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Tag: In His Presence

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your rights and privileges as a son [1]

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Your rights and privileges as a son [1]

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ephesians 1:3-22 

    Meditation verse: 

    “Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according  to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5). 

    At salvation, you were adopted as a son into the family of God, through Jesus  Christ and this entitles you to certain privileges. Ephesians 1:18-19 says that “the  eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what the  hope of His calling is, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the  saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,  according to the working of His mighty power”. As a son you have access to: 

    The name of Jesus Christ: Philippians 2:9-11 states: “Therefore God also has  highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name, that at  the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on  earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that  Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The name of Jesus is a refuge  and strong tower in times of trouble. I had a scary experience one night. Whilst  asleep, I suddenly became aware of a dark presence in the room. I tried to move  and open my eyes, but couldn’t, it was like an invincible force was holding me  down. I was very conscious of what was going on but could neither move nor  open my eyes. Then I realised my spirit was calling the name “Jesus”, so I tried  to open my mouth to call out the name, but my lips were sealed. I kept struggling  to open my mouth and eventually succeeded in screaming “Jesus”. As soon as I  called out that name, the invincible presence disappeared, and I was able to  open my eyes and turn around.  

    The blood of Jesus: Revelations 12:11 states “And they overcame him (the  accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”  Hebrews 10:19 says “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest  by the blood of Jesus”. You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. In your  redemption package, you can boldly access forgiveness for your sins, healing of  all diseases, wholeness, sanctification, restoration, deliverance, and victory  through the blood of Jesus. What an awesome privilege to be a son of The Most  High God.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: No God like Jehovah

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: No God like Jehovah

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: JOB 38-40

    Meditation verse:

    “To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy  One. (Isaiah 40:25).

    God can do anything and everything. He oversees everything in Heaven, on earth  and underneath the earth. He laid the foundations of the earth and determined  its measurements. He created all things by the word of His mouth and  outstretched hands. His wisdom is unsearchable; He knows all things. His  understanding is infinite; He understands all things. His ownership and control  are limitless; He owns and controls all things.

    Everything answers to His command. The hawk flies by His wisdom. The eagle  mounts up at His command. He knows the time the mountain goat gives birth.  He shuts in the waters, so that they will not exceed their boundaries. He rules  the raging seas and stills their proud waves. He carves out rivers from rocks and  upturns mountains from their roots. God can furnish a table in the wilderness.  He hunts for prey for the lions and gives food to the ravens. Indeed, all creatures  look to Him for their food. He is a father to the fatherless and husband to the  widow.

    He determines times and seasons. He commands the morning and causes the  dawn to know its place. He causes the barren woman to be a joyful mother of  children. He is the tide turning God who can lift a lowly person to a position of  prominence overnight. Promotion comes from Him. In His hands are riches and  honor. He can cause men to favor or disfavor you. He holds the hearts of kings  in His palm and turns them to whichever direction He pleases. His ability to  restore life is beyond our understanding. Trees are burnt down and can grow  back, broken bones heal, dead tissues are restored. That is the life-giving power  of God.

    What is that seemingly impossible situation before you? What God cannot do  does not exist. It’s a new month, commit that situation to the One who can do  all things. For with Him nothing shall be impossible.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Why sit down there and die?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Why sit down there and die?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 Kings 7:3-16

    Meditation verse:

    “Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to  one another, “why are we sitting here until we die”? (2 Kings 7:3).

    A well-known model for handling the challenges of living designed by D’Zurilla  and Goldfried, proffers six steps for solving problems. First define the problem,  then generate alternative solutions, list pros and cons of each solution, choose  the best one, plan and then execute it. This was what the four leprous men at  the entrance of Samaria did, when they found themselves in a desperate  situation. The famine had besieged the city, and everyone was hungry. Rather  than sitting still and doing nothing, they reasoned amongst themselves,  evaluated their options, decided on a course of action, and acted. And their  problem was resolved.

    What difficult situation are you currently faced with? What have you done or  what are you doing about it? Can you truthfully say that you have exhausted  your options? A lot of times, when faced with adversity, we either keep shouting  at God in prayers or we sit still, expecting the problem to disappear. As you call  on God to act in that situation, is it possible that He is waiting on you to act? “All  things pertaining to life and godliness have been given to you by the divine power  of God through the knowledge of Him who called you by glory and virtue” (2  Peter 1:3). God has given you the wisdom, power, knowledge, and ability needed  to live a godly life. You are well equipped to find solutions to the challenges of  your everyday living.

    Why then would you choose to remain in that situation until you die? In Spencer  Johnson’s book: “who moved my cheese”, four characters enjoyed a plenteous  supply of cheese until they suddenly found themselves in a cheese less situation.  Whilst three of the characters searched for other options until they found  another supply of cheese, the last one chose to remain in his cheese less  condition. Whilst it is okay to pray whenever you encounter difficulty, there is  always something you can do about it. So, evaluate your options today, decide  on a course of action and act.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: What’s on the other side?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: What’s on the other side?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Luke 8:22-39

    Meditation verse:

    “Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples.  And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they  launched out” (Luke 8:22).

    As Jesus and His disciples got into the boat and sailed to cross over to the other  side, a windstorm came down on the lake. The boat began to fill with water, and  they were in jeopardy. Whilst this was going on, Jesus was fast asleep. When  they woke Him up, crying that they were perishing, He rebuked the wind and  raging water, and there was calm. The journey was hazardous, but when they  got to the other side, a demon possessed man who had been living in the tomb  without clothes for a long time, regained his senses and became an evangelist  throughout the whole city.

    What step are you so afraid of taking? What hurdle looks too impossible to  cross? What journey do you consider too difficult to embark on? Your next level  miracle may be waiting for you at the other side of what you dread the most. As  soon as Jesus spoke to His disciples about crossing to the other side of the lake.

    They got in and launched out. Chances are the Holy Spirit is prompting you to move in a particular direction. How will you respond? Will you rise in faith to do  the needful or will you sit back in doubt? Until you cross over, you may never  know what awaits you on the other side.

    The key to receiving your miracle lies in stepping out and acting. God will not  stirrup your spirit unless He has gone ahead to make provision for you. Perhaps,  you tried in the past to cross over but got discouraged by the challenges you encountered. Let the word of God come alive in your heart again to stir you up.  The journey may be difficult, but if you can persevere and get to the other side,  you will receive your healing, provision, and testimony. You only need to be sure  that you have Jesus in the boat of your life.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Show up

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Show up

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: John 5:1-9

    Meditation verse:

    “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” (John 5:8).

    I woke up on a particular Thursday morning experiencing extreme dizzy spells.  The dizziness was so bad, it kept me in bed all morning and afternoon. As I lay in  bed, I wondered how I would host the weekly Prayer Rain of The Fulfilled  Woman Fellowship (TFWP). Several options raced through my mind as I laid  there feeling ill. ‘Cancel the meeting’, ‘Send a message of apology to the women  to let them know how sick you are’, ‘ask someone else to host the meeting’.

    Many other options kept surfacing and then I heard the following words in my  spirt. “Show up even if you can’t put on your camera, show up even if you can’t  pray out loud as you would normally do, just show up as you are’. I got up still  feeling woozy, helped myself to a cup of tea and proceeded to get ready for the  meeting. I showed up for that meeting and what an impactful meeting it was. I  shared my story with the women as I sensed that God wanted someone present to receive the encouragement needed to move forward.

    Irrespective of your current situation in life, you must keep showing up wherever  you need to, even if you have to limp or stagger forward. If I had remained on  that bed, I would have missed being a blessing to the women. We miss out on  opportunities, when we fail to show up, and some other person takes our place.  Jesus said to the lame man, “rise, take up your bed and walk”. Your bed is that  affliction, pain, or issue that kept you bound in that spot. Sometimes, God may  not remove that affliction, you would need to trust Him, pick up that bed and go  forward.

    No matter how heavy the bed of affliction you must carry is, make a  commitment today to pick it up and show up. keep showing up, you never know  when the tides would turn.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Protect your self confidence

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Protect your self confidence

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 4:4-9

    Meditation verse:

    “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,  whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,  whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything  praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

    It is almost impossible to live a satisfying or fulfilling life by default, so much gets  thrown at us daily. You need to intentionally protect your self-confidence if you  desire to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Begin by observing and auditing  your focus: Ask yourself regularly: “what am I focusing on and how is this  affecting how I feel? Then change your focus if you need to. By default, the  human brain prefers to focus on what could go wrong. So, it would rather focus  on what you have lost, why it happened and whose fault it was rather than on  what you can gain and how you can do better next time. Your goal should be to  spend more time on the things that build your confidence and less time on the  things that erode it.

    Eliminate outside forces or influence: What is that thing in the outside world  that rubs you of your self-confidence when you see it? Social media handles of  certain people? other people’s views or advice? Or their presence? Take a diet  of whatever it is. Focus on your strengths: Figure out what you are good at and  become amazing at it. Don’t keep working on your weaknesses as this will slow  down your progress or even stop you. Pay others to do what you are not good  at.

    Lastly, take charge of your life; get out of the goal post and play. Action breeds  confidence, inaction breeds fear. Choose to be a thermostat which controls  things rather than a thermometer that fluctuates based on the happenings  around it. Control your own outcomes.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Keep your eyes on the finish line

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Keep your eyes on the finish line

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8

    Meditation verse:

    “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2  Timothy 4:7).

    Several years ago, I participated in a parent’s race during the annual sports event  of my children’s school. About five mothers came out to the starting point to  participate. The whistle went off and we began the race as our children cheered  us on. I gave it my all and soon I was right ahead of the others. As I continued  running, I noticed a group of people standing together close to the end of the  field. Mistaking that for the finish point, I stopped by the group. The other  women who were far behind me ran past me and got to the finish point. I had  gotten distracted from the real finish line by the group of individuals.

    I pondered on the day’s event as I drove back home with the children and  wondered at how I failed to reach the finished line because of a slight  distraction. Not everyone who begins a race gets to the finished line. Some  runners lose their balance and fall by the way, some get distracted, others  become too weary to continue. Those who finish strong are the ones who never  take their gaze off the finish line. Similarly in the race of life, some people get  distracted by the cares of this present world, others become weary from fighting  the battles of life, still yet many do not even get started.

    The apostle Paul kept his eyes on the finish line and ended well. In discharging  his apostolic mandate, he completed three long missionary journeys, planted at  least 14 churches, wrote 13 of the New Testament books and endured some of  the toughest conditions, persecutions, and trials. And then he gave his  valedictory speech in 2 Timothy 4:7- 8, “I have fought the good fight, I have  finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown  of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me on that  Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing”. Keep your  eyes on the finish line, so that you can end well and receive your crown.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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: Everything will be alright in the end

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Everything will be alright in the end

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ecclesiastes 7:8-10

    Meditation verse:

    “The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than  the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

    Our understanding of things as humans is very limited; only God understands  and knows everything. We are therefore prone to false attributions, faulty  assumptions, wrong decisions, and incorrect conclusions. We may also  misinterpret the things that happen to us in life because we are concluding  based on our limited understanding or on just the evidence that we can see.  Hebrews 11 says “now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence  of things not seen”. Does this not mean that there are things happening that we  cannot see? There are things happening behind the scenes of our lives that we  are unaware of and as a result we interpret the circumstances of our lives based  on what we can see and conclude that all is not well.

    What can you see happening in your life right now and what have you concluded  about that situation? Before you label it as bad, can you truthfully say that you  have all the facts and evidence to conclude rightly? Aren’t there some things about that situation that you do not know or are not so certain about?  Ecclesiastes 11:5 states “As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how  the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the  works of God who makes everything”. God specializes in working behind the  scenes of our lives and the secret things belong to Him. You have no way of  knowing what He is doing about your situation, why then would you conclude  and give it a tag?

    Here’s what God says in His word “The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit  to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, why were the  former days better than these? For you do not inquire wisely concerning this”. (Ecclesiastes 7: 8-10). So be rest assured that irrespective of what is going on  right now, everything will be alright in the end. If it is not alright now, then it is  not the end. God says it, believe it and that settles it. A word they say is enough  for the wise!

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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 raft story

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: The raft story

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Mark 2:21-22

    Meditation verse:

    “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece  pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.” (Mark 2:21).

    The story is told of a monk who embarked on a long journey on foot. He came  across a river and wondered how he would cross over. He tried walking across,  but it was too deep; he couldn’t swim either. Eventually, he built a raft and  successfully crossed to the other side of the river. He then said to himself “this  must be very useful to me; I have to hold on to it”. He strapped it to his back and  continued his journey. A short while later, he came across a very thick forest,  with rows of trees. As he attempted to walk through, the raft behind his back  kept getting stuck between the trees, making it impossible to go through. After  several attempts, he realized that the raft was now the obstacle holding him  back, so he took it off.

    What served you yesterday might become a stumbling block tomorrow. What is  your own raft? What old mindset, habit, relationship, desire, goal, or behavioral  pattern are you still holding on to that no longer serves your interest?  Sometimes, you may need to do away with the old, to make progress in life.  Isaiah 43:18-19 states: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the  things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not  know it? The bible says, new wine cannot be put into old wineskins, else the  wineskins will stretch and burst, and the wine will be spilled” (Mark 2:22). Is it  possible that your old way of doing things is the cause of the stress and stretch  you are currently experiencing in your life?

    Notice that it was the Monk who held on to the raft, nobody put it on his back.  Therefore, when he realized he needed to get rid of it, he had to do so by  himself. Similarly, you need to decide the things that are preventing you from  moving forward and get rid of them by yourself. It is often said that if you want  to know the person holding you back, look in the mirror. Decide today to change  that bad habit, get out of the abusive relationship, or change that attitude. No  one else can do it for you. And just as the Monk progressed on his journey with  ease, after he got rid of the raft, your progress will become evident to all.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder 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: Who do you fear?

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Who do you fear?

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Galatians 2:11-16

    Meditation verse:

    “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe”  (Proverbs 29:25).

    Fear can have either a positive or negative effect on your life. On the positive  side, it can help you steer clear of danger. Conversely, it can hinder your progress  or cause you to do things that are contrary to who you are and what you stand  for. The key lies in who and what you fear. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning  of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13).  This type of fear is liberating. It is a deep reverence for a powerful God and a  wholesome dread of displeasing Him. This type of fear causes you to abstain  from sin so that you are always within the boundaries of God’s favour and  protection.

    The fear of man brings a snare. It can prevent you from becoming who God  created you to be. The fear of man can become a “goliath” in your life and  torment you. It can make you afraid to speak up when you know you should or  lead you into wrong relationships. It can also cause you to lie or compromise  your values and in its worst form make you deny your faith in Christ. The disciple,  Peter was a man with a tendency to display this type of fear. As a result, he  sometimes behaved in ways inconsistent with his faith in Christ. He denied Jesus  Christ before a little maid because he feared those who were in the courtyard  (Luke 22:56-57). Years later, whilst a church leader, he withdrew and separated  himself from eating with the gentiles because he feared those who were of the  circumcision. It took the rebuke of Paul to get him back on track.

    What type of fear rules your life- the fear of God or the fear of man? Jesus said  to His disciples “…do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have  no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear- fear Him  who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell: yes, I say to you, fear Him”  (Luke 12:4-5). Next time you are tempted to act in a certain way because of the  fear of man, ask yourself ‘what is the worst thing that can happen if I do not fear  this person’?

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns 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.