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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Creating fulfillment at midlife

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Creating fulfillment at midlife

    Read: 3 John 2:

    Meditation verse:

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

    All living things have essential emotional needs that must be met for them to  thrive, flourish and be fulfilled. When these emotional needs are not fulfilled in  sufficient balance, they are unhappy, unfulfilled, dissatisfied, restless, unstable,  over-emotional, anxious, or greedy. This is of particular importance in the  season of midlife when the individual is living with a sense of time  consciousness. The Human Givens Institute has identified a set of basic  emotional needs that should be met in balance if we as human are to be  emotional and socially healthy or fulfilled. These needs include: 

    • Security: The need to feel safe and secure, and able to cope with the  demands and challenges of life. 
    • Emotional Connection: The capacity and opportunity to connect openly  and intimately with others. 
    • Control: A sense of influence and choice over how they live their lives. • Community and status: The need to belong to groups where they feel  valued (humans are social beings. 
    • Privacy: The opportunity for personal space where they can reflect and be  alone. 
    • Achievement: The need to attain and accomplish. The human brain and  body are like muscles that have evolved to be at their healthiest when  being utilised and stretched. 
    • Attention: The degree to which people receive attention and the form of  attention they receive throughout their lives strongly influences their self esteem. 
    • Meaning and purpose in life: The need to pursue a mission that is beyond  self. Having meaning and purpose to life is an essential element for  emotional well-being. It is derived from 3 criteria: being stretched and personal growth, being needed and serving others and connecting with  something bigger than self. 

    However, your greatest need remains to totally surrender your life to Jesus and  pursue the purpose for which He created you. Have you met that need?

     

    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: Lower the bar of your gratitude this month

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lower the bar of your gratitude this month

    Read: Philippians 4:10-13

    Meditation verse:

    “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1  Thessalonians 5:18).

    One of the man reasons why we fail to practice gratitude is that we set the bar  of gratitude too high. We selectively focus on the big things that we have  presented to God and are yet to receive answers for. If those requests remain  unanswered, we complain and fail to give God thanks.  

    When you lower the bar of your gratitude, you will notice the small things which  are big things in themselves. 

    • Having a good night sleep and waking up healthy 
    • The ability to breath freely without an oxygen mask 
    • A loving family around you 
    • The ability to move your arms and limbs. 
    • A sound mind with which we can make decisions. 

    Whilst we may view these everyday blessings from God as little things, they are  big deals to some people. You just need to visit a hospital ward or morgue. 

    Yes, you may not have a million bucks in your account, or that business is not  doing as well as you thought, or you do not have a spouse or children and many  of the things you have been asking God for. But wait a minute, you also do not  have cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes. You are not paralyzed, bedridden  or lying in the morgue. You also have not lost your mind. That’s a whole lot to  be grateful for. The apostle Paul said “I have learned in whatever state I am, to  be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere  and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound  and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12). What he was saying was that he has  lowered the bar of his gratitude that even in his lowest, he can still be grateful  to God.  

    Lower the bar today and express genuine gratitude to God in all things.

     

    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: What are your expectations?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What are your expectations?

    Read: Proverbs 23:18-19, 10:24

    Meditation verse:

    “For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (Proverbs  23:18, KJV).

    Expectation is a strong belief that something will happen or be the case. To  expect something means to regard something as likely to happen. It means to  believe that something or someone will arrive soon. It implies a high degree of  certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning. Synonyms of  “expect” include anticipate, await, look for, hope for, watch for, look forward to  or look ahead to. These definitions imply that when you have an expectation,  you whole body is aligned with it. What you say, how you feel and what you do  should portray the fact that you are expecting something to happen. You cannot  speak words that disregard or disbelieve that expectation. You cannot act in  ways that are contradictory. 

    Proverbs 10:24 says that “the expectation of the righteous will be fulfilled.  Proverbs 23:18 says thine expectation shall not be cut off. What this means is  that as a child of God, what you hope for, eagerly wait for, anticipate, envision, and prepare for, will surely come to pass.  

    The bible highlights the importance of having faith, without entertaining even  the slightest iota of doubt if we expect to receive our requests from God. In  Mathew 21:21, Jesus told His disciples that if they had faith and did not doubt  in their hearts, they could say to the mountain, “be moved and cast into the  sea”, and it will be done. James 1:5-8 says, that if we lack wisdom, we should ask  God, and expect without doubting. It likens the person who doubts to a wave of  the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind, unstable and double minded. And  that the person should not expect to receive anything. 

    Perhaps the reason why your expectation is delayed is that your heart is not yet  fully aligned. Why not do a self-evaluation today. That thing that you desire in  life, are you truly expecting it to happen? What are you saying with your mouth?  What emotions are you feeling? How are you preparing for it? Do your actions  show that you are expectant? When your whole being is aligned to your  expectation, it shall surely 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: Different but similar

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Different but similar

    Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

    Meditation verse:

    “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God  is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but  with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to  bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

    Several years ago, I attended an all-women’s career development program at  the Harvard Business School in Boston. Seated in a hall were about forty women  of different Nationalities in different countries and continents. We were asked  to introduce ourselves and share our life’s journeys. As I listened to speaker after  speaker tell their story, I marvelled at how different we looked but how similar  our experiences were. The themes emerging from our stories were alike: “empty  nest experience”, “in need of life partner”, “in need of a fulfilling career”,  “feeling stuck” “no children”, financial constraints”, “marital issues” and the list  went on. We all drew solace and comfort from the knowledge that we were not  alone in our individual struggles. Whatever we were dealing with, someone had  already dealt with or was still dealing with. The knowledge that as different as  we looked, we were actually very similar was really empowering.  

    As I ponder on this, I am reminded of the scripture that says God comforts us in  all our troubles so that we can comfort others with the same comfort wherein  we have been comforted (2 Corinthians 1:4). Our life experiences are hardly for  our own purpose. Your mess is your message to the world. Someone is eagerly  waiting to hear your story so that they can be healed, encouraged, inspired, and  comforted.  

    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is  faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but  with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to  bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do not give in to self-pity. Turn your mess into  your message for healing the world and making it a better place.

     

    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: The secret chamber

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The secret chamber

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: At the name of Jesus

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: At the name of Jesus

    Read: Philippians 2:5-11

    Meditation verse:

    “That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of  those on earth, and of those under the earth” (Philippians 2:10).

    When my last child began to walk just before she turned a year old, we noticed  that her legs were curved inwards. Now, I understood that medically, there was  nothing wrong with having bowlegs; I had in fact seen a few children who grew  up that way and became beautiful adults with bow shaped legs. But I did not  want that for my child. So, each morning, after giving her a bath, I would  massage both legs with oil, hold them together in a straight position and say,  “be straight in Jesus’ name”. I continued doing this for a while and today, she is  sixteen years old and both legs are straight. I could have accepted what I saw  and not tried to do anything about it. And today, both legs would be curved  inwards. 

    Philippians 2:9-11 says “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given  Him the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee  should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the  earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory  of God the Father. There is power in name of Jesus and as a child of God, you  are permitted to use the name. In the name of Jesus, you can overturn and  overcome the negative trends that have taken root in your life. In the name of  Jesus, you can redirect whatever missiles the devil is sending your way. Refuse  to accept what does not align with your expectations as a child of God, no matter  how insignificant it may seem. In the name of Jesus, you have the power to stop  evil and permit good.  

    The song writer says “The name, the name of Jesus, is greater and higher than  all names. It is not an ordinary name, It’s a name that’s full of power and praise”.  What is that great mountain before you today? Why not say to it, “be levelled  in the name of Jesus”. Keep declaring, even when it seems like nothing is  changing. In the fullness of time, the results will become visible for all to see.

     

    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: HE IS RISEN!

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: HE IS RISEN!

    Read: Luke 24:1-7

    Meditation verse:

    “Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to  them, “why do you seek the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5).

    Whilst on earth, Jesus told His disciples about the death He would suffer and  how He would rise after three days. He told them several times to prepare their  minds. Yet, on resurrection morning, certain women amongst those who had  followed Him closely, went to look for His body in the grave. They did not  remember the words that Jesus had spoken to them until two men stood by  them in shinning garments and said “why do you seek the living among the  dead? He is not here but is risen. Remember how He spoke to you when He was  still in Galilee…” (Luke 24:5-6). Then they remembered His words.  

    Why did they forget what Jesus told them about His death and resurrection? Or  was it that they simply did not believe Him? Whilst we may marvel at their  unbelief, are we not also guilty of ignorantly seeking the living among the dead  in our everyday experience as Christians? Do we not forget all of God’s promises  to us in His word? Promises such as: “I will never leave you nor forsake you”  (Hebrews 13:5), “fear not, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help  you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)? Yes, we  forget, and we fret, get depressed or run helter-skelter when we face challenges. 

    When your lived experiences or circumstances cause you to doubt the life  transforming power of God’s word such that you seek solutions in places you  ought not to or when delayed promises cause you to give up on God and bow  down to the gods of this world, you are seeking for the living among the dead.  When you fail to hold God to His word like your life depends on it or when you  live just as the world lives, a foreigner to the covenant of God’s promises, devoid  of hope, you are seeking for the living among the dead.  

    Remember who you are in Christ and remember His promises upon your life.  God has given you everything pertaining to life and godliness, according to His  divine power (2 Peter 1:3). Because of the finished work on the cross of calvary,  you are meant to live a life of victory, not of defeat. Christ is risen. He is rise  indeed. Easter Blessings!

     

    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: Do business till I come

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Do business till I come

    Read: LUKE 19:11-27

    Meditation verse:

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name  of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all  things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the  end of the age” (Matt 28: 19-20). 

    Before His departure from earth, Jesus Christ commanded you to do business  for Him until He returns, and He will ask you to give account of your stewardship  at His second coming. “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes,  will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his  goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘my master is delaying his coming’  and begins to (do otherwise), the master of that servant will come on a day when  he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites” (Mathew 24: 46-51) 

    The business of soul winning is dear to God’s heart and today’s reading is a  beautiful illustration of God’s expectation and reward system in His soul winning  enterprise. Before the nobleman’s departure, he gave each of his ten servants  money and commanded them to trade with it while he was away. All ten  servants but one traded with their money and yielded profit(s). The unprofitable  servant was punished and referred to as a “wicked servant”.  

    God has given you excellent resources; talents, spiritual gifts, money, and time.  He expects you to utilize them in winning souls for Him and expanding His  kingdom. The bible declares that he who wins souls is wise. You must be a  witness for Christ wherever you are and in whatever you do. You are called to  be faithful to this course until Christ comes to take you home, where you will  reign with Him in eternity.

     

    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: IT IS FINISHED

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: IT IS FINISHED

    Read: John 19: 1-42

    Meditation verse:

    “So, when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘it is finished’. And bowing  His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30).

    It was a very sad and hopeless day in Jerusalem on this day over 2000 years ago.  The One whom the Jews believed had come to deliver them from Roman  oppression had just been crucified on a cross between two criminals. The  disciples were in panic mode. Some of them had fled and gone into hiding. Peter  was probably still reeling from guilt as he recalled denying his master three times  and now his master was dead. Mary had just witnessed her beloved son die a  shameful death. One can only imagine the confusion, gloom and dejection that  hung in the air. Darkness seemed to be winning. 

    But the One who hung on the cross knew it was in fulfillment of God’s plan for  the salvation of mankind and that in three days, He would rise again. The entire  human race and not just the Jews were under a much more severe bondage than  the Roman oppression. We were all under the bondage of sin because of the fall  of the first Adam and the price for our freedom was the death of Jesus Christ on  the cross. So, Amid the hopeless of the day, scripture was being fulfilled. The  price for our freedom had just been paid. That’s why the last words of Jesus as  He hung on that old, rugged cross were “it is finished”. What did He mean? He  meant that He had paid it all, there was no more sacrifice left. We were now  free, free from sin, separation from God, sickness, demonic oppression, poverty,  and death. The portal for reconciliation back to God had just been opened. 

    John 3:16-19 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten  Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the  world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned;  but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed  in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that  the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,  because their deeds were evil. 

    Have you accepted this light? Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart?  Today is a good day to do so. It is finished, refuse to remain under the bondage  of sin.

     

    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: Do not keep silent

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Do not keep silent

    Read: Numbers 27:1-11

    Meditation verse:

    “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son?  Give us property among our father’s relatives.” (Numbers 27:4).

    Today’s reading highlights the first case of gender discrimination in the bible.  Zelophehad belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. He had four  daughters, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah but no son. When he died,  his daughters could not inherit his properties because the laws of the land at  that time permitted only sons as heirs.  

    Zelophehad’s daughters decided to speak truth to power. They stood before  Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole assembly at the entrance  to the tent of meeting and said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not  among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for  his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father’s name disappear from his  clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives”. So,  Moses brought their case before the Lord, and the Lord said to him, “What  Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them  property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s  inheritance to them” (Numbers 27:2-6). God changed the laws of the land,  because four young women refused to keep silent in the face of injustice.  

    Do not be afraid to challenge the status quo when you see injustice and  discrimination, especially when it concerns a vulnerable group. Proverbs 31:8-9  says, “speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the right of  all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor  and needy” (NIV).

     

    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.