Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”_ – NIV The current worldly system is under the influence of Satan, the god of this present age. Paul notes that one of the key things Satan does is to prevent people from understanding and believing the gospel. He blinds their minds so that they cannot see the light of the gospel and so believe. This is what makes people reject the gospel, its truth, justice and righteousness, and instead accept lies, dishonesty and all sorts of evil.Satan being the god of the worldly system has his principles of engagement and operation. Except for openly satanic ways, most of these worldly patterns are part of ordinary life activities and relationships but demonically influenced. Many, including believers, don’t even realise that what they are engaged in is of the enemy the devil. And that is how the gospel gets veiled and rejected by those who are perishing.The subtle working of the devil behind these worldly systems requires discernment and spiritual warfare. We wage war against these powers of evil influencing people to do evil. And the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to defeat all demonic forces and bringing people under the influence of the Holy Spirit to believe and accept Christ, do good and bring glory to God. Our prayer then is against demonic forces and schemes blinding people from God. We are not fighting with human beings, but spirits behind them. _Ephesians 6:11-12 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”_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

In addition to teaching, the Scriptures rebuke our wrong ways; thoughts, words and actions. It expresses the mind of God who disapproves of certain things we do which are not right. Rebukes are not nice. They undress and ashame us, come out sharply and forthrightly in no uncertain terms. It offends some people, but delights those who are willing to learn and transform.

As God’s word comes forth sharply through personal study or as preached by others, pay attention to the rebukes as well. Many only expect the nice promises, exciting declarations of blessings, but don’t enjoy the tough rebukes. If we are to be what God wants us to be, painfully accept and appreciate when God’s word rebukes you. It is for your good.

One manifestation of avoiding rebukes is selective reading of Scripture, only focusing on what is nice and exciting and deliberately avoiding the hard stuff or quickly diverting it to others. That’s not helpful. Rebukes are part of healthy growth. You will do well to graciously accept them because they come in love and meant for your good.

Revelation 3:19 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”_The Corinthian church had alot of challenges, among them was division. They each claimed to follow different people; Paul, Peter, Appolos or Jesus. Paul described them as worldly with such divisions. The only foundation of salvation is Christ Jesus. All we can do is build on that foundation of Jesus figuratively using different materials of gold, silver, stones, wood, hay or straw. Fire will test our works.Paul refers to the Day of judgment in which our works will be tested to prove their quality. We are all builders in the service of God one way or another. The difference is in the materials we are using. The gold, silver, costly stones which stand the fire represent quality works. The wood, hay and straw represent poor quality works which will be burnt up. But the person will be saved. How are we building on the foundation? Some are preaching the gospel and serving with wrong motives, to build their names, as a means of financial gain, to outwit others, for fame, etc. That’s building using straw or hay which will burn up. Others are serving to truly honor God, glorify Him and lead people to Him as guided by God’s kind of love. Some may pretend to be serving God, and yet with hidden motives. Some are genuine. Whatever the case, the nature and quality of all our works will be revealed by fire on the Day we appear before God. It’s better to examine oneself early ensure you are using quality materials to build._Romans 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”__Revelation 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”_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

To correct is to make right or set in order what has gone wrong. It’s about showing right as differentiated from wrong. We are all prone to error one way or another, and therefore all of us need to be corrected. Correction has a basis, a standard of what is generally considered right. Since God’s word is flawless, being the truth from God Who does not lie, it forms the basis of any meaningful correction for right living. Good national laws are derived from principles of Scripture whether indicated so it not.

Satan is a liar, and operates on deception. Even the truth of Scripture he may bring out is distorted to suit his interests of diverting people from God as he wanted to do to Jesus. This is the root and basis of all errors, some of which come in God’s name! It is therefore of paramount importance that we get the truth of God’s word richly dwelling in us so as to escape the lies and deception of Satan, the god of this wicked world. The word, richly dwelling in us, keeps correcting the mistakes we make and lies we encounter daily in life as it shows us the right way.

Whoever rejects correction of Scripture and insists on their own way rejects God. The wise man said fools are always right in their own eyes! (Prov 12:15). God’s aim of correction is to bring us back and keep us on the right truck and so avoid falling into error and eventual destruction if we harden our hearts. As you read or listen to the word of God rightly interpreted and applied, allow it in humility, to correct your ways.

Hebrews 12:5-6 “Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his sons and daughters? “My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you,   and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you. Because the Lord corrects everyone he loves,     and punishes everyone he accepts as his child.””

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.

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.