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

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

God of another chance! (17/6/2023)

Judges 16:28 "Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”

In the course of life, we make thousands of decisions. Some of these land us into serious trouble. Samson was a victim of careless decisions with Delilah which brought him to the hands of his enemies whom he had tormented alot. They gorged out his eyes and imprisoned him. As they celebrated his capture, Samson asked God to remember him once again. And God did. He restored his strength and he killed more philistines than he had done before.

Many other great men in history made huge mistakes. Abraham lied about his wife. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband. Peter denied his Lord. Other contemporary men have made huge and costly decisions. The wars and turmoil in the world is because of some leaders decisions. But the whole difference comes as they acknowledge the mistakes and repent.

We all make wrong decisions one way or another. It is important to acknowledge them in humility, seek restitution and move on. God offers us other opportunities to come back after we make mistakes in our decisions. He is willing and promises to forgive, heal and restore us again. Peter bitterly wept in repentance. David repented. Mistakes shouldn’t be the end. We can bounce back with God’s help.

Matthew 26:75 "Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly."

Psalm 23:3 "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Colossians 2:9-10 "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." - NIV

Paul was addressing a false teaching in Colosae which depended on human philosophy and wisdom. It made the believers in Christ think there was more to do beyond just having faith in Christ to attain salvation. But Paul assured them that in Christ, in matters of salvation, nothing more was needed.

We often hear these teachings. Some think they need to ‘do’ more than just have faith to be acceptable to God. Yes, we need to grow and be established in Christ after we recieve Him. But we can’t add anything to what Christ did to save us. In Him we are completely acceptable to God, forgiven, redeemed and are His own.

The quarrel Paul had with the Galatians was the teaching that they needed physical circumcision in addition to faith in Christ. The good works we do should be a result of Christ’s work in us, but not our attempt to please God. All God calls us to is simple genuine faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. That is the foundation to build on and makes us complete in Him.

John 1:12-13 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ecclesiastes 9:11 "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift  or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant  or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." - NIV

Solomon pondered over life and death. He observed that there is a time for everything done under the sun. He now discusses a seeming paradox, that it is not always the swift who win races, nor the strong who win battles, nor the wise who have enough to eat, nor the brilliant who are wealthy. But a common denominator for every human being is that time chance happens to all.

This is common reality. One reason this contradiction happens in life is that people want to be like others and not what God created them to be. So much imitation and comparisons go on in life. We want to be like others, yet everyone’s time and chance is different. We fail if we assume someone’s time and chance is also ours. In God’s time and chance for you, everything is made beautiful.

So many miss out their own time and opportunities by shifting for focus on other people’s opportunities. As we get into a new season of another year, spend time understanding what God has in store for you, your opportunities, openings and timing. However strong, swift, wise or brilliant you may be, if you are out of tune with God’s time and chance for you, you fail!

Ecclesiastes 3:1,11"Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses… He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does."

Shalom children of God. Happy new year!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." - NIV

Whenever God does anything new, it is different, unique and better. His promise to Israel was to make a way in the wilderness, and streams to flow in it again. This meant bringing life, renewal, healing, restoration, comfort, peace and joy where there had been destruction, lose and sorrow. This is what we all need in this troublesome we live in.

As the new season dawns, the God of new beginnings has so much more in store for you. Even in the routines of life, He can give new directions, new and better ideas, but only to those who are not held captive by the past and are sensitive enough to discern the new things. It will also require ACTION on our part to deliberately let go of the past, seek His mind for the new and accordingly walk that path.

Paul, a man with turbulent past, encourages us all to forget the past and press on towards what’s ahead. God always does things differently and better. He is never short of new strategies if only we are open minded to perceive and walk in them. Dear child of God, there are glorious moments ahead, despite the challenges of this evil world. I pray you experience them in the Lord this year!

Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Shalom children of God. Happy new year!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 6:6-8 "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest." - NIV

Its amazing that little creatures in nature can teach us huge lessons in life. Man is the highest creation of God, the only one made in the image and likeness of God. The rest of the animals were not. And it was to man that the task of managing creation was given – todate. This required planning and foresight. God created all things and allowed man to discover hidden treasures and benefit from creation.

The scriptures above and others following, were written to address laziness and its effects in people. The example of ants working so hard to make their food, knowing which season to look for it and to store it for a tough time ahead, teaches about planning ahead of time. Unfortunately, man even with all the knowledge and intellect God gave, with the opportunities available, knowing seasons, still goes hungry and remains poor! Many reasons could be given for this, but its shameful for little creatures without much reason to do better than man in planning!

This is a call to hard work, strategic planning, and a commitment to achieve. There are things God can do, but there are things He expects as to do. Do not expect God to do what you should be doing. Plan, anticipate, think ahead, make commitments, persevere and work hard. Sustained success is never accidental. It takes deliberate effort. And God blesses such endeavours, not idleness and laziness.

May 2023 be a fruitful year for you!

Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

Happy new year to you and your loved ones.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 25:30-34 "He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. ) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." - NIV

What a story! Esau was very hungry. Jacob took advantage of his vulnerable state to give him food as he cheats him of his birthright. At that point in time, the birthright meant nothing to Esau because of his hunger. He was about to die. He despised and forsook it lost it forever!

We are always making decisions about everything in life. Some are small and others are serious decisions with life long and eternal significance. Some are taken ignorantly or jokingly without due consideration of the consequences. Some do it for fun, pleasure, out of anger, revenge, etc. Whichever way, however small or big, our decisions eventually shape our destinies for better or worse.

At our most unstable emotional, social, spiritual or economic state, we are very susceptible to wrong decisions. And the devil takes advantage. Watch what you decide when very angry or very happy, or when you very little information and yet making major decisions in life. Many regret later, and some forever when it is too late to change! Esau lost it. He wanted to get abit of the blessings later amidst so much tears, but it was gone, forever!

Let the solid counsel of God’s word guide your decisions this year.

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Jeremiah 1:4-5 "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nation's." - NIV

Among some of the most important questions in life every human being should ask is, ‘why was I created?’ Why do I exist?’ It’s noteworthy that we are no accidents in this world. We have a Creator God, Who must have had a definite reason for creating us. God told Jeremiah he was made for a specific role even before he came to existence. And so is each of us.

We can only understand the purpose of anything from the mind of its maker. That’s why we have operating manuals for any new item to guide on its best way to use and maximize its benefits. Looking elsewhere for alternative opinions is misleading. Likewise, for anyone of us to find our purpose of existence so as to live meaningfully, we must, of necessity, get back to our Creator.

Life outside God its Maker is a gamble. We may try to fill it up with the needs and wants of life, but these can never define us. The more we acquire, the more we want and the more empty we feel. The earlier we go beyond these things to understand our Creator’s purpose for our lives, the quicker the life puzzle fits in. And that’s of paramount importance to know.

Whatever else we acquire in this life are simply to enable us become what we were made for. They are not an end in themselves. If our only focus is on these things, we miss the mark and we lose out on our God given purpose. There is much more to our lives than what this world and other sources may tell us. Seek God’s purpose for your life. Consult the manual He gave us, His word. Therein is truth for real, meaningful and maximum living.

Psalms 139:16 "… All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Shalom children of God.