Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 5:19,30 "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…By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." - NIV

Jesus was responding to the Jews in a heated arguement. He makes a profound statement of His dependence, loyalty and submission to the Father. Much as He told His disciples to follow and learn from Him(Matt 11:29), He in turn followed and obeyed the Father. Even through the suffering and cross, He yielded to the will of God. He became obedient to death on the cross!

To the same obedience and commitment to God are we called. So many are the desires, plans and wishes we have in life. And God too has His plans and purposes for our lives. He asks us to voluntarily choose to submit to Him as we follow. This is more so when we recognize our inadequacies, and that we can do nothing meaningful and of eternal value without God, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Let us not follow with divided hearts. Obedience goes with humility and love. I pray we set our hearts to respond when He calls, follow wherever He leads and to do whatever asks us to do. That is the example Jesus set for us, the footsteps He calls us to follow. It is the way to greatness in the kingdom of God.

John 13:15 "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." - NIV

The message of the death of Christ on the cross draws the line of foolishness and salvation. Through Isaiah, God declared that His ways are not our ways, neither His thoughts our thoughts. The difference is as far as heaven is from earth. It is the reason we can’t know God with our limited human minds. It’s like explaining some complicated happenings to a little child begining to learn things. Because we don’t understand doesn’t mean God’s things are illogical.

When we try to put human logic and conceptualization to the things of God, we get lost. God’s knowledge and wisdom is so incomparably vast, that even the most intelligent human mind can’t catch up with the foolishness of God. Because of this, the human mind will take God’s incomprehensible ways as foolishness. And so they reject it, and they perish. They can’t picture how Jesus’ shed blood and death on a cross saves someone thousands of years later.

But what is foolishness to those using human intellect to understand, is life to those who recieve this truth in simple child like faith and submit to the Lordship of Jesus. God reveals to them, by the Holy Spirit, the riches of His grace and mercy. It becomes so precious that it can’t be exchanged with any treasures of this life! Paul tasted both sides, and he had this to say after this truth was revealed to him;

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ Christ…" (Philippians 3:7-8)

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Tim 2:3-4 "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Apostle Paul was encouraging prayer for all people, including those in leadership so that we live peaceful and quiet lives which happened when leaders fear God. He then brings out God’s will and desire for the salvation of all men, and to come to the knowledge of the truth through Jesus Christ.

Whatever we do and live for in this life, God desires that we are all saved from our sins, to know Jesus our Saviour and to live life guided by this knowledge. He created us for Himself to serve His purposes. Our lives can only become worthwhile if we come to the knowledge of this truth. Jesus is the truth.

Let’s also make it a point to pray for all people to come to this knowledge through personal relationship with Jesus, resisting the forces of Satan which hinder people from coming to God. This prayer pleases God our Saviour. He calls all people to come to Him and to abandon their evil ways.

Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake their ways  and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Shalom children of God.

Unforgiveness! (29/7/2022)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 "Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." - NIV

Paul identified forgiveness as a one of the ways of defeating the devil. Unforgiveness and its related evils like bitterness, resentment and revenge are good avenues the devil takes advantage of to wreck more havoc in us. In his scheme of things, if he can succeed to keep you in bitterness, resentment and not forgiving those who have hurt you, he has succeeded to make inroads into your life. And from there, he can manipulate your thoughts, decisions and actions.

While forgiveness keeps Satan away, it draws God closer and allows Him to work in and through us. This is the reason scriptures advice to forgive and not give room to anger, bitterness or vengeance (Col 3:13-14). The devil will try to justify unforgiveness and make you continue in it for as long as possible because he will keep you under his control while in it. In reality, it is harming you more. You will never be at peace while bitter and unforgiving at the same time.

So many have crushed under the influence this satanic scheme. Purpose to let go and leave certain things and people to God. Let God’s word and love reign in your heart. When you are aflame with Jesus’ love, satan will have no room. He will flee. You then live in perpetual victory over the devil, in peace and joy. In this world, we shall always be hurt by others, intentionally or not. I urge you to forgive and let God avenge for you (Rom 12:19).

Hebrews 12:14-15 "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 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."

Shalom children of God.

Living life on purpose

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” - NIV

Jesus was just starting His public ministry. Given the scroll to read, the portion he read came from the book of Isaiah. It wasn’t coincidental reading. It was the description of His mission on earth. And immediately after the reading, He declared it was being fulfilled right before their eyes. And so began the mission of Christ on earth for three years. And when it was done, He told His Father that He had accomplished the work and was ready for the glory (John 17:4-5).

Everyone of us is on a divine mission given by our Creator. We are not accidents in this world, according to God. We can only find true meaning and purpose to our lives from God our Maker. Unfortunately, many look everywhere else apart from God in search of purpose to life. That’s futile. Jesus got His from God when He stated He was only doing what He was sent to do by God (John 5:19). In the text above, He got His mission from the scriptures. We can’t do less.

I pray you don’t go through life without getting your purpose of existence, your mission in life. Don’t live aimlessly. The devil through deception of worldly pleasure, fame and temporary wealth has diverted so many from their God ordained mission in life. At the end of it all, anything we do outside God’s plan for our lives leaves us empty, unfulfilled and lost, whatever we may gain in this world! You are here for a purpose! Find it and live it!

Jeremiah 1:4-5 "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark10:47-47 "When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." - NIV

Jesus is making His way through Jericho to Jerusalem. A huge multitude is following Him. A blind beggar hears the noise and asks what the multitude is about. He is told it Jesus of Nazareth passing by. Having heard of His various miracles, seeing he needed one, and realising it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to get it, he shouts for mercy. No amount of rebuke could deter him. And Jesus stopped and called him.

Jesus demonstrated unconditional love on an otherwise neglected ‘useless’ blind beggar. With all the thousands around Him, the blind man’s cry would have easily gone unnoticed. His insistence, an act of faith, drew Jesus’ attention. And He stopped for him! Bartimeus got his sight because of his faith and Jesus’ love. He cares enough to notice even the most despised and the nobodies of society!

We are sometimes tempted to think we are too insignificant among so many to be noticed and attended to by God. May Bartimeus story reassure us that we are valuable enough to be noticed by God as long as we come to Him in faith. Cheer up! God knows you and calls you by name even among the billions in the world! Jesus loves you immensely and cares enough to meet your need!

1 Peter 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 10:35-36 "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." - NIV

The writer relates the trials of the faith that those in Christ undergo. They suffered, were publicly insulted, persecuted, imprisoned and willingly gave up their possessions and their lives for what they confidently believed. They knew they had lasting possessions in God that far surpassed the temporary things of this life.

We were never promised a smooth ride in the journey of faith, and indeed in all life endeavors. But we were assured of victory(John 16:33). Perseverance involves patience and endurance in the face of pain, delays and seeming uncertainty. It takes a decision to remain steadfast. The knowledge of Whom and what we have believed, gives us confidence to continue moving amidst opposition, pain and tears.

The promised reward is given to those who endure to the end. Many give up along the way and look for an easy way out. But just as all those who went ahead of us in this journey endured and recieved their crowns, so can we. Cheer up precious child of God. Hang in there, doing God’s will. You will overcome and eventually inherit the promise.

Matthew 24:12-13 "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Revelation 2:10b "…Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Shalom children of God.

Advantage of ignorance!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 "Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." - NIV

Paul identifies ignorance of the devil’s schemes as one way he can outwit us. This isn’t his weapon, but something he takes advantage of to achieve his plans in people’s lives. It is the person who is ignorant. Ignorance is overcome by knowledge, in this case, of God’s word. Ignorance is two sided: the fact that satan is defeated and now only uses schemes to bring defeat, and the believer’s ignorance of the power and authority, rights and privileges available to them.

We earlier noted that Jesus decisively defeated Satan and gave us that victory. But when you are not aware of this and live like you believe Satan still has the victory, he will smartly defeat you and inflict all sorts of things on you. A weak or defeated enemy will use trickery and psychological warfare. That’s how the devil has succeeded to hold millions captive, yet forever defeated by the Lord Jesus!

Secondly, Jesus gave His church, to which every believer in Him belongs, the power and authority to trample over all powers of the devil. That power is resident in everyone who believes regardless of status(Eph 3:20). God’s word teaches this. Even with all this power beyond measure, some believers behave like they are at the mercy of Satan, because they are ignorant of their power, authority, rights and privileges in Christ! Arise child of God to your position and take what belongs to you! Be informed of satan’s true fate, and your true status in Christ. Walk in your victory forever won by Christ! Hallelujah!

Matthew 28:18-19 "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 6:12 "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God."

Prayer was part of Jesus’ lifestyle. He spent the night seeking God before He appointed the twelve apostles. He prayed into the nights and rose up early in the mornings to pray. He usually had very busy days but didn’t compromise communion time with His Father. When He said He did only what He saw the Father do(John 5:19), the secret was in constant moment by moment communication with God.

The early church picked up this secret from Jesus and made prayer as one of the non-negotioable practices in their devotion. They prayed daily, about everything and in all situations (Acts 2:42). And so have all who were/are devoted to God and mightily serve Him. We cannot bear fruit to God, nor make any lasting impact unless we are people connected to God through prayer.

Experience, good leadership and management skills, fame and connections cannot replace prayer. When they do, God’s servants cease to have that cutting edge ministry that goes to the hearts of men. They rely on human wisdom which is limited. May God help us to be people of unceasing prayer, drawing from the treasures of His heart from which we minister to others.

Luke 18:1 "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 6:10-11 "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure." - NIV

One characteristic of our present generation is ungratefulness. Most people are unthankful. Sometimes we do things for people, from the smallest acts of kindness to the helpless, to huge society transformational life saving projects. But not everyone will appreciate them. They may instead misinterpret them and cast more stones on you. This so frustrating and may break our hearts and we feel like giving up doing any good to people any more. 

Thankfully, God does not forget whatever good we do, in our various placements and giftings, for Him and to His people, however small these works are. His justice makes Him remember them all. Our labours in the Lord are not in vain. He will reward it fairly as we deserve. He never cheats His workers. Some have laboured for years, enduring manifold challenges, while  serving God. Because the way God rewards may not be the way we expect in terms of time and benefits, some give up hope and get discouraged and live in bitterness against God.

The scripture above encourages us not to give up hope if we are to recieve our full reward in the end. It will come in due season, both in this world and in the life to come. God remembered Cornelius for his faithful prayers and giving to the poor which came as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). He will not forget your continual faithful service in His kingdom. Cheer up child of God. Keep serving. Don’t give up. Your reward awaits.

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Shalom children of God.