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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Break camp and move forward

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Break camp and move forward

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Deuteronomy 1:6-8

    Meditation verse:

    “When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘you have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on (Duet 1:7, NLT).

    A camp is a temporary structure typically used by soldiers, refugees or travelling people. It is meant for a specific purpose and for a period. As the children of Israel wandered through the wilderness on their way to the promised land, they lingered on Mount Horeb, and God had to urge them on.

    As you journey through life, you may find yourself in certain situations that require you to accept conditions of living that you ordinarily should not. That is your camp; it may be a place, situation, a position, or a job. It is only intended as a temporary abode. The problem is that you become so comfortable and remain in a place that was intended for a specific purpose and period.

    You know there is something bigger and better ahead, but you allow fear, self-doubt, counsel from men or the unwillingness to step out of your comfort zone to keep you from God’s best. You allow your distractions instead of your faith to define your journey. Sometimes, your ‘promised land’ may not be a clearly defined path, but you need to trust God’s leading when He says to you ‘it is time to move forward’

    It is still a few days into the new year and God is saying to you that you have stayed in that place long enough, you need to break camp and move forward. To advance this year and take giant strides, which camp do you urgently need to break from?

     

    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: Run with every word you hear

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Run with every word you hear

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Psalm 119:89-106

    Meditation verse:

    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

    When God gives you a word of promise, He expects you to do something with it. He gave it to you as a guide so that you do not grope or stumble in darkness. The bible states that God’s word is a lamp to our feet. Your feet are for going forth. When you take hold of a lamp in a dark room, you do not just stand still. You put the light in front of you and move forward. That way, you do not grope in the dark, stumble, fall or end up in a wrong place. Similarly, with God’s word, you will not stumble through life or miss your way entirely. But you must run with the word, for it to light up your path.      

    It took several years before I understood this principle. Towards the end of each year, I would take out time to wait on God in fasting and prayers. I would ask Him for a theme based on a scripture to guide me in the coming year and He was always faithful. One evening, I sat at my desk looking at all the themes that God had given me in the past years and wondering why they had not yielded the results I expected. It suddenly dawned on me that God had expected me to order my plans and activities for each year based on the word He had given me.  I had however sat still, expecting a magic wand to make things happen.

    For instance, the year He gave me “purposeful advancement towards a life of significance”, did I in the cause of the year, come up with a plan on how I would advance into significance in key areas of my life? Did I seek out enough opportunities to show case my gifts and talents? Purposeful means intentional, planned or thought off and to be significant, you must show up. When He said, “grow unto perfection”, did I increase the time I spent studying His word? Did I ponder on what childish things I needed to do away with to become mature? 

    When God gives you a specific word, it is because He wants to accomplish something specific in that area of your life, but unless you act based on the word, nothing happens. Be diligent to run with every word that God speaks to you this year. If His mouth has spoken, then His zeal has already perfected.

     

    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: Take hold of the plumbline immediately

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Take hold of the plumbline immediately

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Zechariah 4:1-14

    Meditation verse:

    “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumbline in Zerubbabel’s hand” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT).

    No matter how easy or difficult a task is, it will never be done until the first step towards accomplishing it is taken. Every magnificent building was erected by laying the first block. Every great task begins with a singular activity. Every journey in life begins with a step. That first step is always the critical one. Until it is taken, nothing happens.

    The first step may be as simple as making a phone call, sending an email, writing down a plan or it may be as significant as travelling to a different location or making a purchase. God is always delighted when you take that vital first step towards whatever He has stirred your heart to do. It is an indication of your obedience and trust in Him.

    Zerubbabel had the task of rebuilding the temple and God said to him “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumbline in Zerubbabel’s hand” (Zechariah 4:10 NLT). A plumbline is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centred. It’s an indication that construction is ongoing.

    What goals have you set for yourself this year? What are your plans for 2023? 

    What assignment or task has been committed into your hands? Is the plumbline in your hands already or are you still evaluating and analysing? Do not get caught up with the bug of ‘the paralysis of analysis’ Take hold of the plumbline immediately.  “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT). As God’s eyes scan the earth, will He see you holding the plumbline in the place of your 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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What is in your hands?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What is in your hands?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Exodus 4: 1-17

    Meditation verse:

    “Then the Lord asked him ‘what is that in your hand? A shepherd’s staff, Moses replied (Ex 4:2).

    God will often use what you already have in your hands to provide what you need, especially in the purpose He has called you to accomplish. The bible is replete with such instances.  When God wanted Moses to go and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, He told Moses to use what he already had in his hands: the shepherd’s staff. David used what he already had in his hands to defeat goliath. When a certain widow cried out to Elisha for help, after her creditors threatened to take her two sons as slaves, Elisha used what she already had; ‘a flask of olive oil’, to make provision for her (2 Kings 4:2).

    However, we often despise what we have in our hands. We believe it is inadequate or insignificant. To Moses, the staff was ‘just a stick’, but to God, it was the instrument for performing the miracles needed to convince the hard-hearted Pharoah to let the people go. To the widow, her flask of olive oil was “nothing at all, but to Elisha it was enough to fill all the jars she could lay her hands on (2 Kings 4: 1-7). To Jesus’ disciples, what they had to feed the multitude was “only five loaves of bread and two fishes”, but to Jesus, it was all that was needed to feed five thousand (Luke 9:12-17).  In each case, they did not think much of what they had.

    Similarly, you may feel inadequate or insignificant. You may feel you have nothing much to offer to the world. But what you have in your hand is always enough for God to use. He can work with whatever you have, no matter how small. He can take that little qualification, skill, talent, or ability and make something great out of it, if only you will surrender it to Him. Quit feeling intimidated. Ask God to open your eyes to see what you have, then step out in faith this year and put what God has put in your hands to good use. And when you look back, you would be amazed by what you have accomplished.

     

    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 turnaround encounters

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your turnaround encounters

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Acts 9:1-19

    Meditation verse:

    “Then he fell on the ground and heard a voice saying “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me”. (Acts 9:4).

    I heard the story of a young man who decided to look for a job and settle down in a particular town, after his education. Few days after he arrived the town, he met a Pastor who was about to start his church. As they chatted and got acquainted, the pastor said to the young man “why look for a job, come, let’s build the church together”, and the young man agreed. That was several years ago. Today, that young man is a well-known and respected man of God. He served under the ministry of the pastor and went on to establish his own ministry. His plan after school was to work as a lawyer, but a chance encounter changed the trajectory of his life.

    Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to persecute the disciples of the Lord, when he had a turnaround encounter that changed the course of his life. He became Paul the Apostle, dedicating his life to the very cause he persecuted others for. 

    A turnaround encounter is an abrupt or unexpected change, especially one that results in a more favourable situation. It can occur in various ways: a chance meeting with a destiny helper, a simple instruction or counsel given to you, or even just showing up in a particular place and it happens to be an appointed time. But because it is usually unplanned and unexpected, many people miss their turnaround encounters. It takes a discerning mind to recognize one. 

    There will be turnaround encounters in this new year, but will you identify them, and act immediately like that young man? Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is”.

     

    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: A new creation

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A new creation

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

    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).

    2 Corinthians 5:17 states clearly that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new”. Note the word “all” and not some things. It means that our old Adamic nature should be a thing of the past after salvation. The new creation in us birthed through the gift of salvation is one that is totally yielded to God. In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me”. The new creation is now controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh. It should no longer yield to every dictate of your flesh.

    The flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. and both are contrary to one another. The works of the flesh include adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, and revelries (Galatians 5:19-21). How can we say we are new creations if our lives continually reflect these works of the flesh? The bible is clear that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). What does this mean? It means yielding every of your member (thoughts, desires, mindset, emotions, and actions) to the control of the Holy Spirit who now resides inside you. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24). Let this mind be in you this year. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

     

    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 weapon of praise

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The weapon of praise

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Psalm 149:1-9

    Meditation verse:

    “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand” (Psalm 149:6).

    “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV). Today’s reading highlights a very powerful weapon. The “high praises of God” in the mouth of a believer is powerful and can-do damage to the plans and works of the devil. God delights in and inhabits the praises of his people. What this means is that wherever His name is being praised, He shows up there. And we know that God is almighty, so when He shows up, it is in the fullness of His might and victory is guaranteed. We see this in several instances in the bible. 

    The people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir came to battle against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. He feared but proclaimed a fast to seek help from God. The strategy God gave to them was to praise His name. When the people of Judah began to sing and praise God, the Lord set the different armies against themselves, and they destroyed one another. Judah won the war without lifting a finger. The people praised and The Almighty showed up (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). 

    The city of Jericho was securely shut up; no one could go out or come in. How would the children of Israel capture the city? God commanded Joshua to instruct the men of war to go around the city for six days, with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. They were to march around the city seven times on the seventh day, with the priests blowing the trumpets. At the sound of the long blast with the ram’s horn the people were to shout with a great shout. And as they did as there were commanded, the wall of the city fell flat, and people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Again, the people praised, and God showed up (Joshua 6:2-5). 

    Paul and Silas were put in prison for healing a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination, who brought her masters great profit through fortune telling. But at midnight, as they were praying and singing hymns to God, there was a great earthquake, such that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed (Acts 16:16-26). Praise from the upright is beautiful (Psalm 33:1). Determine in this new year to deploy the powerful weapon of praise.

     

    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: Don’t just make a living, make a difference

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Don’t just make a living, make a difference

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Mathew 4:18-22

    Meditation verse:

    “So, when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11).

    Whilst it is okay to pursue your personal goals and ambitions, you need to understand that a far greater cause exists over and beyond your personal interest. Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew were fishermen. They made a living from fishing and seemed to be doing okay until Jesus said to them: “come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matt 4:19 NIV). And then they left everything and followed Him immediately. They found fishing for people a greater cause than fishing for fish. Whatever impact they made as fishermen paled in significance to the impact they had as fishers of men.

    Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to pursue a matter of personal interest: ‘to arrest Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem’. He encountered Jesus and became Paul the apostle. Bible scholars argue that no single individual outside of Jesus Christ impacted the Christian faith as Apostle Paul did. This is what happens when you pour your life into a cause that extends beyond your personal interest. DL Moody is quoted as saying “the world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is yielded to Him”. Moody decided to be that man and he went on to make such a huge impact in the world for Christ. 

    You too can be that man, if you yield to Christ and allow Him to use you for His own glory. There is so much in the world that needs to be fixed. Ask God to show you a need no one is currently meeting. And when He does, pour your life into fixing it immediately. There’s no telling the extent of impact and reach that may result from your obedience. In this new year, don’t just make a living, make a difference.

     

    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 place of sacrifice

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The place of sacrifice

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Kings 3:1-27

    Meditation verse:

    “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” (John 3:16).

    The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom went to war with the nation of Moab. God assured them of victory through the mouth of the prophet, Elijah and Moab began to lose the battle. However, something strange happened in the cause of the war. When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel, so they departed from Moab and returned to their own land.

    Over 2000 years ago, God saw that mankind was losing the battle of life and freedom due to the fall of the first Adam, so He offered His only begotten son as a sacrifice on the cross of calvary. So, there was great indignation against Satan and his cohorts, and mankind was set free. To sacrifice means to give up something valued for the sake of other cost derivatives. The place of sacrifice cannot be underestimated.

    No worthwhile endeavour can be achieved in life without some form of sacrifice. Better still, to get the best out of our relationship with God, we must be willing to give up whatever He requires of us. King David said he would not offer to God that which cost him nothing. Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to Him. Many biblical characters achieved greatness because they willingly gave up what was required of them. Abraham gave up the convenience of his homeland to become the father of all nations. Peter gave up his fishing nets to become a fisher of men. Jesus Christ gave His life and God gave Him a name that is above every other. 

    What are you desirous of accomplishing in this new year? A deeper walk with God, better relationships with loved ones, weight loss, stopping a bad habit, learning a new skill, improved finances, or greater service to others? Whatever it is, it will cost you something. So, what are you willing to sacrifice to achieve it? Haven’t you noticed that when you give up what is in your hand, the hand becomes free to receive what it is given?

     

    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: New Year resolutions

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: New Year resolutions

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ephesians 5:15-20

    Meditation verse:

    “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

    “Therefore, do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:17-20). 

    If you are looking for new year resolutions, today’s readings highlight a few important ones.

    • Do not be unwise; but redeem the time because the days are evil. Be very selective of what you do with your time: choose wisely the activities you engage in, the people you surround yourself with and the environment you spend your time in. Stay away from activities, people and environments that entice you to do evil. 
    • Understand what the will of the Lord is. You were put on earth for a purpose, and you will give account of how you accomplished this purpose on the last day. You must therefore be committed to this purpose.
    • Be filled with the Holy Spirit and not with wine. Make abiding in God’s presence a lifestyle. 
    • Cultivate a habit of gratitude, giving thanks to God for all things and in all ways. 
    • Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things” (Phil 4:8).

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!

     

    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.