RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 PASTOR CHRIS

CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY

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For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His

workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew]...

[living the good life which He prearranged and made ready

for us to live] (Ephesians 2:10 AMPC).

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Jesus was born that men may have, and live the good life, as our

theme scripture reveals. In John 10:10 AMPC, He said, “...I

came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance

(to the full, till it overflows).”

You weren’t born to merely live, but to live the good life which He

prepared for you ahead of time—an excellent life. Now, you can be full of

enthusiasm, joy and strength, doing great things, blessing your world

every day. It can be Christmas for you every day! That’s God’s plan and

His Word to you even now; and His Word to you is all that matters.

You have something to celebrate, not just this season, but every

day: His life in you; His Word in your spirit. No matter where you are in

this world, no matter the challenges you may have faced, you can shout,

“I’m free” because Jesus gave you a life that’s beyond this world, a life that’s superior to the decadence and corruption of this failing world; a life

that’s divine; untainted and immune to sickness, disease and infirmities; a

life that’s indestructible. Glory to God!

Maybe you’ve been living in fear because of an unfavourable

diagnosis from the doctors about your health; the life in you is superior to

sickness. You’ve arrived in the place where sickness and disease have

lost their grip on you. Let go of the fears. Walk in the truth; live in the

truth.

The truth is that you have the God-life in you; you’re an offspring of

the Word. Greater is He that’s in you than any sickness that may attempt

to fasten itself on you. You’ve overcome diabetes, heart trouble, chest

pain, cancer, fibroid, or whatever health challenge it may be!

The strength

of God is in you now. So you can live and enjoy your life in sound health,

prosperity, peace and joy EVERY DAY; that’s what Christmas means.

That’s why Jesus came (John 10:10 AMPC). Blessed be His Name

forever.

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Peter 2:9 AMPC &

John 10:10

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER 2020 PASTOR CHRIS

CELEBRATING THE LIVING AND INCARNATE

WORD

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...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how

sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8-9).

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Even though Christmas, which is the celebration of the birth of

Jesus, is inarguably the most popular holiday in the world,

there’re still many who don’t know who Jesus really is. To some, He’s a

great religious leader. But Jesus isn’t a mere religious leader or reformist;

He’s Himself, God. You have to study the Word of God to discover this. In

John 5:39, Jesus said, “...search the Scriptures, for they testify of me.”

The Scriptures testify of Jesus as Deity. John 1:1 says, “In the

beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word

was God.” Verse 14 says, “And the Word was made (became) flesh,

and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the

only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” This refers to

Jesus; so in celebrating Christmas, you’re celebrating the living and

incarnate Word.

Study the Bible for yourself, from Genesis to Revelation, and you’ll come to one conclusion: Jesus Christ is God! Recall His words in John

10:30, “I and my Father are one.” In our opening verse, He said, “If you

have seen me, you have seen the Father.” He’s one with the Father.

You’ve got to come to that point in your life where you recognise

that Jesus is the fullness of Deity. The Bible declares that the fullness of

the Godhead dwells in Him bodily (Colossians 1:19, 2:9). He’s the

complete embodiment of Deity. This is the “Christ” of Christ-mas; we’re

celebrating God who came to us in the body of Jesus. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

John 1:10-12

& Matthew 16:15-17

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

CHRIST ALIVE IN YOUR HEART

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The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and

to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that

they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)."

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Christmas is about who Jesus is, and what He came to do. He

didn’t come to establish a religion. He didn’t come to merely

show us how to do good things; He came to give us life; God’s life. God

made us, and He wanted us to have His kind of life, and His plan was

that Jesus would be the one to give us that life.

He also planned that we would receive that life through faith,

because His kingdom is inapparent to the senses. Hebrews 11:6 says

without faith, it’s impossible to please God. The Christmas carol: “Hark!

The Herald Angels Sing” puts it succinctly in its verse: “...Born that man

no more may die; born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them

second birth.” How beautiful!

However, the biggest thing is Christ born in your heart. The Bible

says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). We’re

talking about the Lord, the One who was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven; the Son of the living God—taking up His abode in

the quarters of your heart!

This means He’s become one with your spirit. No wonder Peter

said we’re associates, comrades of the God-kind (2 Peter 1:4). Christmas

means you’re in Christ and Christ is in you; you have the life and nature

of God in you NOW! Hallelujah! If you haven’t yet received that life, you

can do so right away. Turn to the Prayer Of Salvation on page 76 and

pray that prayer. Say those words and mean them with all your heart and

your life will immediately become the manifestation of His goodness,

glory, grace and love.

FURTHER STUDY:

Romans 6:23 &

1 John 5:11-13

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

TELL IT AROUND THE WORLD

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And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and

preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and

is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall

be damned (Mark 16:15-16).

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As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it’s important to realize

that His glorious return is imminent, much closer than many

realize. Therefore, we must intensify our efforts in reaching the lost, in

telling the untold in our world and in the regions beyond that He is the

way, the truth, and the life. Only through Him can men be saved and

brought into God’s class of being and realm of life.

Until and unless a man is born again, his life will be the expression

of all that’s happened to him, beginning from his lineage: where he was

born, his nationality, locality, education, government, etc. All of these

factors would form what becomes of his life. That means he’ll be limited

to the environment and earthly lineage; how sad.

But when you’re born again, old things are passed away (2

Corinthians 5:17). Suddenly, you’re brought into a life that’s beyond the earthly plane, where you’re not limited by any factor or the elements of

this world. You now live in a new environment by a new principle of life,

which is God’s Word. You’re now a partaker of the divine nature, no

longer subject to sin, sickness, disease and death, because you received

the God-life.

What a message to herald to the world; that God sent His son

Jesus to the world that we may have His life, and also be the dispensers

of that life. Tell the untold; reach the unreached; tell the nations, the

farthest islands, that He lives, and the life He brought is available to

everyone who believes: “...and this life is in his Son. He that hath the

Son hath life...” (1 John 5:11-12).

As you celebrate this season, be strengthened in your spirit, and

propelled to tell the world that the Lord is God; and He’s brought life and

immortality to light through the Gospel. Anyone who’s born again

receives the same life with Him. This is the message He’s charged us to

preach and spread to the world.

FURTHER STUDY: Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:14

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

MONDAY 21 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

NEVER ASHAMED OF HIM

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Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of

my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him

also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in

the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).

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There’re some people who are ashamed to be identified with Jesus and His Church; how tragic that is! Your oneness with the

Lord is the greatest, most sublime and royal identity ever. Celebrate it at

every opportunity. Seize every moment to glorify Jesus Christ. Let your

love for Him be loud and unequivocal.

If you’re ashamed to let the world—your friends, family members,

colleagues, etc.—know that you belong to Jesus Christ and are a

member of the household of faith, the Master also will be ashamed to

acknowledge you before the Father and the angels.

Irrespective of anyone’s perception of Christ and of Christianity,

you’re in the most dignified, honourable and transcendent union there is.

You’re an associate of the God-kind, a God-carrying vessel, a bearer of

the divine order and conveyor of eternal verities.

Be unapologetic in declaring your oneness with Jesus Christ and

your unalloyed commitment to Him, His Kingdom, and the Church.

Nothing, and no one, should ever make you distance yourself from Christ

or repudiate your faith in Him. Even the fiercest threats or persecution

from the adversary shouldn’t get you to cower. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

Luke 12:8-9 AMPC & 2 Timothy 1:7-8

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

MAKE YOUR LIFE GLORIOUS

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Each of you must take responsibility for doing the

creative best you can with your own life (Galatians 6:5

MSG).

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Some Christians try to blame God for what actually is the ir

responsibility. Oftentimes, when something unpleasant

happens, they conclude that it’s the will of God; otherwise, “Why did He

let it happen?” they muse. What we need to realise is that the authority to

change things on earth, and make our lives as beautiful as we desire,

has been given to us. You can make your life glorious by living out God’s

Word.

In Matthew 17:20, the Lord Jesus was emphatic when He said,

“...verily I say unto you, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,

ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place;

and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” He

makes it clear that you can create your victories by acting your faith on

the Word of God. He already gave you the measure of faith you require

to effect the changes you desire.

In Mark 9:23, He said, “...all things are possible to him that

believeth.” The question is, do you believe? If you do, then you have

before you a life of endless possibilities. Put the Word to work in your life,

and you’ll always be victorious.

Don’t “wait” for His Word to come to pass in your life; rather,

“...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians

2:12). You’re to work out the Word in your life and make it produce

results. Using your faith, you can be what you want to be, change what

you want to change, and achieve whatever you want to achieve!

God has already given you the dominion and ability to make your

life prosperous. He said in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not

depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and

night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written

therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou

shalt have good success.” It’s about what you do with the Word! You

have to meditate on it and live accordingly, and the glory of God will be

manifest in your life.

FURTHER STUDY:

Mark 11:23, Philippians 4:13 & Joshua 1:8 AMPC

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

WE’RE THE LIGHT...JUST LIKE JESUS

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Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an

hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14).

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In John 8, we read of a certain woman who was caught in the act

of adultery and was to be stoned to death. But it turned out she

knew where Jesus was and ran to Him. The mob came after her, and

said to Jesus, “Rabbi, for what this woman has done, we’re supposed to

stone her to death; do you have any objections?” (John 8:4-5). Jesus

said, “Well, no objections, but get started with any one of you who’s

without sin.”

The Bible says they all dropped their stones and went away,

crestfallen. Then in the 12th verse, after mollifying the woman, He made

an astounding statement; He said, “...I am the light of the world: he

that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light

of life.” What’s the connection between this statement and what He did

for that woman? If we understand it, then we can begin to understand

what He expects of us.

In John 9, He came across a man who was blind from birth. Again, Jesus repeated that statement: “As long as I am in the world, I am the

light of the world” (John 9:5). And the next thing, He performed a

miracle. “...he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and

he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay” (John 9:6).

The adulterous woman was at the verge of death, and Jesus

stepped in and said, “I’m the light of the world,” and saved her! Then He

saw a blind man who didn’t even have eyes, and He said, “I AM your

light!” Glory to God! Jesus was saying to them, “I am what you need me

to be. If you need deliverance, I am your deliverance. If it’s salvation, I

am your salvation. If it’s healing, I am your healing.” That’s the meaning

of “I AM.” Hallelujah!

Now, He turns to us and says, “Ye are the light of the world.”

Suddenly, His expectation dawns in our spirits! That means as you step

out today, a change will take place in someone’s life because of you. If

someone were blind, through you, he could have his eyes restored!

Someone who was sick could be healed. A lame person could walk.

Why? You’re the light of the world, just like Jesus. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY:

Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17-18 &

1 John 4:17

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

WE ARE KING-PRIESTS

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And hath made us kings and priests unto God and

his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.

Amen (Revelation 1:6).

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The phrase, “kings and priests” in the scripture above is also

rendered “a kingdom of priests” in other translations. The

reader tends to assume that “a kingdom of priests” is referring to a

kingdom where there’re priests. But the accurate expression is “king-

priests.” He’s made us king-priests, which is a fulfilment of prophecy!

In Exodus 19:5-6, God had said to the children of Israel, “Now

therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant,

then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all

the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and

an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the

children of Israel.” The word translated “kingdom” is the word “royal.”

So, when God said to the Israelites, “I’m going to make you a kingdom of

priests,” He meant, “You’ll be royal priests or king-priests.”

Peter knew that the fulfilment of that prophecy had taken place in Christ Jesus. The Bible says, “For all the promises of God in him are

yes...” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Therefore, He’s got a royal priesthood: “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” (1 Peter

2:9 AMPC).

As a king-priest, your primary responsibility is kingly intercession,

with prayers and supplications. God has given you the dominion and the

authority to alter the course of events in the earth, using the Name of

Jesus. So, side with God in bringing His will to pass in the earth; in your

family, in the lives of those around you, in your city and country. Learn to

direct the influence of God’s power towards them in prayer until you have

a note of victory in your spirit. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Ezekiel 3:17-21, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 & Romans 8:26-29

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

HE’S THERE IN YOUR NAME

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In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were

not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for

you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come

again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there

ye may be also (John 14:2-3).

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Some people interpret the above scripture to mean that Jesus

went to Heaven to construct our mansions. So, they think when

someone gives his or her life to Christ, God starts building a mansion for

that person in Heaven. But they forget that the Bible says “...the works

were finished from the foundation of the world” (Hebrews 4:3).

Heaven is a beautiful place, and it’s already been built. So, what place

was Jesus talking about then?

The answer is simple: The Bible says Jesus was victorious in hell,

and when He came to the disciples in Galilee, He said, “...All hail” (Matthew 28:9). Then He went into Heaven and was given a place! That

place isn’t a chair beside or close to the Father; no, He got the Father’s

seat! He’s set on the Father’s throne of Majesty in the heavens. It’s the place of the highest authority.

Then the scripture says, “If then you were raised with Christ,

seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the

right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1 NKJV). Everything Jesus did was for

us. The place He went to prepare for us is the place at the right hand of

the Father; He got us a place in, and with Himself in glory.

Now we’re

seated together with Him in the heavenly realms.

Hebrews 9:24 says, “For Christ is not entered into the holy

places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into

heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

As long

as Jesus is in Heaven, we’re well represented in heaven. He represents

us there! That’s why He told us to live in His Name. Colossians 3:17

says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of

the Lord Jesus....” This is because He’s there in our Name, and we’re

here in His Name. We reign and rule over Satan and the cohorts of

darkness, in His Name. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 2:6 TLB

& Luke 10:19 AMPC

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

THE GOSPEL IS IN YOUR TRUST

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O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust,

avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of

science falsely so called (1 Timothy 6:20)

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The word “trust” in the scripture above is an interesting Greek

word, “parakatathēkē” and it means a deposit, the investment of

your personality. Something has been deposited in you. You have to

come to the realization that the Gospel, the same message that saved

your life, has been committed to your trust.

Paul knew it. In 1 Timothy 1:11, he affirmed, “According to the

glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my

trust.” What a consciousness! He took personal responsibility for the

Gospel. It should be the same with you.

Your co-workers, business associates, schoolmates, family

members, co-tenants, friends and all those He ever connects you with

are all hanging on to the trust committed to you by God. He holds you

responsible as their witness; you’re the witness to your generation.

You’ve got to be committed to bringing salvation to those in your world.

That’s what success is. You become a fruit-producing branch, fulfilling

what Jesus said in John 15:5: “I am the vine; ye are the branches....” Always declare, “I’m a fruit-bearing branch, in the Name of the Lord

Jesus! I bear fruits of righteousness and manifest works of

righteousness.” Declare it, and act accordingly. That’s what the Apostle

Paul was communicating to the young minister, Timothy, in our theme

verse—the consciousness of what was committed to his trust.

You carry the seeds of the Kingdom of God inside you. That’s your

number one ministry in life. Remember the words of Jesus: “But seek ye

first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these

things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Now that you’re in His

Kingdom, make it your priority, and His glory will be manifested in and

through you.

FURTHER STUDY:

2 Corinthians 5:18, Jeremiah 20:9 & 1 Corinthians 9:16-17