*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| YOU KNOW HIM ||||*

*|| You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? (John 14:4-5 NIV).

||*

Friday 20th, December.
Pastor Chris

The Lord Jesus, just before His crucifixion, had a meeting with His disciples where He told them He would be going away to Heaven. They were saddened by the news, but Jesus comforted them, saying, “...I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” (John 14:3-4 NIV).

Notice His language: always succinct, always positive. It shows you the Master’s mentality. He said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” But Thomas, who was thinking in the flesh, said, “Lord, we don’t know where you
are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus’ response to him was profound. He said, “...I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6). What an answer!

Jesus was speaking by the Spirit, and His answer probably made Thomas more confused because Thomas was reasoning in the flesh. Then Jesus said in the next
verse, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him” (John 14:7). Remarkable!

Notice that Jesus didn't say, “Okay, Thomas, from henceforth, I'm going to try to introduce the Father to you”; no! Rather, He said, “You know Him.” This is the way
He wants you to think. He doesn't want you arguing and declaring your lack of knowledge. Respond in the spirit. The Bible says you have an unction from the Holy One and you know all things (1 John 2:20). Hallelujah!

The Lord has said you know the Father; therefore say, “Yes sir! I know Him.” Blessed be God! When you agree and affirm the Word like that, suddenly, the knowledge of God will well up in your spirit, and you’ll discover the truth. Remember, He is the way, the truth, and the life. What He tells you is truth. If He says you know Him, that's the truth. Moreover, He also said it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:11, Luke 8:10), and that includes knowing the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!

*||PRAYER||*
*|| I thank you Father, for you’ve revealed yourself to me in the Lord Jesus and by your Spirit. I declare with confidence that I know you, and I walk in that truth always. This knowledge transforms my life, my language and interactions. I walk as a victor, and your grace in my life is multiplied as a result of my knowledge of you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. ||*


*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| John 14:16-17 ||* And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

*|| John 17:3 ||* And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

*|| 1 John 2:13 ||* I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

*|| Jeremiah 9:24 ||* But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 12
Micah 6-7

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 16:11-21
Zephaniah 3

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| ONLY JESUS CHRIST GIVES ETERNAL LIFE ||||*

*|| ...Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him (John 17:1-2).
||*

Saturday 14th, December.
Pastor Chris

What confidence Jesus had,
to
state
that
God
had
given Him power
over
all
flesh
to
give
them
eternal life. This means Jesus is the One who gives eternal life. If He’s the Lord of your life, you have eternal life in you because He gives eternal life to all those over whom He’s Lord.

You can only know and understand life when you know the source of life, and that’s Jesus Christ. The next verse says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Notice how Jesus classifies Himself here with God because He is Himself God. He didn't say, “that they might know thee, the only true God,” and stop there. He said “and Jesus Christ”; meaning you’ve got to know God and you’ve got to know Jesus Christ. You can't have one without the other.

Jesus is eternal life; that’s the reason He can give it. So, if you don't know Him, you can’t know life. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Again, we see that God gives eternal life through Jesus Christ.

This truth gets even clearer in 1 John 5:11-12, which 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.” He says, “…this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life….” Observe the tenses. It doesn’t say if you have the Son, God will give you life. Rather, it
says, “If you have the Son, you have life.” That’s the same thing Jesus said in John 6:47: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” Glory to His Name forever!

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, I thank you for the eternal life that I have received through Jesus Christ. I rejoice that I have your life and nature in me, making me more than a conqueror. I walk in the consciousness of this divine life, and I manifest your glory, love and power as I share this truth with others, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*



*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| John 3:36 ||* He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

*|| John 10:26-27 ||* But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

*|| 1 John 5:11-13 NIV ||* And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 6
Amos 1-4

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 13:1-10
Micah 5-6

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME ||||*

*|| And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that
believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:30-31). ||*

Tuesday 10th, December.
Pastor Chris

When Jesus declared that He was the Christ, the Jews accused Him of blasphemy because they understood what the term “Christ” meant. Christ means “Son of God,” and that expression means “God in human flesh.” Recall that in John 10 the Jews asked Him, if He was the Christ? and Jesus said, “Yes.” Then they cried, “…
blasphemy; you, a mere man, have declared yourself to be God” (John 10:33 TLB).

They understood the implication of Jesus saying He was the Christ and they vehemently opposed Him for making such a claim. But He was right; He is the Christ,
the Son of God, and anyone who believes in Him has life. Hallelujah! Many years ago, as I took the Gospel to different places, I often would announce to the people that our purpose for coming to them was so they might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, they might have life through His Name.

Then, I’d give an altar call. Many believed in Him and the moment they did, they received eternal life for He has
said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). In Romans 6:11, Paul tells us how to respond to this: “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

So, today, if you believe in Jesus, it means you’re dead to sin but alive to God. You have eternal life. The Bible says through the Gospel, He brought life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10). You’ve passed from death to life: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, I thank you for giving me eternal life! I walk in the full blessings and consciousness of this divine life, filled with your glory, power and love. I impact my world and those around me with your divine nature, as I live triumphantly each day, manifesting fruits of righteousness in Jesus’ Name. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| John 6:47 ||* Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

*|| 1 John 5:11-12 ||* And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

*|| John 20:30 NKJV ||* And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 2:18, 3:1-6
Hosea 3-6

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 11:1-10
Jonah 1-2

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| HE GAVE US KINGDOM AUTHORITY ||||*

*|| Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).
||*

Friday 6th, December.
Pastor Chris

In our previous study, we learnt that we’ve been transferred from the jurisdiction or domain of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Love-Son. So, we’re
currently in the Kingdom of God’s Love-Son. But what happens here? How are we supposed to live now that we’re in the Kingdom? Are we supposed to cry to God for the solution to one problem or the other? No! Having brought us into the Kingdom, we have Kingdom authority!

The Lord Jesus said, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy…” (Luke 10:19). Then recall what
He said in our opening scripture: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall
be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18).

He’s given you the authority to determine the course and circumstances of your life. What you say is what obtains because you’re standing in the authority of Jesus Christ. If you observe that things around you or the circumstances of your life aren’t aligning with God’s perfect will, give the word and He’ll endorse it. He allows what you allow and disallows what you disallow. He’s given you the authority to effect changes when things aren’t happening right.

Now you can understand why some people have remained in certain precarious conditions for a long time; it’s because they allowed it to continue. As a Christian, the day you decide you don’t want any particular issue to continue is the day it will stop. Maybe it’s sickness— perhaps a tumour or growth in your body—decide and declare, “I can’t have this in my body; my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore, I curse this growth and cut out
this tumour in the Name of Jesus.” That’ll be it!

Don’t say, “Oh God, please take this sickness away”; that won’t change anything. He’s not responsible for it; rather, He’s given you the authority to do something about it. It doesn’t matter what challenges you may be facing today. Don’t cry. Don’t beg. Don’t cower or complain. Exercise your authority in Christ! What does it take to exercise that authority? We’ll learn more about that in our next study.

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, I thank you for giving me the authority to effect changes and determine the course and circumstances of my life in line with your perfect will. Even now, your blessings—health, peace and prosperity—are evident in my life. I walk in righteousness, propelled by your wisdom as I fulfil my destiny in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*




*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Mark 11:23 ||* For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

*|| Matthew 16:19 ||* And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

*|| Mark 16:17-18 ||* And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| DECLARE WHAT YOU WANT IN HIS NAME ||||*

*|| And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17). ||*

Tuesday 3rd, December.
Pastor Chris

There’s a difference between calling on the Name
of Jesus and making a demand in His Name. It’s crucial to understand this distinction. Consider Romans 10:13; it says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Sinners can call upon His Name for salvation, but as Christians, we use His Name; we exercise dominion in His Name.

Using His Name isn’t about calling out to Him as if you’re still a sinner seeking salvation. Now that you’re born again, you belong to the household of God. The Name of Jesus is now named upon you and given to you to live by. You don’t need to call upon Him anymore for anything; rather, you use His Name with authority to create anything or effect the changes you desire.

Notice in our opening verse that He didn’t say, “Call upon my name and I’ll cast the devils out and heal the sick”; no! Rather, you’re to use His Name to cast out devils, heal the sick, cleanse lepers, and raise the dead. His Name is an instrument; use it! In John 14:13-14 He said, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do...If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."

What a bold statement! That means you can demand anything in His Name and it’ll happen. For example, if you were in a distressing situation, instead of calling "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" out of desperation or panic, declare what you want in His Name. Speak with the authority He’s given
you. You say, "In the Name of Jesus, I demand healing," or "In the Name of Jesus, you devil of darkness, I command you to lose your grip and get out!"

Always remember that you’re in charge and in control because you function in the Name of Jesus. Everything in life, physical and spiritual, including governments, thrones, the galaxies, principalities and powers, are all subject to the Name of Jesus. Declare what you want in His Name with confidence, and you’ll have a testimony. Glory be to God!

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, thank you for the power and authority you've granted us to use the Name of Jesus. I walk in this authority and exercise dominion over circumstances
and situations. I speak healing, peace and prosperity in His Name, and I thank you for the confidence and assurance that come with using the Name of Jesus to effect a change and bring your will to pass. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Philippians 2:9-11 ||* Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

*|| Acts 3:16 ||* And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

*|| John 16:23 ||* And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
1 John 4
Daniel 1-2

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 6:11-17
Joel 3

*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

*STAY ENCOURAGED AND PRESS ON*

Friday, November 29th .
Pastor Chris

_*I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11).*_

In your efforts to win souls, disciple new converts and bring them to church, there're those who may never accept your message or agree to join your local fellowship; don't be discouraged. Take a cue from how God dealt with the world. First, Jesus took His message to the Jews, His own people, for He came from among them. He brought them the message of the Kingdom but they rejected Him. What did He do? He then took the message to the Gentiles—to the rest of the world. And even today, many continue to receive that message.

Paul experienced the same thing. As a Jew, he first preached to the Jews, but they argued with him and rejected his message even though he was one of them. They knew him as the man who once persecuted Christians, and when he turned to Christ, they wouldn't listen to him. Many of them even turned against him. But Paul didn't let that stop him.

When the Jews wouldn't accept his message, he turned to the Gentiles and had great success. Your focus should be on those who are open to receive the Gospel. Luke captured some of these. In Acts 13:46, for example, the Bible says, _*"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles."*_

Also, Acts 18:6 tells us, _*"And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."*_ Apply the same principle. Don't allow those who reject your message to determine the condition of your spirit or your mood. Pray for them, intercede on their behalf, but don't let their rejection control your heart. Focus on winning others.

As you succeed in reaching more people, one day, those who rejected your message will be provoked by your success and drawn to Christ, just as the Bible tells us that the Jews will be provoked by the salvation of the Gentiles and eventually believe in Jesus Christ. Stay encouraged and press on; keep your focus on the mission, knowing that as you prosper in the work of the Lord, others will be drawn to your light.

*PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I thank you for the wisdom of your Word that guides me to focus on reaching more and more people with the Gospel. Even now, many are drawn to your message of salvation and are converted and established in your Word as your children minister the Gospel around the world today, in Jesus' Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Matthew 10:14-15* And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. *||*

*||* *Acts 13:46* Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. *||*

*||* *Acts 18:6 NKJV* But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook [his] garments and said to them, "Your blood [be] upon your [own] heads; I [am] clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." *||*

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| TRANSCENDENTLY BLESSED ||||*

*|| 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). ||*

Wednesday 27th, November.
Pastor Chris

As a Christian, there's no blessing from God that's not already in you and actively at work in your life. You've been blessed with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Just imagine any blessing you want; it's already yours because you're in Christ; the blessings are in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us that all the blessings of God in Christ are yes and amen to the glory of God. Hallelujah!

It explains why Peter declares in 1 Peter 3:9, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." In Christ Jesus, we're supremely and graciously blessed; no curse can work against you. You're seated together with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:21).

Therefore, from where and from whom would the curse come? Remember the story of Balaam, a prophet hired by Balak to curse Israel. He realized that no curse or enchantment could prevail against God's chosen people. God had blessed them, and no external power could undo that blessing. Numbers 23:23 says, "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel....

If the Old Testament Israel couldn't be cursed, how much more the Church of Christ, also called the Israel of God? Hallelujah! No evil machinations, enchantments or witchcraft can work against you. The demons recognize who you are; there's a mark on you; you're branded by God and they know it! They know you're blessed and superior to them. You're in Christ, and Christ is in you.

Someone may try to take your position at work; you don't need to get worked up or start praying against them. You're already victorious. That's what the Bible says, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). You're always in victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). Glory to God!

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, I thank you for making me a partaker of your divine nature and for blessing me with your abundant grace. I walk in divine favour, because I'm supremely blessed. My life is full of glory and excellence. I'm a living testimony of your manifold wisdom. Thank you for the victory I have in Christ now and always, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Galatians 3:13-14 ||* Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

*|| Numbers 23:23 AMPC
||* Surely there is no enchantment with or against Jacob, neither is there any divination with or against Israel. [In due season and even] now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What has God wrought!

*|| 1 Peter 3:9 NIV ||* Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

*|| Galatians 3:9 ||* So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
2 Peter 1
Ezekiel 37-38

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 2:13-29
Hosea 7-8

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| REVELATION: THE TRUE PATH TO KNOWING HIM ||||*

*|| But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me... (Galatians 1:15-16). ||*

Tuesday 26th, November.
Pastor Chris

There're those who attempt to understand God through their intellect as though God could be studied in a
laboratory. However, knowing God is not something that can be achieved through mental effort or intellectual exercise. Even Paul the apostle, a highly educated man, realized that his learning was insufficient when it came to knowing Jesus Christ. He needed revelation.

You can only know God by the revelation of the Spirit. There's a level of humility required to reach that point. You must come to the realization that no amount of intellectual prowess could help you here; you need God's revelation. And when you humble yourself, God will reveal Himself to you as He did with Paul.

Paul was an erudite scholar; read Philippians 3 where he declared his resume and made some very thought-provoking statements. He said, "Concerning the righteousness which is in the law, I was blameless"; he knew it all (Philippians 3:6). Then he says in verses 8-10, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: ...that I may win Christ, and be found in him... That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection..." (Philippians 3:8-10).

Then in Galatians 1:15-16, he said, "But when it pleased God...to reveal his Son in me." It was by revelation that Paul eventually came to know Jesus Christ. No wonder he prayed a beautiful prayer of the Spirit for the Christians in Ephesus that God would grant them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17-18).

He understood that you couldn't "experiment" or hypothesize to know God or discover Him through history alone. Without revelation, no one could truly know God, and that's why we pray for those who don't know Him, that their eyes be opened to the truth of the Gospel and that the veil of darkness in their hearts be removed by the Spirit to receive divine revelation and experience the fullness of God's love and salvation. Amen.

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, I pray for those yet to know you that you will reveal yourself to them by your Spirit, removing every veil of darkness and barrier of ignorance and pride from their hearts. I pray that their minds be enlightened to know and experience the fullness of your love and salvation, and comprehend the truth of the Gospel. By your grace, many will come to the full knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ today, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 ||* But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 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.

*|| Ephesians 1:15-18 ||* Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

*|| Matthew 16:13-17 ||* When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
1 Peter 5
Ezekiel 35-36

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 2:1-12
Hosea 5-6

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| THE REAL MEDICINE ||||*

*|| My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22). ||*

Monday 25th, November.
Pastor Chris

Notice what we just read; first it says
"attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart..." How can you attend to God's words if you don't know them? That's why it's important to study, meditate, and act on the Word continually by the Spirit.

Secondly, it says, "For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." God's Word has the power to heal and deliver. His words are life and health to all your flesh. The Hebrew word for health here is "marpe," and it means cure or medicine; the Word has curative powers. That's why the King James Version uses the word 'health'; God's Word is medicine for your body.

If you have a problem with your body, like a health condition, and you meditate on God's Word, you'll be cured. God's Word is the real medicine-the universal, infallible panace for any issue regarding your health. Through meditation, the real medicine enters your heart, your veins, your arteries, your muscles, your bones, effecting a cure, mending and perfecting all things.

This is the reason someone who's been diagnosed with cancer can get cured by meditating on the Word. The Word is a healer and a cleanser (John 15:3); it'll cleanse your blood; it'll purify and cleanse it of any kind of sickness, disease or infirmity. Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

It brings to mind Job 33:19-22 where the Bible describes the sufferings of a man in pain and weakness and how his suffering became so severe; his body had deteriorated and was at the precipice of death. But verse 23 in the Amplified Classic Translation revealed his hope; it says, "[God's voice may be heard] if there is for the hearer a messenger or an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him how to be upright and in right standing with God]." God's voice-His Word-can be heard; when you hear it, it imparts faith to you; it brings you healing and makes you whole.

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Thank you Father for your Word that brings healing and deliverance. Your Word is medicine to my body; my entire being -my organs, bones, veins, arteries, blood-are inundated by the Word. I walk in divine health and victory, because your Word is my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Psalms 107:20 ||* He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.

*|| Proverbs 4:20-22 ||* My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.

*|| Matthew 8:16 ||* When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick:


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
1 Peter 4
Ezekiel 33-34

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Revelation 1:1-2
Hosea 3-4

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| IDENTIFY AND CAST THE DEVIL OUT ||||*

*|| And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself (Luke 13:10-17). ||*

Saturday 23rd, November.
Pastor Chris

In Luke 13:10-17, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath day when He saw a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years, causing her to be bent over and unable to straighten up. He called to her and said, "Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity" and laid His hands on her. Immediately, the woman was made straight, and she glorified God.

It's remarkable how Jesus ministered to the woman; He said, "And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" (Luke 13:16). The Lord Jesus revealed the true cause of her suffering; it was Satan who had bound her for 18 years. Jesus identified the spirit behind her affliction as a spirit of infirmity. That's why no doctor could help her, as they knew nothing about demons; but Jesus set her free from that bondage.

In the same way, many people today are suffering, not knowing the true cause of their problems. But you see, many of the challenges that some people are faced with in life are caused by demons. So, identify and cast the devil out. Demons don't care who they oppress; they can afflict children and adults alike. That's why you must cast out devils. Never be casual with or ignorant of demonic activities. Stay in the Word and be quick to exercise your dominion in Christ.

In Mark 6:7, Jesus called His twelve disciples and sent them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. In Matthew 10:8, He instructed His disciples to "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

In Mark 16:17, He said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..." You've been given the authority and ability to cast out devils in the Name of Jesus. Exercise that dominion even now and frustrate the influence and manipulations of Satan in your body, in the life of a loved one, and in your family or environment.

*||CONFESSION||*
*|| I have authority to heal the sick and bring health and joy to a hurting world. Satan has no place in my life, in my home or in my family. I have the power to cast out demons in Jesus' Name, and I'll use it to the glory of God. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Luke 10:17-19 ||* And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

*|| Mark 6:7 ||* And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

*|| Luke 13:10-17 ||* And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself]. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called [her to him], and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, [Thou] hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or [his] ass from the stall, and lead [him] away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? Luke 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
1 Peter 1:22, 2:1-25
Ezekiel 29-30

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
Jude 1:1-11
Daniel 11-12

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| SUPERIOR TO ANGELS ||||*

*|| Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life (1 Corinthians 6:3). ||*

Friday 22nd, November.
Pastor Chris

This scripture indicates that Christians will indeed judge angels. We will be seated together with Christ on thrones, and we shall judge the world and judge angels according to the Scriptures.

Does this imply that Christians are superior to God's angels? Yes, and our superiority is the result of our identity, our oneness with Christ. We're joint heirs with Christ, born of the Spirit of God. Unlike the angels who are servants of God, we're God's children: "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV).

The Bible says, "...the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever" (John 8:35). And 1 John 3:2 says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God...;" we have the rights and privileges of sonship. We're one with Christ, and He has given us His authority; we live and function in His Name.

Some have asked for clarification with reference to Matthew 22:30 which indicates that at the resurrection we would be as angels. You have to understand the context: it says, "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Here, Jesus was responding to a question about marriage after resurrection, but He clarified that in the resurrection, we won't be bound by earthly institutions like marriage. Instead, we will be like the angels, without gender, and will not engage in marriage.

This doesn't mean we will "drop" in rank to the status of angels but that we'll transcend earthly distinctions. In the resurrection, we'll be like God, who is neither male nor female. Presently, the angels are sent to serve us: "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:13-14).

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, I thank you for making me a joint heir with Christ, seated in heavenly places with Him, living and walking in the authority in His Name. I walk in the consciousness of my divine nature and live victoriously, reigning in life through Christ. Thank you for my divine oneness with you, my position, authority and inheritance in Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| 1 John 3:1-2 ||* Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

*|| Romans 8:16-17 NIV ||* The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

*|| Ephesians 2:4-6 ||* But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
1 Peter 1:1-21
Ezekiel 27-28

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
3 John
Daniel 9-10

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| VESSELS OF DIVINE POWER ||||*

*|| But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7). ||*

Thursday 21st, November.
Pastor Chris

Did you know that as a child of God, you have an indescribable treasure in you? God has deposited his divine power and glory within our "earthen vessels," our human bodies. We're vessels of divine power. Why did He do this? The Scripture tells us why: "...that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

His extraordinary power and glory are tabernacled in our physical bodies so that when they're manifested, everyone would see and recognize they're not of human origin. They're beyond anything human strength can produce. Glory to God! No wonder Paul said, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God" (2 Corinthians 3:5 ).

Read our opening verse again, this time, from the Amplified Classic for a clearer understanding. It says, "However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospell in (frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves." Every day is an opportunity for you to manifest God's glory and power. The Bible says He's called us to a life of glory and virtue, a life of excellence (2 Peter 1:3).

Your life is for the glory of God. Hallelujah! Every day, as you live by faith and walk in the knowledge of God, you demonstrate the divine power that is within you. As a result of this divine power, the Bible says you've been granted all things that pertain to life and godliness. You've become a participator in the divine experience, a partaker of the divine nature.

Nothing is impossible with you. You can do the unthinkable and the unimaginable: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). Live boldly and confidently every day, knowing that God's extraordinary power is at work in you and effuses through you for His glory. You're a vessel of divine power.

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Dear Father, thank you for the precious treasure of your divine power and glory within me. I am grateful that your extraordinary power is manifested in my life for your glory. I live in the consciousness of this truth, shining your light and manifesting your glory to the world as I walk in your power and righteousness, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*

*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Colossians 1:27 ||* To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

*|| 2 Corinthians 3:5 AMPC
||* 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.

*|| Romans 8:11 ||* But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

*||RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL||*

*|||| HIS STANDARDS ARE UNCHANGING ||||*

*|| For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21). ||*

Wednesday 20th, November.
Pastor Chris

Without a proper understanding of righteousness, it's impossible to live a true Christian life. Why is righteousness so important? To truly understand righteousness, we must first understand God. This is because, in the world, righteousness isn't typically discussed. People might talk about doing what is right or wrong in terms of good and evil, but these are based on human definitions and moral standards.

These standards can change depending on cultural, societal, or individual beliefs about what is right or wrong. For example, in certain countries, though bizarre, their law allows for same-sex marriages, meaning that in such societies, if a man marries another man, it's considered okay. But in certain other societies, this act might be considered wrong or even punishable by death. In one place, it's seen as normal; in another, it's viewed as a grave sin. But God's position on it is clearly defined in the Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26- 32).

God's concept of righteousness is different. Many people mistakenly believe that the majority opinion represents the voice of God, but that's not true. Whether the majority gets it right or wrong is irrelevant. God has His own voice, His own standards, His own Kingdom, and His own choices. He has expressed His will through Jesus Christ, whom He sent.

When we talk about righteousness, we're talking about God's ability and attribute, the character of God to be right and perfect. It is about who He is. How He thinks is always right. What He says is always right. What He does is always right because He's God. So, everything about God-His thoughts, His words, His actions- is always right. This is what we call the quality of rightness, the rightness of God.

Therefore, understanding righteousness is about understanding who God is. It is about recognizing that His standards are unchanging and not subject to human opinions or societal norms.

*||PRAYER||*
*|| Righteous Father, I align my thoughts, words and actions with your unchanging standards and live in your righteousness in this crooked and perverse world, shining as a light. I'm the unveiling of your righteousness. I'm a tree of righteousness, planted to produce fruits of righteousness. My life is a reflection of your grace and a testimony of your goodness, in Jesus' Name. Amen. ||*


*||FURTHER STUDY||*
*|| Romans 1:16-17 ||* For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

*|| Romans 1:26-32 ||* For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

*|| Philippians 3:9 ||* And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:


*|| 1 YEAR READING PLAN ||*
James 3:14, 4:1-12
Ezekiel 22-23

*|| 2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN ||*
1 John 5:1-21
Daniel 5-6