But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Corinthians 2:7). 

Life is full of mysteries, unanswered questions, events and activities beyond human understanding. As Christians, our way of dealing with these mysteries is by speaking mysteries. Rather than wonder about negative circumstances, we cancel them by speaking spiritual mysteries.

The Bible says, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:2). When we pray in tongues, we’re uttering divine mysteries inspired by the Holy Spirit.

At such times, your spirit reaches into the realm of the spirit, just as the Bible says, “Deep calleth unto deep…” (Psalm 42:7). Then 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 says, “…for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

These mysteries of the Spirit that are unknown to men are unveiled to us by the Holy Spirit: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth…” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).

Notice that it says, “…Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth….” Cultivate the habit of speaking in tongues often. As you do, you speak things into your future. You settle matters and take care of things in the realm of the spirit so that when the time of crisis comes, you just laugh your way through. 

This is why God wants us to pray all the time in the spirit: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, thank you for the privilege and blessing of speaking in other tongues and speaking forth mysteries about my life and the work you’ve committed to me. Thank you also for the gift of interpretation of tongues. As I interpret those mysteries, answers flood my mind, and I walk in your perfect will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 25:14; Luke 8:10; 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

John 5:1-30; 1 Kings 4-6

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Corinthians 7:1-9; Proverbs 6

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: pastor Chris Oyakilome

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Have you ever come out in the nighttime to look up at the stars? It’s such a beautiful sight to behold. But did you know that in the spirit, when you look down on the earth, the same way you see those stars up in the sky, that’s how you see stars of light in the earth? The difference is that these stars you see in the Spirit are us—God’s children.

The Bible says, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Even though we’re all stars, we glow differently. Some of us glow strongly, while others may not shine as brightly.

In Luke 9:29, the Bible says about Jesus, “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” There’s something about prayer that affects your spirit and causes it to glow.

Others may not see the glory all over you; their eyes may not be opened to see it on your face, but as you pray in the spirit, you’re constantly transfigured from glory to glory. It’s one of the reasons we emphasize praying in tongues.

When you pray in tongues often, the glory of God is revealed in your life as you charge yourself up in the spirit and stir up the power of God inside you.

The Lord Jesus said, “Let your light so shine…” (Matthew 5:16). This means you’re responsible for making your light glow more and more. The more you pray in the spirit, the stronger your light. That’s what enables you to do the work of God effectively, and keeps you healthy and strong. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for giving me the ability to pray in tongues. As I pray in tongues today, I light up everywhere, glowing ever so brightly, radiating your goodness, kindness and graciousness to my world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 12:11 AMPC; Luke 9:28-29 AMPC; Matthew 17:1-3

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

John 4:27-54; 1 Kings 2-3

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Corinthians 6:12-20; Proverbs 5

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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In the Old Testament, the children of Israel transported the presence of God from place to place every time they carried the Tabernacle of Witness, which contained the Ark of the Covenant.

In 1 Kings 8:9  , the Bible tells us specifically that, “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.” The only thing in the ark was God’s commandments.

Today, your heart is the ark of God; that’s where the Word is. Remember what the Lord said in Jeremiah 31:33: “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This was fulfilled in us when we were born again.

We were born again by the Word of God and have become one with the Word; we’re living epistles, “… written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3). Blessed be God!

You’re now the living ark of testimony and the tabernacle of His presence, “…for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16). He dwells in you now. His hands are in your hands, and His legs are in your legs. He walks in you and talks through you. 

Where you go, God goes. You’re in Him and He’s in you! Not only are you now in the presence of God, you carry the presence of God. Every time you show up, you come with the presence of God. No wonder the Bible says in Colossians 1:27, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory!”

PRAYER / CONFESSION

My life is for the glory of God, because the Holy Spirit lives in and operates from the quarters of my heart. Therefore, Satan and anything associated with darkness have no place in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Colossians 1:26-27; Romans 8:10; John 14:16-17

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

John 4:1-26; 1 Kings 1

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Corinthians 6:1-11; Proverbs 4

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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The word translated “helpeth” in our opening verse is a complex Greek word: “sunantilambanomai.” It means “to strive to obtain together with” or “to take hold together with, against.” This expression gives us God’s picture of intercession; in fact, it’s the best explanation of how God expects us to carry out the ministry of intercession.

This means that in intercession, God takes hold together with us against the adversary. If, for example, I take hold together with you against someone else, it means I’m on the same side with you. 

So, when Paul says “the spirit also helpeth our infirmities,” it means the Holy Spirit joins together with us in prayer against the adversary for those who are unable to help themselves. “Infirmities” is from another Greek word “Astheneia”, which refers to some form of limitation or weakness; when there’s a want of requisite capacity.

Imagine someone who has been sick for a long time and is probably dying. He’s so weak that he no longer can appropriate the blessings of Christ on healing and health for himself. Who’s holding him back? Satan. It’s God who wants to heal him. So, the Holy Spirit joins together with us to pray for that one. We take the place of that person in prayer and then rebuke the adversary.

This means the Holy Spirit is an intercessor and He carries out that ministry through us. It also means that He’s not the one holding back or causing the problem; He’s not the one we’re trying to persuade. He’s helping us. 

Maybe you’ve been praying for years for someone to receive salvation. There’s no need trying to convince Him to save that person. The Holy Spirit sides with you in prayer against the adversary responsible for blinding the mind of that person from receiving the knowledge of God. Take advantage of this awesome blessing and ministry of the Holy Spirit today.

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, thank you for the extraordinary ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life as He sides with me in prayer against the adversary. Even now, as I pray, He takes over my vocal cords and gets me in sync with your will, helping me to pray aright, and causing circumstances to align with your perfect will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Romans 8:26-27 AMPC; 1 Timothy 2:1-3

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

John 3:22-36; 2 Samuel 23-24

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Proverbs 3

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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In Christ we already have everything.2 Peter 1:3 says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” His divine power has given us everything we require for life and godliness, but you can only enjoy them through your knowledge of Him. 

As we grow in the Lord and become more aware of His Kingdom which we’re a part of, we learn to apply more of all that He’s granted us. It’s very much like raising kids; though they’re heirs of whatever their parents own, they can’t enjoy some of those things until they attain a certain age or level of maturity. That’s the way it is in the Gospel. 

The Bible says in Galatians 4:1, “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.” An heir is someone who is legally entitled to an inheritance, rank, or title. He may be an heir to a throne or an heir to some wealth; but as long as that heir is still a child, he’s not different from a servant. Why is this important?

The word “child” is translated from the Greek word “Nepios,” and it refers to one who’s a child mentally and still unable to communicate or talk intelligently. Thus, a Christian who’s still a child (nepios), though all the blessings and wealth in Christ belong to him, he can’t enjoy them because he’s unable to “talk right.”

The blessings are activated by your words—your confessions—which must be based on God’s Word and not on sensory perceptions. But the “nepios” talks according to his senses. From his words, one can tell he’s not trained. That’s why the Bible says he’s placed under tutors and governors, to be trained until he grows to maturity (Galatians 4:2). 

It’s one of the reasons everyone of us must grow by the Word. And one of the ways to ensure this is your active membership in your local church where the Word of God is taught and you’re trained with the Word to help you grow and talk right.

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for all you’ve made available to me in Christ and for giving me your Word to live by. As I yield myself to the tutelage of your Word, more grace is released to me and I experience supernatural progress, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Galatians 4:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 5:12-14

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

John 3:1-21; 2 Samuel 22

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Corinthians 4:11-21; Proverbs 2

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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The opening text shows that Jesus cannot operate without His Church. The Church is the completeness or full expression of Christ. In other words, if you desire to know about Christ, receive His blessings, or make contact with Him, the Church is the answer.

Now, who constitutes the Church? Christians all over the world are the body of Christ. Wherever they are, they form the body of Christ in that location. Someone might ask, “Pastor Chris, what if I’m the only Christian in that location?” Then you’re the Church—the body of Christ—in that place.

The body of Christ is that man or woman in whom Christ dwells. We don’t have to be many to form Him. For example, in Acts 8:26-39, Philip, one of the disciples, was led by the Holy Spirit to approach a high-ranking Ethiopian official—a eunuch. He preached to him and baptized him. 

The Ethiopian eunuch received Christ, alone. When the eunuch journeyed back to Ethiopia, where was the body of Christ in Ethiopia? It was in the Ethiopian eunuch; he was the body of Christ in Ethiopia until he preached the Gospel to other people. 

As the body of Christ, operating in your world, you’re His fullness. The fullness of His love, grace, glory and power is in you. This understanding eradicates weaknesses and limitations. Paul declares, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). 

He didn’t say “we can” but “I can,” because Paul comprehended that he was the body of Christ. This has to be your consciousness. If it’s just two of you in a certain location, both of you are the body of Christ there. If you’re a thousand, all of you are the body of Christ. 

But if you’re the only one; anywhere you are, when you operate outside the assembly, outside the Church, you’re the body of Christ there. You’re His full legal representative and representation. That means you’re authorized by Him, and you’re His image or expression. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

I’m the body of Christ, His full legal representative and representation of Him anywhere I am. And I declare that in the Church, there’s unity, stability, and growth, as we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 10:25 TLB; Luke 4:16

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

John 1:1-18; 2 Samuel 15-17

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Psalm 147-148

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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Often, in a well-translated King James Version of the Bible, you’d observe some parenthesized words due to missing links in the manuscripts. Consequently, the correct rendering of our opening verse ought to have been, “And if Christ be in you, though your body is dead because of sin, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness.” The updated New International Version actually renders it similarly.

Then we come to the 11th verse of the same Romans 8; it says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” The word translated as “but” doesn’t necessarily have to be ‘but’. It’s best rendered as ‘and’, ‘now’, ‘then’ or ‘so’. Either of these foregoing words provide a more fitting connection.

So, let’s now put these in the right context and read: “And if Christ be in you, though your body is dead because of sin, the Spirit gives it life because of righteousness. Now, if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:10-11).

Even now, as you read this, if your physical body has already been so battered, bruised, damaged and ravaged by sickness and disease, there can be a change. If it has been paralyzed, the Holy Spirit can give life to your physical body and restore you to perfect health.

It’s one of the reasons we speak in tongues. The Bible says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…” (1 Corinthians 14:4). The Greek word translated “edifieth” is “oikodomeo,” which means to construct or build up, to embolden or charge up like you’d charge a battery.

Thus, the one who speaks in tongues builds himself up, charges himself, and rejuvenates himself. What happens when you do this is that the power of God within you courses through your being, vitalizing your physical body. Spend some time right now to speak in tongues; the power that’s at work in you even now will revive, vitalize and produce life in your body or wherever you require it. 

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, I thank you for the impact of the Holy Spirit in my life and on my physical body. I activate the power by speaking in tongues; therefore, I’m invigorated, refreshed, energized and vitalized; health courses through my being, and sickness and all that hurts and binds are dispelled, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Acts 9:32-34; Romans 8:10-11 AMPC

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 22:39-65; 1 Samuel 29-31

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 16:12-27; Psalm 135-136

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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I want you to notice the expression “perfect soundness” in our opening verse. It’s rendered from the Greek word “holokleria”, which means a perfect state of health; a condition of health with no problems whatsoever. This is God’s desire for you, and it’s one of the many blessings of living in and by the Name of Jesus.

James 1:4 expresses a similar thought; it talks about being “perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The term translated “entire” is “holokleros,” the verb form of “holokleria.” It implies being perfectly sound, complete without blemish. What a life!

Then, to make this happen, God gave us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of life, to keep us perfectly sound.  Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Hallelujah!

In the previous verse 10, it says, “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10 NIV). Christ in you, the Holy Spirit in you, guarantees you perfect soundness of spirit, soul and body.

It brings to mind Peter’s encounter with Aeneas who had been crippled for 8 years. All Peter said to him was, “…Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately” (Acts 9:34). Aeneas was restored to a perfect state of health because Peter understood the transcendent power of the Name of Jesus and Christ living in us.

As a Christian, Christ lives in you, and you live in Him. Your faith in His Name and consciousness of His indwelling presence will keep you in perfect soundness. Glory to God!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for making me perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I’m righteous, holy, unblameable and unreprovable in your sight, to the glory and praise of your Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 1:4 AMPC

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 22:1-38; 1 Samuel 26-28

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 16:1-11; Psalm 133-134

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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If you read the opening text from some Bible translations, they missed the profound simplicity of what Paul was saying. They translated it as having access and boldness into God’s presence, but we already have that in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit. So what was Paul referring to here?

First, boldness in this context implies the freedom to express ourselves openly, being able to say whatever you want to say. While worldly systems grant freedom with limitations, in Christ Jesus, we have absolute freedom of speech.

We possess the freedom to speak boldly in the presence of the Father, angels, and even demons, and express ourselves freely anywhere. This boldness extends beyond uttering mere words; it empowers us to speak things into existence. 

Secondly, we have “access”; meaning we can go anywhere. No nation can ever close its doors to you; you have access to every country, to every wealth and to all riches. Ephesians 3:12 (MSG) beautifully captures it; it says, “When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.”

Even with that, it has a limited understanding of the word “access.” It’s not just about going wherever you need to go; you have access to the spiritual and the material, to the wisdom of Almighty God. You have access to the unending, boundless, fathomless, incalculable and exhaustless riches of Christ. 

When you grasp the depth of your access and vast wealth in Christ, giving and lavishly sponsoring the spread of the Gospel becomes a lifestyle, because you know you have access to an unending supply. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, I thank you for I have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Jesus Christ, in whom I’ve obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to His divine will. I live above circumstances, with access to your wisdom and the exhaustless riches of Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 4:16; 1 Corinthians 3:21-22; Ephesians 3:11-12 AMPC

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 21:5-38 ; 1 Samuel 23-25

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 15:20-33; Psalm 131-132

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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The Lord Jesus said He came that we may have and enjoy life to the full. Aren’t you glad about that? He lived and died, and came back to life to see to it that nothing cheats you out of His perfect will for you.

In 3 John 1:2, He said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” In this verse, the Apostle John describes the comprehensive prosperity of the human person, which includes spiritual, material and physical well-being.

God knows that without sound health, you can’t enjoy the life that He gave you. That’s why He sent us to heal the sick. Divine healing is a manifestation of His goodness. Acts 10:38 further reinforces this truth. It 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.”

God sent Jesus, and He went about doing good, healing all those who were oppressed of the devil. The Bible shows that He gave us the same charge. He said in Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Luke 9:2 says, referring to the disciples, “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Hallelujah! Think about Peter and John at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. They encountered a man who had been lame from birth, begging for alms. The Bible says, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

The man, previously unable to walk, was healed instantly, and he entered the temple with Peter and John, praising God. The crowd, astonished at the miraculous healing, saw in the hitherto lame man the manifestation of the goodness of God. God doesn’t want people sick, weak, or broken. That’s why He sent us to take healing to the nations. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

I declare that Satan has nothing in me, for I walk in the transcendent, victorious and ever-triumphant life in Christ Jesus. I’m a partaker of the divine nature, with a life that’s sickness-proof, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 2:14-15; Matthew 10:7-8; 1 John 3:8

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Luke 20:20-47; Luke 21:1-4; 1 Samuel 20-22

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Romans 15:10-19; Psalm 129-130

Source: Rhapsody of realities, Author: Pastor Chris Oyakilome

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