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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A wise woman builds her home

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A wise woman builds her home

    Read: PROVERBS 31:10-31

    Meditation verse:

    “that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style (Psalm144:12).

    A pillar is a tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or iron, used as a support for a  building. Without a pillar, a building will crumble. We started noticing cracks in  the walls of our home about a year and a half after we moved in. The cracks increasingly got worse; we knew we had to do something. We called in a  structural engineer who discovered a massive structural defect. The master bedroom upstairs was sitting on the parlor downstairs, without any supporting  pillar and it was giving way under the weight. We had to move out of our home  so everything in the affected areas could be removed. When the wardrobe was  removed, the walls behind had almost split in two. The defect was rectified by  erecting two big pillars in the parlor to carry the weight of the room upstairs.  

    “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands”  (Proverbs 14:1). As a woman, you are a support structure in your home,  community, or wherever you find yourself. And not just any kind of pillar,  sculptured in palace style- standing out, beautifully adorned. Today’s reading  portrays a woman who is a pillar in her home and community. She is a  manufacturer, seamstress, importer, realtor, employer, manager, and  philanthropist. She is focused on the welfare of her husband, children, staff, and  community. She eschews laziness and idleness. Surprisingly, nothing is  mentioned about the physical appearance of this woman. 

    The value of something is not in its beauty but in its usefulness. A vessel can  beautiful but completely useless, unable to hold down anything. Your worth is  neither determined by your appearance nor the value of your car possessions,  but by how useful you are to God and those around you. As gold is purified by  passing it through fire, the challenges of life are designed to refine you. You are  designed to be a polished pillar in your home, standing firm through the 

    challenges and storms of life and emerging stronger. Are you appropriately  positioned as a pillar in your home or is your home in danger of crumbling?

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your set time will come

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your set time will come

    Read: MARK 4:21-23

    Meditation verse:

    “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set  time, has come” (Psalm 102:13).

    You are the light of this world. There are talents inside you that you are meant  to light up the world with. A lamp is meant to be set on a lampstand and not put  under a basket or bed. In Mathew 5:16 says: “Let your light so shine before men,  that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.  

    However, if you are currently frustrated by a lack of progress in the place of your  God-ordained assignment, do not be discouraged. If you have done all you know  how to do but are yet to see any result or if your light currently seems dim and  you are wondering when it will be placed on a lampstand, do not give up. God is  the one who put the light in you, He can put you on a lampstand and position  you on a hill so that the world can benefit from your light. Our times and seasons  are in God’s hands. Favor and promotion come from Him, so He determines the  set time to lift us up. “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the  west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts  another” (Psalm 75:6-7). 

    When the bible says there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, it is not  only in reference to hidden sins. It includes the gifts and talents in you which are  irrevocable. The things that are hidden are only hidden until the appropriate  comes for their revealing. Everything that is hidden will eventually be brought  into the open, every secret will be brought to light. Quit fretting. In the fullness  of time, you will emerge. Your set time is coming.

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: When men say ‘no’ to you

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: When men say ‘no’ to you

    Read: Exodus 10:1-29

    Meditation verse:

    “Now the Lord said to Moses, ‘go into Pharoah, for I have hardened his heart  and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him”  (Ex 10:1).

    God may choose to harden the heart of men against you so that He may display  his miraculous signs in your life. He wanted to display His awesome power  before Pharoah as well as build up the faith of the children of Israel ahead of  their journey to the promised land, so He said to Moses: “Go in to Pharaoh; for  I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these  signs of Mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and  your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have  done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.” (Ex 10:1-2) 

    Not everyone you ask for a favour, will oblige you and not everyone who refuses  to oblige you is doing so from a point of wickedness. Proverbs 21:1 says: “the  king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it  wherever He wishes. God can cause a man to favour you in any situation, He can  also cause a man to withhold that favour from you. “For it is God who works in  you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Certain rejections  and disappointments are a set up for God to do the miraculous in your life. If  you fully understand this, you will fret less in the face of disappointments. You  will hold your peace when those you expect to come through for you fail to do  so. 

    If you are currently nursing a grudge because the one you expected to be of help  to you in your time of need, deserted you, do yourself a favour and let go of that  grudge. The help of man is useless anyway and cannot be compared to the might  of The Almighty. (Ps 60:11). If you have exhausted all your options at this  moment, why not boldly declare: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What  can man do to me?

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: God is able to save by a few

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: God is able to save by a few

    Read: 1 Samuel 14:1-52

    Meditation verse:

    “For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Sam  14:6b).

    In the preceding chapter, the Philistines had gone out to raid the people of Israel.  Israel’s king, Saul had only six hundred men with him. As if this was not bad  enough, the men had no weapons. “So, it came about, on the day of battle, that  there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who  were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his  son” (1 Sam 13:22). It was such a hopeless situation.  

    However, rather than remaining in that hopeless situation, Jonathan decided to  take a bold step of faith. “Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his  armour, ‘come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be  that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many  or by few” (1 Sam 14:6). And the Lord delivered the philistines over to Israel and  saved Israel that day. A question you may wish to ponder over is ‘what if  Jonathan had not taken that step of faith?  

    When faced with overwhelming odds in your life, remember that with God, the  resources you have will always be enough. His ability to come through for you  does not depend on what you have at your disposal. He can save with many or  with few or even with nothing. A lot of times we limit God and His ability to help  us. You need to take your eyes off your inadequacies and focus on GOD’S  ADEQUACY. If you have been asking God to intervene in a situation, He just  might be waiting for you to take that first step of faith, before showing up for  you. “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God  must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek  Him” (Hebrew 11:6). God responds to faith in action. 

    So, what are you going to do differently today, knowing that The Almighty is  already backing you up?

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Replace your fear with faith (2)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Replace your fear with faith (2)

    Read: Hebrews 11

    Meditation verse: 

    “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

    Seeing therefore that faith is critical to our walk with God, how can we increase our faith? 

    By Studying and meditation on the word of God. Faith comes by hearing and  hearing by the word of God. God’s word is powerful and liberating. The Bible  says that “the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the  joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”  (Hebrews 4:12). It also likens the word of God to a hammer that breaks a rock in  pieces and to a fire. God’s word can break the stronghold of fear in your heart  and replace it with faith.  

    By speaking in tongues. Praying in the spirit increases our faith. Jude 20 says,  “but you beloved, building yourself up in your most holy faith, praying in the  spirit. 

    Praying also increases our faith. We touch the heart of God when we pray. And  each time we touch God in the place of prayer, our lives are healed, and faith is  increased. Lastly, we can increase our faith by acting in different areas of our  lives. James 2:26 says “for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without  works is dead also. When we step out in faith, God increases our faith. Action  begets more faith, which begets more action.  

    What promises would you like fulfilled in your life? What change are you  desirous of making? What things would you like to see accomplished in your life  or in the life of someone? Faith can make the difference between success and  failure or winning and losing. Meditate on God’s word, pray in your  understanding and in tongues and then take the steps you need to take to bring  it to pass. And surely, it will come to pass.

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Replace your fear with faith (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Replace your fear with faith (1)

    Read: Mathew 17:14-21

    Meditation verse:

    “So, Jesus said to them ‘because of your unbelief, for assuredly I say to you, of you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain move from here  to there and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Mathew  17:20).

    Romans 12:3 says “God has dealt to each one of us a measure of faith. This is so  because we need faith to live out our Christian faith, victoriously. Indeed, there  are several scriptures that highlight the importance of faith in our walk with God.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of  things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report”. Hebrews 11:6 says  “without faith, it is impossible to please God. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, we walk by  faith, not by sight. Habakkuk 2:4 says the just shall live by faith and our  meditation verse says if we have faith even as little as a mustard seed, nothing  shall be impossible for us.  

    The opposite of faith is fear. Fear is one of Satan’s strategies to keep us  stagnated and unfruitful, so that we are unable to become all that God designed  for us to be. The bible says fear hath torment. Satan wants to multiply fear in  our lives, and he is very busy doing so. He will tell you that the situation is  hopeless and that things will never change for the better. But God wants you to  replace your fear with faith. He wants you to live free of fear each day and so  the bible contains 365 ‘fear not”. 

    Irrespective of what is going around you, do not be afraid. We are currently experiencing very difficult times, but you must hold on to your faith and ask God  to increase it today. You are an heir to the throne and if your heavenly Father  says, ‘fear not, I will be with you’, then fear not. The Most High always keeps His  promises.

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: You give them something to eat

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: You give them something to eat

    Read: Mathew 14:13-21

    Meditation verse:

    “But Jesus said to them, “they do not need to go away. You give them something  to eat”.

    They came from the towns and followed Jesus wherever He went. He taught  them and healed the sick, but a problem arose when evening came. The crowd  had not eaten all day and they were in a remote place. Jesus’ disciples felt they  had the perfect solution, so they said, “send the crowd away, so they can go to  the villages and buy food for themselves”. But Jesus replied, “they do not need  to go away. You give them something to eat”. They had only five loaves of bread  and two fishes which belonged to a little boy, but at the end of the day, a  multitude comprising of five thousand men, excluding women and children were  fed with twelve baskets full of fragments left. 

    As we go about our activities each day, we encounter people with different  needs, whether at our places of work, church communities, or home  environments. People with deep needs who may not ask for our help, notice  that the multitude did not ask Jesus’ disciple for food. How do we respond to  such people? Are we even sensitive to their needs in the first place? Some are  hungry, hurting, or sick, others are homeless, broke, and confused. They need  food, a little change, counsel, prayers, friendship, or just a kind word of  encouragement.  

    God expects you and I to meet the needs of those He sends our way whether  they are physical, spiritual, financial, or emotional needs. He has equipped us  for this purpose, and it may surprise you to know that what you have is always  sufficient for the needs He sends your way. All you need is a willing heart and a  generous spirit. Next time you discern a need around you, why not offer the  little you have, trusting that God is able to bless and multiply it. God will not use  your resources and leave you worse off. You will always gather your twelve baskets of fragments at the end of the day. 

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Defeating your Goliath

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Defeating your Goliath

    Read: 1 SAMUEL 17:1-51

    Meditation verse:

    “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear,  and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God  of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17: 45).

    I believe so much in the power of stories because they inspire us into action.  Stories are liberating; they teach valuable lessons and fire our emotions. There  are numerous lessons from the story of David and Goliath that can help you  overcome the challenges that life throws at you. 

    In the first instance, you must realize that your chances are far greater if you  depend on God to help you in that situation rather than relying on your own  ability. David informed Goliath that God was backing him up. The name of the  Lord is always a strong tower you can rely on in any situation.  

    Do not over magnify the challenge. Our imaginations always make things seem  worse and when this happens, fear takes root in our hearts. David referred to  Goliath as an uncircumcised Philistines. He knew that with God on his side,  Goliath was an easy kill. This is not intended to make you take unnecessary risks,  but you need to have a realistic opinion of the problems you face.  

    Remember your past victories. David recalled how God had helped him defeat  the lion that came for his flock. Remembering how God helped you in the past  will build up your faith and enable you trust Him in the current difficulty. 

    Rely on tried and tested methods when dealing with challenges. When David  put on Saul’s armor, he could not move. Deploy your areas of strength and use  skills that you are familiar with. Never pretend to be who you are not just  because you want to escape an ugly situation, be true to yourself always.  

    Lastly, people will try to discourage, intimidate, or put you down. When David’s  older brother, Eliab tried to dissuade him, David turned away from him. Walk  away from people who discourage you from aspiring for greatness. Walk away  from those who demotivate or encourage you to give up after a few attempts.

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: In the beginning

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: In the beginning

    Read: Genesis 1:1-29

    Meditation verse:

    “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).

    There may be times in your life of faith when you feel a dark cloud hovering over  you. You may feel empty, lacking clarity and totally unsure of what next to do.  Life may even seem meaningless and bleak. What do you do during such times? 

    The Bible records that in the beginning, the earth was without form, and void;  and darkness was on the face of the deep. But amid such emptiness, the Spirit  of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God began to create. He  first created light out of the darkness and saw that it was good. Whenever you  find yourself in a place of darkness and emptiness, it may be an indication for a  fresh start.

    An indication that God is calling you to a new beginning or to a higher  place or that He needs you to birth or create what He has put inside you. In may  be an indication that you have dwelt too long in that place, and you need to  move ahead. Restlessness often precedes change and transformation. In the book of Haggai, when it was time to build God’s house, the Lord stirred the  hearts of the people, and they all came together to build.  

    If you have the Spirit of God within you, you can create beautiful beginnings  from the dead ends and chaos of your life. You can call out light from the dark  place you are currently in. You can begin to create a new beginning for your life.  If, however, you have not trusted Jesus for your salvation or you have gone back  to a life of sin, then the dark place you are in, is a call to repentance.

    Jesus says  in Mathew 11:28; “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I  will give you rest”. No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, this  invitation is for you. Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart; all you need to  do is invite Him in, by believing and receiving Him.  

    Why not ask Him right now to forgive your sins and come into your heart.

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Prepare for the new

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Prepare for the new

    Read: Isaiah 43: 18-21

    Meditation verse:

    “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I  will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

    To receive the new, you must get rid of the old. Before God announced to the  nation of Israel that He would do a new thing, He first instructed them to forget  the former things and not consider it at all. You cannot open a new chapter of  your life if you keep reliving the previous one. 

    Do you desire a new experience in an area of your life in this new month? How  are you preparing for it? It is often said that success occurs when opportunity  meets preparedness. “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment;  or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. And  no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the  wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must  be put into new wineskins” (Mark 2: 21-22). 

    To enter a new realm, you must first adopt a new mindset. Identify and get rid  of the former mindset that limited you. Some people are limited by fear, others  by self-doubt, or the need to be approved by others. You may not receive the  new experience if you are still weighed down by a self-limiting attitude or  mindset. You must believe that you are worthy of a fresh start and that you can  do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). 

    Get ready for the new experience that you desire. Isaiah 54:2 says: “Enlarge the  place of your tent and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not  spare; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. Enhance your capacity  in the relevant areas. Sharpen your skills, develop your character, and get rid of  destructive habits. 

    Earnestly anticipate and expect it. What you do not expect, you may not receive  as you will not notice when it is occurring. Lastly, position yourself for it. “You  are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do  they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light  to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may  see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mathew 5: 14-16).

     

    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.