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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Let your light so shine before men

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Let your light so shine before men

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Mathew 5:13-16

    Meditation verse:

    “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and  glorify your Father in heaven” (`Mathew 5:16).

    As a child of God, you were created for impact and significance. God has put gifts  inside of you and He wants you to bless lives with your gifts. Today’s reading  reveals God’s mind for you. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its  flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown  out and trampled underfoot by men. 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”. 

    During His time on earth, Jesus Christ said “I must work the works of Him who  sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).  Someday, when our time here is over, it will be night-time for us. Would we be  able to say of a truth that we let our light shine before men whilst we were on  earth? What legacy would we have left behind? Would we be confident to say  like Paul the Apostle that, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,  I have kept the faith”? 

    Why not become very intentional about letting your light shine? To be  Intentional means purposeful, planned or thought of. And to impact others, you  must show up. Show up to love, serve, heal, and minister to the needs of others.  Seek out opportunities to use whatever God has put inside of you to be a  blessing to others. Show up in season and out of season. Show up whether it is  convenient or not. 

    It’s a new month today and in a about two months this year will be over.  Whatever good your hand finds to do, do it. “For God is not unjust to forget your  work and labour of love which you have shown towards His name, in that you  have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).

     

    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: That is something

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: That is something

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Habakkuk 3:17-19

    Meditation verse:

    “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; …yet I will  rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-16).

    I wept as I watched an episode of Simon Cowell’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ (AGT).  It was a performance by a young lady, where she sang her original song titled:  ‘It’s OK’. When asked about the inspiration behind the song, she said it was  based on the happenings of her life within the last year. Turns out, this young  lady was battling terminal cancer which had spread to her lungs, spine, and liver.  And she had been given a two percent chance of survival.  

    It was not just her battle with cancer that made me weep, although that was  tough to hear. Nor was it her display of strength in showing up on the AGT stage,  whilst battling with a debilitating disease as cancer. It was her sheer gratitude  and positivity in the face of such hopelessness and pain that really got to me. As  she stood on that stage looking frail from all that she was going through, she  said the following words: “It is important that everyone knows I’m so much more  than the bad things that happened to me”. “You can’t wait till life isn’t hard  anymore before you decide to be happy”. I have been given a 2% chance of  survival, but 2% is not 0%, that is something, and I wish people know how  amazing that is”. And she said these words with the most amazing smile.  

    This young lady whose stage name I was to learn later is Nightbirde, taught me  a profound lesson that day. There is always something left to hold on to and be  grateful for, amid the loss, pain, chaos, or adversity we experience in life. If you  have lost your job or means of livelihood, can you be grateful that you still have  your memory and intellect intact? If you have lost a spouse, can you be grateful  for the memories, laughter and love you shared together? If your health is failing  just like that young lady, can you be grateful for your 2% chance of recovery?  “2% is not 0%, it is something”.  

    “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to  those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Sadly,  Nightbirde has passed on and is now free from all her pain.

     

    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 stirring of the pool

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The stirring of the pool

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: JOHN 5: 1-15

    Meditation verse:

    “For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the  water…” (John 5:4).

    For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water;  then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of  whatever disease he had. Did you notice that after the pool was stirred,  something had to be done: ‘jumping into the pool’? 

    Your heart is a pool of desires, ideas, dreams, and visions that need to be  birthed. As we go about our everyday affairs, we feel the stirring of the Holy  Spirit in our hearts every now and then. The stirring of the Holy spirit can come  in the form of a strong urge to do something, a sudden knowing or a restlessness  within us.  

    And just as someone had to jump into the pool after the stirring of the pool, it is  important that you act when you feel the Holy spirit tugging your heart. Some  years back, I had already decided to close my office at the end of the year, when  I felt a strong stirring within me to host a training program I had recently  developed. And what a huge impact I had with that program.  

    Determine within you to act anytime you feel a stirring in your heart. Don’t let  the fear of uncertainty hold you back.  

    “So, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of  Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the  spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house  of the Lord of hosts, their God.” (Haggai 1:14).

     

    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: Lessons from the story of Little Joe (2)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lessons from the story of Little Joe (2)

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

    Meditation verse:

    “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more  exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4: 17).

    Secondly, it may not always be in your best interest to follow the crowd or the  path that is most familiar. Neither is it useful to always tow the path of least  resistance. You need to learn to search the unlikely and unknown or even  difficult places. For in so doing, you may discover unexpected treasures.  

    Lastly, the bad things that happen to you are not meant to defeat you but to  strengthen you and prepare you for a greater glory. The pains of yesterday can  become the gains of tomorrow. The pain of losing a dear brother built an inner  resolve in that old man: a resolve that yielded a desired outcome. “But we have  this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God  and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are  perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not  destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that  the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always  delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested  in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 

    And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I  believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing  that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will  present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread  through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 

    Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet  the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but  for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are  not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are  not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:7-18).

     

    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: Lessons from the story of Little Joe (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lessons from the story of Little Joe (1)

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

    Meditation verse:

    “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart!  I’ve conquered the world” (John 16:33b MSG).

    The story is told of a little boy Joe, who disappeared whilst staying with his  grandmother in a rural community. He had been playing outside his home and  suddenly was nowhere to be found. A search party was sent out to look for him,  but the search went on for hours without yielding any result. An elderly man in  the community decided to join in the search. His son tried to discourage him, as  he had just had a surgery for a heart bypass. Besides, he reasoned that there  were already so many people looking for the boy. What difference would an old  man who probably would not walk fast make? But the old man refused to be  dissuaded, so his son decided to go with him. They felt it was better to go their  own way since joining the crowd may slow them down. They also wanted to  focus on the unlikely places that would be overlooked by the crowd. 

    After a few hours of walking, they came across a thick forest, fenced off with  barbed wires. The son argued that little Joe would never have wandered this far,  let alone gone through the wired fence. But again, the old man insisted that it  was the way to go, he entered the forest, leaving his son behind. The old man  had suffered a painful loss as a little boy. He had lost his little brother in a car  crash and had carried the guilt of not being able to save his brother, for several  years. As he trudged along the thick bush, images of his little brother flashed  across his mind, and he just kept going. After what seemed like ages, he saw a  dog, and then, he saw little Joe frightened and huddled in a corner. He picked  him up, held him tightly in his arms and began making his way back to the crowd.  The joy in his face could not be mistaken. 

    There are several lessons to learn from little Joe’s story. 

    Firstly, just as little Joe disappeared without any warning, life can happen at any  time. You have very little control over certain occurrences in your life. Jesus said:  “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart!  I’ve conquered the world”. You must trust God and keep striving to get ahead.

     

    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 wave

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A new wave

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: MATHEW 28:16-20

    Meditation verse:

    “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the  waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14).

    The corona virus pandemic that hit the world in 2020, took everyone by surprise.  Suddenly, the world stood still and watched in horror as the death toll increased  by the second. It didn’t matter how much you had in your account or how many  luxury cars you owned or which exotic destinations you could vacation in. All  that mattered was to be able to breathe on your own.

    However, amidst the horror and hopeless, scripture was being fulfilled. From the  ashes of despair arose a new wave of glory. The knowledge of the glory of the  Lord began to cover the whole earth. As the world went online, carrying out  processes and activities virtually, God’s word was not left out. The gospel was being preached continuously. Church services took place online. Bible studies and prayer meetings held online. We listened to the word of God and prayed  whilst cooking, bathing, eating, and walking. In the twinkling of an eye, physical  pulpits became virtual ones.  

    Before Jesus left the earth, He gave us the great commission; to go make  disciples of all nations. God will not initiate the advancement of this cause and  halt it midway. This new wave will continue even when the tides of the corona  plague have been stemmed. The world is witnessing a revival. A new wave of  glory has been ushered in. The pandemic opened our eyes to the fact that we  can preach the word of God and share the good news of salvation to anyone in  any location in the world. It showed us that we can pray for anyone at any time  and from anyplace. The salvation message can no longer be restrained by  geographical location, time, or space.  

    How can you and I plug into this new wave? Wherever you find yourself share  the good news. Your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, school, and shop have  become churches. Your social media handles, phones and laptops have become pulpits. You no longer need to wait to enter a physical pulpit before sharing the  gospel. And you do not have to be a pastor. The great commission is for all of us.

     

    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: Who are the people around you?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Who are the people around you?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Exodus 32

    Meditation verse:

    “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the  mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come,  make us gods that shall go before us…” (Exodus 32:1).

    The people you surround yourself with can either help or derail you from your  destiny. It is often said that if you want to know how far a person will go in life,  check out the people they surround themselves with. The people around you  affect your life because they counsel you, speak into your life and make ties with  you in business or some other area of life. The bible is replete with examples of  individuals who deviated from God’s purpose for their lives because they  listened to counsel from people.  

    In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul defeated the Amalekites, but spared the king and took  the best of the spoils, even though God had instructed him to destroy  everything. When the prophet, Samuel confronted him, he said “they have  brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep  and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly  destroyed.” As a result of his disobedience, God rejected him as king and tore  the kingdom from his hands. Samson lost his sight and anointing because he  listened to Delilah (Judges 16). In today’s reading, Joshua listened to the  people’s demand to make a golden image for them to worship.  

    Proverbs 11:14 states that “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the  multitude of counselors there is safety.” However, you must weigh the counsel  from others against God’s counsel or His word. If it is in line, then follow it, but  if it contradicts God’s word or His purpose for your life, you should reject it.  When Jesus told His disciples about His sufferings, death, and resurrection, one  of His closest disciples, Peter, took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying,  “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Mathew 16:22). But  Jesus turned and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me,  for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Mathew  16:23). Bottomline; be careful of the people around you as well as their counsel.

     

    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: Simple life lessons from the preacher

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Simple life lessons from the preacher

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ecclesiastes 11:1-7 

    Meditation verse: 

    “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).

    Enjoy each day, irrespective of circumstances. 

    Diversify your investments; prepare for the rainy day. 

    Boldly face the future; be diligent in whatever you do 

    If you wait for a perfect weather, you will not sow. 

    Each day is a gift from God, accept it with gratitude and engage it fully 

    Do good to others wherever you find yourself, for you do not know when you  will need good from others. 

    There are some things you can be sure of, but there are several you can never  be sure of. You may therefore need to take a chance sometimes. 

    Finally, remember that someday you will live this earth and when that happens  you cannot carry out any action. So, make the most of your life now. 

     

    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 weapons of warfare (2)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your weapons of warfare (2)

    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 second weapon of our warfare our reading mentions is “a two-edged sword  in your hand”. This is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God  is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to  the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the  thoughts and intents of the heart”.

    When Satan tempted Jesus Christ as He came out from forty days of fasting in  the wilderness, He defeated Satan by stating the word of God. Jesus could have  said, ‘Satan, I rebuke you’, instead He said, “It is written…”. There is no difficulty  that can withstand the word of God and for every situation you are currently

    going through, there is a specific word; there is an “it is written” that you can  deploy as your weapon. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is  profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in  righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for  every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    So, let the high praises of God be in your mouth, and a two-edged sword in your hand, to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind the kings with chains, and the nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on  them the written judgment. This is the honor and privilege you have as a child  of God. Praise the Lord (Psalm 149:6-9).

     

    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 weapons of warfare (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your weapons of warfare (1)

    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).

    As Christians, we do not deal with our issues in the natural ways of the world. 2  Corinthians 10:4 says, “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the  world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (NIV).  Today’s reading highlights two of such powerful weapons. 

    The first is “high praises of God in our mouths”. 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  happening 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  then would the children of Israel go in to 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 exactly 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 the Almighty  showed up (Joshua 6:2-5). 

    Praise from the upright is beautiful (Psalm 33:1). When next you are faced with  a seemly impossible situation, why not deploy the 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.