Category: Daily Devotionals

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

Isaiah 41:10, 13-14 "So do not fear, for I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." - NIV

To Israel, God showed Himself as God Almighty, their protector. Through Isaiah, He repeatedly gave this assurance. Every time we hear words, we want to know who spoke them; the credibility and authority of the speaker. It’s then that we can rely on them if the speaker holds power and authority. If weak and powerless, whatever they say, however sounding, doesn’t mean much.

The strong words in the scriptures above were spoken by none other than God Almighty, above Whom is no other, the Alpha and Omega, Creator of all things, Whose word is final and sustains all things. His word then was to Israel, and to those who believe in Him today, and going through fear and uncertainty. He takes us by the hand, and says, ‘Fear not, I myself will strengthen and help you.’ Wow!

How refreshing are His words! Whatever brings us fear is subject to the God who helps us. No one will override His word. He has the final say. And you to whom He directs His word, is His beloved child, the apple of His eye, the delight of His heart. Your safety and protection is His responsibility. No wonder, David was so confident in God’s protection that he said God sets a celebration for him in the presence of his enemies. That’s our portion too! Walk with your head high, for God Almighty is with you!

Psalms 23:5 "You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honoured guest     and fill my cup to the brim." - GNB

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Jonah 1:1-3 "One day the Lord spoke to Jonah son of Amittai. He said, “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it; I am aware how wicked its people are.” Jonah, however, set out in the opposite direction in order to get away from the Lord. He went to Joppa, where he found a ship about to go to Spain. He paid his fare and went aboard with the crew to sail to Spain, where he would be away from the Lord." - GNB

Jonah’s story is interesting. He heard God clearly tell him to go to Nineveh and proclaim His message of repentance. But he deliberately went the opposite direction, to run away from God’s assignment. Alot happened in the ship until he was thrown out, swallowed by a huge fish, and three days later vomited out on the shore. A miracle indeed! The next time God called him and he went to Nineveh.

We cannot run away from God. Neither can even hide where God is not present in the entire universe. In the futility of his very limited human understanding, Jonah thought (as many today think) he would escape. Adam and Eve too tried to run and hide from God, but it was pointless to run from God Who is Omnipresent and all seeing. Such is the deception the devil has put in the human mind.

Many are running away from God’s call, and His known will. Nice sounding excuses may be given for disobeying God’s known will and ways. Whatever is done in disobedience may appear very normal outwardly. But deep within, you and God know that you are living in disobedience as Jonah did. Come back in repentance and do the things He called you to do. You cannot succeed to run away from God. It is a matter of time and you will know He alone is God and cannot be mocked. Jonah learnt the hard way.

Galatians 6:7-8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." - NIV

We are called to be at peace, with God and with others. Peace with God comes about when the guilt of our sins has been taken away. Jesus took our sins in His body on the cross and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. He fully paid the price for sin and freely offered us the gift of salvation by faith. Our part is to willingly recieve this gift and so be at peace with God.

We receive it by placing our faith in Jesus Christ the Savior. We cease to rely on our good works, but trust Him to save us. When we do so, God justifies us. He no longer counts us guilty of sin, but righteous in His sight. That is peace with God; a blessed assurance of right standing with God. It removes any barriers between us and God, gives unlimited access to Him, and assures us of a glorious hope of being with Him now and for eternity. Hallelujah!

Friend, are you at peace with God? All other ways we may try to please God without trusting in the Savior Jesus are futile. He willingly and longingly offers anyone who believes in Him salvation and peace. His grace is sufficiently available to anyone, however vile, who simply comes to Him by faith. You too can be at peace with God, while in this world and into eternity.

ERomans 8:1-2 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Titus 2:11-13 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…"

The grace of God is the sustaining power as we wait for the glorious coming of Jesus. It teaches us to say “No” to anything ungodly that defiles and makes us not ready for His coming. Do not fall short and meddle with the affairs of the corrupted system of the world. It is possible to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in the present age by God’s grace.

The Lord’s second coming is a blessed hope that we can look forward to with great joy and anticipation. Those who rejected Him will greatly mourn as the reality of the reign of the Great King in all His glory hits them. “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30).

This is the joy and encouragement of the believer waiting for that hope. And that hope will not disappoint. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

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

Matthew 28:18 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…"

These are words of absolute victory, power and authority like no other. No one in this world can speak like that. Jesus, the King of kings, and Lord of lords had totally defeated Satan, disarmed him and all his demonic powers, making a public display of the victory at the cross and resurrection as He triumphantly rose from death. He then commissions His disciples to go with the same power and authority to the world and preach the gospel.

One of the reasons for fear is the uncertainty of victory over the demonic forces that creat all the havoc and evils we see. The Lord Jesus, Whose we are, the Commander of the heavenly army, forever defeated the devil. No one should fear confronting the devil with all his schemes. Victory is forever ours in Christ Jesus.

Satan is now a schemer, and wins by trickery and manipulation. He instills fear, makes people fall into his traps from where he gets a loophole to drive them to do whatever he likes. But if in faith we live by God’s sure word, resist the devil through God’s armour, trust in God, allow Jesus to truly be Lord in our lives, and boldly exercise the authority given us, there should be no room for fear. For you child of God, the victory was sealed. Hear Jesus repeat the same in the revelation to John:

Revelation 1:17-18 "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

Colossians 2:15 "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Jonah 4:1-2 "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." - NIV

After Jonah preached to the city of Nineveh, the king and the residents quickly repented of their sins before God. And God, out of His love and compassion forgave them and didn’t bring the threatened judgment. But this angered Jonah to an extent that he wanted to die. He now gives this as a reason he was fleeing from God, knowing Him as a compassionate God Who would forgive. In summary, his desire was that the city is destroyed, and not saved.

Jonah was a prophet and preacher who didn’t really have the heart of God for the people he preached to. Whatever had prejudiced his mind against Nineveh, had sunk so deep in his heart. Hecwished the city destroyed! Even the miracles God performed couldn’t stop him from angrily arguing with God, his Creator!

This explains the danger of ministry, not with God’s heart, but influenced by other interests and biases. Some minister with evil intentions, wishing to see God punish their enemies. They express jealousy, envy, manipulation, tribalism, racism, etc in their service. Let God first heal your wounded prejudiced heart so that your ministry will be in love and compassion to truly heal, and not destroy.

Philippians 1:15 "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Colossians 4:5-6 "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - NIV

Paul had addressed different categories of people in his letter, and was now making general concluding remarks. As witnesses of the goodness and precious salvation God has given us, it’s our duty to bring others to this knowledge. This takes not only our words, but through our lifestyles as well. The way you live is the most sure testimony to the transforming power of God for those who watch you. Your life is a witness!

Paul says this requires wisdom and a consciousness that your words and actions are being watched by others. A graceful seasoned conversation and godly living are such an attractive life that anyone would admire and want to associate with. And that gives you opportunity to answer everyone in a manner that draws them to God. Does your life portray this as a witness? Mind your testimony!

Its unfortunate that many profess God’s name, but live in a way that betrays their confession – in what they do or say. May you live your live with this awareness and wisdom so much so, that others will see Jesus in you. It is possible. That’s being a true witness. Jesus, in relation to this, said;

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John13:35)

Philippians 4:5 "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Chronicles 14:2-4 "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands…" - NIV

This is how king Asa started his reign as king. The list of victories in battle and great reforms he brought to Judah goes on in chapter 15 where he led the nation in covenant renewal with God. He whole heartedly loved, worshipped and served God in his kingship. As a result, God gave him rest from his enemies from all sides.

The turning point came in his 36th year when Baasha, king of Israel came to attack Judah. Instead of seek God as he had always done, he went to the king of Aram. He took gifts of silver and gold from God’s house. God wasn’t happy and sent a prophet to rebuke him. Asa was very angry with the prophet and locked him up. He was inflicted with a severe disease and refused to seek God for help. He had hardened his heart to God and died in the process.

And so a great reformer, wonderful leader ended so badly. How could it be? Why do some great men and women end so miserably, shipwrecked in their faith? Asa turned his heart away from the God he had known and worshiped all his life, to men for help. He backslade in heart. It is important never to forget what sustained you all this long. When enemy deception, trust in your own experience, skill and abilities make you turn away from God, it will surely be a sad ending! It is God’s will that we finish strong, ever trusting in Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!"

Shalom children of God.