Rhapsody Wonders

18/05/2026

*Rhapsody Of Realities Daily Devotional*

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD_

Monday, May 18th 2026

*SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT IN LEADERSHIP*

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom (2 Samuel 16:23)

Scripture repeatedly warns us about the danger of bad counsel. The Bible reveals this in the story of Ahithophel, a man whose counsel carried such weight that it was regarded as though one had inquired at the oracle of God (2 Samuel 16:23).

He was esteemed, trusted and relied upon, not only by David but later also by Absalom. Yet, despite his reputation, he became a part of an evil conspiracy. When Absalom rebelled against his father, David, the conspiracy gained strength, and the people increased continually with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12). In the midst of that uprising, Ahithophel joined himself to Absalom.

Then the report reached David: “...Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom...” (2 Samuel 15:31). The presence of Ahithophel in Absalom’s camp meant strategic advantage, because his counsel was powerful, persuasive and influential. But David didn’t panic or try to out manoeuvre Ahithophel by human strategy. He simply prayed, “...O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness” (2 Samuel 15:31).

That prayer reveals a vital truth: no matter how intelligent a counsel appears, if it’s aligned against God’s purpose, it can be defeated. This is why discernment is essential for leaders. Not every voice around leaders is sent to help. Some counsellors present themselves as wise, but their intent is to mislead, divide and destroy.

They push out the good, speak against the righteous, and attempt to plant ideas that weaken what God is building. But they’re not beyond the reach of divine judgment. The Lord can expose them, silence them and turn their wisdom into foolishness.

As Christians, we must understand and take advantage of our authority in Christ to affect nations and their leaders, families and destinies. Therefore, always pray with understanding, that those in authority may be guided by truth, surrounded by righteous counsel, and strengthened to fulfil God’s purpose. Pray that the Spirit of God will continually grant them discernment to identify and prevail over deceptive agendas, and walk in the wisdom of God. Praise God!

*PRAYER*
Dear Father, thank you for the wisdom of your Spirit at work in me and in your Church. I pray for leaders in nations and institutions, that they be surrounded with righteous counsel and guided by truth. Every deceptive influence is exposed, and every counsel that opposes your purpose is turned into foolishness. Your wisdom prevails, and your will is established in the earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY:*
*Psalm 33:10-11* The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. *11* The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

*Proverbs 21:30* There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

*2 Samuel 17:23* And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and g*t him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

*1 Year Bible Reading Plan :* John 8:31-47 & 1 Kings 22

*2 Year Bible Reading Plan :* 1 Corinthians 10:14-21 & Proverbs 14

18/05/2026

Rhapsody Of Realities
for EARLY READERS with Mark
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Monday 18th May 2026

*GOD’S NATURE IS IN YOU*

16/05/2026

*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

Saturday, May 16th 2026

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD

*LITTLE CHILDREN, YOUNG MEN AND FATHERS*

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one... (1 John 2:12-13).

Notice that in the scripture we just read, the Apostle John only associated sin with “little children,” spiritual toddlers. Yet, many speak as though sin is inevitable for everyone, saying, “Everybody sins”; no! The Bible says, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin…” (1 John 3:9).

Moreover, the Bible describes sin and defines sin from God’s perspective, not man’s perspective. If you look at sin through the eyes of men, you’ll never rise to your best potential in Christ. The earth around us is thick with sin and condemnation. Man became a sinner in nature after his actions of treasonable disobedience.

Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” It’s the reason the Lord Jesus came and solved the sin-problem once and for all through His vicarious sacrifice in our behalf. As the second Adam, He became sin for us, not a sinner, and therefore paid the full penalty for sin, ridding us of its effects.

Today, being born again, sin has no dominion over you (Romans 6:14). 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” So, when the Bible says, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin...” (1 John 3:9 NKJV), it’s because being born of Him, you have His life and nature that doesn’t sin. That’s the life of the new creation in Christ!

What if you sin? While that shows you’re still a child, he already said to the children, “Your sins are forgiven for His Name sake.” But better than that, He also made provision for your automatic cleansing: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NKJV).

Knowing and walking in the light of God’s Word is the key. It shows you’ve matured spiritually. That’s the life of the fathers: walking in the light of your righteousness—in the light of who you are in Christ—above sin, Satan and the elements of this world. Praise God!

*CONFESSION*
I have the life and nature of God in me; I live the higher life in Christ. I walk in strength, victory and righteousness. I walk in the light of my identity and heritage in Christ, above sin, Satan and the elements of this world. Glory to God!

*FURTHER STUDY*
*1 John 3:9 AMPC* No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine s***m, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

*1 John 2:1-2 KJV* My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

*1 John 2:12-14 NKJV* I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. [13] I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. [14] I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 7:25-8:1-11 & 1 Kings 18-19

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 9:20-27 & Proverbs 12

15/05/2026

Rhapsody Of Realities
for EARLY READERS with Mark
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Friday 15th May 2026

*STAY EXCITED FOR JESUS*

15/05/2026

15/05/2026

*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

Friday, May 15th 2026

*IT’S THE SAME ANOINTING*

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

There are differences among us, but they don’t cancel the oneness of the Spirit. The differences are in faith, calling, gifts, grace, and office. Our callings are different. Our gifts differ. God gives different graces, and there’re different offices, whether evangelist, prophet, or otherwise. Yet, it’s the same anointing of the Holy Spirit at work.

When you received the Holy Spirit, you were anointed with the anointing of the Christ. Therefore, you’ll never need a greater anointing than the one you received when you received the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:21 says, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.”

Some think you can be anointed with the Holy Spirit and then later be anointed with power, but it’s not true. It is one and the same thing. The language of Paul, like the language of the prophet Isaiah, often uses two expressions for the same reality. So, when the Bible says, for example in Acts 10:38, that God anointed the Lord Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power, it’s not dealing with two separate things.

When you’re anointed with the Holy Ghost, you’re anointed with power. Acts 1:8, the words of the Master: “...ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you….” He had said in Luke 24:49, referring to the same Holy Ghost experience they were going to have, “...tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” This means the coming of the Holy Ghost is the enduement with power.

When you received the Holy Spirit, you were separated unto Him and consecrated with the anointing of the Christ. He empowered you to do the work of God and to live for Him. He opened your understanding to Kingdom realities and enabled you to walk in the wisdom of God. Oh, the blessedness of being filled with the Holy Ghost!

*PRAYER*
Dear Father, thank you for the anointing of the Holy Spirit that I have received. I walk in the consciousness of the grace and power of the Spirit at work in and through me. I’m empowered to live for you and fulfil your purpose. I function in the power and wisdom of the Spirit for the work of the Kingdom. Through me, your graces and blessings are ministered to others, and your glory is manifested in every place, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY*
1 John 2:20 & 27 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Romans 8:11 NIV And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 10:38 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.

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* John 7:1-24 & 1 Kings 15-17

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* 1 Corinthians 9:11-19 & Proverbs 11

08/05/2026

*Díviɳҽ 卄ealtɧ Cσnfҽssiσɳs*
*Friday, 8th May 2026*

The Name of Jesus is my everyday advantage. In the Name of Jesus, I live in victory over every stratagem of the devil concerning my health, for he and his cohorts are under my feet. His schemes are futile in and around me and in the lives of those in my world.

08/05/2026

*RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

Friday, May 8th 2026

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD

*THE RIGHT FOUNDATION FOR FAITH*

For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Do you want to live the Christian life according to the Bible? Then youve got to know and follow the Word for yourself and live by it, not your feelings. Feelings and personal experiences are not the basis for faith. God never designed us to rely on experiences. Our faith is founded on His Word.

People often describe different sensations they feel when the power of God is manifested. Some say they felt something cold, others say they felt something hot. Some say they were shaking, and others say they became stiff and couldnt move. These are personal experiences peculiar to different individuals.

Therefore, its not right for anyone to make a doctrine out of their personal experience. The Bible never says you must feel anything when the power of God is working in you, on you, or through you. The Word doesnt base divine realities on sensations. Theyre activated by faith. No matter the feeling you may have, focus on the Word, on the result, that Gods grace has met your need. A beautiful example is the woman with the issue of blood. The Bible records that the moment she touched the hem of the Masters garment, straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (Mark 5:29).

Notice that her testimony of the feeling was that she was healed. That is the kind of testimony that matters; the best report is to know and testify that you are healed. Thats the Words report and provides the right foundation for faith. Faith is the expectation of the fulfilment of Gods Word and acting accordingly, and youll enjoy the results that the Word guarantees.

*PRAYER*
Dear Father, thank you for your Word that guides my life and establishes my faith. My confidence is anchored in your truth, and I walk in the reality of your Word today. My faith is strong, my spirit is confident, and my life produces faith-based results because I live by your Word, in Jesus Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY*
Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mark 11:23 KJV 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.

Hebrews 11:1 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 10:38 KJV Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 4:1-26 & 1 Kings 1

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 & Proverbs 4

08/05/2026

Rhapsody Of Realities
for EARLY READERS with Mark
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Friday 8th May 2026

*YOU 'RE PERFECT IN CHRIST*