Category: Daily Devotionals

Because His ways are not ours (27/5/2023)

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."

Certain things God does or allows to happen leave us bewildered, because it is different from our imaginations and expectations. We don’t understand. One reason given is that His thoughts, wisdom and ways are far higher than ours just as the heavens are higher than the earth. Unless the Lord helps us to understand His ways, we can completely fail to understand certain things and treat them as foolish.

As God works, we only see and feel what catches the eye. We may not understand what is behind the scenes, the intentions and ultimate purpose and outcome. He may not even tell us what He intends to achieve by the experiences we go through. This is the point some give up and try to make their way out of the situation instead of wait on God to see what will come out.

As long as we remain in Him, God will do everything according to the purpose of His will. Even if He explained to us, our limited understanding may not fully grasp because His ways are higher than our ways. Paul tried, and all God told him was that His grace was sufficient to carry him through the pain. But in all things God means well, accomplishing His purposes even through things we don’t understand. Blessed be His name.

Philippians 2:13 "…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

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

Decisions and the free will (12/6/2023)

Joshua 24:15 "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua had successfully led Israel into the promised land and settled them in their territories. He was about to die and gave the people the last instructions. Key for them was the choice to remain true to God or serve other gods. Joshua didn’t force them. They were to exercise their free will to serve God or not. He stated how he and his household had chosen to serve God.

We are making decisions and choices all the time. The personal will is very key in this except where laws dictate and people do things because they fear being caught on the wrong side of the law. They obey even if they were not willing to from their hearts. But God gives us freedom of choice in our relationship with Him. We are to do things pleasing to Him because we want to do it, not because we are forced to.

Whenever He has called us to choose, He asks for a willing heart. Is your heart truly willing, obedient and submissive to God?

Isaiah 1:19-20 "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Shalom children of God

Risen and forever victorious!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 1:18 "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." - NIV

Death is the main cause of fear to humanity regardless of status. Men have done all they can to reduce, slow or avoid it, but failed. Jesus here makes a statement that sets Him apart as Lord from any religious, political, social or revolutionary leader in the history of the world. He was dead, but now alive forever and ever, never to die again. He conquered and has power over death. This is what gives credibility to His claims as the Savior, Lord of lords and King of kings like no other.

Everyone wants to follow an authentic leader, powerful enough to withstand the forces that resist them, and to deliver them to where they’re going. That gives followers security. Powerful men, promising all sorts of things to their followers, have come and gone. Some of their followers have been left stranded.

When Jesus mentioned these to His disciples, He gave them assurance that what and Whom they had believed is not shaky. It was real and would stand the test of all time to eternity. It will never be challenged by any other power whatsoever. He is Lord forever.

Friends, Jesus is alive. He is forever victorious over the devil and his demons and schemes, over death and the fears of the after life. His  victory is victory for those who put their trust in Him. He is not only with us in the journey of life, but lives in us as well. Victory is certain and is ours in His name. Our Lord triumphantly rose and is gloriously alive. Walk with your head high. Hallelujah!

1 Corinthians 15:16-20 "For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

Shalom children of God. Happy Easter

 By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo 

Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - NIV

Paul adds the importance of Spirit led prayer in spiritual warfare. There are various kinds of prayers and requests suiting various situations of life we go through. Prayer in the Spirit helps to offer suitable prayer relevant for all occasions. Some will be with words known, others in words unknown as He leads. Why is Spirit led prayer important in spiritual conflict?

The Spirit knows the mind of God and the dynamics of the spirit world. He connects us with God, enables us pray according to His will, gives battle strategy to address exactly what we should address in the spirit. He uses the sword of the word to assault the forces of darkness.

We are so limited as humans in understanding the spirit world, and yet that’s where battles are fought and won, and decisions are determined. Those who understand the spirit world operation always win. What appears physically is a manifestation of what is happening in the spirit.

Whoever is in charge in the spirit determines what happens in the physical world. The forces we fight against, in their rankings and territorial control of world affairs, are spiritual(Eph 6:12). With the help of the Holy Spirit through perpetual different prayer directions, our victory is sealed over these powers. The Holy Spirit empowers and leads us to exercise authority over situations. That’s how we reign with Christ, and the reason for the call to pray without ceasing.

Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…"

Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Shalom children of God.

Be still and know that I am God!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Exodus 14:13-14 "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Pharaoh and his army were furiously following them. The Red Sea was before them. They were scared to death and cried out to Moses who led them out of Egypt. Moses tells them to be calm and not be afraid, because God would fight for them. The same God Who had rescued them, with all the wonders they saw, was still with them and would fight for them. And He did.

Holding one’s peace amidst serious challenges of life is no easy task. That’s the time emotions have risen and hearts are troubled. And yet it is in being calm that we see God act on our behalf. Jesus told Jairus whose daughter was dead, to be calm. He told Mary and Martha to have their peace about their brother who was dead and buried! And they saw Jesus perform the miracles.

As long as we are with Jesus in the boat, however furious the storms of life are, they will be stilled. We only need to keep our faith and peace steadfast in Him Who controls the storm. Satan’s aim is to destabilize us, we doubt and the shield of faith is displaced. Then all his arrows get into us. That’s why people act weird when emotionally unstable, because Satan takes advantage. Ask God for His peace when faced with storms of life. As you watch Him act.

Luke 8:49-50 "While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

Psalm 46:10 "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Shalom children of God

The truth stands the test of time (28/5/2023)

2 Corinthians 13:8 "For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth."

So much goes on in this world. It is either truth or lies. There are lies that have been perpetrated for several generations. And people have come to believe them as truth. But Paul makes a fundamental statement in the scripture above, that no one can do anything against the truth to destroy it. It will remain the truth what heaps of lies or cover ups are laid on it.

Truth stands the test of time. It is indestructible. Satan has successfully deceived multitudes who are totally convinced of his lies. They have turned the truth upside down and seem to win. Laws based on lies have been enacted. Politicians have won elections and formed governments based on lies. Businesses based on falsehoods may appear to thrive. Marriages, jobs and careers founded on deception exist. But temporarily.

Our world has sidelined, despised, covered or ignored the truth, but the truth will remain the truth. Truth only comes from God. Jesus is the Truth. Satan has no truth. He is a liar and only smartly thrives on deception to win many to his side. Unfortunately, many will discover too late that they lived their lives on a lie! Whatever ‘great’ achievements based on lies will vanish. The earlier we discover and rely on the solid truth of God’s word, the better our lives will be, now and forever.

John 8:44-45 "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!"

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 39:9-10 "No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her."

Joseph was under alot of pressure from portiphar’s wife to sleep with her. Despite the continuous nagging, he didn’t yield. What made him take such a decision? The values he upheld in relationship with his God. It was wicked and against God. This was not his wife. It wasn’t because of no chance to do so, but because of what he stood for, his values.

Daniel and his three friends refused to yield to the wickedness in Babylon. They purposed to honour God despite the huge risk to their lives. They stood on principles in honour of their God. Nothing could shake them out of it, including the den of lions, a fiery furnace, opportunity to dine and wine with the king, and the evil conspiracy. The apostles in the early church didn’t care what they would do to them. They stood for what they believed and were ready to die.

Many compromise their faith and stand with God because of weak values. Whether one knows it or not, every decision we make is determined by the values we hold. With strong values, no challenge is too strong to overcome, however tough. May you build your life on strong godly values that nothing can shake. Then every decision you make will be aligned to it and will glorify God.

Daniel 3:16-18 "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

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.

Born into a living hope!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Peter 1:3-5 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade…" NIV

The death and resurrection of Jesus is the sole reason for authenticity of the Christian faith. No other political or religious human leader in history made and fulfilled their claims like Jesus did. This sets Him apart as truly God, the Saviour and Lord. It gives us a strong basis for the gospel we have believed and preach. It is not a hoax. Even Satan can’t deny it, but only thrives by deception. Peter says Jesus resurrection gives us a LIVING hope.

Every human being has hope in something or someone. But some hopes fail. Hope in the resurrected Jesus is sure hope. It means whatever else He promised He can do. We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ with a promise of an inheritance kept in heaven for us who believe. We can be sure of this hope. It will never fade, spoil or perish. It is a blessed assurance we can rely on, a hope that will not disappoint.

Paul said if there is no resurrection, then our hope of eternal life is shattered. Even the gospel we preach and our faith is useless. We would rather eat and drink because it all ends here in this broken evil world when we die. So the resurrection is the heart of our faith. Praise be to God indeed that we have been born into a living hope. Rejoice exceedingly that you have in you Jesus Who died and rose again, conquered death and gave us life eternal. We too shall rise up with Him. Hallelujah!

1 Corinthians 15:14-15, 19 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised… If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Shalom children of God.