Category: Daily Devotionals

Bring it to God!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”- NIV

Jesus prayed in Gethsemane to His Father, but also had the disciples around him, showing a two pronged approach to stress management. Here, Jesus made an all time call to stressed up people, weary and burdened by life’s futile attempts to be good, and challenges they can’t manage to carry on their own. Stress comes about because certain things are too heavy for us to handle. Jesus’ call is for us to bring them to him. And he promises to give us peaceful rest. We have a great privilege of access to God Almighty through prayer!

Sometimes we try everyone and everything else we think about in attempt to solve our problems, before bringing it to God as a last resort. And yet he is a safe refuge and very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). It was a result of the fall that man wants independence. But without God, we simply can do nothing. All our lives, whether we appreciate it or not, revolve around God. Some think a call to trust God is too simplistic. We keep carrying so much loads we would have given to God!

Bring it to God as it is, hiding nothing. Tell Him how torn, broken, troubled and stressed up you are. That’s a sign of faith and surrender. It is God’s commitment to relieve stress for those who seek His help by lifting their burdens. He calls us to cast them to Him because He cares. The promised rest is a peaceful settlement in your heart that all is taken care of, despite possible continued existence of the challenge. It will no longer trouble you.

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Shalom children of God.

What was your role?

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 8:11 "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." - KJV

The woman was caught in the act of adultery. They brought her to Jesus, ready to stone her according to the law. One can only imagine the shame and distress in her, knowing her obvious fate of death. When no one condemned her after Jesus’ rebuke and mercy, Jesus let her go free but cautioned her to sin no more. Earlier, Jesus had told a paralytic of 38 years whom He healed at the pool, not to sin again or a worse thing would happen to him (John 5:14). The point was that their stressful predicaments were caused by sins they needed to deal with.

Much as we need the support of others, and the help of God to ease our burdens, there are things that we need to do to ease our stress. Some stress is self imposed by wrong decisions and mistakes, wilful disobedience from our stubborn hearts rejecting the ways of God and the laws of the land. In this case, ask yourself what you did to bring about the stressful situations, and commit to change and mend your ways as those two were cautioned by Jesus.

When punished for wrongs, part of relieve from the resultant stress of punishment is repentance. God severally punished a rebellious Israel by bringing serious calamities, including driving them to exile. Whenever they felt the pain and repented, God would restore them and they would be relieved. Each time, the only remedy was repentance. Some stresses will go by change of our ways, rejecting wrong and doing what’s right. Find out what it could be in your part. Avoid things, people and places that lead to sin and bring stress. Commit to change.

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Shalom children of God.

Things beyond you

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Even after we have done all we possibly can through trusting God, seeking support from others and doing self search on possible causes of stress, there are things that will linger on and we cant do anything more about them. God allowed a thorn in Paul’s life for which he pleaded with God three times to take it away. Instead of remove it, God gave him sufficient grace to go through it. Whatever the thorn was, it was very uncomfortable and stressful to him.

There are things in life that God will allow into our way, not because He failed to take them away, nor that He enjoys our suffering, but to serve His purposes in our lives. Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering be taken away, but God didn’t because it was meant to serve His will. These things are beyond our wisdom, control and scope. Unpleasant as they are, they serve a greater divine purpose. It manifests differently for different people.

What are we to do in such situations? Surrender to the One Who knows why, trusting that He means well as Paul and Jesus did. Even if we don’t understand, we rejoice in God our Redeemer. We know He didn’t fail, but he has something better out of the situation. He gives grace to carry us through without crushing until the purpose is fully served. Hang in there. Have a positive attitude. Do not allow what is beyond your control to affect what you can control. Thank God, persevere and look forward to a better outcome. Remain in His will. It will be well with you.

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Shalom children of God.

There will be a way out

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Peter 1:6 "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." - NIV

No challenge lasts for good. Although in this life there will be one after another, one day, they will all be over forever. Each one that comes should only leave you better and stronger if you patiently endure. You will come forth as refined gold, an experienced good counsellor and mentor to others. No General is made in the comfort zones of pleasure, but in the thick of many battles. But there will be a day of decoration and celebration.

In the midst of stressful situations, it always appears as if the dark moment will never end. But it will. Peter encouraged the believers about an inheritance ahead of them, reserved in heaven. But for a while, they would face trials of all kinds. A common mistake is to think the tough times will go on indefinitely. That makes some to give up, seek shortcuts to quick relief. In the process, the devil takes advantage and they miss God’s purpose, which is the strengthening of our faith (1 Peter 1:7).

While relating to the lessons learnt from Israel’s history, Paul told the Corinthians that whatever temptation they faced was common to man. No trial is unique to any person. God is faithful to regulate it so that it doesn’t go beyond what our faith can bear. And He provides a way of escape out of it. As you endure, know that it will not last forever. Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." - NIV

Shalom children of God.

Don’t compromise your values

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Daniel 3:16-18 "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, “Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.”- GNB

These are statements of unshakeable faith! In moments of extreme pressure from fierce trials, some are tempted to adjust or renounce their stand in God to survive. To the three Hebrew men, the threat of fire couldn’t shake their resolve to stand for God. They were ready for the fire and death, but not worship an idol! We are called to make our stand for God clear and to leave the consequences to Him. He can save us. But sometimes the fire will burn for real, and the raging storms will strike hard. Only don’t yield to their pressure to fail God.

The rampant worldliness among professing Christians, meddling with sin and ungodly values, shows compromised stand. Instead of resisting evil, we excuse it, court it and flow with it. Our light becomes darkness and our salt loses its saltiness. In the end, no one can tell that we belong to God. We become like the rest of the world! Relieving stress as a believer through compromise with sin, is a temporary solution with worse after effects.

When we learn to entrust our lives and future to God, we shall be at rest from stress whatever comes our way. We shall stick to what, and Whom we have believed. Our minds are made up. That’s all that matters. Shun temporary survival and pleasures enjoyed in disobedience to God for a greater eternal reward. Daniel, his three friends, Moses and other heroes of faith did it. It is possible to stand amidst all the pressures of life. If you have fallen victim, return to the Father in repentance. He forgives and restores.

Hebrews 11:24 -26 "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."

Shalom children of God.

Look at the positive side

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." - NIV

Paul is describing situations they were undergoing as they preached the gospel. They bordered on life and death, and yet he is so positive and upbeat about it all. Physically, they were really suffering, beaten and tortured, their bodies wasting away. This was very distressing. But he chose to look beyond the physical sufferings to what this was achieving in his inner man and the great glory ahead.

This attitude was evident in all his writings. If we only look at the pains, challenges and all the negatives in life, it is a guarantee that we will remained stressed all our lives. Rather focus on the good that will come our of those challenges. Tell yourself that it will be well, you will get over it, this too will come to pass. There are far better things that will come out of these trials.

Jesus looked beyond the excruciating pain of the cross to the joy that lay ahead. That made Him endure the cross and all the bitter suffering he went through. The cross and the present trials are not the end. There is victory, joy, and a crown ahead. Such an attitude will make you fight on, press on to the end against all the odds without losing heart. All who circum to stress only focus on the problem at hand.

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Hebrews 12:2-3 "…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Shalom children of God.

Prepare for and manage change

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Exodus 16:2-3 "In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

The Israelites had been delivered from Egyptian slavery. They had been there for 430 years. They were destined to Canaan, a land of freedom and plenty. Afew days into the desert, they faced the challenge of water and meat. They complained bitterly against Moses and Aaron, preferring to have remained in slavery than face challenges on their way to freedom in the land flowing with milk and honey.

Such is the difficulty of change. Much as they had cried out to be delivered from their task masters, witnessed the many miracles God performed in their deliverance, they were still scared of the unknown. They couldn’t trust the same God to safely take them to Canaan. They wished to have remained in Egypt in slavery than go to new places by faith in God. This is how many people resist change and miss out on what God has prepared for them.

Change can be very distressing to undertake. The lazy, unprepared, undetermined, fearful and risk averse will give up and rather maintain the status quo than go through the stress and pain of change for the better. And yet change is inevitable in life and the only means to transformation and progress. It will always come, one way or another. Instead of ignoring, prepare and face it. If change finds one unprepared, it can be destructive. If mentally prepared, you will not be stressed whatever the discomfort it comes with. It will be to your advantage.

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform 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."

Shalom children of God

I thank God for me!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

The psalmist talks about how God knows us from the begining because He created us. This means He knows and designed every detail of who we are. And we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Knowing and appreciating this truth is transformational to how we look at ourselves and view life.

There are so many people doing so many things to change who they were made to be by God. They don’t like their race, tribe, body shapes, size, skin colour, sexuality, and so on. Because they think others are better than themselves, they feel inferior and strive to be like them. They are dissatisfied with who they are and what they have, and get stressed over it. We will all never be the same by God’s design.

Comparison is good if it inspires you to become better, but not like others. On the other hand it can be stressful if you just want to be like others. You are you. God made you uniquely to be you. Appreciate how He made you. Strive to excel by being yourself. This attitude creates a thankful heart, joyous spirit and a peaceful mind. God made no mistake to make you what you are and to place you in the current location.

Acts 17:26,28 "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands… ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’"

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 14:27 "For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" - NIV

This was a prophecy against Assyria. In it God describes Himself, the LORD Almighty Who purposes and no human force or ability can change it. When He has determined to do a thing and stretches out His hand to act, no other power known in the universe can turn it back or stop Him. After all, whatever would oppose Him is part of His creation over which He rules.

These are statements of absolute authority, complete control and supremacy that can only be attributed to God. At that time, Assyria was one of the world powers which assumed alot of authority. Several other kingdoms and powers have since risen in the world scene. If God is that powerful and can do whatever He wishes, why does He allow evil to thrive, and the wicked appear to triumph over the righteous? He acts. In all His actions, God cannot go outside His plans and purposes, will, timing and character.

God is in control of the affairs of this world. No one can advice or push Him on what to do. Some arrogantly and ignorantly assume they can get God do whatever they wish. We can only align ourselves and submit to His Sovereign rule and do His will. At His time, He will act and execute His will and purpose for all creation. He alone is God, besides and above Him is no other. Listen to the powerful Nebuchadnezzar testify about Him;

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." Daniel 4:35,37

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 John 4:5-6 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." - NIV

John was guiding on how to differentiate between falsehoods and truth, false prophets and true messengers of God. A key factor to help in this, is the language they use. There is a worldly demonic language and a godly one spoken by people who belong either side. And recipients from either side listen to what suits them, what they understand and is inline with their beliefs.

Language is key to communication and identification. This is true in the spiritual world as well. It communicates beliefs and values. The kingdom of God and that of the devil have their languages. And people subscribe to each of them. Out of the abundance of what has filled people’s hearts from either kingdom, the mouth speaks.

Paul taught that the language of those in Christ should reflect who they represent. It should not be filthy, but wholesome, full of grace and kindness. It should bring peace, encouragement and life. The wicked are violent, sow discord and are filthy in their talk because that’s what is in their hearts. But they can be transformed in their hearts and their language will change.

Luke 6:45 "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Shalom children of God