Category: Daily Devotionals

Decisions have consequences! (15/6/2023)

John 3:16,18 "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… Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."

Every decision we make has consequences which may affect us in the short or long run, some into eternity. Jesus said God loved the world so much and gave His son to come and save us. People have the liberty to choose to accept or reject Him. Such a decision to accept or reject Christ, may take less than a minute. But the effects are eternal! It leads to eternal life or eternal damnation.

History is full of stories of people who took certain decisions lightly out of anger, fun or peer pressure, thinking they would get over it. But their lives were altered forever! Esau despised his birthright and easily exchanged it for a morsel of food. He lost it forever. Samson played with his divine strength, thinking he would always shake himself and go to fight. He regained it shortly, but lost his life.

Opportunities don’t last forever. Don’t postpone what you should do today especially in your relationship with God because you never know what tomorrow holds. It’s not in our control. We have no guarantees that we may get them again. As you make daily decisions, small or big, short or long term, always think of the consequences. You are free to do what you wish to, but be ready to face the effects of your decisions, now in this life and/or forever!

2 Corinthians 6:2 "For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

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

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.

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

Ephesians 1:19-21 "… That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." - NIV

What a status! Paul describes the resurection power that gave life to Jesus’ body, rose him, lifted and seated Him in heaven. That position is FAR above all power and authority in the universe, now and forever. He is the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. He is the highest authority there is or will ever be!

Paul adds that those who believe in Him have been raised and seated with Jesus in those heavenly realms. The same power that raised Jesus and placed Him above all power and authority there is, also works in us who believe. And that’s where spiritually we are! You do nothing to attain that position, except to just believe. Can you imagine that?

In such a position, and with such immense power to reign with Christ at our disposal, why do so many in Him still feel so susceptible, helpless and hopeless? Because of lack of revelation of who they really are in Christ. Friends, if this truth and revelation gets to you, you will never know defeat from the forces of darkness whichever form they manifest. You will perpetually triumph. May Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians be your earnest prayer too;

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…"(Ephesians 1:18-19)

Ephesians 2:6 "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…"

Shalom children of God

In the counsel of others

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel,  but with many advisers they succeed."

Counsel is advise one recieves in situations where they lack information or guidance. It is an acknowledgement that we are limited in understanding, knowledge and ability. Such limitations sometimes leave us confused, stuck and without peace.

God created us for each other. None of us knows it all alone. God uses other people to speak to our situations and to settle our hearts in Him. But not everyone speaks what comforts and encourages. Some are used by the devil to mislead and instead take away our peace. We have to discern this and avoid it.

One of the strategies of the devil to defeat us is isolation. While alone, he takes advantage to strike with rejection, hopelessness and other evil thoughts and plans. It is deception to think you can survive alone. God said it is not good for man to be alone and He made Eve for Adam. You need the counsel and presence of others to be at peace.

Matthew 26:38 "Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Mark 3:14 "He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach…"

Shalom children of God

Values upholds in the truth (31/5/2023)

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."

Portiphar’s wife daily nagged Joseph to sleep with her. Joseph did his work professionally and faithfully, having been entrusted by his master, Portophar. He resisted portiphar’s wife because he considered it a wicked thing before God to sleep with her. She was someone’s wife. When he was in a fix, instead of yield to the temptation, he fled. Though he suffered for it, he held firmly to the truth he knew and the principles he stood for.

Such is a life founded and guided by values. So much of this happens to us all in various ways. We are tempted to compromise what we believe in as the truth so as to gain some quick benefits. Unfortunately, many fall victims. But if our values are strong enough, they will sustain us in such times regardless of the consequences.

The early church, under severe persecution for their faith couldn’t yield to the pressure to compromise the truth they held. The battle to downplay, trivialize and sideline the truth over temporary benefits and gains goes on every day in each one of us. But it can be overcome only if we are so established and convinced of what the truth we believe, and in whom we have believed.

Acts 4:19-20 "But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

2 Timothy 1:12 "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 10:1 "The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother."

The delight of a parent is to bring up a son who will live to bring him joy and peace. That’s a wise son who, through wise decisions, will do things that bless others. A foolish son will make foolish decisions that not only land them in trouble, but also ashame and affect the people who produced them. This is true in real life as Solomon observed.

None of us lives entirely for ourselves. One way or another, we need others whose lives depend on us and ours depends on them. And this goes for the decisions we make in life. They don’t only affect us, but also those who are connected to us in community. We should thus be mindful how the decisions we make will impact others positively or negatively for generations to come before we engage in them, especially those in leadership and policy makers.

Some have brought alot of joy to others because of what they did. Others have brought alot of misery and people wish they were never born into the world. If everyone took time to think how what they do or say will affect others now or later, positively or negatively, and refrain from what is destructive, the world would be a better place to live. Every good decision we make is a seed for better. What legacy are you leaving to the world?

May God help us to be agents of change for others through our decisions. See how through Abraham’s decision to obey God the whole world is blessed!

Genesis 12:2-3 “I will make you into a great nation,  and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Shalom children of

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.

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

Jeremiah 1:9-10 ” Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” – NIV

God appointed Jeremiah as a prophet to the nations. As He commissioned him to this work, the Lord reached out His hand, touched and put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth. And then He followed this with how Jeremiah was to execute his work through the words in his mouth. By the words (of God) in his mouth, Jeremiah would uproot, tear down, destroy, overthrow, buod and plant as he reigns over nations and kingdoms.

There is tremendous power in God’s word spoken over situations. By His word, God created the vast universe. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords reigns by the sharp double edged sword from His mouth. The centurion told Jesus to simply speak the word and his servant at a distance would be healed. Jesus told His surprised disciples that they could not only speak to a tree and it dries, but even mountains can move by their word.

And we have been given this same word of God. Our position with Christ in heavenly realms above all power and authority we discussed yesterday, is implemented by the word of God we speak. A word of God quickened in your spirit over particular situation is a powerful dynamite. It can do anything it was sent for. By it, we reign with Christ over all forces of the devil. Speak the word by faith and see what God can do. Glory to God!

Mark 11:22-23 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”

Isaiah 55:11 “…so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Shalom children of God