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. He awakens me morning by  morning; He awakens my ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4).

Telling people what human teachers have taught us might be of some help to  them, but the most impactful words are spoken by those who have been taught  by the Lord. The times we spend in God’s presence is like going into a secret  chamber where treasures are kept. God’s presence is the secret chamber and  some of the treasures inside include revelation, wisdom, clarity, riches, insight,  understanding, power, knowledge, peace, and strength which we can bring out  for our own use or for others. The messages written in this daily devotional are  received as I visit the secret chamber. How else would I have been able to write  a message daily for the past one year? Indeed, most of the ideas I work on in my  ministry and profession are revealed as I spent time in God’s presence. 

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. 

Make it a habit of going into the secret chamber each morning, and you would  be amazed at the treasures you will discover. Spending time in God’s presence  is a time-tested principle for success in every area of human endeavour.

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: 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).

Moses had just passed on, so the onus fell on his assistant, Joshua to  lead the children of Israel to the promised land. Joshua was faced with  a new task, assignment, and role. He had changed roles from being  second in command to the first in command. God knew it might be a  daunting task for him, so He gave Joshua some assurances: 

“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 in My presence. I will be with you to help you wherever  you go. I will not leave you alone.  
• Be strong and very courageous. Stand up for what is right. o Follow the rules. Keep your integrity. Do not cut corners or bend  the rules.  
• Let the word of God be your companion. Let it guide your  decisions and choices. Live out your faith for others to see. Be a  witness.  
• Do not be afraid or discouraged, no matter how tough it gets. 

God’s rules to Joshua are useful principles to adopt whenever you find  yourself in a new environment, role, or assignment.

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: 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 had done a lovely hairstyle in preparation for a photoshoot. The problem was  that I did not realize at the point of making the hair that the style I chose would  prevent me from sleeping comfortably at night. After two restless nights, I got  up whilst it was barely dawn and took off the attachments on my head. The relief  I got afterwards made me ponder on the impact of my choice. Why did I allow  myself to go through such pain for that length of time? I had the free will to  choose not to go through what I went through.  

In pretty much everything in life, we have the free will to make our decisions  and choices. Our creator is the Almighty God who owns and controls all things, but He has given us the free will to choose for ourselves. You have the free will  to decide how you want to live your life whilst on earth. But remember that your  choices will determine where you spend eternity. Moses told the children of  Israel: 

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 

As you make decisions and choices each day, remember to choose life in all that  you do. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of  death” (Proverbs 14:12).

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 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 intending couple wanted their  wedding to be a small family affair, but their wealthy parents would have none  of that. The parents planned for a big wedding with thousands of guests which  was to be hosted in a large well decorated arena. And then, there was a storm  the night before the wedding. The storm was so intense, it brought down the  entire event venue. The storm also disconnected the bridge leading to the 

venue, preventing people from making their way through. The couple ended up  having a small family wedding in the home of the bride, which was the dream  wedding they wanted in the first place.  

Albert Ellis was a renowned 20th Century American Psychologist who founded  REBT, a therapy for emotionally disturbed patients. Ellis was the eldest of three  children in a Jewish family. His father was frequently absent, and his mother was  neglectful and unavailable to her children. His parents divorced during his  childhood, and he was sent to school at the age of four. Ellis was expected to  cross busy roads without adult assistance, to get to school. He was seriously ill  for much of his childhood and was hospitalized for long periods with infrequent  parental visits. Ellis responded to this neglect by reframing it as an opportunity  to become independent. He formulated several rules for effective living that  were to act as a guide for him for the remainder of his life. Albert Ellis died at the age of ninety-four years. He left behind a legacy in the form of a world 

renowned Psychotherapy training institute and a collection of self-help books to  help people get ahead in life despite their challenges.  

Each time I looked back at a particularly difficult period in my life, I have seen God’s hand at work in the situation. I have therefore concluded that God works  out all things for good. Your challenges can become opportunities for you to  grow, develop character and guide your journey towards greater fulfilment. They can become stepping-stones to higher levels. When things fall apart,  something new can rise in its place. Collapse does not only mean devastation,  but it can also mean opportunity.

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: EXODUS 14:10-18

Meditation verse: 

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel  to go forward” (Exodus 14:15).

An automatic door does not open on its own, even though it is clearly marked  ‘automatic’. You must get within the sensor range, before it will open.  Irrespective of how desperate you are to enter a building, if you are thirty yards  away from the sensor range of its automatic door, it will remain shut.  

Similarly, we all have big dreams and huge expectations in life. There are certain  opportunities that we have been asking God to bring our way, but nothing seems  to be happening. Is it possible that God is expecting you to move towards the  sensor range? When the children of Israel found themselves in a difficult  situation, with the red sea in front, and the Egyptians behind them, they cried  out to Moses. God’s response to them was “why stand there and cry, move  forward”. In order words, get within the sensor range and you will see the path  that I have made for you.  

Too many of us expect doors of opportunities to swing open whilst we are over  a hundred yards away from the doors. We wait for miracles to fall from the sky  or for someone to come rescue us. Getting within sensor range could be as  simple as picking up the phone to call on prospective clients daily or writing  proposals and sending them off. It may also entail going back to school to get  that degree, working extra hard to get that promotion or acquiring the skills  required to start that business.  

It is often said that success happens when opportunity meets preparedness. Ask  God to show you what you need to do concerning the opportunities you desire  in life. And when He does, act with intent. Move forward and do all you need to  get close to the doors. When you are within sensor range, the doors will swing  open.

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 4:9-16

Meditation verse:

“Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books,  especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13).

Locked up in a cold and damp prison, faced with execution, Paul the Apostle  asked for three items; his coat to help him stay warm, some books and especially  the parchments. A parchment is a flat thin material made from the prepared  skin of an animal and used as a writing surface in ancient times. Bible scholar,  William Barclay suggests that the parchments Paul was referring to were  Hebrew scriptures, because the Hebrews had written their sacred scriptures in  parchments made from animal skins. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is given  by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,  for instruction in righteousness”. Paul had lived his life for the cause of the  gospel. Now in the darkest moment, he knew the word would profit him and  that was what he wanted the most.  

When life deals its deadly blows and you feel too discouraged to pray, what do  you hold on to? What do you count as important in your darkest moments? Over  the years, I formed the habit of journaling every day. In my journals, I write down  my favorite scriptures, God’s promises over my life as well as the messages I  hear in my spirit during my personal devotions. In my dark moments, I take hold  of my journals and as I go through its pages, I am reminded of God’s love, grace  and ever abiding presence, which brings comfort and encouragement to my  soul. The psalmist cried out to God in his dark moment “O my God, my soul is  cast down within me; therefore, I will remember You from the land of the  Jordan…” (Psalm 42:6). Icons of God’s faithfulness in the past are helpful  resources in times of trouble. My journals are my parchments; there are usually  the first items I put in my travel suitcase.  

Your parchments could be your bible, your personal devotion notebooks, a diary  of God’s promises over you based on His word or even your sermon notes from  church. Whatever it is, be certain to hold on tightly to it. That way wherever you  go and whatever comes your way in this new month, even if you get stripped of  everything else, you can quickly say like Paul “bring me the parchments”.

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: Job 38:12-15

Meditation verse:

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm  118:24).

Every day is a gift from God. It is a privilege to wake up to another day. The  psalmist says “I lay down and slept, I awoke, for the Lord sustained me (Psalm  3:5). It’s a 3-step process. First you lie down, then you sleep, after which you  wake up. Not everyone enjoys the privilege of all three steps. We hear of  instances where people go to bed at night, sleep but do not wake up to see the  next day; they die in their sleep. Others lie down but are unable to enjoy a good  night sleep. Still yet, there are those who do not even get to lie down. They are  harassed by the terrors of the night.  

If God sustained you through the night and enabled you to see a day, it is a  privilege because it means your assignment on earth is not yet over. Each day  comes with its own purpose and work, else it would not exist. Psalm 104:19-23  says: 

He (God) appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its going down. You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the beasts of the forest  creep about. The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from  God. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening”. 

Therefore, esteem each day as a gift from God, be grateful to Him and ask Him  to direct your path. Then engage the day fully in a manner that will enable you  profit maximally from it. “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do  not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or  that, or whether both alike will be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). As you live out each  day of your life, let God see by your deeds that you are grateful to be alive and  be a part of the day; do good to others and put in your best, working diligently  at whatever your hand finds to do. Remember that there is no work or device or  knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you will end up someday. (Ecclesiastes  9:10).

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: Colossians 3:1-4

Meditation verse:

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Do you ever think about Heaven and how wonderful it would be to live there?  In John 14:2, Jesus Christ said “in my Father’s house are many mansions, if it  were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you”. We get a  sneak peek into what this place will look like in the book of Revelations. “A great  city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of  God. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like  clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of  precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third  chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh  chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh  jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each  individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like  transparent glass” (Revelations 21:10,18-21). 

If someone comes to you today and says, “I have a mansion in France with six  large bedrooms, overlooking the beautiful French Mountains and I have decided  to give you the keys as your birthday present, next month”. What would your  reaction be? Would you be able to contain your excitement? I bet you would  tell everyone you know about it. You would keep counting the days as you  eagerly look forward to when you would hold the keys in your hands.  

Someday, when your time on earth is done, you would take ownership of a  mansion much more exquisite than a French mountain home. How excited are  you about this? Who have you told? What are you doing in anticipation of  owning a mansion in Heaven? Do you even think about this? We are all pilgrims  on earth; our time here is limited whilst our time in Heaven is for eternity. If this  is the case, why do we not live-in anticipation of this great occurrence? Why are  we so focused on earthly things? The bible clearly states “If then you were raised  with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the  right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our  life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

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:

“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has  had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the  best until now!” (John 2:10, NLT).

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.  

Today’s message is a prophetic word for you today. Jesus Christ, the Chief  Bridegroom and Master planner of your life has kept the best part of this year  until now. Wherever you have experienced lack, setbacks, emptiness,  frustrations, and loss this year, 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. God is saying ‘do not put a fool stop to  what I put a comma’. This month and indeed the year will end on a high note for  you. “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). So, wait until  the end.

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.