Tag: devotional

READ: John 15:1–8

MEDITATION VERSE

“The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to  speak a word in season to him who is weary…” — Isaiah 50:4.

Human knowledge can be helpful, but the most life-giving words flow from  those who have been taught directly by the Lord. Time in God’s presence is like  stepping into a secret chamber filled with treasures—revelation, wisdom,  insight, peace, strength, and more.

Many of the messages in this devotional  were birthed in that secret place. Without those moments of quiet connection  with God, there would be no daily word to share. Jesus made it clear in John  15:5—without Him, we can do nothing. 

How often do you visit this secret chamber? When was the last time you visited?  Do you even have a regular time of the day which you have set aside to meet  with God? John 15:5-8 says “I am the vine; you are the branches.

He who abides  in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If  anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and  they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide  in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall  be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you  will be My disciples”. 

The more you abide in Him, the more fruit you will bear. Make it your daily habit  to enter the secret chamber each morning. It’s there you’ll find the clarity,  courage, and guidance you need for life’s journey. Spending time in God’s  presence is a time-tested principle for success in every area of human  endeavour.  

How can you make your time with God more consistent and intentional this  week?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit:

www.rockteachingministry.org

READ: Joshua 1:1–14

MEDITATION VERSE

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with  Moses, so I will be with you.” — Joshua 1:5.

When Moses died, leadership of Israel fell to Joshua. He was no longer the  assistant—he was the leader. Faced with the enormous task of leading a nation  into the Promised Land, God gave Joshua a success blueprint: 

“I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage….  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do  according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not  turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper  wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth,  but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do  according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way  prosperous and have good success” (Joshua 1:6-8) 

In order words, God was saying: 

• Trust My presence. “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” • Be strong and courageous. Stand firm for what is right. 
• Follow the rules. Keep integrity; avoid shortcuts. 
• Stay in My Word. Meditate on it day and night. 
• Don’t give in to fear. Even when challenges seem overwhelming. 

Whenever you step into a new season, role, or environment, you can lean on  these same principles. God’s presence will strengthen you, His Word will guide  you, and His promises will carry you through.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit:

www.rockteachingministry.org

READ: Deuteronomy 30:11–20

MEDITATION VERSE

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before  you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you  and your descendants may live.” — Deuteronomy 30:19.

I once did a gorgeous hairstyle for a photoshoot, only to realize it was impossible  to sleep comfortably with it. After two restless nights, I finally removed the  attachments before dawn. The relief was instant—and it made me wonder why  I endured discomfort for so long when I had the power to change it.

Life is full  of choices, both small and life-altering. God, who is sovereign over all, has given  us the gift of free will. We decide the path we take, the words we speak, the  habits we keep—and ultimately, where we will spend eternity. 

Through Moses, God told Israel plainly: choose life by loving the Lord, walking in  His ways, and keeping His commands.  

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 in that  I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways,  and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments,  that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in  the land which you go to possess.

But if your heart turns away so that  you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and  serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish;  you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the  Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses  today against you, that I have set before you, life, and death, blessing  and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your  descendants may live.  

-Deuteronomy 30:15-19 

The choice was theirs, just as it is yours today. Proverbs 14:12 reminds us: “There  is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Each decision  you make leads you toward life or away from it. 

In what area of your life do you need to intentionally “choose life” today?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit:

www.rockteachingministry.org

READ: Romans 8:28–30

MEDITATION VERSE:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to  those who are the called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28.

In the movie Father of the Bride, a young couple dreamed of a small, intimate wedding. But their wealthy parents envisioned something grand, with thousands of guests in an extravagant venue. The night before the wedding, a  fierce storm destroyed the entire event space and cut off the bridge leading to it. With no other option, the couple had their wedding in the bride’s home— exactly what they had hoped for all along. 

Similarly, Albert Ellis, a 20th-century psychologist, endured a lonely and  challenging childhood marked by neglect, illness, and hardship. Instead of  becoming bitter, Ellis reframed his pain as a stepping-stone to independence.  His resilience led him to develop Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, helping  millions live better lives. 

Looking back at difficult seasons in my own life, I’ve seen God’s fingerprints in  the details. What once felt like disaster often became the very thing that  propelled me forward. The truth is, God can use every circumstance—pleasant  or painful—to shape our character, build resilience, and position us for purpose. 

When it feels like life is falling apart, remember God may just be rearranging  things so they fall into place. What situation in your life right now might God be  working out for your ultimate good?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit:

www.rockteachingministry.org

READ: Matthew 6:9–15; Psalm 103:8–14

MEDITATION VERSE

“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3.

Wholeness isn’t the absence of pain—it’s the presence of healing. Many carry invisible  wounds from life’s disappointments, betrayals, or personal failures, and the path to  restoration often begins with a choice: the choice to let go, to forgive, and to receive healing. Here are three steps toward emotional and spiritual restoration that can set you free and  bring lasting healing to your soul: 

1. Forgive Others 

You cannot experience full healing if you are still entangled in bitterness. Forgiveness is not  excusing the wrong done to you—it’s releasing its grip on your life. “Forgive us our debts, as  we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12). When you forgive others, you open the door for  your own healing. Forgiveness releases you from emotional captivity and invites God’s  blessings into your life. Choose wholeness over hurt. 

2. Forgive Yourself 

Sometimes, the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Maybe you’ve moved on from what  others did to you—but you’re still holding yourself hostage to past decisions and regrets. “If you knew better, you would have done better”. You made mistakes, but you are not a  mistake. Stop punishing yourself. God’s grace is sufficient for your past, present, and future.  You are not expected to be perfect—only to surrender and grow. Healing begins when you  extend grace to yourself the same way God does. 

3. Accept God’s Forgiveness 

God doesn’t forgive halfway. He doesn’t bring up old records or keep score. His forgiveness is  total, and His mercy is everlasting. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed  our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12). That voice of shame and condemnation you  hear is not from God—it’s from the enemy, who is called “the accuser of the brethren.” You  must silence that voice with truth. Don’t just accept God’s forgiveness—walk in it. Live like  someone who is free. Let the past be the past. 

Say this prayer: 

Father, I release every weight I have been carrying—every pain, every disappointment, every  root of bitterness. I choose to forgive those who have wronged me, and I also choose to  forgive myself. I receive Your healing and stand in the freedom that Christ has purchased for  me. Fill me with Your peace, joy, and strength as I move forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com

For more enquiries, visit:

www.rockteachingministry.org

READ: Mathew 6:12-15 James 4:7

MEDITATION VERSE

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows  up to cause trouble and defile many.” — Hebrews 12:15 (NIV).

A research paper by a counselling psychologist note that repressed or  unresolved emotions—such as anger, unforgiveness, resentment, or hatred— can have real physical consequences. According to the findings, unresolved  emotions toward someone in authority over you (like a father, husband, or boss)  may manifest in ailments on the right side of your body, which represents authority. In contrast, harbouring resentment toward those under your  authority (such as children, employees, or subordinates) may affect the left side  of your body. Whether it’s high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, persistent back  pain, sleep disturbances, or unexplained ailments that defy medical diagnosis,  the root may not be purely physical—it could be emotional or spiritual. 

What emotional weight are you carrying today? Is it the pain of betrayal? The  wounds of a broken relationship? The scars from rejection, disappointment, or  abuse? Is it unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, or grief? Whatever it is, it’s not  meant for you to carry. It’s a heavy load, and it is weighing you down – emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. God is calling you to let it go. Here  is His word for you today: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden,  and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

So, lay down the baggage. Let go of the pain of unmet expectations, the  heartbreak of divorce, the shame of past mistakes, or the burden of financial  struggles. Release the bottled-up emotions and give God full access to your  heart. He wants to begin the healing process—but you must be willing to yield.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: 1 Kings 10:14-29

Meditation verse:

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power  to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Wealth creation is not just about hard work or luck—it is a divine empowerment. The Bible  makes it clear: “It is the Lord your God who gives you the power to get wealth.” That power  manifests in various forms—wisdom, creativity, skill, spiritual gifting, or natural talent—and  it’s distributed by God as He pleases. King Solomon is a prime example.

God gave him  extraordinary wisdom, and that wisdom became a magnet for wealth. “Each man brought his  present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armour, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate  year by year” (1 Kings 10:25). Solomon dispensed value—wise counsel and sound judgment – and in return, he received riches from nations far and wide.

The Queen of Sheba was so awed  by his wisdom that she brought extravagant gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones. Likewise, Bezalel, the craftsman, was filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom,  understanding, and knowledge to design artistic works and craft in gold, silver, and bronze  (Exodus 31:2–4). His skill was his God-given power to create value—and wealth. 

What has God given you? There is something of value that God has deposited in you. It could  be: 

A natural talent like singing, drawing, or organizing 

A developed skill such as writing, teaching, coding, or leading 

A spiritual gift like prophecy, encouragement, or discernment 

You may be overlooking it because it feels ordinary to you—but that ability may be the very  channel through which God intends to bring increase into your life. Pay attention to what you  do effortlessly and what others often praise you for. These could be signposts pointing to your  power to get wealth. If you create value with your gift, you will attract reward.  

Wealth flows toward value. When you serve others with what you’ve been given, you unlock  a divine cycle: value given, value received. Proverbs 22:29 (NLT) says, “Do you see any truly  competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.” 

Excellence and consistency in delivering value will cause you to rise. But remember—this isn’t  just about personal gain. God empowers you to create wealth for His purposes: to bless  others, support Kingdom work, and be a testimony of His faithfulness. Wealth, in God’s hands  and in yours, is a tool—not a trophy. 

Today, thank God for giving you the power to get wealth. Ask Him to help you recognize the  gifts, talents, and abilities He has placed inside you and teach you to steward them well,  create value for others, and walk in excellence.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

Meditation verse:

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made  perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The exact nature of Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is not revealed in Scripture, but what we do  know is that it caused him considerable discomfort—so much so that he pleaded with God  three times to take it away. His cry was earnest, perhaps even desperate.

But God, in His  sovereign wisdom, chose not to remove the thorn. Instead, He offered Paul something even  greater: grace. Paul’s response to God’s “No” was not one of resignation but of resolve. He  embraced his weakness and allowed it to showcase the strength of Christ. He didn’t let the  thorn hinder his calling or slow his ministry. He learned to live with the discomfort by leaning  into divine grace—a grace that empowered him to keep going, keep preaching, and keep  thriving. 

You may be carrying a “thorn” of your own—a chronic struggle, a lingering weakness, an  unanswered prayer, or a painful past that refuses to fade. Perhaps you’ve waited and wept,  hoping God would take it away.

But like Paul, you may need to accept that the thorn remains,  not because God is indifferent, but because His grace is sufficient for you. Grace is not just a  spiritual concept; it is a divine enabler. It empowers you to function effectively despite the  struggle. You don’t have to be free of the weakness to live victoriously—you only need to  depend on God’s grace within it. 

How do you appropriate this grace? You begin by speaking it, believing it, and walking in the  consciousness of it. Let your declarations align with God’s promise: “Lord, Your grace is  sufficient for me. Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. I surrender my will to Yours.” If you struggle with anger, anxiety, addiction, fear, or self-doubt, grace is available to help you  rise above it.

You may not be instantly transformed, but as you continue to speak God’s Word  and submit to His Spirit, transformation will come. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “Faith comes  by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Speak His Word often—into your mind, your  emotions, and your circumstances. 

Grace is not permission to stay weak; it is power to keep moving despite weakness. Even when  your flesh falters, your spirit can be strengthened by the One who lives in you. So today, live  in the light of this truth: You are not disqualified by your thorn. You are empowered through  it. Like Paul, you can say, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” The thorn may not be removed,  but God’s grace will always be enough.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21

Meditation verse:

“And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him  who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

The life of a believer is not a self-centred one—it is a life of mission and ministry. According  to 2 Corinthians 5:18, God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us  the ministry of reconciliation.

That means you and I have been entrusted with the  responsibility to help others find their way back to God. But how is this reconciliation  achieved? Not merely through sermons or arguments, but through lives that reflect Christ’s  love, humility, and service. 

No one demonstrated servant-hearted ministry better than Jesus. On the night of His  betrayal, knowing that the cross awaited Him, Jesus laid aside His garment, picked up a towel,  and began to wash the feet of His disciples (John 13:3–5). This was not symbolic—it was  deeply practical, messy, and humbling.

He who was God in the flesh knelt before broken men  and served them. That same Spirit of humility and sacrifice must define us. We cannot  reconcile others to Christ while clinging to pride, status, or comfort. The towel is the true  symbol of ministry—not the microphone, not the title, and certainly not the platform. 

Apostle Paul embraced this same servant posture. In 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, he said, “Though  I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.” Paul  became all things to all people, not out of compromise, but out of compassion.

He understood  that to reach others, he had to meet them where they were—on their level, in their struggles,  in their language. Real ministry is incarnational. It enters the dirt and difficulty of people’s  lives and brings the transforming love of Christ there. 

We, too, are called to this ministry of reconciliation—not in theory, but in action. How are we  responding to that call? We must lay aside our “garments”—our pride, positions, comfort  zones, and reputations—and pick up the towel of service.

When we love others tangibly, we  open the door for them to encounter Jesus. Romans 5:5 reminds us that the love of God has  already been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. It’s not something we  manufacture—it’s something we release. This is a call to grab a towel and serve. Let’s feed  the hungry, clothe the poor, visit the forgotten, and pray for the broken. Let’s step into the  prisons, the slums, the hospitals, and the streets—not as saviours, but as servants of the One  who saves. 

The world is watching. Will they see Jesus in us? Will they feel the touch of His love through  our hands?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: Romans 8:31-39

Meditation verse:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,  or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).

Have you ever paused to consider the sheer depth and intensity of God’s love for you? God  doesn’t love you halfway. He doesn’t love you on good days and withdraw it on bad ones. His  love is fierce, unwavering, and eternal. Ephesians 2:4–7 describes it vividly: “But God, who is  rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in  trespasses…”

Even in your lowest moments—your messiest, most broken places—He loved  you. And not only did He love you, He raised you up and gave you a place in the heavenly  realms with Christ. That’s how far His love reaches. Paul’s bold declaration in Romans 8:38– 39 affirms that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities… shall be able to separate  us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Let those words sink in. Nothing— absolutely nothing—can drive a wedge between you and God’s love. 

God’s Love is Unconditional

God’s love isn’t based on your performance, obedience, or perfection. You didn’t earn it, so  you can’t lose it. He doesn’t stop loving you because you failed, doubted, or stumbled. His  love is rooted in who He is, not what you do. While humans may attach conditions to love,  God’s love is unchanging and freely given. 

God’s Love is Not Defined by Circumstances 

Maybe you’ve prayed and didn’t get the answer you hoped for. Maybe you feel abandoned  because life took a turn you didn’t expect. It’s easy in those moments to question God’s love— but don’t. His love is not invalidated by hardship. Paul reminds us that tribulation, distress,  persecution, and even the sword cannot separate us from His love. Don’t judge God’s love  based on temporary emotions or outward conditions. His love is not proven in comfort but in  the cross. 

God’s Love is Incomprehensible—but Real 

Ephesians 3:17–19 encourages us to become “rooted and grounded in love,” so we might  understand “what is the width and length and depth and height… to know the love of Christ  which passes knowledge.” You can’t fully grasp it with your mind—but you can receive it by  faith. God wants you to experience His love deeply and personally, not just know it  theoretically. 

The enemy’s strategy is to make you question God’s love—to whisper lies that He has  abandoned you, that He is disappointed, or that you’ve gone too far. Don’t believe those lies.  You are deeply loved, fully accepted, and eternally secure in Christ. So, how should you  respond? Stop trying to earn God’s love—just receive it. Stop measuring it by your  circumstances—stand on His Word instead. Let His love become your anchor when life is  uncertain. And most of all, let His love overflow from your life into the lives of others.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org