Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 30:18 “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” NIV

This statement comes amidst a sharp rebuke by God on His people seeking human help rather than divine help in their troubles. Israel planned to flee on horses and hide in Egypt from their enemies. He told them their confidence in Egypt was worthless. He was angry at them for only thinking of human solutions before consulting Him, being their God. Even in their stubbornness, God’s heart longed to show them grace, compassion and justice.

The fallen human nature tends towards independence from God and will first think about what they can do to remedy their challenges and find solutions. Most people will think about God as the last resort when all else has failed. When everything is fine, little attention is given to Him. When challenges come, they first think of their possessions, abilities and connections to bail them out. This is not bad per se, but becomes a problem when they alienate people from God.

God’s heart longs to be gracious to us. His compassion and justice is experienced by those who wait on Him, having placed their faith in Him. Blessed are those who trust in Him. Even though it doesn’t apparently appear that all is running well with them, the sure foundation of faith in God will truly sustain them through life and its challenges. In the end, they will be happy. God never fails those who look to Him.

Psalm 145:8 “The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” – NIV

Yesterday we discussed about deception that goes with flattery.There is a deception that makes people think they can live their lives the way they wish in the pleasures of the flesh, and somehow impress God with some good deeds. To God, one reaps what they sow. That is justice and righteousness on which His throne is founded. He cannot be mocked and arm twisted to go contrary to His principles. Those who flatter Him with their lips but with hearts far away can only expect what they rightfully deserve from the just Judge of the universe.

This self reflection should be guided by the questions; ‘why am I doing what I am doing’? Am I responding to please my selfish desires or to please God? The Holy Spirit is always guiding us into paths of righteousness that glorify God. But at times, many disobey His instructions and do what appeals to their senses or public opinion. They live in disobedience to God and yet expect His full blessings.

The fruit of our lives is a reflection of who we have chosen to yield to in our hearts, the flesh or to the Spirit. Each has its consequences; destruction for following after the flesh, and eternal life for obedience to the Spirit. The choice is yours. But God cannot be mocked. We reap from Him only what we have sown. How and what are you presently sowing?

Galatians 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Judges 8:4-5 “Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. He said to the men of Sukkoth, “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.””

Gideon and his men were pursuing the Midianites. They had largely defeated them. But they needed to complete the victory by capturing the two Midianite kings who had escaped. It had been an intensive battle and they were physically exhausted. They needed food to replenish their strength. Despite the exhaustion, they kept pursuing to the end.

Such is a common occurrence in life. Some of the battles, plans and dreams we encounter and pursue in life leave us tired. The temptation to give up is so real. After spending all the abilities and energies we have, we will feel like giving it up. The body gives way, the mind stagnates and the will to go on fades. This is the point that separates those who reach their full potential and the partial achievers.

That God is behind what we do does not mean it will be a smooth ride all the way. Obstacles and resistances will be there. The enemy will attempt to use discouragement that comes with burn out and exhaustion to knock us us off the journey. Sometimes this happens when complete victory is just at the door. We are urged not to give up. God is committed to renew our strength and to keep us going till the end. Wait on Him. Keep going. Hold on to Him and His unfailing promises.

Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

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

Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” – NIV

Yesterday we discussed about deception that goes with flattery.There is a deception that makes people think they can live their lives the way they wish in the pleasures of the flesh, and somehow impress God with some good deeds. To God, one reaps what they sow. That is justice and righteousness on which His throne is founded. He cannot be mocked and arm twisted to go contrary to His principles. Those who flatter Him with their lips but with hearts far away can only expect what they rightfully deserve from the just Judge of the universe.

This self reflection should be guided by the questions; ‘why am I doing what I am doing’? Am I responding to please my selfish desires or to please God? The Holy Spirit is always guiding us into paths of righteousness that glorify God. But at times, many disobey His instructions and do what appeals to their senses or public opinion. They live in disobedience to God and yet expect His full blessings.

The fruit of our lives is a reflection of who we have chosen to yield to in our hearts, the flesh or to the Spirit. Each has its consequences; destruction for following after the flesh, and eternal life for obedience to the Spirit. The choice is yours. But God cannot be mocked. We reap from Him only what we have sown. How and what are you presently sowing?

Galatians 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 25:46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” – NIV

Have you ever thought about eternity? This is a period of time beyond measure, or simply time without end. One can’t even talk in terms of known units of measurement like billions, trillions, quadrillions  of years, because that’s already measurable, however unfathomable it is to our little limited human minds.

To enable some slight understanding of eternity, someone once illustrated it this way: Consider the smallest ant, on a mission to move the whole earth to the farthest star in the universe. The farthest star so far known is 9 billion light years away from earth. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. In one second, light travels at 299,792KMs. One year has over 31.5 million seconds. So in one year, light moves over 9.4trillion KMs. To the farthest star, it’s that distance multiplied 9billion times. That’s already beyond the range of our computations and numbering.

Even with modern supersonic jets, traveling at thousands of KMs per hour, such a  journey is endless. How much more a little ant? And knowing how much the ant carries, when will it complete shifting the entire 6×10^24Kg mass of planet earth? Mission impossible! And yet one day it will complete it. But eternity would have just began!

God’s word teaches that all of us will spend eternity somewhere. Everyone created will live somewhere and never disappear. There are only two destinies, determined by our decisions here on earth: heaven or hell. Heaven is a place of great joy and peace for those to whom Jesus is Savior and Lord. Their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Hell is a place of extreme torment for those who have rejected the Savior and Lord Jesus in their lives. I invite you to give serious thought to the question of where you will spend eternity. Choose to spend it in heaven by choosing Jesus the way. That’s God’s will for all of us.

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”

Shalom children of God. 

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Growth is a process (22/6/2021)*

Colossians 1:9-10 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…”

Growth is not an event but a process which is progressive. At every step, one is becoming better. To the Christian, this process starts the day they receive Christ as Lord and Savior and goes on throughout their lives. For the Colossian Christians, Paul’s prayer was continuous, that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. That would enable them live lives worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way.

As this was happening, they will be bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God. This is continuous and incremental over time. One time you think you really got it. The next time the Spirit teaches you more and you discover you hadn’t known much before. Part of the reason for this is that we may perpetually remain humbly dependent on God and other people. The other is that we can never fully know God.

Progressive growth requires a continuous thirst, hunger, humility and searching after God on our part. The moment you think you have arrived, you stop growing, because you block the Spirit who enables our growth. A tree bears fruit increasingly over the years until full maturity when it bears much fruit. That’s how we are as we grow in the Lord. Let’s cooperate in humilty with an attitude of continuous learning and growth. Continually yearn after Him!

Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – NIV

Faith has to do with what is not yet felt, seen or touched but believed to be existing and true. It goes beyond the five senses of the body. Some have described it as the sixth sense. In comparison, feelings are based on what is seen, felt, or thought about. Feelings mainly derived from the body senses can be false or misleading.
Likewise, faith based on anything or anyone else apart from God may fail.

We are called to live by faith in God. Jesus told His disciples to have faith in God. The just are to live by faith, not feelings. When faith is focused on God and His word, it never fails, because God never fails those who hope in Him. Not all feelings are bad, but only when they destroy instead of strengthen faith. Believe what God says despite the feelings. So much goes on in our environment that affects and influences our faith and feelings. We respond according to what is in us.

Its important that we feed on God’s word so much so that faith is strengthened. When faith is stronger than feelings, one is able to persevere in God despite external happenings. When one is full of God’s word, every feeling is weighed against what the word says and actions are accordingly influenced by what the word says, not the feelings. Feelings are susceptible to manipulation by the enemy the devil, but faith is a shield against him. Live and walk by faith.

Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.”
Hebrews 10:38 “And, “But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure  in the one who shrinks back.”

Shalom. Have a blessed Sunday.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 22:12-13 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” – NIV

The last book of the Bible was coming to a close as John heard in the ending part of the revelation at the island of Patmos. Alot had been shown to John of the events that would mark and characterise the end of the age. And then the emphatic words with absolute clarity, from the highest authority in the universe came forth, “Behold, I am coming soon!”

The ‘soon’ Jesus talked about has been misinterpreted, from human perspective, to mean delay 2000 years later. But God’s timing is not our timing, as we understand time. The bible also gives the reason for the seeming delay as God giving everyone opportunity to come to Him and be saved(2 Peter 3:9). The Scriptures also give us signs that point to the end of the age and the imminent return of Jesus. We would do well to study these signs by looking at what is happening in our world today and comparing with Bible prophecy.

As we watch these signs today, it’s no doubt that we are closer than we can imagine to the coming of Jesus. We may not know the day or hour, but the signs will show us how close it is. And the warning to all is to be ready! Jesus said He is coming with rewards to give to each one according to their works. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End. We can therefore rely on His words and take them seriously and live with this awareness every moment.

It won’t be long before we hear the trumpet sound. Jesus is coming back! Are you ready if He came now?

Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Revelation 22:7,20 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book…”He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

The place of trials in growth (23/6/2021)

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – NIV

Everyone wishes to live and go through life free of any troubles, pains, hustles and challenges. Many people’s prayers are in this direction. But the reality is that trials are the norm in life and part God’s plan to make us grow in Himself. James relates how trials of many kinds, faced by those in Christ, are a means to our growth to maturity and being complete in the Lord. He urges us to rejoice in them.

Trials of our faith are not to be taken negatively, but in good faith and joy because they produce perseverance. Patient endurance over time shape and mold in us the character of God which is key in maturity. Nobody matures in the soft pleasures of life. No general or athlete is trained in luxury. It takes pain, tears and sometimes what appears like failure. Job said, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”(Job 23:10).

How we view the challenges of life determines how they shape us, either to become bitter or better, to stagnate or grow. No challenge of life leaves us the same. Bitter people never grow through their trials. They stagnate or retrogress instead. Better people are shaped and grow from challenges. They thank God and rejoice in them as Paul did. Which one are you?

Romans 5:3-4 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Shalom children of God.