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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What are you hungry for?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What are you hungry for?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Acts 10:1-23

    Meditation verse:

    “And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat” (Acts 10: 13).

    Peter became very hungry and wanted to eat, then he fell into a trance where  he saw a great sheet descending from heaven containing all kinds of four-footed  animals, wild beasts, and birds of the air. Then God told him to rise, kill and eat.  Peter’s hunger put him in a state that enabled him to see the vision God had for  him. Similarly, God can create a void in your life in preparation for the vision He  has for us. This void leads to a hunger within you, which either puts you in a  state of vulnerability or creates a restlessness in you. Either way, as you look up  to God for answers, He opens your heart to perceive what He wants you to do.  The bible states that as Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit spoke to him,  revealing what the vision was about.

    It is difficult to go after what you are not hungry for or what you have no desire  for, because you are likely to give up at the slightest challenge. The hunger  becomes the motivation that pushes you further. The greater the hunger, the  greater your desire to satisfy it. When God was leading the children of Israel to  the promised land, He repeatedly told them that the land was beautiful and  good, flowing with milk and honey. He was creating a hunger in them that would  enable them take possession of the land, despite opposition from its previous  inhabitants.

    Which area of your life is there currently a vacuum or deep void? What are you  hungry for? What is your deepest heart desire? The hunger and yearning you  are feeling, may be connected to the vision that God has for you. It may be tied  to your God-ordained assignment. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for  righteousness, for they shall be filled (Mathew 5:6).

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It takes time and effort to build

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It takes time and effort to build

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Luke 14:25-30

    Meditation verse:

    “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count  the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:28).

    Have you ever visited a construction site? It is very messy right? With building  materials strewn all over the place, sweaty bodies digging, filling, and molding.  It may even be a dangerous place to visit, with nails, split woods and loose blocks  posing a danger. But after all that hard work and effort, an amazingly beautiful  structure stands tall.

    Growth takes time. It takes nine months for a baby to be fully developed in the  womb of a woman, during which time her stomach is fully stretched to  accommodate the growing child. After birth, it takes several years and different  stages before the baby becomes an adult. Achieving or building the life of your  dreams will not happen overnight. It will take time and great effort on your part.  You will go through several transitions and may be tempted to give up. Your mental, physical, financial, and emotional capacity will be stretched to  accommodate the person you are becoming.

    Indeed, most processes of development that result in change from one form to  another are difficult and uncomfortable. The purification of gold, the emergence  of pearls from oysters and the emergence of a butterfly from a larva are not easy  processes. Change is a difficult process. Enlargement is uncomfortable.  Mediocrity resides in your comfort zone. If you want to grow to your full capacity  and achieve all you were created for, you will have to push beyond your limits.  “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight,  but they while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” – Henry  Wadsworth Longfellow.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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 Dcns 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 Dcns 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: No God like Jehovah

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: No God like Jehovah

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: JOB 38-40

    Meditation verse:

    “To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy  One. (Isaiah 40:25).

    God can do anything and everything. He oversees everything in Heaven, on earth  and underneath the earth. He laid the foundations of the earth and determined  its measurements. He created all things by the word of His mouth and  outstretched hands. His wisdom is unsearchable; He knows all things. His  understanding is infinite; He understands all things. His ownership and control  are limitless; He owns and controls all things.

    Everything answers to His command. The hawk flies by His wisdom. The eagle  mounts up at His command. He knows the time the mountain goat gives birth.  He shuts in the waters, so that they will not exceed their boundaries. He rules  the raging seas and stills their proud waves. He carves out rivers from rocks and  upturns mountains from their roots. God can furnish a table in the wilderness.  He hunts for prey for the lions and gives food to the ravens. Indeed, all creatures  look to Him for their food. He is a father to the fatherless and husband to the  widow.

    He determines times and seasons. He commands the morning and causes the  dawn to know its place. He causes the barren woman to be a joyful mother of  children. He is the tide turning God who can lift a lowly person to a position of  prominence overnight. Promotion comes from Him. In His hands are riches and  honor. He can cause men to favor or disfavor you. He holds the hearts of kings  in His palm and turns them to whichever direction He pleases. His ability to  restore life is beyond our understanding. Trees are burnt down and can grow  back, broken bones heal, dead tissues are restored. That is the life-giving power  of God.

    What is that seemingly impossible situation before you? What God cannot do  does not exist. It’s a new month, commit that situation to the One who can do  all things. For with Him nothing shall be impossible.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Why sit down there and die?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Why sit down there and die?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Kings 7:3-16

    Meditation verse:

    “Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to  one another, “why are we sitting here until we die”? (2 Kings 7:3).

    A well-known model for handling the challenges of living designed by D’Zurilla  and Goldfried, proffers six steps for solving problems. First define the problem,  then generate alternative solutions, list pros and cons of each solution, choose  the best one, plan and then execute it. This was what the four leprous men at  the entrance of Samaria did, when they found themselves in a desperate  situation. The famine had besieged the city, and everyone was hungry. Rather  than sitting still and doing nothing, they reasoned amongst themselves,  evaluated their options, decided on a course of action, and acted. And their  problem was resolved.

    What difficult situation are you currently faced with? What have you done or  what are you doing about it? Can you truthfully say that you have exhausted  your options? A lot of times, when faced with adversity, we either keep shouting  at God in prayers or we sit still, expecting the problem to disappear. As you call  on God to act in that situation, is it possible that He is waiting on you to act? “All  things pertaining to life and godliness have been given to you by the divine power  of God through the knowledge of Him who called you by glory and virtue” (2  Peter 1:3). God has given you the wisdom, power, knowledge, and ability needed  to live a godly life. You are well equipped to find solutions to the challenges of  your everyday living.

    Why then would you choose to remain in that situation until you die? In Spencer  Johnson’s book: “who moved my cheese”, four characters enjoyed a plenteous  supply of cheese until they suddenly found themselves in a cheese less situation.  Whilst three of the characters searched for other options until they found  another supply of cheese, the last one chose to remain in his cheese less  condition. Whilst it is okay to pray whenever you encounter difficulty, there is  always something you can do about it. So, evaluate your options today, decide  on a course of action and act.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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’s on the other side?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What’s on the other side?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Luke 8:22-39

    Meditation verse:

    “Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.  And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they  launched out” (Luke 8:22).

    As Jesus and His disciples got into the boat and sailed to cross over to the other  side, a windstorm came down on the lake. The boat began to fill with water, and  they were in jeopardy. Whilst this was going on, Jesus was fast asleep. When  they woke Him up, crying that they were perishing, He rebuked the wind and  raging water, and there was calm. The journey was hazardous, but when they  got to the other side, a demon possessed man who had been living in the tomb  without clothes for a long time, regained his senses and became an evangelist  throughout the whole city.

    What step are you so afraid of taking? What hurdle looks too impossible to  cross? What journey do you consider too difficult to embark on? Your next level  miracle may be waiting for you at the other side of what you dread the most. As  soon as Jesus spoke to His disciples about crossing to the other side of the lake.

    They got in and launched out. Chances are the Holy Spirit is prompting you to move in a particular direction. How will you respond? Will you rise in faith to do  the needful or will you sit back in doubt? Until you cross over, you may never  know what awaits you on the other side.

    The key to receiving your miracle lies in stepping out and acting. God will not  stirrup your spirit unless He has gone ahead to make provision for you. Perhaps,  you tried in the past to cross over but got discouraged by the challenges you encountered. Let the word of God come alive in your heart again to stir you up.  The journey may be difficult, but if you can persevere and get to the other side,  you will receive your healing, provision, and testimony. You only need to be sure  that you have Jesus in the boat of your life.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Show up

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Show up

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: John 5:1-9

    Meditation verse:

    “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” (John 5:8).

    I woke up on a particular Thursday morning experiencing extreme dizzy spells.  The dizziness was so bad, it kept me in bed all morning and afternoon. As I lay in  bed, I wondered how I would host the weekly Prayer Rain of The Fulfilled  Woman Fellowship (TFWP). Several options raced through my mind as I laid  there feeling ill. ‘Cancel the meeting’, ‘Send a message of apology to the women  to let them know how sick you are’, ‘ask someone else to host the meeting’.

    Many other options kept surfacing and then I heard the following words in my  spirt. “Show up even if you can’t put on your camera, show up even if you can’t  pray out loud as you would normally do, just show up as you are’. I got up still  feeling woozy, helped myself to a cup of tea and proceeded to get ready for the  meeting. I showed up for that meeting and what an impactful meeting it was. I  shared my story with the women as I sensed that God wanted someone present to receive the encouragement needed to move forward.

    Irrespective of your current situation in life, you must keep showing up wherever  you need to, even if you have to limp or stagger forward. If I had remained on  that bed, I would have missed being a blessing to the women. We miss out on  opportunities, when we fail to show up, and some other person takes our place.  Jesus said to the lame man, “rise, take up your bed and walk”. Your bed is that  affliction, pain, or issue that kept you bound in that spot. Sometimes, God may  not remove that affliction, you would need to trust Him, pick up that bed and go  forward.

    No matter how heavy the bed of affliction you must carry is, make a  commitment today to pick it up and show up. keep showing up, you never know  when the tides would turn.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Protect your self confidence

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Protect your self confidence

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 4:4-9

    Meditation verse:

    “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” (Philippians 4:8).

    It is almost impossible to live a satisfying or fulfilling life by default, so much gets  thrown at us daily. You need to intentionally protect your self-confidence if you  desire to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Begin by observing and auditing  your focus: Ask yourself regularly: “what am I focusing on and how is this  affecting how I feel? Then change your focus if you need to. By default, the  human brain prefers to focus on what could go wrong. So, it would rather focus  on what you have lost, why it happened and whose fault it was rather than on  what you can gain and how you can do better next time. Your goal should be to  spend more time on the things that build your confidence and less time on the  things that erode it.

    Eliminate outside forces or influence: What is that thing in the outside world  that rubs you of your self-confidence when you see it? Social media handles of  certain people? other people’s views or advice? Or their presence? Take a diet  of whatever it is. Focus on your strengths: Figure out what you are good at and  become amazing at it. Don’t keep working on your weaknesses as this will slow  down your progress or even stop you. Pay others to do what you are not good  at.

    Lastly, take charge of your life; get out of the goal post and play. Action breeds  confidence, inaction breeds fear. Choose to be a thermostat which controls  things rather than a thermometer that fluctuates based on the happenings  around it. Control your own outcomes.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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 your eyes on the finish line

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Keep your eyes on the finish line

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8

    Meditation verse:

    “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2  Timothy 4:7).

    Several years ago, I participated in a parent’s race during the annual sports event  of my children’s school. About five mothers came out to the starting point to  participate. The whistle went off and we began the race as our children cheered  us on. I gave it my all and soon I was right ahead of the others. As I continued  running, I noticed a group of people standing together close to the end of the  field. Mistaking that for the finish point, I stopped by the group. The other  women who were far behind me ran past me and got to the finish point. I had  gotten distracted from the real finish line by the group of individuals.

    I pondered on the day’s event as I drove back home with the children and  wondered at how I failed to reach the finished line because of a slight  distraction. Not everyone who begins a race gets to the finished line. Some  runners lose their balance and fall by the way, some get distracted, others  become too weary to continue. Those who finish strong are the ones who never  take their gaze off the finish line. Similarly in the race of life, some people get  distracted by the cares of this present world, others become weary from fighting  the battles of life, still yet many do not even get started.

    The apostle Paul kept his eyes on the finish line and ended well. In discharging  his apostolic mandate, he completed three long missionary journeys, planted at  least 14 churches, wrote 13 of the New Testament books and endured some of  the toughest conditions, persecutions, and trials. And then he gave his  valedictory speech in 2 Timothy 4:7- 8, “I have fought the good fight, I have  finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown  of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that  Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing”. Keep your  eyes on the finish line, so that you can end well and receive your crown.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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.