Monthly Archives: May 2024

“Let Us Go To the Otherside” ( by Fenny West)

Let Us Go To “The Otherside.”

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

5 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. Mark 4:35-39,-5:1

This was the Word of the Master, the Creator of the universe; the One Who has the final Word, the Author and Finisher, to His disciples, His followers.

It was originally said to those around Him.

Soon, all hell broke loose and there was a storm beyond imagination and life threatening. Water was filling the boat and Jesus was fast asleep. The occasion showed what they were really made of. It revealed their fears, uncertainty and shallowness in their beliefs. And they did not mince words: ”Master, do you not care that we perish?”

They forgot that He said, “Let us go to the otherside”, not “Let us go half-way and drown.”

As I read this scripture in Mark 4:35- 5:1, it gave me poignant picture for all time and a timeless and timely message that resounds and will repeat itself over and over again as long as you and I are here.

Jesus cares for us more than we know. He has the best plan for us ( Jer29:11). He has done all He can for us. His will is His Word and His Word is Will. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Eph.1:3). All His promises are yes and amen(2Cor1:20). All things are ours(1Cor3:21). His desire and pleasure are that we remain in health- spirit, soul and body and live an abundant life. (3John2)

Sickness and disease (physical, emotional or psychological or neurological), infirmity and poverty, barrenness etc are not from Him (Ex.23:25, Ex15:26, 1Pet2:24, Ps107:20,). These were things He dealt with on the cross. He nailed them to the cross and disarmed principalities and powers responsible for them and triumphed over them when He rose victorious on the cross. Col2:14, 15

So we can safely say, His word to us today regarding any aspiration for well-being is: ”Let us go to the otherside.” So, if you are sick, the “otherside is wholeness. If you are poor, the other side is prosperity. If you are barren (physically or spiritually), the other side is fruitfulness. If you are single and want to get married, the other side is married life. So, you can see how this Word was not for just His disciples at the time but for all His followers for all time.

For the woman with the blood disease, the other side was the cessation of her bleeding, building back her finances that had been decimated and bringing an end to her ostracization from society. ( Mark5:25-34)

For the man who begged daily at the Beautiful Gate because of his lameness, “the otherside” was to walk and be independent of others and stop the beggarly life; have his dignity back. ( Acts3:1-7)

For Zachariah and his wife, Elizabeth, who were both very old, the other side was to hold their baby. (Luke1:36)

So, what do you want from God that is His will (1John4:14-15)? That is your “otherside”. And the Word for you is, “Let’s go to the otherside.” Hold on to this word, come what come may. Hold on to this Word, come hale, wind, fire or storm, hurricane or tsunami. Never give in, never give up until you win.

Notice that after He gave the Word, He did not leave them. He was in the boat with them. The same applies to you today, if you are born again, and baptised in the Spirit. Know, beyond any doubt that you are a New Creature, the old has gone and the New has come.

(John3:3, 2Cor5:17)

Furthermore, know that you are not only in Christ, but Christ is in you, and that is your hope of glory (Col1:26-28). He said: “I will not leave you nor forsake you…Lo, I am with you always. (Joh14:28, Matt28:20)

Another important truth regarding “Let’s go to the otherside” is that there was mayhem thereafter. This is a scenario that often takes place after we start embarking to go to the “otherside”. Contrary winds will blow around you or it could be in your mind. 37”And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” Mark4:37 The enemy will come with suggestions like, “Hath God said?” (Gen.3:1) Nay sayers will come to discourage you. You may even be your own enemy- negating what God said concerning the issue, inadvertently. This is why you must constantly and continuously meditate on what God said and take the right steps until you get to the otherside. ( 1Tim4:15 Ps.1:3, Josh1:8)

The disciples panicked and spoke wrongly. You don’t have to do that. The scriptures were given to us for our doctrine, teaching, admonition and correction 1Cor10:11-13, 2Tim3:16. Stay in faith to get to the otherside. Continually speak faith to get to the otherside.

Jesus is in your “boat” always. The “otherside” is your inheritance, God’s will for you, God’s mind for you. And nothing is too good for you. Stay steady, sailing, slowly, surely to the otherside- your Promised Land!

“And they came to the other side. ”Mark 5:1

Let us pray: Father, I thank You that You are ever-loving and caring and have the best plan in your heart for me. I thank You that you speak and it is done, You command and it comes into being. All your promises are yes and amen in Christ Jesus. You have the final word concerning me. I can trust You to keep against that day that which is committed into your hands. You are always faithful and true. You are not a man that you should lie neither the son of man that you should repent. By two unchangeable things- Your word and your oath it is impossible for You to lie. The grass may wither and the flowers may fade but your word abides for ever.

Thank You. Lord for the word you gave me concerning ( name it). You said let us go to the other side and the other side is my destination. Heaven and earth shall pass away but your word abides forever. I walk by faith and not by sight. If You said it, You have the wherewithal to bring it to pass. I refuse to worry. I put anxiety at bay and hold on to Your word. I thank you for Your Holy Spirit who comforts me and quickens your word to me. I will say the right word and do the right things at the right time until I am propelled to the other side, in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.

Conquer Unrestrained Anger ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Rhapsody Of Realities 23 May 2024 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

TOPIC: Conquer Unrestrained Anger

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Ephesians 4:26).

MESSAGE:

Have you noticed how some infants sometimes exhibit signs of anger? Unfortunately, some individuals carry this unchecked anger into adulthood. It is crucial to acknowledge and conquer unrestrained anger that may have been acquired during early life.

It brings to mind the story of Moses in Numbers 20. When the children of Israel were thirsty for water in the wilderness, they cried to Moses. When Moses spoke to the Lord about it, He instructed Moses to speak to the rock before the children of Israel and water would come out (Numbers 20:8).

The instruction was for Moses to speak to the rock to give them water; he wasn’t to strike it. But out of anger, and frustration due to the people’s complaints, he struck the rock instead. The Bible says, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them” (Numbers 20:12).

Yes, water gushed forth, but the consequence was dire: God declared that Moses would not enter the Promised Land. This story gives a poignant example of how uncontrolled emotions can impede one’s journey. Moses allowed his anger to govern his actions, and his unbridled anger prevented him from entering the Promised Land.

James 1:20 says, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Your anger will never produce God’s righteousness; it’ll lead to actions contrary to God’s will. Anger causes people to take actions they otherwise wouldn’t have taken, and by the time they recollect, it might be too late.

Therefore, conquer anger with the Word. Ephesians 4:26-27 TLB says, “If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly; for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil.”

PRAYER

Dear Father, your Word is my life; thank you for the transformation, light and guidance that I receive today through your Word. My heart and mind are stayed only on your true and living Word. As I contemplate on it, I experience victory, divine health, and blessings and I’m continually metamorphosed from glory to glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Proverbs 14:29 – [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

James 1:19-20: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Colossians 3:8 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Dislodge Them ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Rhapsody of Realities May 22nd 2024

Title: DISLODGE THEM

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 1:6).

Message:

Genesis 6:1-4 recounts how in the early days, entities described as the “sons of God” intermingled with humans: “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:2).

The “sons of God” as used in this context were angels who had left their calling and estate, and used their bodies for evil things; they mated with humans and produced giant offsprings. Jude, by the Spirit, revealed what eventually happened to these angels: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6). 

God imprisoned these disobedient angels to prevent them from continuing in their wickedness. However, the offspring of these unions roamed the earth with insatiable appetites and a propensity for unrestrained evil. These physical giants built cities, and consumed vegetation at an alarming rate, such that it took a lot to sustain them.

But as they died, their spirits—which were not human spirits but demons—went to hell and punished those in hell because their legal condemnation was not yet established. And because they haven’t been permanently put in hell, they moved in and out of hell as they chose, and also ran rampage in the earth, carrying out evil activities.

Our world still contends with these spiritual free radicals today; demons that influence human affairs and perpetuate evil. But thanks be unto God; we have the authority in the Name of Jesus to dislodge and dispossess them of their hold and sway over nations and the lives of men. 

Every so often, use the Name of Jesus against them and put a stop to the works of these demoniacal entities. Forbid them from influencing things in your life, in your home, in your environment, city and nation. Cast them out in the Name of Jesus! Once you do, the hearts of many in those regions will become open to receive the Gospel gladly and heed the call to salvation, and righteousness will prevail. Hallelujah!

PRAYER / CONFESSION

Dear Father, thank you for the power to tread over all the abilities of the enemy. Satan and his demons have no right to run things in my life, in my home, in the lives of my loved ones, or in my nation, because I’ve been vested with all power and authority in heaven and in earth to subdue, dominate and take charge of my world. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12;
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8;
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
2 Corinthians 10:4


Heaven Rules! ( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Rhapsody Of Realities 21 May 2024
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Topic:Heaven Rules!

The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth… (Daniel 4:17 NIV).

MESSAGE

In many nations around the world, Christians are being attacked every day. In fact, in some cities, they stand the risk of being jailed or deregistered for speaking about Jesus. For this reason, some churches today are afraid to speak boldly. Even when they speak, they’re mindful of what they say so they don’t offend the “authorities.”

No; as long as you’re proclaiming the truth of God’s Word, be bold. Don’t keep quiet. Declare boldly before anyone the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, meaning God in the flesh. He’s the way, the truth and the life, and no one can come into a relationship with God except by Him (John 14:6).

“But Pastor Chris, the law in my country forbids us from making such a claim,” someone may say. But the question is, where are you from? The one we’re talking about, Jesus Christ, rules in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth. He’s the Monarch of the Universe. His Word is law. So who would you rather obey?

The authorities in your country and in every country are subject to Him. The Bible says Jesus occupies the place of supreme honour in Heaven—a place that is infinitely superior to any conceivable command, authority, power, control or government. He bears a Name that’s far beyond any name that could ever be used in this world or the world to come.

Jesus rules; Heaven rules and the whole world must acknowledge it. The Bible tells us something remarkable Daniel said while interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a great tree that was felled. He said, “The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules” (Daniel 4:26 NIV). Did you see that? Heaven rules! Even King Nebuchadnezzar, the king over all the nations at the time, had to learn a lesson that the heavens ruled, not him.

Don’t think the mayor of your city or the president of your country is the one ruling; you represent heaven, and heaven rules.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for giving us power and authority in the Name of Jesus to reign and rule in this life. I proclaim, as a representative of your Kingdom here on earth, that your righteousness is established in every nation as the Gospel permeates into the hearts of all men, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Psalm 110:2 – The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Ephesians 1:20-23 MSG – All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but [forever]. 22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. 23 The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

Your Boundless Inheritance( by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Rhapsody Of Realities 20 May 2024 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
TOPIC: Your Boundless Inheritance

…giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12 NIV).

MESSAGE:

You’re the seed of Abraham, and the whole world belongs to you. Only a Christian who’s ignorant of this will live a beggarly life. God said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6).

It’s like someone who goes to an event with an all-access ticket yet stops at the gate to plead with the organizers to be allowed in. With your ticket, you don’t need to beg; just walk in and enjoy the party! It’s all about the ticket.

Jesus is your ticket to a boundless inheritance. The Amplified Classic describes it as unsearchable riches—wealth untold which no human being can search out (Ephesians 3:8). He qualified you for the inheritance. Hallelujah!

Then He said in John 16:23, “…Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” In other words, not only did He qualify you to be a partaker of His glorious inheritance, He’s saying, “Use my name!” That’s your ticket to enjoy all that’s been granted you in Christ.

Part of that inheritance is sound health. The Bible says,“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”(3 John 1:2). He wants you to prosper financially and be healthy enough to enjoy your wealth. How wonderful that is!

Wake up to this reality and say to yourself, “I’ll always be healthy, prosperous and sound. It’s part of my inheritance in Christ.” Even if your parents didn’t leave you any inheritance, Jesus gave you one that’s incorruptible, and the inheritance in Christ Jesus is greater. Praise God!

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for making me a partaker of your glorious inheritance. I live in the overflowing goodness, victories and blessings of the Kingdom. I walk in the glorious heritage and liberty of the sons of God, and I flourish exceedingly in every good work, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 1:11 – In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Romans 8:16-17: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

Ephesians 3:8 AMPC – To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out],

See the Right Pictures(by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome)

Vision

Rhapsody Of Realities 18 May 2024 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Topic:See The Right Pictures

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:5-6).

MESSAGE:

In our opening scripture, God was giving Abraham a very important training on how to see with the eyes of faith. The Lord brought him out at night and told him to count the stars in the sky. Of course, they were too many. While still trying to count, God said to him, “So shall thy seed be.” He believed, and that was the moment he got it. God trained him to use his spiritual sense of sight. It was something spiritual. It means looking beyond your thinking, your mind and your environment; seeing with the eyes of faith.

On another occasion, after Lot separated from him, God said to him, ..Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Genesis 13:14-15).

By this time, Abraham had understood how to use his spiritual sense of sight. Upon God’s instruction, he looked and saw the whole world, and God gave it to him. Just like Abraham, you have to practise seeing with your spirit. You have to have times when you just sit down and use your spiritual sight.

What you see in those moments is what you get. The Bible says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh …and your young men shall see visions… (Acts 2:17). Notice he says the young men shall see visions; what visions are you seeing even now? What pictures are being captured by your eyes of faith?

If it’s the wrong picture, shake it off. If you see pictures of fear, death, sickness, or failure, reject them! And then change your mind; change your thoughts; change the words that are coming to you. Realign yourself; refocus and look again; the right pictures will come. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for your Spirit who leads me in the way I should go and guides me through your Word to see the right pictures and bring them into reality. I see your glory and goodness all around me, and I walk in the fullness of your grace and blessings today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 11:1-3: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Acts 2:17 – And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

2 Corinthians 4:18 – While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.