Put The Spirit First

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him (John 4:23).

One thing you must accord prime importance in your life as a Christian, is to always put the Spirit first; give Him the preeminence in your life. Never allow anything take your attention or focus away from Him; put Him before everything else.

Even in prayer, the Apostle Paul shows us the prime place of the Spirit when he says in 1 Corinthians 14:15:"What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." Observe that praying in the spirit came first. A good number of Christians have this in reverse. Many who pray in the spirit at all, pray with the understanding first, then pray with the spirit.

Such believers would have their lives dominated by natural circumstances because they put their understanding first and the spirit last. Hence, no matter what they face in life, they'd respond first from their understanding. This of course, would be a response of fear, agitation, and apprehension; because they've only trained themselves to think and reason first from the standpoint of their human understanding. Their answers come from the carnal realm.

The experience of King Asa of Judah shows that it's dangerous to live this way as a Christian. Asa was a wonderful king, who experienced God's favour when he assumed the throne as a king of Judah. The Lord helped him against his enemies several times because He put the Lord first. However, the Bible tells us that thirty-nine years into Asa'a reign as king of Judah, he became "...diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians" (2 Chronicles 16:12).

Rather than seek the Lord, Asa resorted to the doctors for help. The doctors couldn't help him, and he died of the disease. Let the Spirit always come first in your life. Make it a principle for yourself; to trust the Lord always and seek His help only!

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for your love, your grace, and the power of your Word in my life! I thank you also for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and the blessings I receive as I yield myself to you to have your way in my life, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities    September 4, 2012

--Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Supernatural Vision

And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever(Genesis 13:14-15).

If you want to prosper beyond your wildest imagination for the rest of the year, you must begin to visualize the extraordinary. In other words, you must have supernatural vision. God has done everything He needed to do for you to live a wonderful life. The reason some live below God's provision is their inability to see all the things God provided for them freely.

The children of Israel became fearful and hopeless after they heard the evil reports of the ten spies that there were giants in the land. Joshua and Caleb however saw differently. The Bible says, "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30).

What you see is dependent on how you see. You could say, "My money is reducing fast," or you could say "I still have some money." You could say, "My brother is sick," or you could say, "My brother is recovering." The man who was healed at Bethsaida made a very striking statement before his sight was completely restored. He said he saw men as trees, walking (Mark 8:22-26). Jesus placed His hands on his eyes again and his sight was totally restored.

You might be praying earnestly for something without getting results. It's time to look up and say, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth" (Psalms 121:1-2).

God told Abraham to get up and look beyond the horizon, because he was going to receive as far as his eyes could see (Genesis 13:14-15). Therefore, stop celebrating your problems for that'll only serve to magnify them; instead, say, "It's settled. I am walking by faith and not by sight." When you look above the problems, you activate faith in God. In that atmosphere of faith, you'll get a miracle. If you believe your help comes from heaven, begin to see it, say it and act it.

CONFESSION

I do not look at visible things that are temporal, but I keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. I walk by faith and not by sight.

Rhapsody of Realities  April 29, 2007

--Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

How To Activate The Power Of The Spirit

...[Jesus'] mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2:5).




Oftentimes, people have no doubts as to the efficacy of the power of God's Spirit; but they're at sea as to how to activate that power and take advantage of it in their personal lives. To activate the power of the Spirit is very simple. The first thing is to recognize that you have the Holy Spirit within you, who's the source of God's power (Acts 1:8). He's the one who imparts you with the divine enablement to accomplish the extraordinary. Hence, you must recognize his divine presence within you.


Secondly, you must learn to do whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to do. Typically, He speaks to you through the Word. He also ministers specific words directly to your spirit. But, no matter how He chooses to communicate with you, act on His Word. That's the secret. When you do what He tells you to do, He'll confirm it with His power, and that surely will produce divine results.


Recall when the Lord Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding ceremony in Cana of Galilee. Before the miracle, Mary, the mother of Jesus had given the servants a wise counsel; to do whatsoever the Lord Jesus instructed them to do (John 2:5). The Master then instructed the servants to fill the water pots with water. When they had done so, He told them to draw from the pots and serve the master of ceremony. When the man tasted the drink, he asked the celebrant why he had kept the best wine until the end. A miracle had happened! When exactly did the water turn into wine?  It happened when the servants acted on the words of Jesus (John 2:1-10).


As you study the ministry of the Lord Jesus, you'd find there was always a miracle whenever anyone acted on His Word. Therefore, a key to activating the power of God's Spirit in your circumstances is acting on the Word. When you decide to take steps in the light of His written or spoken Word, His divine power comes upon you and enables you to lay hold on the results you desire.

Confession

Dear Father, I thank you for your Word and it's ability to renew my mind and transform me from glory to glory. I lay hold on my miracle today, and take charge of circumstances as I activate the power of the Spirit by acting on the Word.

Rhapsody of Realities    July 19, 2012

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome






"From the days of Yohannan The Baptizer until this hour the Kingdom of Heaven is led by force and the violent are seizing it" (Matthew 11:12- Aramaic Bible In Plain English).

How To Stay Filled With The Spirit

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:18-21).

There're certain things you must do to be full of God's Spirit and enjoy the spiritual benefits it provides. The Apostle Paul, in our opening scripture, enumerates four vital points. First, he says, "speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." This means I'm talking to myself in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. For example, you say, "...The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? He's strengthen me and made me a success. Yeah! I walk in the light of God; therefore I'm the light of God."


The next thing to do is, "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord..." Here, he's talking about singing in the spirit; making spiritual melodies in your heart to the Lord. It doesn't have to be melodious to anybody else; you just go on singing in the spirit, all by yourself. The most important thing is that your spirit is stirred and you're blessed as you do so.


Next, he says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" That means you give thanks to God for all He's done.  You confess beautiful things about Him and testify to His wondrous works in your life. Say, "In the Name of Jesus, Father, I bless your holy Name; I thank you for your kindness, love, grace and mercy! I thank you for promoting me in life and granting me all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus." Instead of complaining to God about your job, family, finances, etc, learn to give Him thanks like this.


When your life is full of praise and thanksgiving, you'll have a triumphant life. Now when you have this kind of extraordinary life, you could easily be pompous or high-minded; so very quickly, he says, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God" That's the next point; submission. Though you're so blessed, yet you're humble; you're submissive to the authority and Lordship of the Word. 


Consciously practice these steps and get yourself filled with the Spirit every day, and your life will be an unending stream of the supernatural.

Prayer

Blessed heavenly Father, I exalt your majesty; I worship you for your omniscience and your excellent splendour. I adore you for who you are. To you be all glory and dominion forever, in Jesus' Name. Amen.




Rhapsody of Realities     July 16, 2012
--Pastor Chris Oyakhilome




Trelan's Take:
This is a core piece of revelation for the serious believer. The number of ideas, revelations, mysteries and insights that have been revealed to me, the circumstances that work together on my behalf etc, simply by being filled with the Spirit is almost too numerous to mention
(I said almost because I mentioned it, didn't I? hahaha). 


What you're doing is building up yourself(and life) with confessions from the Word(or even making up your own Psalms) and you're worshiping God(and if you realize the importance of worship, you'd understand that God's glory- His wondrous presence, will be manifested in your midst -Psalm 22:3). You're singing in tongues, so the Spirit has the ascendancy; prophesying and directing your path. 


Mighty works are wrought in the glory (it's the atmosphere for miracles)!


Remember to stir up the gift within you EVERYDAY. Paul told Titus "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"(Titus 3:5).


In another place Paul said;"The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [^[a]from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints),  To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory."(Colossians 1:26-27 Amplified)



Pastor Chris did a good teaching on this at The Night Of Bliss Canada 2010 event (or it might have been a Higher Life Conference that year). If I were you, I'd get a copy of that DVD...


Keep stirring, my friends!

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

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

You Can Have Faith For Others To Be Healed

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour (Matthew 8:13).




The Bible tells several inspiring stories of people who had faith for others to be healed. They couldn't bring their loved one to Jesus for one reason or the other, yet they got a miracle. This means therefore, that you can have faith for someone else to receive a miracle.


A certain Centurion whose dear servant was sick, and ready to die is one such. When he heard of Jesus, he sent the elders of the Jews to beseech Him that He would come and heal his servant. Jesus agreed and followed them. But just before they got to the Centurion's house, the Centurion sent a message to Jesus and said, "Lord, don't trouble yourself; I'm not worthy that you should enter under my roof; neither do I consider myself worthy to come to you, but give the word, and my servant shall be healed" (Luke 7:2-7).


When Jesus heard the words of the centurion He marveled at his faith and turned to those that followed him and said, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." By the time the messengers got back to the Centurion's house, they found the hitherto sick servant perfectly healed and made whole (Luke 7:9-10). The faith of his master prevailed and he (the servant) got a miracle! 


If the centurion could demonstrate great faith on his servant's behalf and get a miracle, you too can have faith and receive a miracle today for your loved ones--your spouse, siblings, parents, or children. You can intercede or meditate for a miracle for your office, school or community. Like the centurion, all you need is a word from the Master, and that word has already been given, He said "...in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:23-24).

So the question is: What do you want? The centurion was very clear about what he wanted for his servant and he was convinced that the Master's words were potent enough to give him a miracle. The same applies to you today! Stand in the gap for others who are weak and helpless by asking the Father, in the Name of Jesus, for a miracle on their behalf, and it will be done unto you!

PRAYER

Dear Father I thank you for the ability you've given me to stand in the gap for others by demonstrating my faith in your Word on their behalf. I pray today for those who are sick in hospitals, especially those amongst them who are preachers and ministers of the Gospel, that your healing power will mantle them, breaking the stronghold of sickness and disease off them, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities    December 17,2010

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Your Name Is A Confession

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee (Genesis 17:5).




All over the world, people bear names that represent different things. Some names represent personalities, landmarks or events, and they're handed down from one generation to another. Many times, Christians have found themselves bearing names that contradict what they believe. Those names were handed down to them by forbears, and not many ever bothered to find out the meaning of those names to be sure they're consistent with who are today in Christ.


It's no use answering the name that contradicts what you believe about the Gospel and who you are in Christ, for it can work against you. The name you answer to is a major confession in your life. As you answer that name you're continually confessing the meaning of that name. If you study the Bible, you'll notice how God changed the name of several people. Before their names were changed, they lived the life of the name they bore. When God changed their names their destinies were also changed.


Abraham, for example, which means father of many, used to be called Abram, meaning "exalted or assumed father" (Genesis 17:5).  He and his wife were without child until their names were changed to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac's son, Jacob is another example. His name meant "one who takes by the heel; deceiver". In today's rendition, that would mean, "swindler, fast guy or scammer." Of course, he grew up to answer his name; he deceived his father, cheated his brother, and remained a cheat until God met him and changed his name (Genesis 32:27-28). 


To answer a name means that you agree to, confess and endorse the meaning and import of that name in your life. That's why you ought to answer only names that are consistent with God's purpose for you; names that glorify God's Word and are consistent with your identity and position as a new creation in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for giving me a new name according to your divine plan for me. I'm a success, a victor and more than a conqueror; I'm not just the effulgence of the glory of God, my name is "the glory of God"! Prosperity, divine health, joy and peace are all mine, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities    September 23, 2010

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Be Conscious Of God's Presence

...be sure of this---I am with you always, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20 TLB).




When you're conscious of God's divine presence with you, your life will be an unending stream of the miraculous. Dr Daisy Osborn used to say, "Practise the presence of Jesus,"  and I urge you to do the same. Practicing the presence of God means living your life with the consciousness that God lives in you, and He's also with you. Thus statements as, "I'm so lonely and alone in this world; there's nobody to help me" should be completely banished from your life. Rather, you say, "the Lord is with me always."


When Jesus said, "...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20), He wasn't kidding. It makes no difference whether or not you "feel" He's close; He is right there with you and in you! Don't allow your mind to think thoughts of loneliness and weakness; look in the mirror and tell yourself, "God is with me, and He lives in me!"


You must begin to think, talk, and function as though God is with you, because He is! Talk to Him often. Relate with Him like a real Person who can hear and appreciate your concerns. When you're conscious of His presence this way, you wouldn't recognize the absence of others or the challenges and adversaries you face. It's something you must practise consciously, especially when you're alone. 


If you can be bold in the presence of God when you're alone, you'll win when come out of your closet. That will be the end of all struggles. Fear, worry, anxiety, doubt and stress will be gone from your life for good. He'll lead, guide, protect and strengthen you. As He said to Joshua, He says to you today, "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your presence with me, and because I know you're with me, I don't fear, fret or despair. You're more than able to perfect what concerns me today and always, in Jesus' Name. Amen!

Rhapsody of Realities    February, 1, 2008

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Trelan's notes:

I just picked though my old rhapsodies and found this. Amazing how the same Spirit speaks one truth through multiple people. I seen it over and over... I wrote a similar article "Acknowledge The Holy Spirit as a Person".

I love God and His Holy Spirit

God's Irrevocable Gifts

For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call](Romans 11:29 AMP).


Our opening verse in the King James Version reads: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." That means He doesn't take back what He gives you. If He blesses you with the gift of prophecy for instance, He'll never withdraw it. "But what if I feel as though I don't have the gift anymore?" you might ask. It has nothing to do with feelings; it's still there in your spirit; it's up to you to stir up the gift of God in you, and I'll tell you how.


First, make sure you're committed to the Lord; Remember, He's the source of the gift, and He's greater than what He gives. Stay connected to Him and serve Him with wholehearted devotion. Recognize that He's the Lord of your life, not sometimes, but all the time; let your commitment to Him be very clear to you.


Secondly, you must cultivate a prayer discipline. Everything from the Lord is preserved through fellowship with the Holy Spirit. As you spend time to commune often with the Lord in prayer, your spirit will be enriched. Also, pray in tongues more.This will energize, strengthen and inspire your spirit, and bring you into the arena of greater revelations. Praying in other tongues enhances your spiritual consciousness, and helps you gain more clarity in the spirit for walking in the direction of the Lord.


Lastly, learn to study and meditate on the Word. As you study, He'll bring the understanding of the Word to your spirit! And because your spirit has become more sensitive, you'll be able to pick God's message from the Holy Spirit and live a brilliant, ever-glowing victorious life.

PRAYER

Dear Father, my commitment to you is unwavering, and as I pray in tongues and prayerfully meditate on the Word, your spirit is enlightened and rightly positioned to receive inspired thoughts from the Holy Spirit for my strengthening and edification of the Church, in Jesus' Name. Amen. 




Rhapsody of Realities   April 8, 2012
-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Reign In The Greater Light Of Your Authority Over Satan

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:18-19).

I remember reading a book a long time ago in which the author stated that we ought to talk with satan with some respect. I was surprised. "Dear God! Talk to satan with respect?" I thought. It's obvious the author didn't understand what the Lord Jesus meant when He said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils..."(Mark 16:17). Notice that He didn't say we should ask devils to go out but to cast them out. "Kick out, throw out, chuck out, push out with force"; these are just some synonyms for "cast out." Surely this isn't a respectful way to treat someone.

You might be reading this and wondering, "But Pastor Chris, the Bible did say even Archangel Michael didn't dare insult the devil amidst their dispute." You're right but I want to explain why he had to address the devil in that manner. But first let's read the scripture you're referring to: "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude 1:9). Firstly, remember that this event took place before Jesus was born into the world. Secondly, at this time, satan still had adamic authority which he stole from Adam in the Garden of Eden, when he disobeyed God and acted on satan's rebellious words. Now adamic authority was higher than angelic authority. But when Jesus died and resurrected, He gave us a higher authority than what Adam had or what satan received from Adam. 

The Bible says that when Jesus died, we died with Him. When He was buried, we were buried with Him. When God raised Him up, we were raised together with Him. And now we're seated together with Him in heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:5-6). That's our authority! Our authority is not that of a religious person; our authority is that of the blessed Jesus Christ, the Son of God; we function in His Name. 

Several years ago, an evil spirit walked into the room while I was sleeping. Immediately, my eyes opened, I turned to him and I started to say, "In the..." I didn't get to finish my statement before he disappeared. Hallelujah! So, if satan showed up in your room, don't be perturbed; rather, tell him to get out, and he will (James 4:7). We are superior to satan; the Lord Jesus has given us complete authority over him and his cohorts (Luke 10:18-19). Therefore, reign in that greater revelation of your authority over him every day.

CONFESSION

Thank you Lord for the ability to function in the Name of Jesus; in Him I live, and move and have my being. Therefore, I am not afraid of satan and his schemes because I'm seated with my Lord Jesus Christ, far above all principalities and powers, Hallelujah!

Rhapsody of Realities   July 13, 2010

-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome