Monday, July 3rd - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL 

We're The Seed Of Jesus Christ

Monday, July 3rd
Pastor Chris

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand (Isaiah 53:10).

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, prophesied the coming of the Messiah as an offering for sin, and also the fact that He shall see His “seed,” who shall prolong His days. The seed of Jesus is the Church. Through the Church, the Lord Jesus prolongs His days. Jesus came into this world, lived in this world, conquered this world, died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended to heaven. But His life continues today through us. We’re the ones living out His life today. He lives on, through us.

Acts 1:1 talks about “…all that Jesus began both to do and teach,” which refers to His miraculous works and teachings about the Kingdom of God. As you read further into the book of Acts, you’ll find that the Lord continued to teach and to do the same things through the Apostles whom He had chosen. They, in turn, delivered the same teachings to others, and finally, it got to every one of us; and it’ll continue until Jesus comes again. We’re His ambassadors, teaching the same things He taught, and doing the same works He did.

Isaiah 53:8 says, “…he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” The world thought they were through with Him; but then came you and I! Today, when you show up, Jesus shows up. Always be mindful that Christ is living through you. Anyone who needs to know what Jesus looks like only needs to look at you! You’re the effulgence of His glory, the express image of His person, a partaker of His life, and a dispenser of His love, righteousness and grace. You’re His representative in the earth today.

  PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful for the love and grace you’ve lavished upon me. Thank you for expressing yourself to the world through me. I’m the effulgence of Christ’s glory, the express image of His person, and my life is a manifestation of your praise and glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: || Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ||

|| Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. ||

|| 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. ||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 16:16-40,
Job 1-2

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 6:20-30,
Deuteronomy 31

EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Open Heavens 3 July 2017: Monday by Pastor Adeboye

Topic: Focused Asking [Monday 3, July 2017]

Memorise: I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. – Luke 11:8

Read: Luke 11:5-10 (KJV)

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 12-13, Lamentation 4:2-18, Hymn: Sing hymn 4

MESSAGE:
[July 3 2017, Monday]
One of the conditions to be met before one’s burden is lifted is the need to see that burden as an anomaly. You must acknowledge the existence of the burden, and be willing to be helped, before you can be set free from it. In John 5:2-9, Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years, “Do you want to be made whole?” You may wonder why Jesus asked him such an obvious question. Why didn’t He just heal him straightaway? The truth is, not everyone wants to be helped. I have shared the story of a sick woman who I prayed for many time without results. Then one day, the Lord told me, “Ask her if she want to be healed”. Initially, I wondered what kind of question that was, but later I asked her, “Woman, do you want to be well?” To my utmost shock she replied, “No”. In my astonishment I asked her why not, and she said, “When I was well, immediately my husband closed from his work place, he would go to club houses, but since I took ill, after work, he comes home to me. I would rather be sick and retain my husband’s attention. “There is also the case of a witch who was brought to us for deliverance some time ago. Although we prayed, she would not be delivered. So, I asked, “Woman, do you want to be delivered?” She replied, “Do you want me to lose the power I use in controlling my husband? I don’t want to be free.” As long as you are not willing to let go of the burden on you, there is nothing God will do to take it off you. In any case, God does not force things on you against your will, except in very rare cases. Open Heavens 3 July 2017: Monday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Focused asking
In addition, you must be ready to cry to the Burden Bearer for help like Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52. He cried once and again saying:

“Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”

When others shouted him down, he raised his voice even higher. He kept calling until the Lord heard him. If you are weighed down by a burden and you pray lackadaisically, it simply shows that you are not really concerned about that burden. If you are, you will throw caution and decorum to the wind and call upon the Lord with your whole heart, and He will answer you. Some people call on God for a little while and stop. Such people may not get the answer they seek because they are not desperate enough. If you want results, call on Him and continue calling on Him. Use every opportunity you have to call on Him. Let Him see that you have resolved not to get Him rest until He answers you. When He sees that the answer to your prayers means everything to you, He will answer. As you call on Him this season, the Lord will answer you speedily in Jesus’ Name.

Key Point: If you are not ready to petition God repeatedly until He has no breathing space, you are not desperate enough for your desired change.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Open Heavens 2 July 2017: Sunday by Pastor Adeboye

Topic: Why Your Healing Is Now [Sunday 2, July 2017]

Memorise: And the Word was made 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. – John 1:14

Read: Jeremiah 32:26-27 (KJV)

26 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 10-11, Lamentation 3:37-4:1, Hymn: Sing hymn 5

MESSAGE:
[July 2, Sunday 2017]
In Jeremiah 32:27, God said something very profound:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

In this scripture, God introduced Himself as the God of all flesh. Similarly, in Ezekiel 18:4, He said all souls are His; so we can correctly say that God is also the God of all souls. Also, Hebrews 12:9 calls Him the Father of spirits; we can therefore correctly say that He is the God of all spirits. Considering all these, we can confidently say that God is the God of all the spirit, soul and body (the flesh). It therefore means that He knows everything about your spirit, soul and body, and being the Owner of them all, He can work on any part of you. Praise God! Open Heavens 2 July 2017: Sunday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Why Your Healing Is Now
As the God of all flesh, God is genuinely interested in whatever happens to your body. John 1:1&14 reveals that the Word was God, and He eventually became flesh. So then, what are the implications of the Lord being the God of all flesh? First, He can change any damaged flesh and make it brand new. A particular brother was taken on a visit to Heaven many years ago, and there he saw a particular store-house with spare human body parts of all types, sizes, colours and shapes. These are not needed in Heaven but meant for people on earth. He said with faith in Jesus Christ, you can pull your required body part(s) from that store into your body. Does any part of your body require replacement? Receive it now in Jesus’ Name! One individual who benefitted from this truth was Naaman. His skin was so damaged and ravaged by leprosy that God had to give him brand new skin (2 Kings 5:1-14). All he had to do was to obey God’s instruction and his skin suddenly became like that of a new born baby. In Jesus’ Name, receive that miracle of a brand new part you need for your body now! The level of destruction experienced in the flesh cannot hinder the God of all flesh from doing His job. Some people look at how certain afflictions or sores have ravaged their bodies, and they conclude that there is no more hope for them. No, don’t give up! Job had an understanding of this when in Job 19:26, he said:

“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”

There is a user of this Devotional who is afflicted by a sore that has refused to heal. The God of all flesh says He is doing something about it right now. When you are healed, go and testify to God’s glory. Call on God today, worship Him because he is in charge of all flesh and thereafter ask Him to replace your damaged body with brand new parts.

Prayer Point: Father, you are the God of all flesh, solve every problem I have with my body today!

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Sunday, July 2nd - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Christ : The Fulfillment Of God's Promises

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

*Christ : The Fulfillment Of God's Promises

Sunday, July 2nd .
Pastor Chris

_*For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us (2 Corinthians 1:20).*_

Christ Jesus is the fulfilment of all of God’s promises. There’re no more promises waiting to be fulfilled, and this is the reality. Therefore, stop saying, “I’m believing God for this and for that; I’m waiting on His promise.” Stop “believing,” and start putting your faith to work. Your believing becomes faith when you say, “I have all that I need.”

In Leviticus 26:9, God said to the Israelites, _*“For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.”*_ Now, imagine praying, “Lord, you said you will make me fruitful. Make me fruitful; it’s your promise.” That’s unbelief in demonstration. The Bible says, “In Christ Jesus all the promises of God are yea and in Him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

In the Old Testament, God gave the children of Israel several promises of blessings, which were preconditioned on their obedience to the Law and commandments (Deuteronomy 28:2). But for the new creation, we’re the result of Christ’s sacrifice and His obedience. That’s why in 1 Peter 1:14, we’re called obedient children. Paul, alluding to this in Romans 6:17, writes: _*“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”*_

Thus, our blessings in Christ aren’t preconditioned on our obedience, but on the basis of who we are: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ! There’s no need praying and asking God to make His promises real in your life; they’re already real. Simply walk in the light of who you are and your inheritance in Christ. You’re the one to prove His Word in your life today.

Don’t say, “Lord, you promised to make me fruitful; you promised to multiply me”; rather, say, “Lord, I thank you for making me fruitful and productive. You’ve multiplied me! I’m flourishing on every side!” Once you see a promise in the Word of God, respond and say, “Glory to God! That’s mine in Christ Jesus; it’s been fulfilled in Christ for my benefit. Blessed be God!”

     *PRAYER*

*Dear Lord, I thank you for the realisation your Word has brought to me today, that in Christ all your promises are fulfilled in my life. I’m so blessed and honoured to be in Christ. I declare that my faith is working and I live a life of total satisfaction and fulfilment, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *1 Corinthians 3:21* Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;. *||*

*||* *Romans 15:8* Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers: *||*

*||* *2 Peter 1:3-4* According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 15:36-16:1-15,
Esther 8-10

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 6:12-19,
Deuteronomy 30

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Saturday, July 1st - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Affirmation Activates The Power Of The Word

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Affirmation Activates The Power Of The Word

Saturday, July 1st .
Pastor Chris

_*Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Hebrews 13:5-6).*_

There’re two different aspects of salvation: the legal and the vital aspects. The vital aspect of salvation is activated by your confession; it only works when you say it; while the legal aspect requires acknowledgement.

In Romans 10:9, we see the confession or affirmation principle as the very basis for salvation. It says, _*“…if thou shalt confess*_ (declare, profess, announce, affirm) _*with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved....”*_ Salvation only becomes real when you make the confession of the lordship of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 12:37, _*“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”*_ When you confess, affirm or proclaim the lordship of Jesus Christ, you’re translated from the domain or kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Affirmation of the Word is an important principle in the Kingdom of God. God has spoken His Word so that we can take that Word and affirm it boldly. That’s our faith-response to the Word. He said whatever He said that we might respond. Your confession or affirmation is that response, and it activates the power of God’s Word in your life.

    *PRAYER*

*Precious Father, I thank you for the gift of your Word, and the blessings that I experience for affirming your Word in consent. I’m flourishing in every area of my life, even as I grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *1 Corinthians 2:12-13* 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. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. *||*

*||* *Philemon 1:6* That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 15:22-35,
Esther 5-7

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 6:1-11,
Deuteronomy 29

EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Open Heavens 1 July 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Salvation Comes First

Topic: Salvation Comes First [Saturday 1, July 2017]

Memorise: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. – 1 Peter 2:24

Read: 1 Peter 2:21-25 (KJV)

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 8-9, Lamentation 3:7-36, Hymn: Sing hymn 11

MESSAGE:
[July 1, Saturday 2017]
Just as the repercussions of sin can affect every facet of life, so also can salvation become the platform of recovery for every area of life that has been devastated by sin. When a sinner comes in contact with the lamb of God and His blood, his or her sins are washed away, and all the devastating effects of sin can be reversed in one day. Take for instance the impotent man in John 5:2-14, who was sick for 38 years. Immediately he came in contact with Jesus, he was healed. From that moment, he stopped failing, hope came to his hopelessness, he was able to fellowship with people in church, peace came to his life and joy returned to his heart. All these happened in one day. When you give your life to Jesus and He saves your soul, peace and joy will suddenly flood your heart. From that very moment, you have access to all the precious promises of God. You can claim them and they will become reality in your life. Open Heavens 2017: Saturday July 1, Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Salvation Comes First
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” - 1 Peter 2:24

God’s process for healing is revealed in the above scripture. First is the transfer of your sins to the crucified body of Jesus Christ by faith, and thereafter comes healing. Many people want God to heal them but they do not want God to first roll away their sins. It doesn’t work that way! Any prophet, man of God or pastor who promises to heal you without the experience of salvation from sin must be avoided like a plague. Why? It is because instead of a miracle from God, you might be getting magic from Satan, and you can be certain that Satan is a very wicked taskmaster. Moreover, quite a number of sicknesses and diseases are caused by sin. The moment you settle the issue of sin at the cross of Jesus Christ, healing will then be released. Are you sick and still wallowing in sin? Give your life to Jesus now! Renounce every link with the devil, break every covenant with demons and commit your life to Christ. Ask God to forgive you for your life of sin and promise never to return to that life. Ask Him to come into your heart as Lord and Saviour today. If you have truly done these from your heart, I command every sickness or disease hibernating inside your body to be uprooted now in Jesus’ Name!

Action Point: Use every opportunity to pray for the healing of the sick, but first lead them to Christ.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Friday, June 30th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL - He Helps You Live The Faith Life

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

*He Helps You Live The Faith Life*

Friday, June 30th .
Pastor Chris

_*But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6).*_

Religious Christianity teaches that you have to struggle to please God, and to walk with Him. However, the reality is that you don’t have to struggle to please God, because the Holy Spirit helps you live the faith life that pleases Him. When people struggle and still don’t seem to make meaningful progress in life, you can tell they don’t have much fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Real fellowship with the Holy Spirit makes a difference.

Genesis 5:24 says, _*“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”*_ Enoch “walking with God” doesn’t mean he was always taking casual stroll with God, but that he was in continual communion or fellowship with God. Hebrews 11:5 further enlightens us on how Enoch walked with God; it was by faith: _*“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”*_

We read in our opening verse that without faith, it’s impossible to please God. Walking with the Spirit is by faith. You don’t see Him with your physical eyes, but you know He’s real, and relate with Him as a person. You’re conscious that He lives in you and carries out His ministry in, and through you. When you walk with Him, He’ll make you wise. He’ll produce excellence in, and through, you; you’ll have a beautiful and fulfilled life.

With the Holy Spirit, you can never be defeated or disadvantaged. He’s the glory of God, and will cause you to walk in dominion over devils, sickness, disease, infirmities, and death. His presence in your life makes you indomitable. Walk with Him, and it’ll be glory, victory, success, excellence and blessings for you all the way!

            *PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I thank you for your eternal love for me! Thank you for your glory in my life, and for opening the eyes of my spirit to your wisdom that I may walk in your perfect will. I worship you today, delighted that you guide me in all things, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *1 John 1:3* That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. *||*

*||* *1 Corinthians 1:9* God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. *||*

*||* *Romans 5:1-2* Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 15:1-21,
Esther 1-4

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Luke 5:27-39,
Deuteronomy 28

*EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Open Heavens Friday 30 June 2017 Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Wonderful Protection

Topic: Wonderful Protection [Friday 30, June 2017]

Memorise: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; – Psalm 91:5

Read: Psalm 91:5-7(KJV)

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 6-7, Lamentation 2:14-3:6, Hymn: Sing hymn 2

MESSAGE:
[June 30, Friday 2017]
Besides being a God of wonders who does wonders, God can also turn you into a wonder. A young man gave a profound testimony during one of our monthly Holy Ghost Services some years ago. He testified that during a prior Holy Ghost Service, the Lord instructed me to inform the congregants that the clothes they wore to that programme had just been anointed and had therefore been special. Unknown to him, some hired killers had been sent to kill him. Coincidentally, on the day marked for his assassination, he was wearing the very clothes that had been anointed during the Holy Ghost Service. As he passed by the assassins on this fateful day, he heard them say, “This is the fellow”, and immediately, they opened fire on him. Six bullets passed through the front of his clothes and came out at the back, but nothing touched him. He brought the clothes he wore and showed us the bullet holes in front and at the back. He said he could not explain how that could happen without affecting his body. Indeed, there is a God who can turn someone into a wonder! As people looked at him, they saw someone who by all standards should have been dead, but who was alive because God miraculously protected him from weapons of destruction. This season, God will turn you into a wonder! He will miraculously protect you from every weapon of death formed against you. Open Heavens 30 June 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Wonderful protection
Moreover, God can perform wonders through you! He can turn you into an instrument that performs wonders. For instance, on one ordinary day, Peter and John were going along the way when they encountered a lame man who asked for alms, but God used them to heal him (Acts 3:1-11). This same man who had sat at a gate of the temple for years suddenly rose up, began to walk, leap and praise God. He became a wonder to everyone who knew him, and the duo that God used to perform the miracle also stood out as wonders. Acts 3:11says,

“And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.”

Beloved, God wants you to be a wonder. He also wants to use you to perform wonders. Are you ready to cooperate with Him? Can you pay the price to become a conduit for sings and wonders to flow through? How concerned are you about God’s Kingdom? How consecrated are you? Are you prepared to give it all it takes?

Prayer Point: Father, as You used Peter and John to perform miracles, use me and my family to perform spectacular miracles today.

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Thursday, June 29th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Be Fired Up To Do More

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Be Fired Up To Do More

Thursday, June 29th .
Pastor Chris

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind (Psalm 67:2 TLB).

In Revelation 22:7, the Master said,  “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Then in Matthew 28:19-20, He instructed,  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” He’s coming back soon, and He’s given us the mandate to evangelize the world before He comes back. He said in Luke 19:13,  “…Occupy till I come”;  that means keep working; keep preaching; keep leading men and women into righteousness. There’s an urgency, a fervency in our spirits to share the message of His love around the world. We’re the bearers of His righteousness; His light in a dark world. Isaiah 60:2 says, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

Now, more than ever, we must realize our position as the light of the world, and take the light of the Gospel to men and women around the world. We can’t afford to be weak, lukewarm, or quiet. We must maintain the glow, urgency, and passion that the moment demands. We’re the custodians of this Gospel; it’s our responsibility to preach it with the knowledge and power of the Spirit—as witnesses to all nations (Matthew 24:14).

Remember, the Gospel is God’s saving power that unveils His eternal plan for mankind; it’s worth living for, and if need be, dying for.

      PRAYER

Dear Father, I pray that through the preaching and proclamation of the Gospel, a mighty harvest of souls be recorded around the world. I break the power of the prince of the air, and terminate his hold over the lives of men and women around the world, as they hear the Gospel. I pray for increased activities of angels, to guide them to the truth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 

Mark 16:15-16. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 14:1-28,
Nehemiah 11-13

2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
 Luke 5:12-26,
Deuteronomy 27

EXTRACT FROM: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

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Open Heavens Thursday 29 June 2017 Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Think In The Spirit

Topic: Think In The Spirit [Thursday 29, June 2017]

Memorise: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:6

Read: Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 3-5, Lamentation 2:3-13, Hymn: Sing hymn 15

MESSAGE:

Life in the Spirit is possible, even though for most believers it still a struggle (Galatians 5:25). To grow your spirit-man, you need to earnestly seek more opportunities to be refilled with the Holy Spirit after being baptized with Him (Ephesians 5:18-19). To live in the Spirit, you need to think in the Spirit. In our thought life, many of us leave out the Holy Spirit, and this is one of the reasons why we don’t go far in our walk with God. Whenever God is left out of an equation, it never balances. This is why today’s Bible reading says we should acknowledge Him in all and not some of our ways. It is only then He will direct our paths. Some of us usually announce to God the decisions we have already reached, instead of consulting with Him earlier, so that He can help us arrive at the best decision. What is wrong with God deciding for you? Who decided that you would be born? Were you a part of that decision? Who decided your sex, nation, looks, height, complexion and the parents you would have? If He could decide all these, would it be too much for Him to be involved in the decision-making process of your life? When He is involved in a decision, He will ensure it does not fail. However, if in playing “mature” boy or girl, you leave Him out and your decisions later backfire, you will have only yourself to blame.Open Heavens 29 June 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye - Think in the Spirit
When there is an issue on ground and you present the issue to God, asking for His guidance or instruction on how to handle it, He will be pleased that you are giving Him His rightful place in your life. To what extent do you involve God in your personal and family affairs? Do you see Him as an intruder or as a partner? How often do you involve God in your thoughts and plans? If you really want Him to be a part of your thought life, then shun all evil thoughts. Load your mind with His word. Think often on God’s word and focus on Jesus. By doing these, it will become easy for you to think in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the only Person who can help you see things from God’s perspective. This is why 1 Corinthians 2:11 says,

“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.”

When you yield your mind to Him, you will see yourself thinking more like Jesus, and what is important to God will gradually become important to you. When this continues, His likes will become your likes, and you will hate what He hates. There will be an alignment between what He wants and what you want. Start involving God in your thought process from today.

Key Point: The extent to which you involve God in your personal or family affairs shows the extent of your trust in Him.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Open Heavens Wednesday 28 June 2017 Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – What Kind Of Growth?

Topic: What Kind of Growth? [Wednesday 28, June 2017]

Memorise: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: – Ephesians 4:15

Read: Ephesians 4: 10-16 (KJV)

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 1-2, Lamentation 1:13-2:2, Hymn: Sing hymn 6

MESSAGE:

If you are a sheep in the fold of the Great Shepherd, you will not lack rest or what to eat. Beyond these, you will not thirst, as He leads you beside the still, calm waters.  This is another way of saying that your thirst will be quenched. The Lord in Matthew 5:6 spoke of this when He said:

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

Hunger and thirst are part of the mechanisms that have been programmed into the human body to produced growth. How you respond to these impulses will determine the quality or type of growth you experience. Prolonged starvation and refusal to eat both lead to death. Similarly, while taking only a particular kind of food, some people experience abnormal growth patterns, due to the absence of the required quantity of nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids, and so on, needed by their body. This is why children who are exclusively fed a diet full of carbohydrates tend to have oversized heads and stomachs, rickety legs and hands – a growth problem known as “Kwashiorkor”. For growth to be even and progressive, all the needs of the body must be provided.

The observed effect of food on physical growth in the natural world also applies to what happens in the spirit. Today, spiritual growth is so distorted in the Body of Christ as a result of the nature of food being fed and the attitude of believers towards spiritual food. There are different stages of growth in the Kingdom of God. 1 Peter 2:2 says baby Christians should be fed with milk, so as to grow normally. Today, you have those who claim to have been saved for 5, 10 or more years still insisting on being fed with milk. If a 10 year old child still wants to be breastfed, what kind of growth would result from this? Also, there are so many false doctrines being propagated through the airwaves and in churches today. What kind of growth will such doctrines deliver to these who receive them? In addition, a number of those who are being fed the sound, undiluted truth of God’s word do not have enough time to receive it. What kind of growth do you think will result from such spiritual eating pattern? When you do not grow as you are expected to, you become a problem to yourself and others around you. How are you growing today? What are you feeding on? How often do you feed on God’s word?

Action Point: Change your spiritual diet and feeding pattern to reflect the desire for healthy spiritual growth.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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Wednesday, June 28th - RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL - You Dwell In Him

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL


*You Dwell In Him*

Wednesday, June 28th,
Pastor Chris

*For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, "For we are also his offspring" (Acts 17:28).*

When you were born again, you were born into the environment called "Christ"; you dwell in Him. The Bible says, "...if any man be in Christ..." (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ is a place, and He's also a person. He's your home. In Him, you're at rest and at peace! You're safe, secure, and fulfilled; your joy and satisfaction overflow. What a place to be!

Ephesians 2:6 tells us that God has made us sit together in heavenly places, "in Christ"; that's your environment; an environment of glory. It brings to mind the account of the Israelites, as they journeyed in the wilderness for forty years. The heat didn't scorch them by day, neither did they freeze to death in the biting cold at night, because they were in the glory cloud. Exodus 13:21-22 says, "...the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."

The Holy Spirit made this possible for them, and He does the same for us today. You were born into God's spiritual cloud when you were born again; you were immersed into Christ; you live there now. Your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Christ is your security,  your defence, and your fortress. It makes no difference who or what may come against you, refuse to fear. You dwell in the secret place of the Most High, where you're untouchable. No evil can befall you!

Psalm 91:7 says, "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." You're divinely protected and preserved from trouble, defeat, failure, and death, because you're in Him. "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day" (Psalm 91:5).

             
*PRAYER*
_Dear Father, I thank you for bringing me into the environment of glory and success in Christ! I'm at home in Him; He's my wisdom, righteousness and strength! He's my life; in Him I live, and move and have my being. Hallelujah!_

*Further Study:*

*|| 1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ||*

*|| Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. ||*

*|| Colossians 1:26-27 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 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: ||*

Daily Scripture Reading

1-Year Bible Reading Plan Acts 13:13-52; Nehemiah 9-10

2-Year Bible Reading Plan Luke 5:1-11; Deuteronomy 26


*Be A Partner Of Rhapsody Of Realities Today!*

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