Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 23:44-45 "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two."_ - NIV 

When Jesus died, these remarkable occurances happened; the sun stopped shining for 3hours and the curtain separating the holy place and holy of holies in the temple tore into two. The holy of holies housed the ark of the covenant (representing God’s presence) and only the high priest was allowed to visit there once every year. This meant access to God was limited under the old covenant. When Jesus died, that access was opened to all. The seperating curtain was torn. Now anyone can access God by the blood and the name of Jesus. We are His and accepted. Hallelujah!

Jesus’ blood reconciled man with God. Sin was the barrier, and created enemity between man and God, but Jesus’ blood and death took care of the sins of man. Now, even the vilest offender who truly believes, is cleansed and justified before a holy God. Reconciliation means renewed fellowship, no condemnation, and being at peace with God as He originally intended at creation. We can now boldly come before God by our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, not fearing that He will reject or condemn us.

Dear friends, in Christ we are at peace with God. We have freedom of expression and can experience His love to the fullest. We are His beloved children and He delights in our communion with Him. Do not allow the deception of the devil make you think like an alien to God your Father. Praise be to God. _

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

As goes the world…

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – NIV

Paul sought to remind the believers in Rome that the new sacrificial system required the offering of ourselves as sacrifices which are still alive. The old system required animal sacrifices for worship. In Christ, we are out of the world system and into God’s kingdom. The believer then is no longer to conform to the pattern of the world under it’s god the devil and it’s way of doing things because he no longer belongs to it.

Although we still live in the world, the Bible teaches that we do not belong to it. One sign of of a deteriorating relationship with God is going back and becoming part of the evil worldly system, and enjoying it. The backsliden believer does everything as the world does. As the world goes, so does he. There is no difference between them and a none believer in thought, word and deed.

Paul urged that the believer be transformed by the renewal of his mind so as to test and know God’s will to guide living to please God. This transformation is from the worldly system into godly thinking. When the church, individually and corporately, reflects more of the world and copying its ways, than reflect Christ and His kingdom principles, something has gone wrong. Returning to God through repentance needs to be emphasized.

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

A form of godliness, denying it’s power

2 Timothy 3:5 “…Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” – KJV

Paul enumerated the several characteristics of the evils of the end times. Among these is people having a semblance of religion and godliness and yet ironically denying the power of the gospel to transform them. This is a state in which people have self styled godliness, talking about God, but the fruit of their lives clearly contradicts their claims. It was the same thing Joshua told Israelites who said they would obey God and yet continuing in idolatry (Josh 24:19-24).

God’s power saves the sinner, transforms from a worldly evil mindset, and enables us to live godly lives pleasing to God. But this power of the Holy Spirit works with our willing submission, humility and obedience to God. To have a form of godliness and yet deny the transforming power of the Holy Spirit which enables us to live godly lives is a contradiction. It can only imply having a form of self created godliness in which God is not at the centre. Such redefine, qualify and justify their ways before God like the Pharisee praying in the temple as he justified himself before God, confident in his own righteousness (Luke 18:9-14).

Today we see so much of this. Many no longer have the fear of God which hates evil (Prov 8:13). They claim to be godly and at the same time living in obvious evil, and yet comfortable with it! This is another sign that they have drifted from away from the God they claim to serve. May God, the searcher of mens hearts, search us. May we also examine ourselves in light of our godliness claims against what actually manifests in our lives. And where we have fallen short, let’s return to God in repentance.

Proverbs 14:14 “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Rituals without Relationship (31/1/2022)

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices– mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law– justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” – NIV

Jesus was addressing the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. It was one of those hard talks in which the Lord rebuked the hypocrisy of the religious folks of the day. He spoke seven woes. The one in the scripture above related to how their religion had gravitated to mere rituals without a relationship with God. They were now more focused on performance of outward activities of their religion(more to be seen by men), but had ignored what the God they claimed to serve valued most. Religious outwardly, but without a living relationship with God! Jesus called them hypocrites.

A lot of times, as we go through routine activities supposed to enhance our devotion to God, we end up doing them as a tradition but the spirit is lost. We pray, fast, read the bible, attend church and participate in other religious activities, dress, talk and generally look devout, but the heart has lost connection with God. When this happens, we are into rituals without a relationship with God. God wants us to relate intimately with Him beyond the usual rituals of our routine religious activities. He looks into the state of the heart, and that is what reflects our true standing with Him.

What is your current state with God? Many claim to be in right standing with God just because they attend church, are active members in a particular religious sect, adhere to the requirements of their faith, pray, give thithe and offertory, support the needy, do good, etc. But their hearts are not right with God. It’s fine to do some of these, but not neglect the true state of your heart with God. Get back to loving God with all your heart.

Isaiah 29:13 “The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Familiarisation and Contempt of God!

Malachi 1:6-7 “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. “It is you priests who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ “By offering defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ “By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible.” – NIV

Prophet Malachi was rebuking the unprecedented levels of dishonor that the people had shown to God. God used day to day examples of a son honouring the father and a servant honouring his master. But to God Almighty who deserved all the honour from His people, even the priests had led the way in disrespecting Him. And God asks, ‘Where is the honour due to me as your God and Master?’ This contempt of God manifested through defiling the altar with animals not worth for sacrifice; the blind and lame.

It has been said familiarisation breeds contempt. To familiarise someone is to take them unseriously, despise them, ignore them, disobey with ease and have no priority for them. This happens when God’s people seem to treat God like their equal, dont take His commands seriously, disobey and ignore Him, don’t tremble at His words and take His corrections, rebukes and warnings lightly. There is no reverent fear of God in their hearts any more. Like Samson, they engage in willful sin and think God will always be there for them despite their stubbornness! (Judges 16:20).

Even today, some of those who profess God’s name show utmost disrespect to His holy name without remorse! Some treat God like their servant whom they can just order around to do whatever they want Him to do! Even with full knowledge of God’s word, will and instruction, they easily disobey to defend and protect their egos and selfish interests. They steal, murder, hate, abuse and pull others down, use the altar to manipulate and destroy others, even while calling on the name of God! May God heal us from this! While there is opportunity, let’s repent and return to God!

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

Jeremiah 5:22-23 Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;  they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

I know and have these things…

Revelation 3:15-17 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” – NIV

They felt they had arrived. They told themselves that they were now rich and wealthy and didn’t need anything anymore. They lost their thirst and hunger after God and saw no need to seek Him. But in God’s eyes, they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked! Because of that, the church in Laodicea became detestably lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, to their Master who would best spit them out unless they repented of this attitude. They developed the attitude of the rich young fool in Jesus’ parable who thought material wealth was everything (Luke 12:18-21).

A clear sign that one is retrogressing rather than progress is to think they now know and have it all and despise or refuse to learn. They criticise others, seeing how he is better than them, and settle for what they already have and in the process, lose even the little they had got. Their pride blinds them to anything new God is doing, ideally cutting them off a living relationship with God. They dwell on, and boast about their past glory and achievements with no new experiences with God. Now blind!

How often the experienced, older, knowledgeable, famous fall into this trap! Escape comes from the realisation that no one knows everything alone. God is ever doing new and better things. We can never exhaust His vast treasures, however great revelations you have so far acquired. Acknowledging this in humility always keeps us at the feet of Jesus, going deeper as we learn from Him Who is meek and lowly in heart. It also gives the right attitude of love and respect, never despising others. May God help us!

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Back to the vomit!

2 Peter 2:20-22 “If people have escaped from the corrupting forces of the world through their knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and then are again caught and conquered by them, such people are in a worse state at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been much better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than to know it and then turn away from the sacred command that was given them. What happened to them shows that the proverbs are true: “A dog goes back to what it has vomited” and “A pig that has been washed goes back to roll in the mud.” – GNB

Being in Christ makes one escape the corruption of the world, all its evils and ways. But Peter addressed false teachers who had had known the Lord, but turned back from Him and were in a more dangerous state than they were before they came to Christ. They went back to their former ways as a dog goes back to its vomit or a washed pig going back to wallow in the mud.

As Jesus pointed out, whoever turns from God gets more demons than they had before, making their state worse than it was (Matt 12:43-45). All this is brought about by the decisions people make to continue in the Lord or not. God has made every provision for us to stand in the faith and not fall away regardless of the magnitude of the trials we face. To give in and be lured back into the world is a choice. God’s grace is sufficient to sustain even in most painful situations of life.

Choose to remain in the Lord and not go back to the detestable wicked ways of the world. Paul stated that nothing in all creation shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ(Rom 8:38-39). Should you fall victim, return to the Lord. He promised to forgive and heal our backsliding. He committed not to lose any who are in Him. He prayed and continues to interceed for us to stand. We can stand till the end.

Hebrews 10:38-39 “My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back,  I will not be pleased with him.” We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Samuel 14:6 "Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”_ - NIV 

Israel was in an awkward situation. The philistines in their thousands had come to attack. King Saul wasn’t prepared. They had no weapons except Saul and Jonathan. His army greatly panicked and went into hiding. It was a sure defeat in waiting for them. But Jonathan and his armor bearer decided to take a huge risk by showing themselves up to their enemies and trusting God to save Israel through them. Just the two of them with God against multitudes! And great victory came.

Sometimes we have to step out in faith and venture into what we believe is in God’s will against the odds. If Jonathan had not trusted God and taken that step without the knowledge of his father Saul, the whole nation would have suffered defeat. If we are to wait for all factors to be favorable before we launch out, we might wait indefinitely. Afew with God is unmatched. As Jonathan noted, God can safe with a few or with many. Nothing can hinder Him.

But for this to happen, one has to take a step and act. Peter could not have walked on water until he stepped out. The Red sea and Jordan river parted when Israel stepped on them. The lepers couldnt have seen a miraculous provision if they didnt risk their lives. We may never know what God can accomplish in and through us until we overcome fear, take the steps and then see God act. So many are frozen and paralyzed with fear. Dreams and projects have died as a result. If you know what needs to be done is in God’s will and time, take a step. You lose nothing by trying it out._

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."_

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 22:12-13 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – NIV

The last book of the Bible was coming to a close as John heard in the ending part of the revelation at the island of Patmos. Alot had been shown to John of the events that would mark and characterise the end of the age. And then the emphatic words with absolute clarity, from the highest authority in the universe came forth, “Behold, I am coming soon!”

The ‘soon’ Jesus talked about has been misinterpreted, from human perspective, to mean delay 2000 years later. But God’s timing is not our timing, as we understand time. The bible also gives the reason for the seeming delay as God giving everyone opportunity to come to Him and be saved(2 Peter 3:9). The Scriptures also give us signs that point to the end of the age and the imminent return of Jesus. We would do well to study these signs by looking at what is happening in our world today and comparing with Bible prophecy.

As we watch these signs today, it’s no doubt that we are closer than we can imagine to the coming of Jesus. We may not know the day or hour, but the signs will show us how close it is. And the warning to all is to be ready! Jesus said He is coming with rewards to give to each one according to their works. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. We can therefore rely on His words and take them seriously and live with this awareness every moment.

It won’t be long before we hear the trumpet sound. Jesus is coming back! Are you ready if He came now?

Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Revelation 22:7,20 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book…”He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”_NIVAfter God made all the good things in creation, he made Adam. Still the man was incomplete. And God Himself said so. God created man, male and female, in His own image. He gave them dominion to rule over His creation (Gen 1:26-28). Man and woman are co-heirs in God’s kingdom. Without woman, man cannot fulfill his creation mandate from God. Both were made in God’s image, in the likeness of God. These are profound truths God set from the beginning. After the fall of man, the devil manipulated and twisted God’s original intention in the minds of men, making woman seem inferior and subordinate to man. He has done this through cultures and traditions of men down the millennia. To date, millions of women around the world are treated as inferior beings, sex objects and slaves, dependant on men, less than men, less deserving, and subjected to many dehumanising practices. Many girls grow up thinking that is what they are made for!The desire to break lose from these oppressive demonic vices and enable women realise and live out their God given potential, gave rise to women emancipation movements, special day to recognise women, women representation in governments, and a host of other women groups and organisations fighting for women rights. Until you experience your freedom in God, these fall short good as they are.The rise of women into various positions of influence in governments, church and society has proved the worth and abilities they have to co-manage with man. Whereas Jesus did not appoint women to be among the twelve disciples, it’s no doubt He valued them contrary the Jewish traditions then, and women were very much behind His successful ministry, upto the cross, at the resurrection and at the upper room when the church was being ushered into the world. Woman, you are special to God and in His creation work and the world. Jesus came to restore the dignity of women. In Him you find your true position and liberty. Rise up, walk with your head high and take your place in humility and respect in society and the church. _Galatians 3:26-28 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”_Shalom children of God. Happy women’s day.