It's Not Over Yet!

 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments (Habakkuk 3:17-19).




I'm often amazed at how some Christians easily give up and succumb to life's challenges. You've got to understand that if you're a child of God, you aren't a victim! In the scripture above the prophet described a dire situation, yet choose to rejoice in the Lord all the same: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places..." In other words, although there was a problem, the prophet wasn't moved by what he saw, felt or perceived.


This should be your attitude as well. The story isn't complete until you've won! Things may not be going the way you expect at the moment, but don't despair. Reiterate your trust in God by giving Him praise for doing all things well. Tell yourself, "I'm not giving up" and begin to rejoice in the Lord God of your salvation.


Remember Paul and Silas? Things couldn't have looked more hopeless for them as they huddled in chains in the dark dungeon of that maximum security Roman prison. But instead of cringing in fear and hopelessness, they decided to praise God, and you know the rest of the story (Acts 16:23-36).


It's time for you to praise God like you've never done before. You may not feel like it, but praise Him anyway, because that's where victory lies! It's not over yet! Put your trust in God. Worship Him in spirit and in truth and He'll inhabit your praise and bring you His power to bear on your situation.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for giving me hope in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the quiet confidence I have that things will always turn out for my good, no matter the challenging situation I may face. I declare that I'm a victor in Christ Jesus and will never be disadvantaged, for the Lord is my God, and the strength of my life! Thank you for giving me the mindset of a champion and a victor, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities   September 20, 2008

-Pastor Anita Oyakhilome

You're Supernaturally Enabled!

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth(Acts 1:8).




The Lord Jesus, before His ascension, gave the Church a supernatural task. He said "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"(Mark 16:15). He gave us this assignment, to get the job done. He already said in John 15:5, "for without me ye can do nothing." Thus, He imbued us with power from on high to be His effective witnesses and proof producers. 


The Greek word for power in Acts 1:8 is "dunamis," which means inherent power; the dynamic ability to cause changes. What the Lord Jesus said in earnest is that you shall receive supernatural ability, effectiveness and efficiency when the Holy Ghost comes into your life. The disciples of Jesus were neither the boldest nor the most intelligent men in the Israel of their day; they were just ordinary people. But after they received the Holy Spirit, they were endued with the might of the Spirit and became extraordinary men. 


God isn't looking at what you can do through your own human ability; rather, He's looking at what the Holy Ghost can do in you and through you. Never look  at your human weakness, limitations or physical abilities; look inwards! Look to the Holy Spirit who lives in you, and say like the Apostle Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"(Philippians 4:13). The lives of the apostle testimony to the Spirit came upon them bore ample testimony to the extraordinary enablement they received. He made them supernatural men; efficient and efficacious ministries of the Gospel. They became mighty instruments in the hand of God.


Make yourself available to the Lord, and He'll enable you by His Spirit, and work through you. There's nothing you can't accomplish for the Gospel if you'd rely on the ability of the Spirit in you.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the ability of your Spirit in my life. I walk in the consciousness of His might that's in me, and I'm effective today in the furtherance of the Gospel to the glory and praise of your Name, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities   June 26, 2012

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

The Holy Spirit Strengthens You With Might

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, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man(Ephesians 3:14-16).

This prayer of the Spirit through the Apostle Paul for the Ephesian church shows us the will of the Father for all of His Children. He wants us to be strengthen with might in the inner man.  "Might"  is from the Greek word  "dunamis" , the same word translated  "power"  in Acts 1:8 where the Lord Jesus said to His disciples,  "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you".

However, seeing the word  "might"  and not  "power"  in the Scripture above, it`s important for us to understand what  "might"  is and how it functions in us. Firstly,  "might"  is an overpowering force, which overcomes strength. A metal rod, for example, has strength, though it`s not doing anything. The force with which a strong man bends that metal rod is called  "might" .

In the context of his prayer in the opening Scripture,  "might" (dunamis) connotes  "miracle-working power" . So Paul`s prayer is that we be invigorated with miracle-working power functioning in you makes you overcome any adverse situation; it makes everything possible unto you.

This is what God wants working in you, and it happens because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This is why the Scriptures charge us to  "...Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). You must become conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit and allow Him infuse you with miracle-working ability from inside.

I encourage you to pray the prayer in Ephesians 3:16 for yourself everyday, and it wouldn't  be long before you literally feel that miracle-working ability surging through your being! No matter the strength of the opposition that comes against you, the overpowering force of might working in you will always put you over.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I ask that you grant me, according to the riches of your glory, to be strengthen with might by your Spirit in my inner man, and that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith. I declare that I`m strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, in Jesus Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities  July 13,2007

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Take Advantage Of The Anointing

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14).




In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul gave an important admonition to young Timothy, whom the Lord had called to Pastoral ministry. He said to him, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy..." The Spirit's admonition through Paul was for Timothy to take advantage of the anointing, which is the power of God.


When God gives you a responsibility, He gives you an anointing to enable you to accomplish that task. To neglect that anointing would be counterproductive. For example, if you are called of God to be a pastor, there's an anointing for that office; it's the pastoral anointing.You must recognize that anointing and acknowledge that there's a gift of ministry on your life. Once you understand that the anointing is on your life and learn to take advantage of it, you would see it produce results for the glory of Christ. If you don't recognize and take advantage of it, it will not work.


This is the reason some struggle and experience frustrations in ministry; they're not functioning with the anointing. If you're a pastor, an evangelist, a cell leader or you lead in whatever capacity in the Church, and you've been experiencing difficulties carrying out that ministry, I'll tell where to begin: Recognize that there's an anointing on you to function in that office! This is the same for everyone who's called of God to fulfill any significant role in the Kingdom.


Say these words reverently: "Father, I thank you for your anointing upon my life. I'm an able minister of the Gospel because you have made me so; I take advantage of your anointing, grace and wisdom in me to fulfill the ministry and do the works you've assigned to me in the Name of the Lord Jesus." You activate the anointing and power of God upon your life by the principle of recognition and proclamation: "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus"(Philemon 1:6).

CONFESSION

The anointing, which I've received of the Lord, abides in me forever; and through that anointing I'm energized for productivity, and positioned for effectiveness! I take advantage of that anointing today to bless my world and do exploits to the glory and praise of His Name, Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities   June 6, 2012

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Understand The Anointing!

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you... (1 John 2:27).


When someone is anointed of the Holy Spirit, it means he's empowered with divine ability to accomplish things beyond human wisdom and strength. He can do things that natural men can't do or understand, because of the anointing working in him. It's lie what the Apostle Paul said in Colossians 1:29: "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." Paul was referring to the anointing of God's Spirit, testifying to it as the supernatural ability by which he functioned.


Acts 10:38 says "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." All the mighty works Jesus did, as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were done through the anointing of the Holy Ghost working in Him; He did them as a man sent and anointed of God: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..." (Acts 1:8).


John 3:34 says "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" That means the one who's sent of God is anointed without measure; and you're sent of God, for Jesus said in John 20:21: "...as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." You can accomplish the same things Jesus did by reason of the anointing that you've received of Him: " ...the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" (John 14:12).


No wonder Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."(Philippians 4:13). He was referring to the anointing of God's Spirit at work in Him; take advantage of that power in your life today.

Confession

The anointing of God's Spirit that's at work in me energizes and strengthens me to function supernaturally today! I can do all things by reason of that anointing, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities    May 22, 2012

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Learn To Laugh Your Way Through!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22).




I've had the opportunity to observe people over the years and I made a remarkable discovery: people who don't laugh easily get sick, whereas laughing people hardly ever get sick. I discovered that laughter is more spiritual than many realize. There's more to it than a mere response to a joke or hilarious event. In the Kingdom of God, laughter is medicine: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22). 


Laughter is generally found in the atmosphere that's full of joy. The anointing of the Holy Spirit is most effective in such an environment, everything that's not of God, including poverty, discouragement, sickness and diseases are dispelled. Thus it's no wonder that the sick are easily healed in an atmosphere that saturated with joy.


Moreover, joy inspires success and prosperity. The joy I'm talking about isn't of the world but of God. You received it the moment the Holy Spirit came to live in you. The Lord Jesus already told us in John 16:22, "but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." This joy isn't subject to circumstances of life. Paul the apostle reiterated this when he said, "As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing..."(2 Corinthians 6:10). 


Let the joy of the Lord spring up from within your heart in spite of prevailing situations. Learn to laugh your way to victory! Remember, the Bible says "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation,"(Isaiah 12:3). So learn to be joyful always! Let nothing take the laughter of the Spirit away from your mouth.

Confession

The joy of the Lord is my strength, for the Lord has put a song of joy and laughter in my mouth! I'm laughing my way through in victory, health, prosperity and success, knowing that I've been called into the glorious life, and nothing can hinder my journey of success and progress in life. Hallelujah.

Rhapsody of Realities   September 26, 2008

-Pastor  Anita Oyakhilome

Think The Word!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).




The character of your thoughts will ultimately determine the quality of your life. The Bible says "...as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."(Proverbs 23:7), showing us that your life will not be different from how you think. Romans 12:2 says, "...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." In other words, don't think like the rest of the world; Use God's Word to change your thought pattern. Let God's Word occupy your thought processes morning, noon and night. If you'd think the Word, you'd talk the Word.


It's our year of the Word of God; therefore, you have to consciously think on the Word. If you ever find yourself in a challenging situation, don't think on the problem, as that'll only magnify and complicate issues. Instead, think how great God is; think on the efficacy and power of His Word to put you over and above every adversity.


When you face challenges, get your Bible out, search for scriptures relevant to your situation, and begin to meditate. Contemplate the solution and not the enormity of the problem. As you reflect upon God's Word, and its infallibility, not only will there be a change in the situation, there'll also be a transformation in your own life: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).


Getting your thoughts to line up with the Word will cause you to talk right; and when your talk is right it'll produce a harvest of blessings and miracles for you.

Prayer

Dear Father, as I meditate on your Word today I make my way prosperous. My whole being is saturated with the anointing and power of your Word, such that thoughts of success, possibilities and glory are inspired within me! And as I speak accordingly, my life is transformed, adversities are quelled; and negative situations are altered to conform with God's perfect will for me, in Jesus' Name.

Rhapsody of Realities    May 24, 2012

-Pastor  Anita Oyakhilome

How To Succeed When Others Fail

Charles Capps

Believe And Do The Word!

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).




A young man once asked me, "Pastor Chris, how can I make the Word of God effective in my life?" This question is quite similar to the one the Jews put to Jesus in John 6:28-29: "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Believing the Word, and then doing what it says is the way to make the Word effective in your life. It's not enough to believe the Word, you must act on it. Acting on God's Word is what faith is.


To believe in the Word is to believe in Jesus, for Jesus is the living Word. Doing the Word is proof that you believe it. Jesus said if you love me, keep my Word (John 14:15); that means do my Word. The Word of God is for doing. It has the potentiality and capacity to reproduce itself and bring about whatever it talks about if we act on it.


The blessings and vital experience of the realities of the Word of God is for the doer. The Apostle James revealed this in his epistle: "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed"(James 1:25). The blessing is in doing the Word, not just believing it. Believing is not enough, for the Bible says even the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19).


God's Word has creative power that comes into effect once ignited by the force of faith! So hearing the Word produces faith in you, for faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17); but acting on it causes your life to move from glory to glory.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for making me a partaker of your life-changing Word. I'm made a better person daily by the power of your Word. The Word is working mightily in my life because I'm a doer and not just a hearer. I thank you for empowering me to impact my world for Jesus Christ through the power of your Word and your Spirit working effectually in me, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities   September 13, 2010
-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

(How to teach)Faith & Confession

Charles Capps (Prolific Teacher on Faith & Confession)

(part 1)

(part 2)

(part 3)

(Apologies for the lack of posts this month. I had an urgent family situation in Jamaica for the past few weeks. I traveled with my laptop but the matters were what I had to tend to... [But believe me, the Word of God works.])