Category: Daily Devotionals

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

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." - NIV

The Christian faith is compared to different things in life to express its importance and value. In this case,  Jesus compared it with salt. Salt, rightly applied where needed, adds significant value through preservation, taste and goodness. Just as salt does this to food,  is a Christian to provide to the world taste and goodness, making the world a better place to live.

The broken sinful world under satanic influence is full of evil in every form imaginable. Society without God is rotten! But our responsibility from God as the salt of the earth is to preserve it, make it better and worthwhile to live in. Through your prayers and participation in bringing godly values of God’s kingdom wherever you are,  your saltiness is felt and enjoyed.

But if you forget or put aside your saltiness and become part of the mess and rot in the world,  your true value is lost and you become good for nothing, only to be thrown and trampled underfoot. God saved and  placed us wherever we are to be salt there. Our presence should bring life, hope, peace, happiness, godly solutions, meaning and purpose to situations and people, but not be an additional burden. You are God’s channel and extension of His blessings to a hurting, confused hopeless world. Are you truly a salt and light where you are?

Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Colossians 4:6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - NIV

Light is good. It illuminates and shows things as they really are. It makes one not to stumble as they walk. It makes things enjoyable. It enables people to do what they want to do. Light is also a picture of transparency, honesty, peace, enlightenment. Darkness is the opposite of all these. With light, there is no darkness. Jesus said our light is to shine for the world to see the good works God can do. And that brings glory to the Father.

That’s a profound responsibility given to us! We are light to a dark evil world. By being what God has transformed us to be, we become channels of integrity in a corrupt world, of peace in a world full of turmoil, of love in a hate filled world, of hope in a hopeless world. That’s what Jesus was to the world, because He was/is the light of the world (John 8:12). He gave us exactly the same mission He had in the world.

This light we carry is the light of life. God expects us to shine His light to a dark lost and desperate world and bring His life to it. Let this light radiate through us everywhere we are. Multitudes are hopeless and desperate for this because all else people do without God is futile. It’s only by being in Christ that we can shine His light.

John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:4-5 "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - NIV

As salt of the earth and light of the world, we bring forth the qualities of God into the world. As the Holy Spirit shapes and molds our character, we bear fruit that reflects the nature of God. When this work is fully done, whatever is seen in us is what is seen in God. We shine His light and people enjoy the fruit and glorify God. Let’s live with this awareness.

To represent God is a solemn responsibility not to be taken lightly! Paul said we are Christ’s ambassadors as we appeal to people to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18-20). We speak what God would personally speak. He entrusts us to represent His kingdom on earth as ambassadors represent their countries in another country. Such responsibilities are not given to rebellious individuals, but to loyalists who will not bring shame. How would you assess yourself as God’s representative on earth?

Jesus perfectly did this when He said He did nothing except what the Father told Him to do. As He concluded the mission, He told the Father that He had completed the work assigned to Him and had brought glory to God. He is our perfect example. Let’s allow Him do His work in us so much so that our whole being reflects Him. I pray we speak as He spoke when we finish our work on earth!

John 5:19 "Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."

John 17:4 "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do."

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

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. 

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 13:15-16 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." - NIV

The writer compares the sacrificial system of the old testament which involved animal sacrifices, and the new covenant involving the Lamb of God, Jesus. Those sacrifices were to be offered in a particular way to be acceptable to God as part of covenant relationship and worship. We no longer offer animal sacrifices. Jesus did that once and for all. By His shed blood and the sacrifice of Himself, He sealed the covenant.

Through faith in Jesus, we are now to continually and openly offer sacrifice of praise from our lips. Additionally, we are to do good and share our possessions with others in need. By this, we extend the compassionate heart of God to His people. Done with sincere hearts and to the glory of God, such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

The psalmist said God’s praise would continually be in his mouth. In all situations at all times, let our hearts and mouths be full of sincere praises to God Almighty. Let’s share with those in need. This is our worship. It pleases God.

Psalm 34:1 "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."

1 John 3:17-18 "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 12:15-16 "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son." - NIV

In emphasising living at peace with all men and being holy, the author cautioned the Hebrew brethren against falling short of God’s grace. Among the things that could lead to this are bitterness, sexual immorality and godless living that despises salvation and the things of God (Heb 2:1-4).

Bitterness is unresolved deep anger and unforgiveness. It opens up a person to many other foul spirits leading to more trouble and spiritual defilement. Likewise, whoever is into sexual immorality becomes susceptible many foul spirits. None of those practicing them is at peace with God until they purpose to allow God set them free.

God’s grace works by faith in Christ (Eph 2:5,8) and His finished work on the cross. It teaches us to say no to anything ungodly as we submit to the Lordship of Jesus in holy living. When one is driven by bitterness, sexual immorality and godless living, the place of Christ as Master and Lord is diminished. This still calls for our choices, to submit our will and bodies to serve God or our own pleasures.

Titus 2:11-13 "For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of the whole human race. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world, as we wait for the blessed Day we hope for, when the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ will appear."

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 is 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 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.