Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 21:3-5 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – NIV

These are very soothing words of encouragement especially in the world we live today. It is like the days of Noah where there was violence everywhere (Gen 6:5-12). People did whatever they wished, driven by their evil desires. John was shown how God, seated on His throne, will do away with the current order of things as corrupted by sin, and create a new order. He alone will preside over the new order as God. His dwelling will be with men.

The new order will have no devil or evil, responsible for all the pains, crying, mourning and death we experience in the world today. Everyday news has things that affect our joy, peace and comfort. We feel pain, cry, get troubled and vexed in our lives, especially those who seek truth, peace and righteousness. Violence is everywhere. The magnitude of evil is unprecedented! But all these will end.

In Christ we have this blessed hope. The present order of things in the world will not be so forever. We hold on, trusting God, doing good and battling the influence of evil till the time of renewal of all things at Christ’s coming. And from all indications, it won’t be long before this happens. His words are true and can be relied upon.

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:10 “Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.”

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.

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.