Category: Daily Devotionals

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…"

It had been a richly lived life of dedicated service to his Lord. Paul was a classic example of what it means to be totally sold out to a cause, the cause of the Lord. As an old man in chains for the gospel, he knew his time of death was close, and was ready for it. His readiness for departure is contained in the statement; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

We can only be ready to sign out when we have done what we were assigned to do. Everyone is born to accomplish particular tasks in life. There is a race marked out for each one of us. There are battles to fight to keep the faith till the end. Some derail, others get distracted, lose the faith. Amidst extremes of life trials, Paul ran his race faithfully. The Lord Jesus too faithfully ran the race, fought the good fight and kept the faith. We have the same calling.

All life is a preparation for death and the after life. How we live affects how we end. Everything we do prepares us in a good or bad way for what lies ahead of us. Those who will be well received and rejoice for eternity, are those who choose to live their lives for their Creator. Those who prepare badly are investing their lives in the temporary pleasures of sin. How are you personally preparing? I pray you live with awareness that one day we shall depart from this life and face our Creator!

John 17:4 "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo.

Colossians 2:2-3 "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - NIV

In Proverbs 8, Solomon states how wisdom was involved at creation, in bringing out all that we now see. John states in John 1:3 that it was through Christ that all things were made. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17) and was involved at creation. So the wisdom personified is Christ. Paul in the scripture above notes that in Christ dwells all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In Him then, is all wisdom.

Several scientific discoveries have been made over the centuries by the knowledge and wisdom that God gives man. Alot of this has immensely benefited man. Some of it has been manipulated by the devil to cause harmful destruction to man and creation. Whatever the case, all this knowledge comes from Christ.

All godly wisdom can only be found in union with Christ. Those who reject Christ and the Holy Spirit reject wisdom and subject themselves to worldly demonic wisdom. We can benefit from this wisdom by dwelling in Him, rooted and established in the faith, walking in love and unity with each other. Unfortunately, the opposite is seen in much of today’s church which, despite having Christ, manifests alot of worldliness because the Spirit has been grieved away!

Colossians 2:10 "…and in Christ you have been brought to fullness…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and then not fulfill?…" - NIV

Balak was desperate to have Balaam curse Israel. Balaam kept consulting God, thinking He could have a different message despite knowing His position on the matter. He had no choice but to declare what God said. God does not change His mind over His declared word. He is not on trial and error or guesswork in what He says and does. That’s characteristic of human beings. Once God has said it, that is it. He speaks and acts, promises and fulfills.

It is this quality of God that becomes a concrete stand for our trust in Him. Sometimes we are tempted to think God is not serious about what He says because we imagine Him acting like men. People speak and promise many things. But they may fail, genuinely out of human limitations or unfaithfulness in character. Not so with God. As long as a word went out of His mouth, you can completely rely on it.

The sole basis of our trust in God is His word, the recorded Scripture. It contains thousands of promises and commitments we can claim and trust God to fulfill, because He doesn’t change His mind. Friend, if there was that only reason to trust God, it is that His reputation of trust is built and eternally established. Get to the word of God and bring it back to Him. He never fails.

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 119:130 "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." - NIV
Psalms 119:130 "The explanation of your teachings gives light  and brings wisdom to the ignorant." - GNB

To some people, the Bible is a difficult outdated book out of touch with present realities. This is far from the truth. The word of God is living and relevant across all ages. All other sources of knowledge will require updating to merge the times. But God’s word is relevant and speaks to all times, all situations and all generations.

The psalmist in the longest chapter in the Bible, focused on the benefits of the word of God and his own commitment to it. In the verse above, he gives the secret to making the most of God’s word: revelation. It is through understanding that comes from revelation of God’s word that we gain enlightenment and wisdom for living.

Whenever we read it, let our prayer always be that the Holy Spirit unfolds the wisdom from God’s word and enable us understand and build our faith, and to know God better. Paul prayed so for the Ephesians. Short of this, the Bible will be very boring and seemingly a waste of time to read it. And yet to those who read with revelation, it is a treasure beyond measure!

Ephesians 1:16-18 "… I remember you in my prayers and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him. I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” – NIV

Those who die in the Lord are blessed as they rest from their labours. It is beautiful to know that all our labours in the Lord will be acknowledged and rewarded. As we give ourselves to His work, investing our time, energy and other resources, in joy, pain and tears, ridiculed and sometimes alone, let’s be encouraged that the God we faithfully serve knows it all. Blessed be His name.

Nothing we do in this life is wasted. It will come back hereafter. Our works of service follow. Judgement will proof this, as some works will be burnt, and others survive. Invest in others, keep doing what God called you to do. Be a faithful servant and steward of what is entrusted to you. Forget the deceptions of this temporary and fleeting funfare of life. The real deal is in what we do for God’s glory while on earth.

Death is not the end. It is a gateway to our eternal inheritance reserved in heaven for the faithful. Paul and the heroes of faith knew this and eagerly looked forward to their crowns that never fade. Nothing compares to it as we leave a lasting legacy behind, and are recieved into our home in glory with a ‘Weldone, good and faithful servant’ welcome by our Master Himself. Then shall we know it was worth every effort and perseverance!

2 Timothy 4:8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo.

Proverbs 8:34-36 "Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life  and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.” - NIV

There are so many benefits of godly wisdom. They include safety from error, from wicked ways, bringing peace and a clear sense of direction in this life and eternal rest in the life to come. Solomon summarises these benefits in the scripture above. Happy are those who listen and seek for wisdom daily.

Those who find wisdom find life and favour with God. This is the climax of all our endeavors, to find life. And it is in wisdom. Those who don’t seek and don’t find godly wisdom harm themselves. They die and perish eternally for rejecting God. Why die of foolishness when God is more than willing to give you His wisdom liberally?

People will do everything in their means to seek for money and all it offers. But far greater than the nice things money and wealth, fame and pomp gives, are the benefits of wisdom. They truly satisfy beyond this life. In godly wisdom is life. If only men would realise this, they would seek for it and escape many temporary and deceptive traps of the devil. Find wisdom, find life!

Proverbs 8:12,14 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;  I possess knowledge and discretion… Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 4:2 "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - NIV

We have been entrusted with so much by God, including His mysteries which we should faithfully deliver to others. This requires faithfulness. Trust is build on faithfulness. The reason for testing, observation and probation is to prove trustworthiness. Some fail, others pass. Paul says those entrusted MUST prove faithful. Jesus said if one can be trusted with little, he can be trusted with much. If he is dishonest with little, he can be dishonest with much. Little things are the true test.

Life is lived to a great extent on trust because God created people to be interdependent. You need me and I need you. We were created in God’s nature, to reflect His character in our human relations. One of this qualities is faithfulness which builds trust. Life is easier and better with trusted people. Those in Christ should lead in this. It is horrible to be among people you can’t trust. It hurts!

Trust doesn’t just come. It is founded and built on pillars of values and principles from God over time. It takes commitment in the little daily tests and choices to be faithful and trustworthy. In our corrupted world today, many sacrifice faithfulness for quick gains and pleasure. Relationships have broken because of mistrust. But God is able to help those determined to keep their trust. Can you be trusted by others?

Luke 16:10-11 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

Shalom children of God.