Category: Daily Devotionals

Confidence amidst uncertainty (R) (25/7/2023)

Psalms 23:4-5 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." - NIV

Our world is becoming more and more uncertain, unpredictable and unsafe. We’re faced with several unprecedented occurrences, both made man and acts of nature. As men struggle for power and control, and insatiable quest for resources, very catastrophic decisions are made. This is made worse by the increase of evil which rules many people’s hearts.

But to any believer in God and bible student, whatever we face now shouldn’t be a surprise. God, Who sees the end from the begining, already alerted us about these things, meant to signify closeness to the end of the age. They will get worse as we see their rapid fulfillment. Jesus warned His disciples about these, and told them, “See, I have told you ahead of time.”(Matt 24:25). These were recorded so that when they happen, we shouldn’t be overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty like others who have no idea what’s happening.

Can one be so confident amidst such uncertainties? Yes. David said even if he went through the valley of the shadows of death, he wouldn’t fear because God was with him. And that’s our confidence too, that God is with us, and we will fear no evil outcome of the terrible times. He is present and protects us. We can celebrate before our enemies, knowing they have no power over us. Cheer up child of God. It’s well with us in Christ. To those not in Christ yet, I strongly urge them to give their lives to Him, even now.

Isaiah 3:10-11 "Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done."

Shalom children of God. It’s well

Now we see and know in part (R) (26/7/2023)

1 Corinthians 13:9,10,12 "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears…Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." - NIV

One of the disturbing things in our relationship with God is thinking we have got something right, only for it to manifest very differently. For example, we know His will about healing, His various promises about provision, protection, or other aspects of life. But believe and act as we may, sometimes the exact opposite happens and we are left wondering, like Mary and Martha, Paul or Job, whether God failed us or something went wrong.

Paul was comparing the present and what is yet to be on the other side of eternity. We are still in the imperfect, where we see poorly, know and prophesy(speak forth) only in part as far as is revealed. What is revealed to us now is only a glimpse of the whole. Being in Christ and in the faith, but still living in this sin-laden and broken world, leaves us affected by the effects of the fall in many ways. But a day will come when imperfect will be replaced by the perfect, then we shall see clearly and fully understand why.

As this stands, there will be many things we will not know fully here in this life. We will still have questions without answers about them. God may remain silent and only supply sufficient grace to carry us through them. It doesn’t mean He enjoys seeing us suffer, or has failed, or that you sinned for certain strange things to happen to you. In His Sovereignty and wisdom beyond our own, He knows why. Let’s not give up.

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Shalom children of God.

Develop the Berean spirit (R) (13/7/2023)

Acts:17.11 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." - NIV

We live in a period of time characterized by much counterfeit and deception. It’s the time Jesus said evil will abound and the love of many will grow cold. People now call good evil, and evil good. Sin has been so trivialized, and holiness and righteousness, to many, is becoming a thing of the past.

Alternative religious beliefs which suit the interests of the time are fast taking shape, seeking to edge out God. It’s that time when many people’s ears itch to hear what they want, not what they need to hear. And many false teachers are riding on such to win followers to themselves. Amidst all these, serious seekers of God are given a way out to find truth for themselves.

The Bereans are commended in the scripture above for not only eagerly recieving the message, but taking time to examine the scriptures for themselves daily. They did this to prove whether what Paul said was true or not. Neither did Paul object to that. With the great teachings, eloquence of speech accompanied by the miracles performed, they still went back to confirm this truth. The Thessalonians took in whatever Paul said without question. The Bereans went an extra mile to confirm. And they were commended.

Friends, this is what we all ought to be doing daily to be safe from falsehoods so common in our day. Get to the word of God for yourself. Whatever we recieve from anyone, regardless of title, position or whatever credentials they hold, must be examined against the eternal truth of God’s word. Go beyond the miracles or other signs you see. Many have fallen and continue to fall victims of error because they don’t labour to examine what they hear with God’s word! Yet not everyone preaching is from God or teaching the whole truth. You must, of necessity, be a good student and rooted in the word.

2 Corinthians:11.14-15 "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."

Shalom children of God.

When God gives up on men! (28/7/2023)

Romans 1:18-32 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them…"

Which kind of people does God give up on? Those who knowingly choose to ignore Him, worship idols, as they think of themselves being wiser than their Creator in whatever they do. They celebrate utter foolishness as they sneer at God. They suppress the truth by their wickedness (v.18), know the truth about God and His righteous decrees (19), but refuse to thank or glorify Him (21), as they exchange God’s glory with idolatry(22). Against these intentional sins, the wrath of God is directed.

As a result, God gives them over to sexual perversion like LGBTQI. They believe and live a lie, with depraved minds doing the unthinkable, inventing all forms of evil imaginable. They justify perversion and those who do them. Such can only expect a fearful judgment of God. We live in such a world today were unprecedented levels of wickedness is the norm. And it is not only being celebrated, but some powerful people are forcing others to follow suit.

But God in His unprecedented patience has given men time and chance to repent, turn from their evil, forsake sin and be saved. Many have taken this to be a weakness on God’s part. But make no mistake! His love and patience will run out and He will arise against evil. Flee the wrath to come while there’s still time!

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

When the life giver speaks… (29/7/2023)

Matthew 21:19-20 "Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked."

The disciples had seen other kinds of miracles Jesus performed, but not this one. Jesus spoke to a tree, that it would bear no more fruit again. And it immediately withered. Amazed, they asked how this could happen quickly. Jesus told them that they could do the same and even more, all by faith.

Jesus’ word dried the tree. It gave life to the dead, restored to normalcy the diseased, calmed the storm and many other miracles. His words carry life because He is the way the truth and the life. He is the Creator of all things that exist. This means all things came to existence and have life because of Him. Whatever word proceeds from His mouth carries life. On the tree, He withdrew life, and the tree died. If He spoke to the dead tree, it would live again.

He has spoken, and still speaks to us and the situations we go through. Sone are dead now. And when He speaks, no other word or situation can resist. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. His word is final. He is the life. Two things are important to see His word work in our lives and situations: get to know what He has spoken. Have faith. And the rest will work. Glory to God!

John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…"

Isaiah 55:11 "…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Shalom children of God

The Resurection and the Life lives in us! (30/7/2023)

John 11:23-26 "Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Lazarus was dead and buried for four days. Jesus arrived in the home and Martha said if He had come earlier, their brother wouldn’t have died. Jesus was too late to save the situation according to them. They limited Jesus’ miraculous powers to heal only the person still alive. But they were talking to the originator of life Who is not limited by death, space,distance and time like we humans are. Jesus declared that He is the resurrection and the life!

Friends, many are those situations in life that we limit what God can do. We think God is like us, limited in many ways. Whatever the situation, however dead it is, if it is in the will and timing of God to restore it, He can do it. He is the resurrection and the life. Martha knew Lazarus would be raised in the last day. But Jesus had purposed to do it immediately.

It takes faith to walk in this kind of life. Jesus asked Martha if she believed such things. To those who do not believe, it is nonsense. But to those in Jesus, it is assurance of victory over all sorts of situations we go through in life, however dead. The resurrection and the life lives in us. And we have His life in us. Despite the trials, we shall overcome. This is wonderful news! Arise and walk in your victory. Glory be to God.

2 Peter 1:3-4 "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 6:49-51 "…but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed…" - NIV

Just imagine the state the disciples were in. It’s the fourth watch of the night (3-6am). They are struggling against a wave and not made progress for several hours. And then a human-like being comes towards them walking on the water as if he wants to pass them by. All of them saw this ‘ghost’ and were terrified at what would happen next. Knowing how scared they were, Jesus immediately spoke up and told them, “Its I. Don’t be afraid.”

How encouraging those words were to them! From extreme fear in a hopeless situation to complete relief that their Master and Lord had appeared in their hour of greatest need. Many are the situations of life that leave us confused, helpless, making very little or no progress because of the forces against us and things not working out. Our God does not leave us that way throughout. He knows and comes to our rescue. Some of the ways He comes may initially scare, being unfamiliar, as if to make an already bad situation worse as the disciples thought.

When God steps into our situations in ways we least expected and speaks, He brings peace. He never intends to worsen an already bad situation. He says,”It’s I. Don’t be afraid.” As Jesus stepped into the boat, the waves stopped and there was immediate calm. And they immediately reached their destination. Call unto the Lord in your hopeless situation in a troublesome world, alone without much progress. And it shall be well. He speaks peace to His own.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Joshua 6:2-3 "Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days…" - NIV

Joshua was to lead the people in fighting the inhabitants of the land God had promised to give them. The occupants were more numerous and powerful than themselves. But God had given them assurance of His presence and victory because He would fight for them. They were to begin with Jericho, a city tightly shut and protected against the Israelites.

Before they even started the battle, God had already delivered the city and the fighting men to them. It was a done deal already. When God is on your side, fighting your battles, you are fighting from an already victorious position. Your marching out is only to execute what is finished. When Jesus warned of tribulations we would encounter in this life, He said we should cheer up as we face them because He already overcame.

Jesus already got the victory over the devil for us on the cross and at His resurrection. We are fighting from a sure victory. But we are to engage in it with guidance and instructions from God just as Joshua did. That’s our part to play. Victory is ours in battle. Follow the matching orders of the Commander-in-Chief and all shall be well. He is with the humble and obedient to Him.

Colossians 2:15 "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Shalom children of God

Involve others

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 26:37-38 "He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

It was Jesus’ toughest time. Knowing the pain that lay ahead of Him in afew hours put extreme stress that overwhelmed Him to the point of death! He asked his disciples, and more specifically the three, Peter, James and John, to watch in prayer with him. Much as he was going to pray to God, Jesus still needed the support of other people to stand with him in his toughest time, although they failed! We need others

The Bible teaches the importance of standing with one another in stressful situations that could crush us if we are alone. Life can throw at us so much at times that our abilities just can’t handle. We should know when to bring others along. Look for whom to confide in. It is the devil’s strategy to isolate and hit hard. This happened to prophet Elijah shortly after killing the prophets of Baal. Jezebel threatened to kill him and Elijah was gripped with fear and he ran away, for his life. At some point, he was all alone. Stress overwhelmed him and eventually led to the end of his ministry!

Don’t conceal stress. When accumulated stress bursts, it’s effects can be disastrous. What might be a mountain to you can become like a little mound when shared with others who care and mean well. They will encourage, pray, counsel and stay with you. No one is self sufficient even if they have everything. God uses people to strengthen and comfort others. As they help carry our burdens, it becomes much lighter and the tension and stress is relieved. We were created for each other, to be be each other’s keepers.

Galatians 6:2-3 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves."

Shalom children of God.