Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 32:28,31 "Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” … The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip." - NIV

Jacob was in such a fix. He was to face his brother Esau, whose birthright he had taken by fraud. The rift between them was deep. It was now over 20 years since. Yet he had no choice, but to go and face him. He sent all his animals and family ahead.

That night, he was alone, to sort himself out with God. A man wrestled the whole night with him, but couldn’t prevail. Later, he blessed him by changing his name from Jacob (the cheat, fraudster) to Israel (the one who prevails with God and men). That changed his story forever!

In the course of the fight, his hip was wrenched. As he crossed over to meet his Esau, he limped. But he had prevailed with God, before going to face the greatest fear of his life. Esau, who came ready to fight in revenge with 400 men, was completely dealt with by God. Instead of fight Jacob, they hugged and reunited in love. It was unbelievable to Jacob, but true!

If only we could learn to sort things with God in prayer as we face the challenges of our lives, before facing men! When we prevail with God, He deals with our situations. By the time we face them, everything has been streamlined. Turning to God establishes our faith in Him alone and gives Him lee way to fully step into our situations. Our bodies may be ‘limping’, weakened, subjected, but victory is settled in the spirit. And that’s what matters.

Joshua 23:10 "One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised."

Shalom children of God.

Love: Everyone needs it! (R)(20/5/2023)

1John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."- NIV

Every human being has an inherent longing for love. This goes for all creation as well. This is because the God who created us is love. He put His nature of love in  us. Our lives are fulfilled only in the context of love. The greatest achievements of men were/are spured on by the force of love. The vilest offenders/criminals are most likely products of love deprivation. Love always comes to the equation, making the whole difference in relationships.

Imagine a world were everyone loved each other regardless of status, possessions, race or any differences. We are all human and deserve love before we think of race, tribe, status, religious or political affiliations. We wouldn’t have wars and all these destructive tendencies in the world today. We would genuinely seek peaceful ways of solving our problems. We would not desire to hurt others so as to make ourselves happy, rejoicing in their pain.

God’s kind of love; unconditional, everlasting, holy and pure, has been lavished on us. The world has unfortunately redefined love to mean what it is not. It’s counterfeit, impure, conditional love.  That’s why it does not have the effect God’s love has.

God put His kind of love in us and He expects us to replicate it to others. If we do so, we will flavor our world with God's wonderful love, truly be its light and salt (Matt 5:13, 14). Life is worth living only with true love!

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)

Shalom children of God.

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." - NIV

This was part the advice to king Lamuel from his mother. Kings and all those trusted with power and authority, and make decisions that affect many others should heed this call. There are many vulnerable in society who are marginalised, cannot speak for themselves, destitute, poor and needy. They are powerless and need others to defend and speak for them.

In His justice and righteousness, God is so concerned about such people. They include widows, orphans, children, poor, disabled, strangers, homeless, aged, etc. One of the key indicators of a just society is the care given to those categories of people. God rebuked the leaders and priests in Israel for, among other things, failing to care for the powerless. It’s unfortunate that some leaders and privileged take advantage of such in our world today to enrich themselves by oppressing the powerless!

We all find ourselves in one way or another, in position to help someone else in need, poor, voiceless or marginalised. Feeling for them, and being ready to help, is part of God’s heart of compassion and love for His people. Commit yourself to defend the powerless against the arrogant mighty who want to crush them.

Proverbs 29:7 "The righteous care about justice for the poor,  but the wicked have no such concern."

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while you can find him.  Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” – NLT

Many people tend to trivialize, postpone, ignore or reject certain actions and decisions with a feeling that there is still time. In the end, many opportunities are lost, remorseful regrets experienced later in life, and destinies affected, some of them eternally! This is true in every aspect of life, our relationship with God inclusive. Many along the way look back with much regret at lost chances. Worse still, will be the eternal regret for those who are now postponing, or ignoring their commitment to God!

God still pleads with us to seek Him while He can be found, to call on Him while He is near. This call will not be so forever. A time comes when it will not be possible to call or seek and find Him any more! Even those in God who keep disobeying or postponing what God tells them to do in His service, should rethink their ways. Hear what David said in Psalm 32:6 “… Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgement.” NLT

Apostle Paul wrote about the same; “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ÑLT)

And Jesus, about the irresponsible unprepared virgins at His coming, had this to say; “… Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” (Matthew 25:10)

So, while there is still time and opportunity to give your life to Jesus, be reconciled, and start a relationship with God, and to serve Him, make use of it NOW. One day, it will not be there. It will be too late!

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 "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. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." - NIV

The Israelites were about to enter the promised land. Moses instructed them on the kind of life and decisions they were to make so as to enjoy the blessings God had for them. The choices of obedience or disobedience they would make would lead to life or death, blessings or curses. They later failed and suffered the consequences of disobedience. Many died.

God still calls us to choose to obey Him. We are free to exercise our wills to obey or disobey. God never forces anyone to obey Him. Jesus said those who believe in Him receive eternal life. Those who disobey and reject Him are condemned already because they have not believed in Him. Those who believe cross over from death to life. Those who don’t remain in death.

Friends, our relationship with God is not a by the way matter. It is an issue of life or death, living with God or perishing forever! They are matters of eternal destiny! Unfortunately some take it lightly, despise God’s word, play double standards, ignore His warnings and think it is a waste of time. Rethink your ways before it is too late. Choose to obey God and walk in His ways while there’s still time. One day it will be too late!

John 3:18 "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."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Job 19:25-26 "I know that my redeemer lives,  and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed,  yet in my flesh I will see God" - NIV

Most people are familiar with the story of Job’s bitter sufferings. He was at a point that no one cared about him anymore. He narrates how his family and servants had abandoned him, and his friends were condemning more than comfort and strengthen him. They just stared at him helplessly, but Job longed for a word of encouragement and hope that none of them gave. In the midst of such despair come the words in the portion of scripture above.

Deep within Job was an awareness that his Redeemer God, was alive and that He will triumph. Even if his skin was being eaten up, he believed to see God work again. It makes the whole world of difference, in the midst of trouble and hopelessness, to know that the one you trust is alive and able to save. That keeps hope and faith alive. Apart from that, the advice of Job’s wife to curse God and die, would make sense. There would be no good reason to continue living. Indeed, Job saw God work mightily in the later part of his life.

Paul said that the resurrection of Christ and the hope of our own resurrection is at the core of our salvation. Otherwise we would be hopeless, but just to eat, drink and die! But glory be to God our Redeemer is alive and well. After the storm, the challenge, the confusion, rejection and abandonment, we shall see Him in glory. Sorrow may be there for the dark night, but our Redeemer brings joy in the morning. Hold on to faith in God who never fails.

1 Corinthians 15:19 "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."
Job 23:10 "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Acts 5:41-42 "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah." - NIV

The apostles were persecuted and expressly warned not to preach the name of Jesus. They were beaten and let go. Instead of crying, they rejoiced that they were partaking of the sufferings of their Lord. They never stopped preaching that Jesus was the Messiah, Saviour and Lord. Earlier they had boldly told them that they could not help, but speak of what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:19-21).

What made these unschooled men so bold to defy the experienced priests and teachers of the law? They had been with Jesus. The transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit was so thorough. What they had believed in was so revolutionary that nothing and no one would change it. They were totally convinced about what they believed. Neither could threats of death stop it. To date, the same gospel continues.

Until you are totally convinced of what believe, and it fills and consumes you, it won’t last. This is true for any endeavour of life. A vision and mission in life that has consumed you is powerful. Challenges will come. You will be tempted to give up on what is genuine. It is only if with your whole being you are sure, that you will continue despite the odds. And such a stand should be birthed and backed by God Who defends you all the way. His will stands forever.

Jeremiah 20:9 "But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in;  indeed, I cannot."

Shalom children of God.