Scripture and Song- What I'm listening To...

(Happy Family Day- Canadian 'holiday')

... And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ(Ephesians 3:17-18 -NIV)

(The MesaBrothers of Youtube)

Israel’s only Saviour

43 But now, this is what the Lord says –

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

² When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

³ For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush^[a] and Seba in your stead.(Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV)

(TruthSongs Zander and Janine of Youtube)

I woke up this morning with this song playing in my spirit

(I AM by Eddie James)

This song has a strong anointing on it, give a listen

(Your Great Name- Anthony Evans)

Another song in my spirit this morning- Cleanse by the blood!

(More than conquerors- Acapella  )

The Mind Of The Believer

I notice that people with an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit of God speak in a language that is common to them yet different from others, even if their doctrines or expressions differ...

 

 

The Importance Of Hope(Vision) -Gary Carpenter

 

Believe In His Power - Dan Mohler

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

Walk In The Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).


The Word of God is Light (Psalm 119:105), and the Scripture tells us to walk in the light as God is in the light. In other words, we're to walk under the same light in which God dwells and functions. This means we're to walk in His Word. The people of the world can't understand that light since they're not born into that realm of life. But we can walk in the light and have fellowship with God, because we're born of the Word (1 Peter 1:23).

Walking in the light as God is in the light means your judgments and opinions are based on the light of God's Word. Under that light you don't see poverty, sickness, disease, death, failure or impossibilities. When you agree with what the Word says about you, and then confess it and act that way, you're walking in God's light. God has given you His Word to light up your path, so there wouldn't be darkness or uncertainties as you journey through life. 

The Bible lets us know that when you walk in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ automatically cleanses you from all sin. The world around us is full of sin: the newspapers, films, people and even the very air we breathe are defiled and God knows it. Then often times, we do things that are wrong without knowing, but thanks be unto God! He says when you walk in the light, you won't need to keep asking yourself, "What sin have I committed today?" The blood of Jesus Christ  cleanses you automatically!

Learn to walk in the light as He is in the light. That way, you'll never be weighed down  by the burden or yoke of sin; instead, you'll be free to serve God and run the faith race without hindrances.

Confession

Dear Father, your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I walk in the reality of your Word today, and as I do, I'm guided in the path of prosperity, victory and excellence! There's no darkness or uncertainties on my path because I walk in the light of God's Word.

Rhapsody of Realities    September 11, 2007

-Pastor  Anita Oyakhilome

Get Acquainted With His Voice

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20).




The Lord Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"(John 10:27). It means if you belong to Christ, you must become acquainted with His Word because that's how you recognize His voice. Through constant meditation on His Word, His voice becomes clearer to you, and His blessings become manifest in all you do. Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success"


To experience true success and live an excellent life you must be acquainted with the Word. If you keep hearing and receiving God's Word, that's what will come out of you each time you speak, because out of the abundance of your heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Your words will inspire and not discourage; because you've become acquainted with the voice of your heavenly Father and have learnt to communicate at His level. If you store God's Word in your heart's treasury you'll always speak the right words that'll minister grace to your hearers.


Decide to love and not hate; decide to build and not destroy. Decide to lift and not deflate; decide to bless and not criticise.

Prayer 

Thank you Father for teaching me to be attuned to your voice by paying heed to your Word. My heart is ready to receive and be transformed by the ministry of your Word today. I give myself wholly to the Word, to instruct my reins and guide my path, as I observe to do what it says, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Rhapsody of Realities   July 21, 2012

--Pastor  Anita 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!

Nobody Greater-- We agree (Great Music!)

First we worship The Almighty God

VaShawn Mitchell (Nobody Greater Than You)

This song was given by the Holy Spirit Himself, because each time I sing it He takes over. Anointed.  Enjoy.

Sinach (I Magnify Your Name)

Then we build ourselves with God's Word

Judy Jacobs (We agree)

Sinach (From Glory To Glory & Great Are you Lord)

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

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