Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 16:13-15 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.””_ – NIV Of particular interest in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life is the directing of praise and glory to Jesus. He guides us into truth which He gets from Jesus. He says only what He has heard, and nothing of His own. As He relays the message to us, He acknowledges that the glory belongs to Jesus. And Jesus in return acknowledges it is the Father Who gave Him. The Triune God works in perfect unity, each playing His role and recognising the others.The Holy Spirit empowers the believer and uses them to do many great works. The early church experienced it first hand when they did what Jesus had done, and even more. We too experience this in our time when the Spirit moves to manifest great works in saving, healing, transforming, comforting, teaching and reviving His people. Some of these great works overwhelm people who naturally will heap worship and praises to the human vessels. We should be careful to quickly direct the glory to God and not ourselves. No one who operates and speaks by the Spirit of God draws attention to themselves in pride whatever happens through them. We should always remember that we are vessels in the hand of God Almighty to serve His purposes through the Holy Spirit for the good of God’s people. To assume for yourself the glory that is due only to God Who is using you to accomplish His works, is sin. Whenever you find yourself enjoying the limelight, busking in the glory, and feeling good that men praise you, know that a different spirit, not the Holy Spirit, is taking over. To God alone belongs all the glory._Isaiah 42:8 “I alone am the Lord your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise.”_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

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”_ – NIV There are many people living with bottled up anger, unforgiveness, depression, feelings of injustice, rejection, and all related evils as a result of the circumstances they went through in life. They may ignore, or assume to have outgrown it, only to erupt at the slightest provocation along the way in life. The scripture above points to bitterness being a cause for trouble and defiling many. It can lead to ungodly behaviours and falling from grace. As previously noted, the disappointments and hurts of life are bound to come. As long as we are with people in this broken and fallen world, we shall always likely be hurt, consciously or not. Jesus said things that cause offence will always come (Luke 17:1-4). The hurts and disappointments, if not properly dealt with, create deep wounds/offences in the heart and soul. People may appear happy externally, and yet hurting deeply within. Such inner wounds are even more dangerous than physical wounds. They eat up the person from within.Additional signs of these wounds include aggression, outbursts of anger, irritability, hardened hearts, resignation and withdrawals, vengeance, depression, mental challenges, antisocial behaviours, lack of peace, and tendency towards violence. We usually assess people according such outward behaviours, but don’t ask why they do what they do. We would do well to find out as much as possible the hidden wounds in them and seek to help. _Colossians 3:8 “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”_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 Israel sinned against God, and He handed them over to their enemies who devastated their land and many died. God promised restoration to them despite a very dark past. He was going to do a new thing. Theirs was to forget the past, and look forward to it.Some of the things that eat up people internally are the past messes, failures and pains. So many have been held hostage by their past. The devil who enjoys accusing always uses it as a key weapon of condemnation. Some of our past is so horrible and painful that you wish it could be erased out of existence. Good or bad, the past is gone. We cannot change it. We can only learn the lessons and move on.Whether through your own messes or as a victim of what others did to you, bring the burden of your past to God. Come as you are, hiding nothing and surrender it to Him. Let Him take that burden off you and set you free. God calls us not to remember or dwell on the past. The more we dwell on it, the more we lose focus of the future blessings and fail to enjoy the present. In Christ, God can bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and glory out of shame. Behold the new thing God is doing, and move along with it. Paul did._1 Timothy 1:12-14 “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 18:21-35 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times…”_ – NIV Jesus was teaching about those who sin against us and the approach to restoring them to fellowship. Then Peter wonders how many times one who sins can be forgiven. Many today would ask the same question regarding those who hurt us over and over again. He suggested seven times, but Jesus said not seven, but seventy seven times, implying offer forgiveness always. Jesus attached our forgiveness of others to our own forgiveness by God. He noted that if we don’t forgive, neither will God forgive us (v.35).As earlier noted, we are constantly hurt by people intentionally or not. Out of some of our own failures, we regret what we have done. All these haunt a person within. Not only are we to leave the past behind us, but also forgive from the heart those who have sinned against us. We should also forgive ourselves. Unforgiveness creates room for anger, resentment, bitterness, revenge, hatred, and demonic influences. It steals our joy, peace, and enjoyment of life. It keeps inner wounds of the soul fresh and painful. When we forgive, we release the matters to God, gain our joy and peace and begin to heal internally. Unforgiveness is a huge baggage to carry. It primarily affects the victims, keeps them in bondage, and retards meaningful growth and progress. No one keeps in unforgiveness and at the same time remains peaceful and happy. Release yourself and others to God. James says our healing comes from confessing our faults one to another and praying for each other. Paul adds that we ought to forgive as the Lord forgave us – unconditionally. Leave vengeance to God. _James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”__Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”_Shalom children of God.

By pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psa 27:13-14 “[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”_ – KJV This psalm of David partly expresses what we go through in life and how thoughts of quiting are real. David says that he had reached the end of himself, lost strength and hope of living. But what kept him going was that there was still the goodness of God he would experience despite raging battles from his enemies. He now encourages others to wait in hope on the Lord for strength. It takes courage to keep going even when all seems hopeless and death appears real. Hope is the expectation of something good or better ahead. It implies a troublesome present state. In whom and in what things we place our hope matters alot. Sometimes what we hope in to make our lives better fails us. The Bible teaches that anything else we place our hope and faith in apart from God, may fail. Even well meaning people who truly care about us may fail because they are limited. It is only hope in God that we can call a living hope since it will not fail. It is sure.Because of the many battles and challenges of life, many have lost hope and resigned themselves to whatever happens. I encourage that you look to God Who never fails those who trust in Him. Like David, believe to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. With God, there is still light at the end of a current dark tunnel. You can still rise up again, wounded and battered as you may be. You can still smile again. You can still have joy and peace again. It’s well with you in God. _Psalm 25:3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those  who are treacherous without cause.”__1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you…”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 8:10-11 “Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”_ – NIV She had been caught in the act of adultery. The Pharisees and teachers of the law paraded her in public, and everyone was eager to punish her by stoning to death according to the law. They sought to use this incident to hear what would say and thereby trap Him. After Jesus asked anyone without sin to throw the first stone, they all departed, one by one till the woman was left alone. The very people condemning and eager to stone her, now couldn’t. And Jesus said, neither do I condemn you, but leave your life of sin. Such refreshing words from the Lord!One can only imagine the shame, fear and hopelessness of this woman. Everyone looked at her jeering, laughing. She deserved to die. A sinner. But the very people eager to stone her to death were as guilty of hidden sin, including the pharisees and teachers of the same law they wanted to use to kill her. Convicted of their own sin, they left. This is the hypocrisy of our world; condemning others when guilty yourself. Just because their sins were not open like this woman, didn’t make them faultless. Neither is this a justification to cover up sin or to reject correction when you are wrong.Love covers a multitude of sin. The woman was an adulterer. Jesus didn’t ignore that. That’s why He told her to forsake sin. Let love prevail even as we correct and seek to restore people who have sinned. To those who feel ashamed, wounded, despised, rejected and condemned by others because of the wrongs they did, if you are genuinely repentant before God who searches and knows your heart, Jesus’ words of assurance come to you too, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin.” Be healed from self condemnation. Go in peace with your head raised high. God forgives and loves you._Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Revelation 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.”_ – NIV The church in Sardis was one of the seven churches in Asia Minor. Jesus had a message for each church, according to what they had done, how they did it, how He rated their works and the quality of their relationship with Him. Nothing escaped the all seeing eye of God, even what would pass for minor and ignorable sins in man’s standard of judgement. What He told these churches is true for the church to date. He knows all our deeds and true state before Him. He desires to perfect us.The church in Sardis had a reputation of being alive and well in the faith, according to those who watched them. And they had settled for this, and happy. But God saw a dead church! How ironic this is! When you think as everyone else does, that you are alive, and yet dead. Herein is the timeless lesson, that our opinion of ourselves or others, could be worlds apart from Gods view of us. He told Isaiah that His ways are not our ways, neither our thoughts His thoughts. These two are as far apart as the heavens is from the earth, until our lives are fully aligned with His will. We can only trust our own opinions of ourselves and others, if weighed against the eternal truth of His word. Only His report can we believe, because it doesn’t lie about our true state before Him. He is the searcher of the secrets, motives and intends of every man’s heart. And the heart can be falsely convinced and established on other things other than God. On our own, we could fall into self deception. Don’t settle for, nor seek to please men, but rather to obtain a good report from God. What do you or others say about you? Would God say the same?_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.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Isaiah 39:6-8 “The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”_ – NIV King Hezekiah had been sick. Upon his recovery, the king of Babylon sent envoys to go and see him. King Hezekiah excitedly showed around his palace and all the treasures. Prophet Isaiah found out what they saw, and the word of the Lord came through that all those treasures they saw would one day be carried off to Babylon. And the people would be taken captive, including Hezekiah’s own people. Since it would come much later, king Hezekiah said the word of the Lord about such disaster was good. It is ironic that he said it was a good word and yet it was about disaster coming. Reason? Because it would not happen in his time! Such is the short sightedness and selfishness of many leaders. They make decisions and policies that they are fully aware will be disastrous to their people. They are bribed to pass bad laws, mortgage the future of their people and console themselves that by the time their decisions bite, they would either be gone or safe somewhere!Strategic well meaning leaders secure the future. Hezekiah would have pleaded for mercy, asked God to spare His people and their land from such disaster. But since he was assured he would not be there to experience it, it didn’t bother him! Most of the problems we experience today across all leadership levels in the family, society, church, national and international levels is because of the selfish legacy of leaders. They only think about themselves and the present – steal, manipulate, divide, amass wealth – not caring about the people they lead. May God help us be foresighted leaders who lay good foundations and create a future softer landing for those who come after we are long gone! Jesus did so. Moses did so._John 17:11-12 “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”_Shalom children of God.