Destinyinternationallc

May 2026 Rhapsody Of Realities

Monday, May 18th

Pastor Chris

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 outmanoeuvre 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 KJV
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 KJV
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

2 Samuel 17:23 KJV
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.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING-
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
John 8:31-47
1 Kings 22

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

PRAYER OF SALVATION
We trust you have been blessed by this devotional. We invite you to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life by praying thus:

“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”

Congratulations! You are now a child of God.

Let us know that you made that declaration by sending a mail to : [email protected]/ [email protected] or call 240-600-2662.

Join our Services With Pastor Nelson, Onsite or Online:
Sunday @ 10am EST.
Wednesday @ 7pm EST

Physical Address: Christ Embassy | Laurel 8955 Henkel’s Lane, Suite 505, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

Website: christembassylaurel.org

Follow us on:

YouTube: https://shorturl.at/2Z6oU

Instagram: https://shorturl.at/WqOuy

Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R1DUk

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody Of Realities Daily Devotional

May 2026 Rhapsody Of Realities

Saturday, May 16th

Pastor Chris

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 READINGS PLAN
John 7:25-8:1-11
1 Kings 18-19

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 9:20-27
Proverbs 12

PRAYER OF SALVATION
We trust you have been blessed by this devotional. We invite you to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life by praying thus:

“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”

Congratulations! You are now a child of God.

Let us know that you made that declaration by sending a mail to : [email protected]/ [email protected] or call 240-600-2662.

Join our Services With Pastor Nelson, Onsite or Online:
Sunday @ 10am EST.
Wednesday @ 7pm EST

Physical Address: Christ Embassy | Laurel 8955 Henkel’s Lane, Suite 505, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

Website: christembassylaurel.org

Follow us on:

YouTube: https://shorturl.at/2Z6oU

Instagram: https://shorturl.at/WqOuy

Facebook: https://shorturl.at/R1DUk

EXCERPT FROM: Rhapsody Of Realities Daily Devotional