Tag: devotional

Read: Acts 10:1-23

Meditation verse:

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified  you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

Peter became very hungry and wanted to eat, then he fell into a trance where  he saw a great sheet descending from heaven containing all kinds of four-footed  animals, wild beasts, and birds of the air. Then God told him to rise, kill and eat.  Peter’s hunger put him in a state that enabled him to see the vision God had for  him. Similarly, God can create a void in your life in preparation for the vision He  has for us. This void leads to a hunger within you, which either puts you in a  state of vulnerability or creates a restlessness in you. Either way, as you look up  to God for answers, He opens your heart to perceive what He wants you to do.  The bible states that as Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit spoke to him,  revealing what the vision was about. 

It is difficult to go after what you are not hungry for or what you have no desire  for, because you are likely to give up at the slightest challenge. The hunger  becomes the motivation that pushes you further. The greater the hunger, the  greater your desire to satisfy it. When God was leading the children of Israel to  the promised land, He repeatedly told them that the land was beautiful and  good, flowing with milk and honey. He was creating a hunger in them that would  enable them take possession of the land, despite opposition from its previous  inhabitants.  

Which area of your life is there currently a vacuum or deep void? What are you  hungry for? What is your deepest heart desire? Your hunger or yearning is an  indication of the problem you were created to solve. It may be tied to your God ordained assignment. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you  were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah  1:5). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall  be filled” (Mathew 5:6).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: Judges 9: 7-15

Meditation verse:

“But the olive tree said to them, ‘should I cease giving my oil, with which they  honour God and men, and go to sway over trees?” (Judges 9:9).

The story is told of a lady who died and was on the queue standing before the  Judge on judgement day to give an account of her life. She watched those in  front of her reel out the mighty exploits they had done whilst on earth. Some  had built great cathedrals and several places of worship, others had given  billions of naira in God’s name, and some had fed thousands of people.  

Finally, it was the lady’s turn. Feeling intimidated and bowing down her head in  shame as she approached the judge, she said “I am so sorry that I did not do  much with my life. I stayed at home to raise my four boys”. But to her utmost  surprise, the Man at the gate said “well done woman, you did better than the  others because you did exactly what. You were put on earth to do. You were sent  here to raise these four boys well so that they could fulfil the great call on their  lives. And because you did that, your three sons who are pastors have collectively  won thirty million souls into God’s kingdom and your last child created an  invention that improved the existence of mankind here on earth. These other  people did what no one asked them to do, even though they spent millions doing  so”. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 says “for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My  ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My  ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts”. Before you  were formed, God knew you and ordained you for a particular assignment. It is 

important that you discover, stick with, and actualize your purpose, because  when all is said and done you will stand before God and give a full account of  how you accomplished your purpose. Whether yours is insignificant or great,  stick with it. The size of your purpose does not matter to God, it is how well you  accomplish it that He is interested in. 

The One who created you did so for a reason. So, stick with who you were called  to be, every other person is taken.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: John 10:1-30

Meditation verse:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

There are many strange voices speaking to us that we need to be aware of. Voices are  powerful because they shape our lives. But listening to the wrong voice can impact your life  negatively. What are some of these voices that speak into our lives? 

Your past mistakes: One of the ways the enemy tries to keep you down is by constantly  reminding you of your past failures, errors, wrong choices, sins, and setbacks until you  become imprisoned in it. That silent voice of accusation belongs to the devil. He wants you to  focus only on what is wrong with you, until you lose your faith in God and in yourself.  

Your imagination: Our imagination always makes things seem worse because the brain  prefers to focus on what could go wrong. Your imagination can speak into your life can causing  you to focus only on what is wrong or can go wrong.  

The voice of others: Different people will speak to you based on their opinion of you and what  their intentions are. Those with good intentions will speak good words, whilst those with evil  intentions will speak negative words. Be very careful of the voices you permit into your life.  

Your thoughts: take heed to the thoughts you allow to take root in your heart for as a man  thinketh in his heart so is he.  

Your experiences: Our experiences can take on a voice and begin to speak into our lives. For  instance, if life has dealt you many bad blows, you begin to expect nothing good in life. That  is your experience taking on a voice and speaking into your life. Failing a few times does not  make you a failure. You only experienced failure for a season in your life, you can also  experience success in a different season of life.  

The danger with some of these voices is that while what they speak might seem true because  they mirror the realities of life, they are not the truth. The only truth is what God says about  you in His word and that is the only voice you should only to constantly speak into your life.  John 10:2-5, NLT, says, “but the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he  walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a  stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice”.  

Why not silence every strange voice currently speaking into your life and speak God’s truth  instead.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: Genesis 30:25-43

Meditation verse:

“And when they mated in front of the white-streaked branches, they  gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled and spotted” (Gen  30:39).

Your mind is a dynamic gateway. It is where you feel, think, imagine  and dream. It is the seat of your thoughts and beliefs. What you see  and hear influence your thoughts and your thoughts influence your  actions. Your actions determine your outcomes and results. 

Jacob’s strategy for building his flock depicts this powerful principle.  He had asked Laban, his father in-law, for the livestock that were  streaked, speckled and spotted. Whenever the stronger females were  ready to mate, he would place the peeled branches marked with white  streaks in the watering troughs in front of them. And when they mated  in front of the white streaked branches, they gave birth to young that  were streaked, speckled and spotted. He did not do this with the  weaker females. So, he built a great flock of strong livestock. 

There is a connection between your mind and the outcomes you get  out of life. You conceive in the womb of your destiny and birth  whatever you focus on. Whatever you focus your mind on will  eventually spur you on into a path of success or defeat.  

What is the object of your focus? “Finally, brethren, whatever things  are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,  whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things  are of good report, if there is any virtue, if there is anything  praiseworthy, meditate on these things (Phil 4:8).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: EPHESIANS 5:15-17

Meditation verse:

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is”  (Ephesians 5:17).

As the time of His death drew near, Jesus prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane,  saying “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless, not  as I will, but as You will” (Mathew 26:39). Have you ever wondered what might  have happened had Jesus not surrendered to the will of the Father? Have you  ever imagined what the consequences would have been? The Salvation plan  would have been truncated, you and I would have remained in our sins.  

Many of us are suffering from the consequences of following our will rather than  that of the Father. We have entered into relationships, chosen our spouses,  selected schools for our children, started business ventures without taking time  to seek out the will of God. Did you seek the will of God concerning that spouse 

to determine whether he or she is the right fit for you? 2 corinthians 6:14 says,  “do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has  righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?  A good number of marriages have packed up because they were contracted  outside the will of God. “Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain  who build” (Psalm 127:1) 

You will struggle if you enter into a business relationship with someone whose  values are very different from yours. In 2 Chronicles 20:35-37, Jehoshaphat king  of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel, to start a ship making  business venture. God was not pleased with the alliance, because Ahaziah was  a very wicked king. The ships that were made were wrecked before they got to  their destination and that was the end of the business venture. In the current  era of social media, are we raising our children based on God’s plan or are we  dependent on the trends of the times? A child’s destiny can be altered, by  placing him or her in a wrong environment. There is a way that seems right to a  man, but the end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). 

Stop living life on your own terms, understand what the will of God is for every  area of your life. Here’s God’s promisew to you, “I will instruct you and teach  you in the way you should go, I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: HEBREWS 11:1-40

Meditation verse:

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained  promises, stopped the mouth of lions” (Hebrews 11:33).

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”  (Hebrews 11:1). You must keep your faith strong. Even in the face of extremely  difficult circumstances, do not lose faith. In Hebrews 11, we see that through  faith people subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises,  stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of  the sword, out of weakness were made strong, and became valiant in battle.  Through faith, you can call to being the things you want to see happen in your  life. With faith, you can move mountains.  

Never isolate yourself. Find a community of people that you can do life with. They will serve as your support system during challenging times. The bible says  two are better than one, for if one falls, the other will hold him up, and a  threefold cord is not easily broken. So, locate yourself in a company. Don’t be  an island. Life is not meant to be lived in isolation.  

Love and accept yourself unconditionally. Don’t compare yourself with anyone  else. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “comparing themselves with themselves, they are  not wise”. Life is a journey, and we all have our own roads to travel. Comparison  is a destiny derailer that robs you of your joy, gratitude, and contentment.  Define yourself worth from who you are in Christ, not what you own or what  you can do. Who you are in Christ is more than enough and God loves and  accepts you unconditionally. 

Lastly, maintain a good attitude, irrespective of what life throws at you. John  16:33 says, that in this world you will have tribulation, but you must be of ‘good  cheer. That speaks of having the right attitude. Your attitude affects your  emotions, your emotions affect your thoughts, your thoughts affect your  behaviour, your behaviour affects your outcomes in life which in turn affects  your attitude. It’s a vicious circle.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: 3 JOHN 2

Meditation verse:

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your  whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord  Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Self-care is important and all-encompassing You must take responsibility and  become accountable for your actions, because no one will do it for you. Self care involves an inside-to-outside approach. How you talk to yourself, what you  think of yourself and how you allow yourself to be treated by others will impact  greatly on your well-being. What are you reading listening to and meditating on? In the current digital era, there is a lot out there that can poison your mind and  spirit. You need to set boundaries to protect your wellbeing. 

We are currently living in challenging times. Focus only on what you can change  and learn to let go of what you cannot change. Learn to live your life in a way  that works for you. Let go of unrealistic expectations. Realize that you don’t have  to change people to become fulfilled or happy. And nobody will change because  of you. You are not called to change people. You are called to love them and be  the best version of yourself.  

Have a vision for your life. Habakkuk 2:2 says write down the vision and make it  plain. That they may run with it. Pause and think about your outcomes. Ask  yourself, some very critical questions. Who am I? Who am I becoming? Where  am I going or where do I want to go? What do I need for this journey and who  can help me get there? These are critical questions you must ask yourself  regularly. Run with your vision and Focus on your outcomes. Have a positive  outlook to life, irrespective of what is going on around you. Say to yourself “my  treasures are here, and I will get them”.  

Keep learning and growing. No matter how difficult your circumstances are,  show up everywhere you are supposed to and keep going. Be willing to step out  of your comfort zone even when it is difficult to do so. Never give up. Ecclesiastes 9:4 says, “a living dog is better than a dead lion”.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: JOHN 10:10

Meditation verse:

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your  soul prospers.” (3 John 2).

God’s plan for us is that we prosper not only spiritually, but in every aspect of  human endeavour: emotionally, mentally, intellectually, financially, socially,  psychologically, maritally, and occupationally. He wants you to stay connected  to Him, He wants your mind to be alive, He wants you to think intelligently, He  wants your body to be sound, He wants your relationships to flourish. He wants  you to live out your purpose fully, He delights in your financial prosperity. He  wants you to be emotionally and mentally sound. This is the wholesome and  abundant life that Christ came to give you.  

To thrive means to prosper, to flourish, to grow vigorously, to gain in wealth and  possession. Other words for thrive include succeed, prosperous, advance rise,  achieve success, shine, expand, develop, do well, grow, turnout well and fly high.  This is God’s mind for you. He wants you to do well, expand, advance, rise, and  prosper. You are destined to make progress in every area of human endeavour.  The opposite of thrive is deteriorate, decline, retrogress, retrograde, wither,  stagnate, die. This is the devil’s desire for you. John 10:10 says, “the thief does  not come except to steal, kill and to destroy I have come that they may have life  and that they may have it more abundantly”. 

In what area of your life have you experienced retrogression and defeat? James  4:7 says, “therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. Why not submit that area to God and command the devil to take his hands off.  You have been given authority over the wiles of the enemy in the name of Jesus  Christ. “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose  on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Mathew 18:18). Exercise your authority today  and break free from the yoke of the enemy. Your Father says live and thrive!

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

Read: JOHN 17:14-19

Meditation verse:

“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16).

As a believer in Christ Jesus, you are not of this world. You are a spirit being in a  body living in a physical world. As a result, you have the ability to dwell in the  physical and the spiritual realms. You can be catapulted into the spiritual realm.  How does this happen? By speaking the language of the Holy Spirit. Every  territory, locality and nation have its own unique language. The language spoken  in Mexico is different from that spoken in France. Within Nigeria, there are  different languages for each locality. 

When you spend time praying in the language of the spirit, you get transported  into the realm of the spirit. Another way is by being in the presence of God,  constantly. John 4:24 states that: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must  worship in spirit and truth.  

In this world, you will have tribulations (John 16:33). But when the challenges of  this physical world become unbearable, you have the option of moving into the  spiritual realm. Begin by worshipping God in the beauty of His holiness, then  start to pray in the language of the Holy Ghost, and as you continue, you will  become enveloped by a sense of peace. At that moment in time, you have been  transported into the realm of the spirit.  

The more time you spend worshipping God, the more time you spend in the  realm of the spirit. “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness  of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.