Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 3:1-3 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” – NIV

The psalms are free and honest expressions of the heart to God. God encourages us to be free as we pour out what’s within to Him. Here, David acknowledges before God how many were against him, speaking ill of him and downplaying his trust in God. That’s what others said. But David reaffirmed who God was to him despite what others said; a shield around him, his glory and the lifter of his head.

People will always say what they think and wish about us. Some are out of good motives, and others out of evil intentions. But what we know and believe about the faithfulness of God to us matters most. It should be settled in us that God is our shield of protection all around, our glory and lifter of our heads. A bowed head depicts shame, defeat, hopelessness and lack of confidence. When God lifts our heads, He is giving us assurance of His protection, glory and presence.

The opinions and comments of others can drain confidence and strength out of us. Many have been crushed and given up on life because of what they heard. As we acknowledge God, He takes away shame, brightens our face and we face life confidently despite those who hate and don’t wish us well. He makes us walk with our heads high and enjoy life under His unfailing care and love as we trust Him. May He lift your bowed head and cheer you up!

Psalm 27:1-3 “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes  who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 3:19-21 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” – NIV

Jesus was responding to Nichodemus in his dilemma of what it means to be born again. He is the light and truth of the world. But people still reject the light and truth because they prefer to continue in their evil ways. This is a key reason behind people refusing to come to God and walk in the light. They may claim to be free outside God, but in reality, they are in bondage to their evil ways.

No one does what is evidently evil openly and freely except for those who have killed their conscience over time. It’s the reason evil is hatched in secret and in the cover of darkness. Because the conscience is accusing the person, they try to run away from the truth by hiding evil. And that is futile. There is no greater slavery than to one’s conscience. You cant run away from it. It’s always with you. But if one is walking in the light and truth, there is no shame or need to hide or cover up things. Truth liberates and puts us at ease.

Jesus is the truth. All in Him are set free from the accusing conscience. Many are living in so much internal torment unknown to those around them. They cover up these feelings with artificial smiles, much activity, doing good works, but still not free within. The remedy is to come God as you are, allow Him cleanse your evil ways, so that you are truly free both within in your conscience and externally. There will be no fear.

John 8:32 “…Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

“Seek the LORD while you can find him.  Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” Isaiah 55:6-7 (NLT)

There is a tendency for many people to take easy or postpone certain actions and decisions with a feeling that there is still time. Because of this, many opportunities are lost, remorseful regrets experienced later in life, and destinies affected, some of them eternally! This is true in every aspect of life, our relationship with God inclusive. There are many people who look back with much regrets at lost chances. Worse still, will be the eternal regret for those who are now postponing, or ignoring their commitment to God!

God still pleads with us to seek Him while He can be found, call while He is near. This call will not be so forever. A time comes when it’s not possible to call or seek and find Him any more!. Even those in God who keep disobeying or postponing what God tells them to do in His service, should rethink their ways. Hear what David said; “… Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgement.” Psalm 32:5-6 (NLT)

Apostle Paul wrote about the same; “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ÑLT)

And Jesus, about the irresponsible unprepared virgins at His coming, had this to say; “… Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” Matthew 25:10 (NLT)

So, while there is still time and opportunity to give your life to Jesus, be reconciled, and start a relationship with God, and to serve Him, make use of it NOW. One day, it will not be there. It will be too late!

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 12:3-5 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – NIV

Everyone has a perception of themselves. This assessment is based on several factors, internal and external to the person. These factors give identity and thus a corresponding view of oneself in relation to others. That’s how inferiority or superiority comes about. Key to the right perception of ourselves is the identity every believer finds in Christ. That’s what defines us.

Paul cautioned the Roman believers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought, that is, in pride and self exaltation. Instead, they were to think with sober objective judgement of who they really are before God according to the faith He has given each. The context was about gifts. Comparison with others to be seen as greater or lesser isn’t from God, because we are not the same, just as every body part is different from another. If by being different one thinks they are better or lesser, that’s not sober judgement.

We are all different by God’s design. And we are all important in our respective categories and functioning. Being more popular or visible doesn’t make one more important than the silent behind the scenes person. Our view of ourselves should be based on what God says of us, and the measure of faith He gave each one. Living life in appreciation of this fact is sober judgement. Any view below or above that isn’t of God. Different as we are, we all belong to each other.

1 Corinthians 12:6,24-25 “There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work… But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 4:8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – NIV

Paul was coming to the end of his earthly life and ministry. Having fought the good fight, run the race with much perseverance, endured so much and gave himself wholly to the service of his Lord, he now prepared for his departure. Whereas this would be sad for others, to Paul it was a glorious time, as he looked forward to his crown and award by none other than the Lord he faithfully served. It was not only to him, but to all who similarly serve God and await His appearance.

Such is the glorious hope every believer has beyond the pains, distress, trials and sufferings of this life. It’s the expectation and joy ahead that sustained Jesus despite much suffering. It’s what enabled the apostles go through unimaginable sufferings but remained faithful and hopeful. Whatever it is we may have to endure in the present life, the weight of glory that awaits us is incomprehensible and incomparable.

Child of God, never lose heart. Press on alittle more, God supplying the strength and grace. Resist the attempts of the enemy to fall off the race. In a little while, our Lord will appear. Great is the reward for our labours for Him in this life. It will be joy and peace unspeakable. Fix your eyes on what lies ahead. Remain true and faithful to Him. Do not be swayed by the temporary and fading quick fixes and relief which leads astray from God.

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 4:6-7 “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.””

Abel and his brother Cain had both brought offerings to God. God accepted Abel’s animal offerings but rejected Cain’s crop offerings. This made Cain angry and led him to committing the first murder in the Bible by killing his brother. Cain became jealousy of his brother. Noting his anger, God asked him why he was angry instead of dealing with the problem. Sin was overtaking him, and he needed to take action to control it.

This happens many times when jealousy and envy controls people. Instead of ask what they did to get what happened, they see others as the problem and want to blame them. But that doesn’t solve the problem. Whenever you get upset because others are succeeding, or they were favoured and you were not, remember such things don’t just happen. It’s what you do that makes you accepted or not as God told Cain.

Our reaction to life occurrences are red flags we should watch. Don’t ignore those bouts of anger, jealousy, temper, lustful eyes, boasting, need for attention, thoughts of revenge, hatred, worldly attractions, etc. If not addressed, they lead to worse actions as it did for Cain who eventually killed his brother. It is sin crouching to take hold and master you. Paul taught that sin should not control our lives. God has given us power to overcome sin through Christ. But we have a responsibility to deal with it through that power given to us. Watch the red flags in your life!

Romans 6:12-14 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Shalom children of God.