Tag: devotional

Read: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Meditation verse:

“As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything” (Ecclesiastes 11:5).

The story is told of a monk who embarked on a long journey on foot. He came across a river and wondered how he would cross over. He tried walking across, but it was too deep; he couldn’t swim either. Eventually, he built a raft and successfully crossed to the other side of the river. He then said to himself “this must be very useful to me; I have to hold on to it”. He strapped it to his back and continued his journey. A short while later, he came across a very thick forest, with rows of trees. As he attempted to walk through, the raft behind his back kept getting stuck between the trees, making it impossible to go through. After several attempts, he realized that the raft was now the obstacle holding him back, so he took it off. The Monk’s story teaches us some valuable life lessons:

Firstly, life is an uncharted course, What you meet at one stage is not what you would meet at the next. So, preparation is key in the journey of life. Be proactive, keep an open mind and be discerning of times and circumstances.

To every problem, there is a solution, which may be easier than we think. Most things are not as difficult as they seem if we give it some thought. Our imaginations always make things seem difficult. The Monk dissipated so much energy trying to navigate the trees, before realizing that the raft behind his back was the stumbling block. 

In many situations of our lives, God has already made a way of provision, we just need to ask Him to show us. 

Unnecessary baggage will slow you down in life. The Monk did not come across another ocean, so strapping the raft on his back was a wasted effort. What are you still lugging around that no longer serves your best interest? As the year rolls to an end, lay aside every weight. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Meditation verse:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Timothy 1:7). 

Some other weights to get rid of as you prepare to enter the new year include: 

Debts of any kind: Be sure to clear all debts, whether financial debts, forgiveness of an offence or restoration of a broken relationship. Romans 13:8-10 says “owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law”.  

Wrong mindset: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Your mind is powerful. It is the seat of your emotions, moods, thoughts, and beliefs. If the mind is skewed or unhealthy, you have a big problem at hand. “Your thoughts influence your emotions, your emotions decisions, your decisions influence your actions. Your actions influence your outcomes in life. Be careful how you think because your life is shaped by your thoughts. Bet rid of fear, self-doubt, low self-esteem, and other limiting beliefs.

Excuses: If you want an excuse for not doing something, especially the things that will build our faith and help us grow in our walk with God, it is so easy to find one. We can come up with so many excuses for not doing our personal devotions and bible studies each day or not fellowshipping with others and these excuses will sound genuine. But if truth be told, people always make them for what they consider as most important. The apostle Paul said, “but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Lack of clarity: Without a clear idea of where you are going, how can you even speak of travelling? “If you do not know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else” (Yogi Berra). Write down your vision for the new year, make it plain, lay aside the weight and travel light.

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: Romans 12:1-17

Meditation verse:

“Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  

It’s only a few weeks to the end of this year. As 2023 comes to an end and we prepare to enter a new year, it is a good time to do some self-evaluation. How did you fare in the different areas of your life, particularly in your walk with God? Are you satisfied with your progress in the areas of personal devotion, worship, thanksgiving, bible study, fellowship, service and giving? If not, what things do you think hindered you and how can you ensure that you do not carry the same baggage (s) into the new year? Romans 12:1 says “therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”. What weight do you need to toss aside to ensure that you travel light into the new year? Here are a few suggestions:

Sin: Romans 6:1-2 says, “what shall we say then, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Sin in any form is a weight that not only has the power to slow down your progress but can also waste your life. “Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed” (Romans 12:12-13). 

Wrong association: If you continue to hang out with the wrong crowd you will eventually end up in the wrong place. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? …Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). 

Laziness: Lazy people want much but get little. But those who work hard will prosper” (Proverbs 13:4, NLT). If you desire worthy accomplishments, you cannot travel with this baggage. There is a price to pay for success, the price is hard work. “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” (Thomas Edison).

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: Psalm 27:1-14

Meditation verse:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Your source of strength: Psalm 27:1 says “the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be  afraid?”. Do you know the implication of this statement? You do not have to  worry whether your ability will carry you through because you have a source to  draw from. The Almighty God who is so strong that He does not need to sleep  or slumber to be refreshed is the source of your strength. Never doubt your  ability to carry out a task. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens  you (Philippians 4:13).  

Your source of strategies: Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in  the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye”. John 16:13 states that when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He  will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and  He will tell you things to come. The Holy Spirit is the greatest teacher, coach,  mentor, and life strategist. He can instruct and give you strategies for success in  every area of your life. 

Your source of solutions: God has a solution for every problem; including  difficult issues. He can make a way for you where there seems to be no way. He  raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He  may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people (Psalm 119:7-8). He  settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children (Psalm  119:9). He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and  cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire (Psalm 46:9). He calms the  storm, so that its waves are still (Psalm 107:29), He can calm every raging storm  in your life. There is no disease that He cannot cure. He can raise the dead and  give life to every dead situation in your life. His ability to restore life is beyond  human understanding. 

What God cannot do, does not exist. There is no situation that he cannot change.  He is your source for every need. Let Him be your highest priority.

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: ISAIAH 61:1-7 

Meditation verse: 

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of  joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may  be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be  glorified” (Isaiah 61:3). 

Beauty for ashes evokes a sense of restoration or comeback. It symbolises rising  from destruction or desolation or receiving something good amid so much evil.  It has been a year of hard pressing for many individuals, families. God’s promise and word of comfort comes to you today. If you have been locked up in a place  of mourning, shame, guilt, despair, loss or whatever your ashes may be, it is time  to rise in faith and take back what the enemy has stolen from you. You need to  begin to rebuild the old ruins and repair the desolations. Wherever life has  challenged you, God is saying to you, you do not have to remain sitting down,  get up and begin to rebuild the old ruins, whatever that may represent in your  life; whether the old ruins of your health, marriage, finances, business, family.  

And after you have begun to rebuild, you shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead  of your shame you shall have double honour, and instead of confusion you shall  rejoice in your portion. In your land you shall possess double; and everlasting  joy shall be yours. God has anointed you with the oil of joy. He has wrapped a  garment of praise around you. Anointing breaks the yoke. Anointing restores  order. Anointing brings deliverance. He has done His part; you need to do yours.  Generations are counting on you; your rebuilding is for a generational  turnaround. So, you cannot afford to remain in the place of desolation.  

There is a well of endless possibilities waiting for you on the other side of life.  Remove the chains of despair, fear, guilt, self-condemnation or whatever is  holding you back. Shake away the ashes and take a step of faith, no matter how  little. God can overwhelm you with new splendour. He can jumpstart your life  again. And He will if you ask Him.

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: JOHN 2:1-11 

Meditation verse: 

“You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance” (Psalm 65:11).

There was a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. Whilst the celebration was still ongoing, the wine supply ran out. The problem was  presented to Jesus. Initially Jesus said His time had not yet come but eventually  He turned six pots of water into the sweetest wine anyone had ever tasted. The  master of the feast upon tasting the wine said to the bridegroom, “everyone  sets out the good wine at the beginning of the feast, but you have kept the best  wine until now.  

Jesus Christ, the Chief Bridegroom, and Master planner of your life has kept the  best part of the year and indeed your life until now. Wherever you have  experienced lack, setbacks, emptiness, frustrations, and loss in the past, set out  your six empty waterpots of stone because the tides are about to be turned in  your favour. If you have invited Him into your life, just as He was invited to the  wedding celebration, He will fill your emptiness and lack with sweet wine. Psalm  65:11-13 says, “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip  with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills  rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are  covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing”.  

Do not cast away your confidence. Everything will be alright in the end, if it is  not alright now then it is not the end. You have your whole life ahead of you.  God is saying ‘do not put a fool stop to what life put a comma’. Your life will end  on a high note. “The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in  spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,  for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, ‘Why were the former days  better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Ecclesiastes  7:8-10).  

You must however believe that it will turn out so for you, or it will not. It’s always  a case of “be it done to you according to your faith”.

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: ECCLESIASTES 7:8-9 

Meditation verse: 

“Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase  abundantly” (Job 8:7). 

The midlife season of life comes with several challenges. From aging, to failing  strength and health, to decreased libido, empty nests, loneliness, apathy,  anxiety about the future, retirement, loneliness, and much more. But it can be  a season of huge blessings if you maintain an open mind and a positive outlook  to life.  

There are several scriptures that speak of the blessings of the latter.  

Haggai 2:9 states, “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the  former; says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place, I will give peace,’ says the Lord  of hosts.” Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 says “The end of a thing is better than its beginning;  the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit  to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, “why were the  former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this’.  Deuteronomy 8:16 says “who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your  fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to  do you good in the end”.  

Ezekiel 38:8 says “After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will  come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from  many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they  were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely”. Also, at  midlife, you are a bundle of assets: skills, abilities, and life experiences that you  have gathered over the years.  

Why then would you look down at yourself? Who says you are not good enough? Who says your best years are behind? Your life is just getting started; the  children are all grown up. You have decades of work experience, so you are a  bundle of gifts, talents, skills, and educational qualifications. You are saved,  sanctified, filled with the Holy spirit and possibly with a long-term experience of  walking with God and experiencing His grace and favour. You are therefore in a  good place. Open yourself to endless possibilities and get excited about the  years ahead.

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: 2 KINGS 7:3-16 

Meditation verse: 

“Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to  one another, “why are we sitting here until we die”? (2 KINGS 7:3). 

Four leprous men at the entrance of Samaria found themselves in a desperate  situation. The famine had besieged the city, and everyone was hungry. If they  entered the city,’ the famine is in the city, and they would die there. And if we  sit here, we die also. So, they decided to surrender to the army of the Syrians. 

They reasoned If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only  die. And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they  had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there. 

“For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of  chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so, they said  to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of  the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!”. Therefore, they  arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their  horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives. And when these  lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate  and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and  hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried  some from there also, and went and hid it”. 

Many of you are sitting on their greatness. You have suppressed your God-given  abilities and mandate due to the challenges of your life. Some of you are sitting  down, with boredom, apathy and lukewarmness, others are wandering around  aimlessly, clueless about their divine assignment or calling in life. You need to  arise. If life has challenged you, it is time to challenge life back. Exercise your  authority that Jesus Christ paid a huge price to give you. You have the right to  an abundant and fulfilling life. There is a next level of abundance waiting for you  at the other side. If the four lepers did not rise, they would never have partaken  of the abundance that the fleeing Syrians left behind.  

Stop sitting on your greatness. Arise and dominate. Arise and shine. Arise and  rule your word. God has one word to say to you today, LIVE!

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

or call +2348155525555

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

 Read: PSALM 92:12-15 

Meditation verse: 

“They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm  92:14). 

There is currently a plethora of self-help books loaded with prescriptions on how  to look twenty years younger than your age. We are instructed to exercise daily,  eat low fat, balanced meals, drink tons of water to detoxify our systems, splash  on moisturizers before stepping out of the house, get enough rest or sleep and  abstain from stressful situations. Whilst these instructions can be useful and  beneficial, they are no guarantees to either a longer life or one devoid of  sickness and pain. Athletes have been known to collapse and die during sporting  events and fitness addicts have been afflicted with deadly diseases such as  cancer. The bible states that “bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is  profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which  is to come” (1 Tim 4:8). 

Developing and nurturing a right relationship with the one who created your  body is the only guarantee you have for ageing gracefully and transiting  peacefully unto the life beyond. “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and  the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their  strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be  weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31). God gives power to the  weak and increases the strength of those who have no might. He satisfies your  mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed, like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:5). He promises to uphold and deliver you from the time you are born to  your old age (Isaiah 46:3- 4). He says that He will satisfy you with long life and  show you His salvation (Psalm 91:16). He declares that you shall bear fruits even 

in old age and you shall be fresh and flourishing (Psalm 92:14). What an amazing  life He has in store for you and His promises are worth holding on to because He  never fails. 

However, God’s promises are usually tied to conditions. Deuteronomy 5:33 states that “you shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God commanded  you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may  prolong your days in the land which you shall possess”. You are also instructed 

to remember the one who created you in the days of your youth, so that He  would remember you during the difficult and dark years of ageing (Eccl 12:1). 

A life without God will lead to a lonely and unfulfilled old age, full of regrets. A  life centered around and lived for God will bring fulfillment and cause you to age  gracefully. Even if sickness or difficulties arise, you will experience joy and peace.  You will glow in the assurance that God is upholding you and will eventually carry  you safely to the other side when your time on earth is up. Seek God now whilst  you are young and active. Love Him with all your heart, with all your soul and  with all your might (Mathew 22:37). Serve Him with joy and gladness. Keep your  lips from speaking deceit and pursue peace (Ps 34:13-14). Put away bitterness,  wrath, and malice. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, forgive easily, even  as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:26-32). Above all, Fear God and depart  from evil, it will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8). “When you let God’s love fill your heart, it will show on your face”. (Joanie  Yoder).

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

or call +2348155525555

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

Read: 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 

Meditation verse: 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2  Timothy 4:7). 

It is debatable whether any biblical character, apart from Jesus himself, lived a  more fulfilled life than the Apostle, Paul. His earthly credentials and  qualifications according to the Jewish custom were superb. He had an enviable  pedigree that very few could boast of. Circumcised on the eighth day and a  Hebrew of Hebrews, Saul as he was referred to then, was from the tribe of  Benjamin; a tribe greatly esteemed among the Jews. And guess what? He was a  Pharisee; the very devout Jewish sect known for their deep knowledge of Jewish  laws and their ability to keep the laws of Moses to the last detail. As a Jewish  leader, Saul was blameless concerning the righteousness in the law and he  performed his duties with a zeal that no other could match (Phil 3: 4-6). 

However, when the time came for him to dump these earthly credentials to  pursue the purpose that God had for him, he did not look back. He counted all  his accomplishments as rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Christ  and pursued his God given mandate with an even greater zeal. In chains or as a  free man, Paul preached the gospel, planted several churches, and wrote letters  to these churches. His letters are a large part of the New Testament. 2  Corinthians 11:23-29 gives a brief outline of what Paul endured in his quest to  fulfill his assignment. 

In ministry, commitment to service, conduct, lifestyle, devotion, sincerity and  diligence, Paul had no rival. He simply could not be faulted. No one was also  more qualified to give such an excellent valedictory speech as he did in 2  Timothy 4:7. He had indeed fought a good fight. He had lived a fulfilled life, had  kept the faith, and was finishing strong. 

What about you and me? When all is said and done, can we say with confidence  that we are finishing strong? We are all called to a life of purpose and  fruitfulness. How are you faring? Someday you will stand before the righteous  Judge to give an account of your stewardship. As this year slowly comes to an  end, why not ask God to show you areas in your life, where you need to make  amends.

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

or call +2348155525555

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