Category: Uncategorized

The Healing Power of God’s Word (4/12/2019)

Psalm107:20: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.”

The Psalmist was relating how Israel wondered off from God, ended up in exile and were later restored to their land. In this narrative, he mentions how God sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their captivity. He healed their land and it became productive again. He restored their relationship with Him and were at peace again.

Because the Word is God Himself, wherever it is sent, it effects great things. The word heals and restores individuals, groups or nations. Many people are wounded and hurting physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially. Communities and nations too get hurt economically, politically, socially or diplomatically and need healing. The word of God has ability to restore sour relationships and heal any form of hurt however deep. When we look for solutions outside the principles of God’s word, we obtain short lived answers.

Allow God’s word to heal your body, emotions, family, relations, business, finances – whatever needs healing. There is no amount of hurt, wound or challenge beyond the healing and restoring ability of God’s word. Nations which honor and call upon God can also recieve healing. By applying the word to those situations which need healing and restoration, you are involving God who takes over and brings the healing by His supernatural ability. To some, when faced with serious challenges, the word of God is not even one of the options! How far from the truth!

Matthew 8:8: “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”

Shalom children of God.

The Certainty of God’s Word (3/12/2019)

Isaiah 55:10-11 “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – NIV

For God to make the point sink home to His people on how sure and effective His word is to accomplish its intended purpose, He uses a common example that anyone could understand. We all know that when it rains or when snow falls, it wets the ground. When the ground is wet, it enables plants to grow. From these, a harvest is obtained for food or seed to replant. This truth is so certain that no one bothers to question it.

God said, as sure as that fact is known, established and true, so can we apply the same certainty to the word He has spoken out of His mouth. God does not rush to speak. Neither does He lie. He means every word He utters. He is not on trial and error to see what works or doesn’t. And His power backs those words to effect them so that whatever He said comes to pass. If He spoke the word to heal you, it will surely heal you. If He spoke to encourage, give direction, restore, correct or anything else He intended that word to accomplish, it will effect exactly that. It’s a sure word we can trust. A man’s word may fail, but not God’s.

This word comes in several ways; primarily through the written word, word of knowledge, wisdom, prophecy or any other. As long as it’s His word, spoken directly or through others, we can rely on it. We can take God at His word. He committed Himself to it and watches to see it fulfilled (Jeremiah 1:12). God greatly honors His own word. Psalm138:2 says “… for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Has God’s word come to you concerning a particular situation? Even if it delays, He will fillfill it and accomplish it’s intended purpose without fail at the appointed time. Cling to it. Believe it. Claim it.

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

Psalm130:5: “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”

Shalom children of God. Have a great day

I Have Given You the Land (29/11/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 1:8 “See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers– to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob– and to their descendants after them.” – NIV

To Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, hundreds of years before actual fulfillment, and from the time the Israelites left Egypt, the Lord had already made a promise to give them Canaan land. Along the 40 year journey, God reiterated His promise and assured them the land was ALREADY given to them. Their part was to go and take possession of it.

But the land they were promised had other people living in them. It wasn’t just going to be handed over to them. It would take a fight to dislodge those people. And God expected them to fight for it with His assured commitment to enable them win. Whatever God initiates and tells us to do, He will fully back it up to the end. He knows and has already taken care of what is required for complete victory. Whatever, and whoever presently occupies what He is handing over to you will surrender at His command. Remember how Pharaoh was forced to release Israel when it was God’s time to release them to their inheritance.

What this story teaches us is that God is faithful to the several general promises He has made to us in His word. There are many more specific promises and prophetic words that He has spoken to each one individually. Some of them are too huge and we wonder how they will come to pass if we look at them against our own limited abilities. God is true to His promises, however long they may take to be fulfilled. He will ensure it comes to pass. He will fight the hindrances the enemy creates to stand on the way. Our part is to take Him at His word, overcome fear, resist the enemy, act, and at the right time we will possess our inheritance as promised.

Deuteronomy 1:21 “See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Shalom children of God. Have a great weekend

When God Answers in Unexpected Ways (28/11/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – NIV

Man was created by God in His image, perfect and to function as Himself. But the entry of sin corrupted the image of God in man. The natural inclination of man in his thoughts, decisions and actions tended more towards evil than to the righteous nature of God in Whose image he was made. Man fell short of God’s glory. That’s how man’s thoughts and ways became very different from God’s ways as the heavens are higher than rhe earth. But in Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit reveals to us the mind and the will of God to enable us align our ways to God.

It’s this affected nature that makes us oftentimes ask for things from God amiss. To the best of our understanding, what, and how we ask God is the best. But according to God Who searches motives and intentions of our hearts, we could be out of His will, timing and purpose, because our ways are not aligned to His. And so He will answer in ways we didn’t expect. Sometimes He is silent, delays to say anything, or answers in ways we never thought about. At times we dont even know He answered because our minds expected answers in a particular way, and it came in a totally different manner. God does this inline with His will, bigger purpose and timing.

God answers every prayer to Him. But in His way. Many, complain, give up and miss out His blessings altogether when God doesn’t respond the way they thought. Israel was expecting the Messiah. But when Jesus came in ways they didn’t expect, they rejected Him and to date, some are still waiting! As we pray, let’s allow His will be done and be sensitive enough to discern when He answers, even in unexpected ways.

Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

Shalom children of God.

A Thirst and Hunger for God (27/11/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalms 42:1-2 “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”- NIV

Thirst and hunger are psychological signals by the body for water and food. These nourish the body and enable it function and live as expected. When one no longer feels thirsty and hungry, it is a dangerous signal. It indicates the body is diseased. The Psalmist used an analogy of the manner in which the deer pants as it runs around from one point to another looking for water, to show how he longed for God. At that time, anything else can wait until the deer gets water, many times against serious risks from predators which strategically position themselves to attack.

Our souls should long for God similarly. When, in our walk with God, we are driven by a thirst and hunger to know and live for Him, our every activity, energy, time and other resources will be channeled towards finding and being with God. Prayer, fellowship, fasting, serving and surrender to God, being means of communion with God, will naturally come. No one will push another. At the same time, things that affect one’s relationship with God will not be allowed. When such a thirst and hunger after God dies out, there is cause to worry about your spiritual health. You are dying!

What is the state of your relationship with God? Do you still long for deep communion with Him? Is He still the desire of your heart, or have other things taken His place in your heart? A continuous thirst and hunger after God are key signs of a healthy relationship with God. Watch out when you are losing interest for the things of God and easily miss them without much regrets. If this has happened, He can still restore you to the point of declaring; “… O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”( Psalms 63:1).

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

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Shalom children of God.

May God Answer you! Prayerful Meditation (26/11/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalms 20.1-9 “… May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!”

The word of the Lord!

Shalom children of God.

Integrity: Paying the Ultimate Price (25/11/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Daniel 3.16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

A very powerful king, Nebuchadnezzar, of a powerful kingdom, Babylon, had set up a huge image of gold and required everyone in his kingdom, regardless of status, to worship it. This was a decree, failure of which, the punishment was being burnt in a furnace. The officials and all the kings subjects worshipped, whether they liked it or not. But to the three Hebrew men, this order contravened their worship of God alone and no other. It was against their cherished beliefs and values. Their response was a flat NO.

On learning about these men who defied the absolute monarch in the king, Nebuchadnezzar summoned and gave them another chance, and he got the answer in our opening scripture. Their values and underlying principles in worship and service of God alone were so solid to them there was even no room to reconsider the kings command, however powerful he was. They were willing pay the ultimate price with their lives to stand for their God. Whether God rescued them from the king’s fury and a furnace fire heated seven times more than usual, wasn’t the issue anymore. They chose to remain true to their convictions whatever the outcome.

Many compromise their values, and sale their birth rights for fear of threatened outcomes, lose of opportuities, things or even life. May God help us to stand for Him, in integrity of heart, regardless of outcomes. May you be so convinced of what you stand for in God that nothing will shake it off you. With such, God will find a channel to manifest His glory as He did through the three Hebrew men when king Nebuchadnezzar decreed the worship of their God. And God will surely rise up to defend them for His name’s sake.

Psalms 15:1,4 “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?… he who keeps his oath even when it hurts”
Revelation 2:10 “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer… Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Shalom children of God

My peace I give you – Jesus

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (KJV)

What is your picture and definition of true peace? To many, it’s the absence of turmoil, war, a state of perfect health, provision without lack and nothing troubling you. So it’s about a favorable external environment. But we know that in this corrupted sin laden world, such a perfect ideal environment is rarely existent. We have things all around us literally everyday, that seek to drive our joy and peace away, create fear and uncertainty in our hearts.

To God, peace (shalowm in Hebrew), among other definitions, is a quiet tranquil state in your heart and mind which results from trust in God. It is not dependent on a perfect external environment before you are at peace. It comes from inside out. The disciples were worried and troubled because their Master was going. They didn’t know how they would survive without Him in a hostile surrounding. Jesus even told them they would have trouble in the world and would suffer persecution. But He gave them His peace to sustain them.

Jesus said He gave His peace, not as the world gives. This means despite an unfavourable external environment, when everything you need to make you peaceful and happy are not in place, you can still be peaceful. He gives a kind of peace that transcends human understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). When you should be crying, troubled and worried because of what is happening or may happen around you, you instead rest and trust Him. That defeats human logic. You have come to learn that what you cannot handle, He will help you. What you can do, you do as He enables you. That is His peace, His shalowm. It is a life of rest in God. We surely need this peace in this troublesome world. Good news is, He gives it to all.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – NIV

Peace be with you children of God. Shalom

At Your Lowest Moments

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

 

Psalms 42:10-11 “My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – NIV

 

Life operates in waves. One time you are up, everything is fine and you are succeeding. Another time you are down and everything seems to fail or work against you. Sometimes it feels as if God has forsaken you and no longer hears your prayers nor thinks about you. To the Psalmist, God appeared to have forsaken him as his enemies taunted him, asking where his God was. And that’s a tough question to answer in uncertain life situations. This made him feel discouraged and downcast in his soul. He was disturbed.

 

Some have been taught that once in Christ, a blissful trouble free life is our portion. In one sense, this is true because we can enjoy life in Christ despite the challenges. But when the storms hit, and everything seems to fall apart, it’s no indicator that we have lost our standing with God. We get discouraged and disturbed. But that is not the end. It’s a stage in life’s journey. You can rise up again and stand on the mountain top. The Psalmist gave a way out during such low moments; put your hope in God. In the valleys and dark moments,  He is still the same loving faithful and mighty God He has always been in the mountain top.

 

It’s in those valleys of life that Satan seeks to quickly sow seeds of frustrations, hopelessness, doubt and suggests quitting. Whatever the case, don’t give up. Keep your faith high. Those ups and downs of life are normal and they are allowed to make us stronger and mature.  It will be well and you will be up again, this time a better person. Jesus Himself went through those low and very tough moments in His life, but overcame. We too shall.

 

Matthew 26:37-38 “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Psalms 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.”

 

Shalom children of God.  It will be well.

Not With Us But For Us (21/11/2019)

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 9:49-50 “John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.” – NLT

In an era of so many religious groupings and denominations, the level of suspicion and skepticism among faithfuls only keeps rising. This is both right and wrong. Right because of so many false ministers whom we are cautioned to test and watch against. Not everyone who comes in the name of the Lord is from God. Wrong because not everyone is false. They may not be part of us, use the same name with us, or do things our way, and yet posses a kindred spirit with us.

John and the other disciples had been made to believe that as long as someone was not in their group, moving with them, doing things with them, even if he did anything similar, they wouldn’t trust him. In their zeal to ‘guard’ their faith and Master, they stopped a zealous disciple casting out demons in Jesus name bit was not in their group. Jesus without hesitation, told them not to stop anyone on the basis of not being among them.

How often we fall victims of this! We don’t even want to listen as long as a person is not one of us. Such tendencies tend towards cultism. True, some are false wrong elements. Some worship differently but genuinely. Our role is to test the spirits behind their operation. If from God and bring Him glory, don’t lock them out. Extend a hand of fellowship to them. Not everyone who is not in our group is against us.

Shalom children of God.