Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Daniel 2:26-28 "The king asked Daniel  (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?" Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…" - NIV

The powerful king Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream and he was restless. He asked his wise men to tell the dream and interpret it for him. They all failed. In desperation, he wanted to execute them all, being the absolute monarch he was. Then word came to him that there was one of the Hebrew men who had ability to interpret dreams and unveil mysteries. Thus was Daniel sent for and he appeared before the king.

Perfect time to busk in the limelight and take pride for his exceptional gifting and recognition by the king? Not Daniel! In reply to the king’s question, he quickly made a disclaimer that no man (including himself) could interpret the mystery and referred him to a God in heaven who could do it. In essence, he was telling the king that except for this God working through him, he was as helpless as any other. And therefore for whatever Daniel would do, all glory goes back to God.

How often gospel ministers fall into this trap! When God does His works through us, glorious as they may be, let’s always be  quick to give back the glory to Whom it belongs. Any delays to enjoy that glory may soon graduate to expectation, and soon demand for praise of men. And before you know it, you have created focus on yourself, not the God using you, and soon you create a personality cult of yourself and even fight for it. Therein is your downfall! Remember how king Herod was struck and died instantly for not being quick to return glory to God(Acts 12:23). 

We are but vessels in God’s hand that He uses to do His works. People may appreciate the ministry, some may almost worship you, but it’s upto us to direct them to God and return all the glory to the One we serve and deserves it. Watch out for subtle pride in successful ministry! Again learn from Joseph.

WGenesis 41:15-16 "Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 3:19-21 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." - NIV

John gives the reasons why men hide from the light, because they are aware of their evil deeds. Evil thrives in darkness. Truth thrives in the light. God is light, and in Him is no lies at all. Whoever comes to God walks in the light and in the truth. Those who refuse to come to God fear to expose their evil deeds because they want to continue in them.

Instead of run away from the light of God, we should come to Him Who has the ability to set us free from the trap of sin. Adam and Eve ran away from God to hide after they sinned. Sin drives away from God. And Satan likes that. But God calls us to come just as we are to Him, repenting and confessing our failures. He is committed to forgive and restore those who come to Himself.

Hiding from is futile because everything is laid bare before God. He sees it all. To Him, secrecy and thick darkness is like broad day light. And it is to Him that we shall account for all we did in this life. Come to Him as you are, in humility and repentance. He is merciful and gracious to set you free from the bondage of sin through Jesus Christ His Son.

Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."- NIV

In the old covenant, the high priest would access the holy of holies in the temple only once a year to offer sacrifices to atone for the people’s sins, begining with his own. Jesus, the high priest of the new covenant, didn’t enter a physical temple, but the very throne of God Most High in heaven. He shed His own blood to once and forever atone for all human sins. One never needs to offer animal blood or other sacrifices for their sins any more. Jesus blood is forever enough to wash away sin, confessed and repented of. 

The other wonderful news is that it’s  not only the priests who have access to  God’s throne on behalf of others, but anyone can now access God’s holy  throne by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, Who takes away our sins. To confirm this, when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain which separated the most holy (where the ark of the old covenant representing God’s presence was), and the holy place in the temple, was torn from top to bottom(Matthew 27:51).

This implied a broken barrier between man and God. Now at any time, we can access the throne of grace and commune with our loving Father,  and to find help for our needs without fear of judgment or rejection, but with confidence of acceptance by God on account of the atoning work of Jesus. Access, moreover to God Almighty, is a great gift! We come to God in Jesus name, not on the basis of any good works. That is grace, to be accepted for what we didn’t even deserve in the first place! Glory to God! So come to God as you are.

Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin."

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

Psalms 90:2,4 "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God…For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." - NIV

The Psalmist meditates on the greatness of God. The vastness of the universe is still beyond the reach of modern technology in exploration of outer space. The billions of galaxies each with billions of stars, make planet earth appear less than the smallest speck of dust. In comparison, the earth would be less than nothing (Isa 40:17). Yet God holds all these stars in His hand, calls them by name, set them on their course and none defies it and He sustains the universe by His word. So how great is God if the entire universe cannot contain Him and is in His control?

In terms of time, God existed from eternal past before he created time, and will exist into the eternal future beyond time. To Him, a thousand years is like a watch in the night which just passed by. He Himself is beyond time. That’s incomprehensible to our human understanding! Great as He is, God loves and knows you by name, and thinks about you!

Where from is the pride of man, and how does he question God? When men in their folly think they can challenge God, the Almighty just laughs. Whatever God has revealed to us, through His word and the scientific discoveries, is but just a little glimpse into the vastness of His greatness to enable us believe and put our faith in Him. God and His works are past finding out. Where, or mortal man, do you pick guts to challenge your your Maker? Fear and give Him glory. Leave the deception of Satan.

Psalms 147:4-6 "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Philippians 4:6-7 "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." - NIV

Needs of life are real. No food or hope of the next meal, a failing health condition of a loved one, pending bills, no proper shelter, threat to our safety and security, are needs that concern anyone. Neither is God blind to these things. He is a practical God and knows we have those needs. His word is full of promises for normal day to day practical concerns of life. He expects us to ask Him for them.

God knows and He cares that we have these needs met. Paul adviced the Philipians that instead of being anxious about these needs, bring them as requests to God in prayer and petition with a thankful heart. In response, God will first give His peace to settle our hearts and minds from the anxiety caused by the needs. A state of anxiety, if not well managed, can lead to inappropriate reactions and worse state of life, affecting our relationship with God and others.

Apart from peacefully settling our minds, God promises to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19). He does this in various ways; by blessing the diligent work of our hands, giving ideas, providing links to right people, and sometimes (for immediate urgent needs) through supernatural means. God is a strategic planner. For sustainability in the long run, He inspires long term plans and ideas as we trust Him. But we should be ready to work.

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 8:13-16 "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children."- NIV

Paul brought another aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He helps us to subdue the flesh and put to death its misdeeds. After that, we are led by the Spirit and no longer by the bodily desires contrary to God’s ways. The Spirit also gives us the assurance that we are God’s children after one is born again. Because salvation is a spiritual matter, it can be difficult to understand it logically with the human mind just as Nichodemus was totally perplexed when Jesus told him to be born again. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand and actualize it.

The Holy Spirit enables our new birth into God’s kingdom and our adoption as sons of God. And if sons, we enjoy the liberty, authority and privileges of sonship. This includes the closeness with God whom we can now address as ‘Abba, Father.’ In Christ, God is our Father, and we have access to Him at any one time of day or night. We should have no more fear to approach God. He dearly loves us as His own. He invites us into His presence for communion without restrictions whatsoever. Hallelujah!

Sonship also entitles us to God’s blessings and inheritance as heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. In the same way, we are a reflection of our Father to the world. We carry His nature, manifest His character by the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and exercise His authority and power to execute His will and purposes on earth. These are the rights and privileges God Almighty has given those called by His name! What a wonder! What a mystery!

Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…"

John 1:12 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 42:8-9 “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.” – NIV

One of the things God vehemently hates and sharply rebukes, is idolatry. Idols take many forms, including curved images, things and people we love more than God. God hates idolatry because it takes His place and due glory which cannot be shared. In comparison with idols, God declared that He speaks of things past and those yet to come and they happen. He is God Almighty Who knows the end from the beginning. Nothing takes Him by surprise.

To God, nothing is hidden. If we want to know what the future holds, the things yet to happen, we ought to listen to God. Men may predict the future based on previous trends and projections. Many times that fails miserably. It is to God’s glory that a matter is concealed and revealed when men seek Him. But many in their folly and pride, ignore God and fall into the same pitfalls others have fallen into.

God owns time. He created it, but His existence is beyond time, from eternity past to eternity future. He is the begining and the end, the first and last, the Alpha and Omega. He sees and knows it all. And He calls us to seek guidance, wisdom and direction to life from Him. And we would never fail. What a privilege! May we cease from being wise in our own understanding and trust in God Who knows it all.

Proverbs 3:7-8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes;   fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body  and nourishment to your bones.”

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

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

Colossians 3:10-11 "… and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."

Paul names the different categories people are placed such as race/tribe, language, gender, economic status and a host of others. God made us different for various reasons and for His good purposes. Such categorization, when applied negatively, determines how one considers and treats others, as superior or inferior, favourably or not. This is how evil is hatched and orchestrated in the world, when our differences become weapons and reasons to propagate evil against those different from ourselves. This has unfortunately affected those within Christ.

It wasn’t God’s will from the beginning that our differences divide us. Apostle Paul said as the believer’s  new nature in Christ is renewed in knowledge in the image (or likeness) of its Creator, God, we overcome these humanly made boundaries and we see people as God would see them. In Christ, no one should be discriminated against, from ethnic,  gender, economic or other view point. As long as they are in Christ, they are your brother or sister. Even if they are not in Christ, they are God’s people, created in His image and precious to Him. Love as God unconditionally loves.

How wonderful the world would be, if we all saw each other from God’s point of view, expressing His love and treating everyone with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, Satan has capitalised on our differences to promote hatred and wars, and many have fallen victims. I pray we focus on the more that unites us than the little that divides us.

Acts 17.26 "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."

Shawwlom children of God.