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Tag: In His Presence

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Little Joe’s story [2]

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Little Joe’s story [2]

    By Oke Chinye 

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

    Meditation verse: 

    “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a  far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4: 17).

    Secondly, it may not always be in your best interest to follow the crowd or the  path that is most familiar. Neither is it useful to always tow the path of least  resistance. You need to learn to search the unlikely and unknown or even  difficult places. For in so doing, you may discover unexpected treasures.

    Lastly, the bad things that happen to you are not meant to defeat you but to  strengthen you and prepare you for a greater glory. The pains of yesterday can  become the gains of tomorrow. The pain of losing a dear brother built an inner  resolve in that old man: a resolve that yielded a desired outcome. “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. For we who live are always  delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested  in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

    And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I  believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing  that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will  present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread  through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

    Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet  the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but  for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are  not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are  not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:7-18).

     

    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: Little Joe’s story [1]

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Little Joe’s story [1]

    By Oke Chinye 

    Read: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

    Meditation verse: 

    “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart!  I’ve conquered the world” (John 16:33b MSG).

    The story is told of a little boy Joe, who disappeared whilst staying with his  grandmother in a rural community. He had been playing outside his home and  suddenly was nowhere to be found. A search party was sent out to look for him,  but the search went on for hours without yielding any result. An elderly man in  the community decided to join in the search. His son tried to discourage him, as  he had just had a surgery for a heart bypass. Besides, he reasoned that there  were already so many people looking for the boy. What difference would an old  man who probably would not walk fast make? But the old man refused to be  dissuaded, so his son decided to go with him. They felt it was better to go their  own way since joining the crowd may slow them down. They also wanted to  focus on the unlikely places that would be overlooked by the crowd.

    After a few hours of walking, they came across a thick forest, fenced off with  barbed wires. The son argued that little Joe would never have wandered this far,  let alone gone through the wired fence. But again, the old man insisted that it  was the way to go, he entered the forest, leaving his son behind. The old man  had suffered a painful loss as a little boy. He had lost his little brother in a car  crash and had carried the guilt of not being able to save his brother, for several  years. As he trudged along the thick bush, images of his little brother flashed  across his mind, and he just kept going. After what seemed like ages, he saw a  dog, and then, he saw little Joe frightened and huddled in a corner. He picked  him up, held him tightly in his arms and began making his way back to the crowd.  The joy in his face could not be mistaken.

    There are several lessons to learn from little Joe’s story.

    Firstly, just as little Joe disappeared without any warning, life can happen at any  time. You have very little control over certain occurrences in your life. Jesus said:  “In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart!  I’ve conquered the world”. You must trust God and keep striving to get ahead.

     

    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: Lessons from the ants

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Lessons from the ants

    By Oke Chinye 

    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 it 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.

    The last lesson I took away was that a small start does not imply a small finish,  so it is unwise to despise the day of small beginning (Zechariah 4:10). “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 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: Return to your first love

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Return to your first love

    By Oke Chinye 

    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: a male and a female. Since  they were new to our home, we tied them to a shrub in a corner of the  compound to prevent them from wandering away. They were feed each day on  that same spot. After a while, we untied them so they could wander around. The  house opposite ours had some peacocks as well and we woke up one morning  to discover that our peacocks had wandered away to join those at our  neighbours. Thy remained there for months.

    One morning, we were surprised to discover that the female peacock had  returned and was lying on the same spot, we had tied them when they newly  arrived. We also saw the male peacock hovering somewhere close by. The  female peacock had returned to 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 today’s  reading, we see Him warning 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 would  be ineffective or unable to function properly.

    If you currently lack clarity in life or are in a place of restlessness and  ineffectiveness, or you are so confused about your next move, returning to your  first love might be a good place to start to get clarity. Your first love is that place  where you connect intimately with God the most. You may need to put

    everything else aside and be still in His presence so that you can be feed,  nourished, instructed, and strengthened. 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 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: 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 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: Faith like potatoes

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Faith like potatoes

    By Oke Chinye 

    Read: Hebrews 11:1-39

    Meditation verse: 

    “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”  (Hebrews 11:1).

    I stumbled upon a movie some years back which has made a huge impact on my  faith even till this day. The movie “Faith Like Potatoes” is based on the  autobiography novel of Farmer turned Evangelist, Angus Buchan. It portrays the  inspiring true story of Angus, a local farmer in South Africa who learnt to trust  God with every detail of his farming work. After his conversion, Angus began to live out his newfound faith in God in his work as a farmer. When a chance fire  threatened to spread, Angus Challenged his Zulu Farm assistant to pray with him  for rain. It wasn’t yet the rainy season and the assistant scoffed but Angus  prayed, and it rained. The rains extinguished the fire.

    When the land experienced severe drought, such that nothing could grow on it,  Angus challenged the farmers to go ahead and plant their potatoes. Everyone  was skeptical, but Angus knew the God, he had come to believe in. So, the  potatoes were planted, but the surfaces remained very dry. It seemed nothing  was growing underneath. But when it was harvest time, Angus again challenged  the farmers to dig and harvest the potatoes. That little Zulu town experienced a  bumper harvest of big, fresh potatoes like never.

    At the end of the day, each one of us must live out our faith wherever we are  and in everything we do, otherwise our faith is useless. Our Christian faith must  be lived out especially in the marketplace. There is no separation between that  which is secular and spiritual, everything is spiritual. Our business practices,  engagements, associations, decisions, goals, activities, and outcomes must  reflect our faith in Christ. And this faith must be like the potatoes harvested by  Angus Buchan and his co farmers several years ago. Our faith must be big and  real enough for others to see, feel and touch.

     

    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: Schedules and routines

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Schedules and routines

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

    Meditation verse:

    “To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven”  (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

    Growing up as little children, we were subject to rules, routines, and schedules,  both at home and in school. There were rules about what to do and what not to do. We had times for sleeping and times for waking up. We had specific times for reading, leisure, and diverse household chores. I bet we all felt trapped and just couldn’t wait to become adults. The growing-up years are now over, we heave a sigh of relief and revel in our freedom as we realize that the strict life of rules and routines is finally over. We are completely free to do exactly as we please, whenever we please.

    But if truth be told, our lives were properly shaped by the rules and schedules we resented back then and we have become who we are today because of being moulded by our guided childhood. The bible states that train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov 22:6). A life that will be exceptional and successful must continue with some measure of rules,  routines, and schedules. Zig Ziglar said, “People do not wander around and then find themselves at the top of Mount Everest”. Success in life requires intentional or purposeful living and this entails discipline, sacrifice, self-denial, and planning. No kidding! Our life of routines and schedules isn’t nearly half over yet.

    Today’s bible reading puts it aptly: there is indeed a time for every purpose or  activity under heaven. To become that fulfilled individual, who excels in every area of life, you must subject yourself to some form of routine. Time must be allotted to every area of your life. Timing is important. The bible enjoins us to walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil (Eph 5:15-16). Wasting time on irrelevant and mindless things is unprofitable. The secret to success and fulfilment lies in knowing the appropriate time for every purpose. Difficult? Maybe, but the results are well worth the effort.

    “Those that make the best use of their time have none to spare” (Thomas Fuller).

    An important question to ask in this new month is “am I making the best use of my time?

     

    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: Be careful lest you are taken unawares

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Be careful lest you are taken unawares

    By Oke Chinye  

    Read: Mathew 24:36-44

    Meditation verse: 

    “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Mathew 24:42). 

    Have you noticed how busy we have all become? We are busy with our phones,  and other devices, on social media, in different programs, in pursuit of wealth  and with everything else except spending quality time in God’s presence. Everyone is mostly online. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “but know this, that in the last  days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of  money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,  unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers  of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of  God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people  turn away!”.

    Part of the enemy’s strategy in these last days, is to keep us busy and distracted.  The last thing that leaves our hands before we sleep at night is our phone and  as soon as we wake up, we reach out for it. If we are to do an audit of how much  time we spend on our devices, I bet we would be horrified. Mathew 24:36-40  describes the coming of our Lord Jesus thus “but of that day and hour no one  knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of  Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days  before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in  marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the  flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man  be”.

    Are you spending enough time in worship, prayer, and bible study? These are  the ways you get spiritually nourished. Inadequate nourishment will stunt your  spiritual growth. More importantly, let’s not get so caught up in the addiction of  this digital age, that the coming of our Lord takes us unawares. “See then that  you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because  the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of  the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

     

    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: A good way to die

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A good way to die

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: 1 Chronicles 29: 26-30

    Meditation verse:

    “So, he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honour, and Solomon his son reigned in his place” (1 Chronicles 29:28).

    Here is how the bible describes the life, times, and death of King David: “He died in a good old age, full of days”. This means that he lived life to the fullest and had many experiences. He died full of riches; He was very wealthy not just in terms of possessions, he was also in his spirit. He died full of honour: meaning he was a person full of integrity and wisdom. He was well respected. Lastly, he died leaving a great legacy behind, in the person of a son who would sit on his throne and reign in his place. What a great way to die.

    Living and dying this way does not happen by chance. It takes intentional and purposeful living to achieve this type of testimony when all is said and done.  David was very intentional in his devotion and service to God as well as the people he led. He danced before God with all his might until his linen ephod was uncovered (2 Samuel 6:14-22). He refused to offer to God that which cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:10-24). He shepherded God’s people with integrity of heart and with skilfulness of his hands (Psalm 78:72). He was always quick to own up to his sins (Psalm 51:10). Little wonder God referred to him as a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

    Whilst you have the right to choose how to live your life, you do not have the right to choose the consequences of your actions. As you live your life each day based on the goals you have set for yourself or the vision you have for your life do you ever pause to consider the impact your life has on others or what footprints you are leaving behind?

     

    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: Never too old to begin

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Never too old to begin

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Psalm 92:12-15

    Meditation verse:

    “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm  92:14).

    Anna May Robertson Moses was an American housekeeper born 1860.  Popularly known as Grandma Moses, she began painting in earnest at the age of  78. Her paintings became very famous. They have been exhibited, marketed in greeting cards, and sold all over the world. And she was awarded two honorary doctoral degrees for her works. Colonel Harland David Sanders founder of  Kentucky Fried Chicken popularly known as KFC did not achieve his remarkable rise to success until his 60s. Up until that time he was relatively unknown. He is quoted as saying “I made a resolve then that I was going to amount to something if I could. And no hours nor amount of labor nor amount of money would deter me from giving the best that there was in me”. He became an icon when he sold his company at the age of 75. And he was given the title, Colonel by the state of Kentucky.

    What do these examples tell us? That it is never too late to start leaving your footprints on the sand of time and scriptures support this fact. Job 8:7 says, “though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly”. Haggai 2:9 says, “the glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts”. Psalm 92:14 says, “they shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing”.

    Who says it is too late for you to live a life of significance? Who says that your best years are behind you? Who says that you are too old? Not God. If His word did not say it, then do not accept it. But if His word says it, you had better believe it. Believe in yourself too. Discover your gifts, identify a need and be the solution.  Go out there and try it out. Be seen and heard. Life is about breaking our personal limits and outgrowing ourselves to live our best lives for the good of others. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand,  and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,  that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mathew  5:14-16).

     

    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.