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

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

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

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

Genesis 2:16-17 "And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Death remains a painful reality in this life. The scripture above gives the warning to man that points to the origin of death. It was a result of the sin of disobedience to the command of God by Adam and Eve. God had created man with freedom of will and choice. They chose to exercise it by listening to the devil through the serpent in disobedience to God. They died spiritually and eventually, physically. Through their sin, death came to all people.

Death was not in God’s original plan for man. In order to restore the original order, God started the redemption plan which was accomplished through Jesus’ coming, death and resurrection. Whoever believes in Him now gets eternal life and never dies again. Whoever rejects Him remains dead spiritually.

Physical death for all humanity continues todate because we still live in the corrupted fallen world. But at the renewal of all things at Jesus’ second coming, death will forever be removed. And the believer in Christ will live forever with the Lord in peace and joy.

Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—"

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 9:27 "Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God." - GNB
Ephesians 2:1 "In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins…" - GNB

Death is termination of life. The first death Adam and Eve suffered was spiritual death because they were cut off from fellowship with God. They thus died spiritually, disconnected from God. Physical death is termination of physical life, separation of body from soul and spirit. Eternal death, also called second death in hell, is everlasting separation of the human soul from God forever. The scriptures above are about physical and spiritual death.

Whereas all humans died spiritually because all sinned, in Christ one crosses from spiritual death to eternal life (John 5:24). Those who reject Christ and His atoning work on the cross remain dead spiritually even though alive physically. If they continue to reject Christ until they physically die, they suffer the second death in hell, forever separated from God!

A believer in Christ has their name written in the Lamb’s book of life in heaven where they will be forever. Anyone whose name is not found written in that book, will suffer the second death. While here on earth, one can choose Christ and be saved from spiritual and the second eternal death. Our eternal destinies are only determined while here by the choices we make in relation to God. So while there is still time, choose Christ. He is our life for eternity.

Revelation 20:14-15 "Then death and the world of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. (This lake of fire is the second death.) Whoever did not have their names written in the book of the living were thrown into the lake of fire."

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.

James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding." - KJV 

We have so far learnt that there is godly and worldly wisdom. Each of these have their sources as God or Satan. The true wisdom that promotes humility, produces good fruit, heals and maintains healthy relationships is from God Almighty. James says if one lacks such wisdom, they should ask God who gives to all without finding fault. And God will you as long as you ask in faith.

Solomon says that it is in the fear of God that true wisdom begins. Any wisdom one claims to have and yet not walking in the fear of God (which is to hate evil) is not true wisdom that heals and brings life. It is only in knowing God that you gain true, peaceful and satisfying understanding to life. Anything else is false demonic wisdom.

We continue to grow and live in wisdom throughout our lives by remaining devoted to God in prayer and the word of God. Paul noted that Timothy knew the scriptures which made him wise from infancy. Wisdom matures those who are physically young. Lack of wisdom makes even those who are mature and old by age to appear fools! Seek wisdom from God Who promised to give all freely! Why perish as a fool yet true wisdom for living is available to all?

2 Timothy 3:15 "...and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."_

Shalom children of God.