Category: Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 103:1 "Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

My soul, my spirit, my very life, it’s your duty to praise the Lord your Maker. His holy name deserves our praise. True praise arises from within, from a thankful heart, manifesting on the outside.

Psalm 103:2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

As my soul praises the Lord, it will remember and not forget what He has done. Forgetfulness lessens praise and increases complaints and disgrutlement. Praise keeps the great things Godhas done in constant view and focus.

Psalm 103:3 who forgives all your sins  and heals all your diseases,

The Lord forgives all our sins and frees us from guilt and condemnation before Him. He has committed to heal all our diseases. For these promises, we can lay claim as our portion from Him.

Psalm 103:4 who redeems your life from the pit  and crowns you with love and compassion,

Without God, we are dead in sin. But God redeems us to Himself from death to life. This He does out of His deep love and compassion. I am loved and redeemed of the Lord. His I am! What a joy to know this!

Psalm 103:5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

I have desires and longings. Some may not glorify His name. God is committed to fulfill my desires, but only with good things. When my desires are satisfied with good, my health is renewed like the eagle’s.

For these and many others, praise the Lord o my soul! He has done, and will continue to do great things. He deserves all the praise.

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Samuel 1:14-16 "… and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." - NIV

The woman Hannah had had no children. Her cowife Penninah, took advantage and tormented her every year. Even the consolation of her husband Elkana could not help. After yet another bout of provocation by Penninah while in Shiloh, she couldn’t bear it any more. In bitterness and heaviness of heart, she went to the temple to pour out her heart to God. The priest Eli, seated at the temple watched this woman silently pray with only her lips moving and no words coming out. He mistook her to be drunk.

In life we meet and see people who, according to us, behave weird, appear uncultured and many times quickly pass judgment over them. Yet if we took time to understand why they behave so, we would be seeking to help them instead. There are many troubled wounded hearts around us, pushed to the extremes of life by the circumstances they face. Many are rejected, wounded, hopeless and challenged in ways we could provide a listening ear, prayer or material support or give godly counsel. Even the priest Eli was too quick and mistaken to judge a troubled Hannah, thinking she was drunk. But on listening and understanding her, he blessed her.

We misjudge others many times because we dont seek to first understand why they behave the way they do. It’s appropriate to first understand before we conclude. It’s until we put ourselves in their shoes that we respond appropriately, to coreect, rebuke or to be compassionate and helpful to them.

Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Shalom children of God. 

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 4:37-40 "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” - NIV

Jesus was crossing over the lake in a boat with His disciples. As they rowed, a furious storm that threatened not only the boat, but its people as well, broke over them. The disciples who were themselves experienced sea users, did what they could, but knew that this wasn’t a manageable challenge. They wondered why Jesus was sleeping when death was so close. They woke Him up.

Jesus was sleeping amidst a furious storm. So confident and peaceful He was. He woke up and calmed the storm. He expected them to have faith enough to calm the storm. The storms represent the challenges of life we go through. And they are many. Sometimes they are too strong and appear to threaten our lives. And God seems quiet. But He always comes through.

We cannot drown in the storms of life with Jesus in us. He expects us by faith to speak to our situations; the mountains and storms. And yet we most times do what the disciples did; cry out in fear about what’s facing us rather than address it by the authority given to us. Jesus asked them why they still had no faith, meaning by now they should have and use it. But thank God even if we fail, He helps our weaknesses and calms the storm for us. We are save with Jesus in the storms.

Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way  and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam  and the mountains quake with their surging."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 25:15,19 "To one he gave five talents, and to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to  his ability. Then he went on his journey…  After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them." - NIV

It was one of Jesus’ last parables about accountability. God has endowed each one of us with talents and gifts according to our abolities. We are all gifted differently. Some of us can do much more than others. Some are more prominent than others. But all are important. Whatever we are or have, was given to us by our Creator. We are expected to use them to serve others and God, that is, to trade with our talents.

The Master is coming back and will demand for accountability on how we used them. We need to live with the reality that we shall account for our lives one day to our Maker. It will be a thorough life audit, how we used what God endowed us with, either to serve our selfish motives or to glorify Him. Some live as if they are in charge of their lives, talents, skills and abilities and they can use them whichever way they please. Whatever we have was given to us and we shall account for it one day.

Accountability is not usually easy, especially if things are not right. We may manipulate men, or cover up certain things on earthly accountability. But to the God to Whom we shall account, nothing escapes notice. He knows and sees every detail of all we do, including thoughts and hidden intentions. All that will be subject to judgement. Do self examination and if there be any ammends you need to make with your life, it had better be now while there is room to do so. Then turn to God in repentance and live for Him.

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."

Remember the day of accountability!

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 5:18-20 "Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” - NIV

Jesus was in a house in Capernaum. There was a huge crowd in and around the house. The four men brought a bedridden paralyzed man for healing, but couldn’t access Jesus. As an act of faith, they dug through the roof and lowered their man right in front of Jesus. When Jesus their faith, He declared the man’s sins forgiven.

Can faith be seen? Yes, by its actions. The actions of the four men was enough to demonstrate it. James said faith without actions is dead. Jesus declared the man’s sins forgiven first because most of the challenges people go through are an effect of sin which broke our relationship with God. Forgiveness therefore is our primary need from God even before the physical healing or meeting of other needs we bring to Him.

The four men demonstrated faith in Jesus both for the forgiveness of sin and healing of the paralytic. We don’t read about their verbal confession of sin, but Jesus saw it and granted it publicly. Even when not spoken out, faith in God can be seen by our attitude and actions towards Him. Many claim to have faith, but their actions speak otherwise. Faith is primarily towards God, not men. Does God see your faith in Him?

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered."
James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo 3/7/2022

John 15:4-6 "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." - NIV

Jesus repeated the word ‘remain’ in these three verses six times. That shows the level of emphasis on the action of remaining in Him. He was teaching about bearing fruit and used the analogy of a branch on a vine of a tree that cannot bear fruit unless it is attached to the vine. He is the vine and we are the branches.

None of us should think we can bear fruit while detached from God. No one can do good outside of a living relationship with God. A branch detached from the vine dies. So do we, if we don’t purposefully remain in communion with God. In Christ, we draw nourishment that not only keeps us healthy and alive in fellowship with Him, but also to bear fruit. Without Him, we can do nothing. We are only alive and fruitful while in Him.

To remain in Him is by choice and voluntary. One can choose to remain or disconnect from Jesus, but He himself will never cast those who come to Him away. We are called to bear fruit for God’s glory. Just as the worth of a tree is in it’s bearing much fruit, so are we in Christ. The more fruit a tree bears, the more useful it is. A branch in Him that bears no fruit is cut off and burnt (v.2). It’s useless. Remain in Jesus and bear fruit or detach yourself and die.

Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Shalom children of God. Blessed Sunday

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Judges 16:20 "Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him." - NIV

Samson was a very strong powerful man, mightily used by God to deliver Israel out of the hands of their enemies. He did extraordinary things out of this super human, God given strength. But he had a weakness in his character. He couldn’t control his sexual drives. On this fateful day, he got himself a prostitute called Delilah in whose laps the powerful Samson was shamefully defeated! 

We all have strong and weak areas. God in His grace and mercy still calls and uses us to serve His purposes even with those weaknesses. But God still using us despite our weaknesses, is no license to continue in sin. Samson thought it was alright to continue in his sexual escapades, after all God was still using him to do great exploits. He had slept with many women and still had his strength. He took it for granted until God left him. Many great men have been brought to their knees by temper, greed, gluttony, sexual immorality, pride, materialism, etc. Many are secretely struggling with hidden sins despite nice public reputation. Don’t join the list!

It’s important that we seek help in our weaknesses. God gives us time and sufficient grace to do so. If they are not dealt with, they can bring our downfall. Women failed Samson. The love of money and material wealth brought down Gehazi and Judas Iscariot. Pride destroyed king Herod. Food made Esau eternally lose his birth right. Identify your weak areas and seek help before the enemy uses it to bring your downfall. Against sin and satanic manoeuvres, none of us in our human abilities can withstand. But God is able to save us and keep us strong. Our victory is in Him.

1 Corinthians 9:27 "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 6:37 "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." - NIV

Jesus was engaged in a long discussion with the Jews as He challenged their religious beliefs and their doubts about Him. This is one of the statements He made. In it, we learn that none of us comes to God on our own, although we make the decision to do so. It is God Who draws us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul said no one can call Jesus Lord except by the Spirit (1 Cor 12:3).

Those who genuinely come to Christ, trusting Him as Saviour and Lord, have the assurance that they will never be cast away. This gives eternal security to all in Christ that they will not be lost. As Jesus prayed before His departure from earth, He told the Father that He had lost none of those the Father had given Him except the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot) as foretold (John 17:12). He protected and presented them to the Father. He is the good Shepherd of His sheep. Praise God.

God is committed to keep those in Christ safe and firm, not to cast any away and never to be lost as long as they remain in Him. It is His joy to do so, because they are His treasured possession, the reason He came to seek and save the lost. We can thus reject any lies of the devil that God might change His mind and throw us away. Only purpose to abide in Him.

Hebrews 7:25 "And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives for ever to plead with God for them." - GNB

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 4:9 "Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." - NIV

He had just taught in a parable of the sower. Naturally, every person has ears. And what else are ears meant for, but to hear. While giving specific messages to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus repeated the same statement to each church. Why would Jesus state what is obvious since everyone has ears to hear? It’s because He intended to draw attention to the importance and discernment of what He was saying.

Alot of things are being said by everyone, everywhere, every time. But not everything we hear is important. God too, is speaking all the time. From what is heard, people choose what to take seriously as important and discern deeper meaning, or laugh off, ignore and forget. Some of what we ignore or forget turns out to be the most important things we should have heeded to. That’s how some treat God’s word and their relationship with God.

Whatever God says to us is important, however simply it has been spoken. But because of the sturbon rebellious nature of man, and other competing priorities and voices they consider more valuable, they ignore God to their detriment. Hearing is more than words and sounds coming to our ears, but carefully considering, prioritizing and obeying what is heard. God is speaking to us all the time, but do you have ears to hear? I pray you do. You will be glad you did.

Joshua 1:7-8 "… Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Shalom children of God. A peaceful Sunday