victor, an excellent person. In 1 Peter 2:9 AMPC, He says “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” God’s Word is His Word of wisdom about your life; speak it continually.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak....” Your affirmation of blessings establishes them in your life. You have to declare that you’re the righteousness of God, even if you’re feeling condemned. You have to declare that you have and live in divine health, even if you’re feeling a pain in your body.

Always declare your state and estate in Christ. You’re an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). 1 Corinthians 3:21 says, “…all things are yours." You’ve been called to a life of glory, honour, dominion and power; know it, affirm it, and walk accordingly.

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 1:3, Genesis 12:2-3 &

Galatians 3:29

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021

PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC: “DISTRIBUTING” THE HOLY GHOST

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KEY VERSE: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:4).

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The word translated “gifts” above shouldn’t have been translated gifts, but “distributions,” because it’s the Greek “merismos.” The Douay-Rheims translation actually renders it correctly. It says, “God also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders, and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.”

What does the Scripture mean by “distribution of the Holy Ghost?” What Jesus did in John 20:22 gives us an idea. The Bible says He blew on His disciples and said, “...Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22). He “distributed” or ministered the Holy Ghost to them. Hallelujah!

We’re ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6). We’re distributors and administrators of the Holy Ghost. Recall what we read in our theme verse! Who were those that performed the signs and wonders, and special miracles? It was the Apostles! God did signs, wonders, miracles, and “distributions of the Holy Ghost” through them.

The Bible says we’re stewards or ministers of the New Testament, of the mysteries of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1). Hallelujah! We “serve” the Spirit, the blessings of the New Testament, like that waiter who serves in a restaurant. So, like Paul, you can say, “I’m a minister of the Spirit.”

You can lay hands on someone and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit” and the person will be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit from you can go into five, ten, hundred people and more. Glory to God! This is what He’s called us to do as His ministers and ambassadors; we’re bearers of the divine order. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY Acts 8:14-17 & 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SATURDAY 24 JULY 2021 PASTOR CHRIS

TOPIC:HE ACCOMPLISHED HIS PURPOSE

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KEY VERSE: Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26-27).

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Let’s review three portions of scripture that refer to Jesus accomplishing His work. The first is in John 17:4, where He said to the Father, “…I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” The second occasion was on the Cross, when He said, “...It is finished...” (John 19:30). The third one is in Hebrews 10:12-13 and states, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” The Lord Jesus, today, is seated and waiting until His enemies are made His footstool.

He wouldn’t be sitting if He hadn’t accomplished His purpose. But the problem has been that most people never knew what He came to do. When you read Ephesians 3:3-5, you’d discover that His real purpose for coming was a mystery. There are many written prophesies about the Messiah and when He’d be born into this world; and He fulfilled all of the amazing things written of Him. But His purpose remained a mystery to the Prophets.

What was this mystery? It’s what we read in our opening verse: Christ IN you, the hope of glory! This is the mystery which was hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been made manifest to His saints. Glory to God!

So, there’s an assurance, a guarantee that your life is glorious, because Christ is in you! That’s your hope for a healthy, prosperous, vibrant and successful life! You have a right to walk out of any predicament; you can walk out of poverty, lack and want, because of what Christ has accomplished in your behalf. What you need is to become ever more conscious of His presence an glory in your life.

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 8:10-11, Ephesians 3:3-6 & John 10:10 AMPC