Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 6:8-9 "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." - NIV

These words about Noah come amidst a very grim environment of a very evil society. Everyone thought, planned and did evil. The fallen angels had married daughters of men and produced giants. The heart of God was grieved at the magnitude of sin in the world. Its was in this scenario that Noah is described as a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. The contrast between Noah and the rest of the people, is like contrasting day and night. The secret to his righteous life and favour was because he walked with God.

The Lord destroyed the earth with a flood as a result of increase of evil. But as men descended from Noah increased on earth, evil thrived again. Todate, our world is characterized by evil in every sphere, even getting worse as we draw towards the end of the age. Jesus said evil will increase and the love of many will grow cold (Matt 24:12). Paul said it too (1Tim 4:1).Can one live righteously amidst such evil everywhere? The answer is yes. Because it is not by might nor by power of men, but by His Spirit.

Just as Noah walked with God and lived righteously in a terribly evil environment, so can we if we choose to walk with, and worthy of God. There is every temptation to be part of the evil environment and to live as everyone else does. Evil has become glorified and celebrated. Good has become bad, and vice versa. But we can choose to live for God. It is not easy, but worthwhile. The Holy Spirit is available to enable us do so. We just can’t make it on our own. It’s by God’s grace alone we are saved and sustained.

Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 John 1:1-2 "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us." - NIV

John the apostle was one of the twelve apostles with Jesus. He wrote this letter to encourage the believers in various places facing persecution for their faith. Lest they were tempted to think what they believed was not genuine, he emphasized that they had heard, seen and even touched the Jesus they proclaimed. He is the Word of life. In Him we have eternal life.

Everyone wants to be sure of what they are following. Unfortunately some follow under deception. The gospel message is authentic because those who had first hand experience with Jesus wrote and passed it on to us. It is not hear say. Satan has tried all these years to destroy the Bible and the authenticity of the gospel message in vain. It stands the test of time because it originates from God Himself.

In the face of so much deception and attempts by the enemy to distort the truth, we can be encouraged that what we have believed is true. Jesus said no one can do anything against the truth, but for the truth. Never fall into temptation to abandon your faith in Christ. And watch out for deception within the faith by being rooted and established in Him.

2 Timothy 1:12 "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Galatians 5:13 "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love."- NIV

Paul’s letter to the Galatians primarily addressed conflict between the gospel and the law to recieve salvation and attain right standing with God. He taught that in Christ, one has been freed from the numerous requirements of the law to be righteous. But lest that new found freedom is abused, he cautioned that the purpose of the freedom was to serve others and not indulge the flesh.

Freedom is a nice word and state to be. People have misunderstood it to mean doing anything one likes without restrain. Freedom has its boundaries as well. In Christ, we are saved and set free to serve others in humility and love. All God’s law is summarized in love, for God and others.

Unrestrained freedom is dangerous. Society needs guiding rules and regulations to properly manage freedom. All the weird things people do in the name of freedom become destructive to themselves and others. The flesh has its evil desires contrary to God. If given liberty under demonic influence, it instead leads away from God. Enjoy your freedom in Christ as you serve God and others in humility and love.

1 Peter 2:16 "Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." - NIV

We live in a troubled world. So much evil goes on bringing alot of harm, destruction, restlessness and uncertainty. All the efforts towards a peaceful world don’t seem to yield much fruit as they are soon broken and conflicts continue. Wars and crime continue leaving millions displaced, destitute and dead. Economies are struggling, millions are jobless. Is it possible to have peace in such times?

Isaiah declares that God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfastly fixed on Him. The basis of the steadfastness is trust in God. As long as we trust the efforts of men to bring peace to the world, we shall be disappointed because they will fail. Man is limited. Amidst the turmoils, and troubles of this world, we can have peace that comes from our trust in God.

Trusting God is a choice to look beyond the present situation, to a God Who is greater than these things, and is in charge. In response to our faith in Him, He holds, protects and sustains us. We are then safe and secure in His mighty hand from the storms of life. We can rest on the blessed assurance that He is our defender and hiding place.

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

John14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

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

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

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

Galatians 5:16-17 "What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do." - GNB

The greatest battles we have are never external, but within. Paul highlights the battle between the desires of the human nature and the Spirit of God within a person. They are in opposition to each other. The human nature tends towards evil and easily manipulated by the devil. But the Holy Spirit in the renewed human spirit leads towards holiness and righteousness. The two are contrary.

This battle is only won by the help of the Holy Spirit. Submission to, and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, is the surest way to overcome the driving force of the sinful nature. The law is not effective in eradicating evil. It may reduce physical incidents, but at the slightest opportunity, people will do it, because it is a heart matter. Neither can good works and personal attempts help. We are unable to overcome sin without the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit works with our corporation. We have to choose to obey and allow His leading and remain instep with Him. This means a constant communion. Unfortunately, some grief Him away through disobedience and rebellious attitudes. Let’s learn to obediently respond and embrace His ways.

Ephesians 4:30 "And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."" - NIV

Apostle Paul was discouraging engagement in godless chatter which, he said, only leads to more ungodliness. Some had engaged in it and had drifted from the truth, and misled others. Be that as it may, as some fall from the faith, he reaffirms that God’s solid, unshakeable foundation stands firm, that God knows His own; their rising up and lying down, their joys and tears, their thoughts and plans. Just as a good shepherd knows all his sheep, so does God know His own, called by His name and bought by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus.

Some who profess His name may appear to have stumbled, fallen or derailed. If we judged them as to whether they belong to God or not, on the basis of what we know about them, we may misfire. This is because our understanding of God and His ways and dealings with people is limited. Our minds too, are in many ways prejudiced by our cultural or denominational orientation. As to who truly belongs to God can best be left to the Searcher of the hearts of men, Who looks into the motives and intentions. Only He accepts or writes off people as He knows them.

Nevertheless, those who are called by His name, and confess His Lordship over their lives must turn away from wickedness. It implies then, that His own must live in holiness just as He is holy. Jesus said, not everyone who calls Him Lord, Lord would enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father in heaven. It’s more than confessing, but doing His will. Calling Him Lord and not doing His will, is hypocrisy which will disqualify many at the end. Let’s heed His warning.

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - NIV

These were Jesus’ last words to His disciples before physical departure. They contain the commission for the assignment of the church to go and make disciples of all nations, baptize and to teach obedience to all He taught and commanded. All the church is mandated to do is contained in this statement, although it may take different forms, approaches and gifting.

As we engage in this service to God, the promise is that He will be with us all the way to the end. There will be different challenges, battles, trials and temptations. We will need guidance, protection and provision. In this journey, there are valleys and mountains to cross, tears of joy and pain, nice and nasty things, and temptations to quit as the God we serve appears too far or not caring.

But the assurance we have is that He will be with us all the way till the end of the age. We are never alone in this journey. Don’t be tempted to seek for help outside God. Satan’s deception is to make us think God has abandoned us sometimes when we are in the middle of trying challenges. Even then, Jesus is with us to accomplish what He has purposed in and through us. We shall emerge victorious. Blessed be His name!

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;  never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Shalom children of God