Tag: In His Presence

By Oke Chinye

Read: Revelation 21:9-21

Meditation verse:

“And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Luke 6:13)

This is the 12th month of the year. The number ‘12’ is a number of significance appearing in several places in the bible. It signifies perfection. When He was about to begin His ministry, Jesus Christ our saviour called and chose twelve men as apostles to bear witness to His ministry and spread the gospel to the entire world. These were the foundational members of His ministry. Jacob had twelve sons, each of which represented the twelve tribes of God’s chosen nation, Israel (Genesis 49:28). The apostle John describes the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God as having a great and high wall with twelve gates and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:10-14). The city was perfect in her beauty.

The number 12 also signifies the blessings of overflow and abundance. After Jesus blessed the five loaves of bread and two fishes, five thousand people were fed. And the disciples gathered and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the meal which were left over by those who had eaten (John 6:13).

The number 12 signifies the blessings of restoration and wholeness especially from difficult and long overdue cases. The woman with the issue of blood had carried the flow of blood for twelve years when she came from behind and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. And Jesus said to her “be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. (Mathew 9:20-22).

Lastly, the number 12 signifies completion. Psalm 65:11 says, “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance”. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “the end of a thing is better than its beginning”. In this 12th month of the year, may you experience the blessings of perfection, abundance, wholeness, and restoration in every area of your life. Amen.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: Luke 2:1-20

Meditation verse:

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

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:8-14

Over two thousand years ago, an angel of the Lord stood before certain shepherds in a field, proclaiming the birth of a child as ‘good tidings of great joy’. But what was so special about this birth? It was the arrival of the much-awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would save mankind from destruction and death. It was such great news that a multitude of heavenly host burst into singing and rejoicing. The essence of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the saviour of mankind, Jesus Christ.

In every celebration, the celebrant is the object of focus; there can be no Christmas without Christ. How do we celebrate this day? Are we so focused on the pomp and pageantry that we fail to remember that Jesus Christ is the reason for the season? Here is God’s word for you as you celebrate this day and season in commemoration of His arrival on earth: “but above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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 3:14-17). Merry Christmas!

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: Luke 24:1-7

Meditation verse:

“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “why do you seek the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5).

Whilst on earth, Jesus told His disciples about the death He would suffer and how He would rise after three days. He told them several times to prepare their minds. Yet, on resurrection morning, certain women amongst those who had followed Him closely, went to look for His body in the grave. They did not remember the words that Jesus had spoken to them until two men stood by them in shinning garments and said “why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but is risen. Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee…” (Luke 24:5-6). Then they remembered His words.

Why did they forget what Jesus told them about His death and resurrection? Or was it that they simply did not believe Him? Whilst we may marvel at their unbelief, are we not also guilty of ignorantly seeking the living among the dead in our everyday experience as Christians? Do we not forget all of God’s promises to us in His word? Promises such as: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), “fear not, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)? Yes, we forget, and we fret, get depressed or run helter-skelter when we face challenges.

Whatever has been your experiences or circumstances this year, do not let it cause you to doubt the life transforming power of God’s word. Do not stay in the place of doubt. Do not let delayed promises cause you to give up on God or bow down to the gods of this world by seeking for solutions in places where you would need to compromise your faith. That would amount to seeking for the living among the dead. Hold God to His word like your life depends on it because it does. You are not a foreigner to the covenant of God’s promises, you are a partaker. You are not devoid of hope, Christ in you is the hope of glory. God has given you everything pertaining to life and godliness, according to His divine power (2 Peter 1:3). You are destined to live a life of victory, not of defeat. Keep believing.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: John 5:1-8

Meditation verse:

“For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had” (John 5:4).

It is a few days to the end of the year, but there are visions that can still be birthed, businesses that can be created, books that you can begin writing as well as souls that you can still save. Some years back, I was getting set to close my office for the year when I got a stirring within me to host a workshop which turned out to be very impactful and life changing. Had I not obeyed, I would have missed the opportunity of being a blessing and deprived those who attended the benefits they derived. The Holy Spirit can cause a stirring within you which could be in the form of an uneasy feeling, a restlessness that you cannot explain, a strong impulse or a deep desire to do a particular thing. What you do after the stirring is important. An activity on your part must immediately follow the stirring for you to accomplish whatever it is that God designed the stirring for.

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had – John 5:2-4

There had to be an activity immediately after the stirring of the pool for the miracle of healing to take place. Someone had to quickly jump into the water. The emphasis was on the immediacy of the action. The Holy Spirit is a gentle spirit who will not force His will on us. When He stirs our hearts and we fail to respond, He leaves us alone and the loss is always ours, not His. When the wine finished at the marriage in Cana, Jesus’ mother said to the servants “whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5).

Towards what do you feel God’s pull this day? Why not jump into the pool immediately. And as you do, may you receive wholeness in that area of your life where you need it most.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: John 2:1-11

Meditation verse:

“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” (John 2:10, NLT).

There was a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. Whilst the celebration was still ongoing, the wine supply ran out. The problem was presented to Jesus. Initially Jesus said His time had not yet come but eventually He turned six pots of water into the sweetest wine anyone had ever tasted. The master of the feast, upon tasting the wine, said to the bridegroom, “everyone sets out the good wine at the beginning of the feast, but you have kept the best wine until now”.

Today’s message is a prophetic word for you in these remaining few days left in the year. Jesus Christ, the Chief Bridegroom and Master planner of your life has kept the best part of this year until now. Wherever you have experienced lack, setbacks, emptiness, frustrations, and loss this year, set out your six empty waterpots of stone because the tides are about to be turned in your favour. If you have invited Jesus Christ into your life, just as He was invited to the wedding celebration, He will fill your emptiness and lack with sweet wine. Psalm 65:11-13 says, “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing”.

Do not cast away your confidence. Everything will be alright in the end, if it is not alright now then it is not the end. God is saying ‘do not put a full stop to what I put a comma’. The year will end on a high note for you. “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, wait until the end.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: Joshua 3: 1-17

Meditation verse:

“And they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it (Joshua 3:3).

The children of Israel were about to cross over the Jordan to the promised land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The officers went through the camp and instructed the people to move only when they see the priests and Levites bearing the ark of the covenant of God. They were to set out from their places only after they had seen the ark, so that they would know the way to go.

The ark of the covenant was a symbol of God’s presence: Yahweh’s presence: His strength and Almightiness.

Today, you do not have the ark with you or the Levites who bear it. But you carry the presence of God inside you, in the person of The Holy Spirit. You are the bearer of the ark. A lot of times, we move ahead with our plans without ‘seeing the ark’, and then we get frustrated, disillusioned, or bitter when things do not go as planned. As we prepare to enter a new year, why not wait till you see the ark? What does “waiting till we see the ark” imply?

It means tarrying in God’s presence and seeking His face concerning His plans for your life in the new year. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”. I have formed the habit of ending each year by tarrying in God’s presence, and most of the projects I embark on as I enter the new year are insights gotten from seeking His guidance.

You also need to study and meditate on God’s word. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). As you study, a particular text may light up before you; it is the Holy Spirit giving you insight.

You can also seek counsel from trusted servants of God. “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it” Joshua 3:3. Ark bearers also symbolize men and women who carry God’s anointing. They can pray with you, seek God’s face on your behalf and counsel you. Proverbs 11:14 says “where there is no advice, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety”. Wait till you see the ark before moving ahead. When you do this, “your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it’. (Isaiah 30:21).

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: 1 Samuel 9 &10

Meditation verse:

“So, when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, ‘there he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people” (1 Sam 9:17).

Israel wanted a king and God had chosen Saul. Now the donkey of Saul’s father, Kish, got missing and he sent Saul to search for it. After three days of searching without any result, Saul said to his servant that it was better they returned, else his father would become worried. But the servant advised that they go to a town to see a seer (Samuel) who could tell them where to find the lost donkey. When they got to the town, Samuel had just arrived and was about to go to the high place for the feast. As they approached Samuel, God told Samuel that Saul was the man He had sent him to anoint as king.

The story of how Saul was anointed king teaches us very important lessons about the ways of God. Firstly, God will always bring His plans to pass, and most times it may not be in the way we expect Him to. Secondly, seemingly ordinary acts of coincidence in our lives may be part of God’s plans to fulfil His purpose in us. And in the cause of fulfilling this purpose, He orchestrates the events of our lives so that we can cross paths with the people who are relevant to our purpose. Thirdly, disappointments, failures and frustrations may sometimes precede a breakthrough. If Kish’s donkey did not get lost, he would not have sent Saul to look for it and if Saul did not go in search of the donkey and fail in his efforts at finding the donkeys, he would not have met Samuel.

Lastly when we have exhausted all our options, then God shows up.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Meditation verse:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

The exact nature of Paul’s infirmity is unknown. But whatever it was, it must have been uncomfortable because he pleaded with God on three occasions to take it away. He seemed desperate to get rid of it. When God in His infinite wisdom refused Paul’s appeal, he did not let the ‘thorn in his flesh’ prevent him from fulfilling his ministry. He recognized God as His true source of strength and knew he could depend on His power to remain effective and useful. By affirming God’s strength, he accepted the reality of his weakness and refused to let it stop him.

There may be situations or challenges or defects in your life that you have been praying for God to intervene, but these have lingered on for years. God in His sovereignty does not always answer us in the ways we desire. He may sometimes permit an uncomfortable situation to remain in your life, to fulfil a particular purpose in His overall plan for your life. For Apostle Paul, it was to prevent him from being puffed up, since he was such an anointed servant of God. What is your thorn of flesh? An infirmity? A reproaching situation? Financial difficulty? A difficult spouse or child?

Whatever it is, be rest assured that if God is permitting a difficult situation to remain in your life, He has already made His grace available to you for that situation. Grace is an enabler that propels you forward even in difficult situations; all you need do is appropriate His grace. And you appropriate God’s grace by repeatedly declaring His strength over that situation and walking in its consciousness by constantly saying: “Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me, Your strength is here to help me in this situation. I depend on it over my weakness. I surrender my will to yours”.

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). As you continue speaking God’s word over that situation, you will be strengthened. Apostle Paul said he takes pleasure in needs, in persecutions and in distresses. Do not let the thorn in your flesh stop you from becoming all you were created for. “For when you are weak, then you are strong in the power of Christ”.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: ROMANS:1-39

Meditation verse:

“O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption” (Psalm 130:7).

God is Almighty, all knowing and full of mercy. With Him is abundant redemption. He always has a redemptive plan for us. When the first man fell in the garden of Eden, God did not have to scratch His head or frantically search for an alternative plan. He knew man to be flesh with futile imagination, so He already had a redemptive plan in place which He unfolded in the fullness of time in the person of our saviour Jesus Christ. His plan was that His son would come into the world, take on the nature of man, suffer and die on the cross; bearing our sins and rise on the third day to redeem mankind from the grip of the enemy.

Wherever you are today; whether overwhelmed with sin, burdened by difficulties, loss, grief, or guilt, God has a back-up plan in place for you. He does not condemn you. The bible says, “He pities those who fear Him as a father pities his children, for He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). If you feel that you have wandered too far away, because of the wrong decisions and choices you made in the past, why not return to the One who is plenteous in mercy, and with whom is abundant redemption? Just as He redeemed Israel from all her iniquities, He will redeem you from all your sins, errors, mistakes, and failures. He will redeem all the wasted years. Here’s His promise over you:

So, I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel. I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. – Joel 2:25-27

God will not change His mind over you. And you shouldn’t either.

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.

By Oke Chinye

Read: Acts 7: 1-57

Meditation verse:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

When faced with a confusing array of challenges, it may be worth your while to remember that God is in control of all things, and in all things, He is working out His perfect plan. Though it may not seem like that to you at that moment. Look at the summary of the sufferings of the patriarchs and the nation of Israel in today’s reading and see how God was working out His perfect plan all the time.

• Vs 2: God called out Abraham to a foreign land.
• Vs 6-8: God told Abraham about the promise and gave him the covenant of circumcision, then he begot Isaac and Isaac begot Jacob and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs amongst whom was Joseph.
• Vs 9: Joseph was sold to slavery into Egypt by his envious brothers.
• Vs 10: But God was with him, and he found favour with Pharoah who made him governor over all.
• Vs 11: A great famine came over all Egypt and Canaan.
• Vs 13: Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for food.
• Vs 14: Joseph was revealed to them, and he sent for his father and all his relatives.
• Vs 17: When the time of God’s promise drew near, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt.
• Vs 18: A king who did not know Joseph arose and dealt treacherously with them.
• Vs 20: Moses was born and got raised by Pharoah’s daughter.
• Vs 29: Moses fled after killing the Egyptian and dwelt in Midian.
• Vs 30: After 40 years, God appeared to him in a burning bush and commissioned him to go set His people free.
• Vs 37: He led them out of Egypt through the wilderness and after 40 years, they eventually got to the promised land. And God’s promise was fulfilled.

God is never late with His promises “for a thousand years in His sight are like yesterday when it is past” (Psalm 90:4). Irrespective of what you are going through today, do not give up. God is at work in your life and in the fullness of time, His perfect plan and promises over your life will surely come to pass.