05/20/2026
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WEDNESDAY 20TH MAY 2026.
✨CUT OFF SATANIC INFLUENCES✨
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus (Acts 13:6).
PASTOR CHRIS SAYS;
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Acts 13 gives us a clear picture of how Satan tries to resist the Gospel, especially when it’s about to reach those in positions of leadership. An example is seen in Acts 13:6 when Saul (Paul) and Barnabas went through the Isle of Paphos, preaching the Gospel. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, whom the Bible describes as “a prudent man,” desired to hear the Word of God and sent for Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:7). He wanted to know more about Jesus Christ.
But there was someone closely associated with him who wouldn’t let that happen; Acts 13:6-8 the Amplified Classic version reveals it: “When they had passed through the entire island of Cyprus as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain Jewish wizard or sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was closely associated with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent and sensible man of sound understanding; he summoned to him Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God [concerning salvation in the kingdom of God attained through Christ]. But Elymas the wise man--for that is the translation of his name [which he had given himself]--opposed them, seeking to keep the proconsul from accepting the faith.” He resisted and tried to stop the leader from receiving the Word.
Then the Bible says, “…Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord” (Acts 13:9-10)? Paul wasn’t speaking by suspicion or emotion; he spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He called him who he truly was: a child of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness.
Many world leaders have such people around them who distract them from the truth and keep them from hearing the Word of God. This is why we take our stand in prayer to cut off such influences from the leaders of nations. Every so often, in praying for the leaders of nations, governments and institutions of this world, declare that the counsels of the “Elymases” of this world are frustrated and silenced; cut off their influence from the leaders. Pray that all around the world, the hearts of presidents, kings, governors, lawmakers, and decision-makers are open to hear and receive the Word of God and the Gospel is producing results in their lives.
Pray also that the Spirit grants them discernment to recognise deception, and that righteous influences surround them, creating access for the Gospel to be preached, received freely, and spread rapidly all around the world. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION
The Word of God prevails in the hearts of leaders and decision makers across the nations today. Every satanic influence to resist the Gospel and turn them away from the truth is cut off by the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s wisdom and righteousness dominate the nations, and His truth is established without resistance, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Acts 13:6-12 NIV
They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, [7] who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. [9] Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, [10] “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? [11] Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. [12] When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
John 9:1-41
2 Kings 4-5
2-Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Corinthians 11:1-11
Proverbs 16
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 this
“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.
