October
2008 edition of Rhapsody of Realities: A brief
review
THE Rhapsody of Realities has been aptly described as being more than a daily
devotional as it is at once revelational, spiritually invigorating, inspirational,
illustrative, enlightening and life-transforming. As a daily devotional, Rhapsody
of Realities abounds in flashes of insight that elucidate and construe some
of the most important spiritual questions of our time. It is, for good measure,
a rejuvenating technique, a kind of elixir of life. It is, in itself, a spiritual
healer, deriving its healing powers from the spirit-dictated words of its
authors, who are themselves the very epitome of spiritual powers. As a Bible
guide, Rhapsody of Realities carefully conducts its reader through the nooks
and crannies of the entire Bible in one or two years, depending on the reader's
choice. And as a reference book, it is replete with scriptures which serve
as interpretative or explanatory notes to larger Biblical texts. Reading the
Rhapsody of Realities is a powerful way to maximize insight, intimacy and
understanding of the Word.
The devotional is a veritable tool that can help and has helped supercharge
our communication with God and change our lives. Rev. Chris and Rev. Anita
Oyakhilome, the authors of the book, use vivid examples from real life to
explain how word pictures help us capture people's attention, make our messages
memorable, open the door to greater intimacy with God and bring about lasting
spiritual physical and socio-economic changes in our lives.
My task here is a concise review of the October 2008 edition of Rhapsody of
Realities, which has been specially packaged and designed to commemorate the
48th Independence anniversary of Nigeria, our great country.
The edition begins with a brief introduction in which we are informed that
the commemorative edition will be distributed gratis, nationwide, “as
part of our Reach-out Nigeria with Rhapsody of Realities Campaign”.
The first lesion, on October 1st, 2008, is by Rev. Chris. Titled “Lift
Nigeria Up In Prayer!”, the lesson is introduced by 1Timothy 2:1-2,
in which Apostle Paul exhorts his addressees to intercede with God, and pray,
for all men, for kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life. The lesson puts an accent on the need to pray, first for
the “entire citizenry” and then “for kings and others in
positions of authority” (i.e. for the leaders of our nation) as a means
of ensuring tranquility and peaceful co-existence. The lesson stresses the
need for both the Church, the Body of Christ in Nigeria, and individuals within
it to pray for the leaders of the nation to enable them to lead us aright.
The second lesson, titled “Benefits of Giving”, is introduced
with a scripture from Acts 20:35 in which Jesus Christ is quoted as saying
that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. The pith and
marrow of this lesson is that when you give anything, you “conquer”
that which you've given, be it cash or material possession, and, having vanquished
that level, as it were, God would catapult you to a higher level by his grace.
This second lesson is like an open sesame to the third lesson, in which Rev.
Anita discusses, with aplomb and information, a supernatural force, which
“inspires prosperity in the life of a Christian” (and) “keeps
him on the path of progress.” That force, she says, is grace. Rev. Anita
cites the First epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 15:10, in which Apostle
Paul accentuates the attributes of divine grace. The third lesson dovetails
into the fourth lesson, titled “Benefits of Meditation”, by Rev.
Chris. Citing Joshua 1:8 as a preface to the lesson, Pastor Chris, in his
characteristic scholarly style, distinguishes between one level of meditation
and another, ascribing to each level the manifold benefits derivable therefrom.
The lesson on meditation is followed by a disquisition on yet another set
of benefits, this time, of Loyalty.
A common thread that runs through the special October edition of Rhapsody
of Realities consists in fervid disquisitions on the benefits of several godly
attributes, such as of “Forgiving Others” (by Rev. Anita), of
“Studying God's Word” (by Rev. Chris) and of “Diligence”
(also by Rev. Chris). In the “Benefits of Forgiving Others”, Rev.
Anita preaches up the need to shut the door firmly against the devil by forgiving
others, and warns against an unforgiving spirit, which is a certain inducement
to the deadly and unseemly attributes of bitterness and malice. In the “Benefits
of studying God's Word”, Rev. Chris, on October 7, 2008, stresses the
manifold advantages derivable from a continual study of the Holy Writ, a habit
which, he affirms, inures those who study the Word to disease, sickness and
poverty. On October 8, Rev. Chris uses the springboard provided by Proverbs
22:29 to discuss the benefits of diligence, which, according to the man of
God, include insurance against lack and manifold blessings of God.
It is pertinent to state, at this juncture, that at the end of every lesson,
the authors have provided either a spiritually crafted prayer or a spirit-filled
confessional statement designed to bless, or serve as a prompter to, its readers.
On October 9, Rev. Anita discusses the “Benefits of talking Right”.
James 3:4-5 introduces this lesson in which the author stresses the transcendental
role of the human mouth in either forging the progress or want of progress
of any human person. That beautiful lesson is followed by another one on the
“Benefits of Discipline” by Rev. Chris. This lesson lectures on
how to become a soldier in God's own army, whilst the next lesson, on October
11th dilates on the virtues or “Benefits of keeping the Right Company”.
On October 12 and 13, Revs. Anita and Chris discuss the “Benefits of
Testifying” and of “A merry Heart”, respectively. The “Benefits
of Self-Control” and of Piety” are handled, respectively, by Pastors
Anita and Chris on October 14 and 15.
Bound in a glossy and captivating cover on which the national colours of green-white-green
is emblazoned, the special October edition of Rhapsody of Realities also covers
such titles as the “Benefits of Patience”, the “Benefits
of Consistency”, the “Benefits of Worshipping God”, and
the “Benefits of Wisdom”, discussed in an elegant and racy manner
by the Reverend lady and gentleman, between October 16 and l9. Other benefits
discussed, with spiritual skills, in the incomparable Daily Devotional, between
October 20 and 31, are the “Benefits of Humility”, of “Showing
Gratitude”, of “Prayer”, of “Tithing”, of “Walking
in Love” and of “Praying in Tongues”. Other benefits discussed
include those of “Using Your Time Wisely”, “Soul-winning”,
“Going to Church”, “Guarding the Word in Your Heart”,
“Walking in Excellence” and, finally, of “Answering the
Right Name”.
At the end of every week, there is a general knowledge quiz, a mnemonic device,
based on the lessons read during the week. The revelations, teachings, anecdotes
and illustrations, Word-based prayers and confessions, (and the) proven one-year
and two-year Bible reading plans, are, in the language of the blurb at the
back of the book, “guaranteed to edify and enrich your walk with the
Lord….”
It is, however, noteworthy that, either by design or by omission, the useful
little book is not paginated. Be all that as it may, the thrust of Rhapsody
of Realities is double-pronged: It focuses on the readers' physical, moral
and socio-economic well-being in this world as well as paves the way to eternal
bliss in the hereafter.
AN alleged
monumental fraud running into billions of naira allegedly squandered on the
Benin City road network, by Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor has sparked off a
cold war in Edo State.... 
Being a keynote address by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President, Believers Loveworld
Inc. (a.k.a Christ Embassy) at the Grand Launch of the 2008 edition of ReachOut
Nigeria... 
THE Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), still gasping for breath, amid unending
attacks from the public, surprisingly, in recent times has been suffering
..... 
MIKANO Generators
is a subsidiary of Mikano International Limited, a company with 27 years experience
in the areas of Building/Civil Engineering Construction and Steel... 
