Category: Daily Devotionals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

The context of these verses is about entering God’s rest, with a warning against unbelief which can hinder entry to this rest. Its God’s will that we rest in total trust and reliance on Him. Whatever labour ensues as a result, should be as God instructs for His service to His glory, and not to impress and win His favor. Many labour to attain what God has already provided for us and can be achieved by faith.

To this effect, the brothers were encouraged to ensure that none of them had a sinful unbelieving heart which manifests in turning away from God through unbelief. They were to achieve this by encouraging one another daily. The more one continues in sin and unbelief, the more their hearts are hardened to the truth of God. Over time, they are no longer responsive to the truth.

Decietfulness of sin comes over time through unbelief. Sin is deceptive. It promises pleasure, happiness and peace, but gives misery, trouble and restlessness. As a person continues in it, they get entangled, bound and hard hearted towards God. In that state of sin’s misery, you can never know God’s rest, because there is no peace to the wicked. Don’t be deceived by the temporary pleasures of sin. Its end is painful. Learn from Moses;

"He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time." (Heb 11:25)

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.""

Man is a spirit (or innerman also called the heart), with the soul (the seat of emotions, thoughts and decisions) and the body which houses the soul and spirit. The spirit is the real person which connects with the spirit world and influences the soul, and the body implements the decisions. The heart of the unregenerated man is controlled and influenced by Satan and his demons. It is very deceitful and without cure, unless God comes in to change it.

At the point of turning to Christ, the heart is given over to Jesus Who saves the person and becomes the Lord. Henceforth, the direction, thoughts, control and decisions of the person are guided by the Lordship of Jesus. The Agent of this transformation and translation from the kingdom of darkness under the devil, to the kingdom of light under Jesus, is the Holy Spirit Whom God places in everyone who comes to salvation in Christ. Because man still retains the will to choose and decide, the Holy Spirit works with the person’s willing corporation to effect this change.

The unconverted heart is desperately wicked and deceitful, reflecting the nature of its master, Satan. The devil will still attempt to manipulate the thoughts and decisions of even the believer in Christ. Some will totally be convinced they are doing God’s will, and yet clearly promoting satanic schemes! Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, to deceive even the elect. Who is incharge of your heart? Allow God, the searcher of the motives and intentions of every man’s heart, to be in control so as to escape the deception of Satan.

Matthew 15:7-9 "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"

Shalom children of God.