Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Judges 16:28"Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "Sovereign LORD, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes."- NLT

Samson had so much power by the Holy Spirit. He did extraordinary things. But he lived a careless promiscuous life. The final blow came as he lay on the laps of Delilah, who nagged him so much that he revealed the secret of his super human strength. He was captured, his eyes gorged out, tortured and humiliated by his enemies as he entertained them. Then he prayed for God to remember him one more time.

Life’s journey is full of traps set by the enemy the devil to make people stumble and fall from God’s intended purpose and ways. If we consistently and keenly follow the Lord’s instruction, it is possible to escape all such traps. But as it is, many stumble and falter in many ways. Great callings and destinies have been shattered and the victims are shamefully out of the scenes! God doesn’t want us to remain in sin and the mistakes fallen into, feeling guilty and hopeless. You can rise again!

It was while in that fallen shameful state that Samson asked God for another chance. We too can. Out of carelessness, ignorance, weakness or even deliberate choices, many stumble and fall. Satan’s desire is to accuse and keep us away from God. But God, in His great mercy, calls us to come back to Himself in repentance, however far we have fallen. He is a gracious God of another chance. He forgives sin. He restores and gets us back to our feet again!

1 John 1:9 "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."

Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Shalom children of God

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

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

Proverbs 20:6-7 "Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is! Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right." - GNB

The wiseman raises a fundamental issue of integrity. If there was a time when integrity was scarce, it is now. So many claim to be faithful and can be relied upon. But the reality is different in practice. Despite the much deception, including those who use God’s name, there are still people of integrity. These traits are passed on from parents to children. Do you as a parent live dishonestly and expect your children to be otherwise? What are you modeling for them?

None of us on our own can live upright honest lives of integrity without God’s help. Man fell from God’s glory and has since been corrupted in every way. Only God has absolute integrity and can totally be relied upon. He fulfills what He says and there is no lie in Him. In our transformation towards Christ likenes, the key is restoration of a life of integrity as He is, so that we reflect His nature. And that’s possible if one wills and allows God.

In God, there are no grey areas. He is transparent in His dealings. Those called by God’s name are to manifest His honest character. In the world is so much evil and intrigue. People claim one thing, and practice another. Parents are to model honesty to their children. Leaders at various levels are to lead in integrity. May God help us to pursue lives of integrity, where our private and public lives, thoughts, words and actions are the same with honest intentions. That’s God’s will.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 15:14,16-18 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost." - NIV

Paul dedicated this chapter to teach about the resurrection: of Christ as first fruits and ours too. He argues why this determines the authenticity of the gospel and hope of our faith. If Christ never shed His blood, died and rose from the dead, then our preaching is useless and we are to be pitied of all people. We would still be in our sins. But He did, and so the gospel is authentic, despite all attempts of satan to distort it through deception.

Sins are forgiven by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross. That’s the basis of our faith and hope; that Jesus died and rose in triumphant victory over sin, the devil and death. It means those who live and die in Him have the same hope, that they shall rise with Him. He declared that He was dead, but now alive (Rev 1:18 ) never to be defeated or die again. Paul says this hope made him face severe trials with hope whether in death or life.

There will be a resurrection of all who died. The righteous will rise to everlasting life in glorious peace and joy. The wicked will rise to eternal damnation and gnashing of teeth in extreme pain because they rejected the Savior. Physical death is not the end. While there is still time in this body, we all have a chance to mend our ways and be reconciled to God our Maker. Then can we have a living hope at the resurrection, that we shall spend eternity with God.

John 5:28-29 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 2:25-26 "Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--" - NIV

Jesus addressed the seven churches in Asia Minor. To each of them, He pointed out and recognised what they did well, and what they were not doing well and needed to repent. The message in the scriptures above was to the church in Thyatira where some had comprised with teachings encouraging sexual immorality among servants of God. But to those who had not, Jesus encouraged them to hold on to what they already had till the end.

Consistency is an important virtue in remaining true to the faith. As time goes on, some form of ‘new revelations’ come in the name of the Lord using His word, trying to justify some evil and mislead many as it happened in Thyatira. Jesus, while responding to the end time question, warned His disciples against deception (Matt 24:4). He said many would come in His name, doing miracles and trying to sway people to themselves and out of the will of God.

 Jesus promised overcomers, those who would hold on to His will to the end, authority over the nations. There is a raging battle over your soul and the eternal truth of God, to dilute, add to or subtract from it, and to make it ‘fit’ into the times we live in. Paul called these waves and winds of teachings and cunning craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming (Eph 4:14). They have swayed many people. But we are called to consistently stick to God’s will to the end. This means watching out for, being alert and contending against what wants to compromise God’s will as the serpent did to Eve.

2 Timothy:4.3 -4 "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - NIV

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 27:13 "[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." KJV

Life’s journey is not straight. It can be tough. One time you are at the mountain top and everything is alright. Another time you are at the valley and things seem to be falling apart. One time there are friends all around. And in another no one seems to care. You seem to be all alone. What keeps one going is hope that things will be better.

God operates in seasons and times. There is day time and night time. That’s how things are. David acknowledged that if he had not believed, in hope, for better times ahead, he would have given up on living. This happens to us many times when the storms of life beat, situations are so tough and unforgiving, and thoughts of quiting or even dying cross one’s mind.  

It’s so encouraging that amidst all the ups and downs and uncertainities of life, God, in Whom we trust and hope, doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6). He is God in the good and bad times. He remains a good God and faithful in the mountain top and in the dark valleys. Our faith and hope should rest in Him. Men may fail. Our businesses, investments, treasures and all the other things we rely on can fail. But God doesn’t.

Hope in God doesn’t disappoint. It will be well at the end. Tomorrow will be better, however bad today is. Do not quit your endeavors. Hold on to faith in an unchanging, faithful God. There is light at the end of dark tunnel, even into eternity.

Psalm 30:5 "For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning."

Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - NIV

The constant battles and challenges we are engaged in eventually drain strength and can wear us out. As a result, fatigue and burn out set in and people give up or surrender to negative situations despite knowing the right things to do. Jesus endured the horribly painful cross, its shame and fierce opposition from evil men because of the joy that lay ahead of Him. We are encouraged to fix our eyes on Him so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.

Jesus was tried and tempted in every way we are, but never gave in. The great heroes of faith too went through very terrifying trials but never lost heart. Let their example and testimony encourage us in our faith. They overcame. We too shall overcome. Sufficient grace was upon them to endure. We too have sufficient grace to go through.
It’s the devil’s intention to bombard us with so much from every side and throw thoughts of quiting. Do not quit!

Looking to Jesus, learning from the examples of those who went ahead of us, focusing on the prize and reward ahead will strength our commitment and perseverance to go on. You are not alone going through it. Victory is promised to us, if we don’t grow weary. As we trust God daily, He renews our strength. We shall overcome because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Isaiah 40:29 - 31 "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Shalom.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - NIV

Suffering is pain from physical, mental or emotional loss, injury or illness. Many things in this world cause suffering. Some think once in Christ there should be no more suffering. Jesus stated that in this world we shall have trouble, but added that in Him we can have peace despite the challenges. True, there are sufferings for sin and its effects that Jesus bore and we should not suffer for them again. But there are pains we can’t escape because of our relationship with God.

Jesus said His followers would be persecuted for His sake. However much good one does, not everyone will like it. Even Jesus, with all the good He did, was crucified like a criminal. The Bible encourages that one would rather suffer for doing good than bad. Peter wrote, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” (1 Peter 3:13-14).

Let’s walk this journey, knowing that moments of suffering will be there, but most important is to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing to God. This carries a promised reward and should be faced with joy. The world under the devil’s influence, is hostile to God and His agenda. But a time will come when Satan will be out of the picture and there will be no more suffering. We eagerly look forward to that day!

1 Peter 3:17-18 "For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - NIV

The apostles not only experienced severe trials of their faith, but also encouraged others to stand firm through the same. James brings out one of the key reasons why God allows suffering. They test our faith and lead to a much needed quality of perseverance, maturity and being complete in Him, not wanting in any way. This only happens if we don’t give up along the way amidst the trials and sufferings.

Suffering is a good teacher, refiner and establisher of our faith. Growth through hardships yields the quality of resilience. People who grow in soft life are easily shaken off when tried and tested. That’s like the seed that fell on the rock with little soil. Their roots are shallow, their patience limited and their stand is brief. But those who have been through the fire and all sorts of trials will laugh at challenges, not be intimidated and will stand against all odds.

God is not a sadist who enjoys seeing us suffer. As He allows these sufferings our way, His aim is to develop in us a character that reflects Himself. The refiners fire ultimately brings out the pure gold everyone admires, but it doesn’t come easy. May we gladly go through trials as we yield to the molding and shaping hand of God to make us grow into the fulness of the stature of Christ and so truly glorify God. Paul understood it and had this to say;

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

Shalom children of God.