Daily Devotionals – Page 6 – Grace and Glory ministries

September 4, 2024

The comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 14:16-18 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

As Jesus continued to reassure His troubled disciples, He promised to ask the Father to give another advocate, the comforter, the Holy Spirit. He would help and be with them the same way Jesus had been doing. The disciples felt like orphans, left and unattended to by the physical departure of Jesus. They imagined the loneliness, the vulnerability from suffering and attacks of their enemies.

Fear, loneliness, rejection, vulnerability and feelings of abandonment affect us similarly today. Our hearts get broken by various situations of life. We hurt and go through pain. All such situations make our hearts cry out for the warmth of comfort and support. The ministry of the Holy Spirit extends to cater for our comfort needs today. There is so much this world throws at us. Jesus said we would face trouble in the world (John 16:33).

The Holy Spirit presence in every believer gives the comfort that cushions us from the devastating effects of the stresses and challenges of life. He is present all the time with us. He wants to commune with us, assure us God’s care, presence, protection and provision. This is what peacefully settles our hearts despite the storms and troubles of life. Trust Him always. He is present with you.

Matthew 28:20 “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Thankfulness glorifies God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 17:15- 19 “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”_ – NIV

They were ten lepers. Because, by law they were not required to come near healthy people, the called from a distance to Jesus to heal them. Jesus directed them to go and show themselves to the priest who was mandated to examine them for the healing and readmit them to normal society. As they went, they all got healed. But only one who was a Samaritan, came back praising God and to give thanks. Jesus expressed surprise why the nine didn’t come back to give thanks and glorify God. He expected them to come back.

God does so much to so many people whether they have prayed or not. God expects us to return and praise Him. But few return to testify and glorify God in thanksgiving. The rest take it for granted and just move on. A heart of ingratitude takes things for granted. It’s a deceptive mindset. How do you feel when you offer help to a needy person and all they do is walk away without a word? It makes the help, support or gift appear like an entitlement, and an insult to the giver.

Part of the reasons God does things to us is to meet our needs and to glorify His name. When we use His gifts to insult Him, promote our names, build territories and forget about the Giver, we displease Him. Even if one claims to have used their own strength and ability to achieve, still that strength and ability comes from God, including the life we have(Deut 8:18). Among His greatest gifts, is Jesus Who came to save us. Rejecting Jesus is ingratitude to God of the highest order! Accepting Him is appreciation of His great love. Let’s come to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts in praise and worship.

Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”_Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

You cannot ‘bribe’ God (30/5/2022)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 51:16-17 "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;  you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart  you, God, will not despise." NIV

David was repentantly praying before God following the sin of adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. Not only did he sleep with her, he also killed the husband. When God rebuked David for his sin, he was repentant. He notes that it is not sacrifices or gifts that would appease God. He had plenty of things to bring to God. But He noted that what God is after is a broken, humble and repentant heart. He will not reject that.

King Saul was instructed to destroy everything about the Amelekites. But he spared the best bulls and sheep to sacrifice to God in disobedience (1 Samuel 15). He thought he would appease God, a form of bribery, by sacrifice and gifts and cover up his sin of disobedience. God was angry and rejected him as king. God cannot be hoodwinked into overlooking sin by our matetial or other gifts. When we have fallen short and sinned, all He asks us to do is have a humble repentant heart. That’s what pleases Him.

The very gifts and sacrifices we bring came from Him. The state our hearts is more important to Him than anything else. He will not despise a humble heart, which genuinely acknowledges sin and is willing to be helped overcome it. It is by His grace. But the proud hearts which front good works and gifts to justify themselves won’t go far. Come to Him in humility and brokenness.

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
1 Samuel 15:22 "But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

The joy of accomplishing purpose! (10/1/2022)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 17:4-5 “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” – NIV

Jesus is making His last prayer before departure from earth. He now looks back at His work and reports to the Father Who sent Him that the work was done. He narrates how He did it, and what He desired the disciples to do to carry on the work He left them with. He extends that prayer beyond the disciples at that time to His follows for all generations to come to date.

Jesus prayed to be glorified. Glorification only and rightly comes after the assignment is well done. No winner or victor is crowned before running and winning the race, or before the battle is won. And the winners should have run the race according to the rules. For every overcomer and faithful servant who executes the tasks assigned by their Master, there awaits a crowning ceremony, a glorification from God Almighty that cannot be equalled with the grandest worldly ceremony!

Such is the joy of living out your purpose. It brings out a satisfaction that no other achievement can bring in a person’s life. One day, all our lives will come to an end in this earthly journey. Then we shall transition into the other side of eternity. And without doubt, we shall look back at what we lived for and what we achieved. I pray you will say like Jesus, that you fulfilled and finished the work God your Creator gave you to do in the world. Live for God! Paul did so and died a satisfied man!

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

The intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit (23/2/2022)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” – NIV

A key part of the helping ministry of the Holy Spirit is in the area of prayer. Paul notes that we are weak and do not know how to pray as we ought to. For prayer to be answered, one of its requirements is that it is offered according to God’s will. Sometimes we do not know the will of God in the things we are praying for. But by the help of the Spirit, we are guided to pray according to what is in the mind of God.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. He knows what is in the heart and mind of God. He also knows us fully, our shortcomings and limitations. In His helping and intercessory role, He bridges that gap so that we are in true communion with God. Our prayers will not be vain repetitions and recitations without power. They will be spot on as we pray for ourselves and others. In this way, we shall always be in God’s will. He makes prayer a lively living communion with God.

The Holy Spirit, knowing the burdens in God’s heart which requires intercession, carries the same to our hearts. Then our hearts carry the burdens of God through deep prayer enabled by the Spirit. Recall Jesus’ burdened intercession in the garden of Gethsemane. There was such travails of the soul that almost tore his body. Such are groans of Spirit led prayer that saves multitudes and promotes God’s kingdom. Will you similarly allow the Holy Spirit help in your weakness in prayer? Out of such submission will result prayers that change lives and transforms the world.

1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Shalom children of God.

The intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit (23/2/2022)

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Thankfulness energises and focuses

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Timothy 1:12-14 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”_ – NIV

Paul was a great apostle who served God with unprecedented zeal and commitment. He was a man of one mission, sold out to the gospel even under extreme circumstances bordering on life and death. But he was not deterred. He was unashamed of what he believed, sought to preach Christ at all occasions in all situations, abandoned the treasures he once boasted about. Others thought he was out of his mind, the same accusation labelled against Jesus. What explains such unrelenting energy and focus?

Paul knew how far he had come. He once blasphemed the name of Jesus, persecuted the believers violently. But now he is considered worthy and appointed to preach the same Jesus he blasphemed. Such grace and mercy blew his mind. How could God be gracious and merciful to such a wreck like me? And in addition, trusts me with His service!? Out of this understanding welled up a heart of gratitude, zeal and commitment to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. How could he let down such unspeakable love!

Some may recall where the Lord picked us from and showed us a love we least deserved and all He has done for us. In response and out of deep gratitude, we throw ourselves fully into serving God. When we truly understand God’s grace, what Jesus did to save us, the natural response is deep gratitude and undeterred commitment to live for Him and bring others to share in the same grace of God. Your mission and focus in life shifts. You live for that one thing. I pray you experience this in your life in Christ the Lord._

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”__Philippians 3:7 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”_Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

You reap what you sow!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Galatians 6:7-8 "Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. People will reap exactly what they sow. If they sow in the field of their natural desires, from it they will gather the harvest of death; if they sow in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit they will gather the harvest of eternal life." - GNB

Life is governed by principles. It is not random or by trial and error. Nothing happens in life by chance. It is a result of what one sows, the decisions made rightly or wrongly, where they put their energy or as a result of laziness. Paul reminded the Galatians that God cannot be fooled, side stepped or manipulated. He is a God of principles. He responds to us according to how we conduct our lives. Even the eternal life He gives freely, should be received if we are to partake of it.

Yes, God performs miracles to meet certain needs at particular times. But we cannot sit back, do nothing and expect miracles to come. He expects us to abide by the principles He instituted to govern His creation. He works by His rules of the game. This is why anyone, regardless of their belief system,(including those who hate God) can do certain things according to those principles and they work for them.

We invest time, energy, finances and relationships in different ways. Some sow to please the sinful nature in pleasure and sin. Others sow to please God by the Spirit. Each of these has consequences both in this life and into eternity. Sowing to please the sinful nature leads to death, while investing in pleasing God leads to eternal life. We choose where to invest, and we should be ready to reap accordingly. God is just. Where and in what are you investing your life?

Romans 2:6-11 "God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger… For God does not show favoritism."

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Love: The true mark of light (16/1/2022) Hatred: The mark of darkness

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 John 2:9-11 “Those who say that they are in the light, yet hate their brothers and sisters, are in the darkness to this very hour. Those who love their brothers and sisters live in the light, and so there is nothing in them that will cause someone else to sin. But those who hate their brothers and sisters are in the darkness; they walk in it and do not know where they are going, because the darkness has made them blind.” – GNB

John continues to compare light and darkness. He now gives a clear sign to show what what walking in love or darkness is: love and hatred. Those in Christ should be characterized by love in all they do, think or say. Because Jesus is the light of the world, those in Him and submitted to His Lordship, must be characterized by love. To whom is this love directed? To their brothers and sisters, to people.

Some say they love God but hate their brothers and sisters. To them, John says they are still in darkness upto now. If Satan is behind the darkness, and is the source of hatred, those who hate others are still in the grip of Satan even if they claim to be in Christ. Those who hate are still blind and walk about in darkness, not knowing where they are going. As love is the true mark of light, hate is the true mark of darkness.

John adds that those who love and are walking in the light have nothing in them that stumbles others to sin. Their lives are a source of inspiration and a blessing, not a stumbling block hindering the growth of others. They do good wherever they are as Jesus went everywhere blessing those He came by and who encountered Him (Acts 10:38). What signs do you manifest; of light or darkness? Everyone in Christ is (expected to be) the light of the world just as Christ is the light of the world. Avoid the deception of thinking you are in the light and yet living in darkness through hatred. Let love prevail.

1 John 4:11-12 “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Not mine, but your will be done! (R)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 22:41-42 “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”NIV

Well knowing the amount of pain and suffering that lay ahead of Him, and being human with feelings, Jesus was so overwhelmed emotionally. He had earlier expressed the weight of the burden to the disciples saying, “… My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point if death. Stay here and keep watch with me”(Matt 26:38). His disciples unfortunately failed. He was in such agony that He did not only sweat in prayer in that cold night, but His sweat even turned to drops of blood!(Luke 22:44). Such was the untold intensity!

One part of Him felt it was too much to bear that pain and wished it could be taken away. He even said He had power to call for more than 12 legions of angels to come to His rescue, but didn’t. Yet He knew the will of the Father was for Him to go through it to accomplish the purpose of saving man. So, Jesus surrendered His will to that of the Father — all for our salvation. He was faithful to His Father to death!

The accomplishment of our God given purpose in this life will many times require that we surrender our human will and take on God’s. It takes commitment, loyalty to do it. Jesus urged us to be faitful even to death, if we are to recieve the crown of life (Rev 2:10). He is telling us to do what He Himself did. This may not be easy on our own, but He supplies the grace to do it.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Shalom children of God.

September 4, 2024

Put your house in order!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 38:1 "In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”_

King Hezekiah was sick. God sent prophet Isaiah to alert him to put his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah prayed and God added him 15 years. Eventually he still died. Many like the part of additional years in this scripture, but we would do well to consider the alert to prepare for physical death. Death came to man as a result of the fall. Except for those who will be taken alive when Jesus returns, all the rest of us will face physical death.

The reality is that we are temporary in this world. Whether one lives to be hundred or less, we shall all go. And none of us knows exactly when and how this will happen. Hezekiah was one of the few whom God alerted in advance to put his house in order before he died. The biggest question then becomes how prepared we are to face our Creator! The best preparation is to give our lives to Christ and purposefully live for Him.

Unfortunately, some behave as if all we live for is the here and now. Our lives are in the hands of God Who created us and set the days we are to live in this world. All our lives on earth is an opportunity to prepare for eternity and to meet our God. At the consummation of all things, when our life in this world comes to an end, will you rejoice that you lived to honor and please God? Or will you eternally regret that you wasted your life on things that don’t matter? Prepare to meet your God!(Amos 4:12)._

Hebrews 9:27 "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..."_Shalom children of God.

Category: Daily Devotionals

The comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit

Thankfulness glorifies God

You cannot ‘bribe’ God (30/5/2022)

The joy of accomplishing purpose! (10/1/2022)

The intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit (23/2/2022)

Thankfulness energises and focuses

You reap what you sow!

Love: The true mark of light (16/1/2022) Hatred: The mark of darkness

Not mine, but your will be done! (R)

Put your house in order!

programs

Contact us

LOCATION