Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 3:16-17″All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – NIV

Paul was teaching about characteristics of people in the end times. He asked Timothy to trust the teachings he got from him, knowing what kind of person he was. One of Timothy’s advantage was that he had been introduced to the Scriptures early in his life, making him wise towards salvation. It is a lesson for parents and adults to introduce children early to the word of God.

All Scripture was given by divine inspiration for the purpose of teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. To teach is to instruct, inform, guide and impart knowledge. How that knowledge is used thereafter depends on the student. The Scriptures teach us about life, how to and how not to live it. There is nothing in life that the scriptures do not give guiding principles on how to approach, because God is concerned about all aspects of life. As you hear, read, study and meditate on it, relate the word to daily living.

We all need to be taught, because we don’t know everything in this life. Because God is the Author and Giver of life, He has a way He wants us to live it for our satisfaction and to His glory. The word of God will teach us His ways so that we please Him in every way. When we hear it, let’s be willing to be taught and learn, and above all to apply what we learn to our lives. The Holy Spirit is present to help us live according to God’s instructions.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 3:16-17″All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – NIV

Not only do the Scriptures teach to inform and acquire knowledge, rebuke what is bad and correct the wrongs, it is also an indispensable training tool in righteous living. Training is about imparting skills to enable performance of expected duties, roles and responsibilities. It also assumes the person is not equipped or is ill equipped to do what is required of them. When we are saved from the worldly system, training through discipleship is important to fit into God’s kingdom.

Every Bible based training, whichever way it takes, should lead to establishment in righteousness. It should make a person live, think, speak and act like Christ. The world system, under its god, trains people differently, some to promote, downplay or conceal evil even if it comes sugar coated in God’s name. The training God’s word gives leads to righteousness always. That’s one prove as to whether a training is God centred or not; the fruit of righteousness.

The teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness is given to the servant of God to do every good work. All these aspects of the working of the Scriptures in a person equip him for the work of God. It’s unfortunate how some who are in God’s service have edged out the word which is very central to their work. Outside the Scriptures, ministry becomes something else! Allow the Word to train you in righteousness and in God’s will for living and service.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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Acts 13:36 “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.” – NIV

Every human being is born into a specific generation by God’s design and purpose. No one is an accident in this world. You are in this generation for a specific God ordained purpose. David, the great king in Israel, recognised the will of God and served it in his generation. After completing it well, he died a satisfied man.

It’s fundamental, dear friends, that we ask ourselves, and God our creator, what we are here for. And when we know it, to serve with our whole being. It’s all that matters.
Sadly, many have no idea what they live for in this world. Many live by the forces in their environment, without a clear unmistakable personal assignment from their creator God.

The realisation and pursuit of our divine purpose will guarantee a fully satisfying end to this brief life, and will continue into a blissful eternity. Many will look back at the end of this life at the lost opportunities to do what they were actually created to do, and what really matters. But unfortunately too late! They were probably ignorant of it, or were taken by the popular opinion, pleasure, or blatant disobedience to God’s will for them. I pray you will not be one of them. Seek His will for you. What your Creator made you for is all that matters at the end.

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

Romans 12:3-5 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – NIV

Everyone has a perception of themselves. This assessment is based on several factors, internal and external to the person. These factors give identity and thus a corresponding view of oneself in relation to others. That’s how inferiority or superiority comes about. Key to the right perception of ourselves is the identity every believer finds in Christ. That’s what defines us.

Paul cautioned the Roman believers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought, that is, in pride and self exaltation. Instead, they were to think with sober objective judgement of who they really are before God according to the faith He has given each. The context was about gifts. Comparison with others to be seen as greater or lesser isn’t from God, because we are not the same, just as every body part is different from another. If by being different one thinks they are better or lesser, that’s not sober judgement.

We are all different by God’s design. And we are all important in our respective categories and functioning. Being more popular or visible doesn’t make one more important than the silent behind the scenes person. Our view of ourselves should be based on what God says of us, and the measure of faith He gave each one. Living life in appreciation of this fact is sober judgement. Any view below or above that isn’t of God. Different as we are, we all belong to each other.

1 Corinthians 12:6,24-25 “There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work… But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” – NIV

Every believer in Christ has the blessed assurance that beyond this life, we shall see our Lord face to face in glory. Jesus said he will return in great glory and power. Those not in him will mourn in terror. To those in him, it will be joy unimaginable. We experience bits of this glory in this life. But in that time it will be in its fullness. Nothing will compare with it. It will be far greater than all the splendor of the world combined. How I look forward to that day!

While we look forward to this glorious union with the Lord, we press on. Many are the forces on the way to derail and dissuade us from the narrow path. But let’s have our minds made up not to turn back till we see him face to face, as we recieve that glorious welcome into our heavenly heritage. We will be glad we held on to the faith, going through pains and tears, sowing seed of his word, standing for him, defending the faith, enduring ridicule, serving the Lord.

Let’s look unto Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith who endured much for the joy that lay ahead of him. Let’s forget the past, and strain toward what lies ahead. That glory will make us faithfully go all the way till we see him. Cheer up child of God! It won’t be long before he comes. And so shall we ever be with the Lord! Look up, for your salvation draws nearer than ever.

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

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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 merely human rules.’ ”” – NIV

They travelled from Jerusalem to ask Jesus why His disciples were breaking the law and tradition of the forefathers by eating with unwashed hands. They didn’t even honour their parents and diverted whatever help they should have given them to God. Jesus rebuked them for their hypocrisy manifested by appearing very committed to the traditions of men more than God’s word and right worship of God.

Quoting from Isaiah, Jesus tells them why their worship was in vain. They were more committed to their traditions than the word of God. They focused more on external practices lip service, but their hearts were far from true commitment to God. Their religious zeal was about laws and regulations than love passion for God. Their religious practices involved more of routine rituals passed on as worship traditions, but disconnected from the God they claimed to worship.

Such was vain worship. To God, it meant nothing. He didnt recognise it despite their activities. Doesn’t this sound familiar in our times as well? Jesus taught that acceptable worship to God should be in truth and Spirit. It should come from a love and passion for God with all our hearts, souls, strength. The state of our hearts matters most in worship! When man made rules and traditions outside God’s word dictates how we worship God, it becomes vain worship. May your whole being love and live for God. May your worship be acceptable and pleasing to Him.

Mark 12:29-30 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”

John 4:23-24 “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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Psalm 3:1-6 “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” – NIV

David wrote this Psalm when he fled from his son Absalom who forcefully wanted to overthrow him. He conspired with many people and set up a huge army to fight his father David. His subjects, now turned enemies pursued him believing that God would not protect David. But David acknowledges that God is his shield, glory and the lifter of his head from shame and defeat. He was sure God would deliver him when he calls on him in prayer. And God did.

That was the reason he could lie down and sleep and wake up safe – because he was sure beyond doubt that God was sustaining him. He had no fear even if tens of thousands of his enemies surrounded him. Such is the confidence we can have amidst so many forces of the evil one attacking us from every side. Naturally, panic and fear, hopelessness and despair follow such scenarios. But with Christ in us, we can have peaceful rest even amidst so much turmoil, uncertainty and troubles of this world.

Jesus is our peace in the midst of the storms that surround us. It’s only in Him that we are safe and secure, peacefully resting in His finished work and unfailing promises. Our victory is from Him who conquered the devil and his mercinations. Every attempt of the enemy will be destroyed by the God Who holds us safe and securely in His mighty arms. In Him is our victory and sustenance always. Trust in Him.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 4:6-7 “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.””

Abel and his brother Cain had both brought offerings to God. God accepted Abel’s animal offerings but rejected Cain’s crop offerings. This made Cain angry and led him to committing the first murder in the Bible by killing his brother. Cain became jealousy of his brother. Noting his anger, God asked him why he was angry instead of dealing with the problem. Sin was overtaking him, and he needed to take action to control it.

This happens many times when jealousy and envy controls people. Instead of ask what they did to get what happened, they see others as the problem and want to blame them. But that doesn’t solve the problem. Whenever you get upset because others are succeeding, or they were favoured and you were not, remember such things don’t just happen. It’s what you do that makes you accepted or not as God told Cain.

Our reaction to life occurrences are red flags we should watch. Don’t ignore those bouts of anger, jealousy, temper, lustful eyes, boasting, need for attention, thoughts of revenge, hatred, worldly attractions, etc. If not addressed, they lead to worse actions as it did for Cain who eventually killed his brother. It is sin crouching to take hold and master you. Paul taught that sin should not control our lives. God has given us power to overcome sin through Christ. But we have a responsibility to deal with it through that power given to us. Watch the red flags in your life!

Romans 6:12-14 “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 103:7: “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.”

The psalmist praises God for Who He is and what He does. It’s one thing to see things happen, the miraculous acts of God, or the things people do. It’s yet another thing to know the reason behind these acts. Whatever is done is for a purpose, driven by a motive or intention.

To Moses, God made known His ways. Ways go beyond the acts. It’s the reason for the acts. Ways have to do with purpose, motives, values, character, the bigger plan or the heart matters. It’s the ‘why.’ So Moses  knew God deeper than what he saw Him do. Acts on the other hand is the display of His power, manifesting in miracles, signs and wonders. Acts catch the eye, brings excitement and wows the observers. But don’t establish a person in the faith.

These two represent levels of our walk with God.  Those who only know Him by the acts are continually looking for ‘new’ miracles, signs. They are excited to see them. When God is silent and not doing them, they interpret that to mean something gone wrong. Their faith is shaky. The Isrealites were like that. Even after watching all the miracles in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea and walking on dry ground, afew days in the desert without meat made them complain bitterly to Moses as they wished to go back to slavery in Egypt. By knowing God’s ways, whether there is a sign or not, provision or not, pleasant or tough times, your faith is firm in the God you have come to know as ever faithful, loving, good regardless of current circumstances.

Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

Psalm 25:4 “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”

Psalm 46:1-3: “God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Everything is valued according to its own worth. Cheap things attract less value. Special and precious  things are costly. And this goes for the way they are handled. About our value, the Bible says, _”Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have recieved from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)._ Our Creator values us so highly that He was willing to pay the highest price ever to redeem us to Himself. He gave the best to redeem His best; Jesus His Son! And Jesus laid down His life to safe us. Our value cannot be measured with silver or gold or any form of matetoal wealth in this world. It can only be measured by the value of the shed blood and the life of Jesus, the price paid for us. We are simply priceless! We are God’s master piece, precious children of God!_”For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)._ Your worth is not, and should never be in terms of any material wealth or possessions of this life (money, cars, clothes, lands, buildings, fame, etc),  however much one acquires them. These things don’t define your worth in the sight of God your Father. With or without them, you are valued. Every time you seek to define your worth before God in terms of these things, you stoop too low and demean yourself. To the rich young man, Jesus’ counsel was that a man’s life doesn’t consist in the abundance of things, but a riches towards God (Luke 12:15). You are His own. You are precious to God!Shalom children of God.