Category: Uncategorized

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."

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

Psalm 51:16-17 "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;  you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart  you, God, will not despise." - NIV

King David was described as a man after God’s heart. One of the key attributes to his state of heart that touched God, is what is described in psalm 51. He committed adultery, killed the husband of Bathsheba, attempted to conceal the sin and married her. God was angry with him and sent a prophet to rebuke him. His response made the whole difference.

David quickly acknowledged and deeply repented of his sin before God. Acknowledgement and repentance of sin allows God to forgive, draw close, heal, restore and do what He wants to do in one’s life. Some find it hard to apologise and acknowledge failure. They will instead find excuses to cover up the wrong they have done or blame others. Others do more ‘good works’ to appease God. But all He wants is a truly repentant heart.

Repentance takes humility, characterised by genuine brokenness of heart when we do wrong. We faulter in many ways. Progress and growth in our walk with God lies in admiting that we fail and always need God’s help. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. That’s the secret to a heart after God. He will not despise it.

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

James 4:6 "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud   but shows favor to the humble.”

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

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.

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.

Meditative reflection of Psalm 23

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
(I acknowledge the LORD God Almighty, as my Shepherd and purposefully take refuge in Him. The love, care, protection, provision and presence of my Shepherd God, is enough for me. I need nothing more, for in Him dwells all the riches to meet my every need as His sheep)

Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
(He meets my every need, as a sheep would have its fill of lush green pastures and cool fresh waters. He settles my mind, as He leads me in quiet peace, hemed around from every side in His protective presence, free from harm)

Psalm 23:3
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
(Even if I stray from His ways, and waves of trouble destabilize my soul, He restores me to peaceful rest in Himself and then guides me in paths of righteousness to follow. He does this for His name’s sake. He has my best interests in mind)

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(There may be times of extreme life trials in which hope of living seems to fade and death is so close. Even in that point I shall not fear. Your assured presence will not fail and leave me to die in the hand of the enemy. The shepherd’s rod and staff in your hand, for correction, protection and safety, gives me confidence of your unfailing protection)

Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
(As if to confound my enemies and those who seek my demise more, in their full sight, you set a feast of celebration and victory for me. The enemy only helplessly watches my victory celebration, completely defeated. My head is anointed, in preparation for your service, and your bountiful blessings I can’t fully contain as they flow over)

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Is this victory, favor, love and goodness of God for me temporary? No. But for as long as I live in Him. For this reason, I purpose to dwell in His secure comforting presence, out of the reach of the enemy, from where I was hewn and truly belong, forever).

Shalom children of God.