Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 12:19-20 "And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy;  eat,  drink and be merry." But God said to him, you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" - NIV.

Jesus was responding to a man who wanted Him to use His influence to force his brother to share family wealth. Genuine issue it was, but Jesus looked at the real matter in his heart and taught powerful truths using the parable of the rich fool. One of these truths being comparison between the temporary and eternal. There are things which last temporarily only in this life, and there are those that last beyond the present life into eternity.

Many of the things we crave for, struggle for and fight to get, last but for a while. Soon or later they are gone or we are gone and leave them as the rich fool was reminded! And yet they are the things which occupy most of our lives. They include seeking material wealth, power and authority, fame, etc. But things of etetnal significance elude many people most times. These last beyond this life into time without end.

If we understood that there is an eternity, and that this life is but a preparation for it, we would live our lives and do things differently with that in mind. Even if one lived to be 100years, that’s nothing compared to eternity. By the end of those few years, the things we craved for have either faded off and gone or cease to mean much anymore. These things come and go. They are temporary. Let’s live this temporary life with the eternal in mind.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 12:3-4 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - NIV

Considering the heroes of faith of the past, most of whom went through untold sufferings for their faith, the writer to the Hebrews sought to encourage the believers in Christ not to lose heart. And the best example to encourage us is Jesus Himself who endured extreme challenges and suffering culminating in death on the cross. He was vehemently opposed, rejected and insulted by the people He created and had come to save.

Trials will certainly come. Discouragement and thoughts of quiting will come too. But the examples of those who went through the same and overcame encourages us to keep going, standing firm on what we have believed. Our eyes on Jesus, who is still interceeding for us to stand also strengthens our faith and resolve to keep going even if against all odds set by the enemy the devil to deter our progress in the faith.

The journey of faith is full of great and low moments. When down, in the valley or in the darkest moments of life, do not yield to suggestions of giving up. Soldier on. There will be a dawn of new day. You will rise to the mountain top again. And later, you will join with the heroes who endured to the end and are saved. Cheer up child of God. The storms will not last forever. Neither will the water and fire. Alittle more endurance, one day at a time and you will be more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. Follow Jesus who endured.

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

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 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

Judges 16:28 "Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” - NIV

Samson had been arrested in humiliation, his eyes gorged out. And now as a prisoner in the hands of his enemies, he was called to entertain them as they made fun and praised their gods. Samson’s uncontrolled lusts had driven him to painful shame. In that state, he asks the gracious Lord to remember him one more time and to strengthen him again. The Lord heard his cry and strengthened him. He had left Samson, but was gracious to him again.

What do you do when you have made mistakes and messed yourself up? The best is to come back to God just as you are. He promises to forgive, restore, heal and bind up the wounds. He does not cease to be compassionate to us. He longs to bring us back to Himself. He is God of another chance, except that some don’t use those chances to return. David sinned and returned in repentance. Peter betrayed his Lord and he was restored.

If you are in that messed up state, call on God as Samson did. Come to Him with a humble broken and repentant heart. His blood is sufficient to wash away any filth. His heart longs for you again as the heart of the prodigal son’s father longed for his lost son. His anger doesn’t last forever, but His mercies do. Come as you are before your loving Father. Once more He will recieve and heal you. Do not write yourself off. There is still room in His heart for you.

Psalms 51:17 "My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart." - GNB

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Jude 1:3,22,23 "My dear friends, I was doing my best to write to you about the salvation we share in common, when I felt the need of writing at once to encourage you to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people…Show mercy towards those who have doubts; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and to others show mercy mixed with fear, but hate their very clothes, stained by their sinful lusts." - GNB

Whenever the Lord and the apostles addressed the issue of deception, it was always urgent and serious. Much was written to warn about falsehoods and their dangers. Jude was to write about salvation but quickly changed the subject to address falsehoods. The call is to fight for the faith, and key in this fight is against deception. Some victims were even to be snatched as from the fire. That’s how serious it was/is.

Satan, the master deceiver, is not playing as he seeks to draw multitudes away from God to his side, and towards eternal damnation. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. The wolf is not joking when among the sheep. These are matters of life and death, including affecting destinies forever! Beyond a seemingly casual conversation between the serpent and Eve, were eternally significant consequences we experience to date.

Don’t down play any deception and laugh it off as a minor thing! Satan is dead serious, is after your soul and eternal destruction! Paul didn’t take this matter lightly and made very strong statements in all his letters condemning falsehoods. Contend for the faith entrusted to us through Christ. Deception leads astray, wastes resources and lives, leaves the victims miserable, and affects destinies. When detected, flee for your life!

Shalom.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - NIV

What a soothing all time call from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to weary, wounded and burdened souls of men! He had just denounced the cities which refused to repent, despite seeing His miracles. So many were struggling to do good and please God but failed on their own. Jesus invited them to find rest by trusting in Him and ceasing from their futile attempts. And this true today.

There is so much not going right in this broken world. There is hurt and pain everywhere, caused by the selfishness, greed and oppression of men. The evils of men against fellow men has never been this bad! There is violence, oppression, injustice and uncertainty everywhere. The wars, natural disasters, hunger, poverty and disease are taking their toll on millions of people. All these challenges wear and burden our hearts, taking away peace as we wonder what could happen next.

These things are a result of men rejecting God and following their evil ways. The Lord’s call to us to come to Him, casting our worries and burdens, remains. He promises to carry them for us and give peaceful rest that nothing and no one can give to our troubled hearts. Let’s bring our cares, fears and burdens us to Him. He sees our tears, feels our pain and wants to carry them for us. He cares.

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

Philippians 4:6 "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."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 9:35-36 "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." - NIV

As Jesus moved around meeting and preaching to people, He was moved by deep love and compassion. He saw their hopeless and helpless state without God. This moved Him to heal the sick, cast out demons and set the captives free. The same love made Him leave heaven, come to earth, lived and died for salvation of man.

He called us to do the same ministry to others, driven by the same love and compassion. When love is the foundation of whatever we do, our hearts will go out for others, sincerely desiring to see them experience God’s love , be healed, delivered and walk in God’s blessings. But where envy, hatred, fights and ungodly behaviours and competition exists, it clearly shows we are not walking in His footsteps of love.

The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with this love, and we see and treat people as God sees and treats them. A ministry driven by love and compassion deeply touches because everyone wants to be loved and valued. Allow God use you to touch others with love, bringing healing, hope, encouragement and life to hopeless situations. Become an extension of God’s heart to people. The world is so hungry for this love!

1 John 4:7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

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 John 4:20-21 "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."

Apostle John’s main theme of his writings was love, for God and for others. God is love. Our relationship with Him and with others should therefore be defined by love.
It’s only love that proves whether we are truly in Him or not, whatever our other claims. Love is a command, not an option.

We see many today who claim to love God and hate people. It is true there are very difficult people to live with. God too sees His rebellious people, some of whom have expressed their hate, cursing Him and are serving Satan. They are enemies of God, but He still loves them! God’s love is unconditional and can only be practiced with the help of the Holy Spirit. In our human abilities, we cannot love everyone as God wants us to.

In practicing God’s love, we fulfill all His commandments. Let’s humbly submit to Him, and out of the working of the Holy Spirit in us, we shall bear love as a fruit. And we shall be able to love others as God loves them, despite all differences and weaknesses. Then shall we truly be children of God our Father.

Matthew 5:44-45 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Shalom children of God.

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 was guiding on how to help one caught in an offense, and the need to forgive so that they are not overwhelmed by sorrow. This would open a way for Satan who would take advantage and succeed in his plans against the believers.

Such is the way of the devil. He is a schemer. Jesus defeated him in a decisive once and forever victory on the cross and at His resurrection. He disarmed Satan of the power he had attained by tricking man in the garden of eden. At His ascension, Jesus boldly declared that all power in heaven and earth had been given to Him. He in turn gave back to man what was his from the begining. Now we are victorious over the devil through Christ. Hallelujah!

But why does this still elude us as we see alot of manifestation of satan’s successful manipulations? Because of his scheming which outwits even the believer in battle. Therefore, Paul’s counsel is very important, that we become aware of these schemes of Satan so that we are not defeated in a battle already won by Jesus for us. We shall explore more of these for our own victorious living in Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

Shalom children of God.