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Tag: In His Presence

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Tame your imagination

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Tame your imagination

    Read: Romans 8:28-39

    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).

    Sometime last year I visited the hospital for some tests to investigate the pains  I was experiencing. I did the test and went back for the result a couple of days later. On arrival, I was informed that the person who carried out the test had  requested that I see him before collecting my result. Now, this was not the usual  practice as he was not the doctor I was seeing. I was supposed to just collect my  result and go back to my doctor.  

    Instantly, my mind went into panic mode and my imagination went wild. “Why  did he want to see me?” “Maybe he had seen something really bad, and he  wanted to break the news to me himself”. As it turned out, the reason he  wanted to see me was that the result was good, it did not show what an earlier  test had revealed. He only wanted to repeat the test just to be sure. He did and  I was given a clean bill of health to the glory of God.  

    Our imaginations make things seem worse because the brain prefers to focus on  what could go wrong. Why did I not think instead that the reason he wanted to  see me was because my report was so good, and he wanted to tell me himself.  Why did I not even think that probably there was an error with the test, so he  wanted to repeat it. All of these were likely possibilities, but my imagination  preferred to hold on to the worst option.  

    In the current digital age, you must be intentional about taming your  imagination. Many of us dive into google search engine at the slightest  symptom. Guess what, google will throw up a million and one dreadful ailments  that match your symptoms and then we begin to imagine the worst. The brain  is a pattern matching organ. If you spend your time focusing on what is dreadful,  bad, frightening, or disastrous, the brain will begin to search for these types of  occurrences and bring them into your reality. In every situation, therefore, stay  positive because even if the enemy meant it for evil, God would bring good out  of it. He moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Do your part

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Do your part

    Read: 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13

    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).

    It is often said the only thing that is constant in life is change. What this means  is that we have little control over certain events, and so life can suddenly  happen. Things can happen suddenly that disrupt the normal course of our lives.  However, no matter how badly disrupted our lives and plans become, God can  never be taken by surprise. He always makes provision for you to overcome any  disruption. You may however fail to see the provision due to several reasons. 

    If you keep focusing on the problem. Yesterday is not ours to recover, but  tomorrow is ours to win or lose. Look to God and ask Him to show you the route  of escape to that problem. Psalm 123:2 says “behold, as the eyes of servants  look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her  mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us”. 

    If you refuse to step out of your comfort zone and move forward. Due to fear of  the unknown, we stay rooted in the same spot even when God has shown us  what to do to navigate the problem. God had to rebuke Moses; “why are you  crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! (Exodus 14:15, NLT). God had  already guaranteed them a safe passage to the promised land. Yet as they  approached the red sea, with Pharoah and his men behind them, they were  afraid and kept crying out to God. They choose to keep their eyes on the problem  instead of on God. 

    If you desperately hold on to old plans you will not be able to create a new way.  When things fall apart, something new can rise to replace it. Collapse does not  only mean devastation, but it can also mean opportunity. Life is a lively process  of becoming. If your previous plans have been disrupted due to an unexpected  occurrence, make new plans. Until you try, you may never know.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Dealing with stress

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Dealing with stress

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 

    Meditation verse: 

    “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”  (Mathew 11:28). 

    It’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work and we are focusing on Stress.  Stress is an adverse reaction that we have when excessive and sustained  pressures or other types of demands are placed on us either at work or outside  work. It is not an illness, but a natural reaction to excessive pressure. You  become stressed when you perceive that you lack the resources, whether  physical, psychological, or financial to cope with the demands of your life.  Certainly, you would experience a certain level of pressure in the cause of your  daily existence, but this should not be interpreted as stress. Up to a certain level,  feeling pressured can keep you on your toes or motivate you to meet deadlines.  However, when the pressure becomes excessive, it leads to stress. 

    The earliest signs of stress are changes in your mood, behaviour, or level of  productivity. It could be a decline in performance, loss of motivation to perform  tasks, moodiness, restlessness, irritability, or a lack of interest in your  appearance or general affairs. Physical symptoms also emerge, and these  include stomach upsets, tension headaches, backache, skin irritations, high  blood pressure and heart disease. 

    Why not do a stress check-up today to see if you are in danger of a mental or  physical breakdown, by taking a holistic look at your life. How well are you  coping with the physical and emotional demands of your job and life in general?  Are you working to the exclusion of any rest? Are you happy or constantly  worried? Do you enjoy your work? Are you overly anxious about any situation  or do you feel under excessive pressure in any area of your life? If you think you  are, talk to God about your concerns right now and then seek professional help.  The bible advises you to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and  supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and  the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and  minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7). You have a great High Priest who is  touched with the feeling of your infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, come  boldly to His throne of grace today and cast your cares upon Him, for He cares  deeply for you.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It may sometimes seem foolish

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: It may sometimes seem foolish

    Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

    Meditation verse:

    “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is  stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

    Consider the following scenarios: 

    • Abraham packing all his things at over ninety years and leaving his  homeland to a place he knows nothing about.  
    • Noah telling people that God was bringing flood waters to destroy the  whole earth and then proceeding to build an ark the size of three hundred  cubits in length, fifty cubits in width, and thirty cubits in heights.  
    • Young Joseph telling his parents and older brothers that they would bow  before him and then ending up locked up in prison.  
    • Daniel stubbornly refusing to stop praying to his God and then ending up  in a pit surrounded by hungry lions.  
    • The son of a carpenter whom everyone saw growing up, starts telling  people He is the son of God and then ends up being crucified between  two notorious criminals.  

    However, these stories do not end this way. Abraham went on to be the father  of many nations. The floods came and consumed the whole earth, but Noah, his  family and two of each type of animal entered the ark and were saved. Joseph,  went from prison to the palace, and became the Prime Minister of Egypt. The  hungry lions did not touch Daniel all night, his God was then pronounced as the  only true God in the province. And guess what? Death could not hold the  carpenter’s son captive. He arose on the third day and has been saving mankind  since then. What do all these characters have in common? In fulfilling their  destines, they had to do something that seemed foolish to the world. 

    The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger  than men. Conversely, what seems wise to the world, is foolishness in God’s  sight. Do not interpret the events of your life based on what seems right to you.  Do not reject the counsel of The Almighty because it appears foolish compared  to the ways of the world. God says, “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 (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is better to look foolish before men but be wise in  God’s sight, than to be wise before men, but appear foolish before God.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your salvation is a personal relationship

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your salvation is a personal relationship

    Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

    Meditation verse:

    “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,  and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11).

    When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you entered a  personal relationship with Him. Note the word ‘personal’, for it is significant in  your salvation experience. Bob Gass in his devotional; ‘The UCB word for today’  highlights the personal nature of our salvation experience. He says that “you  need to pray in a distinctly personal way, so that your prayers are easy, natural  expressions of who you are. You need to go before God just the way you are and  give Him the pleasure of enjoying the company of the ‘original’ that He made  you to be. You need to approach Him with your own strengths, weaknesses,  uniqueness, and everything else that so wonderfully distinguishes you from  everyone else. God enjoys meeting you where you are, developing a personal  relationship with you, and helping you become everything He wants you to be”. 

    It is therefore pitiable when we strive to be like other Christians. We compare  ourselves to them, covet their spiritual gift or ministry because we sense it is  more glamourous than ours. We even resent our area of gifting or who we have  been called to be, preferring to be just like the other person. We take it further  by mimicking their manner of speaking, preaching, singing and appearance. 2  Corinthians 10:12 says “but they measuring themselves by themselves, and  comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise”. 

    You are uniquely crafted to be who you were created for. Romans 8:29-30 says  “for whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of  His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom  He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified;  and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”. As you live out your faith,  approach God as you are and let Him enjoy the company of ‘the original you’  that He foreknew from the beginning of times. Don’t pray in a certain way  because someone you admire prays that way. Personalize your worship, praise,  thanksgiving, confession, and intercession. That way when God opens His hands  to bless you, He is delivering packages that are specifically designed for you.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Sexual issues in marriage (2)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Sexual issues in marriage (2)

    Read: Proverbs 5:1-23

    Meditation verse:

    “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth…  may her breasts satisfy you always” (Proverbs 5:18-19).

    A negative self-image can also diminish sexual fulfilment in marriage. Some  women pile on excess weight after having children and complain that their  spouses no longer find them sexually appealing. Others begin to feel self conscious about their bodies. With all these factors, many couples find  themselves struggling to keep the sexual passion and desire alive in their  relationships. Research on long term relationships and sex show that as many as  15% of married couples have not had sex in the last six months to a year. Married  couples in a sexless marriage are more likely to consider divorce than couples  who argue constantly but remain sexually active. Sex is not just important for its  sake, it is important for the marriage relationship, as it can make or break it. 

    If you and your spouse are struggling with dwindling sexual desires or a loss of  sexual activity, if your sex life is currently boring, unsatisfactory, or devoid of  passion, you need to know that this is not God’s desire for you. Faithfulness in  marriage need not be boring, dull, or lifeless. The first and most important step  in dealing with this is to acknowledge that a problem does exist. Communication is important. You and your spouse need to come together in an atmosphere of  honesty and love to uncover the underlying factor(s). Discussing your sex life  builds up your excitement and anticipation around it. Unfortunately, most  Christian couples consider such discussions carnal and refrain from having them. 

    How you deal with the issue depends on what the underlying factors are. 

    Nurturing your marriage is important, so take time to nurture it. When you put  in the time and effort needed to make your marriage great, you will be the  better for it. Sexual relationship in a marriage is dynamic and constantly  changing, so stay in touch with the needs of your spouse. When you are  committed to this, your sex life will remain passionate and fulfilling irrespective  of how long you have been married.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Sexual issues in marriage (1)

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Sexual issues in marriage (1)

    Read: Proverbs 5:1-23

    Meditation verse:

    “The husband should fulfil his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfil her  husband’s needs” (1 Corinthians 7:3, NLT).

    Sex was created by God as an expression of love between a husband and a wife:  to provide physical, emotional as well as spiritual bonding. “Therefore, a man  shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall  become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Your sexual experience in marriage enhances your wellbeing. Sex is also a key cause of marital strife. Since God created sex,  He knows how destructive it can be if used in the wrong context, hence He set  very specific boundaries for it. It must be within a marriage. “Flee fornication.  Every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that commits fornication  sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).  

    Today’s bible reading is an allegory of faithfulness in marriage. Couples are  enjoined to drink water from their own cistern and never allow their springs to  overflow unto the streets. Sex is likened to a spring or river, which if contained  within the banks (marriage) will lead to enjoyment and satisfaction. If the spring  exceeds the banks and spills unto the streets, great devastation can occur. Keep  your marriage bed pure and stay faithful to your spouse. God’s purpose for  marriage is for a husband and wife to always enjoy a sexually fulfilling  relationship regardless of how long they have been married.  

    Maintaining a healthy and fulfilling sex life in a marriage requires a conscious  effort on the part of both parties. According to Psychologist and marriage  counsellor, Dr Richard Nicastro, sex is not always simple and straightforward. A  whole range of factors can negate the experience of sexual fulfilment in a  marriage. An underlying physical or medical condition, or the side effects of  prescription drugs can impact a man’s libido. The demands of child rearing,  juggling work and housekeeping can wear a woman down and cause sex to drop  to the bottom of her list. Emotional issues such as unresolved anger,  unforgiveness, or resentment can result in a total loss of sexual desire. Harbouring a grudge is like cancer, it will eat deep into the fabric of your soul. It  will eventually destroy every element of your marriage and not just your sexual  relationship, because when you feel deeply hurt by your spouse, it is impossible  to give yourself wholly to them.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What are you sowing?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What are you sowing?

    Read: Ephesians 5:22-33 

    Meditation verse: 

    “Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself,  and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). 

    God is particularly concerned with how a husband treats his wife. The bible contains commands and warnings on this. In 1 Corinthians 7:3, husbands were  entreated to render to their wives the affection due them. In Proverbs 5:15-20,  husbands were warned to stay faithful to their wives. Hebrews 13:4 reiterated  the need to respect the marriage vows and Malachi 2:16 expressed God’s hatred  for divorce. “Take heed to your spirit and let none of you deal treacherously with  the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:15). The husband is commanded to love and  nurture his wife as his own body. No one ever treats his own body with disdain. 

    The person your wife has become today is in part the fruit of what you have  been sowing into her life. If your wife is tainted with emotional blemish or  character defects, check what you are sowing into her life. If she is a nag, you  may need to consider whether you willingly listen to her views on issues or  whether you constantly shrug them off. If she is unattractive or uninteresting,  consider whether you have sown love, attention and praise or criticisms and  neglect. Ifshe tends to make decisions on her own, determine whether you have  provided the leadership in all things as is required of you.  

    God is not mocked, whatever a man sows, he reaps. If you want to see beauty  and splendour in your wife and in your home, purpose today to change the seeds you are sowing.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Are you a Levite?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Are you a Levite?

    Read: JOSHUA 13: 14-33

    Meditation verse:

    “But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, God of Israel,  was their inheritance, as He had said to them (Joshua 13:33).

    The tribe of Levi was dedicated to solely to priestly service, which demanded  their total commitment and time. Giving them an allotment of land would saddle  them with the responsibility of taking care of the land, which would distract  them from their priestly service. So, what did God do? He commanded the other  tribes to meet their needs. The Levites were to receive cities within each tribal  territory.  

    God’s ways are unchangeable. In modern times, He has called some people to  be Levites: a life of full-time service in ministry. They are to devote themselves  to the work of the ministry. Ministry is the spiritual work or service of a Christian. It is service done for God and to others, rather than for self. Do you sense a call  of God upon your life? Do you have a deep longing to serve God? Are you called  to be a Levite? You may know by a strong stirring in your heart. God will always  stir your heart in the direction He wants you to go. You can also know from a  scripture coming alive in you, through counsel from others or a life experience.  

    If you have sensed God’s call upon your life for the work of ministry, have you  responded to His call, or are you holding back, due to fear of lack, failure, or  other factors? If God has called you to be a Levite in these times, He has already  put in your life a person or people who would guarantee your sustenance.  Neglecting this call may lead to a life of struggles, failure, and disappointment in  the other endeavours you choose to embark on instead. Sometimes, it will take  humility, faith, and total surrender to accept this call, but the rewards are  enormous.  

    The CEO of the universe is the best Boss to work for. He pays the best dividends.  Do you sense this call upon your life? Why not surrender totally today and take  a step of faith towards His call.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) 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 purpose driven life

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The purpose driven life

    Read: JEREMIAH 1:4-10

    Meditation verse:

    “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5).

    The Work that we do can be divided into 3 basic categories: Your JOB which you  do simply to pay the bills. Your PROFESSION which is work that you undergo  training for. Your CALLING or PURPOSE which is work that is an important part  of your life, a vital part of your identity. It is your God-ordained assignment or  life work. It is the work you were put on earth to do. Clearly, you will find greater  fulfilment in your calling because it is at the core of who you are. You can only  be at your fullest and highest expression as a human being in the place of your  calling. Paul was an Apostle, Teacher, and preacher of the gospel by Calling, but  he was a tent maker by profession. He is said to have impacted Christianity the  most, not because he was a tent maker, but due to his exploits in his calling.  

    Ephesians 2:10 says, “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for  good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them”. Romans 8:30 says, Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom  He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified”. God knew you long before you were born or even conceived. He planned for  your conception because He had a purpose in mind for you. Sadly, many are  unaware of this fact. They end up less than what God intended for them. Your  purpose simplifies your life. It is your compass or map for life as it not only shows  you were to go, but clarifies what roles are important so that time is not wasted  on irrelevant and insignificant activities. “Without a clear purpose, you have no  foundation on which to base your decisions, allocate time and use your  resources” (Rick Warren). If you don’t know it, you will drift aimlessly in life. 

    How can you find your purpose in life? It all starts with God. Having an encounter  with God, knowing Him, having a relationship with Him, and growing in that  relationship. Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Samuel, Saul of Tarsus, and other biblical  heroes who did exploits for God began by having an encounter with Him. During 

    such encounters, their spiritual eyes were opened. You must encounter God by  accepting His son, Jesus Christ as your Lord, and Saviour. You discover your purpose as you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ, because the Holy  Spirit in you begins to reveal your unique gifts and talents, which direct you to  your life’s purpose. “The purpose of life is a life of purpose” -Robert Byrne

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) 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.