Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 2:6-14 "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Three things about the birth of Jesus:

1. It’s good news of great joy to all people of all nations. He is Savior and Lord of all.
2. His coming to earth brought peace to men on whom God’s favor rests. Men can now be reconciled with, and be at peace with God. Those in Christ have peace with God.
3. It is for the glory of God and worth celebrating. Jesus’ mission on earth brought glory to God. Some only celebrate the day, but don’t have Jesus, the reason for the celebration. The greatest joy of all is to have Jesus in your life as Saviour and Lord. You can receive Him now if you haven’t.

Shalom children of God. Merry Christmas

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 32:11 "Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children." - NIV

The fear of pain, harm and at worst death was a major reason behind Jacob’s dreadful fear. His brother was coming with 400 men to fight. He knew Esau would overpower him, inflict pain, harm his family, destroy his possessions and probably kill them. Thus the kind of prayer he made to God. Moses feared for his life and fled Egypt. Elijah feared and ran from Jezebel. Most people’s fear still centres around the same issues.

All those who compromise their stand, abandon their visions, or yield to trials feared the shame, rejection, bodily harm or even death that would happen to them. The desire to avoid them influenced their decisions otherwise. It’s the reason Satan stirs and uses persecution to shake some from the faith. But if we are completely convinced about what we believe to be true, we shall not be deterred, whatever the consequences. And God will protect us.

Paul named extreme situations that could come our way, but quickly said we are more than conquerors through Christ(Rom 8:35-39). We are called upon to stand on what we believe regardless of the consequences, but we still act in wisdom. Jesus warned that following Him will bring much tribulation. The apostles knew and went through much pain, but stood. Jesus urged His disciples not to fear those who would even kill the body, but to fear God who can cast one to hell.

Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 21:3-4 "I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God's home is with human beings! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.”- GNB

What a beautiful world it will be! At that time, God will establish a new heaven and earth. The current messed up world will have passed away. Sin will be no more. Satan, the cause of all evil which brought death, grief, sorrow, pain, crying and mourning, will be no more. Suffering will be gone, and only peace and joy reigns forever. This will be only for those in Christ. Those who rejected Him will instead be torment forever!

This may sound like a far fetched day dream given the state of our world today where every effort to bring peace has fallen short. But it will be so one day. To those in Christ who long for the coming of their Lord to save us from this corrupt violence ridden society, to those who are continually troubled by the increasing evil in the world, to those suffering for standing for the truth, this is great news of a glorious hope. One day, all forms of suffering will be over!

It was the joy of what lay ahead that made Jesus endure extreme pain. It was the glorious hope in Christ that made the apostles happily go through severe pain. Let this glorious hope of that coming blissful day, when our tears will be wiped away, with no more sorrow or pain or crying that we still experience in this life, encourage us to hold on to faith. In a little while, we shall be there. Then shall we ever be with our Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

Hebrews 12:1-2 "… And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:3-6)

Jesus was despised and rejected, suffered intensely and with much sorrow, pierced and crushed, and afflicted with deep physical and emotional wounds!

He went through all these to carry our infirmities and sorrows, to bear our sins, pay for our peace and healing and to restore us back to God. He went all the way for you and me! What a love!

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Peter 3:11-12,14 "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat…So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." - NIV

A day is coming when the world in its present form, corrupted by evil, will be destroyed. This is at the coming of the Lord. There will be a totally new order of things. A new heaven and earth will be ushered in for eternity. Peter, in light of what will happen, then urges on what manner of life we ought to live as we speed the Day of Jesus’ coming.

We ought to live holy and godly lives amidst the corruption in the world. We also ought to “…make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” We have a role to play in the way we choose to live our lives; in holiness, spotless, blameless and being at peace with God. This is the right preparation to be found ready and worthy when He comes.

The Lord has done everything that needed to be done to save us by His grace, and to enable holy living. We have to respond and allow the Holy Spirit to do this work in us. Some rebel and insist on their own ways. But to all who, by willing submission, allow the Holy Spirit to work in them, holy living, without spot or wrinkle and being at peace with God is very possible. I pray you corporate with Him to be ready at Jesus coming.

Revelation 21:1 "Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."

Shalom children of God.

To seek and save the lost (R)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 19:7, 9-10 "All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”…Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” - NIV

It was a huge surprise to Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector for Jesus to choose to visit him. Jesus was passing Jericho with the huge crowds. Zacchaeus wanted to see him, but being short, he could not. He ran and climbed a tree where Jesus stopped, called him by name and offered to go to his house. Everyone knew him to be a sinner and were surprised that Jesus would choose to be a guest to a ‘sinner.’ That’s when Jesus mentioned that His mission was to seek and save the lost.

Zacchaeus was rich and wealthy but lost without God. Jesus, despite the multitudes around Him, sought out this one lost sinner and gave him full attention. He came to seek, find and save the lost in sin. He still does it today.

So many hopeless helpless people feel just part of the crowd where no one even knows or notices them. But to God, you are not just part of the crowd. He knows you by name and identifies you. He doesn’t generalize people. Every individual human being, regardless of status, position or possessions, is special to Him and He gives full attention as He did for Bartimaues a blind beggar. Salvation came to Zacchaeus home that day when he welcomed the Lord. You too can welcome Him into your life and recieve salvation.

Luke 15:7 "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Exodus 3:10-12 "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you…” - NIV

When time came for God to rescue Israel from Egyptian slavery, He appeared to Moses in Mt Horeb as he took care of sheep. God expressed the burden in His heart about the bitter suffering of His people and how He wanted to rescue them. He needed a person to do it, and Moses was the man. Instead of excitement since this was his burden too while in Egypt, Moses reacted in fear. He couldn’t imagine going back to the same Pharaoh who wanted to kill him and he ran away. God answered: “I will be with you”

The Lord’s answer that He would be with Moses was more than any weapon of war. David said even if he went through the shadow of the valley of death, he would fear no evil to befall him because God was with him. God assured Israel that He would be with them and uphold them with His mighty hand. Jesus assured His disciples that He would be with them till the end of the age. Such assurances were meant to remove any fears. It includes us today.

The assurance of God’s presence to protect, preserve, comfort and strengthen us is a strong weapon against fear. Loneliness and human limitations create alot of fear and uncertainty. That’s why we want to be with others to feel safe and secure. But God Almighty, all powerful, all knowing, all wise took care of our fears by giving us His word of assurance, that He is with us. He is a very present help in trouble, and is faithful to His commitments. He says, ‘Fear not, I am with you.’ Hallelujah!

Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Isaiah 41:10 "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."

Matthew 28:20 "… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." - NIV

Apostle Paul, in his zeal and unwavering commitment to serve the God he once persecuted, suffered greatly for the gospel. He describes his challenges in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. Severe as these sufferings were, Paul looked beyond them, into a glory that awaits the faithful in Christ who endure them. Jesus too, looked beyond the present pain into the joy that lay ahead of Him. And He endured the cross, despising its shame.

This is one main factor for perseverance. Without a clear vision of what lies ahead, what benefits there are, together with a clear conviction of what one stands for, it is easy to give up. Many have done so. The easy way of the world tempted them to abandon the faith in suffering, exchanging the eternal blessing for temporary ease.

There will be a grand reception into the heavenly glory by the Master. There are rewards for overcomers in the good fight and winners in the race marked out for us. There are crowns awaiting faithful servants, who through thick and thin, stood for God. There are mansions prepared by the Lord Himself. There is a joy and peace that will never end for those who went out sowing in tears, rejected. It will be like no other, forever! Hold the faith to the end, precious one of God! The glory ahead far outweighs the present sufferings!

2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

James 4:1-2 "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God."

We live in a conflict filled world at all levels of human interaction. Because we are different in thought, perception, desires and decisions, no people are always thinking exactly the same way all the time. When such differences are not harmonised, it creates tension which may lead to quarrels and fights. But the Bible teaches, and its God’s will, that people live in harmony in their diversity, but upheld by God’s kingdom principles.

James attributes quarrels and fights among us to unmet desires battling within. When people fail to properly manage them and seek, on their own, to meet these needs and fail, they become angry, jealousy, covet, steal and attempt to grab from those who have. Then they quarrel and fight. They blame others for their predicaments.

The scripture says we do not have because we do not ask God. God is willing to meet our needs, but wants us to ask Him. And when we ask, we should use them according to His will, not according to our pleasures. Likewise, when we don’t have them yet, we should be thankful for what we have or expecting. This reduces the negative feelings which fuel quarrels and fights. Then we shall live peacefully and avoid conflicts.

Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 25:14,19 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them… “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them." - NIV

Whatever Jesus taught towards the end of His earthly ministry was in relation to preparedness for His return. He is surely coming back. But He has entrusted us with talents, gifts, and responsibilities that we are to continue to execute until we die or be found serving when He returns.

The key message in the parable of the talents is that there is a trust given to all of us, and we to serve as we wait for the Master to Whom we shall be accountable. We are to keep serving, occupying till He comes. This means faithfulness and dedication without distraction. Some get derailed along the way and turn to other things they were never called to do in this life.

What will keep one on track is a constant awareness that the One Who entrusted us with life, talents and gifts, is coming back. He expects us to be working for Him. Happy is he who will be found faithfully doing what was entrusted to him when the Master returns. A great reward awaits!

Matthew 24:45-47 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions."

Shalom children of God