Category: Daily Devotionals

Behold! I am God! (R) (5/6/2023)

Isaiah 44:6 "This is what the LORD says---- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God." - NIV

Every time we hear words, we want to know who spoke them. This is important because behind the words is authority of the speaker, and thus the power and authenticity of the word. A word spoken by an ordinary person carries very little or no weight. Few will bother about them. He has no capacity or power to effect them. But a similar word spoken by one in authority, like a head of state, is not taken lightly because of the authority and power they hold and the ability to effect them.  

Whenever we read the Bible, we are recieving words from the Almighty, all powerful, all knowing God. There is no other god or world authority greater or more powerful than Him, including the most powerful armies in the world today. He is the first and last, the Most High. He created everything we see or don’t see. In a moment He can snap out the most powerful forces of human might. Ask the powerful king Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh and Herod.

And He declares that He is our God, our Redeemer, Savior, Protector, an ever present help in times of trouble,  and a loving Father! He is far stronger than all our enemies combined, greater than all our challenges and problems put together. All He asks of us is to simply trust Him. This is too wonderful to be true, and yet it is! Trust Him with all your problems, dilemmas or impossibilities. He alone is God and there is no other! He is your Father.

Isaiah 40:25 "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One."

Shalom children of God.

Care for the needy and vulnerable! (R) (6/6/2023)

Proverbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." - NIV

There are people with whom God is concerned and asks us to always remember. These include orphans,  widows, children, the needy, marginalized and vulnerable. God measures the quality of our relationship with Him, attaching rewards in His kingdom  (among other things) to our level of care for these people. God is merciful and compassionate. He is ever touched by the suffering of His people. He wants us to feel the same way.

As you give to the poor, out of kindness heart with a genuine desire to improve their wellbeing, means you don’t expect any returns because they can’t pay. The Lord takes it upon Himself to pay you back. Unfortunately, some have used the state of the poor to enrich themselves through manipulation and lies as they solicit support purportedly for them, but it never gets to them! Again, the Lord takes it upon Himself to deal with such heartless fraudsters!

The bible says the poor will always be with us. This gives us opportunities everyday to recieve blessings from God to Whom we lend as we give to the poor. God warned Israel not to be tight fisted to their poor and needy neighbors. At times the deception of wealth and selfish attitudes makes others feel the poor are a burden. May we serve God as we reach out to such people all around us. And you can be sure to recieve the promised reward from God.

Deuteronomy 15:7,20,11 "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother… Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."

Shalom children of God.

God willing…(R) (7/6/2023)

James 4:13-14 "Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - NIV

James address people who imagine they control the course of their lives. They plan like everything depends on their good ideas, scheming and deals. Their confidence is in themselves. And they boast about it. The purpose of this reminder is that our lives and the ability to do what we do, and to achieve the results we get, lies beyond us. If we do not even know what lies in our tomorrow, nor have control over our lives, we certainly can’t boast and credit ourselves for it.

This does not mean we don’t plan and leave our lives to fate. We are to plan like everything depends on our planning. But let’s acknowledge that there is a Greater One, who knows and controls the future like everything depends on Him. It is to Him that we commit our plans. God operates and orders all things according to His plan and purpose for our lives (Prov 16:9, Rom 8:28).

We are limited as human beings in thought and plans. But God knows all things, the end from the beginning. His will is always the best, but sometimes we don’t know it, and that’s why James says in whatever we do we should say, ‘if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ Such acknowledgement allows God to work what is best for us, and gives us the humility to recognize His working. Speaking by faith is good, but remember we only know in part and prophesy in part. God knows it all. Allow Him be God.

James 4:15-16 "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."

Shalom children of God.

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.

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

The integrity of God (10/6/2023)

2 Timothy 2:11-13 "Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

Our relationship with God is is conditioned on certain things we need to do so that God does His part. Paul states some of them here. We can only live with Him if we choose to die with Him. We can only reign with Him if we endure suffering for His sake. He remains faithful to Himself and His commitments even if we loose faith. Paul says this is a trustworthy saying we can rely on.

God cannot disown Himself. He doesn’t shift like changing shadows. He is faithful to what He says. The trials of faith, the changing desires, dreams, plans and attitudes of men may change over time. Some get overtaken by the pleasures of the world, driven by circumstances of life and change their minds even on God. But God remains Who He says He is regardless of our feelings. Men are driven by feelings.

The integrity of God is founded on His never changing character. David said one of the qualities of abiding in God’s presence is being true to our commitments. That’s integrity. Reliability is grossly lacking in many who profess God’s name because the character of God has not been fully formed in them. Let’s be people of integrity and so reflect the character of the God we claim to belong.

Psalm 15:1,4 "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? … who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind…"

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 30:15,19-20 "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction… This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him…" - NIV

These were Moses’ last instructions to Israel before he died. They were about to enter the land of promise, Canaan. He envisaged a time when the people would settle in the land, enjoy themselves and forget the God who rescued them. The last instruction was about the call to obedience and its benefits, disobedience and its consequences. Whatever would happen to them resulted from this.

The choice to obey or disobey was at their disposal. The choice between life and death, success and failure, blessings and curses, was determined by their obedience or disobedience. That remains God’s principle. He calls us to decide to go by His ways or disobey and go our own ways. Moses said death and life was before Israel. But they had to choose. He urged them to choose life. Much later, they disobeyed and faced dire consequences.

Whatever God wants His people to have is available and accessible through obedience. The Holy Spirit is present to help us live in obedience. But He requires our deliberate humility, submission and commitment to His leading. Whaterver and wherever we shall be for all eternity is determined by our decisions. The choice is in our hands!

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

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

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

Knowledge guides decisions (14/6/2023)

Joshua 24:16-18 "Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God.”

Joshua challenged the people to decide whether to serve God who brought them out of Egypt or other gods in the land they now occupied. The people answered that they would serve God. They narrated how God had saved them, displaying great signs, protected and provided for them, and eventually settled them in the land of promise. On the basis of that knowledge of Who God is, and what He had done, they decided to serve God.

What you about anything or anyone will guide your decisions about them, including God. There is so much information in the world about anything. Some of these are propaganda and lies, unfounded opinions and some are facts and truth. Make your decisions on the basis of the truth.

It is therefore important to invest in knowledge of the truth about anything you want to make a decision about. Read and study. Inquire from credible sources. Counter lies with truth. If you decide using lies and rumours, you fail and later regret. Satan is a liar and distorts the truth about God. He has misled many. Don’t fall victim of his lies, however nice they sound. God’s word is the truth that stands the test of time. Any decision based on it lasts.

Psalm 119:89-90 "Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations;  you established the earth, and it endures."

Shalom children of God