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Tag: devotional

  • [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 realised 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 behavioural 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 realised 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, The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)
    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com
    or call +2348155525555
    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org

    IN HIS PRESENCE: A daily devotional of

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Enhance your mental wellbeing (2)

    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)

    Here are more ways to guarantee your emotional and mental wellbeing:

    o Be very intentional about what you focus on. It is so easy to focus on what you have lost, times you have failed, whose fault it is and why it happened. The human brain prefers to focus on what could go wrong.

    o Constantly audit your focus. Ask yourself ‘why am I feeling this way?’ What am I focusing on? Then change your focus if you need to. Spend your time on things that build your confidence rather than on what diminishes it.

    o Regulate the influence of your external forces on your mental health. Ask yourself, ‘what is that thing in the outside world that when I see, reduces my self-confidence and sense of self-worth?’ It may be the presence of certain people or the social media handles of some individuals, which portray them as being perfect. Distance yourself from whatever it is.

    o Be the observer and controller of your life. A thermometer fluctuates up and down, depending on the temperature of the environment, whilst a thermostat controls the temperature. Choose to be a thermostat.

    o Figure out what you are good at and develop yourself to become amazing at it. Stop focusing on fixing your weaknesses. It is a losing strategy for your mental wellbeing.

    o Lastly, get out of the goal post of your life and play in the midfield. Action breeds confidence. Inaction breeds fear.

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder 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 set time will come

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: MARK 4:21–23

    Meditation verse:
    “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favour her, yes, the set time, has come” (Psalm 102:13).

    You are the light of this world. There are talents inside you that you are meant to light up the world with. A lamp is meant to be set on a lampstand and not put under a basket or bed. Matthew 5:16 says: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

    However, if you are currently frustrated by a lack of progress in the place of your God-ordained assignment, do not be discouraged. If you have done all you know how to do but are yet to see any result, or if your light currently seems dim and you are wondering when it will be placed on a lampstand, do not give up. God is the one who put the light in you, He can put you on a lampstand and position you on a hill so that the world can benefit from your light. Our times and seasons are in God’s hands. Favour and promotion come from Him, so He determines the set time to lift us up. “For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another” (Psalm 75:6–7).

    When the bible says there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, it is not only in reference to hidden sins. It includes the gifts and talents in you which are irrevocable. The things that are hidden are only hidden until the appropriate time comes for them to be revealed. Everything hidden will eventually be brought into the open, every secret will be brought to light. In the fullness of time, you will emerge. Your set time is coming.

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye , Founder, The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)
    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com
    or call +2348155525555
    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org