Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - NIV

God never asks us to do what He doesn’t do. He asks us to give because He Himself is a giver. The greatest gift He gave humanity is His Son Jesus out of great love for man. Jesus in turn gave His life, laying it down for us all. He said there is no greater love than for one to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Having fully paid the price for our eternal redemption and salvation, anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Every giving in whichever form should be motivated by love. By responding in love and compassion to give, we become an extension of God to those we give; to the poor and needy, towards just causes and with our time to those who need comfort and strength. By so doing, your hands become God’s giving hand, your resources become His and your life becomes a true reflection of a compassionate generous God towards others.

To become a giver like God, we should have His kind of heart, driven by His principles and passions, and see things as He sees them. He is just, righteous, generous and loving. Those are some of the qualities we should reflect as we give. It is then that our giving will align with His will and glorify His name. This brings untold joy and pleasure to God’s heart as His resources entrusted to us are used to promote His kingdom. Will you be an extension of His heart?

Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Samuel 16:7 "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - NIV

Prophet Samuel was sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to replace king Saul whom God had rejected. At Jesse’s home, Samuel’s attention was taken by Eliab, a tall and well built man with a good appearance. But God stopped Samuel from anointing him, because he was taken by his physique. The rejection went on for all the sons of Jesse present to the surprise of Samuel. Then he asked Jesse if these were all. David the last born, who was out looking after the sheep, was quickly sent for and accepted by God. Later God described David as a man after His heart.

Such are the mistakes we humans make. We are often taken by the outward appearance of things. Men may hide their true identity, pretend and appear to others as what they really are not. This explains why, contrary to what we know about people and things, God’s view and report may be totally different. His ways are not our ways, nor our thoughts His thoughts.

God looks beyond the physical into the heart of people because that is where their true character, which stands the test of time, lies. God is not taken up outward excitement. He cannot be mocked nor hoodwinked. All people He chose and trusted for His purposes, were chosen because of their heart inclination. Some of these didn’t even believe in themselves when God called and assigned them, because they judged themselves from human point of view. A heart after God counts to Him more than anything else.

Jeremiah 17:10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

Shalom children of God.

What do you wish done to you? (R)(19/6/2023)

Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." - NIV

Everyone wishes good to be done to them, including those who harm others. We want nice things and nice words of compliments and appreciation. We love to live in peace and harmony among family, friends, workmates and in community. Most times we expect others to do this for us. It appears like it’s their responsibility to do so, not us. When they don’t do it, they are on the wrong and we quickly blame them without thinking of what we have done on our part.

But Jesus teaches a very basic, simple principle to achieving what you desire: begin by giving it out. Set the pace by doing it. It may not be fully reciprocated, but certainly it will come back. Instead of hate, why not love. If you want peace, be peaceful. Jesus said we should do this in EVERYTHING. Apostle Paul reiterated the same principle when he said, “Do not be decieved:God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what He sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8). This may not always be easy, but it’s God’s way.

Sow good seed even if the environment pushes you to do bad. Revenge, paying evil for evil, only promotes evil in the world. That is why most problems in the world continue. But individuals, communities and nations who apply this principle reap the benefits of healing, reconciliation and peace. This however doesn’t mean wrong doing shouldn’t be punished. The laws of the land take care of that. Do your part.

We reap what we sow. We get back what we give! Purposefully give what you wish to get back.

Shalom children of God.

Hypocrisy is distasteful! (R) (5/7/2023)

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."

A hypocrite is a person who says one thing, but means another in their hearts. They claim to love, but in their hearts they actually hate. They appear genuine and yet dishonest. What their mouths speak is different from what is in their hearts. That’s how Israel was, singing and worshipping God with their mouths, and yet God saw totally detached hearts. They had settled for rules of men in worshipping God. That was a mismatch.

To God, what matters is what is in the heart, not what the mouth speaks, unless the two match. What is in one’s heart reflects the real character of the person and that’s what God prefers. So many profess and invoke God’s name in their lips, claim to fear Him but their hearts are far from it. No wonder the fruit of their lives shows a different person.

God prefers that we reflect who we really are, and not remain in between. The sharp rebuke to the church in Laodecea shows how distasteful a lukewarm state is to Him. We would rather be hot or cold. God, the searcher of men’s hearts, knows each one of us as we really are before Him. Not everyone who says to Him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. There are those who claim to love God and yet living their own ways. God calls us to be honest before Him. What would He say of you?

Revelation 3:15-16 "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…"

Shalom children of God.

Learn from Noah’s story! (23/7/2023)

Matthew 24:37 - 38 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."

Jesus was teaching about His coming back. He uses the example of Noah’s days. Noah preached repentance, asking people to turn to God. People despised him. They took him to be foolish, building an ark in preparation for a flood they thought was never going to be real. It took many years. People went on with life as usual and ignored Noah. But reality hit when the flood came and swept them away. It was too late!

And so will it be towards Jesus’ second coming. Many will think it is not real. They will move on with life normally, celebrating, marrying, making money and wealth, and all other life matters. And Jesus will suddenly come and for many, it will be too late to mend ways with God. The business of life makes them forget about the coming of the Lord and the end of the age. It is life as usual!

Jesus’ conclusion to this teaching is, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matt 24:42). It is a call to constant awareness, alertness and soberness of mind. Don’t allow the usual businesses of life make you spiritually sleep and dull your sensitivity to what is about to happen as it did to people in Noah’s days! Those who never responded were shut out and perished!

Matthew 24:44 "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Shalom children of God

Dare to believe! (R) (20/6/2023)

Matthew 14:28-31 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" - NIV

Jesus had sent the disciples ahead of Him while He remained on the mountain side to pray into the night. The wind had disturbed them and they didn’t make much progress. And by the fourth watch in the night (between 3-6am) Jesus comes walking on the water. They were too afraid, thinking He was a ghost. When they learnt it was Jesus, Peter asked to join him walking on the water, to which Jesus readily agreed and called him. Briefly though, Peter walked on the water because he believed Jesus’ word.

So much has God given us in His word. Peter says they are “… very great and precious promises…”(2Peter 1:4). These are His commitments to us covering every aspect of our human needs. Nothing was left out of what we will ever need to live the kind of life God meant for us. We only need to believe and claim them. God takes His own word seriously. He is true and faithful to it. Whatever He promised He will fulfill. Whatever He said, He will do. He doesn’t lie.

One day, after Jesus had preached to the people from the seashore using Peter’s boat, He told Peter to launch the net into the water to fish. It was day, and Peter, knowing it was not normal to fish during day, told Him they had fished the whole night and caught nothing.  “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.“( Luke 5:5). Believing Jesus’ word, they caught so much fish that they were shocked.

Dear child of God, dare to believe His word even if it appears ilogical. Therein awaits your victory and miracle. If we can trust people who may fail, why not a God Whose word is absolutely reliable?

Shalom children of God.

The sad end of hypocrisy! (6/7/2023)

Luke 12:1-3 "…“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." - NIV

Jesus had just severely rebuked the Pharisees for their religious hypocrisy. What they did was for a physical show of piety but inside their hearts was a different story. They did under the cover of the law, their religious beliefs and traditions. But Jesus saw their true motives. They even plotted to kill Him contrary to the law they claimed to uphold. All of it would be revealed for what it really was; pretense and lies!

Hypocrisy is pretense, hiding true motives and presenting something else. People pretend to be honest and committed to what is true, right and just, but deep within carry different and evil intentions. The talk in secret is different from what is shown publicly. Jesus said all these will be revealed.

Hypocrisy is not sustainable. Its danger is that it brings much shame at the end when its coverings give way. It is deceptive, hollow and leaves those who love it hanging. And they will be cast away. Remember Gehazi!

We may cover up things, lie and succeed with people. But God Who sees all that people think, plan, say and do, in secret and in the open knows the truth even if we use His name to make it appear ‘sacred’. He calls us to walk in truth, love, honesty and in the light with each other. We are warned to be aware and to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. It defiles our true relationship with God. That’s double dealing with God and Satan. Over to you!

Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Shalom children of God.