Tag: In His Presence

Read: 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 

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). 

God may not always remove an unpleasant or uncomfortable situation when you ask Him to. He may respond to your prayer by supplying grace to enable you  cope with and function, despite the situation. The apostle Paul had a thorn in  his flesh. It must have been quite uncomfortable because he pleaded with God  three times to take it away. But God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you,  for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). How did Paul  respond to this? By murmuring, complaining, or getting angry with God? No. He  said “therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power  of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in  reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I  am weak, then I am strong”. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

God, will not allow you to carry a burden that will crush you. The bible says He  will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear. Before you give up on that marriage, job, or any other challenging situation before you, do  you perhaps think you could bear it and continue with God’s plenteous supply  of grace? He can cause all grace to abound toward you so that you are sufficient  in grace and abound towards every good work. 

The answer to your prayer may not manifest in the problem disappearing. God’s  grace can see you through that health condition, difficult spouse, impossible  boss, overbearing mother-in-law or whatever you are dealing with. Receive  strength this day to continue. For when you are weak, then you are strong.

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.

Read: Mathew 6:25-34 

Meditation verse: 

“But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things  shall be added to you” (Mathew 6:33).

Whatever it is that we consider most important in life is what will always come  first. And whatever comes first, we would always prioritize and make time for.  This is the rule of first. This rule also states that we commit our resources: be it  time, attention, money, energy, commitment or focus to what comes first in our  lives. Whatever comes first to us, we preserve, nurture and service.  

It therefore follows that whatever you put first in your life will be the master of  your life. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and  love the other or else, he will hold on to one and despise the other. You cannot  serve God and be enslaved to money” (Mathew 6:24, NLT). The amplified  version stretches it further by saying “you cannot serve God and mammon  (money, possessions, famer, status or whatever is valued more than the Lord)”.  

God is not against your prosperity. Psalm 35:27 says He delights in the prosperity  of His saints. In John 10:10, He says he came that we may have life and have it  in abundance. 3 John 2 states “Beloved, I pray that you may [prosper in all things  and be in health, just as your soul prospers”. However, God understands the rule  of first and so He wants you to put Him first before any other thing. Mathew  6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all  these things shall be added to you”.  

Here’s the difference. When you put these other things first, you miss out on  God’s best for you, but when you put God first, you get His best and in addition,  He adds the best of these other things to you. Given both options, which would  you choose? Choose wisely.

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.

Read: PROVERBS 6:6-11 

Meditation verse: 

“How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?” (Proverbs 6:9).

Work existed from the beginning of creation. When God created Adam, He put  him in the garden of Eden to till and take care of. So, the first man was a  landscaper. After the flood, Noah became a farmer, and he planted a vineyard.  Abraham was a successful rancher and herdsman, raising livestock and farming  the land. Isaac, his son followed in his footsteps to become a successful farmer  and shepherd. David was a shepherd. Paul the Apostle worked as a tentmaker,  not wanting to be a burden to the people he preached to. Even our Lord Jesus  Christ, whilst on earth worked with his father Joseph, as a carpenter.  

Hard work is honourable and well pleasing to God. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says,  “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not  work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among  you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies”. Ecclesiastes  11:6 says, “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or  whether both alike will be good”. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 -12 says, “that you also  aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your  own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those  who are outside, and that you may lack nothing”. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says,  “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or  device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going”.

The work that you do is the primary way to meet your needs. In addition, work  has some latent functions which include providing you with status, social  contact, collective purpose, time structure and activities to engage in, each day  you wake up. If you are currently not engaged in any meaningful venture,  Proverbs 6:6-11 has some words of advice for you: – “Go to the ant, you  sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise. Which, having no captain, overseer, or  ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.  How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep- so shall your  poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man”. So, work.

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.

Read: ROMANS 8:18-39 

Meditation verse: 

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be  compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

I experienced a season of intense internal struggles some time ago. I was  struggling with anxiety, uncertainty, regrets, and fear, which seemed to persist  even after praying. As I sat down to study my bible one morning, I came across a write-up in Bishop T.D Jakes’ “woman thou art loosed bible that said, “if you  are going to bring forth anything in your career, marriage or life, if you are going  to develop anything in your character, if you are going to be fruitful, it will come  through the things you suffer. You will enter strength through sorrow”.  

Instantly, it dawned on me that I needed to change my perspective about what  I was going through. I needed to view the internal turmoil as part of a birthing  process. The pain from this toiling was needed to push forth God’s purpose for  my life in that season. Greatness can hardly be found in our comfort zones, only  mediocrity resides there. There was a seed of greatness that needed to be  brough forth in that season and if all wassettled, I would have no desire to strive  to bring forth. 

Most processes of development that result in change from one form to another  are difficult and uncomfortable. The purification of gold, the emergence of  pearls from oysters, the emergence of a butterfly from a larva and the birth of a  baby from a pregnancy are not easy processes. See how the larva struggles to  get out. See how the stomach of a pregnant woman stretches and enlarges as  her baby grows inside her. She passes through so much discomfort until her  baby is born. Even the process of birth is painful. Change is a difficult process.  Enlargement is uncomfortable and sometimes painful.  

When you pray for God to bless you and enlarge your coast, why do you assume  that the process or the journey would be easy? Why do you assume that it will  happen instantly? The purification of gold takes some time, full term pregnancy  takes nine months. God is working behind the scenes of your life to perfect that  which concerns you. He has information which you do not have. It is all part of  the process, and it is working out for your good.

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.

Read: GENESIS 11:1-9

Meditation verse:

“And the Lord said, “indeed the people are one and they all have one language,  and this is what they begin to do; now nothing they propose to do will be  withheld from them” (Genesis 11:6).

There are several scriptures that highlight the importance of unity. Psalm 133 says how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity and in  that place, God commands His blessings. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “though we may  be overpowered by another, two can withstand him and a 3-fold cord is not  easily. Broken”. Acts 4:32 says “all believers were in one heart and mind”. Amos  3:3 says, “can two walk together except they be agreed?”. 

There is power in unity, whether in a marriage, church, the workplace or  wherever people co-exist. In the reading for today, the people came together to  build a tower that will get to heaven, and God said because the people are one,  nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them. To prevent them from achieving their self-centred goal, He had to confuse their language so that they  could no longer understand one another. And then they were scattered abroad over all the face of the earth, and they ceased building the city. When there is  disunity, confusion takes over and progress is halted. 

The enemy knows this, so his primary tool is to cause disharmony and disunity.  For instance, in a marriage, he can confuse the language spoken between a  husband and wife such that one person says something and the other interprets  it to mean something else, leading to accusations, counter accusations,  arguments, contentions, disharmony and finally disunity. Communication  ceases and every progress is halted.  

Do you desire to make progress in every area of your life this year? Then “make  every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians  4:3). As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).  And as you do, “may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all  ways, Amen. (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

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.

Read: 1 SAMUEL 17: 1-59 

Meditation verse: 

“And David said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested  them’. So, David took them off” (1 Sam 17:39b) 

Everything you need to succeed in the assignment that God has given  to you is already inside of you. And what you have is sufficient for the  assignment, you do not need to become like any other person. You do  not need their skills or talents, It is called ‘borrowing some other  person’s armour’. You have yours and it’s all you need for the job. You  are unique and your assignment is unique to you.  

In preparing David for his fight with goliath, king Saul clothed him with  his own armour. David tried to walk in the borrowed armour and of  course he could not. It was untested terrain for him, it was unnatural  to him. So, he took it off. “Then he took his staff in his hand and he  chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in  the shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his  hand. And he drew near to the Philistine” (1 Sam 17: 40). When he put  on that which he was familiar with, he advanced confidently towards  the Philistine and the rest they say is history.  

You cannot fulfil the purpose that God has for you or win the battles  of life with someone else’s armour. Sadly, many Christians attempt to  do so, they end up either stuck or going round in circles. No matter  how much you admire a person’s talent or ability, please do not  attempt to copy it. You can commend and admire, but, do not be a  copycat. Discover the assignment that God has given to you and  identify your areas of giftings. Then confidently advance towards your  assignment and you will have good success. 

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.

Read: JUDGES 18:7-31 

Meditation verse: 

“.. and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burnt the city  with fire. There was no deliverer, because it was far from Sidon and  they had no ties with anyone (Judges 18:27b-28a).  

The people of Laish, dwelt in isolation. They were far from the  Sidonians and had no ties with anyone. They did not even have rulers  in the land to guide them. When the people of Dan were seeking for  a land to capture and inhabit, Laish naturally was their choice because  it was an easy kill. They struck the City and burned it with fire. There  was no one to help them. They lived a simple quiet life all by  themselves and suffered alone.  

Do not walk alone this year, do not stand alone. Life was designed for  companionship and fellowship. Life is not meant to be lived in  isolation. The bible states that “two are better than one, because they  have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his  companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no  one to help him up. …Though one may be overpowered by another,  two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken”  (Eccl 4:9-10,12).  

The people of Laish dwelt alone and paid dearly for it. Building ties and  friendships come with their own challenges, but the benefits are  enormous. Propose in your heart to build mutually beneficial  associations and networks in your place of work, church, community  and around you. Add value to those in your networks and in your time  of need, you will not be alone like the people of Laish.

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.

Read: PROVERBS 6:6-11 

Meditation verse: 

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise”  (Proverbs 6:6).

One morning, my husband called my attention to an unbelievable  sight in our balcony: ants had built a huge sand colony by one of the  air conditioner units. We watched the ants in amazement. In lines,  they went into a hole, came out with a tiny bit of sand, dropped it  outside, turned and headed right back in.  

We wandered how long it had taken them to build this huge colony,  as each sand brought out was so tiny. The consistency, perseverance,  and diligence they applied to their task was beautiful to watch. Whilst  I was very familiar with today’s scripture about the diligence of the  ants, I had never witnessed them at work.  

I left the balcony that day with several lessons. Firstly, no matter how  difficult a task is, it will never get done unless you begin. The reason a  lot of us never accomplish our life goals is that we never ever begin.  To go anywhere, you must launch out from somewhere or you will get  nowhere. Secondly, consistency and perseverance are critical success  factors in any endeavour. The ants could only carry very tiny bits of  sand per trip, but by being consistent in their efforts, they built a large  sand colony. Lastly, it is unwise to despise the day of small beginning  (Zech 4:10). A small start does not imply a small finish. “Though your  beginning was small, yet your later end would increase abundantly” (job 8:7-9). Indeed, great lessons, we humans have been taught by  these awesome tiny creatures.

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.

Read: Revelation 2:4-5

Meditation verse:

“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Rev 2:  4).

Some years back, we got two beautiful peacocks: male and female. Since they  were new to our home, we tied them to a shrub in a corner of our compound,  from where they were feed regularly. After a while, we untied them so they  could wander around, and they did wander around. The house opposite ours  had some peacocks as well. We woke up one morning to discover that our  peacocks had wandered away to join those at our neighbours and for months,  they did not.  

One morning, however, we were surprised to find the female peacock had  returned and was lying on the same spot we tied and feed them when they  newly arrived, whilst the male peacock was hovering somewhere close by. She  had returned lay her eggs. When it was time for her to birth what was inside of  her, she returned to her first home; her first love.  

God uses simple and natural things to teach us important life lessons. In the  scripture for today, He warned the church at Ephesus to return to its first love,  else its lampstand will be removed. A lamp is a symbol of guidance. A lampstand  in biblical times was the only source of light in the Holy place. It provided light  for the priests to carry out their duties. So, without the lampstands, they  couldn’t function, and they would be ineffective.  

The beginning of a new year is a good time to return to your first love. Return to  your first love by putting God first in everything you do. Focus on Him, give Him  first place and let Him be your priority. For, “…In returning and rest, you shall be  saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15-17).

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.

Read: John 2:1-10 

Meditation verse: 

“His mother said to the servants, “whatever He says to you, do it” (John  2:5).

As you begin the new year seeking wisdom and guidance from God, He will speak  to you in diverse ways. He may speak to you through scriptures: a particular  scripture may light up before you as you study His word. He may speak to you  through messages from trusted and anointed men and women (carriers of ark)  or through counsel from other people. Whichever way He instructs you, be sure  to do exactly what He says promptly, rather than what you think is best.  

At the marriage at Cana, the wine got finished, so the organizers had a problem  at hand. The problem was presented to Jesus and His mother told the servants  to do exactly what Jesus commanded. The miracle is in the obedience, and this  is where we miss it as Christians. God may stir our hearts to do things that seem  foolish to the human eye. 

Imagine asking for wine and being told to fill jars with water. Imagine needing  money for tax and being told to go to the sea and cast a hook and collect a piece  of money from the mouth of the first fish that comes up (Matt 17:27). Imagine  fishing in tested waters all night as an expert fisherman and catching nothing,  then being told to cast your net into the least likely side of the river (Luke 5:5).  Imagine been told to roll away the stone from the grave of a man who had been  dead several days and stinking, so that he could be brought back to life (John  11:39). The list is endless. 

The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. God’s ways are not our  ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. Be determined to follow God’s leading  in every area of your life in this new year. Remember, the miracle is always in  the obedience and obedience begins only when you take the first step.

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.