The Training Of The Spirit

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

Jesus said in John 14:26, ''But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance" The Christian life isn't possible without the Holy Spirit. At best one can only have a nice religion without Him. The Holy Spirit brings the power of God into your life. He's the one who nudges you from within to go and pray, and remind you to study the Word. In your times of prayer, He brings words into your spirit, in other tongues, so that you're able to commune with the Father in a holy heavenly language only He understands. 

Always listen to the Holy Spirit. Often times He trains us to recognize and obey His voice. In the army, soldiers are drilled regularly, not because there's war, but because they're being prepared for war. They're being trained to become tough and to learn to take orders. That's the same way the Holy Spirit trains you. When He makes you do things, don't ask "What's the purpose?" He's looking at a larger picture; He's getting you ready and prepared for the future He wants for you. 

Sometimes while in church, the Pastor makes everyone stand up; don't complain that He's making you stand again and again. That's not learning to listen to the Holy Spirit. You may not know, but He's training you to endure hardness as a good soldier. You may not wonder why your Pastor makes you pray for a long time, but it's the Spirit training you to learn to stay at the place of prayer. There's a training process in Christ, and you have to ensure you yield yourself totally to it.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. His presence is the greatest blessing I could ever have, for He is my advantage and the secret to the glorious and successful life. I yield myself totally to you dear Holy Spirit, to fulfill your ministry in my life and manifest your glory through me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities    August 17, 2011
-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Trelan's notes:

I have to admit a fault here; this morning the Holy Spirit tried to get me up several times, but because I was so tired, I allowed my flesh to dominate. From Monday to Thursday He'd nudge my legs or I'd feel His presence a moment before he'd gently shake the bed under my shoulder etc but today(Friday) I decided to sleep in till 9:30am. I went to bed after 1: 00am because of that plan. 

At 7:00am I felt His presence, and nudges on my legs to get up. I rolled over and said "My schedule is free today and I'm tired. I'll get up 9:30am please" (yes, I speak to the Holy Spirit with audible words). I thought that was settled, but 7:30 my alarm went off. I quickly dismissed it. By 8:15 another nudge. Again I pleaded how tired I was. 8:45am  another nudge. Now I'm starting to feel guilty; why is He trying to wake me up early so many times? Yet I slept. The phone rang three times. I know from past experience that the Spirit sometimes uses phones to get your attention or do something, because those wrong number calls were unusual.

Finally at 10am I got up(after the last wrong number phone calls), and this is the rhapsody reading He showed me. So now, I'll get up no matter how tired I am or how clear my schedule is. (I disobeyed privately so I'm repenting publicly).The Holy Spirit always knows best.

He Needs Your Permission

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)

Have you ever wondered why we still pray, even though the Bible says our Heavenly Father knows what things we have need of, before we ask Him? (Matthew 6:8). Well, the answer is in the Word. First you have to understand that man is a free moral agent, with rights and the power of choice. God never enforces His will, purpose or choice on anyone. That's where prayer comes in. You'd have to dialogue or commune with Him in prayer concerning whatever it is you need of Him, even though He already knows what's in your heart.

It brings to mind the famous words of a dear man of God who said "It appears God will do nothing, except someone asks Him." How true. He needs you to cooperate with Him to bring His will and good purpose to pass in your life. The principle is that two can't walk together except they agree (Amos 3:3). You agree with God when you speak the same things He has said concerning you in prayer. That way, you side up with Him to have His Word come to pass in your life.

For example, in Ezekiel 36, God made great promises to the children of Israel to bless them, prosper them, make them great, and do a whole lot of wonderful things for them (Read Ezekiel 36:26-36 ).   But in verse 37, He said something rather remarkable concerning all the beautiful things He said He would do for them:  "Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them."

Think about this for a moment. Despite listing all the wonderful things He said He would do for them, He ended by saying they'd have to pray to Him for them to happen. What is God saying here? He's letting you know that even though He wants to do great things your life, you have to give Him the express invitation to do so.

Though God speaks prophetically in His Word of the great and glorious things He wants to do in your life, it's your responsibility to ask those things of Him. If there are things in your life that you want  changed, then go ahead and give the word! Until you do, nothing will change. God will only endorse for you the change you've permitted.

PRAYER

Dear Father, I take a stand against evil forces over my family, job and business. I declare that your mighty hand rests upon me, and upon my household and all that concerns me. I take advantage of your Word today, to deliver me prosperity, success and victory, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities    August 2, 2011

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

HAVE RESPECT FOR THE ANOINTING

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is anointed of the LORD (1 Samuel 24:6).

David was a man who understood the anointing and had respect for the Lord’s anointed. The Bible tells us how one day, Saul, with a band if three thousand chosen men sought for David, to kill him, but it was David who eventually had the opportunity to have killed Saul. He refrained.

Though David went only as far as cutting off Saul’s skirt while the latter slept, the Bible says “it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he has cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. So David stayed his servants with these works, and suffered them not to rise against Saul..."  (1 Samuel 24:5-7). David recognized the anointing of God upon the life of Saul and had respect unto it.

Similarly, David’s unequivocal respect for the anointing was further demonstrated when he ordered the death of Amalekite who confessed to have killed Saul. He said to the man: “…Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed” (2 Samuel 1:16). David thus proved himself worthy of the anointing. God later testified of Him saying, “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him: (Psalms 89:20).

Understand that what you respect, you attract. If you want to walk in the anointing of God’s Spirit, you must have respect for the anointing, honour and respect God’s anointed servants. Under no circumstance should you speak evil of them, seeing that they’re anointed of the Lord. God said in Psalms 105:15, “…touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” In Romans 14:4 He says “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I’m so glad you made me fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of lights. I thank you for the anointing of your Spirit and manifestation of your grace in my life. My heart is bowed to you in adoration, my blessed Lord and Saviour! I worship you today and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Rhapsody of Realities     July 17,2011

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

The Anointing Brings Productivity

And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27).

1 Samuel 22:2 tells us of the different people that gathered themselves unto David: "...every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men."

This was a rendezvous of broken people with difficulties in various areas of their lives. They were behind in their finances, dissatisfied, unhappy, uncomfortable and discontented. These were the men that came to David, to be trained and mentored by him. But before then, David had been anointed by the prophet of God, Samuel (1 Samuel 16:12-13). So these men gathered unto David, because they understood that the anointing David had received was what they needed to come out of their difficult situation.

When you read further into the twenty-third chapter, several years later, their hitherto disgruntled state had changed. They were now called David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8). When it was time to give for the building of the temple, these men who were once in debt had become so prosperous that they gave so much for the construction of the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:6-7).

It reminds me of when we first started out in the ministry. Those who came to us--those we ministered to and won to Christ--were those who some other Christians thought were too carnal, broken, dejected or too lost to be transformed. But we had the anointing that made the difference. Today, their stories have changed, and the same people are the ones doing great and mighty things for the Lord all around the world.

In Isaiah 32:15, the Bible says "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest." The Holy Spirit brings the anointing into your life and makes you productive. He turns your wilderness into a fruitful field; He causes water to spring up from your desert. With the Holy Spirit your experience will be that of productivity, growth, increase, expansion and progress in every area of your life, and a bursting forth on every side. Also, the anointing imparts authority to your words and brings grace into your life, causing you to walk in divine favour. Things just fall into place for you; failure, poverty and defeat became separated from your life.

PRAYER

The anointing I've received of the Lord abides in me forever, and that anointing teaches me all things and makes me fruitful and productive in every endeavour. I go forth today by the anointing to influence and impact my world for the Gospel, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities     July 22, 2011

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Create The Faith-atmosphere

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching (Mark 6:5-6).




Once, a dear lady expressed her desperation in trying to get a loved one, who wasn't a Christian to receive healing. The reason she gave was that it'll make the sick fellow know for sure that Jesus is real. Well, whether or not that fellow receives his healing, Jesus is real; it's important to first put that in perspective. Yes, miracles provide the evidence of God's presence with us, and His closeness to us, but they're those who still remain skeptical even after seeing a miracle. For example, the Bible shows that though Jesus performed so many miracles amongst the people, some still didn't believe on Him (John 12:37).


Understand that God's Word is the only proven material that produces faith in people. So what you do for an unbeliever who's in dire need of healing is to first create an atmosphere of faith for him to receive salvation by making intercessory prayers to God on his behalf.


In Hebrew 4:16, the Bible shows us that we can obtain mercy from God's throne of grace, to help those who are in need to receive God's favour. This is done through effectual, fervent and continued prayer (James 5:16). So praying intensely for such people that their hearts and minds will be opened and receptive to the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ is important. The Bible says the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Romans 1:16).


Secondly, it's important to make the Word of God abundantly available to them, so they can hear it again and again. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Anyone who can hear the Word of God has the opportunity to have faith stirred in his heart to receive salvation and any other miracle they desire. Without hearing the Word, you can't have faith, for faith comes to you in the Word.


You're God's point of contact to reaching the unsaved: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). So, much more than getting your unsaved loved ones to be healed, intercede for them in prayer and make the Word abundantly available to them as well.

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for making me your point of contact to reach the lost and make your Gospel known to them. I fulfill my ministry today as a minister of reconciliation, manifesting the savour of your knowledge everywhere I go, in Jesus' Name.

Rhapsody of Realities  July 23,2011

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

KING DAVID'S PRAYER OF PROSPERITY: PSALM 118

1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. 
 2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Spiritual Guidance: WHAT IS MY PURPOSE

 I came across a blog last week where a woman said she didn't know her reason for existence. She didn't know her purpose. Below was my response to her. I thought I'd share it as a post in the event that you had similar questions...

Purpose. Why are you here, YOU, this very YOU. Your consciousness, your awareness, your ME-ness.

I asked that when I was ten years old, but I didn't realize the answer until 5 years later. There is only ONE purpose for all mankind, and that is to dwell in God's love. To have fellowship with Him. To commune with Him and to bring others to Him. But I'm jumping ahead of myself...

First, you have to understand yourself and ask these questions.
1. What are you most excellent at?

2. What can YOU DO that most others find difficult?

3. What people/societal NEED do you SEE that haunts/bothers you (i.e what are you most passionate about)?

4. How can you use that talent/gift of yours that others lack, to change/impact that societal/people circumstance?

5. And How can you use it to reveal God's glory to people?

Once you can answer these questions of yourself, your purpose will be revealed to you.

But you have to VALUE people. You have to SEE the value in people and have compassion. you have to STOP seeing yourself as a victim or at a disadvantage.
You are privileged to give of yourself. You're a wealthy human being. Live with that consciousness.

And your talents? Don't undersell anything. If your gift is the gift of smiling, give them out freely to brighten someone's day. If it is to make walnut pudding, give walnut pudding to those that hunger/ for financial benefit drives, to bless someone on their birthday, to teach the recipe to students etc.

You could also make a business out of it-- you're adding value to people(or solving [a] problem[s] for them), doing what you love, and it's paying for itself!

God loves you, be blessed!

Shielded From Harm And Destruction

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2).




Exodus 13:21 gives an interesting account of how God cared for the children of Israel in the wilderness shortly after they came out of Egypt: "And 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" If you're familiar with the desert or wilderness you'd know it's such a terrible place, not conducive to human habitation. At night, it's extremely cold, and in the day it's extremely hot. This was the kind of weather situation the children of Israel found themselves.


To be under such a harsh weather condition for the number of years they wandered through the wilderness could have meant death for them all. But the Lord was with them, and gave them His own atmosphere. He shielded them as a cloud in the day time, overshadowing them from the scorching heat. Then at night, He was to them a pillar of fire, protecting them against the extreme cold. So the children of Israel traveled with their "own atmosphere"; it was the presence of the Holy Spirit!


It you're born again, you carry this glorious presence of the Spirit in and around you (John 14:17); It's the blessing of the new creation. You carry your own atmosphere of the miraculous! It therefore doesn't matter where you might find yourself or what happens around you, that 'divine' atmosphere shields and protects you against the harsh conditions and negative circumstances of life. No wonder Jesus described us-believers-as indestructible when He said in Luke 10:19 "...and nothing shall by any means hurt you"



You're divinely shielded and immune from everything that hurts, binds or destroys. Everyone around you may have an infection due to the outbreak of an epidemic, but not you. There's something about you, in you, and around you that makes you more than a conqueror! There's something that creates an atmosphere of health and victory around you; it's the indwelling and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. So refuse to fear. You're shielded from harm, evil and destruction. The Bible says "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee." (Psalms 91:7).

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the glorious presence of your Spirit in and around me, and the heavenly atmosphere of bliss and victory that surrounds me. Thank you for your divine presence that shields me from harm and protects me against evil and violence in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities       July 15,2011

-Pastor Anita Oyakhilome

Spiritual Acts Of Worship

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:2)

Paul prayed a beautiful prayer for the saints at Ephesus, making mention of how he bowed his knees in prayer: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named..." (Ephesians 3:14-15). There are certain things you do at times of communication with the Father that are spiritual acts of worship, and tend to make your prayer much more effective. For example, when you bow your knees and lift your hands to the Lord in prayer; it's a demonstration of deep spiritual truth revealed to us in God's Word.

Exodus 17, tells us the story of how Joshua led Israel to battle against the Amalekites of Rephidim. The Bible specifically revealed to us that the course of the battle was determined--not by the fierceness of the warlords--but outside the battle ground; on the mountain where Moses lifted up his hands: "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed" (Exodus 17:11).

When Aaron and Hur discovered this "secret" and observed Moses' hands had become heavy, therefore going down, they took a stone, placed it under hims, so he could sit down. Then, the Bible says Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on either side. Thus, Moses' hands were steady until the going down of the sun, until Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword (Exodus 17:12-13).

There's something powerful in the lifting up of our hands unto the Lord in prayer and in worship. As your hands are lifted up in the presence of the Lord during prayer, and you speak forth words of praise and worship to Him, extolling His majesty, you're sending incense of a sweet-smelling savour unto heaven.

Learn to do this often. As you bow your knees to the Lord in prayer, let your hands go up as well. This has nothing to do with whether or not you feel like it; do it because the Word says so. 1 Timothy 2:8 says  "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." The Apostle Paul was referring to spiritual worship, where you extol the King and glorify His holy Name with your hands lifted high!

The more you do this, praying intensely from your spirit, the easier it'll be for you to make contact with God's divine flow, making your life an outflow of the miraculous. 

PRAYER

Dear Father, I lift my hands to you today in holiness, to bless and adore you for your glory, majesty and grace! Thank you for the great love wherewith you've loved me, and thank you for the glorious life you've given me in Christ Jesus. I rejoice in you today, knowing that you're the glory of my life and the solid rock on which I stand, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities  July 17, 2011
-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

You're The Protector Of Your Environment

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21).

From studying the Scriptures, we know that the whole of creation was put under bondage at the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). As a result, death, failure, decay and every negative thing came into the world. People began to age, fall sick and die. It became possible for things to decay and be corrupted. This was until Jesus came and saved the whole world; not just the world of men, but of mountains, seas, animals, etc.

The Bible says He bought the whole field (Matthew 13:44) and the field is the world. Now He has given us the responsibility of preaching the Gospel to every creature: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15). Notice He didn't say "to all men," but "to every creature." The Gospel is the power of God to save men's lives and deliver the whole creation. This means God has given you the responsibility to be the protector of the earth by speaking words of blessings to the world.

We're the seed of Abraham, therefore we're blessed and we carry a blessing. Where we go, God goes, and what we bless is blessed. No wonder God said to Abraham, "...and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 26:4). The whole of creation has been waiting for us, travailing in pain like a woman about to give birth. Money has been waiting, crying for deliverance from the hands of those who have grossly misused it. Everything around us is groaning, eagerly waiting to be delivered from bondage of this world, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

We have arrived to distribute the blessing and we do it through our words. By speaking words of blessings to the world, we protect and preserve it from damage and corruption.

CONFESSION

I'm a seed of Abraham; therefore, through me, the world is blessed. I'm the salt of the earth, and by my words I preserve the earth and protect it from bondage and corruption.

Rhapsody of Realities   July 6, 2011

-Pastor  Anita Oyakhilome