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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Enhance your mental wellbeing (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Enhance your mental wellbeing (1)

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: PROVERBS 4:20-27

    Meditation verse:

    “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”  (Proverbs 4:23).

    Here are some ways to enhance your mental wellbeing:

    o Be very selective of who you permit into your personal space. Avoid  people who dispense negativism. They will drain your internal power: (your hope, self-belief, resilience, and optimism).  

    o Do not let people’s actions determine your emotions and actions. People  do not get you angry, they just do what they do, and you react as you will.  Since your action determines your outcomes, you are letting others  determine the outcomes you get out of life. 

    o Do not wait for apologies before forgiving an offence. You may be waiting  for a long time. Suppose they never apologise?  

    o Be responsible for your life and actions. Own your experiences. Cherish  the good, change the bad, accept what you cannot change. Strive to become  financially independent. Avoid depending on others for your existence. If  you do, they will control your life. 

    o Assert yourself when you should. It is wise to know when to speak and  when to be silent. The bible says do not answer a fool according to his  folly, lest you be like him, in the next verse it says answer a fool according  to his folly, lest he be wise in his conceit (Proverbs 26:4-5). When people  mistreat you, let them know. We teach others how to treat us. 

    o Never compare yourself with anybody. Be unapologetically who you are. 

    o Lastly, guard your heart with all diligence. The battle is always first lost in  the mind. Feed your mind with the word of God and avoid unwholesome  content. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

     

    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: Dealing with stress

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Dealing with stress

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

    Meditation verse:

    “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”  (Mathew 11:28).

    Today is World Mental Health Day, so let’s talk about stress. Stress is an adverse  reaction that we have when excessive and sustained pressures or other types of  demands are placed on us either at work or outside work. It is not an illness, but a natural reaction to excessive pressure. You become stressed when you  perceive that you lack the resources, whether physical, psychological, or  financial to cope with the demands of your life. Certainly, you would experience  a certain level of pressure in the cause of your daily existence, but this should  not be interpreted as stress. Up to a certain level, feeling pressured can keep  you on your toes or motivate you to meet deadlines. However, when the  pressure becomes excessive, it leads to stress, which if present for a long period  of time, can lead to mental and physical illness.

    The earliest signs of stress are changes in your mood, behaviour, or level of  productivity. It could be a decline in performance, loss of motivation to perform  tasks, moodiness, restlessness, irritability, or a lack of interest in your  appearance or general affairs. Physical symptoms also emerge, and these  include stomach upsets, tension headaches, backache, skin irritations, high  blood pressure and heart disease.

    Why not do a stress check-up today to see if you are in danger of a mental or  physical breakdown, by taking a holistic look at your life. How well are you  coping with the physical and emotional demands of your job and life in general?  Are you working to the exclusion of any rest? Are you happy or constantly  worried? Are you overly anxious about any situation or do you feel under  excessive pressure in any area of your life? If you think you are, talk to God about  your concerns right now and then seek professional help. The bible advises you  to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with  thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God  which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through  Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). You have a great High Priest who is touched with the  feeling of your infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, come boldly to His throne  of grace today and cast your cares upon Him, for He cares deeply for you.

     

    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: Keep becoming

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Keep becoming

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: PHILIPPIANS 3:12-18

    Meditation verse: 

    “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” (Phil 3:12).

    You are a work in progress. You need to keep moving towards perfection,  because you must realize your full potential to become all you were created for.  You must finish your race. God has declared the end of your life. He knows who  you are meant to be. And who you are meant to become is a solution to  someone’s problem. If you do not become this person, you will be robbing them  of the blessing to be derived.  

    Jesus Christ came to this world to die on the cross for our sins. Through His death  and resurrection, we obtain salvation. Against all odds, He set His face on this  goal. He did not stop until He died on the cross. Just before His death, He  declared that it was finished, and then He rose on the third day. If he did not die 

    and rise again, salvation would have eluded mankind. “And if Christ is not risen,  your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:17).  

    You are on a journey on this earth and there is an assignment for you to  accomplish. You must keep going until you become all you were created for and  complete your assignment. Myles Munroe it was who said that the richest place  on earth is the graveyard. Many people die and are buried with their  assignments still in the wombs of their destinies, thereby robbing the world.  Refuse to be amongst this group. Choose rather to die empty. Here’s what Paul  the apostle 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 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) 

    Why not adopt this mindset going forward.

     

    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: Can God count on you?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Can God count on you?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: DANIEL 3:8-30

    Meditation verse:

    “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor  will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:18). 

    Three young men stood in the moment of truth; bow down to the king’s golden  image or be thrown into a fiery furnace. It would have been so easy to bow, after  all it was just a small compromise to make life easier for them in the foreign  land. It did not necessarily mean they were no longer faithful to God. However,  they were wise enough to understand that compromising would poison their  allegiance to Jehovah. So, against all odds, they chose to defy the king’s  command. And God honored their commitment.  

    You may find yourself in a moment of truth sooner or later faced with a  temptation to compromise just to make life a little easier. It may be to alter the  figure, jump the queue, tell a little lie to look good, engage in an adulterous  relationship, give that bribe to obtain a favor, or what have you. Can God count  on you at such moments to say: ‘let it be known that I will not bow?’. Refusing  to bow can be a very lonely road to travel. Picture Shedrach, Meshach, and  Abednego standing before the crowd, whilst the officials prepared the fiery  furnace. It is much easier to follow the crowd. But if you want to excel in life and  fulfill purpose, you must learn to stand alone sometimes. The journey to Calvary  was a very lonely and painful one for Jesus Christ.  

    However, the three young men were not alone, the bible says there was a fourth  man was in the fire with them. Similarly, in your own moments, you are never  alone. God promises to be with you always. “When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you  walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:2). Remembering that God is always with you, will help you make the  right choice in your moment of truth.

     

    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 miracle is in the obedience

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The miracle is in the obedience

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: LUKE 17: 11-19

    Meditation verse:

    “So, when He saw them, He said to them, ‘go show yourself to the priests.’ And  so, it was that as they went, they were cleansed”. (Luke 17:14).

    The story of the ten lepers highlights the importance of obedience and faith. As  they cried to Jesus concerning their situation, am certain they expected Him to  say: ‘be healed’ or ‘you are cleansed from your leprosy’. But Jesus said ‘go show  yourself to the priests’ and that was it. Had they not obeyed Jesus’ command  they would not have received their miracle. 

    I have often pondered on this story and wondered what our reaction would be  in today’s church. Wouldn’t we be utterly disappointed? Wouldn’t we murmur  and complain? ‘Show ourselves to the priests?’ ‘He didn’t even touch us, how  does showing ourselves to the priests count for anything? Have the priests not  seen us all this while?’ These are just a few of the complaints that we would have  muttered.  

    God does not owe us an obligation to answer our prayers in the way or manner  we desire. Oftentimes, we expect Him to act in a particular way, and when He  gives a command or stirs us in a direction that does not match our expectations,  we struggle with obeying or fail to obey. If our eyes were to be opened to behold  the miracles and blessings that we have missed due to our disobedience, we  would be greatly saddened.  

    Learn to trust God completely this year and commit to obeying his leading,  whether it makes sense to you or not. The miracle is always in the obedience.

     

    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 more excellent way

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A more excellent way

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

    Meditation verse:

    “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is  love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

    Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record  of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices  whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is  always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and  speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become  useless. But love will last forever” -1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NLT. 

    Genuine love is much more than a feeling, it is an action. It is a decision we make  to do good to someone even though we do not feel good towards that person.  Jesus did not say ‘like your enemies’, He said ‘love your enemies’. Even when  you dislike someone, you are commanded to love them. As Christians, loving  others is a command, not an option. “By this all will know that you are My  disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). 

    The knowledge that ‘love’ is a decision we make is life transforming. We can  separate how we feel from what we decide or choose to do. I can love someone  I don’t necessarily like. I can do something or act towards that person in a certain  way because I know it is what God expects of me as His child even if I don’t feel ‘lovey-dovey’ doing it.’ And guess what, when you keep acting in love towards  somebody, your emotions begin to line up with your actions. 

    Our thoughts affect our emotions, our emotions affect our actions, and our  actions again affect our thoughts. Go ahead and try it, keep acting in love  towards that spouse, neighbour, or colleague that you think you cannot stand  and see if your feelings towards them would not change. “And now abide faith,  hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. Choose the more  excellent way this 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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Stick with your purpose

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Stick with your purpose

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Judges 9: 7-15

    Meditation verse:

    “But the olive tree said to them, ‘should I cease giving my oil, with which they  honour God and men, and go to sway over trees?” (Judges 9:9).

    Before you were formed, God knew you and ordained you for a particular  assignment, this is your purpose on earth (Jeremiah 1:5). He put you here to  fulfil this assignment and you have been shaped by God to accomplish it. The  shape of an object determines its purpose. A toothpick is shaped to pick, a spoon  is shaped to scoop, a bowl is shaped to accommodate. Similarly, ‘your shape’:  Spiritual gifts, Heart (what you are passionate about), Ability (natural  inclination), Personality (how you are wired) and experience (your life journey)  all point you towards the reason you are here.  

    Stick with your purpose and focus on actualizing it. We are not gifted with the  knowledge of how long we would spend on earth. When all is said and done you  will stand before God and give a full account of how you accomplished your purpose. You will give an account of how you used the gifts and talents that He  put inside you. Whether yours is insignificant or great, stick with it. The size of  your purpose does not matter to God, it is how well you accomplish it that He is  interested in.  

    “The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive  tree, ‘Reign over us!’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I cease giving my  oil, with which they honour God and men, and go to sway over trees?” (Judges  9:8-9). The story is told of a missionary teacher in a small town who received an  offer of a job as chief executive in a multinational organization, he declined the  offer saying, ‘I will not stoop low by abandoning my purpose in life. When you  abandon your life’s purpose due to cares of this world or the pressures of life,  you are stooping low. When you choose to pursue someone else’s purpose  because it appears more glamourous than yours, you are stooping low. The One  who created you did so for a reason. Stick with your purpose and be who you  were called to be, 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: The power to create wealth

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The power to create wealth

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 1 Kings 10:14-29 

    Meditation verse: 

    “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power  to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

    Our ability to create wealth comes from God and He gives in different  dimensions as He pleases. King Solomon had great wisdom and people from  every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him.  “Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, Armor,  spices, horses and mules, at a set rate, year by year” (1 Kings 10:25). As he  dispensed value to them, they brought him riches and his wealth increased  greatly. When the queen of Sheba visited him, she was so impressed by his  wisdom that she gave him one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in  great quantity and precious stones. Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur of the  tribe of Judah was filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in  knowledge and in all manner of workmanship to design artistic works, to work  in gold, in silver, in bronze (Ex 31:2-4).  

    There is something of value that God has deposited inside you that you can use  to create value for others such that they give you their riches in return. This is  your power to get wealth. Your power to get wealth can come from a musical  ability, a sporting inclination, ability to prophecy, great wisdom, leadership or  organizational skills, the ability to teach, inspire or encourage. In order words,  it could be a talent, natural ability, skill, or a spiritual gift.  

    What is it that you naturally do well? For what do you always receive  commendations from others? Pay close attention, as your answers may unlock  your power to get wealth. Get this power working for you by creating value for  others. As you do this consistently, your wealth will increase. “Do you see any  truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary  people” (Proverbs22:29, NLT).

     

    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: Get out of that toxic environment

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Get out of that toxic environment

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Genesis 19: 1-29

    Meditation verse:

    “So, Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “get up, get out of this place;” (Genesis 19:12).

    Every environment you find yourself in has its people, culture, systems, and practices. A toxic environment is one in which either the people or their culture systems or practices are out of sync with your core values. A toxic environment may be your home, place of work, community, your local church, or a relationship you are involved in. Being in a toxic environment can destroy your faith, wellbeing, personal growth, dreams, progress, or even life.

    Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of very toxic environments. The practices of the people were dehumanizing. The men of the city, both young and old demanded to have carnal knowledge with the men who had come to see Lot. When Lot refused, they threatened to pull down his door, until they struck with blindness. Then Lot’s visitors instructed him to take his family and get out of the place, because they had been sent by God to destroy the place. Had Lot not heeded their instruction, he would have been destroyed alongside both cities.

    Do a scan of every environment you spend time in. Are you surrounded by negative people who evoke negative emotions in you? Are you in a relationship where you are mentally and physically abused? Do you feel belittled, threatened, manipulated, caged in and unable to express yourself? If yes, then chances are, you are in a toxic environment and you need to quickly get out. If you are unable to leave, you should create a ‘psychological island’ for yourself within the environment. ‘Psychological islands’ are moments where you engage in activities that edify your mind and uplift your spirit. Activities such as meditating on God’s word, listening to inspirational music, praying in the Holy Spirit can create a sense of peace and serenity within you.

    Sometimes, it may not be obvious that an environment is toxic. You just feel you are in the wrong place, or sense that God wants you to leave an environment. If this is the case, get up and get out, no matter how comfortable the place is at that moment. God is all knowing, the secret things belong to Him.

     

    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 power of your expectation

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The power of your expectation

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: HEBREWS 11:1-40

    Meditation verse:

    “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV). 

    What is your expectation for this day? What are your expectations for your life? 

    James 4:2 says, you do not have because you do not ask. When you expect nothing from today, you will get nothing. If you expect nothing in life, you get nothing. The desire of the righteous will be granted (Proverbs 10:24). Note that it says desires. As a child of God your expectations ought to be based on what God has promised you in His word.

    He said He will make you the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). Do you expect to be great in life or are you wallowing in mediocrity?

    He says the plans He has for your future are plans to prosper you and give you hope, not to harm you. (Jeremiah 29:11).  Are you looking towards your future with excitement or are you in dread of what it holds for you?

    He says by His stripes you are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Do you believe that you can experience wholeness and complete wellbeing?

    He says that not one of you shall lack their mate (Isaiah 34:16). Do you believe that you will find your life partner and experience marital bliss or are you worried that you would remain single all your life?

    He says that none shall be barren in the land (Exodus 23:26). Do you expect to be fruitful in every area of life or are you battling with barrenness in an area? 

    God’s plan for you are plans of good and not of evil. He says, “if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him” (Mathew 7:11).

    So, expect the best from your Father in heaven and the best will come to you.

     

    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.