Category: Daily Devotionals

For the time is near! (R)( 8/6/2023)

Revelation 1:3 "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." - NIV

There will come a time soon when everything we see will change politically, economically and religiously. There are already signs, and more will come, pointing to the end of the age and the coming eternal rule of God in His kingdom. To those who walk with God and in His light, these are not new things. God chose to reveal them, but few care to watch and interpret these prophetic signs right before us today. To them, life is normal and usual as it was in the days of Noah.

Jesus revealed to John in the Island of Patmos what would soon take place. He attached blessings to those who read aloud these prophecy (to acquire knowledge and teach others), and to those who hear and take seriously what they hear as written. That applies to us to date. Such people will be ready, while those who despise these end time prophecies will be taken unawares and regret.

One reason these prophecies shouldn’t be taken lightly is because the time of their fulfillment is near. Jesus said when you see these signs, know that the end is near, right at the doors. And we are in that period when almost every sign is being fulfilled as we watch. Are you among the blessed ones who not only read and teach others, but also seriously take to heart as you prepare for His coming and the end of the age? Are you ready if He came now?

Matthew 24:32-33 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door."

Shalom children of God.

The forgiveness of sins

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 26:28 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." - NIV

Jesus’ words to His disciples as they ate the last supper before His arrest, torture and death. He gave them to drink from one cup, to represent the blood He was going to shed. The purpose of the blood was forgiveness of sin. Prior to that, the old covenant required that animal blood atoned for people’s sins. But Jesus was now shedding His own blood for the once and for all forgiveness of people’s sins for all generations to come.

Blood is life. When shed, a part or whole life is lost. When Jesus shed His blood for our sins, He literally laid down His life for us. No such price, of the magnitude of the life of the Son of God, would be paid if God didn’t place so much value in us! He loved and valued us too much to leave us lost in our sins. He gave His best, to redeem His best. We are His best.

The price for forgiveness of sin was fully paid. But God doesn’t impose it on us. He expects us to acknowledge this great gesture of limitless love and respond by recieving His forgiveness through repentance of sin. He calls us to Himself. How can we fail to respond to such immeasurable love?! He calls all people to come and recieve forgiveness of sin, even now.

1 Peter:3.18 "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…"

Shalom children of God.  Happy Easter

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ephesians 6:15 "…and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace." - GNB

Shoes were an important and integral part of the soldiers armour. Without it, there is no ground stability to engage, and ability to pursue and defeat the enemy in war. Battles are fought in all sorts of places; bushes, thickets, rough, slippery, rocky, flat, hilly terrains. Proper shoes grip and withstand all these to keep the soldier fighting.

The gospel of the saving grace of Jesus Christ that we declare to humanity is a powerful weapon against the enemy who has held them captive. Paul describes it as the power of God to save. So many are in bondage, lost, hopeless and groaning under their task master, Satan. They need to be freed. And the gospel is the only means by which men who hear and believe can be delivered and saved.

Jesus’ mission was to set the captives free, to seek and save the lost. He went everywhere preaching and healing. He gave us the same mission. We accomplish it by preaching the good news of the gospel; that Jesus saves. We should not be ashamed of the gospel. It is a life giving liberation message, and part of our warfare to rescue men from the devil’s grip. Keep preaching it.

Romans 1:16 "I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Acts 10:38 "…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

Peter in Cornelius house narrates, as a witness, the things Jesus did. The secret to all the good He did was God being with Him. God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power. As a result, He did good wherever He went, delivering all the people He met who were under demonic oppression. He brought life.

Whoever comes in God’s name, full of His Spirit and power, should similarly do good wherever they go. They should be a source of peace, joy, harmony and not confusion, manipulation and fights. God brings salvation, healing and deliverance to the sick and oppressed. The world is full of people who need this, and God desires to meet those needs through people walking with Him.

God is committed to be with those He sends. If those who come and go in His name have similar motives and intentions with God, they will do good wherever they are through the anointing and power of the Spirit. They are a blessing. If not,they promote their own agendas which are harmful to the cause of the gospel. Which one are you?

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Shalom children of God

The author and finisher of our faith! (R) (24/5/2023)Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - KJV

Drawing from the inspiration and example of those gone ahead, including Jesus, we are to recieve encouragement to put off the weights that pull us back, the sin that entangles. Then we can persevere in the race to the end. Many have fallen along the way for failing to persevere. The Jesus we look up to is familiar with suffering and the challenges we encounter on this race, having faced the toughest times Himself and overcame. He encourages us to look to Him.

He is the author and finisher of our faith. What confidence can we have that He will enable us finish what He started? Because He went through it all and overcame and is forever victoriously seated in heaven. Because He is true to His commitments and never lies. He never starts and ends on the way. He completes what He begins.

What’s our part in this? To look up to Him in trust. The circumstances may be tough, the battles so fierce, painful and at times feel uncertain how it will end. We may be tempted to give up. But cheer up child of God. He who began this work in you, by saving you, will bring it to a good end. He promised to be with us even in the fire, the valley and the mountain top, at good and bad times. Hold on in Him. We shall overcome and emerge victorious.

Philippians 1:6 "…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Shalom children of God.

No peace promised to the wicked! (9/6/2023)

Isaiah 57:20-21 "But the wicked are like the tossing sea,   which cannot rest,  whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” - NIV

God was condemning Israel for their idolatry and wickedness. They insisted on their evil ways despite the correction God gave them. But God still offered them peace if they abandoned their wickedness. Just as the waves of the sea never stop day and night, so are the wicked who have chosen to live in evil, ignoring God’s ways. They never rest.

It is God’s will to give peaceful rest to His people. But many choose to be wicked, planning and executing evil against God and other people. They are idolators, serving other gods. God says such people will never be at peace. God is the source of all peace there is in this world. When men reject the Prince of peace and His ways, they cannot expect to get it anywhere else.

The devil may promise peace to those he deceives. But that’s a hoax. The reality is that you can never have peace by following the devil’s ways and doing evil. To the wicked, God’s call comes to return to Him, abandon their evil ways and do good through Jesus Christ. He promises forgiveness, healing and restoration. Then they can find peace and rest for their souls.

Isaiah 55:6-7 "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

Shalom children of God

Reconciled with access to God

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 into His presence. 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 a stranger 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."

Shalom children of God.  Happy Easter

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ephesians 6:16 "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." - NIV

A shield is a key defensive weapon in battle. It deflects the arrows, rocks, sword or spear directed at the soldier. Without it, the soldier is very susceptible to every flaming shot. Just as a shield is to the soldier, so is faith to the believer in spiritual warfare.

The evil one is ever shooting arrows of hopelessness, frustration, doubt, hate, revenge, etc at us. Once our faith in Jesus is in place and unshaken, all those arrows won’t affect us. They are deflected away. Satan’s aim is to cause things that will affect our faith and so be displaced from its position. These include fear and doubt which don’t exist with faith. The battle is to strengthen faith to displace fear and doubt.

Ever been in a position where the same things you had overcome and would eadily ignore, now get into your heart and make you fearful and emotional? It means likely the shield of faith is getting displaced and the enemy’s arrows are hitting at you. Solution is to build up your faith constantly by feeding on the word, prayer and other devotional practices. These keep faith in place and you remain victorious in battle.

1 John 5:4-5 "…because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

Jude 1:20 "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…"

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Kings 11:12-13 "Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen." - NIV

Solomon had fallen into disobedience to God and broken the covenant God made with his father David. God was displeased and threatened to tear the kingdom into two in punishment. But He said it would not happen in his time. The magnitude of Solomon’s sin, which followed with the other kings, warranted complete cut off of the kingdom from him and David’s line. But two factors made God to relent from doing so.

God had made a covenant and vowed to David that his house would not miss a king – upto Christ. God cannot break His sworn covenant. Likewise, the life of David so impressed and moved God that for his sake, God wouldn’t release His full wrath on Israel. David was a man after God’s heart. He became a reference point of comparison for all other kings who came after him. In the two verses above, and other portions of scripture, God talked about him.

Such are the men and women who live lives that move God so much so that for their sake and intercessory intervention, God will relent from doing, or actually do certain things. They are His true servants after God’s heart, who shape destinies of individuals and nations of people. They move heaven and shake hell. They carry the authority of God and are the reason certain things happen. Anyone of us can develop our relationship with God to such levels. I pray you become one such person!

Exodus 33:17 "And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 27:13 "[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."- KJV

Life’s journey is not straight. One time you are at the mountain top and everything is alright. Another time you are at the valley and things seem to be falling apart. One time there are friends all around. And in another no one seems to care. You seem to be all alone. This fluctuations go beyond the individual to families, communities and nations.

God operates in seasons and times. That’s how things are. David acknowledged that if he had not believed in hope for better times ahead, he would have given up on living, given what he was going through. This happens to us many times when the storms of life beat, situations so tough and stressful come our way, and thoughts of quiting endeavours or even dying, cross one’s mind. Thank God, these situations are not the end of the story, however dire they may be. In God, blossoming life can be rebuilt out of the rubble and ashes.

It’s so encouraging that amidst all the ups and downs and uncertainities of life, God, in Whom we trust and hope, doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6). He is God in the good and bad times. He remains a good and faithful God in the mountain top and in the dark lonely valleys. Our faith and hope should rest in Him. Men in their abilities may fail. Our businesses, investments, treasures and all we may rely on can fail.

But God doesn’t. And this hope in God doesn’t disappoint. It will be well at the end. There is hope for a better tomorrow, however bad today is. Do not quit your endeavors. Hold on to faith in an unchanging, faithful God. There is light at the end of the dark tunnel.

Psalms 23:4 "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."

Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Shalom children of God.