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Tag: devotional

  • [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, wrong decisions, and incorrect conclusions. We may also  misinterpret the things that happen to us in life because we are concluding  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 happening 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 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: The raft story

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The raft story

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Mark 2:21-22

    Meditation verse:

    “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece  pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.” (Mark 2:21).

    The story is told of a monk who embarked on a long journey on foot. He came  across a river and wondered how he would cross over. He tried walking across,  but it was too deep; he couldn’t swim either. Eventually, he built a raft and  successfully crossed to the other side of the river. He then said to himself “this  must be very useful to me; I have to hold on to it”. He strapped it to his back and  continued his journey. A short while later, he came across a very thick forest,  with rows of trees. As he attempted to walk through, the raft behind his back  kept getting stuck between the trees, making it impossible to go through. After  several attempts, he realized that the raft was now the obstacle holding him  back, so he took it off.

    What served you yesterday might become a stumbling block tomorrow. What is  your own raft? What old mindset, habit, relationship, desire, goal, or behavioral  pattern are you still holding on to that no longer serves your interest?  Sometimes, you may need to do away with the old, to make progress in life.  Isaiah 43:18-19 states: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the  things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not  know it? The bible says, new wine cannot be put into old wineskins, else the  wineskins will stretch and burst, and the wine will be spilled” (Mark 2:22). Is it  possible that your old way of doing things is the cause of the stress and stretch  you are currently experiencing in your life?

    Notice that it was the Monk who held on to the raft, nobody put it on his back.  Therefore, when he realized he needed to get rid of it, he had to do so by  himself. Similarly, you need to decide the things that are preventing you from  moving forward and get rid of them by yourself. It is often said that if you want  to know the person holding you back, look in the mirror. Decide today to change  that bad habit, get out of the abusive relationship, or change that attitude. No  one else can do it for you. And just as the Monk progressed on his journey with  ease, after he got rid of the raft, your progress will become evident to all.

     

    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: Who do you fear?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Who do you fear?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Galatians 2:11-16

    Meditation verse:

    “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe”  (Proverbs 29:25).

    Fear can have either a positive or negative effect on your life. On the positive  side, it can help you steer clear of danger. Conversely, it can hinder your progress  or cause you to do things that are contrary to who you are and what you stand  for. The key lies in who and what you fear. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning  of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13).  This type of fear is liberating. It is a deep reverence for a powerful God and a  wholesome dread of displeasing Him. This type of fear causes you to abstain  from sin so that you are always within the boundaries of God’s favour and  protection.

    The fear of man brings a snare. It can prevent you from becoming who God  created you to be. The fear of man can become a “goliath” in your life and  torment you. It can make you afraid to speak up when you know you should or  lead you into wrong relationships. It can also cause you to lie or compromise  your values and in its worst form make you deny your faith in Christ. The disciple,  Peter was a man with a tendency to display this type of fear. As a result, he  sometimes behaved in ways inconsistent with his faith in Christ. He denied Jesus  Christ before a little maid because he feared those who were in the courtyard  (Luke 22:56-57). Years later, whilst a church leader, he withdrew and separated  himself from eating with the gentiles because he feared those who were of the  circumcision. It took the rebuke of Paul to get him back on track.

    What type of fear rules your life- the fear of God or the fear of man? Jesus said  to His disciples “…do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have  no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear- fear Him  who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell: yes, I say to you, fear Him”  (Luke 12:4-5). Next time you are tempted to act in a certain way because of the  fear of man, ask yourself ‘what is the worst thing that can happen if I do not fear  this person’?

     

    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: Navigating life’s transitions

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Navigating life’s transitions

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 4:12-13

    Meditation verse:

    “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all  things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to  suffer need” (Philippians 4:12).

    Transition is the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to  another. Nature abhors vacuum because life is a lively process of becoming.  Change is therefore one thing you should expect if you are alive. So, in life, we  are always going through one transition or the other. Some major transitions  that can upset the natural course of our lives include sudden loss of a job, end  of a relationship; a divorce, the sudden yawning of an empty nest as the children  all leave home, a terminal ailment, untimely death of a loved one, relocating to  a new place or retirement from work and feeling lost.

    Sometimes even when there are no visible changes, we may experience a “psychological impasse”, which is a deadlock or feeling of uncertainty, which  brings with it the sense of being stuck or paralyzed or locked in a box. You can’t  put your finger to what the problem is, but you know something is wrong. You  feel restless, deflated or not up to anything much. Whether predictable or not,  and irrespective of how painful or difficult or uncomfortable transition periods  are, they present a new beginning and offer a good place from where you can  define a new vision for your life.

    If you are currently in a life transition, pause to process what occurred or is  occurring. Don’t leave in self-denial, wishing the situation will disappear. If it is  a loss, acknowledge it and feel the pain. Because the pain is usually a  springboard from which your healing will emerge. Take as much time as you  need but don’t remain stuck here. Make an informed assessment of the extent  of the change or transition and how it affects your life. Do a SWOT analysis. Note  the negatives, positives, opportunities that the situation presents as well as the  threats. Ask what is the worst-case scenario?

    Staying in God’s presence will provide you with the guidance and strength required to move forward to the next phase of life. “And He said to me, “My  grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2  Corinthians 12:9).

     

    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: Give them a second chance

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Give them a second chance

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Acts 15: 36-41

    Meditation verse:

    “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as  Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

    As Paul and Barnabas prepared to depart for their second missionary journey, a  sharp contention arose between them. Barnabas wanted Mark, his cousin to  come along but Paul insisted that they had no business taking someone who had  deserted them the first time. Chances were, he would abandon them again.

    Barnabas however refused to give up on him. He took him and left for Cyprus,  whilst Paul chose Silas and sailed through Syria. Mark was to become a useful  part of Paul’s ministry. “…get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me  for ministry” (1 Timothy 4:11).

    Barnabas which translates to ‘son of encouragement’ (Acts 4:36) had a  reputation for recognizing potential in others and giving them a second chance.  When Paul arrived Jerusalem following his conversion, he tried to join the  disciples, but they would have none of it. They were suspicious of the one who  had persecuted them. Barnabas it was, who took Paul to the disciples,  convincing them that he was now a genuine believer in Christ. Interestingly,  Paul, who was given a second chance, refused to extend the same hand of  fellowship to Mark.

    Who have you given up on because of one offense or the other? God will never give up on you. He is the God of a second chance. You also should be willing to  forgive others and give them a second chance. “And be kind to one another,  tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you” (Ephesians  4:32). Forgive that person today and restore that broken relationship. You never  know how useful they could become in your life. God works even through  conflicts and disagreements to fulfill His plans and purposes. You do not know the purpose of God concerning that relationship you have given up on. Your  ability to forgive is essential for your own healing and restoration. If you want to  live a wholesome life, you must be willing to forgive those who hurt you totally  and completely.

     

    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: Purpose enhancers

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Purpose enhancers

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Acts 9:26-30, 11:25-26

    Meditation verse:

    “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul” (Acts 11:25).

    The Apostle Paul had persecuted several Christians before his conversion. After  his conversion, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, but  Barnabas took him before the apostles and explained that he was now a  changed man. When there was an attempt at his life, Paul ran to Tarsus. He  remained there until, Barnabas sought him out and brought him to the church  in Antioch from where his ministry began to grow.

    Semah G Weifur is a Liberian born blind singer who was discovered by the  Nigerian artiste Flavour. Semah was born blind and into poverty. He was in care  of a Monrovia based NGO: ‘Christian association of the Blind (CAB) for years.  Despite his blindness and poverty, his dream was to become a gospel singer. He  began to sing within the confines of his reality. And then Flavour visited  Monrovia and discovered him through a Liberian singer. He was greatly  impressed by Weifur’s vocals and decided to make his dream a reality. Flavour  had never done a gospel music. But as he released his 5th album, it included  “Most High”, a gospel duet featuring Semah Weifur as the last track. “Most  High” turned Weifur into a star, it also redefined Flavour’s music. The following  year they recorded a joint 5 track album titled “DIVINE”.

    There are different sets of people that God has destined to make their  contribution in your life towards fulfilling your assignment here on earth. They  are referred to as ‘purpose enhancers. Your purpose will attract them, and they  will contribute to its actualization in several ways. They may help you finetune  your vision through constructive criticism, offer encouragement and morale  support to get you started, connect you to the right people, open doors of  opportunities, create platforms for you, support with the required funds,  support with their skills or partner with you by forming collaborations and  partnerships. But they may never show up in your life, until you get up and step  into the place of your purpose. Stop procrastinating, procrastination is a purpose  killer.

     

    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: Inside God’s garden of grace

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Inside God’s garden of grace

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 3:14-15

    Meditation verse:

    “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” (Philippians 4:13).

    Have you ever pondered on the fact that many of characters mentioned in the  bible for their great acts of faith had their moments of weakness? If you haven’t,  here is a summary for you.

    Jacob was a supplanter until God change His name.

    His brother Esau sold off his birthright for a morsel of porridge. His father Isaac married two sisters.

    His grandfather Abraham, slept with and Impregnated the maid.  King David slept with and impregnated the wife of a member of his army, he  then arranged for the man to be killed to cover his act.

    Jonah ran away when God told him to preach to the people of Nineveh. He  ended up inside the belly of a whale for three days and nights.

    Moses killed an Egyptian and went into exile.

    Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress to hide from the Midianites.  Sarah laughed in unbelief when she was told she would have a child at ninety. The woman at the well who evangelized a village had been married five times. Mary Magdalene who anointed Jesus’ feet was delivered from seven demons.  All the disciples abandoned Jesus Christ when He needed them most, except  Peter who followed closely, but he eventually denied Jesus in the courtyard. Saul who became the great Apostle Paul, had slaughtered many Christians.

    How could God still go on to accomplish great things through these people? God  does not grade people, He justifies them. He does not call the qualified, He  qualifies the called. If God is not in the business of grading others, you shouldn’t  either. Your errors are not enough to stop God’s hand over your life. His love  and grace make up for all your mistakes. Inside God’s garden of grace, even  wounded trees bear fruits.

     

    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: The reckless love of the father

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The reckless love of the father

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Luke 15:1-31

    Meditation verse:

    “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not  leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until  he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).

    The ‘one’ is important to God. That unsaved one. That lost one. That forgotten  one. That lonely one. That one who feels different from everyone else. This‘one’  is so important to the Father, that He leaves the ninety-nine to go after him. To  man, it makes no sense. It seems a bad move. What if He loses the ninety-nine  in His bid to go after the ‘one’? But He is the Almighty God, He knows that His  love is wide enough to cover the ninety-nine, while He goes after the lost one.

    The lost one is most at risk because he is alone, forgotten, and forsaken, so the  Father goes after him until He finds him. Gospel singer Cory Ashbury calls this  love of God ‘reckless love’. And he says no, God is not reckless, but His love is  reckless. He loves recklessly without considering the risks. “For God so loved the  world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should  not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)).

    In Luke 15:1-2, the tax collectors and sinners all gathered around to hear Jesus.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes  sinners and eats with them. That’s the reckless love of the father. In Luke 19, as  Jesus was passing through Jericho, He got to a fig tree and looked up to call out

    Zacchaeus the tax collector, who had climbed the tree because he was too short  to see Jesus amongst the crowd. That is the reckless love of the Father. In the  parable of the prodigal son, the lost son wandered far away and squandered his  riches, but when he came back to his senses and decided to go back home, he  was welcomed back with open arms. That is the reckless love of the Father.

    The love of God is always searching for that one person who feels alone,  different, lonely, abandoned, sinful, afraid, or forgotten. No matter what you  have done or where you have been, His reckless love will fish you out. Why not  receive that love today?

     

    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: Who says you are not good enough?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Who says you are not good enough?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Jeremiah 1:4-8

    Meditation verse: 

    “Then said I: Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (Jeremiah  1:6).

    “I’m not good enough”, “My best years are over” “I’m now too old”, “I have  wasted my life”. Do any of these words sound like you? Who says you are not  good enough? Not good enough for what? In the book of Exodus, Moses who  was slow of speech spoke at the highest possible level of authority. He spoke to  Pharoah to let God’s people go free. Little David killed giant Goliath in 1 Samuel  17. Jephthah the son of a harlot led a nation to victory in the book of judges.

    Impetuous Peter who denied Jesus became a great and powerful orator and Saul  the murderer became Paul the greatest apostle of all times in the book of Acts.

    Who says you are too old? Too old for what? Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the  promise child in her nineties. Grandma Moses, an American folk artist,  successfully began a painting career in her seventies. Her paintings became very  famous. Who says you have wasted your life? Who says your best years are  gone? Mary Magdalene whom Jesus cleansed of seven demons in St Luke’s  gospel, was the first person to see Him after His resurrection. The woman at the  well in the book of John who had had five husbands, went on to evangelize a  whole nation.

    Who has condemned you? Not God, and it is His opinion that counts. God does  not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Stop condemning yourself. Stop  undermining your own success. Do not let your feelings of inadequacy rob you  of God’s plan for your life. Most of the biblical characters who did great exploits  all struggled with a sense of inadequacy. Jeremiah said he did not know how to  talk. Sarah laughed. Jonah ran away. David wasn’t even considered a candidate

    for kingship by his father. God does not delight in the strength of a man. He has  time in His hands, and He can redeem anything.

    You are not too old, you good enough, you are adequate, your life is not wasted,  your best years are ahead. Life is what you make it, always has been, always will  be”. All things are working together for your good. Relax!

     

    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: Press towards the mark

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Press towards the mark

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 3:12-15

    Meditation verse:

    “I press on reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize to which  God, through Christ Jesus is calling us” (Phil 3:14, NLT).

    Our walk of faith with God is a race, and there is always an upward call; a higher  level that God desires for us to attain. The journey, however, is not an easy one.  Life may sometimes present distractions in the form of lack, loss,  inconveniences, and failures. But here’s Apostle Paul prescription for dealing  with the distractions of life: “but I focus on this one thing, forgetting the past  and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race  and receive the heavenly prize fir which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.  Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some  points, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the  progress we have already made” (Phil 3:13-16, NLT).

    What lies ahead of you is more important than what you have been through in  the past. But you may not attain what lies ahead unless you stop being  preoccupied with your past and concentrate on achieving that which is ahead.  Focus your energy on pressing forward. Apostle Paul knew that it may  sometimes be very difficult, that’s why he used the word ‘press’. To press means  to move into position by exerting continuous physical force.

    The first half of the year is gone and today is the beginning of the last half. Why  not bring all your energy to bear and press forward towards achieving what is in  front of you? God has. A lot in store for you. He says, “I know the plans I have  for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a  future” (Jeremiah 2:11). Step into the new month with a new expectation and  press on.

     

    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.