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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Pray for those who despise you

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Pray for those who despise you

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Genesis 37:12-36, 50:15-21

    Meditation verse:

    “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Mathew 5:44).

    We live in a world full of broken and hurting people who sometimes take out their frustrations on others. How do you react with people are unjust and discourteous towards you? Do you know that a major reason why people are mean to others without cause is that they are unhappy or dissatisfied with their lives? They despise you when they believe you have been greatly blessed in areas they haven’t. In their discontentment, envy and bitterness, they lash out at you. Why then would you choose to retaliate? You ought to pray for them. 

    The sad reality is that it may even be those of your household as we see in today’s reading. Joseph the dreamer was blessed with an ability to interpret dreams, but he was a very naive lad. In his naivety, he expected his brothers to rejoice with him, when he revealed ‘his dream of greatness’ to them. But they were already displeased by their father’s undue favoritism and show of affection towards him, so they unimpressed. In their envy and bitterness, they plotted to kill him but eventually sold him as a slave to a bunch of rich merchants journeying to Egypt. The brothers’ action was intended to end Joseph’s dream of greatness. Through his brother’s wicked deed, Potiphar’s wife’s accusation, and the butler’s neglect in prison, he refused to succumb to bitterness or hate. When eventually faced with an opportunity to retaliate, he chose the path of forgiveness.

    Praying for those who spitefully use you enables you to forgive and act in love towards them even when you don’t feel love for them. When you hate those who despise you and repay their evil with evil, you are condescending to their level and may miss out on the blessings that often come with God’s commands. 

    “Without forgiveness, life is governed by…. an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation” (Roberto Assagioli). This is not intended to make you a doormat for others to step on. Ask God for wisdom in every scenario and let the Holy Spirit guide your actions.

     

    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: Work out your salvation

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Work out your salvation

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Peter 1:5-11

    Meditation verse:

    “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).

    We have been saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves. Our salvation is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, faith works together with and is perfected by works. James 2:26 says as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. 

    You grow in your faith after salvation by the works that you do and today’s reading highlights some of the works: 

    But also, for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8

    • Virtue implies behaving in a way that shows high moral standards.
    • Knowledge is the practical understanding of something, in this case the word of God.
    • Self-control is the ability to regulate your responses to avoid undesirable behaviours and increase desirable ones.
    • Perseverance is doing something despite difficulty in achieving success
    • Godliness is the practice of conforming to laws of God’s kingdom
    • Brotherly kindness is the extension of the natural affection associated with a loved one to others not related to you
    • Love is more than feeling. It is sacrificial and giving whilst expecting nothing in return. 

    Working out your salvation by developing the above traits will enable you remain productive and fruitful in your walk with God. But if you lack these works, then your faith is dead. “For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:9-10).

     

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Question those assumptions

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Question those assumptions

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: John 16:25-33

    Meditation verse:

    “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

    Psychologists say that it is not so much the events in our lives that distress us, rather, it is the perception we hold about the events. Have you ever wondered why some people are able to stay calm in the face of intense pressure whilst others loose it completely or collapse like a pack of cards? What is responsible for the difference in reactions? What is it that makes certain people survive, adapt, recover, and even thrive after going through adversity and tough times, whilst others spiral downwards into personal decline or get stuck in a state of learned helplessness or even end it all as we have seen some people do in recent times? How come certain people go through the most intense pressure and emerge even better?

    When you encounter an event, you immediately give it meaning based on your beliefs and past experiences. The meaning you give to that occurrence will generate thoughts within you which will evoke certain feelings or emotions in you. These feelings will determine the action you take which will eventually lead to an outcome. If your interpretation of that event was a positive one, it will trickle down the chain and lead to a positive outcome. If on the other hand it was a negative one, it will evoke negative thoughts and emotions in you which will lead to a negative action on your part, leading eventually to a negative outcome. 

    Get into the habit of asking yourself “how am I interpreting my life’s experiences that is causing me stress? “What am I assuming here that is causing me distress or unhappiness”? And then question the assumption when you identify it. For instance, if you are unhappy in life because you are not yet married, are you not assuming that all married people are happy? And is this correct? If you give up in the face of the current harsh reality, are you not assuming that nothing good will ever come out of your life? How can this be true when you are not gifted with the knowledge of the future? 

    You have little or no control over what life throws at you, but you can control your perceptions, attitude, and thoughts about them and by extension control the outcomes you get out of life. Nothing means anything except the meaning you give to it and the meaning you give to it is not the only meaning. There are always several perspectives to every event. That glass which is half empty is also half full. There are different ways of looking at an occurrence. Choose the meaning that serves you best. Reframe your adversities as opportunities for growth and notice how this changes your energy and drive. It is what you say it is. Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you are right.

     

    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: Walk in your own shadow

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Walk in your own shadow

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Psalm 139: 13-18

    Meditation verse:

    “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).

    The lyrics of a famous song by the late music legend, Whitney Houston goes this way:

    “I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows. If I fail, if I succeed, at least I’ll live as I believe. No matter what they take from me, they can’t take away my dignity.  Because the greatest love of all Is happening to me. I found the greatest love of all Inside of me. The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve. Learning to love yourself. It is the greatest love of all”. 

    I had never given this song much thought until recently when I stumbled upon the lyrics online. The above words caught my attention and made a whole load of sense to me. Whitney was letting us know through her song that it is much better to be yourself and live by your own values and beliefs than trying to copy or be like someone else. She says that would amount to walking in their shadows. Her song makes us understand that the greatest love you can show to yourself is to be true to yourself. Whether you become great or not, at least you would have lived your life in authenticity. 

    A lot of times, we pretend or live in self-denial to escape the negatives of our lives. We pretend to be who or what we are not. We fake it to make it, or we keep living a lie. In today’s world where so much is colored by superficial tendencies, many people are hiding behind layers of pretense and living in the shadows of other people. But there is power in allowing yourself to accept who you are and be “YOU”. There is beauty in authenticity. Why not declare like the Psalmist did, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well”. Walk in your own shadow and be yourself, every other person is taken.

     

    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: Everything will be alright in the end

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Everything will be alright in the end

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ecclesiastes 7:8-10

    Meditation verse:

    “The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

    Our understanding of things as humans is very limited; only God understands and knows everything. We are therefore prone to false attributions, faulty assumptions, biases, exaggerations, wrong decisions, and incorrect conclusions. We may also misinterpret the things that happen to us in life because we concluded based on our limited understanding or on just the evidence that we can see. Hebrews 11 says “now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Does this not mean that there are things that we cannot see? There are things happening behind the scenes of our lives that we are unaware of and as a result we interpret the circumstances of our lives based on what we can see and conclude that all is not well. 

    What can you see happening in your life right now and what have you concluded about that situation? Before you label it as bad, can you truthfully say that you have all the facts and evidence to conclude rightly? Aren’t there some things about that situation that you do not know or are not so certain about? Ecclesiastes 11:5 states “As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything”. God specializes in working behind the scenes of our lives and the secret things belong to Him. You have no way of knowing what He is doing about your situation, why then would you conclude and give it a tag?

    Here’s what God says in His word “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 be rest assured that irrespective of what is going on right now, everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright now, then it is not the end. God says it, believe it and that settles it. A word they say is enough for the wise!

     

    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 rights and privileges as a son (2)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your rights and privileges as a son (2)

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ephesians 1:3-22

    Meditation verse:

    “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).

    Other privileges you enjoy as an adopted son, are:

    The presence of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the guarantor and seal upon your life that proves that you are a child of God. He is in you to teach, comfort, intercede and help you in your walk with God. John 14:26 says “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you”. I have received help from the Holy Spirit on several occasions in different areas of my life. From showing me the specific area to focus on and study, when I had to write an exam shortly after recuperating from a failed surgery, exposing attacks of the enemy over my marriage before it was too late and teaching me several life skills. The messages I write in this daily devotional are downloaded into my spirit by the Holy Spirit. The greatest resource we have as Christians is the presence of God’s Spirit in us, but you must be sensitive to His prompting if you are to benefit from His leading. 

    An everlasting hope: Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and it is an unending one. When all is said and done here on earth, you will reign with Christ in eternity. John 14:2-3 says “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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also”.

    If you have not yet asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart, you are not yet a son. Why not do so right away so that you can be adopted into the family of God and begin to enjoy these privileges. Here’s a prayer you can say right away: “Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I confess that I am a sinner and ask for forgiveness.  I invite you into my heart and accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins, fill me with Your Spirit and help me to live my life for You”. Congratulations!

     

    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 rights and privileges as a son (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your rights and privileges as a son (1)

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ephesians 1:3-22

    Meditation verse:

    “Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5).

    At salvation, you were adopted as a son into the family of God, through Jesus Christ and this entitles you to certain privileges. Ephesians 1:18-19 says that “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what the hope of His calling is, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power”. As a son you have access to:

    The name of Jesus Christ: Philippians 2:9-11 states: “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. The name of Jesus is a refuge and strong tower in times of trouble. I had a scary experience one night. Whilst asleep, I suddenly became aware of a dark presence in the room. I tried to move and open my eyes, but couldn’t, it was like an invincible force was holding me down. I was very conscious of what was going on but could neither move nor open my eyes. Then I realised my spirit was calling the name “Jesus”, so I tried to open my mouth to call out the name, but my lips were sealed. I kept struggling to open my mouth and eventually succeeded in screaming “Jesus”. As soon as I called out that name, the invincible presence disappeared, and I was able to open my eyes and turn around. 

    The blood of Jesus: Revelations 12:11 states “And they overcame him (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” Hebrews 10:19 says “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus”. You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. In your redemption package, you can boldly access forgiveness for your sins, healing of all diseases, wholeness, sanctification, restoration, deliverance, and victory through the blood of Jesus. What an awesome privilege to be a son of The Most High God.

     

    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: Bring me the parchments

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Bring me the parchments

    By Oke Chinye

    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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The eagle christian

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The eagle christian

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Job 39:27-30

    Meditation verse:

    “But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

    Eagles do not shy away from storms. Do you know how an eagle respond to a storm? It faces the direction of the storm, lifts its head high, flaps its wings and rides through the storm. As it rides through, the winds propel its wings, lifting it higher and higher until it is above the storm. Another interesting feature of the eagle is its piercing and sharp vision. Its eyes observe from afar. From high above the sky, its eyes spot a prey on the ground and in one swoop, it lowers itself and grabs the prey. The eagle makes its nest on high; it dwells and resides on the rock. The crag of the rock and the stronghold are its home. Its young feed on blood and where the slain are, there you would always find the eagle.

    The symbolism of the metaphor “the eagle Christian” is evident in these characteristics of the eagle. As an eagle Christian, you would not shy away from the storms of life but will face them boldly, mounting on the wings of prayers and ascending higher. Your dwelling place would be on the solid rock, Jesus Christ who is the rock of ages and our stronghold. You will consistently be on higher grounds, shunning that which is worldly and mediocre. 

    Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth As an eagle Christian, your vision will be precise and your eyes focused on the prey, which is the expansion of God’s kingdom. Mathew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”. 

    Finally, just as the young ones of the eagle feed on blood, as an eagle Christian, you would have led your young ones to Christ and brought them under the covenant of the blood of Jesus Christ. So, are you an eagle Christian?

     

    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: Fulfill your highest expression of self

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Fulfill your highest expression of self

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 3:12-15

    Meditation verse:

    “I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

    Billionaire media mogul, Oprah Winfrey one said that her greatest desire in life is to fulfill the dream that God had in mind for her when He thought about her and put her in her mother’s womb. So, she always strived to fulfill; the highest and truest expression of herself as a human being. My understanding of this is that we are indebted to God to develop and utilize whatever gifts He has put in us to the highest possible level. And we owe this not just to God but to ourselves and the world at large. The world should experience our highest level of value in the place of our purpose or contribution. 

    The Apostle Paul had this objective in mind when he said:

    Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

    How can we ensure that we are pressing towards our highest expression? We must keep developing our skills, talents, abilities, and character. 2 Peter 1:5-8 says “but also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. 2 Timothy 2;15 says, “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV). 

    Keep raising the bar and keep becoming. Do not be satisfied with yesterday’s wins. There is always a higher-level waiting for you to step into. Refuse to settle for anything less. “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). It’s a new month and the last one for the year. Go manifest!

     

    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.