Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 103:1 “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
My soul, my spirit, my very life, it’s your duty to praise the Lord your Maker. His holy name deserves our praise. True praise arises from within, from a thankful heart, manifesting on the outside.

Psalm 103:2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
As my soul praises the Lord, it will remember and not forget what He has done. Forgetfulness lessens praise and increases complaints and disgrutlement. Praise keeps the great things Godhas done in constant view and focus.

Psalm 103:3 who forgives all your sins  and heals all your diseases,
The Lord forgives all our sins and frees us from guilt and condemnation before Him. He has committed to heal all our diseases. For these promises, we can lay claim as our portion from Him.

Psalm 103:4 who redeems your life from the pit  and crowns you with love and compassion,
Without God, we are dead in sin. But God redeems us to Himself from death to life. This He does out of His deep love and compassion. I am loved and redeemed of the Lord. His I am! What a joy to know this!

Psalm 103:5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. I have desires and longings. Some may not glorify His name. God is committed to fulfill my desires, but only with good things. When my desires are satisfied with good, my health is renewed like the eagle’s.

For these and many others, praise the Lord o my soul! He has done, and will continue to do great things. He deserves all the praise.

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 10:19-20 "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” - NIV

The disciples had just returned from the mission Jesus sent them. When exercising the power and authority Jesus gave them to heal the sick, cast out devils and preach the gospel, what excited them most was that demons could obey them in Jesus name. That had never happened to them. But Jesus told them that there was something far greater to rejoice about; that their names are written in heaven.

Many get excited, as did the disciples, when they see God’s power at work to heal the sick, cast out demons, perform miracles or do some supernatural things. Unfortunately, it stops there as they bask in the fame and titles they carry around. But beyond those things God’s power and authority does in and through us, should be the question of whether our names are in the Lamb’s book of life or not. That makes eternal difference! For many who even performed the miracles, preached in His name and cast out devils, will be cast away!

Whose names are written in the book of life? Those who have trusted their lives to Christ as Lord and Savior, and living for Him. Some use His name to gain what they wish, but not living for Him. And they will be cast away on the day they stand before God in judgement. At the end, if all that we pursue and glory in in this life does not lead to eternal life and entering God’s kingdom, it is an eternal lose however powerful you were in this present life! That your name is written in heaven is reason to rejoice more than receiving worldwide fame.

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 10:22-23 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see." - NIV

As Jesus celebrated the successful mission of the seventy two He sent out, He stated that knowledge of God only comes through revelation. By revelation, we see things differently and better, from God’s perspective. What had been revealed to the disciples had not been seen even by the prophets and kings before, much as they longed to see the coming of the Messiah. But even with the Messiah around, many still couldn’t see! They were blind.

Some of the things we get to understand as revealed are not obvious to those not in Christ. They are revealed by the Holy Spirit to those who have submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. They are spiritual things, discerned by the spiritually alive and sensitive. How beautiful it is to see things from God’s view point. It makes the whole world of difference and gives much clarity to life. I pray you never get contended until you get there!

Some are still blinded in their minds by the god of this world, the devil. They have eyes but dont see what God is doing. Some of those in Christ are still blind to the deeper things God is doing, one reason for their superficial relationship with God. To those who have eyes that see, blessed are you! To those who lack spiritual sight, you can ask God, like blind Bartimaues cried to Jesus to see, and as Paul prayed for the Ephesians to have the eyes of their hearts opened. There is a vast world of great spiritual riches and treasures only known to those who can see!

Mark 10:51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Ephesians 1:18 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil." - KJV

Faithfulness and it’s related virtues are becoming very uncommon in our society today. Many are unreliable and miserably fail in their commitments. They promise and fail to honour, genuinely or not. This is characteristic of the last days where evil increases more and more to the unprecedented levels that we see today. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians that God, in His faithfulness, was able to establish and keep them strong in the faith amidst so much evil. He still does it.

Unfaithfulness ought not to be named God’s children. We are called to be faithful like God our Father. He has put His nature in us, made possible by the Holy Spirit living in us, one of Whose fruit is faithfulness (Gal 5:22,23). Our part is to corporate with the Holy Spirit in humble obedience. So we can choose to be faithful like our Father God. Dishonesty is characteristic of the devil and his kind.

God never changes. He remains ever true to His promises. He can be fully depended upon because of His nature and character. He is committed to whatever He has said in His word. He never lies. So we can confidently take Him at His word and be sure He will honour it. In Him is no darkness at all. Let’s be found faithful like our Father. For like begets like.

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind. Does he speak and not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

Malachi 3:6 "I the Lord do not change… "

Jeremiah 1:12 "The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 6:1-4 "Have you promised to be responsible for someone else's debts, my child? Have you been caught by your own words, trapped by your own promises? Well then, my child, you are in that person's power, but this is how to get out of it: hurry to him, and beg him to release you." - GNB

The words of the wise man. Pledges,vows, promises and other commitments are common in every day life. They are made by individuals and nations alike. God too makes them. The people to whom these commitments are made trust and remain hopeful to see their fulfilment. The scripture above paints a scenario in which one fails to honour their commitment and what they should do.

God is always true to His promises. He calls us to follow suit. But for various reasons, genuine or not, we may fail. The solution is to humble oneself and talk to the person. The honouring of pledges is a test of one’s faithfulness. Just as God never falls short of what He has promised to do, He expects those who subscribe to Him to be faithful too. And when you fail, to humble yourself and repent.

Some make pledges to impress others and yet are not committed in their hearts to fulfill them. That’s hypocrisy. One would rather not commit to anything than do so out of unconsidered excitement or a grumbling heart. Neither should it be out of manipulation and trickery. Instead, our vows, pledges and other commitments should be first to the honour of God and from a heart of gratitude and willingness to genuinely do good to all. Then we shall recieve the reward from God.

Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 41:13-14 "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, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." - NIV

As little children, whenever you are with dad or mum, you feel completely safe and protected as they hold your little arm and lead you. They are everything to you. They are the strongest people in the world, whom nothing can defeat and have everything you ever need. As you grow up, you realise this isn’t entirely true of them after all. They are limited.

God spoke to Israel through Prophet Isaiah to give assurance beyond reasonable doubt, that He is the Most High, the Almighty with Whom nothing is impossible. He would protect, preserve, provide and be with them. He Himself would take them by their little feeble hands. In life, there will be overwhelming situations that scare us. God knows we are limited in ability to solve all our problems. And He gave this emphatic assurance to Israel His people, and by extension, to us in the current dispensation.

In desperate and dire situations where our human power, might, knowledge and wisdom fall short, every ear would love to hear such assurances of a more powerful helping hand to carry them through. This could only come authoritatively from a God Who transcends all, knows all, owns all, in charge of all, and yet very much willing to help WHOEVER calls upon Him in faith. The promise is clear; those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Will you?

Jeremiah 32:27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Kings 21:27-29 "When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” - NIV

King Ahab was on record for giving himself over to evil and sinning against God like no other, spurred on by Jezebel his wife. God’s judgement was imminent. When he learnt about it, Ahab humbled himself before God and put on sack cloth, a sign of humility. God saw it and told prophet Elijah. He postponed the judgment He had purposed to bring to Ahab’s family.

God quickly accepted Ahab for his humility, although he went back to his idolatry. This gives a picture of God’s heart towards the humble and brokenhearted. One condition He gives for our prayers to be acceptable before Him is humility. Before God brings any judgement to any people, He always warns them, and gives them time to repent, acknowledge their shortcomings and recognise Him alone as God. By the time any judgement falls, it is clear the people didn’t respond in humility and repentance.

So much disaster could be avoided if people learnt to be humble before their God. David came to be called a man after God’s heart because of his humility despite the scandals. Jesus taught and demonstrated humility. He calls His followers to the same path of humility. Humility is recognition of our true position in God, and the acknowledgment that without God’s help, we cannot be what He created as to be. We thus obediently and willingly submit to Him. The humble will always touch God’s heart.

Psalm 51:17 "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."

Matthew 11:29 "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."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 4:2-4 "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction. 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

Paul, an old man and prisoner for the gospel, is soon dying. These words are among his last to his son Timothy. He charged him to preach the WORD in all seasons, using it to correct, rebuke and encourage. He prophetically sees a time in which men will not endure sound doctrine of the word, but will gather for themselves teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear and not what they need to hear. Such is the way out of the truth into error. All such actions are driven by their own desires, no longer seeking the will of God even though they use His name.

How true this is in our day! To many professing God’s name, the issue is no longer about what the truth of God’s word is, but what they can get out of it to suit their desires. The gathering of teachers follows what they want to hear. And the teachers also know what their listeners want to hear, and will give it, to their gain. This has led to gross misappropriation of God’s word to portray what it was never meant to mean. Unfortunately, Scripture is used to justify anything ill intentioned false gospel ministers want to give their eager listeners!

The purpose of sound doctrine is to keep us on track in God, transforming us into Christ’s image. It will rebuke and correct, directing us to the narrow, sometimes long path of God’s will. This will antagonize our pleasure seeking and easy life of the flesh. And Satan can’t fail to give those shortcuts to easy life, but at a cost to ones soul! It is incumbent upon each one who truly wants to live God’s way, to sieve what they hear, rightly preach and live by the word, sharp as it can be. Therein is our safety in these perilous times.

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 12:19-20 "And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy;  eat,  drink and be merry." But God said to him, you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" - NIV.

Jesus was responding to a man who wanted Him to use His influence to force his brother to share family wealth. Genuine issue it was, but Jesus looked at the real matter in his heart and taught powerful truths using the parable of the rich fool. One of these truths being comparison between the temporary and eternal. There are things which last temporarily only in this life, and there are those that last beyond the present life into eternity.

Many of the things we crave for, struggle for and fight to get, last but for a while. Soon or later they are gone or we are gone and leave them as the rich fool was reminded! And yet they are the things which occupy most of our lives. They include seeking material wealth, power and authority, fame, etc. But things of etetnal significance elude many people most times. These last beyond this life into time without end.

If we understood that there is an eternity, and that this life is but a preparation for it, we would live our lives and do things differently with that in mind. Even if one lived to be 100years, that’s nothing compared to eternity. By the end of those few years, the things we craved for have either faded off and gone or cease to mean much anymore. These things come and go. They are temporary. Let’s live this temporary life with the eternal in mind.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"

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 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 us 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.