TheNewsGuru

Tag: In His Presence

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: When the gap period becomes a wilderness experience

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: When the gap period becomes a wilderness experience

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Numbers 14:26- 35

    Meditation verse:

    “Therefore, their days He consumed in futility and their years in fear” (Psalm 78:33).

    A gap period is the season of waiting for God to fulfil a particular expectation. Sometimes this period may linger until it eventually becomes a wilderness  experience. The journey to the promised land was supposed to take a few days,  but the Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness. The wilderness is a place  where water is scarce, where a traveller walks alone devoid of protection and  where wild animals live. Such a traveller is bound to experience fear, doubt, and  loneliness. The bible often depicts the experience of God’s blessings or presence  with the ‘imagery of water’: streams and rivers “Blessed is the man who walks  not in the counsel of the ungodly… He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers  of water…” (Psalm 1: 1-3). A wilderness experience is therefore a season where  you experience bareness, distress, doubt, and alienation from God.

    In a spiritual wilderness, God seems far away from us, distant, absent, and  unresponsive (D. W. Ekstrand). You hear nothing, see nothing, and know  nothing. At such times, you feel the time slowly passing away and fear that your  expectation may never be met. What do you do if you find yourself in such a  place?

    Examine your life and ask the Holy spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin. Unbelief,  disobedience, or rebellion can lead to a wilderness experience. The children of  Israel consistently doubted and rebelled against God. Eventually, a whole  generation was wiped out and never entered the promised land.

    Lean on the One who has control. If there is no unconfessed sin in your life,  remain still and continue to wait on God, for in the place of waiting your  weariness will be turned to strength. “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah40:31). Relax in the knowledge that the One who  calls you is faithful, and He will do it in His own time. David spent seasons of his  life in the wilderness, either tending to sheep, running from King Saul or from  his rebellious son, Absalom. At such times, he kept trusting God.

    Focus on God’s faithfulness. Icons of God’s faithfulness in our lives are all over  the place. A restored health, miracles of provision, an act of deliverance, a  fruitful marriage, or a divine breakthrough. Amid a wilderness experience, David  recalled God’s faithfulness “O my God, my soul is cast down within me.  Therefore, I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the  heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar… The lord will command His loving  kindness in the daytime and in the night His song shall be with me” (Psalm 42:6- 8). If you don’t reflect on God’s faithfulness in your past, you may never be able  to trust Him with your future.

    Focus on the now. Work diligently at whatever your hands have found to do  today (Ecclesiastes 9:10). There is no wall between the sacred and the secular  world. It is all sacred. Whatever God has fired you to do in the now, do it well.  “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

    Lastly, remember that God has a purpose for allowing the wilderness  experience. “For 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).  That hold up or delay is working together 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.

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The arm of flesh will fail

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The arm of flesh will fail

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Psalm 146:3-10

    Meditation verse: 

    “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes  from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). 

    This is what the bible has to say about those who put their trust in people  because they are wealthy, powerful, or connected; “Don’t put your confidence  in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last,  they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them” (Psalm 146:3-4, NLT). 

    A famous old song says, “stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength  alone, the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own”.  

    Yes, the arm of flesh will fail you. Why? Because as humans, we are fickle, weak, and self-serving. We have a natural tendency to look out for our own interests.  Outside of God, no man can help another. It is God who wills in us to do of His  good pleasure. He is the one who holds the hearts of kings in His palms and turns  them to whichever direction pleases Him.  

    Here’s who the bible prescribes that you put your hope in:  

    “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the  Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who  gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The  Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed  down; The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns  upside down. The Lord shall reign forever—Your God, O Zion, to all  generations. (Psalm 146:5-10). 

    Psalm 123:1-2 says “Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. 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”. Why not make this your daily prayer.

     

    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: How spiritually whole are you?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: How spiritually whole are you?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Peter 1:5-11 

    Meditation verse: 

    “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure,  for if you do these things, you will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10). 

    How spiritually whole are you? 2 Corinthians 13:5 says examine yourselves as to  whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. But what does a spiritually whole life look like? A spiritually whole life is: 

    ❖ Sanctified and Holy. Holiness in all things is important. Hebrews 12:14  states that without holiness no one will see God.  

    ❖ Soaked in scriptures. He or she meditates on the word of God. 2 Timothy  2:15 says study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that  needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

    ❖ Filled with and sensitive to the Holy spirit. Romans 8:14 says “For as many  as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. He receives revelation and insight for self and others from abiding in God’s presence.  Telling people what human teachers have taught them may be of some  help, but the most impactful words are spoken by those who have been  thought by the Lord. Revelation comes by being filled with The Holy Spirit. 

    ❖ Fruitful in every area of human endeavour. John 15:5-6 states “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”. 

    ❖ Filled with a sense of serenity and peace. Phil 4:6-8 says, “be careful of nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests  be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passes all  understanding will keep your hearts and mind”. Peace comes when your  roots are deep in Christ.  

    ❖ Lastly, a spiritually whole life is a life of total surrender. Galatians 2:20  states “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but  Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in  the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

    Sound spiritual discipline of worship, prayers, fasting, bible study and godly  lifestyle will help you achieve spiritual wholeness.

     

    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: Jesus Christ: The Game Changer

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Jesus Christ: The Game Changer

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Luke 2:6-14

    Meditation verse:

    “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the  Lord” (Luke 2:11).

    Picture this: you are watching a match where on team is leading the other with  a score of 2-0 at half time. As the second half begins, a new player is brought  into the losing team by the coach and suddenly the game begins to take a  different turn. The scores become 2-1, then 2-2 and just as the game ends after  the extra minutes, the scores become 3-2 in favor of the initial losing team. The  player introduced into the game in the second half, is known as the ‘game  changer’.

    When Jesus Christ was born into this world over two thousand years ago, the  game of life changed in favor of the entire human race. Up until then, Satan had  the upper hand due to the fall of Adam. However, with the birth of the Savior  and Messiah in the fullness of time, the scores were reversed. Jesus Christ is the  ‘ultimate game changer’. The angels announced His birth to the shepherds in  the field and declared good tidings of great joy, peace, and goodwill towards all  men. Several years later, experienced fishermen fished all night in tested waters,  but caught nothing. When the game changer arrived on the scene, they caught  so many fish that their nets began to break. Five loaves of bread and two fishes  was insufficient to feed a hungry crowd, but in the hands of the game changer,  several baskets of crumbs were gathered after the crowd had eaten to their full.

    Jesus Christ is still in the ‘game changing business’. Hebrews 13:8 states that  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Irrespective of what you  are going through today, He can change the game in your favor. However, you  would need to have trusted Him for the salvation of your soul. Have you asked  Jesus Christ to come into your heart? He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me  all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give  you rest. Here’s a prayer you can say right away: “Dear Jesus, I confess I am a  sinner and I believe You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into  my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me my sins and  help me to live my life 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

    or call +2348155525555

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

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your value is in the pressing

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your value is in the pressing

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

    Meditation verse:

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

    Have you ever considered how oil is gotten from olive seeds? The seeds are  pressed to express the oil. To produce sweet wine, bunches of grape seeds are  put in a big drum and someone steps in to trample on them. Bread is made by  kneading dough on a hard surface and the churning of cream produces butter.

    What does all of this say about the creation of value?

    The value in you will not birthed in your comfort zone. It is in the daily struggling,  pressing, squeezing, and suffering that the value you carry will show forth.  Newton’s first law of motion states that an object either remains at rest or  continues to move at a constant velocity unless it is acted upon by an external  force. The second law states that the rate of change of momentum of an object  is directly proportional to the force applied. Greatness can hardly be found in  your comfort zone, only mediocrity resides there.

    Jesus told His disciples that if they wanted to become great, they must serve  others. Then, He rolled up his sleeves, put on an apron and bent down to wash  their feet. Prophesying the suffering of the Messiah, Isaiah 50:6 states “I gave  My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the  beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting”. If the world is to benefit  from your value, you must get out there and do the dirty work, and in doing so,  you will be hard pressed.

    2 Corinthians 4:7-10 says, “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; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted,  but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the  body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in  our body. So, do not resist the hard knocks of life. The value is always in the  pressing.

     

    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 Eagle Christian

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The Eagle Christian

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Job 39:27-30

    Meditation verse:

    “But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount  up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and  not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

    Eagles do not shy away from storms. Do you know how an eagle respond to a  storm? It faces the direction of the storm, lifts its head high, flaps its wings and  rides through the storm. As it rides through, the winds propel its wings, lifting it  higher and higher until it is above the storm. Another interesting feature of the  eagle is its piercing and sharp vision. Its eyes observe from afar. From high above  the sky, its eyes spot a prey on the ground and in one swoop, it lowers itself and  grabs the prey. The eagle makes its nest on high; it dwells and resides on the  rock. The crag of the rock and the stronghold are its home. Its young feed on  blood and where the slain are, there you would always find the eagle.

    The symbolism of the metaphor “the eagle Christian” is evident in these  characteristics of the eagle. As an eagle Christian, you would not shy away from  the storms of life but will face them boldly, mounting on the wings of prayers and ascending higher. Your dwelling place would be on the solid rock, Jesus  Christ who is the rock of ages and our stronghold. You will consistently be on  higher grounds, shunning that which is worldly and mediocre.

    Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth As an eagle Christian, your vision will be precise and your eyes focused on the  prey, which is the expansion of God’s kingdom. Mathew 6:33 says “But seek first  the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added  to you”.

    Finally, just as the young ones of the eagle feed on blood, as an eagle Christian,  you would have led your young ones to Christ and brought them under the  covenant of the blood of Jesus Christ. So, are you an eagle Christian?

     

    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: Be grateful for and engage each day

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Be grateful for and engage each day

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Job 38:12-15 

    Meditation verse: 

    “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm  118:24).

    Every day is a gift from God. It is a privilege to wake up to another day. The  psalmist says “I lay down and slept, I awoke, for the Lord sustained me (Psalm  3:5). It’s a 3-step process. First you lie down, then you sleep, after which you  wake up. Not everyone enjoys the privilege of all three steps. We hear of  instances where people go to bed at night, sleep but do not wake up to see the  next day; they die in their sleep. Others lie down but are unable to enjoy a good  night sleep. Still yet, there are those who do not even get to lie down. They are  harassed by the terrors of the night.  

    If God sustained you through the night and enabled you to see a day, it is a  privilege because it means your assignment on earth is not yet over. Each day  comes with its own purpose and work, else it would not exist. Psalm 104:19-23  says: 

    He (God) appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its going down. You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the beasts of the forest  creep about. The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from  God. When the sun rises, they gather and lie down in their dens. Man goes  out to his work and to his labor until the evening”. 

    Therefore, esteem each day as a gift from God, be grateful to Him and ask Him  to direct your path. Then engage the day fully in a manner that will enable you  profit maximally from it. “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” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). As you live out each  day of your life, let God see by your deeds that you are grateful to be alive and  be a part of the day; do good to others and put in your best, working diligently  at whatever your hand finds to do. Remember that there is no work or device or  knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you will end up someday. (Ecclesiastes  9:10).

     

    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: Bring me the parchments

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Bring me the parchments

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Timothy 4:9-16

    Meditation verse:

    “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books,  especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13).

    Locked up in a cold and damp prison, faced with execution, Paul the Apostle  asked for three items; his coat to help him stay warm, some books and especially  the parchments. A parchment is a flat thin material made from the prepared  skin of an animal and used as a writing surface in ancient times. Bible scholar,  William Barclay suggests that the parchments Paul was referring to were  Hebrew scriptures, because the Hebrews had written their sacred scriptures in  parchments made from animal skins. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is given  by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,  for instruction in righteousness”. Paul had lived his life for the cause of the  gospel. Now in the darkest moment, he knew the word would profit him and  that was what he wanted the most.

    When life deals its deadly blows and you feel too discouraged to pray, what do  you hold on to? What do you count as important in your darkest moments? Over  the years, I formed the habit of journaling every day. In my journals, I write down  my favorite scriptures, God’s promises over my life as well as the messages I  hear in my spirit during my personal devotions. In my dark moments, I take hold  of my journals and as I go through its pages, I am reminded of God’s love, grace

    and ever abiding presence, which brings comfort and encouragement to my  soul. The psalmist cried out to God in his dark moment “O my God, my soul is  cast down within me; therefore, I will remember You from the land of the  Jordan…” (Psalm 42:6). Icons of God’s faithfulness in the past are helpful  resources in times of trouble. My journals are my parchments; there are usually  the first items I put in my travel suitcase.

    Your parchments could be your bible, your personal devotion notebooks, a diary  of God’s promises over you based on His word or even your sermon notes from  church. Whatever it is, be certain to hold on tightly to it. That way wherever you  go and whatever comes your way in this new month, even if you get stripped of  everything else, you can quickly say like Paul “bring me the parchments”.

     

    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 excellent spirit in you

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The excellent spirit in you

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ephesians 1:13-14 

    Meditation verse:

    “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound  mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).  

    At salvation, you were adopted into God’s family, and He put His Spirit in you.  Ephesians 1;13-14 says “in Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of  truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were  sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance  until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. The  Holy Spirit is God’s seal upon your life that you belong to Him, and His Spirit follows you wherever you go.  

    The Holy Spirit is our helper and comforter. The Greek word for comforter is  ‘Parakletos’ which means the One who comes alongside you to comfort,  encourage and advise you. The implication of this is that you are never left to  your own devices whenever you are in a tight spot. You do not have to stumble  through life without answers. John 14:26 says “but the Helper, the Holy Spirit,  whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to  your remembrance all things that I said to you”. 

    The Holy Spirit can teach you business strategies, principles for a great marriage,  weight loss ideas, how to make the right career choice and wisdom for relating  with others. He can teach you all you need to survive in life. You however have  a responsibility to nurture His presence in you and be sensitive to His leading.“

     

    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: Great leadership lessons from King David [2]

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Great leadership lessons from King David [2]

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 1 Chronicles 11 & 13

    Meditation verse:

    “Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron saying, “indeed we are your bone and your flesh” (1 Chronicles 11:1). 

    David was a very competent leader. Psalm 78:72 says that he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. From shepherd boy to poet, giant killer, and then king, he was skilled and excellent at what he did. Excellence does not occur by happenstance, it takes practice, diligence, and commitment. Ecclesiastes 10:10 says” if the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success”.

    He had a great reputation. The people came willingly to him and volunteered to serve. Even those who were previously in Saul’s camp as well as some of his kinsmen defected to David’s camp. And he received every one of them. Proverbs 22:1 says, “a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold”. What do the people you lead think of you?

    David was a lover and worshipper of God. One time, he danced before the Lord with all his might; wearing a linen ephod and leaping and whirling, so much so that his wife Michal, accused him of uncovering in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows (2 Samuel 6:14-20).

    He was a generous King who gave willingly to those he led and to God. When offered a free land upon which to offer sacrifices to God, he insisted on buying it from the owner saying, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). He bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. The bible says the liberal soul shall be made fat (Proverbs 11:25)

    David was quick to own up to his mistakes and ask God for mercy. Great leaders are human, they can fail sometimes. Their greatness lies in owning up to their errors and asking forgiveness from whoever they have offended. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Want to be a great leader? Eschew pride and embrace humility.

     

    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.