Rhapsody of Realities: Believe The Truth Always by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17). One of the easiest ways a Christian can yield to demonic influences is by believing and acting upon lies. For instance, you received the Holy Spirit by receiving the truth of the Gospel of Christ. You received Christ when you believed God's Word; He didn't come into you because you ate or swallowed anything; it happened through words. You believed and accepted the words of the Gospel, and Christ took up His abode in your heart. Similarly, demons take up their abode in people when such people accept and believe lies. When Satan entices people with lies, he comes through those lies into their lives and continues influencing them. That's the reason when someone believes a lie, he starts behaving abnormally; be it at home, in church, among his friends or at work. And it all depends on the lie he may have believed and the particular spirit that's peddling that lie. When that spirit gets uncomfortable in such a person, he brings in other demons, and then that person's condition worsens. The worst part is, someone who's been so deceived, even when presented with evidence of truth, still doesn't believe or accept the truth. That's an evidence of its demonic nature. Then others would wonder at his behaviour, and the reason he's become so twisted. It's because an evil spirit has taken over his mind. But as you learn, and live by the Word, you're able to take your stand against satanic influences and manipulations. You're able to judge everything with the truth of God's Word. Don't accept lies. Believe only in the truth. But how can you identify truth? Truth blesses and uplifts. Truth makes you grow, fills you with love, and makes you walk and talk like Christ! Truth promotes you and promotes those who are with you; it doesn't bring confusion, and it carries no hate or bitterness with it. Truth is light. Glory to God!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the revelation of your Word to my spirit today. I'm blessed, uplifted and promoted by your Word, which is the truth that I live by, today and always, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Further Study:
 John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
 John 8:44-46 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Daily Scripture Reading
 1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 23, Exodus 24-25
 2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 14:19-28, Job 36-37.

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES: Salt Of The Earth...And Light Of The World by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Monday, February 1st, 2016.
 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:13-14). In our theme scripture, the Lord Jesus highlighted two of our extraordinary attributes as new creations in Christ: we're the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. This lets you know your relevance in the world; you're special. Besides its other uses, salt is a preservative as well as a condiment. It preserves food against putrefaction, and also gives it flavour. So, as "the salt of the earth," God is trusting you to preserve and bring flavour to your world. This you can achieve by manifesting the love of God, sharing God's Word through the Holy Spirit with those in your sphere of contact: your family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues, etc. Your presence in your family is for the preservation and salvation of every member of that family! Your presence in the estate or neighbourhood where you live, your school, or place of work, is for the salvation and preservation of the people there. This is your God-given responsibility. Furthermore, the latter part of our theme scripture says, "Ye are the light of the world..." What is light? Light is that which reveals; it makes manifest and shows the way. Light gives direction. Being the light of the world means you're to give direction and guidance to those in your world. You're a city set on a hill that can't be hidden. Light up your world. Live up to your calling. The Bible says, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee" (Isaiah 60:1). It doesn't matter in which city, street, town, village or country you find yourself; you're the light! So shine that men may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer and in soul winning, for the time is short. Keep frustrating and paralyzing the works of the adversary by preaching the Gospel and demonstrating the love of God to those in your world and in the regions beyond.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the extraordinary attributes you've put in me. As the salt of the earth, I preserve the lives of men and women through prayer and the ministry of the Word; and as the light of the world, I show them the way, by leadership and example. I show the light of the glorious Gospel everywhere I go, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

 Further Study:
 Isaiah 60:2-3 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. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Acts 26:16-18 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

 Daily Scripture Reading:
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 22:15-46, Exodus 22-23.
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 14:8-18, Job 34-35.

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES: Remain fervent for the Lord by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Sunday, January 31st . 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). These are the last days. There's a lot of distraction in the world today, enough to take your attention away from the Lord and His Kingdom. There're those who are fervent in serving the Lord, only when everything is calm: Their business is thriving, they're getting promotions at work, etc. As such times, they're full of God's goodness, loving the Lord and demonstrating His love to their world. But once trouble strikes, they get discouraged. They change their confessions and their commitment to the Lord begins to wane. Don't be that way; be on fire for the Lord all the time. Be instant in season, and out of season. Some others only serve God when they have problems. They only want to "use" God to get out of their trouble. They remember the Lord only when they have challenges. But as soon as the Lord helps in their situation, they disappear! You even have to look for them to testify. Now, they don't have time for the Lord anymore; they're too busy. How sad. No matter what happens in your life, never allow anything distract you or dampen your zeal and commitment to the Master. If you allow anything take your attention away from serving God, then you're not steadfast; you've become moveable, but the scripture says, "Be ye stedfast, and unmoveable." As you remain steadfast in serving the Lord, the enemy will throw darts at you; refuse to be moved. The Bible says, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10). When everything is going smoothly, be steadfast; and when it's a period of adversity, don't change from being who you are, because no matter what happens to you, you've been destined to win: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

PRAYER
Dear Lord, I serve you in truth with all my heart, for you've been great in my life! I remain steadfast and unmovable. I'm fervent in spirit, serving you with joy, and bringing glory to your precious Name. Thank you for making me eternally triumphant, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Further Study
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ||
Romans 12:11-12 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; ||

Daily Scripture Reading
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 21:33-22:1-14, Exodus 20-21
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 14:1-7, Job 32-33