Category: Daily Devotionals

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

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

He took my place in death!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 23:24-25, 32 "So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will… Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed." - NIV

That was the vehement demand of the priests, elders, teachers of the law and the section of the crowd they had incited against Jesus. It was a custom to release someone in that period. Until then, they found no charge against Jesus. He was innocent, but they were determined to get rid of Him. But Barabas, whom they asked to be released, was a known notorious criminal, a rioter  and murderer.

So they wanted  a murderer released back to society and a blameless Savior, healer,  teacher, Prophet, the Son of God executed by crucifixion, a punishment Barabas rightly deserved! Jesus took his place and Barabas indeed went free!

That’s what Jesus came to do for us all. All mankind had sinned and fallen short of God’s holy standard  (Rom 3:23). As by law, the soul that sins must die (Ezekiel 18:20) because the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Since man had sinned, he deserved to die, and eternally.

But Jesus came and died the death everyone of us deserved, like a criminal. He took our place in death so that we, guilty as we were like Barabas, would go free and obtain eternal life. What an exchange! What a love!

In Christ therefore, we are free, no longer guilty, accepted, reconciled and at peace with God. This offer is available to all people who place their faith in Christ. How can you turn down such a love?!

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Shalom children of God. Happy Easter

Eternal life available to ALL

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

When man fell from God’s Glory, he lost eternal life. Sin entered the human race, and with it death. Death was not in God’s original plan. As part of restoring God’s original intention for man, Jesus took the place of man the sinner, died so that man should not die again. This eternally significant transaction was completed on the cross and sealed when Jesus rose again, having defeated and disarmed the devil forever. He took the keys of death and hades (Rev 1:18).

Death is separation. It comes in three forms: spiritual death (for those who have not recieved Jesus and be born again), physical death (when our souls and spirits leave the body) and eternal/second death (forever separated from God in hell). Those who recieve Jesus are saved from spiritual death and the second death. Those who reject Him suffer all the three, now and later into eternity. You can have life by choosing Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Eternal life is the God kind of life. It’s life as God originally intended for man before the fall. It’s the fullness of life(covering every aspect of life) that Jesus said He came to give us (John 10:10). And whosoever believes in Him has crossed from death to life(John 5:24). Eternal life begins at that moment and goes on into eternity in heaven. This life is now available for ALL whosoever believe in Him. I earnestly invite anyone who has not recieved Jesus into their lives to do so now!

Romans 6:22-23 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Shalom children of God.  Happy Easter

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

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 "May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being — spirit, soul, and body — free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful." - GNB

Amidst so much evil and the need for general encouragements to stand and remain faithful in the faith, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians. He asked the God of peace to keep them free from evil, preserved in holiness in their bodies, souls and spirits until the Lord Jesus comes back. His confidence in such a prayer is that God Who called us to Himself will do so because He is faithful.

Such is the prayer each one of us in Him would pray, more so in these days. The prayer is that we may be preserved and to stand against all the evil around us until we meet the Lord face to face some say. Some fall victims to these evils and give up the faith. They yield to the deception of wealth, pleasure, and in seeking relieve from the trials of life. On our own we cannot stand. It is by His grace and strength.

Be encouraged. You can stand and remain faithful in the Lord if you choose to hope in God. He will do His part, to carry us through to the end. Many others have stood. The same God sustained them. And He still does, however tough it may look now. Keep looking to Him. We are preserved, kept holy in body, soul and spirit by the Spirit of God as the world becomes even more and more wicked.

Jude 1:24 "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 16:13-16 "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." - NIV

Feedback is important. It helps to know what is in people’s minds, and whether they understand or not. Jesus sought to know what people thought about Him. After the disciples told Him what people said, He turned to them to ask the same question. Yes, that’s what people say, but what about you? He still asks us today the same. He is God for us all, but desires to be God to each individual.

Sometimes it’s easy to deflect things to others. This question seeks to reveal how each one of us knows God at individual level. Many hear about God from others, and what others know about Him. But it is the personal revelation and experience that makes you declare like Peter, that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. This takes revelation from God as Jesus told Peter. And revelation comes from deeper communion.

Knowing God at individual level makes us seek and grow in Him, and to stand even when all others give up. How each individual knows Him makes the whole difference. Stand out of the crowd. Build and develop your personal knowledge of God through a devoted life.

2 Timothy 1:12 "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." - NIV

All people are engaged in some activity with desire to profit from their labours. At times they succeed, other times they lose out. The hope of some gain gives the motivation and the perseverance to go on. When such hope is lost and there is possibility of wasted effort, work stops. Material or monetary gain aside, it’s natural to also expect appreciation from those for whom we work. It’s disheartening to put in your best effort in an endeavour and no one notices or fails to appreciate!

Paul encouraged the Corinthians that their labours in the Lord was recognised. No work undertaken in the Lord’s name, for His glory, is forgotten. Men may forget or fail to recognise, but God doesn’t. He acknowledges even the smallest service, done behind the public scenes to honour Him. Give yourselg fully to His work, and do whatever you do as to the Lord, not just to be seen by men (Colossians 3:17,23-24). When you focus on recognition from men, you may be discouraged.

There will be temptation to be discouraged, go low or to give up altogether. Stand firm and not be moved. Some work of God may never make us known. Some face severe trials in the course of service, even sealing their testimony with their blood. Cheer up servant of God! He acknowledges your work. Remain true to your call to the end. Your reward awaits, if you don’t grow weary or give up.

Hebrews 6:10 "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalms 27:4 "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

David made the statement above as his enemies waged war against him. The ark of the covenant was in the most holy place in the temple, symbolized God’s presence. For one to be in the presence of God, he had to be in the temple. David desired to dwell in God’s presence in the Lord’s house all his days. Now, those who are in Christ have God’s Holy Spirit and presence within them wherever they are.

Being with God means enjoying His safety, favour, peace, joy, guidance, provision and protection (Psalm 91). So real was this to Moses as he led Israel out of Egypt that, when God threatened not to go with them, Moses told God they would not take one step more without Him(Exodus 33:15). His presence meant everything.

When we begin to think we can do without God, we are setting ourselves for messes. Wealth, fame, status, human wisdom, connections and knowledge shouldn’t make God seem irrelevant. Our lives find meaning and purpose only in God our Creator. It’s only fools who say in their hearts, ‘there is no God'(Psalm 14:1).

The best place to always be, is God’s presence. In Him are treasures of life in its fullness found no where else. Satan always attempts divert our attention away from God into things which bring temporary peace and joy. Like mist, it vanishes and is no more. May being with God be your longing, more than all treasures of life. True lasting satisfaction is only in God. Those who find Him want nothing else again!

Psalms16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalms 84:10-11 "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."

Shalom children of God.