Category: Daily Devotionals

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.

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

As Jesus commissioned the apostles for the work He called them to, one of the greatest privileges was to use the power of His name. Everything they did was in His name. Jesus has been glorified above all power and authority there is. He completely defeated Satan and his demons. At His name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. That’s the power in that name.

As we go in that name, we are granted permission to carry the power and authority in Jesus name. Jesus mentioned the situations that would respond in the scripture above: demons cast out, speaking new tongues, no poison or snakes can harm, healing the sick. God does this to make people’s lives better and glorify Himself, not for our prestige. And it only works through faith, for those who believe.

Friends, this is such a privilege and trust! As we address situations and demons in Jesus name, it is not just a ritual. We are invoking the power of the highest authority in the universe. We are to do with maximum honour to Him. Some, unfortunately, misuse His name for things and agendas that don’t glorify God! Have in Him and go ahead to speak and do everything in His name. You will reign in life! Hallelujah!

Philippians 2:9-11 "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father."

Shalom children of God.

We need wisdom for living (17/5/2023)

Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

One of the prayers of Moses, the man of God. He had pondered over life, its lows and highs. He had first hand experience with God. He also witnessed God’s wrath on the Egyptians and Israelites in their journey. As he thought about life and living, the prayer for wisdom for living became paramount

For meaningful and purposeful living, everyone needs to pray similarly. Until we realise how brief this life is, and the fact that we are created for specific purposes, we shall live without a clear sense of direction. This wisdom can only come from God. And He is willing to guide us.

Life without God its giver is a gamble. Many, unfortunately, live like they have their lives in their own hand. This isn’t true. The earlier we wake up to our indispensable need for God and His wisdom for living, the better our lives will be. May He teach you to number your days, knowing they will one day end and you return to your Maker for accountability.

Genesis 3:19 "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground,  since from it you were taken; for dust you are   and to dust you will return.”

Shalom children of God

Perseverance: Key to success (R) (2/6/2023)

Hebrews 10:35-36 "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." - NIV

The writer relates the trials of the faith that those in Christ undergo. They suffered, were publicly insulted, persecuted, imprisoned and willingly gave up their possessions and their lives for what they confidently believed. They knew they had lasting possessions in God that far surpassed the temporary things of this life. Perseverance was key to their abiding in the faith despite all these challenges.

We were never promised a smooth ride in the journey of faith, and indeed in all life endeavors. But we were assured of victory in them all (John 16:33). Perseverance involves patience and endurance in the face of pain, delays and seeming uncertainty. It takes a decision to remain steadfast. The knowledge of Whom and what we have believed, gives us confidence to continue moving amidst opposition, pain and tears.

The promised reward is given to those who endure to the end. Many give up along the way and look for an easy way out. But just as all those who went ahead of us in this journey endured and recieved their crowns, so can we. Cheer up precious child of God. Hang in there, doing God’s will. You will overcome and eventually inherit the promise.

Matthew 24:12-13 "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Revelation 2:10b "…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 12:10-11 "… For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."

This was a picture of war in heaven which defeated the devil and he was thrown down. In revenge, he came to attack men. He is described as the accuser of the brethren as his way of fighting. Satan has no kindness. He entices people to sin, condemns and then constantly accuses them before God. He uses that loophole to wreck more havoc.

The way out of a guilty conscience is the blood of the Lamb that washes our sins. Satan enjoys reminding people of their past faults, condemns and makes them hopeless. Many are in his trap in that way. Once condemned, they are disempowred and susceptible to demonic manipulation. The saints overcome him by the blood which gives a clear conscience over forgiven sin, and sets us at liberty.

A guilty conscience is a bondage itself. Satan takes advantage of it to hold people captive. But a free spirit is liberated, bold and victorious. When we repent of sin, we are forgiven and freed from the reach of satanic condemnation and influence. Bring it all to Jesus as it is and invoke His blood. There is no more condemnation to those in Christ. Reign by His blood!

Hebrews 9:14 "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…"

Shalom children of God

(17/5/2023)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 8:37-39 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Extreme situations of life described here! Paul built his relationship with God to levels that absolutely nothing could separate him from it. The great love of God demonstrated in Christ was the basis of this relationship. He was completely persuaded and fully yielded to it that nothing could sway him away.

There will be tough challenges and temptations orchestrated by the devil with the aim of disuadding us from the love of God in Christ. The secret to standing is to know this love, experience and be so immersed in it that no force in the world can be powerful enough to pluck us out of it. We are deeply loved and greatly favoured by Father God!

It is one thing to know Jesus overcame. But to know He went all the way for us sets us on the trajectory of victory like no other. Paul prayed that we may be so rooted and established in this love that nothing can shake us. It is revolutionary love, beyond human knowledge like no other! Let this be our prayer too, to grasp the immensity of this love. Then shall we walk in constant victory in Christ.

Ephesians 3:17-19 "…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Shalom children of God

Do not grow weary! (R) (3/6/2023)

Hebrews 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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." - NIV

The constant battles and challenges we are engaged in eventually drain strength and can wear us out. As a result, fatigue and burn out set in and people give up or surrender to negative situations despite knowing the truth and the right things to do. Jesus endured the horribly painful cross, its shame and fierce opposition from evil men because of the joy that lay ahead of Him. We are encouraged to fix our eyes on Him so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.

Jesus was tried and tempted in every we are but never gave in. The great heroes of faith too went through very terrifying trials but never lost heart. Let their example and testimony encourage and inspire us in our faith. They overcame. We too shall overcome. Sufficient grace was upon them to endure. We too have sufficient grace to go through. It’s the devil’s intention to bombard us with so much from every side and throw thoughts of quiting. Do not quit! Hold on to the faith and keep serving till the end. Then you will receive the reward.

Looking to Jesus, learning from the examples of those who went ahead of us, focusing on the prize and reward ahead will strength our commitment and perseverance to go on. You are not alone going through it. Victory is promised to us, if we don’t grow weary. As we trust God daily, He renews our strength. We shall overcome because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Isaiah 40:29 - 31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Shalom.