Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 25:15,19 "To one he gave five talents, and to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to  his ability. Then he went on his journey…  After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them." - NIV

It was one of Jesus’ last parables about accountability. God has endowed each one of us with talents and gifts according to our abilities. We are all gifted differently. Some can do much more than others. Some are more prominent than others. But all are important. Whatever we are or have, was given to us by our Creator. We are expected to use them to serve others and God, that is, to trade with our talents.

The Master is coming back and will demand for accountability on how we used them. We need to live with the reality that we shall account for our lives one day to our Maker. It will be a thorough life audit, how we used what God gave us, either to serve our selfish motives or to glorify Him. Some live as if they are in charge of their lives, talents, skills and abilities and they can use them whichever way they please. Whatever we have was given to us and we shall account for it one day.

Accountability is not usually easy, especially if things are not right. We may manipulate men, or cover up certain things on earthly accountability. But to the God to Whom we shall account, nothing escapes notice. He knows and sees every detail of all we do, including thoughts and hidden intentions. All that will be subject to judgement. Do self examination and if there be any ammends you need to make with your life, it had better be now while there is room to do so. Then turn to God in repentance and live for Him.

Hebrews 4: 13 "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."

Remember the day of accountability!

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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." - NIV

What a soothing all time call from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to weary, wounded and burdened souls of men! He had just denounced the cities which refused to repent, despite seeing His miracles. So many were struggling to do good and please God but failed on their own. Jesus invited them to find rest by trusting in Him and ceasing from their futile attempts. And this true today.

There is so much not going right in this broken world. There is hurt and pain everywhere, caused by the selfishness, greed and oppression of men. The evils of men against fellow men has never been this bad! There is violence, oppression, injustice and uncertainty everywhere. The wars, natural disasters, hunger, poverty and disease are taking their toll on millions of people. All these challenges wear and burden our hearts, taking away peace as we wonder what could happen next.

These things are a result of men rejecting God and following their evil ways. The Lord’s call to us to come to Him, casting our worries and burdens, remains. He promises to carry them for us and give peaceful rest that nothing and no one can give to our troubled hearts. Let’s bring our cares, fears and burdens us to Him. He sees our tears, feels our pain and wants to carry them for us. He cares.

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Philippians 4:6 "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."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." - NIV

When a conflict arises between any people, it’s the reconciliation process that restores and heals relationships and brings peace. When sin entered into the world, it brought a separation between man and God. Man lost the fellowship with God. Under the influence of Satan, man became an enemy with his Creator. But the God of peace sought to reconcile humanity to Himself, as He originally intended to fellowship with man. He did this through Jesus.

Jesus did this by carrying upon Himself the sins of the whole human race, bore the punishment that was due for everyone who sinned, so that our sins are no longer counted against us! They were all placed on Jesus. Through our faith in Him and the finished work on the cross, we are reconciled with God. The sin barrier was broken, and our peace with God sealed. And so Jesus came and laid down His life, dying an extremely painful and shameful death He didn’t deserve, so that you and me may find peace with God. What a love!

Not only did He do that for us, He also gave us the same ministry, to carry the message of reconciliation on His behalf. We thus preach peace, forgiveness, healing and restoration of relationships between men and God, and between men and fellow men. Be reconciled to God. Nothing should stand in the way anymore because Jesus cleared the sin barrier. It’s only the disobedient who remain in rebellion to God.

Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Chronicles 18:6,13 "But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”…But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.” - NIV

Jehoshaphat, being sensitive to God, wasn’t satisfied with the four hundred prophets doing Ahab’s bidding. The question he asked is critical todate: “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” Ahab reluctantly sent for Micaiah whom he knew wasn’t going to give him a nice answer. Indeed Micaiah refused to speak whatever others had spoken, but only what God said.

Micaiah was a prophet truly at God’s service. He stood alone against the king, was ridiculed, mocked, and even risked his life as he was imprisoned for refusing to speak what other prophets spoke and the king wanted to hear. He was committed to God, His word and nothing else even if it cost his life! The others like him were Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, etc. They feared none, but God!

When would be servants and prophets of God compromise their stand and fear or divert God’s word, they betray God. Remaining a true prophet of God takes a price. You may be persecuted, rejected, denied certain privileges, misunderstood or ignored. But the outcome of God’s word coming out of you will prove faithful. Choose to be a prophet at God’s service. It will be worth it!

Acts 4:19-20 "But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

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

Hebrews 10:23-25 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - NIV

We all need each other in the journey of faith. The scripture above gives us reasons for the need to always meet and fellowship with others. It helps us hold unswervingly to the hope we have in Christ. Without encouragement from others, one can easily give up. It also helps us provoke one another into love and good works in the Lord. Fellowship enables us encourage one another so that we remain firm and faithful as we wait for return of the Lord. That day draws close every day.

Why don’t some people like or trivialize fellowship? One reason is they don’t see its value. None of us stands individually. We need others. God knows that and instituted fellowship. We can’t be smarter than God. Pride, despise or disagreement with others makes others reject fellowship. True, we may not be the same and so disagree with others, but let’s learn to live with people as we take what is good and leave what is bad. There is always something to learn and benefit from others. Jesus promised to be among those who meet in His name.

Every success story of individuals has other people around them. However successful you may see yourself now, your future sustenance of progress depends on others. Don’t be one of those in the habit of giving up meeting for fellowship. Your strength grows and is maintained through others. Otherwise you might soon be outwitted by the enemy. Elijah was outwitted because he was alone!

Hebrews 3:12-13 "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 3:18-19 "And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

The writer to the Hebrews labored to explain why the Israelites to whom God had promised a peaceful land, flowing with milk and honey, did not enter that rest. They disibeyed and didn’t have faith in God and His promises. The rest God has promised us is attached to our faith and obedience to Him. This makes us cease from our own limited abilities to have peaceful settlement in our endeavors.

As pointed out yesterday, this life has so much it throws at us. But once we have come to fully trust and obey God, He settles our hearts and minds in Himself. He takes care of the things that would make us restless. He guides our ways in activities that are fruitful. This is why the psalmist said he would not worry if an army besieged him or war broke out against him, or if all else he trusted gave way (psalm 27:3, 46:1-3).

Unbelief, doubt and disobedience will certainly drive you out of God and His protection. This leaves you openly vulnerable to all attacks of the evil one. But in simple trust and obedience in God is peaceful rest of our souls, regardless of the turmoils and fears of the external environment. That’s like a little child resting in the protective arms of a loving mum, whatever is happening around. Let’s purposefully do so. So beautifully did the song writer put it:

Trust and obey
For there is no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

Hebrews 4:1-2 "Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

_2 Chronicles 19:5-7 "He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” - NIV

Characteristic of the godly reign of king Jehoshaphat was the manner in which he appointed and instructed judges in the land. He asked them to carefully consider how they judge, not for man but for God. They were to make just decisions, not involve in partiality and bribery. These are known perverters of justice. Woe to a society whose judges and dispensers of justice practice partiality, take bribes and don’t fear God!

One of the key indictators of a righteous, just and fair society is the way it’s law and order, justice and judicial system works, and whether everyone equally benefits from it. But if one must be connected to another to access justice, something is wrong. Judges weld immense power to make decisions which are far reaching in effect. This is why they should have their own value systems founded on the fear of God. Without that, partiality, bribery, delay and perversion of justice will be evident.

God is just and fair to all regardless of their status. He loves and values all people. But Satan is behind the hardness of heart in the arrogant who oppress, marginalize and deny justice to others using their God given positions. May God help help us in our various placements, as we take decisions to execute truth, justice and righteousness to all. Then we will be an extension of God’s heart.

Psalm 89:14 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you."

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.