Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” – NIV

Every believer in Christ has the blessed assurance that beyond this life, we shall see our Lord face to face in glory. Jesus said he will return in great glory and power. Those not in him will mourn in terror. To those in him, it will be joy unimaginable. We experience bits of this glory in this life. But in that time it will be in its fullness. Nothing will compare with it. It will be far greater than all the splendor of the world combined. How I look forward to that day!

While we look forward to this glorious union with the Lord, we press on. Many are the forces on the way to derail and dissuade us from the narrow path. But let’s have our minds made up not to turn back till we see him face to face, as we recieve that glorious welcome into our heavenly heritage. We will be glad we held on to the faith, going through pains and tears, sowing seed of his word, standing for him, defending the faith, enduring ridicule, serving the Lord.

Let’s look unto Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith who endured much for the joy that lay ahead of him. Let’s forget the past, and strain toward what lies ahead. That glory will make us faithfully go all the way till we see him. Cheer up child of God! It won’t be long before he comes. And so shall we ever be with the Lord! Look up, for your salvation draws nearer than ever.

Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 3:16-17″All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – NIV

Not only do the Scriptures teach to inform and acquire knowledge, rebuke what is bad and correct the wrongs, it is also an indispensable training tool in righteous living. Training is about imparting skills to enable performance of expected duties, roles and responsibilities. It also assumes the person is not equipped or is ill equipped to do what is required of them. When we are saved from the worldly system, training through discipleship is important to fit into God’s kingdom.

Every Bible based training, whichever way it takes, should lead to establishment in righteousness. It should make a person live, think, speak and act like Christ. The world system, under its god, trains people differently, some to promote, downplay or conceal evil even if it comes sugar coated in God’s name. The training God’s word gives leads to righteousness always. That’s one prove as to whether a training is God centred or not; the fruit of righteousness.

The teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness is given to the servant of God to do every good work. All these aspects of the working of the Scriptures in a person equip him for the work of God. It’s unfortunate how some who are in God’s service have edged out the word which is very central to their work. Outside the Scriptures, ministry becomes something else! Allow the Word to train you in righteousness and in God’s will for living and service.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while you can find him.  Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” – NLT_Many people tend to trivialize, postpone, ignore or reject certain actions and decisions with a feeling that there is still time. In the end, many opportunities are lost, remorseful regrets experienced later in life, and destinies affected, some of them eternally! This is true in every aspect of life, our relationship with God inclusive. Many along the way look back with much regret at lost chances. Worse still, will be the eternal regret for those who are now postponing, or ignoring their commitment to God!God still pleads with us to seek Him while He can be found, to call on Him while He is near. This call will not be so forever. A time comes when it will not be possible to call or seek and find Him any more! Even those in God who keep disobeying or postponing what God tells them to do in His service, should rethink their ways. Hear what David said in Psalm 32:6 _”… Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgement.”_ NLTApostle Paul wrote about the same; _”As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ÑLT)_And Jesus, about the irresponsible unprepared virgins at His coming, had this to say; _”… Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” (Matthew 25:10)_So, while there is still time and opportunity to give your life to Jesus, be reconciled, and start a relationship with God, and to serve Him, make use of it NOW. One day, it will not be there. It will be too late! Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 3:1-3 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” – NIV

The psalms are free and honest expressions of the heart to God. God encourages us to be free as we pour out what’s within to Him. Here, David acknowledges before God how many were against him, speaking ill of him and downplaying his trust in God. That’s what others said. But David reaffirmed who God was to him despite what others said; a shield around him, his glory and the lifter of his head.

People will always say what they think and wish about us. Some are out of good motives, and others out of evil intentions. But what we know and believe about the faithfulness of God to us matters most. It should be settled in us that God is our shield of protection all around, our glory and lifter of our heads. A bowed head depicts shame, defeat, hopelessness and lack of confidence. When God lifts our heads, He is giving us assurance of His protection, glory and presence.

The opinions and comments of others can drain confidence and strength out of us. Many have been crushed and given up on life because of what they heard. As we acknowledge God, He takes away shame, brightens our face and we face life confidently despite those who hate and don’t wish us well. He makes us walk with our heads high and enjoy life under His unfailing care and love as we trust Him. May He lift your bowed head and cheer you up!

Psalm 27:1-3 “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes  who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 3:19-21 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” – NIV

Jesus was responding to Nichodemus in his dilemma of what it means to be born again. He is the light and truth of the world. But people still reject the light and truth because they prefer to continue in their evil ways. This is a key reason behind people refusing to come to God and walk in the light. They may claim to be free outside God, but in reality, they are in bondage to their evil ways.

No one does what is evidently evil openly and freely except for those who have killed their conscience over time. It’s the reason evil is hatched in secret and in the cover of darkness. Because the conscience is accusing the person, they try to run away from the truth by hiding evil. And that is futile. There is no greater slavery than to one’s conscience. You cant run away from it. It’s always with you. But if one is walking in the light and truth, there is no shame or need to hide or cover up things. Truth liberates and puts us at ease.

Jesus is the truth. All in Him are set free from the accusing conscience. Many are living in so much internal torment unknown to those around them. They cover up these feelings with artificial smiles, much activity, doing good works, but still not free within. The remedy is to come God as you are, allow Him cleanse your evil ways, so that you are truly free both within in your conscience and externally. There will be no fear.

John 8:32 “…Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 26:52-54 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”_ – NIV When Peter drew his sword to fight the arresters of Jesus, Jesus quickly told him to put it back. It was not time to fight back. And the use of the sword was not the way to fight back. Humanly and logically speaking, Peter felt duty bound to defend his Master. But Jesus brings another perspective to it. He had ability to call for twelve legions of angels to come and fight for Him. But He couldn’t because what was happening was in fulfillment of the Scriptures.There are things that happen to us and in the world to fulfill what God has decreed in His Word long before they happen. Our human wisdom will want to find ways out. At such moments, resisting these things is resisting God’s will. This requires that we get to understand that what is happening has been allowed by God in fulfillment of His Word. In that case, we yield to His will. It also requires identifying masquerading satanic forces taking advantage which should be resisted and fought. So true and final is God’s predetermined purpose and will that the best we can do is align with it. Jesus throughout His life knew and submitted to it. Our ignorance of God’s Word and ways can be a set back in life and spiritual warfare. We end up fighting battles we shouldn’t, or reacting when we should be holding our peace, and letting God have His way. Many times it may go against common logic, but in the end it will proof to be the right way. He is God!_Matthew 22:29 “Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”__John 19:28 “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – NIV

A story is told of some artists who were asked to paint a picture of peace. One painted an animal comfortably resting in its hide out atop very calm, secure and quiet snow capped mountains, apparently free from all harm. Another painted a little bird resting in its nest, built on a tree branch which extended over a roaring waterfalls. The later won the contest. The idea was that peace is not the absence of trouble, but within it.

We all want peace. Whether we are conscious or not, all the things we do and pursue, are intended to ultimately bring us peace of mind. But many times even after doing and acquiring them, we realize peace has eluded us, and yet those who don’t have even a fraction of them, look peaceful. Each one of us has a picture of what we call peace. There are things in our environment that we wish to work out in a certain way so that we have peace. But the fact is, our world may never settle from all the troubles and turmoil to give us that tranquility necessary for peace of mind.

True peace is primarily in the mind, not in the external environment. Even if the waterfalls and storms of life roar day and night, we can have peace of mind. Only Jesus, the Prince of Peace, can give such peace which defies the ever present troubles of this life, to those who seek Him. He gives it not as the world gives. You can rest in God amidst the troubles of this broken evil world, feeding us with bad news every day. Put your hope in Him. He will rest your heart and mind in Himself.

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.”

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam  and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

James 1:22-24 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirrorand, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”_ – NIV Apostle James was emphasizing the importance of being doers of God’s word. A lot of people throng places of worship or tune to preaching programs every week to, among other things, listen to God’s word taught. But the irony is that most of them manifest a different lifestyle not in agreement with the teachings they recieved. Such are the people James says are deceiving themselves. The word of God is powerful enough to cause transformation in a person’s life and in any situation whatsoever. But it only works when it is obeyed and acted upon in faith. Hebrews 4:2 says, _”For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”_So how does one decieve himself? By listening/reading God’s word (the mirror), expecting it to bring results in their lives and situations, and yet they are not willing to do what the word says! They have other interests, desires and priorities competing against the word. The word of God should take precedence over anything else if it is to work. The biggest challenge in the church today is unbelieving Christians who partially believe God’s word to the extent of their convenience. They want the word to coexist with other things they are not willing to surrender and forsake. They confess Christ, but bear no fruit worthy of repentance and their profession of faith.Deception is elusive. Its important to examine oneself.  Are you a victim of self deception? Can you hear Jesus say, ‘Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?’ The remedy is simple: choose to believe and act on the word. Align all other things to obey the word. _Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart  and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” – NIV

Prophet Joel’s key message in his book was that disaster was coming upon the land and people needed to repent of their sins and return to the Lord. The people had forsaken the Lord and turned to idols. The leaders and priests alike had drifted away from God’s ways to the extent that judgement was inevitable. But He gave them warning and opportunity to avert God’s judgement by returning to God through whole hearted repentance and brokenness.

To return implies you left or forsook something or someone and you need to get back to them. Human hearts are very susceptible to drifting away from God to other things, including the cares and pleasures of this life. Many have backsliden from the faith, forsaken God and His ways. They have loved the world and its evil ways, the easy broad way instead of following the narrow path to life. To all such people, the call to return to God comes.

God set conditions for the return that He accepts. These are; returning with one’s whole heart, in humble and broken hearts, and coming back to Him. External hypocritical actions of repentance which are not from the heart are not recognized by God. In response to whole hearted return, He promises to heal and restore in compassion and love. God, the searcher of mens hearts knows each one of us. You too know the state of your relationship with God. Have you drifted away in some way from Him? Come back to God. He is willing to recieve you back to Himself.

Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake their ways  and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Revelation 2:5 “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 34:19-20 “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones,  not one of them will be broken._” – NIV The psalmist acknowledged in his meditations that there can be many troubles for the righteous. There is the devil, the god of the evil system of the world, whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy. He will stir up trouble and cause much havoc in people’s lives and relationships. These result in lost relationships, joy and peace. People get wounded, hate, and fight each other, find no sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Some resort to dangerous lifestyles to ease inner pain.Many have had series of devastating occurrences one after another. Life has not been a straight smooth line, but rough, crooked and sometimes very uncertain. Society is full of problems caused by poverty, sickness and disease, wars and destruction, crime and violence, and death. Because of this, many get disappointed, feel pain, cry out, lose hope. Even with acquisition of things comes its fears and troubles. Life seems a gamble. Many are wounded within.Thank God this grim picture of our lives and society is not the end of the story. Out of all the troubles and challenges we may face, the bible teaches that God rescues us out of them all. Jesus warned His disciples that they would have trouble in this world, but encouraged them not to let their hearts be troubled. We may still experience pain, sorrow, dilemmas and trials of various kinds. But victory is certain in Christ. Let’s hang in there. _John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”__Acts 14:22 “…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.”_Shalom children of God.