Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”_NIVAfter God made all the good things in creation, he made Adam. Still the man was incomplete. And God Himself said so. God created man, male and female, in His own image. He gave them dominion to rule over His creation (Gen 1:26-28). Man and woman are co-heirs in God’s kingdom. Without woman, man cannot fulfill his creation mandate from God. Both were made in God’s image, in the likeness of God. These are profound truths God set from the beginning. After the fall of man, the devil manipulated and twisted God’s original intention in the minds of men, making woman seem inferior and subordinate to man. He has done this through cultures and traditions of men down the millennia. To date, millions of women around the world are treated as inferior beings, sex objects and slaves, dependant on men, less than men, less deserving, and subjected to many dehumanising practices. Many girls grow up thinking that is what they are made for!The desire to break lose from these oppressive demonic vices and enable women realise and live out their God given potential, gave rise to women emancipation movements, special day to recognise women, women representation in governments, and a host of other women groups and organisations fighting for women rights. Until you experience your freedom in God, these fall short good as they are.The rise of women into various positions of influence in governments, church and society has proved the worth and abilities they have to co-manage with man. Whereas Jesus did not appoint women to be among the twelve disciples, it’s no doubt He valued them contrary the Jewish traditions then, and women were very much behind His successful ministry, upto the cross, at the resurrection and at the upper room when the church was being ushered into the world. Woman, you are special to God and in His creation work and the world. Jesus came to restore the dignity of women. In Him you find your true position and liberty. Rise up, walk with your head high and take your place in humility and respect in society and the church. _Galatians 3:26-28 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”_Shalom children of God. Happy women’s day.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

The ultimate purpose (24/6/2021)

Ephesians 4:13-14 “… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” – NIV

The ultimate purpose of growth is to attain maturity. Maturity to the follower of Christ is manifested when the person becomes like Jesus, reflecting His character and so truly become Christian (Christlike). Paul mentions the goal of spiritual gifts in the church as; to bring unity in the faith despite our differences, and to attain the knowledge of the son of God and mature in Him attaining His full stature.

Jesus said it is enough for the student and servant (us) to be like the teacher and Master (Him) (Matt 10:25). When the growth process is fully done, we shall be like Him. The fruit of our lives will reflect Christ in every way. We shall bear much fruit, shine His light for all to see, until it will be said of us, that we are like Christ.

This is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. The fruit is of the Holy Spirit. When this is done, we bring much glory to the Father as we become true witnesses of His transforming power. Then we can no longer be tossed back and forth by winds of doctrines, promising this and that, as promoted by cunning and crafty men coming with all sorts of things in the name of the Lord. We shall be stable and firmly grounded in truth that liberates.

John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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Proverbs 6:6-8 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” – NIV

Happy new year!

Its amazing that little creatures in nature can teach us huge lessons in life. Man is the highest creation of God, the only one made in the image and likeness of God. The rest of the animals were not. And it was to man that the task of managing creation was given – todate. This required planning and foresight. God created all things and allowed man to discover hidden treasures and benefit from creation.

The scriptures above and others following, were written to address laziness and its effects in people. The example of ants working so hard to make their food, knowing which season to look for it and to store it for a tough time ahead, teaches about planning ahead of time. Unfortunately, man even with all the knowledge and intellect God gave, with the opportunities available, knowing seasons, still goes hungry and remains poor! Many reasons could be given for this, but its shameful for little creatures without much reason to do better than man in planning!

This is a call to hard work, strategic planning, and a commitment to achieve. There are things God can do, but there are things He expects as to do. Do not expect God to do what you should be doing. Plan, anticipate, think ahead, make commitments, persevere and work hard. Sustained success is never accidental. It takes deliberate effort. And God blesses such endeavours, not idleness and laziness.

May 2022 be a fruitful year for you!

Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Happy new year to you and your loved ones.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 32:6-7 “When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.”_ – NIV Jacob had fled from his brother Esau who wanted to kill him for taking his birthright. He had been with Laban, his uncle, for twenty years. God instructed him to return home. Knowing the bitter anger Esau had against him, he sought to alert and assess Esau’s reaction by sending messengers to find out. The feedback was hard hitting: Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. That sent chills to Jacob. He was in extreme fear and distress. He turned to God in prayer, and divided up his possessions with a gift for Esau.After breakthrough prayer with God, he eventually met with Esau. What was supposed to be a fight, turned out to be a reunion of love. It was unbelievable for Jacob. He said seeing Esau face to face was like seeing God. This happens in life. There are things we greatly fear and are troubled about. We wonder how we can face them. We try all possible human solutions. But when we commit them to God, He works behind the scenes, takes care of our fears and gives victory. Let’s learn to commit the things beyond our abilities, our fears, distress and uncertainties to God. The natural human tendency is to take matters in our hands. In attempt to find solutions, sometimes we mess up the more. Life will always have these perplexing situations. But God remains a present helper in such times. He has already taken care of it without our knowledge as He did for distressed Israelites by the Red sea. May we learn to be still and know that He is God even in those times when everything seems to fall apart. There is no hopeless situation with God!_Exodus 14:13-14 “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Maturity Vs imaturity (25/6/2021)

1 Corinthians 3:2-4 “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?”

At some point, maturity is expected to be attained. But when that doesn’t happen at the right time, it becomes awkward. Beautiful and lovely as a child is, he is expected to outgrow childhood stage. The Corinthians, by the time Paul wrote, were still babies immature in the faith and yet expected to have matured. This manifested in being worldly, disunited, jealousy, and quarreling among themselves. These are still the marks of immaturity.

On the other hand, there are signs of maturity expected to be exhibited. These include the fruit of the Spirit love, peace, patience, kindness, …(Gal 5:22-23), unity in the faith, becoming more like Christ. It is in the maturity of God’s people that He is most glorified as we reflect Him. The church’s mission in the world is to be ambassadors of God, representing Him and His kingdom. In imaturity, the church brings more shame than glory to God.

Let each one of us who is individually a member of the body of Christ seek to grow so as to meaningfully contribute to the body and bring glory to God. Paul said there is a view of things, approach to issues and perceptions of people in a dignified manner that shows maturity. It sees everything from God’s perspective. Let God help us attain that level.

Philippians 3:15-16 “All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Nehemiah 1:3-4 “They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven…” – NIV

Nehemiah was one of the exiles privileged to serve the king as the cup bearer. But when his brother Hananiah came from Israel and informed him about the terrible state of affairs in Jerusalem; the broken walls and suffering people, he broke down and wept. He lost peace despite a comfortable position and life he held. He fasted and prayed for several days seeking God how to remedy the situation back home. The king eventually noticed and asked him what he would do to help him go back home and help his people.

Thus began Nehemiah’s journey to restoring the walls of Jerusalem and reorganizing his people. An intense burden to make right what is going wrong is one indicator of a call in one’s life. While everyone else sees it and life goes on, the one called to rectify it can’t rest until a solution is found. They are willing to lay down their lives to see something done. To Moses, God expressed the burden in His heart to rescue His people from Egyptian bondage.

Anyone who has greatly been used by God to achieve much is driven by a burden. A burden is one indicator of purpose, God showing you what He wants you to do to rectify what is going wrong. Paul stated how he had unquenchable burden to preach the gospel and to see churches established at all costs. Others are driven by burdens to liberate the oppressed, alleviate suffering and see people become their best. What burdens can’t you get out of your mind? That could be a pointer to God’s purpose for you. Pursue it.

Romans 9:1-4 “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel…”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."_ - NIV 

Paul vehemently defended the gospel he preached about Christ as true. So firmly true is it that he made such strong statements of curses for anyone who perverted and preached a different gospel. He noted that some people were deliberately doing this to take them back to salvation through the law. Why such strong words? Because such compromises have eternal consequences.

We are to love, respect and even please others in what we do for encouragement, communion, support and to move together. That’s in God’s will. The dividing line, however, comes when our attempt to please others puts us at enemity with God. This includes sinning, compromising doctrinal matters, breaking fellowship with God because you want to impress men. In that case, as it was for Paul in the scripture above, we have to choose to please God and not men.

Such situations always come – in homes, community, work places, in seeking opportunities, etc. We have to decide, commit and settle it in our hearts that we shall choose to please God. The price may be high, leading to lose of opportunities, friends, facing ridicule, rejection or forfeiting other benefits. Anyone who has lived for God amidst the evils of this world, has paid that price to stand for God. You too, guided by a firm foundation of godly values, can stand. If you decide to please men in such cases, you cease to be a servant of Christ. _

1 Thessalonians 2:4 "Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives."_

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

How we grow (26/6/2021)

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

There are no shortcuts to growth. Growth is both the effect of personal commitment of each one of us, as much as the result of the inputs into our lives. We often admire the early church and their great accomplishments for God. But few want to ask what they did to grow so strong in the Lord and to attain what they achieved. The scripture above gives us the secret: daily devotion. Nothing replaces a personal intimate walk with God towards quality spiritual growth.

Four major avenues of growth are mentioned: devotion to teachings of the apostles, fellowship among themselves, breaking of bread and prayer. The word was the centre of teaching. Their fellowship with one another was sincere. They broke bread in communion with one another and with the Lord. They prayed daily. Such was their lifestyle. And they grew so much to be like their Lord that they were nicknamed Christians (Acts 11:26). We cannot do less and expect to be like them or better.

Growth is first and foremost individual. And this means devotion to the teachings of the word through personal study, fellowship with others, communion with the Lord and prayer at individual level. What manifests publicly is developed and shaped in the secret chambers. The church is only as strong as its individual members. The extent of our growth is determined by the quality of our personal devotional lives with God.

Acts 2:46-47 “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 4:31-34 “Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” – NIV

Jesus was going to Galilee from Judea and had to pass through Samaria. He was now hungry and thirsty. While at the well, a Samaritan woman comes and He asked her for water to drink. When the disciples came back from buying food, they urged Him to eat but He couldn’t, atleast at that time. Something was burdening Him more than ordinary food; the need to preach to people the woman had rushed to call.

The will of His Father, the souls who would be ministered to, so filled His heart that food had to wait. That’s passion. It made Him do what He was doing wholeheartedly without reservation and out of a willing heart. Although not all zeal and passion is indication of ones purpose, when one is operating in the things they were created for, it flows seamlessly and is done with passion. The combination of a burden and passion are sure to push a person to excellence and perseverance despite the odds to fulfill their purpose.

A natural love and drive to do something without coercion and persistently is an indicator of purpose and calling in that area. Such passion is inspired by the Holy Spirit to enable one serve their purpose. Think of anyone truly fulfilling their purpose in life. They certainly enjoy and are fully immersed into what they do. The passion has consumed them and their lives resonate with it. They are even willing to forsake anything that stands in the way, including laying down their lives. Find out what you are so naturally passionate about. It could point to your purpose. Hear Paul express his passion in preaching;

Acts 20:23-24 “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Samuel 15:13-15 "When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”_ - NIV 

God’s message and instructions to Saul were clear; to wipe out the Amelekites and everything they owned. Saul went and selectively destroyed what was unpleasant and spared the best bulls and sheep, purportedly to come and sacrifice to God. They also spared Agag, their king. When he met Samuel to report, he confidently said he carried out the Lord’s instructions. This act of disobedience displeased God so much that He regreted why He made Saul king, and removed him from the kingship.

Disobedience comes in various forms. Outright or partial refusal to heed instructions. When what God requires of us is interpreted and executed as one wishes or finds convenient, that’s disobedience. We are not at liberty to choose what we wish to do and what we don’t like as far as God’s word is concerned. God calls us to simple trust and complete obedience. Jesus commissioned the church to teach obedience to His commands.

How is it that some are living in sin and disobedience in one area of their lives and yet appear very confident, committed and zealous for God in other aspects? Because of self styled godliness which has redefined God’s word and instructions to conveniently suit their ungodly bodily desires. It is double dealing with the world. The Bible says God cannot be mocked by such hypocrisy. We ultimately reap what we sow. Choose to simply trust and obey God. That’s the way of peace._Galatians 6:7 “Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. People will reap exactly what they sow.”__

Matthew 28:20 "...and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”_ 

Shalom children of God.