Author: james chasez

When it’s time to move, move

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 1.6-8 “The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites… See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers– to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob– and to their descendants after them.””

In their journey from Egypt to Canaan, the land of promise and plenty, the Israelites had stopped at Horeb. They settled for long untill God told them to break camp and advance towards their land of promise. Even with all the many people’s who still occupied the land, the Lord’s word was clear; “I have given you this land”! God had sworn hundreds of years earlier to give them that land. It was therefore God’s business to remove the settlers and establish them in the land. Theirs was to go in and take possession.

We sometimes settle before our promised destinations/expectations for various reasons. It may be that the current location and situation looks good enough. At times we are not certain of what lies ahead, so we better grab and settle for what is at hand. We may even be tired of fighting, waiting and trying especially when the promise appears too far and resistance so fierce. The longer we are in some state, the more we adjust and come to accept it as the norm. And before we know, we are okay with it. Sometimes even the past begins to be appealing again, as did the Israelites when they longed for what they left in Egypt. Early settlement is the beginning of backsliding and a hindrance to progress.

However good or tough the present may be, God always has something better ahead. Every blessing or trial at present is only meant to enable us get to our actual destiny. He has made promises to us. He is taking us somewhere. When we settle for what is presently looking good, we miss the best ahead. We should keep moving, however slow it may seem. Have you settled for less in your walk with God? Has the present blurred your vision of what lies ahead? Purpose to break camp and disturb the status quo. Great glories await yonder.

Shalom children of God.

When sin becomes utterly horrible

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 8:13 “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”

Why do people love sin? Because they have not seen sin from the perspective of a holy God. Seeing things from God’s perspective starts with the fear of God. And when His fear is perfected in us, we will hate evil the way He does. Sin is distasteful to God, and it should be so to us who profess His name.

Many people claim to fear and honor God. But their lives and conduct shows the opposite. When Isaiah saw the LORD God in His glory, he began to abhor sin. He confessed it even before God could point it out to him. When Paul met Christ, the things he used to treasure all of a sudden became like rubbish. In Romans 7:22-25, he expressed how he struggled with sin in his body, while deep within he knew the right things to do. Many go through this kind of struggle.

The reason some continue in sin, secret or open, despite their claims to know and love God is because they haven’t experienced God in His holiness. When you do, sin becomes utterly horrible. You will loathe what you once enjoyed. You will hate it and desire only righteousness, truth and justice, whatever the price You might pay for them. You will live a life that honors God as His character of holiness fills you. I pray you see sin from God’s perspective and hate it the way He does.

Shalom children of God.

Walking by Faith

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 5.7 “We live by faith, not by sight.”

Faith is so central to the Christian faith that literally everything we do in our lives centres around it. Our walk with God starts, is sustained and will be accomplished by faith. Hebrews 11:6 declares that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

We all live by things we physically see or not. What we see is the tangible material things which are temporary. What we don’t see are the intangible, deep convictions, values, principles and beliefs which actually sustain and make us what we become. Although we don’t see God, still we believe in His existence and great abilities to accomplish what is impossible to us.

To emphasize the importance of faith, Jesus dramatically demonstrated by cursing a tree which didn’t have fruit He wanted to eat. When His disciples were mesmerized, He began to teach them saying, “Have faith in God… “(Mark 11:22). He would always look out for faith in those who sought His healing and help.
To live by faith means to have our lives anchored, guided and established on God Who is unseen, hope in His sure word and promises, knowing and believing that He is true to them – despite the raging storms. It means to look beyond what our eyes and senses see and feel now. The devil wants us to focus more on the physical storms, failures, etc to kill faith. But beyond that, God has a different report. That is the walk of faith God called us to.

Shalom children of God. Have a peaceful productive week.

Hope in Death

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)

The subject of death, for some people, would rather be left out because of the painful memories of lose of loved ones, the uncertainties and fears of what lies yonder. And yet it is a reality we are destined for as the scripture above states. It comes in different forms and timing for everyone. The bible calls it the last enemy to be defeated. Except for those who will be alive at the coming of the Lord who will be transformed, the rest of humanity will face physical death.

The bible says our lives on earth may take 70 to 80 years(Psalm 90:10). Afew others spend less or more than that. This is so short a time compared to eternity. In the quest for comfortable meaningful lives, people struggle, fight, cheat, kill and oppress, instead of love, forgive, support and live in harmony with one another. And yet some of these things we seek elude us. And soon we are gone to face our Creator.

Friends, death is inevitable for every mortal human. One day, our lives on earth will come to an end. But we must know it’s not the end. It’s a transition from mortality into immortality and eternity (in heaven or hell). This life is temporary, a preparation for eternity, time without end. Everyone would do well to utilise time on earth to adequately prepare for their next eternal destination. The best form of preparation is to live a life that honors God our Creator before Whom we shall all stand in judgment to give account. To the believer in Christ, death is a glorious expectation to be much looked up to. To those who reject His ways, its a dreadful eternal expectation!

Psalm116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints.”

1 Thessalonians 4.13 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope… ”

Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Shalom children of God.

No Longer for Ourselves

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 5.15 “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – NIV

We were created by God to serve His purposes on earth. When sin came into the human race, this original intention and purpose of God for our existence was distorted. The desires, plans and actions of men’s hearts were corrupted and inclined to evil most of the time, and not to their Creator. Paul laboured to explain how God is in the business of reconciling humanity to Himself through Jesus Christ. To do this, Jesus had to die on our behalf so that we should no longer live for ourselves, but for God.

In His death, Jesus died for all, whether they believe in Him yet or not. The redemption price was paid and we can only be reconciled to God through our faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6.19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

No longer living for ourselves means having a constant awareness that He bought us with His own blood, and put the Holy Spirit in us. We belong to Him, and by implication should be doing what honours Him. Everyone then, should understand and purposefully live for God. We should resist the forces that want to drive us to the contrary. Our will, choices and commitment should be geared towards God. For whom do you live – self interests, other people or God?

Shalom children of God.

How Long, O Lord? Why?

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalms 6.2-4 “Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?
Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” – NIV

A prayer of David. His enemies troubled his heart. He had wept and groaned until his eyes grew weak. But the God to Whom he cried seemed to delay to answer. He was fainting in anticipation for delayed answers. He now asks God for how long this would go on. His body was giving way, almost to death. Things appeared bleak and uncertain.

Many a time we face similar scenarios. The situations of life taunt us. Things are not working out as they ought to. Sometimes it is one challenge after another in continuous succession. We wonder what’s wrong, pray to God and seek His intervention, and He seems quiet. Those who don’t wish us well celebrate as we struggle with no earthly solution coming our way. And the inevitable question comes through; Lord why and for how long will you allow this in my life, family, business, career… ? How long more O Lord?

It’s at such tough times that our minds become very susceptible to satanic manipulations of doubt in the love, faithfulness, goodness and care of God. When God seems not to answer, He hasn’t denied us. He means well for us even in delays. In His omniscience, He knows why and when the best time to respond to us is. One assurance we have from His unfailing word is that He answers every prayer we make in accordance with His word. Hang in there dear child of God, He will answer you in the best way and time known to Him. It’ll be well.

Psalm 27:13-14 “[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” KJV

Shalom children of God.

Meditations on God’s Protection

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalms 91
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” – NIV

Shalom children of God. Enjoy His assured protection

No Confidence in the Flesh

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Philippians 3.3-4 “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh–
though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more… ”

Heretic teachers taught about physical circumcision for the gentile Christians as part of the requirements for ‘proper’ salvation and worship of God. Paul cautioned the Philippians about them and added that true worship of God happened by the Holy Spirit. It’s not about our works. He noted that actual circumcision is of the heart, a change that comes through repentance. When enumerating the things he once gloried in, Paul mentioned circumcision as one of the religious rituals he underwent. But God now requires us to worship Him in truth and spirit, not by performance of rituals.

There are many religious activities people do as fulfilment for acceptance to God and as acts of worship. These accomplishments in the flesh trigger pride and self confidence that people like to boast about, or self condemnation when they fail to perform them. But these accomplishments in the body, without God are futile. It’s what Jesus does in us that we can pride in. He Himself said without Him, we in our own efforts can do nothing (John 15:5). In our human acts without God, nothing good can come out because of the fallen nature of man. And we cannot trust in our selves to please and bring Him glory. Isaiah said our self righteousness is like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6).

At the end, we need to come to a point of total reliance and surrender to God’s working in and through us. Does this mean passive resignation to God as we do nothing? Absolutely not. We are to live in acknowledgment of our dependence on Him, and to do whatever we do by His grace and guidance. Even the best of human knowledge, abilities, endeavors and efforts are limited. We need Him.

Proverbs 3.5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Shalom children of God. Have a blessed week

More than All the Treasures of this Life!

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philipians 3:7-8 KJV )

Apostle Paul enumerated several qualities, privileges and accomplishments that could make him proud of himself. He was a very religious Pharisee in the strictest sense, well educated under some of the best scholars of his day, very knowlegeable and zealous for the law, prominent, and a host of other proud achievements attached to His name. He was a very successful man by any standards of his day.

But his story and perspective totally changed one day on the Damascus road when he encountered Christ Jesus in His glory. The things he formerly treasured and was proud of, now appeared like dung to him compared to the surpassing knowledge of Jesus. He found something far greater, more glorious than any earthly treasure he had known before; knowing Jesus Christ the Lord. Henceforth, anything else didn’t matter, including his own life. No wonder he declared in Romans 8:38-39; “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He had seen the King of glory. Nothing could stand in his way any more.

Many of our struggles for achievement and recognition in life are so that we can feel good, fulfilled and probably live happy lives. Noble as these may be, it’s important to know that there is something far greater, splendid and more satisfying than them: finding and making Jesus the Lord of your life. He gives joy, peace, meaning and purpose to life that no earthly treasure can give. The glories of this life that we admire excite but alittle. They don’t meet the deepest human need that only God our Creator gives.

Friends, in Christ Jesus is hidden all treasures of knowledge and wisdom, peace and joy unknown to those outside Him, or operating superficially in Him. The best of the best that this world offers, that people spent their entire lives on, is but a climpse into the vast treasures God has for us in Christ Jesus. The day you truly discover it, you will understand why Paul spoke the way he did. And the good news is that it’s accessible to anyone who chooses the Lordship of Jesus over their lives and continues in Him. You can do now wherever you are.

• Shalom children of God. Have a great Sunday Continue reading “More than all the treasures of this world”