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Tag: devotional

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Carrots, eggs, and coffee beans

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Carrots, eggs, and coffee beans

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

    Meditation verse:

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

    A lady was tired of dealing with the challenges of life. it seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose. In desperation, she went to her mother for help. Her mother took her to the kitchen and placed three pots of water on a high fire. She put a carrot, an egg and coffee beans into the three pots consecutively and left them to boil without saying a word to her daughter. In about five minutes, the mother fished out the carrots and eggs and placed them in two separate bowls. She lathered the coffee and placed it in a cup. Turning to her daughter, she asked ‘tell me, what do you see?’ to which the daughter replied, ‘carrot, egg and coffee’. The mother asked her to come closer to feel each item. She felt the carrot and noted that it was soft, she felt the egg and removed the shell, the inside had become hard. She took the cup of coffee and savoured the rich sweet aroma.

    Turning to her mother, she asked ‘what does this mean’? Her mother replied that each item had faced the same adversity-hot boiling water. The carrot went into the hot water hard and unrelenting, but came out soft, wobbly, and weak. The egg had been fragile, with its outer shell protecting the liquid interior, but it came out hardened on the inside. The coffee beans had been unique. They changed the source of their adversity-the hot water, turning it into a sweet-smelling liquid.

    You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Do not let the challenges of life cause you to lose your flavour. Do not let adversity transform you into a weakling or a hard-hearted person. Be like the coffee beans; emerge from every adversity you face, a better and more valuable person. Let your affliction work in you, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

     

    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: Different but similar

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Different but similar

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

    Meditation verse:

    “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

    Several years ago, I attended an all-women’s career development program at the Harvard Business School in Boston. Seated in a hall were about forty women of different Nationalities in different countries and continents. We were asked to introduce ourselves and share our life’s journeys. As I listened to speaker after speaker tell their story, I marvelled at how different we looked but how similar our experiences were. The themes emerging from our stories were alike: “empty nest experience”, “in need of life partner”, “in need of a fulfilling career”, “feeling stuck” “no children”, financial constraints”, “marital issues” and the list went on. We all drew solace and comfort from the knowledge that we were not alone in our individual struggles. Whatever we were dealing with, someone had already dealt with or was still dealing with. The knowledge that as different as we looked, we were actually very similar was really empowering.

    As I ponder on this, I am reminded of the scripture that says God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others with the same comfort wherein we have been comforted (2 Corinthians 1:4). Our life experiences are hardly for our own purpose. Your mess is your message to the world. Someone is eagerly waiting to hear your story so that they can be healed, encouraged, inspired, and comforted.

    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Do not give in to self-pity. Turn your mess into your message for healing the world and making it a better place.

     

    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 secret chamber

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The secret chamber

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: John 15:1-8

    Meditation verse:

    “The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning; He awakens my ear to hear as the learned” (Isaiah 50:4).

    Telling people what human teachers have taught us might be of some help to them, but the most impactful words are spoken by those who have been taught by the Lord. The times we spend in God’s presence is like going into a secret chamber where treasures are kept. God’s presence is the secret chamber and some of the treasures inside include revelation, wisdom, clarity, riches, insight, understanding, power, knowledge, peace, and strength which we can bring out for our own use or for others. The messages written in this daily devotional are received as I visit the secret chamber. How else would I have been able to write a message daily for the past one year? Indeed, most of the ideas I work on in my ministry and profession are revealed as I spent time in God’s presence.

    How often do you visit this secret chamber? When was the last time you visited? Do you even have a regular time of the day which you have set aside to meet with God? John 15:5-8 says “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples.

    Make it a habit of going into the secret chamber each morning, and you would be amazed at the treasures you will discover. Spending time in God’s presence is a time-tested principle for success in every area of human endeavour.

     

    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: Do business till I come

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Do business till I come

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: LUKE 19:11-27

    Meditation verse:

    “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28: 19-20).

    Before His departure from earth, Jesus Christ commanded you to do business for Him until He returns, and He will ask you to give account of your stewardship at His second coming. “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘my master is delaying his coming’ and begins to (do otherwise), the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites” (Mathew 24: 46-51).

    The business of soul winning is dear to God’s heart and today’s reading is a beautiful illustration of God’s expectation and reward system in His soul winning enterprise. Before the nobleman’s departure, he gave each of his ten servants money and commanded them to trade with it while he was away. All ten servants but one traded with their money and yielded profit(s). The unprofitable servant was punished and referred to as a “wicked servant”.

    God has given you excellent resources; talents, spiritual gifts, money, and time. He expects you to utilize them in winning souls for Him and expanding His kingdom. The bible declares that he who wins souls is wise. You must be a witness for Christ wherever you are and in whatever you do. You are called to be faithful to this course until Christ comes to take you home, where you will reign with Him in eternity.

     

    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: He is risen!

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: He is risen!

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Luke 24:1-7

    Meditation verse:

    “Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “why do you seek the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5).

    Whilst on earth, Jesus told His disciples about the death He would suffer and how He would rise after three days. He told them several times to prepare their minds. Yet, on resurrection morning, certain women amongst those who had followed Him closely, went to look for His body in the grave. They did not remember the words that Jesus had spoken to them until two men stood by them in shinning garments and said “why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but is risen. Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee…” (Luke 24:5-6). Then they remembered His words.

    Why did they forget what Jesus told them about His death and resurrection? Or was it that they simply did not believe Him? Whilst we may marvel at their unbelief, are we not also guilty of ignorantly seeking the living among the dead in our everyday experience as Christians? Do we not forget all of God’s promises to us in His word? Promises such as: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), “fear not, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)? Yes, we forget, and we fret, get depressed or run helter-skelter when we face challenges.

    When your lived experiences or circumstances cause you to doubt the life transforming power of God’s word such that you seek solutions in places you ought not to or when delayed promises cause you to give up on God and bow down to the gods of this world, you are seeking for the living among the dead. When you fail to hold God to His word like your life depends on it or when you live just as the world lives, a foreigner to the covenant of God’s promises, devoid of hope, you are seeking for the living among the dead.

    Remember who you are in Christ and remember His promises upon your life. God has given you everything pertaining to life and godliness, according to His divine power (2 Peter 1:3). Because of the finished work on the cross of calvary, you are meant to live a life of victory, not of defeat. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Easter Blessings!

     

    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: At the name of Jesus

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: At the name of Jesus

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 2:5-11

    Meditation verse:

    “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” (Philippians 2:10).

    When my last child began to walk just before she turned a year old, we noticed that her legs were curved inwards. Now, I understood that medically, there was nothing wrong with having bowlegs; I had in fact seen a few children who grew up that way and became beautiful adults with bow shaped legs. But I did not want that for my child. So, each morning, after giving her a bath, I would massage both legs with oil, hold them together in a straight position and say, “be straight in Jesus’ name”. I continued doing this for a while and today, she is sixteen years old and both legs are straight. I could have accepted what I saw and not tried to do anything about it. And today, both legs would be curved inwards.

    Philippians 2:9-11 says “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. There is power in name of Jesus and as a child of God, you are permitted to use the name. In the name of Jesus, you can overturn and overcome the negative trends that have taken root in your life. In the name of Jesus, you can redirect whatever missiles the devil is sending your way. Refuse to accept what does not align with your expectations as a child of God, no matter how insignificant it may seem. In the name of Jesus, you have the power to stop evil and permit good.

    The song writer says “The name, the name of Jesus, is greater and higher than all names. It is not an ordinary name, It’s a name that’s full of power and praise”. What is that great mountain before you today? Why not say to it, “be levelled in the name of Jesus”. Keep declaring, even when it seems like nothing is changing. In the fullness of time, the results will become visible for all to see.

     

    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 is finished

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It is finished

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: John 19: 1-42

    Meditation verse:

    “So, when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘it is finished’. And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:30).

    It was a very sad and hopeless day in Jerusalem on this day over 2000 years ago. The One whom the Jews believed had come to deliver them from Roman oppression had just been crucified on a cross between two criminals. The disciples were in panic mode. Some of them had fled and gone into hiding. Peter was probably still reeling from guilt as he recalled denying his master three times and now his master was dead. Mary had just witnessed her beloved son die a shameful death. One can only imagine the confusion, gloom and dejection that hung in the air. Darkness seemed to be winning.

    But the One who hung on the cross knew it was in fulfillment of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind and that in three days, He would rise again. The entire human race and not just the Jews were under a much more severe bondage than the Roman oppression. We were all under the bondage of sin because of the fall of the first Adam and the price for our freedom was the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. So, Amid the hopeless of the day, scripture was being fulfilled. The price for our freedom had just been paid. That’s why the last words of Jesus as He hung on that old, rugged cross were “it is finished”. What did He mean? He meant that He had paid it all, there was no more sacrifice left. We were now free, free from sin, separation from God, sickness, demonic oppression, poverty, and death. The portal for reconciliation back to God had just been opened.

    John 3:16-19 says “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

    Have you accepted this light? Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart? Today is a good day to do so. It is finished, refuse to remain under the bondage of sin.

     

    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: Turning obstacles to opportunities

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Turning obstacles to opportunities

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 1:12-26

    Meditation verse:

    “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4: 13).

    Locked up in a Roman prison and abandoned by friends, Paul had many reasons to become bitter or give up on life. He chose rather, to see his situation as an opportunity to accomplish his assignment. Realizing that what he did with his situation was more important than the situation itself, he preached the gospel to the palace guards. This led to their conversion and the encouragement of others who had been afraid to preach the word.

    Albert Ellis was a renowned 20th Century American Psychologist who founded REBT, a therapy for emotionally disturbed patients. Ellis was the eldest of three children in a Jewish family. His father was frequently absent, and his mother was neglectful and unavailable to her children. His parents divorced during his childhood, and he was sent to school at the age of four. Ellis was expected to cross busy roads without adult assistance, to get to school. He was seriously ill for much of his childhood and was hospitalized for long periods with infrequent parental visits. Ellis responded to this neglect by reframing it as an opportunity to become independent. He formulated several rules for effective living that were to act as a guide for him for the remainder of his life. Albert Ellis died at the age of ninety-four years. He left behind a legacy in the form of a world-renowned Psychotherapy training institute and a collection of self-help books to help people get ahead in life despite their challenges.

    Each time I looked back at a particularly difficult period in my life, I have seen God’s hand at work in the situation. I have therefore concluded that God works out all things for good. Your challenges can become opportunities for you to grow, develop character and guide your journey towards greater fulfilment. They can become stepping-stones to your victories. Don’t get consumed by an abusive or a fruitless marriage, a cheating spouse, death of a loved one, past failure or other unfortunate circumstance. Look at that obstacle in the face and be determined to be the better for it. God’s power is available to back you up. Life is not made of straight victories, but of falls, stumbles, mistakes, and bruises.

    In what ways can you turn your biggest challenge(s) into opportunities?

     

    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: Do not struggle, press forward

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Do not struggle, press forward

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 3:12-16

    Meditation verse:

    “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

    The terms ‘press forward’ and ‘struggle’ require you to try to accomplish something. However, there is a fundamental difference. Pressing forward entails doing something continually in a determined way and getting ahead in the process. Struggling on the other hand entails striving to achieve something in the face of difficulty or resistance, without necessarily getting ahead.

    The Christian life is not one that is devoid of challenges. Jesus said to His disciples: “…In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). On the cross, Jesus obtained the victory for you. At salvation, your struggles became a ‘pressing forward’. If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you are no longer living a life of ‘struggles’. In essence, irrespective of what life throws at you, you will continue to progress and move forward.

    As you live your life daily, walk in the consciousness of this truth. Instead of seeing your challenges as setbacks, see them as opportunities for you to grow and mature in faith. See adversity as steppingstones to greater heights.

    “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

     

    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: Guiding principles for new situations

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Guiding principles for new situations

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Joshua 1:1-14

    Meditation verse:
    “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” (Joshua 1:5).

    Moses had just passed on, so the onus fell on his assistant, Joshua to lead the children of Israel to the promised land. Joshua was faced with a new task, assignment, and role. He had changed roles from being second in command to the first in command. God knew it might be a daunting task for him, so he gave some assurances:

    “I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage…. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and have good success” (Joshua 1:6-8).

    In order words, God was saying:

    • Trust in My presence. I will be with you to help you wherever you go. I will not leave you alone.
    • Be strong and very courageous. Stand up for what is right.
    • Follow the rules. Keep your integrity. Do not cut corners or bend the rules.
    • Let the word of God be your companion. Let it guide your decisions and choices. Live out your faith for others to see. Be a witness.
    • Do not be afraid or discouraged, no matter how tough it gets.

    God’s rules to Joshua are useful principles to adopt whenever you find yourself in a new environment, role, or assignment.

    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.