Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Philippians 2:12-13 "So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose." - GNB

The Philippians had obeyed and believed the gospel Paul preached. He was now in prison and wrote to encourage them to continue in obedience even in his absence. He sought to let them know they had recieved salvation by grace. But they had a role to play in order to continue in the same salvation to the end. There was more work to do.

No one can do anything to earn salvation except to believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. It is entirely by God’s grace and mercy. But to remain in salvation requires our commitment and perseverance. Daily devotion which enables us to remain in God is a decision. Salvation is recieved instantly when we give our lives to Christ. But growth and sustainability in it is hard work which happens over time with much labour.

To persistent endurance and commitment, we are called. Paul said he died daily, implying daily choice to remain in the faith despite the various fierce challenges that would make him fall out. The early church faced it. We face the same daily. And we do so with fear and trembling before God, knowing how much Christ paid to redeem us! That’s what energises us to keep going, knowing that those who endure to the end will be saved (Matt 24:13).

Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Philippians 2:12-13 "So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose." - GNB

The call to work out our salvation with fear and trembling is a tough decision to make. This is more so, given the many trials that come along with it. But lest we are tempted to think this is from our own making and abilities, Paul says it is all about God working in us to will and to obey Him.

God created man with a will and freedom of choice. Even after coming to Christ and submitting our wills to His, we still retain that God given right to make decisions. The natural tendency of fallen human nature is towards disobedience to God and His will. On our own, we cannot obey God. But He helps us to align our wills to obey Him, and to suppress the rebellious nature that wants to disobey. As we work out our salvation, the will and strength to do so, all comes from God our Father.

Our part is the attitude of reverential fear of God and a willing submission to do His will despite the prevailing enemy forces attempting to divert us from the Way. When we make up our minds to stand for God and remain in the faith, then nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from His love. Let’s purpose in our hearts to remain firm in the Lord. He will supply the strength to enable us stand to the end.

Romans 8:37-39 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

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

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 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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 6:10-11 "A little sleep, a little slumber,  a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man."- NIV

Picking a lesson from the ants which have no rulers but work hard enough to store their food in summer, Solomon rebukes laziness. It manifests through desire for the easy life, sleeping and enjoying oneself when they should be working. And before they know it, they don’t have what to eat or sustain them. God detests idle laziness. He is a hard worker and expects us to work too.

God committed Himself to bless the work of our hands, and not idleness. The assignment God gave man upon creation was work, to manage creation(Gen 1:26). Jesus said He was working, and His Father too was working(Jesus 5:17). We can’t do less. So strong was Paul’s attitude against laziness that he advised that whoever doesn’t work should not even be given food!

God works miracles, including provision. But the sustainable means God ordained for our provision is work. He gives ideas. To sit and do nothing with your hands only praying and expecting miraculous provision is not in God’s will. As you pray, do something, however small, including volunteer work. And do it excellently. That becomes a point of contact for God’s blessings to flow.

Deuteronomy 28:12 "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 2:14-16 "In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”"

The Jews were preparing for the passover celebrations. Trade was booming in the temple area. In the process, the purpose of the temple as a place of prayer and worship to God Almighty, was watered down. It was now more of a business area than a sacred place of worship. Jesus drove out the traders, rebuking them for turning His Father’s house of prayer into a den of thieves(Mark 11:17).

In the new testament period we are in, our bodies are the temple of God Who dwells in us. Our bodies therefore are temples of worship to God. But just as it was in Jesus days, people have turned their bodies into other businesses other the purpose of prayer, communion with God and worship. So much fills people’s lives which does not glorify God. Such abuses of God’s temple include immorality, drunkenness, drugs, cursing, thefts, impurity of all kinds, etc.

When Jesus comes into our lives, He drives out what is not meant to be done in us. We need to allow Him into our lives, His temple, to cleanse it so as to serve its rightful purpose of communion and worship to God. He breaks chains and bondages of those who can’t free themselves to worship God. We are to glorify God in our bodies. He stands at the door knocking. Let Him in and corporate with the Holy Spirit given to help us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

"Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." - NIV

In life, we can never be self sufficient on our own. No one knows or is able to do everything alone. Even the geniuses need others to excel. When success comes our way, and we make head way in our endeavors as others get mesmerized at our great achievements, there is a tendency to think we now know it all. Then pride sets in. This happens even in matters of beliefs and faith in God.

Deception comes similarly. The master deceiver, Satan, has driven multitudes in the wrong path and convinced them that they are on the right track, and yet it’s a lie! Their way SEEMS right to them, but it leads to death in the end. Satan is taking them for a ride. How tragic to spend all your years, energy, and other resources on what ultimately turns out to be a hoax, a sham, a lie! Unfortunately, many will realise this at the end of their lives when it’s too late!

The right way is the way of God shown to us through His word. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). The human nature,  without God, was corrupted by sin and it’s inclination always tends to evil. With Jesus, we are in the right way that leads to life. Without Him, we are on the way that leads to death, whatever our seeming success now. Come to Jesus the way, the truth and the life and continue to live in Him.

"Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and shun evil." (Proverbs 3:7).

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Shalom children of God. Peaceful week

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 4:49-50,53 "The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed… Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed."

A royal official’s son was sick and he came to ask Jesus to go and heal him before he dies. Instead of going with him as He did for others, Jesus told him to go back home, and that his son would live. Taking Jesus at His word, he started his journey back home, arriving the next day. The very time Jesus told him to go, was the time his son got healed. Once He has said, He will do it.

When God gives His word to us concerning whatever we ask of Him, it is a done deal. But our faith is a key factor in bringing about its fulfilment. The man believed Jesus’ word, and his son was healed the same hour. God’s word is not limited by distance and space. Where Hus word is, He is. James warns that those whose who ask God for wisdom (and indeed anything else) should have faith. Otherwise they can’t expect to recieve their requests without believing what God has said.

We pray often over many things. But one of the biggest undoings of our prayers is doubt which makes our minds waver. When you ask for anything in prayer, believe that it is done and it will be given to you, Jesus said. God is able and willing to do more than we ask or dream about. He requires faith on our part. Let’s build our faith strongly against demonic forces of unbelief, and on the God Who never fails.

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

James 1:6-7 "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 4:27 "Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking to a woman. But no one asked, " What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" - NIV

Cultures strongly influence people. Jesus was going from Judea to Galilee and had to pass Samaria. Jews and Samaritans had nothing in common. They wouldn’t even talk. The disciples returned and were shocked to find Him talking to a woman, and a Samaritan at that. This was culturally very wrong. But Jesus was demonstrating that He came to break ethnic barriers that separated Jews from gentiles, men and women to show that all people are His. He came to reconcile all humanity to God.

So much of this happens today. Different ethnicities of people have strong animosity against others, sometimes describing them very harshly. This unfortunately happens in churches as well where we are to see and treat people as Jesus did. All people of all races and tribal groups belong to God. All are sinners and all need salvation in Jesus.

In Christ, all people are equal and the same. Jesus broke those barriers so that those in Him can overcome them too. In him, we belong to one body, have the same Savior, all members of His kingdom and will have the same inheritance into eternity. Cultural ethnic divisions have been used by the devil to cause much harm world over. Instead, we should celebrate our God given differences and use them to enjoy God’s blessings.

Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Shalom children of God.