Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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?" - NIV

Balaam was under intense pressure to curse Israel and so recieve his reward from Balak. Even after knowing God’s word and will for Israel, he tried to hear God again, thinking perhaps He had changed His mind and would give a different message. Then the Lord’s word came to him as recorded in the opening scripture. One quality about God is that He does not change like shifting shadows. He means what He says, and says what He means. He doesn’t lie, nor backtrack from His commitments and promises. That is integrity.

Integrity simply means honesty, complete or whole. This means no grey areas, unclear character or unreliability. That is what God’s nature is. He can completely be relied upon to do what He has said and taken according to His word. As long as He said it and committed Himself, one can count on it as done. Man, without God, is corrupted and unreliable. They may speak and not fulfill, commit and fail to complete. Not so with God.

We are called to reflect the nature of God as His followers. He created us in His image, to be and live like Him. The redemption story is one of getting back to what we were created to be; like God. Everyone in Christ is to be like Him. He calls us to a life of integrity, to be men and women of our word just as God is consistent and faithful to His. The grace of God is sufficient with our corporation, for everyone to live a life of integrity. It’s unfortunate that even those who believe in Him are as unreliable as those who don’t!

Matthew 5:37 "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 4:2 "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - NIV

A steward holds things in trust on behalf of another. We are stewards of the life, gifts and talents that we hold. Whatever we have — life, material and non material thing — were given to us in trust by God or others. Understanding that we are stewards of everything in our possession should have a huge bearing in fostering a lifestyle of integrity. It makes us ask, ‘How am I required to use them?’ It isn’t wise to squander or divert what we know is not your own. Paul said a steward must prove faithful.

A steward has the responsibility to take care of, manage and eventually provide accountability to show whether he did a good job or not. Jesus gave a parable to show that God will demand accountability from us for the talents He gave us (Matt 25:14-30). Paul stated that we shall all give an account individually to God (Rom 14:12). There are also human systems, laws and regulations meant to foster accountability. Some forge their way to escape human audits, but not with God.

With this in mind, one will endeavour to be found faithful. Not only do we account to God, but to human authorities who trusted and put us into the positions and responsibilities we hold to properly manage the things in our care. When people forget or ignore stewardship, they become unfaithful and do all sorts of evil as driven by selfish and greedy motives. This explains all the messes and corruption scandals we see. Remember you are a steward! Be found faithful.

Matthew 25:19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - NIV

People do what they do for various reasons: to impress others, to satisfy their ego and enhance their pride and fame, to revenge, to meet needs and wants, to please God, to escape being caught by the law, and so on. If you are walking in integrity, you will do what is right because it’s the right thing to do and refuse to do wrong because it is wrong. This will be regardless of whom you are doing it for, whether others see it or not.

Jesus taught that we should just let our light shine to whomsoever. Light doesn’t segregate. It shines to the evil and righteous, to the poor and rich, to friends and enemies alike. And that is the heart of God. He gives light and rain, and does good to all without favouritism, even to those who have rejected and curse Him. He loves all because that’s the right thing to do and inline with His nature.

What drives your actions? Why do you do what you do to the people you do them to? Let’s follow the footsteps of our Lord as He commanded us to love with His kind of love and to do good to all. If all people were driven by the golden rule to do to others what they wish done to them, the world would be totally different for the better. It begins with you and me as individuals. Do right right because it’s right to whoever deserves it. God recognizes it.

Matthew 5:44-45 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – NIV

God created seasons and times in the begining. These are marked by days, weeks, months and years. Every season comes with its own unique issues. Some of these are nice, others nasty. Good or bad, once things have passed, they are gone. God told Israel to forget the former things, and not dwell on the past because He was going to do new things. They had had troubled times because of their rebellion against God.

As we bid farewell to another year, and another season, we are grateful to God for life and every blessing He has bestowed upon us. This season with its former things, good or bad, has gone. We can only learn the lessons to enable us move on. Dwelling on the past hinders progress towards the future. It could have been bad, but its not the end of the story.

God always does new things. Those who are sensitive to discern will see them. Don’t allow the past affect your future. So many are slaves of their past. They have never let go of what is behind them. Allow God heal your past and lead you into new beginnings of the future! Open your eyes and see!

God is able to do it!

Happy blessed and prosperous new year!

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." - NIV

Daniel and his friends were in heathen Babylonian captivity. There were alot of ungodly practices contrary to the principles and beliefs in God they had been taught from childhood back in Israel. Part of this included the kind of foods which were first sacrificed to their gods before eating. Whoever ate it participated in worship of those gods.

Daniel was privileged among the exiles to be considered to eat at the king’s table and to serve in key kingdom positions. But where these privileges affected their relationship with God, they didn’t compromise. They didn’t eat the delicious but defiled food. They didn’t worship the golden image, nor pray to the king, nor be corrupted in any way even if it meant losing the positions, being fought, disobeying the king with death as a result.

The key to maintaining their integrity in God is the values they held on to. Values are principles one stands on to guide thoughts, decisions and boundaries to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in life. Daniel’s values were founded in God. Without such principles, one is swayed by anything to any direction any time. Each of us needs to establish and be completely persuaded of what we believe and stand for in honor of God as Joseph, Daniel and his friends did. That’s integrity; standing for what you believe. His grace is sufficient to carry us through in an increasingly wicked world.

Psalm 15:1, 4 "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? … who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind…"

Shalom children of God.

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 all who believe or not. Many are not thankful because 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 to praise and worship Him. After healing ten lepers, Jesus was surprised that only one came back to give thanks. Like them, few of us come back to Him to give thanks out of many good things He has done. It is usually easier to focus on what’s not going right than 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 and anger 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

Genesis 40:14-15 "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”" - NIV

Standing for the truth and commitment to what is right in an increasingly evil world is no easy task. Characteristic of much of the world today is promoting, tolerating and even legalising evil as normal. The standards changed. Those who stick God’s truth and do right are not only despised but even persecuted. They may lose opportunities, friends, or their lives. Many want success by whatever means. We live in an evil broken world.

Joseph had not compromised with his stand for God to sleep with portiphar’s wife. Falsely accused, he was dumped in prison. Recalling he didn’t do any wrong to deserve what he faced, he sought Pharaoh’s intervention through the cup bearer. It’s painful to be falsely accused and severely persecuted for what should have been applauded. That’s how evil systems work, but God never forsakes those who stand for Him.

Those who choose the path of integrity in the honor and fear of God can be sure to face challenges because they are fighting against evil systems perpetrated by the god of this world, the devil (Acts 14:22). Jesus said so to His disciples (John 16:33). He urged the church in Ephesus to remain faithful even to the point death to receive the crown of life. Many heroes of faith down the millennia sealed their faith with blood. The ultimate price is high to remain true and faithful to God in a dark world. But it’s worth it. The grace is sufficient. We shall overcome.

Revelation 2:10 "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 4:1-2 "Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you." - NIV

Israel was about to enter the promised land. But central to inheriting this promise was their commitment to hear and obey God’s word and instructions. The decrees and laws they were given were complete instructions. They were neither to add nor subtract anything from it, but to keep them. But they failed and alot of disastrous effects followed.

When God speaks, He is not guessing. He knows the end from the begining, and knows what exactly He is saying. The absolutnesss, credibility and finality of God’s word is based on His nature and character. God is God alone. He is all wise, all knowing, all powerful and above Him is no other. Even the wisdom that man may want to use to add to, or subtract from God’s word, is from God.

Satan is also in the mission of distorting the credibility of God’s word and to cast doubt in people’s minds about God. But whatever Satan, or man under satan’s influence may want to do to add to or subtract from God’s word, the word of God remains the truth. His word is forever settled. John solemnly warned against the same as he concluded the book of revelation.

Revelation 22:18-19 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”

Psalm 119:89 "Your word, Lord, is eternal;  it stands firm in the heavens."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 20:6-7 "Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is! Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right." - GNB

If there was a time when integrity was more scarce, it is now. Solomon said many claim to be faithful and can be relied upon. But the reality is different. Many are not people of their words! Despite the much deception, including among those who use God’s name, there are still people of integrity. Their fruit will show. Parents are to pass on integrity traits to children. Do you as a parent live dishonestly and expect your children to be otherwise? What are you modeling for them?

None of us on our own can live upright honest lives of integrity without God’s help. Man fell from God’s glory and has since been corrupted in every way. Only God has absolute integrity and can totally be relied upon. He fulfills what He says and there is no lie in Him. In our transformation towards Christ likenes, restoration of a life of integrity as He is, so that we reflect His nature, is key. And that’s possible if one wills and allows God.

In God, there are no grey areas. He is transparent in His dealings. Those called by His name are to manifest honest character. In the world is so much evil and intrigue. People claim one thing, and practice another. Parents are to model honesty to their children. Leaders at various levels are to lead in integrity. May God help us to pursue lives of integrity, where our private and public lives, thoughts, words, intentions and actions are the same. That’s God’s will.

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:37 "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Job 42:3,5-6 "You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know… My ears had heard of you  but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself  and repent in dust and ashes.” - NIV

He had justified himself. He dared God to come and answer him, wondering why He sent him such bitter suffering. His friends too accused him of sining against God for such suffering to come Job’s way. Everyone appeared wise and knowledgeable in their own way. But when God spoke and described His creation, whatever they thought was high and lofty human wisdom faded away.

God’s few questions to Job totally humbled him. He had heard about God whom he believed in, but when God revealed Himself in the splendor of His wisdom and glory, all Job could do was to repent. This is how many people are, trusting their own wisdom to challenge and even accuse God. They despise, seek to correct and discredit His word.

It is futile to challenge God’s wisdom. Satan tried it. He has stired up people in history to challenge God. King Nebuchadnezzar did. Saul of Tarsus did. Some contemporary kings and rulers, using their God given power and authority, have tried to appear wiser than God. Everyone who does it learns a lesson; that the highest wisdom men is foolishness to God. They all end in failure. God is God alone. Besides Him is no other. We can only trust, honour and worship Him.

Daniel 4:37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."