Tag: In His Presence

Read: DANIEL 3:8-30

Meditation verse:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver  us… But even if He does not… we will not serve your gods or worship the image  of gold you have set up.” — Daniel 3:17–18 (NIV).

Three young Hebrew men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—stood at a  defining crossroad. Bow to the king’s golden image and live or refuse and face  the blazing furnace. It would have been easy to justify a compromise: “Just bow  outwardly. God knows our hearts.”

After all, they were exiles in a foreign land  trying to survive. But they understood something deeper: compromise poisons  conviction. Even a small concession to evil can erode your allegiance to God. So,  against all odds and under immense pressure, they chose to stand. And God  honoured their bold obedience—not by sparing them from the fire, but by  walking with them through it. 

You, too, will face your own moments of truth. It may not be a fiery furnace, but  the heat will be real. A chance to lie to get ahead. Pressure to fit in with what’s  popular but ungodly. Temptation to cheat, to bribe, to bend just a little. In such  moments, will you have the courage to say, “I will not bow”? Refusing to bow  can be a lonely road.

Picture Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego standing tall  while the crowd bowed low, and the furnace roared nearby. The same choice  lies before us when we must stand for truth in a world that often rewards  compromise. 

But remember this: you are never alone. Just as a fourth man—Jesus—appeared  with them in the fire, so God is with you. Isaiah 43:2 assures us: “When you pass  through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire, you  shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

The reward for standing  with God is not always immediate rescue, but it is always His presence—and  ultimately, His promotion. After the fire, the same king who ordered their  execution publicly acknowledged their God and promoted them in the land. 

Where are you being tempted to bow today? Are you compromising in ways that  feel small but erode your faith? What would refusing to bow look like?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

MEDITATION VERSE:

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not  in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

God’s Word offers deep encouragement for anyone going through a season of  hardship, pain, or pressure. The night may feel long, and the burden may seem  unbearable, but God assures us that it is only for a season. As Psalm 30:5  reminds us, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares, “To everything there is a season, a time for every  purpose under heaven.” This means your present difficulty has an expiration  date. It will not last forever. God sees your tears, understands your pain, and is  walking with you through the valley. More than that, He is working through the  valley.

Romans 8:28 promises: “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.” The very thing that feels like it will break you is what God will use to  shape, strengthen, and position you for greater glory. 

2 Corinthians 4:16–17 encourages us not to 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.” What you’re going through is working  for you, not against you. There is purpose in your pain and glory on the other  side of your pressing. Don’t let temporary trials rob you of eternal perspective. 

Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 4:7–10: “But we have this treasure in earthen  vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are  hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” 

What season are you in right now—waiting, weeping, pressing? Remind yourself  today that this is temporary, and God is working something glorious behind the  scenes. There is a treasure inside of you—the presence, power, and grace of  God. That treasure is your anchor in every storm and your strength in every  weakness.

You do not walk this road alone. You do not endure by your own  strength. God’s power is at work within you. Lean into Him. Cry out to Him.  Depend on Him. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “The end of a thing is better than its  beginning.” So, take heart. This is not the end. If it is not alright yet, then it is not  the end.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: Proverbs 10:24; Proverbs 23:18; James 1:5–8

Meditation verse:

“For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off” (Proverbs  23:18, KJV).

Expectation is more than just a hopeful thought—it is a strong, confident belief  that something will happen. To expect means to await, anticipate, prepare for,  and look forward to something with certainty. It is an attitude of readiness,  rooted in faith. True expectation involves the alignment of your entire being – your words, thoughts, emotions, and actions—with what you are trusting God  to do.

Expectation is visible. It shows in your posture, your outlook, your  planning, and your confession. Consider an expectant mother. Everything about  her shifts—her diet, her schedule, her purchases, her words. She prepares a  space in her home and heart for what she knows is coming. Her language is filled  with phrases like “When the baby comes…” because in her mind, it’s not a  matter of if, but when. 

As believers, we are called to carry our expectations with the same level of  conviction. Proverbs 10:24 assures us, “The desire of the righteous will be  granted.” And again in Proverbs 23:18, “Your expectation will not be cut  off.” God honors the faith of those who not only ask but live in readiness to  receive.

A friend once shared how, while waiting on God for children, she would  speak daily of what she would do “when the children come.” Her faith-infused  expectation eventually gave birth to her miracle. Today, she is a joyful mother  of children. 

But here’s the key: faith must be unwavering. Jesus said in Matthew 21:21 that  if we believe and do not doubt, we can speak to mountains and watch them  move. James 1:6–8 warns that a doubting heart is unstable and should not  expect to receive anything from the Lord. So perhaps the delay you’re  experiencing is not a denial, but a call to alignment.

You may be praying for a  breakthrough, but are your words full of hesitation? You may be hoping for  healing, but are your actions showing defeat? You may be asking for promotion,  but are you preparing for the responsibilities it will bring? 

It’s the beginning of a new month—an opportunity to adopt a new posture of  expectation. Don’t just pray for it. Prepare for it. Speak like it’s on the way. Act like it’s already done. Let your entire being echo your belief that what  God has promised, He will surely bring to pass. What are you expecting from  God this month? Does your current posture—your words, mindset, emotions,  and actions—reflect true expectation?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: GENESIS 19: 1-29

Meditation Verse:

“But the men inside reached out, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut  the door… Then the men said to Lot, ‘Do you have anyone else here? Get them  out of here, because we are going to destroy this place.’” — Genesis 19:10,12– 13 (paraphrased).

Every environment you find yourself in—whether it’s your home, workplace,  church, or relationship—has its own people, culture, systems, and practices.  While some environments nurture your growth, faith, and purpose, others can  slowly drain the life out of you. A toxic environment is one where those people  or practices are misaligned with your core values and God’s will for your life. 

Toxic environments aren’t always easy to spot. But over time, they begin to  suffocate your faith, erode your peace, sabotage your purpose, and threaten  your well-being. In Genesis 19, we find a vivid example in the cities of Sodom  and Gomorrah.

The culture was so depraved that when two heavenly visitors  arrived, the men of the city demanded to abuse them. Lot was surrounded by  cruelty, lawlessness, and depravity—yet he remained there until God’s  messengers urged him to leave. Had he hesitated, Lot and his family would have  perished with the city. 

Toxicity isn’t always physical. It can be emotional, spiritual, or psychological. It  shows up in environments where you’re belittled, manipulated, verbally abused,  physically harmed, spiritually stifled, or constantly afraid. It could be a workplace  where you’re constantly undermined, a church where control replaces grace, or  a relationship where your identity is eroded. As this month ends, take a moment  to evaluate the environments you are planted in. 

• Do you feel stifled, afraid, or emotionally drained around certain people? • Are you constantly suppressing your true self to keep the peace? • Do you sense that God has been nudging you to move on, even from  seemingly comfortable places? 

If your answer is yes, it’s time to get up and get out. Remaining in a toxic place  can delay or destroy God’s plans for your life. But what if you can’t leave  immediately? Then build a psychological island within. This is a sacred mental  and spiritual space you create in the midst of chaos—through prayer, Scripture  meditation, journaling, listening to godly music, or moments of quiet reflection. 

These are lifelines that help anchor you until your physical exit becomes possible. Sometimes, toxicity doesn’t come with a label. You may just have an  inner restlessness or divine prompting that it’s time to leave. Don’t ignore those  nudges.

God sees what you cannot see. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret  things belong to the Lord our God.” Trust His leading. Even if it feels  uncomfortable to walk away from a familiar place, your obedience could save  your life—literally and spiritually. What environment is God calling you to re evaluate? Are you in a place where your spirit is crushed or your purpose is  dying? Don’t ignore the signs.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: Genesis 6:13-22

Meditation verse:

“And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the  ark, to keep them alive with you…” (Genesis 6:19).

When God commanded Noah to build an ark, it wasn’t just for his personal  safety—it was a divine strategy to preserve life and fulfill God’s plan for future  generations. Noah was told to take two of every living creature into the ark, and  he obeyed without hesitation. Because he acted in faith and obedience, the  earth was repopulated after the flood. If Noah had delayed or disobeyed, the  consequences would have been catastrophic. 

Your “ark” represents the assignment God has placed in your hands. It is not  meant for your benefit alone—it is designed to accommodate others. Your God given purpose is linked to the destinies of people you are called to serve, teach,  lead, encourage, heal, or uplift.

Just as Noah’s ark was a vessel for preservation,  your assignment is a channel of blessing, hope, and transformation for others. If  you fail to build your ark, someone else’s destiny may be delayed—or even lost.  There are people waiting for you to rise into purpose. Your obedience could be  the answer to someone’s prayer, the healing for someone’s brokenness, or the  provision for someone’s need. 

God also makes provision for you in the place of your assignment. He told Noah: “And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it  to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.” — Genesis 6:21. Provision,  protection, promotion, and divine presence are often tied to your obedience.

It  is also essential that you follow God’s instructions exactly as He has given them.  Noah built the ark according to God’s specific measurements and instructions.  Divine assignments must be carried out according to divine patterns—not  human preferences. As Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us: “For My thoughts are not your  thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are  higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts  than your thoughts.” 

What is the “ark” God has asked you to build? Who is meant to be blessed by  your obedience? Are you following His instructions to the letter? Why not ask  Him to help you recognize the assignment He has given you and to obey Him wholeheartedly?

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: MARK 4:35-41

Meditation verse:

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over  to the other side.” (Mark 4:35).

When Jesus told His disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side,” He didn’t give  them details of the journey—only the destination. As they set out across the sea,  a furious storm arose, and waves began to beat against the boat until it was  nearly swamped. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern,  completely unbothered by the chaos.

Frightened, the disciples woke Him,  asking, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus arose, rebuked the wind,  and calmed the sea with a word. Then He turned to them and said, “Why are  you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”(Mark 4:40). Jesus’ response was  clear—His word was enough.

When He said they were going to the other side, it  was already settled. The storm in between did not nullify His promise. He didn’t  say there would be no storms; He only said they would get to the other side. 

Psalm 119:89 declares, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” What  God has spoken concerning your life is irrevocable. His promises are not  dependent on visible circumstances but on His unchanging nature and sovereign  power.

Has God given you a promise that now seems impossible? Are you facing  storms that threaten to sink your faith? Don’t panic. Don’t give up. Don’t assume  He has abandoned ship simply because He seems silent. Rest in the assurance  that what He has spoken over your life is already done in heaven. Your job is to  believe and keep sailing. 

Here’s God’s word to you today from Isaiah 54:11–17: 

“O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted… In righteousness  you shall be established… You shall be far from oppression… No weapon formed  against you shall prosper… This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and  their righteousnessis from Me,” says the Lord.

You are God’s beloved. The storm  will not sink you. The winds will not defeat you. What promise from God are  you holding onto in this season? Choose to believe that despite the storm, His  word will not fail. You will get to the other side—because God has said so.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: Colossians 3:1-4

Meditation verse:

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Do you ever pause to think about Heaven—your eternal home—and how  glorious it will be? In John 14:2, Jesus gives us a comforting promise: “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.” The book of Revelation provides a breathtaking  glimpse of that place: “A great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of  heaven from God… The wall made of jasper, the city of pure gold, clear as glass…  foundations adorned with every kind of precious stone… twelve gates of pearl…  and streets of gold like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:10, 18–21). What a  magnificent place awaits those who belong to Christ! 

Imagine someone offered you a six-bedroom mansion in the French Alps as a  gift, with a key to be handed over in a month. Wouldn’t you be overjoyed? You’d  probably tell everyone, mark the date, and prepare eagerly for the day you’d  take possession. Yet, as believers, we’ve been promised something far greater:  an eternal home prepared by Christ Himself. 

So, why don’t we live with that same sense of anticipation and excitement for  Heaven? We often get so caught up in the cares and pursuits of this world that  we forget we’re only passing through. This earth is not our final home. Our time  here is short, but eternity with Christ is forever. Colossians 3:1–4 reminds us to  lift our gaze upward, to “seek those things which are above… Set your mind on  things above, not on things on the earth.” 

How often do you think about Heaven? Do your daily choices reflect someone  who is preparing for eternity? Who have you shared this glorious promise with? When you live with Heaven in view, it transforms your values, your decisions,  and your sense of purpose. You begin to invest more in things of eternal worth— faith, love, obedience, and soul-winning—rather than in the fleeting pursuits of  this life.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: Galatians 5:16-26

Meditation verse:

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit  than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).

Emotions are powerful, but they are not always reliable. They are instinctive or  intuitive responses—often not based on reason or truth. Emotions are fleeting,  subjective, and contagious. The fact that you feel afraid doesn’t necessarily  mean there is something fearful in your life.

Likewise, feelings of hopelessness  do not confirm a hopeless future. Emotions reflect perception, not always  reality. 

In psychology, the ABC model explains behaviour in terms of three components: A – Activating Event, B – Beliefs about the event, and C – Consequences (emotional and behavioural responses).

This model reveals that it’s not the event itself that determines how we respond,  but our beliefs about the event. Our thoughts influence our emotions, and our  emotions influence our actions—and ultimately, our outcomes. 

Consider this: Two women lose their jobs on the same day. One thinks, “This is  my chance to finally launch the business I’ve dreamed about.” The other thinks,  “This is the end. I’m a failure.”. Which one is more likely to move forward with  hope and success?

Clearly, the one who interprets the setback as an opportunity  rather than a defeat. The Bible warns us against reacting purely from emotion.  “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a  transgression” (Proverbs 19:11). Ecclesiastes 7:10 also advises, “Do not say,  ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For you do not inquire wisely  concerning this.” 

God knows that we are emotional beings, but He calls us to be spirit-led, not  emotion-driven. Galatians 5:16 urges us to “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not  fulfil the lust of the flesh.” The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control—a divine  ability to regulate our emotions and reactions.

Scripture also reminds us that life  is not always for us to fully understand: “A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then  can a man understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24) “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 HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

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 humans, conflict is inevitable in our relationships. Even among faithful  believers, disagreements will arise. The Bible does not gloss over this reality.  In Acts 15, we see a sharp disagreement between two spiritual giants—Paul and  Barnabas.

When planning their second missionary journey, they clashed over  whether to take Mark, the young man who had abandoned them during their  earlier travels. Paul insisted that Mark had proven unreliable, while Barnabas  believed in giving him another chance. This wasn’t just a minor disagreement – it was significant enough to cause them to part ways.

Paul took Silas and went  one way; Barnabas took Mark and went another. But here’s the beautiful part  of the story: God still used both paths. Their separation didn’t hinder the  mission; it multiplied it. 

Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), had a  history of believing in people others doubted. When Paul first became a  believer, the disciples in Jerusalem were wary of him because of his past  persecution of Christians. It was Barnabas who stood up for him, advocating on  his behalf and opening the door for him to be accepted. Ironically, Paul—once a  recipient of grace—was now unwilling to extend it to someone else. 

How often do we behave the same way? We forget the grace we’ve received  and close our hearts to those who have failed us. But God is in the business of  restoration. Later in life, Paul acknowledged Mark’s usefulness in ministry (2  Timothy 4:11), proving that Barnabas’ faith in him was not misplaced.

What  relationship have you abandoned because of a past offense? Is there someone  you’ve written off as a failure? Maybe it’s time to revisit that decision.  Restoration doesn’t always mean things will go back to the way they were—but  it does mean choosing grace over bitterness, forgiveness over resentment, and  hope over finality. God uses imperfect people and broken situations to  accomplish His perfect will.

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas led  to the expansion of the gospel. Sometimes, even in conflict, God is at work. Who  do you need to give a second chance today.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org

Read: 1 Samuel 14:1-52

Meditation verse:

“For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6b).

In the previous chapter, Israel faced a grim situation. The Philistines had  launched an attack, and King Saul was left with only 600 men. To make matters  worse, none of the soldiers had weapons—except Saul and his son Jonathan. 

“So, it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear  found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan” (1  Sam. 13:22). From every human perspective, the battle was already lost. 

But Jonathan chose not to sit in despair. Instead, he took a bold step of faith. He  said to his armour-bearer, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these  uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us.

For nothing restrains the  Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6). That one step of faith  triggered a divine intervention. God caused confusion in the enemy’s camp and  gave Israel victory. 

What if Jonathan had never moved? What if he had waited for better odds or  more resources? Israel’s deliverance came not because they were well equipped, but because one man believed in a God who is not limited by  numbers, strength, or strategy.

When you’re facing impossible odds—whether  in your finances, career, relationships, or health—remember that God’s ability  to save is not confined by your resources. He doesn’t need a crowd to work a  miracle. He can do it through one person—through you. You may feel under resourced, outnumbered, or unqualified, but God is not restrained by your lack.  He only needs your faith and obedience. 

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for  he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those  who diligently seek Him.” Faith is not just believing that God can—it’s acting as  though He will.

What is the “first step” God is nudging you to take today? Is it a  conversation you need to have, a project you’ve delayed, or a bold prayer you’ve  been afraid to pray? Don’t wait for ideal conditions. Step out, trusting that the  God who saves by many or by few is with you.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye 

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM) 

For prayers, counselling or to support our vision of blessing more lives with this  devotional, email: rockteachingministry@gmail.com 

For more enquiries, visit: 

www.rockteachingministry.org