RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

17TH JANUARY, RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FAITH: THE EFFECT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever (Isaiah 32:17)

Our opening verse lists quietness and assurance as the effect of righteousness; that’s faith! Faith is the quiet or confident assurance that things favourably expected shall come to pass: “Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen…” ( Hebrews 11:1 TLB).

This perfectly describes the effect of righteousness we read about in our opening verse. It could have simply read, “And the effect of righteousness shall be faith.”

In all of the Old Testament, the word “faith” appears only twice and it wasn’t in connection with people demonstrating faith toward God. The first time it was used in the Old Testament was in Deuteronomy 32:20. The next time Habakkuku 2:4 "... but the just shall live by faith...", a prophetic reference to the new creation. But now, faith has come! It’s our lifestyle. Being born again, we were born righteous and the effect of righteousness is mountain-moving faith. Hallelujah!

Because of righteousness, you have power over every crisis; you rule over the elements and corrupting influences of this world. You can live without fear, worries, conflicts and agitations.

Isaiah 54:17 says "In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.”

No more fear or oppression in your life because you’re established in Christ’s righteousness. You’re no longer in the jurisdiction of darkness; of those who are oppressed by circumstances, situations, demon spirits, etc. You’ve been translated into the Kingdom of God’s Love-Son; the realm of blessings, dominion and glory. Praise God!

CONFESSION

I walk in the consciousness of God’s righteousness, securely established in Christ! I live above the elements and corrupting influences of this world. I live without worries, conflicts and agitations. I walk in glory, dominion and the strength of God. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

Hebrews 11:1(TLB)

Matthew 17:20

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Matthew 12:22-50

Genesis 40-41

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Matthew 7:1-12

Genesis 17

18TH JANUARY, RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

WE’RE IN CHARGE

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way ( 2 Thessalonians 2:7)

All the evil and atrocious plans and agendas of Satan for the nations of the world can’t succeed because of our stand against him. After the Rapture, Satan will have his way according to the Scriptures, but until then, we—the Church of Jesus Christ—are in charge and in control. We determine the destiny of the nations. Hallelujah!

Some people believe we don’t stand a chance because they’re not a part of what we’re doing. They’re like the men of Succoth that the Bible talks about in Judges 8:5 who, instead of supporting Gideon, mocked him(Judges 8:6). They ridiculed Gideon because they didn’t believe he and his small number of weary troops were capable of defeating the Midianite warriors. But Gideon succeeded without their support.

As long as we’re not all quiet and ignorant about Satan’s agenda for the world, he can’t lord it over the nations. NEVER!

In Ezekiel 22:7 God said, “I sought for a man to stand in the gap and I found none.” He didn’t say, “I sought for many people.” Therefore, as long as some of us stand our ground on the Word against the devil and his cohorts, their works will be thwarted.

MSG aptly summarizes their end! It says God

“...makes the magicians look ridiculous and turns fortunetellers into jokes. He makes the experts look trivial and their latest knowledge look silly.”This is what’s happening around the world because of our prayers. Hallelujah!

PRAYER

The Lord is 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! I come against the structures, systems and schemes employed by Satan to propagate his deception and fear across the nations. Those structures are overthrown, and every evil work is exposed, judged and sentenced, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Psalm 149:5-9

1 Samuel 14:6

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Matthew 13:1-23

Genesis 42-43

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Matthew 7:13-20

Genesis 18