THE EFFECTS OF GRACE.

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord (Acts 11:23).

Luke, by the inspiration of the Spirit, explains in the verse above, how Barnabas and Paul went to visit the brethren, and they saw the grace of God. What does it mean to “See the grace of God?”

“Grace” is from the Greek word “charis”; it refers to the divine influence on the heart reflected in the life of a man.

It’s the outward expression, or the outworking of an inward divine influence in your heart. Simply put, it’s the inner working of the glory and the power of God in your life that radiates, shines, and reflects on the outside. So, what these Apostles saw was an outer reflection of the inner working of the power, and life, and nature of God in them—they saw the effects of that grace.

You only see the outworking of the grace of God. It’s like saying “We saw the winds blowing.” You really don’t see the wind; what you see are the effects of the wind. The effects could be moving objects, or the branches of a tree moving to and fro; then you can immediately decipher that it’s a strong wind. You don’t see the wind; what you see are the effects!

It’s the same way with the description in the opening verse.
The grace of God on its own can’t be seen until you see what it produces. So, the Lord impresses on your heart, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, and whatever is deposited by that influence, is seen on the outside; it shows or reveals itself on the outside. Then we can say, just like the early Church, “We saw the grace of God on them.”

That’s why it’s important to grow in grace. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ….” The word “grow” is taken from the Greek word “auxano”; it means “to give increase to.” To grow in grace is to increase in the workings of the power of God in your life. And as you grow in grace, more of the glory of God shines, radiates, and is seen through you. Halleluiah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the knowledge of your Word that causes me to walk in an overflow of grace. That grace which is the power of promotion, reflects on the outside,
producing favour, beauty, goodwill, loveliness, perfections, glory and ability in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Divinity of Jesus

John 14:6-7

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him 

“Is Jesus really God?” This is one question many still ask today. They believe He was a great prophet and teacher, but find it difficult to accept that He is Himself God, but He is. The Bible says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” ([b]John 1:[/b]1). That “Word” that the Bible says “was God” became flesh – Jesus – and dwelt among us: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Now, the prophecy that came forth before the birth of Jesus also foretold His divinity: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” It was Jesus who walked the streets of Galilee, as “Emmanuel – God with us.” When people saw Him, the mighty miracles and great signs and wonders that He did, notice what they said: “God has visited His people” (Luke 7:16). The Bible tells us that the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells in Jesus. So, when you see Jesus, you wouldn’t need to look out for the Holy Spirit or the Father; He is the complete embodiment of Deity.

When Philip, one of the disciples asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus said to him, “…Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 14:9). No wonder Colossians 1:19 says“…For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” Jesus is the outward expression of the Godhead. When we get to heaven, we won’t find the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost sitting on different thrones; we’ll only find one seated in the fullness of God on the throne, and His name is Jesus (Revelation 7:17).

So in celebrating Christmas, we’re celebrating the divinity of Jesus; His Lordship and rulership over our lives. He’s the joy of heaven and hope of the earth. He’s the Most High, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is worthy of all praise, worship and adoration. If you’re born again, happy are you, for “…ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10). You’re identified with the most awesome and sublime personality that there is.

Good Character – A Rewarding Asset!

Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust (Proverbs 11: 6 MSG).

Imagine you got home one day and found one million dollars left at the corner of your house, and just the day before you had asked the Lord for money. But now, here you are, with a bag of one million dollars, probably abandoned by someone you don’t know. What would you do? I can imagine what a terrible difficulty some people may have, deciding what to do. “Do I take it and keep it, or do I alert the police? Do I hide it somewhere else?” These and some other thoughts may run through your mind.

Some won’t have any problem deciding what to do with it; they’d simply keep it. They may justify their action by saying ‘If God didn’t want me to have it, why then did He put it there?” Now, they’re holding God responsible.

It reminds me of my growing years. Back then, if you found something that didn’t belong to you, you took it to a repository called “Lost-and-found,” where it would be kept until the owner reclaimed it. It never crossed your mind to keep whatever you found that didn’t belong to you. It was part of your character. There were no questions as to whether or not to keep it; you knew exactly what to do! You either returned it or found some authority figure to give it to, who would do something about it.

So today, if you found a million dollars beside your house, the right thing to do is to get witnesses and take the money to the police. That’s good character. Now, having done that, don’t expect anyone to reward you, for nobody needs to reward you for character. It’s life itself that rewards good character, and when it does, it does it in a big way. So train yourself with good character, for it is a rewarding asset indeed

Grace And Peace In Increasing Measure

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2).

From the verse of scripture above, we can understand that the way to have grace and peace multiplied in your life is through the knowledge (Greek: epignosis) of God, and of Jesus, our Lord. Someone may lament, “Please pray for me; my life is in a mess. I don’t have peace at home; I don’t have peace where I work. There’s no peace in my heart; I really need prayers.”

You may pray for such a person, but it might not work, because the Word is clear as to how to enjoy greater peace in your life: It’s through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus, our Lord. God wants you to know, and live by His Word, because the more you know Him, the more grace and peace you stand to enjoy in your life.

Moreover, “peace” here, isn’t just referring to ordinary peace of being quiet or mere solitude. The Greek word for peace is “eirene,” which is akin to the Hebrew, “shalom,” which means peace with rest and prosperity put together. In other words, through the knowledge of God, you’re at home with prosperity! Everything about your life works out right. You’re not fretful or agitated over anything! Irrespective of what happens, you’re unperturbed, you’re in charge, and in control.

As you learn more about Jesus and meditate on His Word; as you learn about the Father through fellowship, more revelations will come to you. The knowledge of His Word makes us masters, causing your life to be filled with immeasurable grace and peace.
Notice the Bible doesn’t say, “Grace and peace shall be ADDED unto you,” but that they’ll be “multiplied unto you.” In your life, it’s possible to keep heaping up grace and peace in increasing measure. John 1:16 says of His fullness have we all received, grace heaped upon grace. So, enjoy grace and peace in your life, by increasing your knowledge of Him. Praise God!

"EVER-INCREASING GRACE"

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever: Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

Grace is the outward reflection of the inner workings of the power of God in your life. It's of the beauty and influence of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God in you, producing acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, gift and pleasure. Every Christian has received grace in abundance (Roman 5:17); but the measure or degree to which it's seen and reflected through you is dependent on you.

You have the responsibility to see to it that the grace of God upon your life increases in greater measure. 2 Peter 1:2 shows you how the grace of God can be multiplied in your life; it's through the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ." As the knowledge of God and His Word increases in your life, you'll walk in increased grace. Your testimony then becomes like that of the Apostles in the early Church: "And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).

The greek word translated "grow" in our opening verse is "auxano" and it means to give increase to, or enlarge. Notice that the Bible didn't say for you to pray to God for increase grace , rather it shows you how to "enlarge" or "give increase" to the grace that's already been available to you in Christ. You do this through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Greek word for knowledge in 2Peter 1:2 is "epignosis." It means full knowledge that transcends, mere awareness; an esoteric knowledge-a discernment or full understanding of God and of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Recognize, perceive, and become fully acquainted with God and His living Word- Jesus Christ-and you'll walk in ever-increasing grace. That way, the grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, beauty and excellence will function in you in ever-increasing measure in Jesus name, Amen!!!

Shout "Amen".

Intercession: A Ministry

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1)

Interceding for others is something you do regularly, not when it’s convenient; it’s a ministry. Intercession helps you become effective in changing the lives of others through prayer.

James 5:16 (AMP) says, ”…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]“. When you notice some believers around you, who’re not growing well in Christ, intercede for them. If you have relatives and friends who aren’t born again, you should be interceding for them very strongly; don’t take it lightly! Remember, the Bible says there’s joy in the presence of the angels of God in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:10).

Intercessory prayer isn’t something you’re casual about; it’s heartfelt; that means your emotions are involved; you keep at it until there’s a testimony. It could take days, weeks, months, but don’t stop; keep praying, because the value of the one you’re interceding for is the life of Jesus. So, when you take up a matter concerning another believer, and you’re praying, you’re not wasting time; you’re causing a change in the realm of the Spirit.

Make Today Count!

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Regrets of yesterday and fears of tomorrow are enemies of today’s happiness. It doesn’t matter that yesterday’s assessments of you weren’t favourable; that was yesterday, and it’s gone. God doesn’t live in your yesterday; His Name is “I AM,” not “I WAS.”

Now, focus your attention on God’s Word to you now. A life of faith is not about yesterday or tomorrow; it’s about now! Meditate on God’s truth about your personality and identity in Christ, and not on the failures of the past or the fears of tomorrow.

Today counts; so make a move to be your best today. Tomorrow only belongs to those who take a hold of today, because, today is the springboard for tomorrow.

Make the best of your today!

MOVING HIGHER IN GOD

“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

The Word of God says in Matthew 12:34; that Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. In Proverbs 18:21; it says that Death and life are in the tongue and those that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. What controls your heart controls your mouth (words) and eventually controls the course of your life. To move higher in God and in the things He has called you to do, there are things you must do to walk in the path of your destiny in God.  
                                                                                             `  Walk in Love: Be kind to people. Your relationship and attitude to other people is important. God takes interest in our relationship with one another. Be a builder of men, a helper; walk in love. Be a man or woman of no offense (Matthew 5:23 -24). Whatever you give attention to, you become better at it. Practice kindness; use the right words when you communicate with others. Treat people right; watch your relationship with others. God tells a man that cares. When you care about others you will receive insight and then foresight into the future.

Be humble: Humility is yielding to the Word of God. It’s when the Word of God becomes law in your heart. It is giving His Word pride of place in your heart and subjecting yourself to the Word of God in all you do (Psalm 37 – Study).When you are humble, God gives grace to you.

Testify (Malachi 3:16): Learn to share testimonies. Don’t be a bearer of bad news but that of good news (Romans 10:13 -15). Share the testimonies of the great things God has done in your life and in the life of those around you.  

Be a faithful steward and custodian (1 Corinthians 4:2): Faithfulness with what you have is a strong reason for promotion. Take care of things that have been put under your care. Attend faithfully to whatever you do and as you do this, God turns on the light in your spirit to receive inspiration and ideas. Then He begins to open doors in accordance with the inspiration He’s giving you. And whatever God needs to do to put you in that place that He spoke about, He will do it speedily. 

To move higher in the things of God and most of all in your relationship with Him, you must give quality time to the study of His Word. It is also important that as you study the Word you commit yourself to doing what the Word has said concerning you in all situations no matter the circumstance. Let the Word of God be your constitution for life. The Word of God says in James 1:22; But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only; deceiving your own selves.   You are a doer of the Word

Prosperity By The Word

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3).

The life God has given us in Christ is that of great glory and prosperity. You’re ordained to prosper, not just financially or in certain aspects of your life, but all-round – in everything and in every way. This ought to be your experience of life. Our opening verse gives us the key to this all-round prosperity, where everything you do and everything that has to do with you prospers! It’s by delighting yourself in the law of the Lord – His Word – and meditating on it day and night!

How prosperous do you want to be? How glorious do you want your life to be? If you’d delight yourself in the Lord, and meditate on His words regularly or frequently, you’ll be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. You’ll bring forth fruit in due season; your leaves will not wither, and whatsoever you do shall prosper.

Isaiah 58:14
“Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

How do you delight yourself in the Lord? It’s by giving yourself to His Word; doing His Word; meditating on it day and night, and living it! Desiring God’s Word and cherishing it more than your necessary food (Job 23:12)! When you do these, everything you do will prosper and turn out right. Whatever you get involved in will work. That’s my life! Everything I do prospers. That’s because I’ve made the Word my delight and my meditation.

Your life is ordained by God to go from one level of glory to another. He created you for success, excellence, dignity, honour and beauty. This ought to reflect in every aspect of your life: in your job, health, family, relationships, business, ministry, etc. – you’re to prosper exceedingly! Remember, prosperity, success, divine health, the good life are all your birthright in Christ Jesus. Our study today is to help you realize this and know some of the things you’re to do to experience the prosperity of God and the manifold blessings of the Spirit in your life

PROSPERITY IS YOURS

2 Corinthians 8:9; “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Wow! I’m ever so thrilled when I read this portion of Scripture. This is our guarantee for a life of supernatural abundance. We’re so rich, it’s impossible to quantify our wealth.
“But, Pastor Chris, is that really possible?” you ask Well,” (Job 22:24); the Bible says, “Then shalt thou layup gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks” 
(2 Corinthians 8:9); For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich”

What’s most amazing is the fact that when we start talking like this, the religious folks are the first to raise their eyebrows. In Luke 7:33:35, Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees, said,” For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! Even at that time, the religious folks were the foremost critics of the Master’s lifestyle. It’s still the same today! One thing religious folks can’t stand is prosperity. It unsettles them and makes them restless: (Isaiah 57:20); “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” But thank God the Bible says (Psalm 107:42); “The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.” When you talk big and things start looking up for you in life, you’ll discover that those who grumble are the religious people in our midst. If they spend more time with their Bibles and believe what they read and hear, they’ll know.

Psalm 35:27; “Let them shout for joy and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant”
Prosperity is yours in Christ Jesus, so don’t let anybody deceive you. There’s nothing too good for you because you’re the king’s kid! Don’t mind those who say otherwise, just keep talking and living happy. When you see a fellow brother or sister prospering, be happy and rejoice with him or her. Hallelujah

PRAYER AT 12NOON AND 10PM (LOCAL/GMT) - MON JUNE 27TH 2016

God's love for you is unfathomable, unconditional, pure and eternal. His purpose for your life is to walk in the fullness of His love-power, manifesting His nature, character and power to the world. Learn more in today's Rhapsody. If you don't have a copy, download from http://rhapsodyofrealities.org 

Psalm 27:4 says: "I have asked the Lord for one thing- this is what I desire! I want to live a in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord and contemplate in his temple". 

In both 15min sessions at 12noon and 10pm (Local/GMT), we'll pray fervently in the spirit, worshiping and thanking the Lord for His marvelous grace and love continually manifested in, through and to us. Thank Him especially, for the power of His Word, and for the progressive transformation taking place in your life as you, study, learn and contemplate the Word. Affirm that His Glory is increasing in you and that you'll walk in line with His perfect will, fulfilling your purpose and bringing glory to His Name always. Amen. God bless you.