Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” – NIV

Solomon had laboured to explain how there is a time for everything under the sun. He now describes how hard people work and wonders what people gain out of it. He concludes that people work to be happy while they live. This is true even today. Whatever people do, they aim at deriving satisfaction and fulfillment from their hard work through earning or utilisation and release of their potential.

The years God gives us in this life are few even if one lived to be a hundred, in comparison to eternity. While we go through much, nice and not very pleasant situations of life, we can enjoy our lives and the blessing of God upon our labours. God promised to bless the work of our hands. To be blessed is to be happy. God’s plans for us are always for welfare and for good, not for evil.

As we live this life and the years God gives us, let’s enjoy them in the Lord. All our endeavors and labours without God will not satisfy. Many think they can do without God and enjoy wealth or the things they possess. Even with all one may posses, without God, nothing really satisfies. It all becomes vanity, like chasing after wind. And yet many are into deception of focusing only on work and possessions without God!

Luke 12:15, 21 “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” … “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 5:27-28 “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” – NIV

These words were very common from Jesus to whoever He first encountered in His ministry. They were not just calls to join the crowd as they moved along. It was a call to commitment, service and willingness to go all the way with Him. To Levi (Matthew) who was a tax collector, the call meant abandoning his job and going after Jesus for another responsibility. The same happened to the other disciples who left what they were doing to follow Jesus.

We are called to follow. This means accepting His leading, following His example, footsteps and mentorship, and going wherever He goes, facing the challenges He faces, enjoying the things He enjoys. In following Him is safety and life. We trust that He is not misleading us. He asks us to learn from Him. This can only happen with keen following.

One is called to first consider what it takes to follow; denying oneself, taking up the cross and a daily walk (Luke 9:23). But the promise is clear, that He will be with us all the way through the valley of the shadows of death, and the mountain top experience of joy, peace, provision and comfort. His voice still comes to each one of us saying, ‘Follow me.’ And when you decide to follow, do not look back. He has no pleasure in those who turn back.

John 10:3-4 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.”

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!"

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

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 139:16 "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

In this psalm, we learn that God was involved in our creation. Before we existed, He knew us and set our days. He molded us to be what we are. He knows our every thought and word before we even think and speak. No where can we hide from him since He fills the entire universe. He has our best interests in mind. We are His best.

So thorough is God’s knowledge and plan for us that nothing takes Him by surprise. He planned for all our days before we were born. He has everything lined up already. The best we can do is to submit to His leading to benefit from all He has for us. It has been man’s tendency to hide from God since the fall. That’s satan’s strategy to deny us the best God our Father has for us.

Friend, God knows us in and out. All our times and lives are in His hand. Let’s purpose to live for Him, and all will be well for us. At the end, we can only find true meaning and purpose to life by aligning ourselves to His master plan. All else outside this is a gamble!

Jeremiah 1:5 “I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:11 "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 15:50, 53-54 "I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable… For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Paul explains here one of the reasons for physical death. Through it, we move from mortality to immortality, from the perishable to the imperishable. The bodies we now have are temporary, perishable and mortal and cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This was the effect of the fall and man was not allowed to eat fruit from the tree of life otherwise he would live forever in sin, broken and corrupted forever. That would be horrible!

People die or are transformed at Christ’s coming to have imperishable bodies, free from sin and its effects as it was before the fall. This is how we shall enter an eternity in perfect peace and joy in God’s presence. Physical death will be the last enemy to be defeated before eternity sets in.

Whereas we receive eternal life immediately one accepts Christ as Savior and Lord, we still live in an environment of a corrupted world. We also still suffer some of the effects of the fall in many ways in the journey of faith. All these will be shed off as we cross from the temporary to permanent, from mortal to immortal and from the perishable to imperishable. Death of the believer is therefore to be celebrated and looked forward to at its proper time.

2 Corinthians 5:4 "For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 121:7-8 "The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both know and forever." - NLT

The psalmist observed that God who protects us is maker of heaven and earth, and does not slumber nor sleep. He is committed and ever present with us day and night. Therefore, the fears of day or night, and all harm, will not touch us in our coming in and going out. How wonderful! Nothing of what scares and threatens us was left to chance. He Who watches over our lives does so both now and forever!

Everyone has fears and needs security from harm as a basic human need. We do many things in life to be safe and secure. But we shouldn’t entirely rely on them and ignore God. The best of human efforts have limits. But ultimately our protection in all ways comes from God Who knows it all, sees it all, is present in all situations and has our best interests in all things.

Sometimes it may appear like God failed to protect us. But we have no idea what happens behind the scenes, the things that could have gone worse. He never disappoints, leaves nor forsakes His own, those who put their trust in Him. That’s His commitment. He never fails to fulfill it.

APsalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."

Psalm 91:1,14-15 "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty… “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

Shalom children of God.