RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2020 PASTOR CHRIS

LIVING IN HIS REST

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For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath

ceased from his own works, as God did from his

(Hebrews 4:10).

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When you study the account of creation in Genesis 1, you’ll observe God created man on the sixth day, after He had created everything else. Satisfied, He rested from all His works on

the seventh day: “And on the seventh day God ended his work

which he had made; and he rested...”

(Genesis 2:2).

Man’s first day in the earth was God’s day of rest. Adam didn’t

meet God working; he met Him resting. It wasn’t that God rested so

that Adam could finish the rest of the work, no; God finished all the

work before Adam was formed. Adam was thus born into rest. This

was God’s purpose and intent for man at the beginning. Christ is our

rest. When you come into Christ, you’re free from struggles, hassles,

anxieties, turmoil and hardships. No wonder we’re counselled by the Spirit, in Philippians 4:6 NKJV to “Be anxious for nothing...” ; have

no worries.

If you’ve found yourself toiling and stressed out, despite being

born again, it’s time for a change. First, cultivate a new mindset and

realise that God made you for His pleasure; He created you to be

pleased and happy about you and for your life to glorify Him. Then,

you say, “I refuse the hard life and embrace the life of peace,

abundance, joy and success in Christ. I’ve been given all things

richly to enjoy; I don’t lack anything, because ALL things are mine.”

Your life in Christ is one of immeasurable grace, glory, dominion, joy and righteousness; it’s an extraordinary life of glory

from a position of rest. So, keep dominating and subduing your world

from a position of rest.

FURTHER STUDY:

Hebrews 4:3 &

Matthew 6:25-26

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*YOUR NAME IS IMPORTANT*

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Neither shall thy name any more be called

Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of

many nations have I made thee (Genesis 17:5).

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Whatever name you answer has a direct bearing on your destiny; your name gives meaning to your destiny. This explains why God changed the names of certain individuals in the

Bible in line with their destinies in Him. A good example is Abraham,

who was formerly named Abram. Abram meant exalted father or

assumed father. In the process of time, he had no child, though

many servants were born in his house.

But one day, the Lord spoke to him and said, “... behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but

thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I

made thee” (Genesis 17:4-5). Abraham believed God, and

immediately started answering the name Abraham, “the father of

many nations.”

Another important example is Jacob; he was named Jacob because at birth he held on to his brother’s heel. Jacob means

swindler or deceiver; and true to his name, he deceitfully obtained

his brother’s birthright, with the aid of his mother.

However, when he encountered the Lord and asked to be blessed, He wouldn’t bless him until his name was changed from

Jacob (the deceiver) to Israel, a prince with God (Genesis 32:28);

and his destiny was transformed for good.

Consider the Apostle Peter; before he came to Jesus, he

answered the name, “Simon,” meaning a reed shaken by the wind,

unstable. As Simon, he was inconsistent. But one day, Jesus said to

him, “...thou art Peter, (Greek: Petros) and upon this rock (Greek:

Petra) I will build my church...” (Matthew 16:18).

If the meaning of your name isn’t consistent with the Word of

God, you’ve got to change it. It makes no difference that you’ve answered the name all your life; if its meaning isn’t consistent with

the revelation of who you are in Christ, respond to God’s Word and

change it as an act of faith.

FURTHER STUDY:

Genesis 32:24-28 & Matthew 16:16-18

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*GUARD YOUR SALVATION*

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How shall we escape, if we neglect so great

salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the

Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard

him (Hebrews 2:3).

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If anything should be precious to you in this life, especially in these last days, it must be your personal salvation. Our theme verse says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great

salvation....” Your salvation is the number one thing in your life.

Protect it. See that you’re walking in the light of God, in the totality of

salvation. He said, “...work out your own salvation with fear and

trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

No matter your accomplishments in life, they’ll all be a waste

without your salvation. Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it

profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own

soul?” It doesn’t matter how many conferences you held or

attended or how many people you helped; without your salvation,

they’ll mean nothing.

Don’t trade your salvation for anything. We’re surrounded by hawks and beasts that don’t spare the flock; they’ll do anything for

their personal gains. Don’t let them deceive you, and don’t lead

yourself astray. Stay in Christ, in His Word, and keep expressing His

love and righteousness to your world.

Remember, not only are you here for your salvation, you’re here also to help others receive salvation. When you really understand what salvation is, you’ll not only protect it with your life,

but you’d also be eager to share it with others. The Apostle Paul

said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the

power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the

Jew first, and also to the Greek”

(Romans 1:16). The only way you

can help others receive salvation is to share the Gospel with them.

So make this a vital part of your daily routine and pursuit.

FURTHER STUDY: Philippians 2:12, Mark 8:36-37 & 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 AMPC

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*HEIRS OF INEXHAUSTIBLE RICHES*

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Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints,

is this grace given, that I should preach among the

Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians

3:8).

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It makes no difference how and where you were born; now that you’re in Christ, you’re separated unto God and His

glory. Poverty isn’t part of your life. When you understand this and discover who you are, suddenly, there’ll be a change in your mentality; you become bigger than your job, your business, and your

income or salary; you become big on the inside!

The Amplified Classic version of our opening scripture says, “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out].”

The Word is for the man or woman who steps into it. So you’re

to affirm, “I have access to the unending, boundless, fathomless,

incalculable, and exhaustless riches of Christ — wealth which no

human being could have searched out.” You were born into

inexhaustible wealth, for you’re the seed of Abraham, an heir of God

and a joint-heir with Christ. Your wealth is like the bread that Jesus

distributed to the multitude (five thousand men; women and children

not counted). As they distributed it, it multiplied (Matthew 14).

This is how you should think about your resources; refuse to be

lack-conscious. Always give. The more you give, the more your

resources are multiplied to be unlimited. This should be your

consciousness and confession. Glory to God!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 8:9 AMPC, Colossians 1:12 & 1 Corinthians 3:21

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*GLORIFIED IN CHRIST*

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And the glory which thou gavest me I have given

them... (John 17:22).

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Being born again, you’re not an insignificant speck in the dust; you have honour and glory in Christ. This glory

refers to the perfections of beauty, the excellence of divinity and it’s expressions, the honour of God, etc.

Jesus is the express image of God’s person, the brightness, effulgence (outshining) of the glory of God. The Bible says God gave

Him His excellent glory (Hebrews 1:3). Now, here’s the most

remarkable part: Just before He was crucified, He prayed a very

touching prayer to the Father on our behalf. He said: “And the glory

which thou gavest me I have given them...” (John 17:22).

He gave us the same glory the Father gave Him, so that we’d be one with Him and the Father, just as He and the Father are one.

Today, you have the glory of God the Father, the same glory He gave

to Jesus. You may be thinking right now, “Can someone like me who has done so many wrong things have the glory of God in his life?”

Sure, you do, now that you’re born again!

The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the

glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the

redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). Before

Jesus came, everybody was labelled a sinner. Jesus, however, dealt

with the problem of sin once and for all. Therefore, if because of sin

we came short of the glory of God, now that the problem has been

dealt with, we’re no longer short of the glory of God. We’re His

glorified ones, according to Romans 8:30: “Moreover whom he did

predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he

also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 3:10-11, Romans 8:30

& Isaiah 60:1-2

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*FOCUS ON THE GREATER GOAL*

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Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will

of him that sent me, and to finish his work (John 4:34).

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As we earnestly look forward to the Rapture of the Church, it’s important that your focus be on the achievement of the “greater goal.” What’s this greater goal? It’s winning the unsaved to

Christ.

Jesus and His disciples were on a journey from Judaea to Galilee, and they stopped in a Samaritan village. The Master needed

to catch a breather while His disciples went to get some food. While

Jesus sat at the well, a woman came to draw water, and Jesus

began to preach the Good News of the Kingdom to her.

Much later, when His disciples returned with the food, and Jesus wouldn’t eat. When they wondered why He didn’t want to eat,

He replied, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about; the food

that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, and

finish His work” (John 4:32-34).

This is the example He left us to follow. Doing God’s work was

number one to Jesus. Nothing should be more important to you than

ensuring the spread of the Gospel in your world and around the

world. You must realize that your earthly job, business, education or

other career are your opportunities and vehicles for transporting the

Gospel.

When you commit your life to soul winning, you discover the satisfaction and fulfilment nothing else in life can give you. You

declare like Jesus, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me,

and to finish His work.” Praise God!

FURTHER STUDY: Galatians 2:20 , 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 &

1 Corinthians 9:16

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*EXPRESS GRATITUDE*

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...be thankful in all circumstances. This is what

God wants from you in your life in union with Christ

Jesus (1Thessalonians 5:18 GNB).

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The words “Thank you” are two of the most powerful words to utter. They convey heartfelt appreciation and

gratefulness which, when rightly expressed, leave an indelible

impression of your sincere gratitude and evoke joy in the hearts of

the recipients.

Also, when you make someone glad, it’ll relax your nerves and

gladden your spirit! Therefore, every so often, ask yourself, “Who am

I going to appreciate today?” Let it be part of your daily plan.

Someone, somewhere, should get a call, a visit, a card or a gift from

you to say, “Thank You!” I like it when I’m able to call someone to

say, “Thank you.”

Some people find it difficult to express gratitude even when occasion warrants it. But the counsel of the Lord is clear: express gratitude always and in all things. When you go out and an attendant

offers you any form of assistance, don’t forget to say, “Thank you.”

In church, or at the theatre or some event, when the usher shows you to a seat, don’t sit down without saying, “Thank you. ”

When a cab driver takes you safely to your destination, don’t Alight

without saying, “Thank you!” All these are simple everyday situations

that we experience, and sometimes, we don’t realize we ought to be

thankful for these things.

If you’re a parent, learn to say “Thank you” to your kids when they do something nice. As a couple, say “Thank you” to your spouse for the things you do for each other. When people do things

for you, be it a favour or even something they’re obliged to do,

practise saying, “Thank you.” You’ll be amazed at the joy and

fulfilment you’ll experience as a result.

FURTHER STUDY:

*1 Thessalonians 5:18 & John 6:11*

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

*MONDAY 09 NOVEMBER 2020*

PASTOR CHRIS

*AFFIRM HIS TRUTHS IN FAITH*

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For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the

world: and this is the victory that overcometh the

world, even our faith (1 John 5:4)

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There’s so much negative information in the world today,

and this has instilled fear in the hearts of those who aren’t

rooted and grounded in the Word. The Lord Jesus referred to this in Luke 21:25-26 when He described some of the signs of the end of

the age. He said, “...there shall be ...distress of nations, with

perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing

them for fear, and for looking after those things which are

coming on the earth....”*_ In Luke 18:8, He asked, “...when the Son

of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

You’re to stand your ground in faith, irrespective of the challenges and hardships in today’s world. Train your faith with the

Word to prevail against the odds and adversities of life. Refuse to

give up or give in to the pressures around you. Ephesians 6:13-16

says, “...having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of

righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the

gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith

ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Keep your switch of faith turned on, by staying your mind on the Word. When Satan throws the dart of fear at you, refuse it,

because the greater One lives in you!

It makes no difference that the world is experiencing severe

economic slump as a result of the recent global crisis; you’re the

seed of Abraham! You’re a joint-heir with Christ; never talk or live as

one who’s disadvantaged; affirm God’s truth! The creative power of

His Word becomes effective once ignited by the faith-response from

your spirit, bringing about a transformation in your life and situation

from glory to glory. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

Proverbs 18:21, 2 Corinthians 4:13 &

Philemon 1:6

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SUNDAY 08 NOVEMBER 2020

PASTOR CHRIS

HE PREPARED A WONDERFUL LIFE FOR

YOU

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

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God is good; God is kind, and God is love! He’s our great heavenly Father who, long before we came on the scene, prepared a wonderful and exciting life for us: a life of success,

victory, peace and prosperity. He didn’t create you to suffer or

struggle your way through life. He prearranged a good life of

blessings for you.

That’s like what He did when He created Adam; He first created a beautiful garden where everything Adam would require

was made available. Then He created Adam and put him in the

garden to inhabit it and enjoy the goodness therein. God brought you

forth at such a time as this, and planned ahead for you like every

caring father would.

Therefore, always acknowledge and profess in

agreement with Him that indeed, you’re the blessed of the Lord, walking in preordained pathways of greatness, excellence and productivity.

The Lord cares so much for you, up to the strands of hair on your head: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of

them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the

very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore,

ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

That’s why He doesn’t want you worried or fretful over anything in

life.

He’s aware you require money, clothing, food, shelter and all the necessities of life, and has already made them yours. He said in

1 Corinthians 3:21, “... All things are yours” Believe and accept it,

for it’s true. Live with the consciousness that God has truly made

everything you’d ever require for a triumphant life available to you in

Christ Jesus. Indeed, He’s gracious and kind.

FURTHER STUDY:

Psalm 106:1, Genesis 12:2

&

Ephesians 1:3

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SATURDAY 07 NOVEMBER 2020 PASTOR CHRIS

DISCOVER JESUS AND YOUR SEARCH IS

OVER

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For there is one God, and one mediator between

God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

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Man doesn’t know reality until he finds Jesus, the Son of

the living God. But who exactly is Jesus, the man of

Galilee? First, He’s the Word- incarnate. This is an amazing truth. Think about it: Your word is the expression of who you are. It’s the

expression of your views, opinions, thoughts, emotions, and ideas.

In the same way, the Word of God is the totality of God’s thoughts, ideas, opinions, will, and emotions. John 1:14 NKJV tells

us that God’s Word was personified, and the result was the man,

Jesus: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us....”

His laughter was God laughing; His smiles were the smiles of

God. When He stretched out His hand, that was God stretching out

His hand. When He loved, it was God’s love manifested. Everything

He did was the expression of God.

Secondly, He’s the character and essence of God. The Bible tells us something beautiful about Him in Hebrews 1:3: “Who being

the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his

person....” He’s the perfect personification of the abstract idealisation of God.

In the world, the term “God” doesn’t convey a person; it

conveys an idea. God doesn’t make sense to the human mind,

because they can’t find or define Him. The Bible, however, presents

Jesus as God’s perfect imprint, the icon of the unseen God.

Thirdly, Jesus Christ is the glory of the Father. He’s the outshining of the Father’s glory, the radiance of the Father.

The world doesn’t understand why we can be so passionate about the man, Jesus. Until you know Jesus, God will only be an

idea to you. Your search, however, stops when you meet this

awesome, glorious, Lord of heaven and earth. That’s why we tell

people, “Discover Jesus!” When you discover Him, you discover

reality; you discover life.

FURTHER STUDY: Col 1:15-19 &

Heb 1:1-4