Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ecclesiastes 2:11 "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." - NIV

Every human being seeks to find meaning, significance, satisfaction, peace and happiness in life. This is expected from the relationships, the imaterial and material things we acquire in life. Because of this, people strive to achieve and attain these things. There is excitement initially upon getting them, but soon or later, the happiness fades away. The tendency is to do or acquire more. And the cycle is repeated.

Solomon got it all as he listed in this chapter. Whatever he desired, he got; fame, riches, wisdom, servants, gardens, women, pleasure, name it. He denied himself nothing his mind conceived and his body desired. He was seeking for meaning in things, but didnt get it. The statements he made over and over in his writings show that it is not external things that give us meaning, good and necessary as they are.

Only God gives true meaning and purpose to life. Without God, whatever our acquisitions, labours, or great achievements, it will leave us empty and like chasing after the wind. It can never satisfy. Down the millennia since the fall of man, men have attempted to find alternatives to true joy in life outside God such as false religion, inventions, and now science and technology. But these are all futile attempts without God. Remember your Creator! Only in Him can we find true meaning to life.

Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Paul was addressing the divisions in the Corinthian church and brings out the importance of right foundations in the faith. Just as foundations are critically important in the strength and sustainability of any building, so it is in our journey of faith. Weak and faulty foundations risk susceptebility to deception and fall. And vice versa.

Paul says no other foundation for salvation can be laid except Jesus Christ. Deception seeks to add or subtract from Christ. The claim is that if one is to truly be saved and to be in right standing with God, they need to do more. When you are taught that Christ alone is not enough for salvation, that’s deception. In that case, attention is given to personalities, churches, denominations, acts of service, rituals, etc with the promise of qualifying a person more for acceptance by God.

Jesus’ blood and death on the cross was forever sufficient price for our salvation. Our part is to recieve it by faith. From then on, we grow into the faith by building on the foundation, and not relaying it. To contend for the faith, is a call to keep the foundation of Christ alone intact. Once it is affected, you become susceptible to all sorts of falsehoods, some of them coming in Jesus name. If you previously had wrong foundations, you can relay it in Christ Jesus, the solid Rock on Whom we stand.

Colossians 1:19-20 "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Tim 3:14-15 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." - NIV

Paul noted that evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being decieved. But Timothy was to continue in what he had learned and was convinced to be the truth. He had been taught the Holy Scriptures from infancy, and this information was a good safeguard against deception and error. The Scriptures are holistic in informing about error, and safeguarding from any form of falsehoods.

The source of the information we have about God and anything else in life, is important. Not all that we hear or read about is authentic and true. There is alot of fake information propagated by people with their own intentions. In discerning truth from error, it’s important to be sure of the source of the information and the credibility of the person from whom we get the teachings.

There are many imposters in our world promoting demonic agendas. They may come in the name of the Lord, but with hidden evil motives. Jesus warned that not everyone who comes in His name is from Him(Mark 13:6). And He said the sure test is their fruit by which we can know them. It’s alright to ask questions, do background checks before we believe what we hear and the people who carry these messages. Then can we properly discern and be safe and secure in the Lord.

Matthew 7:15-16, 20 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?…Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

There are times when the margin between truth and error is so thin that it becomes hard to tell the difference. Certain motives are hidden behind what is fronted as truth. Many times, well meaning people of God have been duped and misled into what they didn’t know was a lie. At such times, the Lord through His word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit helps in discernment.

God’s word is alive, and searches into the depth of thoughts and hearts of men to reveal hidden intentions. The Holy Spirit helps us to see beyond what catches the eye in the physical world, into the spirits behind situations. Men may conceal things and act outwardly in ways that we would never know they had different intentions.
That’s why we get shocked when the truth comes out.

The Holy Spirit leads into all truth. He uses the Word to teach and alert us. By seeking and following His guidance, we get to know what we would never have known through human understanding. The deceiver the devil is so subtle. But Jesus, the Commander of the army, knows all his tactics and is willing to reveal them to us. It’s important then to train oneself to be sensitive in the Spirit and as a regular student of God’s word. God is willing to help us in this so as to escape deception.

John 16:13 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Timothy 6:9-10 "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." - NIV

Paul linked false teachers with unsatisfying search for materialism. He described them as robbed of the truth and take godliness as a means of financial gain(v.5). Their lack of godliness with contentment, desire for riches at any cost, and the love of money drives them to fall into temptations and foolish and harmful desires that plunge anyone involved into ruin and destruction. They affect their faith too.

Materialism makes those in their grip to become very susceptible to ungodly means of acquisition and eventually jeopardise their faith. It made Gehazi (Elisha’s servant), Ananias and Saphira, to lie. Judas Iscariot betrayed his Master for money. If we are to be discerning enough against falsehoods we should steer clear from the obsession with materialism, and instead bring it under control by godliness with contentment.

The devil’s scheme is to lure his victims using wealth as he attempted with Jesus. Satan told Jesus to just bow down and worship him, and he would give Him all these things. Many have done this, by yielding to the deception of Satan to bow to him to acquire wealth and fame. The love of money made them stray from the faith into many ungodly bitter griefs. Let God help us love Him more than money, and to acquire wealth in the fear and honor of God. Then we will escape deception.

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing…"
 
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 24:23-25 "At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time." - NIV

The entire chapter was dedicated to answer a question the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of the end times. Among them is the rising of many false Christs, and those who come in His name. They will perform great signs and wonders aimed at deceiving, if possible, God’s elect. Many will be misled by these miraculous signs. Jesus clearly states He had warned us ahead of time!

We live in that point in time where miracles are increasingly being fronted to promote following. Many in ministry, including those with questionable character of life, are competing to catch attention through miracles, some performed in very weird and degrading ways! And people will still follow without further questions! Again, Jesus caution to discern by their fruit, is critical. Look beyond the miracles.

God still does miracles. The devil’s use of signs and wonders is to counter what God does, and to sway people away from God. As you discern, do not believe any miracle at face value. Consider the fruit and manner of life of its performer to see whether they are pointing you to God, to themselves or to Satan. Test them. Miracles are not enough to confirm one being from God.

If all you seek for is miracles, you risk deception! Seek to be taught God’s word out of which a firm foundation is laid and your needs met. Human nature is so susceptible to the supernatural, but watch out that doesn’t lead to falsehoods.

Matthew 24:4 "Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 16:25 " … “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony…" - NIV

The richman lived in luxury, ignored the poor man Lazarus, and didn’t give thought to the afterlife. He died and was in torment in hell. Lazarus too died and was in paradise with Abraham. In attempt to seek relief from the torment of fire, the categorical answer from Abraham was that it wasn’t possible. He was suffering the consequences of ignoring the eternal in his earthly temporary and luxurious life.

Such is the deception of the temporary life. It promises lasting enjoyment but falls far short. While people are at it, they are blindfolded from what lasts beyond this life into the eternal. They maximise the moment, get puffed up with pride, ignore God and are decieved to think the temporary enjoyment is all there is to life.

It was the same deception of the rich young fool. His stores were fool of harvest. Thinking he had got what would sustain him for all years to come, he promised his soul plenty for the rest of his future. God called him a fool, for exalting the temporary and ignoring relationship with his Creator. I pray you understand early in life that these things are fleeting, here today and tomorrow they are gone. Never set your heart on them. And seriously consider your relationship with God.

Luke 12:20-21 "But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?’ ” And Jesus concluded, “This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight.”

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 1:43-44 "So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the LORD's command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country. The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees and beat you down from Seir all the way to Hormah…"

The Lord had told them, through Moses, not to go and fight the Amorites because He wouldn’t be with them. But they decided to go against the Lord’s command to fight. They forgot that every victory they got before was because God was with them. But they miserably lost the battle and came back crying to the God they had ignored. They had taken God so much for granted that, in their arrogance, they thought they could ignore His instructions and still succeed without Him.

The human heart many times wants to have it’s own way. It sees the ways of God as burdensome, restrictive and at times out of context. Because it wants to take the credit for the success and victory, and under demonic influence, it attempts to do things without God. Like the Israelites in the scenario above, it’s only until we miserably fail in our own human efforts, that we can learn to truly depend on God. Unfortunately, some hearts remain hardened even after such lessons.

God calls us to depend on Him. This doesn’t mean a passive ‘seat-and-wait’ approach. We can be doing whatever needs to be done in normal life routines while sensitive to ideas and strategies He gives. Because He knows it all, seeing the end from the begining, He wants to lead us in paths of success and victory. And then we praise Him at then end. May our hearts not be rebellious and arrogant against God. Let’s learn from the wiseman;

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." Proverbs 3:5-7

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." - NIV

No sooner had Jesus been taken up to heaven in His first coming, than the angels announce His second coming. He had mentioned that He would return. His revelation message to John concludes with the same warning; "… Yes, i am coming soon… " (Rev 22:20).

Although He gave no dates, Jesus gave signs that would point to His coming. Bible prophecy and world events confirm these signs we see in the world today. It’s prophecy in fulfillment right before us. Watch out!

Jesus is not coming as the humble Savior again, but as Judge, and to consumate all things as He takes His church home. We are called upon to be ready for His coming. To those who mock and despise this warning, it will be a sad day. But to those who eagerly look forward to it, it will be a glorious day of great joy.

If He came now, would He find you ready? While there is still room, beloved, give your life to Jesus, mend your ways and purpose to live in holiness before it’s too late.

Do not allow the trivialities and the fleeting pleasures of this life distract you and you miss that day. Some mockingly question His 'soon' coming. Jesus' seeming delay is out of great love, to give everyone a chance to repent, be saved and not perish (2 Peter 3:9).
 
"So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matt 24:44)
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:44-36).

Jesus is coming back!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Numbers 12:1-3 "Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)"

Moses had married an Ethiopian woman. But Aaron and Miriam talked against Moses, starting from criticising his marriage. But soon, it became clear the issue was not the woman he married, but a jealousy and bitterness in their hearts against Moses’ privileged position to hear God. The woman issue just became an opening to reveal actual reason they hated Moses their very brother.

This is a reality in the opposition and fights people have against each other. They may front one reason, but soon go into the real issues they are angry about. Some of these is out of envy for their privileges, hidden pride, and all other evils long kept in the heart. They may be exaggerated and blown out of proportion. When you relate responses to the issues portrayed, they don’t match.

Understanding the actual reasons behind the fights gives a better approach to respond. Moses, the humblest man on earth, left matters in God’s hand, and God quickly showed on his behalf. Sometimes its pointless to fight back because matters may be made worse, but leave matters to God who knows the truth. Jesus did it against those who falsely accused Him of other things, and yet the actual reason was that their fame was threatened. You may appear like a loser, not defending yourself, but the God of truth, justice and righteousness will in the end defend and justify you.

Mark 15:3-5 "The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed."

Shalom children of God.