The whole day yesterday I was singing in the Spirit. ‘Thank you Holy Spirit. Thank you Holy Spirit. ‘I just couldn’t stop singing it.
I was meditating on Scriptures trying to understand what immediately happened after the resurrection. I realize Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the disciples.
John chap 20:19-21 : On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear for the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said ,’‘ Peace be with you!” After he said this ,he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were over joyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. ‘And with that he breathed on them and said ,”Receive the Holy Spirit.
I believe Jesus appeared to the disciples to breathe upon them this special filling of the Holy Spirit. To do God’s work, we need the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to do God’s work without the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus breathed on them and said ”Receive the Holy Spirit.” Something supernatural took place. This breath of God is breathe upon them. There is life in the breath of God. Man was created but did not come alive until God breathed into him the breath of life. Now through the breath of Jesus, God imparted eternal, spiritual life. With this inbreathing, came the power to do God’s will on earth.
Once you have experienced the resurrection power of Christ, it doesn’t stop there. That is just the first experience for many more supernatural encounter with the Lord.
Just thank the Holy Spirit for the next season of your life.Trust me it is your best season yet!
Say this today : I thank you Holy Spirit -R.J.JOHN
Prayer :”Abba, I thank you Lord for my readers that they have experienced the resurrection power of Christ and right now I breath upon them the power of the Holy Spirit to do your great work on Earth.”
It dawned to me, this year my Easter was different. My first time in my entire journey as a Christian I did not attend church physically on an Easter Sunday.
Holy Communion, a Cup of Wine and Bread with a Jesus Crown Thorn and Holy Bible.
Those were the days by 6.00am we are in church celebrating Easter. This time Easter was different. I am in a season of life where I am learning to appreciate things and moments in life. I decided to dedicate this note to God to let him know, ”I love you, Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for this resurrection power that is in me now.”
Matthew chap 26.26:While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when we had giving thanks, he gave it to them saying,” Drink from it all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Which covenant was Jesus referring to when Jesus asked to drink the wine which is the blood of the covenant.? People under the old covenant ( those who lived before Jesus) could approach God only through a priest and an animal sacrifice. Now, that is no longer needed, people can come directly to God through faith because Jesus’s death has made us acceptable in God’s eyes. ( Romans chap 3:21-24)Jesus has become the final sacrifice for sin. Rather than an unblemished lamb slain on the altar, the perfect Lamb of God was slain on the cross, a sinless sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all. All those who believe in Christ receive this forgiveness.
The Holy Communion is a very important sacrament in churches today. We partake in Communion to remember the resurrection power of Christ.
”Abba, I thank you, this Easter me and my family have experienced this resurrection power of Christ-like never before. I receive it by faith by the mighty name of Jesus. The enemy has been defeated in name of Jesus. Amen.”
Definitely an Easter to be remembered.Glory to Jesus alone!
Say this today :I have the resurrection power working in my life. Amen-R.J.JOHN
Prayer : I thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me and my readers. I thank you we have been translated from the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light.
Application: Communion is vital in every Christian believer. If you have someone not well, get the communion to him or her. Experience the resurrection power of Christ today!Amen
Today morning I woke up early to seek God. As I was praying I had this vision. I saw a hand plucking out weeds. And the vision stopped. I knew God was trying to tell me something as the vision is still fresh in my spirit.
God speaks to me through my own note. I was moved to write a note on the Parable of the Weed.
Female hand pulls the grass out of the ground
Matthew chap 13 : 24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First, collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
When I was reading this parable, I noticed something. The weeds were planted by an enemy. What are weeds actually?
A weed is basically a plant growing the in the wrong place. It was not suppose to be there.
Do you all have weeds in your life today? It is not from God. In any good garden, we wouldn’t want any weeds. We would pluck the weeds off to ensure the garden turns beautiful. Your garden can be anything today. It can be your family, your life, or your work. Are there weeds? Are they struggle? It can even be our hearts. Is there a lot of bitterness, unforgiveness, or hurt inside ourselves? The good news is God is removing the weeds.
Take courage in the Lord. The enemy has been defeated. The weeds are plucked off. Do not remain like the unbelievers. Do not be a false believer! Trust Jesus!
How do we take the stand to pluck the weeds?
1st John chap 4: 15:If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.
This verse clearly instructs us to pluck the weeds out of our life. Remember we must pluck the weeds out. Do not feed the weeds. Stop feeding the weeds with fear, worries and giving any room to the devil to add more weeds. Pluck it out. Rebuke Satan and the demonic powers upon your life or your loved ones right now! You can do it because as He is so are we in the world. REBUKE IT! PLUCK THE WEED OFF!
‘‘Stick to the Word and come back with a testimony”-Pastor Chris Oyaklihome- Author Rhapsody of Realities -Number 1 Daily Devotional in the world.
Say this today: I rejoice that weeds in my life are removed and plucked out in the name of Jesus.I refuse to behave like an unbeliever.I trust Jesus-R.J.JOHN
Prayer: In the name of Jesus Christ I paralyze the works of the enemies. I rebuke demonic forces upon my life and my loved ones today. I speak to every weed of my readers today, it is plucked out in the name of Jesus
Application: Give praises to God as the enemies’ plans have been defeated because Jesus is Lord.
I believe courage is very important to every one of us. Courage keeps us going. It can be applied to any situation or seasons in our life. I believe courage is important.
To get from one destination to another destination, you need to have courage. For you to move to another level of faith, you need to have courage. Look at the image above. For the particular person to move across to the next location, he needs courage.He needs courage to jump.He needs courage to take the first step.That is the only way.
It can be any situation in our life, I believe it is important to be courageous.
God gave an important instruction to Joshua. God told Joshua to inherit the promised land. In this journey God gave Joshua an important instruction. God told Joshua to be very strong and courageous.
Joshua chap 1: 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
How do we stay courageous in times of adversity ? Are you facing a very difficult situation right now? Deep down in your heart, you know only God is the solution.
When I continued reading the passage I realise God gave Joshua 3 practical steps how to stay strong and courageous.Do take note the part that I have bolded.
Step 1 :Joshua chap 1 : 7b –Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Step 2 :Joshua chap 1: 8 – Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Step 3 : Joshua chap 1 : 9 – For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Whatever situation you are facing right now, take courage in the Lord. Take practical steps to remain courageous. Pick a verse. Confess it out aloud and meditate upon it. For example, try meditating on this verse.
Psalm 23 : 6.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
This verse is from the Bible.So we take practical steps. We confess it out aloud and meditate it in our mind even though how tuff a situation is. Continue confessing goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.Pick any verse that is close to your heart.Stay close to the Word of God.
Say this today : I have the Life of God in me. I can never be discouraged in life. Amen-R.J.JOHN
Prayer : Abba I thank you Lord for courage. I speak courage upon each of my readers today as they take practical steps to stay courageous in the Lord. Amen
Genesis chap 2 : 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
I was reflecting on this verse today, and I notice something. The man only became a living being when the breath of life is breathe into him. Man didn’t become a living being when it was formed from the dust of the ground. But it became a living being when the breath of life is breathe into it.
This breath of life gives life to a living being.
When you inhale (breathe in), air enters your lungs and oxygen from the air moves from your lungs to your blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste gas, moves from your blood to the lungs and is exhaled (breathe out). This process is called gas exchange and is essential to life.
Today I would like to give assurance to my readers, the breath of the Almighty is breathe into your life. This breathe of life is the Spirit of God that is breathe into you. Let’s look at some of the verses of the Bible that speaks on breath of God.
Job 33: 4 .For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Psalm 104 : 29-30.But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.
This verse above clearly says, when God gives you his breath, Life is created. What is this life? The life of God in you. When you have the life of God in you, you cannot be sick. You cannot be disadvantage in life.
Ezekiel chap 37 : 5-6 .This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Until you experience the breathe of God, we cannot live life to the fullest. This breath of God gives you life. It makes you achieve your destiny. It is beyond the oxygen that we breathe in everyday.
How do you experience the breath of God?
We experience the breath of God when we give God the attention He needs. When we shift our focus from challenges of life to Him, Jesus Christ. Take reading of the Bible serious in our life. Have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. This breath of God becomes alive in us. Try it! Watch it work in your life. Breathe in the breath of Life today!
Say this today : I have the breath of God giving me Life today-R.J.JOHN
Prayer: Abba, I breathe the Breath of Life into each of my readers today. I thank you Lord, they will experience your encounter today, Jesus Christ. Amen
Application : Thank the Lord for this breath of life that is just breathe into you. Give thanks and glory.
Mark chap 11 : 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.
I have been so used to this bible verse from my younger days. But I noticed something today. This verse specifically addresses to this mountain. There is a particular mountain. Its not any mountain. I read the verse again and I realize it didn’t say any mountain. It is to this mountain.
When we imagine a mountain, what does come to your mind?
The height? The steepness? The location?
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth’s crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. A mountain differs from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is larger than a hill, typically rising at least 300 meters (1000 feet) above the surrounding land. The highest mountain on Earth is Mount Everest in the Himalayas of Asia, whose summit is 8,850 m (29,035 ft) above mean sea level.( Wikipedia)
So when we read this, we understand that a mountain is a portion of the Earth which is higher than a hill.Looks so difficult to hike. It portrays difficulty to reach the top.
Isn’t it ironic that the scripture uses the word mountain and Jesus clearly instructed to say unto this mountain. Be thou removed!
Is there a difficult situation in your life today? Be specific in your prayers. Speak to the specific mountain. Remember Jesus instructed us to say to this mountain. To speak out aloud. He didnt ask to pray about the mountain. He ask to say out aloud.
For example, you may be facing a huge debt today. Why waste time? Speak to your bank accounts. Speak to the debt. ”Back off in the name of Jesus!”
It can be a project. It looks like a huge mountain. It may be very difficult. Hey, don’t worry. Speak to that particular project.’ Project, become alive in the name of Jesus!
It can even be a health situation. Whatever mountain it is, ‘Say it out aloud and throw it out from your body! And refuse to doubt! Throw the virus out! Throw the cancer doubt!Throw the weakness out!
There is a need to be specific in our needs and expect miracles. What is your mountain today? Throw it out from your life today! Because in Christ all things are possible.
A wise man told me this. ‘Stick to the Word and come back with a testimony.”-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome ( Author, Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional)
Say this today: My mountain is removed right now in the name of Jesus. Amen-R.J.JOHN
Prayer: Abba Father in Heaven,I pray Lord the realities of the Word of God would become real in my heart and also my readers. Thank you Lord the mountains of my life and my readers are removed in the name of Jesus .Glory!!!!!
Application Get a small book. Write down the mountain in your book( specific need). Say it out aloud’ ‘Be thou removed from my life. And refuse to doubt. Just make up your mind about it! Try it and watch it work in your life!
John chap 1 : 1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome.
I was reflecting on this bible passage today morning and I was asking God what does this passage means to me today?
Are you someone who is praying and praying asking God to do the supernatural for your life? I believe each of us, we have different needs in life whether it is health ,peace, financial, relationships, work, academics and etc. These can be darkness in our lives. So, how do we overcome this darkness? Deep down in your heart you know this God is so real and then why the struggle in life is real too? What is missing?
I think we miss the part that we are the Light. I am the Light. Anyone that received Jesus as Lord has this life. This LIFE of God is LIGHT and overcomes darkness. Don’t be fooled by devil schemes. Take charge.
I believe it is important to shift our focus away from struggles in life to the Word of God. I think is very important to shift our focus from problems to solutions. So what is the solution? The answer is in the bible passage above. It clearly states the Word is God.
As we turn the pages of the Bible, the Word of God today, let it not just be routine. Remember God is trying to talk to us. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with problems in life that we can’t hear God. We have such a noisy mind. Too many voices every day. Some times we ask God so many why’s.
God works in ways we cannot imagine. Sometimes He just needs our attention. Sometimes extreme measures needs to be taken to give God the attention He needs. As we give Him the attention he needs, this supernatural life of God becomes real in our life.
Say this today : I am the Light that shines in darkness.-R.J.JOHN
Prayer: Abba, thank you Lord for this Life that shines in darkness. I am Light and thank you Lord for this gift of LIFE upon my life.
Application : Prayer and fasting to seek Gods voice.
”God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
I was reflecting on this bible verse where it says worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
An instrumental piano music by author’s sister as a tribute to Late Mrs TJ Abraham Amachi
How can someone worship in the Spirit?
What is worshipping in the Spirit?
Let me bring you to Galatians chap 5: 16 & 17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
The verse above clearly explains our fleshy desires are contrary to the Spirit.
So, what is the flesh?
Galatians chap 5 :18-21 .
”But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ‘The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions. And envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
When we read this passage, don’t be quick to judge saying oh, this men is such. That men is such. Try to do a self check on our lives. I was reflecting on my own life too.
How do we know if we are worshipping in the Spirit? We see the fruit of it in our lives.
Galatians chap 5 : 22-23 .
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In today’s world this is a reality. We are swamped with so many voices of the world. Have we forgotten the true essence of worship?
I would like to dedicate this note to the oldest grandmother in my home church Banting, Late Mrs TJ Abraham Amachi. She lived a good 96 years old. She has been an amachi to all of us in church. She thought me what is worshipping in the Spirit.
In spite of the pandemic, and various restrictions to church premise, she never stopped worshipping God. She knew the importance of communion and worship and she would come with her wheel chair to participate in the worship. I always noticed she gave importance to offering. One of the Sunday, I noticed she missed the offering session and she was looking around for the offering bag. She did not look at the church politics, or who was conducting the service, she was not bothered of the fleshy desires of the world. She was not bothered who took the offering money as she knew she is giving to the Lord. She knew she cannot come before God empty handed. She was not fearful of attending church even though she is way above 70 years old. She knew her priorities right. She knew what would happen if she miss church. She understood the devil schemes. But she was not fooled by it. She took church attendance very seriously. She knew she was at the loosing end if she skipped worship. She knew the importance of worshipping in the Spirit. She recognized the Holy Spirit. She would carry her Bible with her. She recognized the importance of worshipping God.
Indeed she has fought a very good fight. And been a great example of women of faith to the younger generation.” Amachi, you have been an example to me definitely. You are in Heaven now. I am rest assured of this.
In John chap 4 : 23 it says,
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for thosewho will worship him that way.
Remember, fleshy desires cannot go along with the Spirit. We need to spend time worshipping God and take it very seriously in our lives. The devil has blinded many of our eyes indirectly. We can see the fruit of it in our own lives. Have we become so bitter, hurt, accusing one another and full of rage and anger? What happened along the years? I pray each of our eyes of understanding are opened to understand the realities of the Word of God in our lives. Worship God and don’t let anyone or anything stop you! Forget about people around you. Its our lives that we need to be accountable to God.
Application: Give God serious attention in this Holy Week. Take worship and quiet time seriously in your life. If you have a church, participate in the services virtually or physically. Come to worship with the right attitude to receive the fullness of God. Remember it is about God and not men.
Prayer: I thank you Lord, late Mrs. TJ Abraham Amachi has lived a life of glory and she is translated into Eternal Glory right now. Thank you Lord for her legacy to the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and most importantly to the Church. Thank you Lord her soul is saved and we would always remember to worship God in Spirit and Truth. Rest in Peace Amachi. Enjoy this life of Glory in Heavens!
Picking yourself up from where you started is very important in a person’s journey.You may have to complete a task and you know deep down in your heart,you need to complete them.I learnt one thing in life.The more we pressure ourselves in completing an assignment given to us,eventually we don’t finish it on time.
You may want to start or achieve something in life,and from 2 years to 5 years and maybe it has already been 10 years.When you look back,you wonder where did the 10 years go?
I believe today’s note is speaking to my friends and family who feels they are far behind their timeline.It can be any area of your life,be it studies,marriage,work and even your spiritual walk with God.I would like to share God’s promise to each of my readers today,He is never early,never late,right on time.
If there is something that you need to do and complete them,do not limit yourself with your own timeline.When we judge situations based on our own timeline,we may not be able to progress in life.
Do you all have a dream?It can be a very small desire within you.You may feel nobody understands or helps you to achieve your desire.I would like to share today,you don’t need anybody,except the Holy Spirit.When you take time to fellowship with the Holy Spirit,you function in God speed.10 years achievement becomes a 1 year achievement.This can only take place when your partner is right.The partner is the Holy Spirit himself.
The more we fellowship and learn who this person ,the Holy Spirit is,your life will be a wonder.Try it and watch how your life takes a turn for His Glory!
Hi there.Have you come across situations in life where there is a season of brokeness where you suddenly feel you have not done enough?You try so hard to get things right but still things doesn’t work out well.You try and try to barely survive for the day.
If you are someone who is feeling tired mentally and emotionally I believe this note is for you today. Who is GOD to you all?Is he someone who comes to your rescue when you need him the most?Who is GOD to you?
Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life.The most important thing any Christian should do is to have this fellowship with this person, Holy Spirit.When at any time in your life you are experiencing tiredness,weakness ,it is time to take a pause and do some reflection on the Word of God.As we reflect on the realities of the word,we become the Word.
If you have been someone trying to fix many things in your life by your own strength, I believe this note will encourage you all to let go.When I say let go,it doesnt mean to give up,but its just a mode of surrender to the Sovereignty of God in our lives.I believe fellowship is important in our life.We have to just take time to fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Take few days in this week to just set apart 1 hour a day to have this close fellowship with the Holy Spirit.Just learn to let go and as you meditate on the word of God,I pray the Love of God saturates your life more.
Try meditating on this verse for this week.Repeat this verse few times in your mind and speak in it out in your quiet time.
Psalm 23.6 ”Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
Joy of the Lord is my Strength Note Series 