Rhapsody of Realities 3 March 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – His Body And Blood
Topic: His Body And Blood
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Being born again, not only is it your right to take the Holy Communion, it’s also compulsory, for it’s a participation in the body and blood of Christ. As seen in our opening verse, the cup of blessing is actually the Communion of the blood of Christ. Likewise, the bread, which we break, is the Communion of His body. This means we’re one with the Lord. His victory is our victory; His ability is our ability. All that He is, He is in us, and we’re complete in Him. Amazing reality!
These are our affirmations as we partake of the Communion; we’re to be mindful of our oneness with the Lord, and our triumphant life in Him. “What if a Christian has done something wrong, can he still partake of the Communion?” Yes. He should repent of his sin immediately and not miss the opportunity to partake of the Communion, because the blood of Jesus was shed for the remission of sin; the Communion is a demonstration of faith in the blood of Christ for redemption.
“But I thought the Bible says, ‘Don’t take the Communion when you’re not worthy; meaning when you’ve sinned?’” someone queries. That’s not what the Bible says. The Spirit of God, writing through Paul to the Corinthian Church, didn’t say, “whosoever shall eat this bread or drink this cup, being unworthy.” Being unworthy means the person isn’t qualified to eat the bread or drink the cup; every Christian qualifies to take the Communion. What the Bible says is that it shouldn’t be done “unworthily,” and there, the Apostle Paul was addressing the impropriety reported of the Christians in Corinth as they took the Communion (1 Corinthians 11:18-34).
Taking the Communion is something that must be done reverently and meditatively; in a heart of worship and holiness, knowing the significance of the body and blood of Christ—the fellowship and eternal redemption it provides. Hallelujah!
PRAYER Dear Father, I thank you for the body of Jesus that was broken for me, and His blood that was shed for the remission of my sins. I’m forever grateful for my oneness with you, and for your glory in my life. Now I have a brand new life of righteousness, with dominion over sin, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 11:27-30; Matthew 26:26-28
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 10:1-31 & Numbers 11-13
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 19:23-30 & Exodus 12
Rhapsody of Realities 3rd March 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
More than 80 women priests – including Rev Prebendary Angela Berners-Wilson, the first ever woman (C of E) priest – were invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury to his official residence.
Most Rev Justin Welby said: “Many of those here today have been pioneers as they work out what it means to be an ordained woman in the Church of England – not just for themselves and their communities, but for the whole of the Body of Christ.
“Today, let us bear witness to those who paved the way in 1994, as well as upholding those whose way into ministry has been opened up since.”
Campaigners who demanded the right of women to pursue ordination also attended, as did five Church of England bishops.
Rev Berners-Wilson was ordained to the priesthood in Bristol Cathedral on 12th March 1994.
She said: “For 25 years, it has been the greatest privilege to finally be able to live out my calling, after a 15-year probationary period first as a Deaconess then as a Deacon.
“Today has been a day to celebrate all the women priests who have been enabled to grow into the fullness of who God has called them to be as bearers of Christ’s good news for the world.”
Bishop Barry Rogerson, who presided over Rev Berners-Wilson’s ordination service, said: “Over the last twenty five years, I have observed and…
A four-person panel also concluded board members of his former congregation, Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, had been “unable to provide effective oversight” of him.
It concluded: “The credibility of the allegations would have been sufficient for Willow Creek Community Church to initiate disciplinary action if Bill Hybels had continued as pastor of the church.”
Willow Creek initially denied claims published in the US media – including alleged sexual impropriety by Bill Hybels with a former assistant.
An Independent Advisory Group (IAG) spent six months scrutinising the allegations, as well as the response of Willow Creek Church and the Willow Creek Association.
Members included Jo Anne Lyon, former general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church and Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
The other two participants were Margaret Diddams, provost of Wheaton College and Gary Walter, ex-president of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Chicago.
The IAG said its conclusions were reached after conducting “multiple interviews” and a “broad review of documents and information”.
We ask for your prayers for our Elders as they process the report and determine next steps. Thank you for your faithful engagement…
I truly thought that North Phoenix Baptist Church called because they needed me. I thought they needed my talent, my charisma, my preaching, and my experience. They needed me to lead them and grow them. There was an ugliness that rooted deep within my soul that I was blind to. I had no idea how much it was I who needed the church and how much God would use them to grow and sanctify me. I want to offer five confessions, five spiritual pitfalls to avoid, that I desperately wish someone would have given me as a new Senior Pastor.
Americans are now evenly split between the pro-life and pro-choice labels, after a 9-percentage-point jump in those calling themselves pro-life. The latest Marist poll finds 47 percent of Americans identify as pro-life and 47 percent identify as pro-choice. Just one month ago, however, Americans were more likely to identify as pro-choice than pro-life by 17 percentage points—55 to 38 percent.
Charles Spurgeon is one of my favorite writers, even though his writings often challenge me deep in my heart. These words (first directed to preachers, though applicable to all Christian leaders) are especially gripping: “It is a shocking state of things when good people say, ‘Our minister undoes in the parlor what he has done in the pulpit; he preaches very well, but…
Trustees from one shop in Hertfordshire made an impassioned plea to save outlets like theirs, amid a “sad” spate of closures.
Susan Taylor (picture with her husband, Keith) told Premier that the Letchworth Christian Bookshop is like a community “hub”. “We’ve had someone come in recently who’s only just moved to Letchworth”, she said.
“She comes in most days because she says it’s been a lifeline to her, to get to chat to people and know people.”
Premier has previously reported how stores in places including Inverness and Ipswich have said dwindling footfall is forcing them to close.
It is thought the growing popularity of online shopping and e-books are partly to blame – as well as commercial rental costs.
Describing how they struggle to compete with internet-based retailers on price, Susan Taylor added: “You have the overhead of the shop to take into account.
“So, you’ve got to sell them to make a profit. Although we’re a non-profit making organisation, we’ve still got to cover wages, resourcing the shop and the rent.”
Click here to listen to Premier’s Craig Wakling speaking with Susan Taylor at the Letchworth Christian Bookshop:
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Fred and Cindy Warmbier made the claim on Friday as they rebuked Donald Trump.
The US President told a press conference he had taken the authoritarian leader “at his word” when he said he was not aware of alleged mistreatment against Otto Warmbier.
Mr Trump spoke after a meeting he held with Mr Kim in Vietnam this week. The two leaders failed to reach an agreement about denuclearisation in North Korea.
The Warmbiers said “Kim and his evil regime are responsible for the death of our son Otto” and for “unimaginable cruelty and inhumanity”.
“No excuses or lavish praise can change that”, they added.
They claimed they had kept silent during the summit in Hanoi, but “now we must speak out”.
Otto Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years in prison and hard labour after he was accused of trying to steal a propaganda poster in a hotel for his church, during a visit with a China-based holiday tour company.
Glyn Barrett said he was “honoured, humbled [and] in awe of God” following an announcement by the Pentecostal movement of his new role.
In a post on social media, he said: “In April 1994, I was a second year in Bible College in Australia. God told me three things.
“First, go back to England (we did that in 1996). Second, plant a church (We did that in 2007) Third, you’ll have the opportunity lead Assemblies of God in Great Britain (He did that in 2019).”
“Excited to take on the role as National leader of Assemblies of God in Great Britain.”
We are thrilled to announce Pastor @GlynBarrett as the new National Leader of AoG. We are incredibly excited about his appointment and look forward to seeing vision realised and our nation impacted. Don’t miss our national conference in May to hear Glyn’s vision! pic.twitter.com/34zIesMrBA
Born in England but raised in Australia from the age of two, Glyn is currently co-serving with his wife Sophia as a senior minister of !Audacious Church in Manchester.
Since the couple – who have two teenage children – opened the church eight years ago, it has grown to encompass 3,500 members.
Founded in 1924, Assemblies of God in Great Britain forms part of the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination – the Assemblies of God (AoG)
Revealing Glyn Barrett’s appointment, the Church said: “We are thrilled to announce Pastor Glyn…
Glyn Barrett said he was “honoured, humbled [and] in awe of God” following an announcement by the Pentecostal movement of his new role.
In a post on social media, he said: “In April 1994, I was a second year in Bible College in Australia. God told me three things.
“First, go back to England (we did that in 1996). Second, plant a church (We did that in 2007) Third, you’ll have the opportunity lead Assemblies of God in Great Britain (He did that in 2019).”
“Excited to take on the role as National leader of Assemblies of God in Great Britain.”
We are thrilled to announce Pastor @GlynBarrett as the new National Leader of AoG. We are incredibly excited about his appointment and look forward to seeing vision realised and our nation impacted. Don’t miss our national conference in May to hear Glyn’s vision! pic.twitter.com/34zIesMrBA
Born in England but raised in Australia from the age of two, Glyn is currently co-serving with his wife Sophia as a senior minister of !Audacious Church in Manchester.
Since the couple – who have two teenage children – opened the church eight years ago, it has grown to encompass 3,500 members.
Founded in 1924, Assemblies of God in Great Britain forms part of the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination – the Assemblies of God (AoG)
Revealing Glyn Barrett’s appointment, the Church said: “We are thrilled to announce Pastor Glyn…
Maintaining Spiritual Fervency in Marriage (Part 4) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: Maintaining Spiritual Fervency in Marriage (Part 4)
Dear Reader,
You are welcome to the last segment of this teaching for the month. I believe the word read has not only been a blessing to you but your family as well. It is my prayer that your spiritual life will be engraced to be more effective and you will gain more command by this, in Jesus’ name!
How Do I Attain Spiritual Fervency?
1. Recognize the Need for It: You attract only what you desire. When you see spirituality as a need, you will desire it and then do all it takes to reach for it. Until you recognize that spiritual fervency is a must for profitable living, God is not committed to making it real for you. Rather than desire materials things, fame and wealth, desire to know more of God, to be in tune with Him, spirit, soul, and body. Also, a desire to hear more from God and be guided by Him daily. True success comes from this. The Bible says: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest 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 (Joshua 1:8). When God becomes your ultimate priority in life, victories come cheaply for you.
2. Desire it: Whatever you desire is what you deserve. To desire means to strongly feel the need for spirituality, to want to be spiritual as a matter of importance. The Bible says: Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desire of thine heart (Psalm 37:4). Your desire for spiritual fervency should come from the heart. Interestingly, when the desire comes from the heart, it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12). For this desire to be met, your life must give God pleasure.
3. Be Determined: To be fervent in spirit, you must be determined to do so. This is a personal decision that cannot be made for you. When you are determined to be spiritual, God will make it a reality, because He sees your heart and knows the sincere desires of man. He provides you with the enablement you need to achieve this and keep growing in it. From scriptures, we understand that everyone with sincere and genuine determination got their desires. For instance, Daniel and the three Hebrew boys determined in their heart not to defile themselves with the king’s rich meal, and God engraced them for this (Daniel 1:8). Have you made a resolution to be more prayerful, seek God’s Word and desire to please Him at all times? His grace is always sufficient for all who ask with a heart. Like Daniel, if you can purpose to seek God more, in spite of all competing issues contesting for your time, He will make you be ten (10) times above your peers, and make your home more desirable.
4. Invest Your Time: Do not just desire and determine to be spiritual alone, you must make out time to ensure your desires become a reality. Spiritual fervency does not just happen; you have to make it happen. For this to be possible, you have to invest quality time. You have to find out what it takes and give it your all.
Someone has rightly said that many people spend time but only a few invest it. Be among the few that will invest time in building spiritual depth. But how do you invest your time, you may ask? Seek a quiet time with God. Secure some minutes or hours to be alone searching Scriptures and praying. The truth is Those who spend time with God always gain more wisdom and grace for their daily activities. Spiritual fervency is not a gift; so, you need not to waste your time praying for the gift to be spiritually fervent. Invest in spiritual materials – anointed books, audio/visual messages, etc. Spend your time with activities that would open up your understanding, enlighten, encourage, challenge and keep you spiritually active and alert. Dissociate yourself from the company of time wasters and begin to invest quality time in your spiritual life.
5. Engage in Spiritual Exercise: This spiritual exercise will also include fasting. Fasting makes you spiritually more alert. It mortifies the flesh and makes you more receptive to spiritual signals. Fasting should, however, be coupled with prayers and search of scriptures for it to be beneficial to you.
6. Receive Help from the Holy Spirit: Spiritual fervency is unachievable without help from above. The Bibles states: …for by strength shall no man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9). In your quest for spirituality, you must desire, crave and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit.
The grace required to be spiritually fervent is only available when you surrender your life to Christ. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily; obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21). With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
Topic: Learn To Manage Your Emotions [TREM Devotional 2 March 2019]
“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” Genesis 4:8. KJV)
There is always something that will make you unhappy. But if this is not expressed in the proper way, it will always result in a problem. Instead of talking to God honestly about his feeling, Cain went to talk with Abel.
You see, God had asked him in Genesis 4:6: “Cain, why art thou wroth and why is thy countenance fallen?” Cain should have been honest with God and expressed why he was sad. But he didn’t. You must learn to say it the way you feel, honestly, before God. God understands the way you feel. We have a High Priest who will make it sound good even when it sounds nasty in His ears. Tell Him how angry you are! Tell Him how bad you feel. Say it to Him, but not to man.
Beloved, God understands it. He understands when you are going through things. He understands the emotions you are dealing with right now as you read. He understands it when you are sad. He understands it when you are in pain, in agony and in distress. He understands because He has been through it. There is nothing you are going through which He hasn’t been through. So He is able to help you navigate through that very challenge and you won’t run into sin. This is why you need to go to Him.
Cain talked to Abel and expressed his feelings. He was unhappy and jealous, and strife was stirred up unnecessarily. In that emotional state, there would be an outburst. And the result was the death of his brother, which he may never have intended. He didn’t have it in mind that ‘today, I am going to kill my brother.’ Abel was his brother. He never woke up that morning to say: ‘today, Abel must die.’ It happened because he failed to manage his emotion.
Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Hebrews 4:14-16
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Numbers 23-25; Evening- Mark 7:14-37
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
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