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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your destiny will find you

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your destiny will find you

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Jeremiah 1:4-8

    Meditation verse:

    “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

    In the movie “why did I get married”, four couples and best friends fly to the mountainside town of Pemberton on an annual vacation to work on their marriages. One of the wives, Sheila was overweight and couldn’t fit into the aircraft seat. Instead of offering to drive with her to the vacation getaway, her husband made her drive there alone, whilst he flew with her best friend, whom he had been dating secretly. It was a very lonely drive up the snowy mountain for Sheila. At some point she had to abort her journey due to the snow and seek refuge in a police station, where she spent the night. The Sheriff of the town was pleasant and receptive to her. He took her to join the others in the morning.

    Sheila learnt of her husband’s affair during the vacation and was even more devastated when he asked for a divorce instead of begging for forgiveness. Sheila, being a Christian had prayed for her marriage to get better but now, she felt abandoned by God. Whilst the others returned home, Sheila stayed back at Pemberton. The Sheriff whom she had met only a few days ago, was by her side offering comfort and encouragement. He helped her get on a weight loss journey and eventually, they got married.

    As Sheila rode up that snowy road, she must have felt dejected and alone. How could she have known that she was walking the path of destiny? Jeremiah 10:23, (NLT) says “I know Lord that our lives are not our own, we are not able to plan our own course”. Proverbs 20:24 (NLT) says “the Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”. God knows the paths He has carved out for you. Before you were formed in the womb, He knew you. Before you were born, He sanctified and ordained you for a purpose. That pathway you are currently on may be a lonely and painful one, but it just might be the pathway to your destiny. At the end of the day, our destinies will find us.

     

    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: A new season

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A new season

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Isaiah 55:10-11

    Meditation verse:

    “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater” (Isaiah 55:10).

    Part of my early morning prayer ritual is to open the little window in my bathroom whilst it is still dark outside and declare into the emerging dawn, how I want my day to turn out. On this morning, it began to rain as I opened the window. And then I heard the following words in my spirit, “as it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual, as it is in the spiritual, so it is in the physical”.

    The rains are usually an announcement that a new season has begun. The rains signal the beginning of the rainy season as well as the end of the dry season. I sensed God saying to me that just as the heavens have been opened and there was an outpouring of rain upon the earth, so shall the heavens be opened so that there would be an outpouring of every form of abundance over our lives.

    Just as the Lord spoke to my heart that morning, I declare over your life this day, that as it is in the physical, so shall it be in the spiritual. There shall be an outpouring of the rain of favor, healing, salvation, deliverance, mercy, grace, anointing and great wealth over your life this day and beyond. Where you had hitherto experienced dryness, the siege is over. For thus says the Lord, “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? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19). Welcome to a new season.

     

    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: It’s all in the Word

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It’s all in the Word

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Timothy 3:10-16

    Meditation verse:

    “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

    Second Timothy 3:16 says that “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. What this implies is that in the word of God, you can find solutions, insights, ideas, and answers for anything you are looking for.

    In the UCB devotional, the author in explaining how the world has been blessed by God given ideas, gave the example of how a Scottish doctor, James Young Simpson introduced what he called “artificial sleep” because of reading Genesis 2:21 which says that “and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. His experiment led to the use of anesthesia for surgical operations. Similarly, it has been suggested by bible scholars that the Wright brothers got the inspiration to make humans fly in airplanes after they read Isaiah 40:31 which. says that “…they shall mount up with wings like eagles”.

    Psalm 119:105 says “your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. Do you need a great idea that will impact humanity? Search the scriptures. And as you do, ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding and reveal the mysteries in God’s word.

     

    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: Don’t just make a living, make a difference

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Don’t just make a living, make a difference

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Mathew 4:18-22

    Meditation verse:

    “So, when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11).

    Whilst it is okay to pursue your personal goals and ambitions, you need to understand that a far greater cause exists over and beyond your personal interest. Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew were fishermen. They made a living from fishing and seemed to be doing okay until Jesus said to them: “come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matt 4:19 NIV). And then they left everything and followed Him immediately. They found fishing for people a greater cause than fishing for fish. Whatever impact they made as fishermen paled in significance to the impact they had as fishers of men.

    Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to pursue a matter of personal interest: ‘to arrest Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem’. He encountered Jesus and became Paul the apostle. Bible scholars argue that no single individual outside of Jesus Christ impacted the Christian faith as Apostle Paul did. This is what happens when you pour your life into a cause that extends beyond your personal interest. DL Moody is quoted as saying “the world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is yielded to Him”. Moody decided to be that man and he went on to make such a huge impact in the world for Christ.

    You too can be that man, if you yield to Christ and allow Him to use you for His own glory. There is so much in the world that needs to be fixed. Ask God to show you a need no one is currently meeting. And when He does, pour your life into fixing it immediately. There’s no telling the extent of impact and reach that may result from your obedience.

     

    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: It will work out for good

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It will work out for good

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Acts 11:19-26

    Meditation verse:

    “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).

    The persecution that arose after Stephen’s death led to scattering of Christians to places as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. However, as they fled in fear, God was working out His purpose for good. Whilst they travelled, they preached the word to the Jews, some of whom were men from Cyprus and Cyrene. As a result of the persecution the gospel spread out from Judea and a great number, both jews, and gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

    God causes all things to work out for good for those who are called according to His purpose. Ecclesiastes 11:5 says, “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”.

    What you are going through may seem unpleasant and unbearable, but it just might be part of God’s plan to get you to where He wants you to be. Enlargement is uncomfortable. To go higher in life, you will pass through some very difficult or painful stuff. It’s all part of the process. Comfort can only be found in the status quo. The Almighty can rearrange the details of your life to beautify it and sometimes this can uncomfortable.

    God is working behind the scenes of your life to perfect that which concerns you. He has information which you do not have. Trust Him when He says, “for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Stop fretting, it will work out for good.

     

    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: A new creation

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A new creation

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

    Meditation verse:

    And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

    Second Corinthians 5:17 states clearly that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new”. Note the word “all” and not some things. It means that our old Adamic nature should be a thing of the past after salvation. The new creation in us birthed through the gift of salvation is one that is totally yielded to God. In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me”. The new creation is now controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh. It should no longer yield to every dictate of your flesh.

    The flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. and both are contrary to one another. The works of the flesh include adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, and revelries (Galatians 5:19-21). How can we say we are new creations if our lives continually reflect these works of the flesh? The bible is clear that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). What does this mean? It means yielding every of your member (thoughts, desires, mindset, emotions, and actions) to the control of the Holy Spirit who now resides inside you. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24). Let this mind be in us. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

     

    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: Life after 50

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Life after 50

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ephesians 5:15-20

    Meditation verse:

    “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

    “Therefore, do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:17-20).

    The above scripture is an apt description of how live ought to be lived after you turn 50. There is something significant about the age 50. You have lived the first half of your life and it is assumed that you have seen it all and done it all. Life must now be lived on purpose for a purpose. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says, “when I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things”. No sight is more pitiable than a matured person who is yet to put away childish things. How can you ensure that you are walking circumspectly and redeeming the time in this season of life? Today’s passage proffers some answers.

    Do not be unwise; but redeem the time because the days are evil. Be very selective of what you do with your time: choose wisely the activities you engage in, the people you surround yourself with and the environment you spend your time in. Stay away from activities, people and environments that entice you to do evil.

    Understand what the will of the Lord is. You were put on earth for a purpose, and you will give account of how you accomplished this purpose on the last day. You must therefore be committed to this purpose.

    Be filled with the Holy Spirit and not with wine. Make abiding in God’s presence a lifestyle.

    Lastly cultivate a habit of gratitude, giving thanks to God for all things and in all ways.

     

    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 place of sacrifice

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The place of sacrifice

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Kings 3:1-27

    Meditation verse:

    “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).

    The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom went to war with the nation of Moab. God assured them of victory through the mouth of the prophet, Elijah and Moab began to lose the battle. However, something strange happened in the cause of the war. When the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel, so they departed from Moab and returned to their own land.

    Over 2000 years ago, God saw that mankind was losing the battle of life and freedom due to the fall of the first Adam, so He offered His only begotten son as a sacrifice on the cross of calvary. So, there was great indignation against satan and his cohorts, and mankind was set free. To sacrifice means to give up something valued for the sake of other cost derivatives. The place of sacrifice cannot be underestimated.

    No worthwhile endeavour can be achieved in life without some form of sacrifice. Better still, to get the best out of our relationship with God, we must be willing to give up whatever He requires of us. King David said he would not offer to God that which cost him nothing. Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to Him. Many biblical characters achieved greatness because they willingly gave up what was required of them. Abraham gave up the convenience of his homeland to become the father of all nations. Peter gave up his fishing nets to become a fisher of men. Jesus Christ gave His life and God gave Him a name that is above every other.

    What is that thing that you desire the most and what are you willing to sacrifice to get it? Haven’t you noticed that when you give up what is in your hand, the hand becomes free to receive what it is given?

     

    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: Stop running and fight back

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Stop running and fight back

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

    Meditation verse:

    “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

    “Apocalypto” is an epic historical adventure film set in the Mayan civilization of Southern Mexico. This fictional movie portrays the hero journey of a young man named Jaguar Paw and his fellow tribesmen who are captured by an invading force. After the devastation of their village, they are brought on a perilous journey to a Mayan city for human sacrifice. Jaguar Paw managed to escape but his captors chased after him. He ran in the forest for days, climbing on trees to hide from his captors who were hot on his trail.

    And then suddenly he stopped running and said to himself “my name is Jaguar Paw, son of Flint Sky. I am a hunter, and this forest belongs to me. My father hunted here first before me, and my children will hunt after me. I am not afraid”. And then he began to fight back. He knew the forest well, so he set traps for his chasers. One time he attacked them with a swarm of bees wrapped in leaves. Another time he got venom from frogs and used as weapons against them. Jaguar Paw fought with his last strength using weapons he made from nature and one after the other he killed his chasers.

    You have mighty weapons to defeat every stronghold of the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4). When jaguar Paw stopped running, he defeated his enemies. Stop running and fight back. James 4:7 says, “resist the devil and he will flee from you”. Face up to the devil or whatever is contending with you in the place of your destiny. Say “I am …, son of the Most High God. The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. I am not afraid”. Then take up your weapons and fight.

    “Take up the whole Armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:13-18).

     

    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: Lower the bar of your gratitude this month

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lower the bar of your gratitude this month

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 4:10-13

    Meditation verse:

    “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

    One of the main reasons why we fail to practice gratitude is that we set the bar of gratitude too high. We selectively focus on the big things that we have presented to God and are yet to receive answers for. If those requests remain unanswered, we complain and fail to give God thanks.

    When you lower the bar of your gratitude, you will notice the small things which are big things in themselves.

    • Having a good night sleep and waking up healthy
    • The ability to breath freely without an oxygen mask
    • A loving family around you
    • The ability to move your arms and limbs
    • A sound mind with which we can make decisions

    Whilst we may view these everyday blessings from God as little things, they are big deals to some people. You just need to visit a hospital ward or morgue.

    Yes, you may not have a million bucks in your account, or that business is not doing as well as you thought, or you do not have a spouse or children and many of the things you have been asking God for.

    But wait a minute, you also do not have cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes. You are not paralyzed, bedridden or lying in the morgue. You also have not lost your mind. That’s a whole lot to be grateful for.

    The apostle Paul said “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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 4:11-12). What he was saying was that he has lowered the bar of his gratitude that even in his lowest, he can still be grateful to God.

    Lower the bar of your gratitude this new month and express genuine gratitude to God in all things.

     

    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.