Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 103:1-2 “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—…”

This is a psalm of gratitude. An attitude of praise and thanksgiving makes us look at the good things God has done. Honestly, there is much God has done and continues to do in everyone’s life. This is to those who believe in Him or not. The reason many are not thankful is that they have their own expectations of what they want God to do. When it doesn’t happen as they wish, it appears as if God has failed them.

A thankful attitude should be deliberate. You choose to tell your soul to praise. As you do, you remember what He has done, the benefits of salvation out of His goodness. God expects praise and worship out of us. After healing ten lepers, Jesus was surprised that only one came back to give thanks. Like them, God does for all of us many good things, but few come back to Him to give thanks. Instead, most people are looking out for what is not going right and shout about it, but are silent on the good.

Thanksgiving glorifies God, makes us not forget what He does, encourages our faith, creates hope, establishes us in the faith and enables us find peace and rest for our souls only in God. It keeps fear, uncertainty, anger and all sorts of distractions away. It gives assurance to our souls, that it is well, despite any present challenges. Purposefully be thankful to God. Bless the Lord O my soul!

Luke 17:17-18 “Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 139:4,15-16 “Before a word is on my tongue   you, Lord, know it completely… My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book  before one of them came to be.” NIV

Psalm 139 is a wonderful meditation on the greatness of God and His omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence. He fills the entire vast universe He created. There is no part of creation that He is not present. He knows us to the most minute detail, including our thoughts before we even think about them. He knows the words we are going to say before we say them! There is no where one can hide from Him.

He also knows every step when we were made and designed the way He designed us individually. We are all different because He Himself was involved in every detail of our making. Isn’t it a wonder that every human being that has ever existed since creation or will exist is never the same as another? Besides that, God already ordained specific days for each person to live even before we were conceived or born. The psalmist said such knowledge was too wonderful for him, and to us too.

God’s foreknowledge of us is an encouragement that our lives are not, and should not be a gamble. It’s only man’s rebellion that takes him away from a path already well planned by his Creator into all the messes we end up in. If only we seek after him, to know and walk in the ways He already set for us, our lives would be truly peaceful and enjoyable despite any upheavals. Whatever He does in and through us is in line with His good plans to bring us to an expected end for our joy and His glory. Submit to Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Shalom children of God

How we keep in step with the Spirit

Living in obedience (15/7/2023)

Psalm 95:6-9 "… Today, if only you would hear his voice, “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did." - NIV

It is one thing to hear what the Spirit is saying. It another to willingly obey and do what He tells us to do. Israel heard God through their wilderness journey. But they hardened their hearts. So many hear and know what God is speaking. They know His will. But their hearts are hardened, stubborn and rebellious. God calls us to a life of obedience.

Each one of us at some point or another in life knew exactly what God would have us do in particular situations. But we insisted on our ways, went by popular opinion or chose to satisfy our egos rather than obey the known will of God. That’s rebellion. A heart of obedience is at the centre of our walk with God.

We cannot be in step with the Spirit unless we are willing to put our ways and will aside to obey His instructions. God never misleads. Even if what He says doesn’t seem to make sense at that time, He knows where He is leading us. It will be well in the end. We thus need to develop an attitude of complete obedience to Him. In that way, we can be sure we shall continually be led in the footsteps of our Master. Jesus did.

Philippians 2:7-8 "…rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 45:4-5 "Then Joseph said to His brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God  sent me ahead of you." - NIV

Joseph had gone through some of the most bitter moments of his life under the hands of his own brothers: they hated him for being loved, stripped him of his coat of many colours, attempted to kill him, threw him into a dry pit, and finally sold him to Egypt. In Egypt, he is resold by the Ishmaelites to Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempted rape and Joseph is dumped into prison. Even his attempt to make his way out through Pharaoh’s cup bearer whose dream he interpreted, were futile.

It took 13 painful years. When all he sought was to get out of prison, the Lord instead raised him to the highest office in Egypt. On the 22nd year after being sold, he met his brothers and his childhood dreams were fulfilled right before his eyes as they bowed down to him. He now understood the bigger picture of his being sold by His brothers. Tough as it had been, the purpose was to save them and the rest of the world from a ravaging famine! What a price for such a noble cause!

Friends, we may not understand some of our life’s circumstances that God allows to come our way, painful as they may be. We may pray against them, do whatever we can to avert them, but they remain!  There is always a greater purpose ahead. As we go through them, we don’t see the good that will come out of the pain.

When God seems quiet, He is working behind the scenes, making all things; good and bad, pleasant and unpleasant, to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes  (Rom 8:28).

Cheer up child of God. Hang in there through the tears and uncertainty. Dont despair nor quit and give up on God. The greater purpose will be revealed and you will some day look back, like Joseph, and say, ‘now I understand’

Shalom children of God.

Challenges are real! (24/3/2023)

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 42:5 "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,  my Savior and my God."

The psalms are characterized by writings that express fears, excitement, discouragement or contentment in the authors hearts. They pour them out as prayers, worship, praise, criticism, musings or even complains. They reflect what we all go through at different stages in life. One time we are up in victory and excitement. Another time things seem to fall apart and we are gripped with fear and uncertainty, and God seems far away. This creates alot of mental stress.

Challenges and battles of life are real; in our relationships with others, or struggles within ourselves. Even when you are at peace, others can cause you trouble. Some of these are easy to get over. But others break our hearts, take away peace and stress us deeply with no immediate answers. Our souls may get troubled and downcast. The psalmist encouraged his soul as we too should, to still trust in God.

To troubled and worried disciples, Jesus’ encouragement was to trust in God and Him. Jesus anticipated much trouble in this world for us, but promised victory (Jn 16:33). The first approach to relieve from stress in life is to know that troublesome challenges will always be there. Rather than allow it take your peace and drive you into depression and unclear lifestyles as a solution, learn to hope in God. He already made provision for such stresses.

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me."
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 18:32-34 "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;  he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze."

The psalmist gives a vivid description of how he attacks and defeats the enemy. He acknowledges that it is God Who secures, establishes and enables him to attain victory. It wasn’t the arm of human strength that led to such victory, but the hand of God.

While in this life, we are engaged in battle. The enemy is the devil who stirs up people to execute his demands. All the evils people commit is driven by the devil. Our battles are not directed primarily to people, but to the forces of hell behind them. And the strength to accomplish this comes from God. But people have to answer for allowing themselves be used by Satan.

God gives His people the entire armour for the battle with evil forces. No spiritual war is won by human intellect and wisdom. The spirits are far smarter than any human being on their own. It takes a counter spiritual power from God to defeat them. And thank God, the demonic forces were defeated by Jesus in the once and forever victory on the cross and in His resurrection. And the victory was passed on to us. Praise God!

Ephesians 6:11-12 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ephesians 6:17 "…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - NIV

The armour so far described is for protection. But the soldier had to attack as well using the sword, and not just defend himself. In spiritual warfare, the sword of the Spirit is the word of God, a formidable irresistible offensive weapon the enemy cannot withstand. By it we conquer, take new territory and remain more than conquerors.

Jesus defeated the devil by the power of the word. The word of God is alive and powerful in it’s working. As it is declared over situations, the Spirit uses it to bring life, search, discern, assault the enemy and transform specific situations. God said His word sent out can’t come back without effecting what it was sent for (Isaiah 55:11).

Because God is in His word, wherever the word is sent, God watches over it to work (Jer 1:12). And where God is, the devil cannot stand. If all you have over a situation is God’s word for it, you can be sure of victory against all odds.

To be full of the word of God is be equipped with a powerful weapon against Satan. The devil’s biggest advantage and victory over believrs is in their ignorance of the word, unbelief, or failure to apply it. He will do everything to keep you from reading, believing and applying it. And so the child of God is defeated with the sword in their hand! Get into the word. Pray it, speak it, think it, apply it, live it. And victory will be your portion perpetually.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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." - NIV

God strongly spoke to remind Israel about His unlimited power over humanity and His incomparability with idols or anything in all creation. Then He comes to the point of His support for those who trust in Him. God never gets tired or weary, is unlimited and Almighty.

As mortal beings, we get tired and wear out. We are weak and fail in many things because we are limited. But God promises to give us strength in life’s weak moments. Youths are the epitome of human strength. They have all the energy and vigor to do whatever they wish. But being human, they still get tired, wear out, stumble and fall. This equally represents the things we are good, experienced and skilled at. A time comes that we fail even in the things we do best.

Human abilities at their best can fail. That’s when we need external support from the One who never gets tired or weary. We get are tired and burn out. But as we trust and submit to God, He renews our strength like the old eagles which renew themselves and come back fresh and strong. It’s only then we can steadfastly move on with the Lord, year in year out, without quiting. Let’s learn to hope in God. So did the psalmist write;

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalms 73:26)

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - NIV

Most people are conversant with the statement in Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.” There is truly nothing impossible with God Almighty. He can do the impossible beyond what man can think or imagine. True that as it is, it’s important to know there are things which are impossible for God to do.

James notes that every good and perfect gift comes from God the Father Who does not change like shifting shadows. God is forever true to Who He is, what He has promised and committed Himself to do. He does not change, nor can He be manipulated to do anything contrary to His nature. God will never lie, change, nor sin in any way. If He did, that would make Him unreliable and put the credibility of His word to question. Thank God, that will never happen!

Some use God’s name in desires and interests contrary to God’s nature. Not everything people do in God’s name is from Him, in His will or allowed by Him. Others, because they desperately want certain things in certain ways, plead with God to favor them. God is powerful to do anything, but principled enough not to go against His nature and word to favor you. Let’s know Him and flow with His ways and nature. He is obliged to only do what’s in His word, will and character.

Malachi 3:6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

Numbers 23:19 "God is not human, that he should lie,  not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
Titus 1:2 "…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time…"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Genesis 39:9-10 "No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her." - NIV

Joseph was under so much temptation to sleep with portiphar’s wife. This went on day by day until she grabbed him to forcefully sleep with her. It was possible to have yielded to it in one of those moments and probably escape human notice as many do in their secret lives. But Joseph held on to his principles. The scripture above shows the main reason Joseph resisted this temptation all this time.

It was his fear of God that held Joseph in integrity. He didn’t reject her moves because he wasn’t man enough with sensual feelings to be attracted to a woman, nor because he feared his boss catching him. He feared God. And this is the heart of integrity; the fear of God who sees and knows it all whether anyone sees or not, and driven by a passion to please Him. He held on to this principle.

Many deep in their hearts are burning to do wrong, but are restrained because they might be caught and face the law or fear embarrassment. That’s not a good enough reason to maintain your integrity because the corrupt seed is still lingering within. At the earliest opportunity, it will overpower you and you fall into doing wrong. May the fear of God be the foundation of your life’s principles. Like Joseph and other examples of people of integrity, you will withstand persistent temptation to do evil and walk in integrity of heart.

Acts 13:22 "After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’"

Shalom children of God.