Category: Uncategorized

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Exodus 3:10-11 “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”” – NIV

Sometimes we have no idea what our purpose in life is. Some keep trying one thing after another, copy others or are just going about their ordinary lives as Moses did. He had settled down as a shepherd of the sheep of his father in law as a career. But God had to speak to him in a dramatic way to show him that there was more He had for Moses to do. God speaks to make plain His purpose which could easily be overshadowed by other life commitments. It’s easy to miss this with so much around us.

To Moses, the call was clear to go and rescue Israel. Saul who became Paul was very settled in what he was doing. But Jesus appeared to show him what He had called and purposed him to do (Acts 9:15-16). That was a turning point for Saul. Even with a driving burden, a passion for what one is doing, and others attesting to what they see in us, God still speaks to clarify purpose. He speaks to say ‘this is what I created you to do.’ After all, we exist for Him, and all we do is to glorify His name.

God speaks through various people, ways and circumstances to everyone. And yet not everything people say they heard is from God. Some have covered up hidden motives and evil demonic ways in the name of God having spoken! Whatever God speaks about your purpose must be in line with His word which acts as the basis of testing to eliminate counterfeit. And when you are sure God has truly spoken, showing your purpose in life, be obedient and do just that. Follow Him.

Matthew 9:9 “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” – NIV

Solomon had laboured to explain how there is a time for everything under the sun. He now describes how hard people work and wonders what people gain out of it. He concludes that people work to be happy while they live. This is true even today. Whatever people do, they aim at deriving satisfaction and fulfillment from their hard work through earning or utilisation and release of their potential.

The years God gives us in this life are few even if one lived to be a hundred, in comparison to eternity. While we go through much, nice and not very pleasant situations of life, we can enjoy our lives and the blessing of God upon our labours. God promised to bless the work of our hands. To be blessed is to be happy. God’s plans for us are always for welfare and for good, not for evil.

As we live this life and the years God gives us, let’s enjoy them in the Lord. All our endeavors and labours without God will not satisfy. Many think they can do without God and enjoy wealth or the things they possess. Even with all one may posses, without God, nothing really satisfies. It all becomes vanity, like chasing after wind. And yet many are into deception of focusing only on work and possessions without God!

Luke 12:15, 21 “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” … “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 5:27-28 “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” – NIV

These words were very common from Jesus to whoever He first encountered in His ministry. They were not just calls to join the crowd as they moved along. It was a call to commitment, service and willingness to go all the way with Him. To Levi (Matthew) who was a tax collector, the call meant abandoning his job and going after Jesus for another responsibility. The same happened to the other disciples who left what they were doing to follow Jesus.

We are called to follow. This means accepting His leading, following His example, footsteps and mentorship, and going wherever He goes, facing the challenges He faces, enjoying the things He enjoys. In following Him is safety and life. We trust that He is not misleading us. He asks us to learn from Him. This can only happen with keen following.

One is called to first consider what it takes to follow; denying oneself, taking up the cross and a daily walk (Luke 9:23). But the promise is clear, that He will be with us all the way through the valley of the shadows of death, and the mountain top experience of joy, peace, provision and comfort. His voice still comes to each one of us saying, ‘Follow me.’ And when you decide to follow, do not look back. He has no pleasure in those who turn back.

John 10:3-4 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor. Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 9:27 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”

Death is a painful reality we live with in this life. It is an enemy and it will be with us until it has been fully conquered and thrown into hell for eternity. As it takes our loved ones, we feel it’s cruel arm, and yet we can’t stop it, despite the best efforts in medical and self care in all ways. When the appointed time of our departure comes, we leave. We are experiencing alot of this now.

Death was a result of sin after the fall of man (Rom 6:23). God will destroy sin and death, renew all things and those who believe in Him shall enter an eternity without evil. Physical death then, is a transition from mortality to immortality, the temporary to eternal and a rest from their labours for those in Christ. It’s a glorious time, to be much looked up to, but a deep pain for those left behind. Let’s be comforted that our loved ones in Christ who die are in glory with the Lord. But those who don’t know, nor love God are dreadfully lost for eternity!

As we go through life, knowing that we too will go that way, let’s prepare ourselves to meet our Creator. Physical death is an appointment for all, but after that is the judgement. Death is not the end. It’s a transition to an eternity we must prepare for while here on earth. The Lord calls us to live for Him and His service as we await our appointment.

May God comfort all who have lost dear ones!

Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Psalms 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – NIV

A little child attempting to hide his mischievous act before an adult, is so convinced in himself that he concealed it. But to the adult, it’s plainly open. This is what human nature tries to do before God. They hide sin in the cover of darkness, secret chambers, lies, artificial smiles, excuses, acted innocence, acted holiness and righteousness, etc. This may temporary succeed sometimes before men whom one may easily deceive.

But to God, what is whispered and hatched in secrecy, between two people, is as open as what’s done in broad day light in public. God knows our thoughts even before we think them, and our words before they are spoken. He knows unspoken secrets in mens hearts. No place can hide us from His all seeing eye and omnipresence. Many unfortunately live their lives in hiding from God. They say and convince themselves as they plan and execute evil against others, ‘Does God know or see?’(Psalm 73:11).

It’s to this God, Who created and knows all things, before Whom NOTHING in all His creation is hidden, and to Wom we shall give account. As He searches our motives and intentions, whatever He tells us to do, let’s do it. It was not that He didn’t know where Adam was hiding when He called out, but He was giving him chance to repentantly acknowledge his mistake in response. But Adam, in futility, hid from God! Lets heed the wise man’s counsel,“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”(Proverbs 28:13).

Psalms 139:11-12 “If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Psalm 91:1-2 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High  will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – NIV

Psalm 91 gives powerful words of assurance of God’s protection on His children. The promise is to whoever will choose to make God his refuge and fortress. A refuge is a place one runs to for safety from danger. In war, fortresses provide good protection from enemy sight, access and arrows. The Lord is a refuge and fortress to those who trust in Him. The enemy cannot see, access nor succeed in shooting you.

Paul mentions the fiery darts of the enemy ever being short at us in the spiritual warfare we are engaged in (Eph 6). But as we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, none of them will reach us. Even with trouble all around us, we shall be safe and secure in Him. In Him we find peaceful rest amidst trouble.

It’s God’s commitment to protect and shield those in Him. He does not fall short of His promises. In the perilous times we are in, with so much going on around us which seems to create uncertainty and fear, choose to dwell in the shelter of God Most High, believe His report about you and say of Him, “He is my refuge, strength, comfort and fortress.” And rest in Him. It’s well with you in the Lord.

Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;  the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – NIV

Does God get angry? Yes. Paul in the portion stated and following gives the reasons why. Some know God only as so good and loving even to hurt anyone or send people to hell in eternal torment. Others only know the angry part of God waiting to whip whoever doesn’t do right. They live in constant fear. These two extremes need to be balanced by a holistic biblical teaching on God’s character. God placed all the anger and punishment we deserved for sin on Jesus. Accepting Jesus releases us from God’s wrath.

God’s anger is directed against the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. This is not in ignorance, but deliberately since whatever may be known about God has been revealed, through the preaching of the gospel and through nature which teaches about God. The magnificence of creation itself teaches even the dullest person about the nature of a great God who made these things. But men reject God despite knowing all these!

And Paul says men are without excuse for continuing in their rejection of God, practicing godlessness and all sorts of evil he mentions later. They even promote evil and legislate it! Whoever incurs God’s wrath has done it deliberately, by choosing wickedness even with the full knowledge of God and His character. Suck knowledge of God is meant to draw us to put our faith in Christ, and be saved from our sins and God’s wrath. And there is still opportunity to mend our ways with God.

John 3:17-18 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Hebrews 12:2-3 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – NIV

The constant battles and challenges we are engaged in eventually drain strength and can wear us out. As a result, fatigue and burn out set in and people give up or surrender to negative situations despite knowing the right things to do. Jesus endured the horribly painful cross, its shame and fierce opposition from evil men because of the joy that lay ahead of Him. We are encouraged to fix our eyes on Him so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.

Jesus was tried and tempted in every we are but never gave in. The great heroes of faith too went through very terrifying trials but never lost heart. Let their example and testimony encourage us in our faith. They overcame. We too shall overcome. Sufficient grace was upon them to endure. We too have sufficient grace to go through.
It’s the devil’s intention to bombard us with so much from every side and throw thoughts of quiting. Do not quit!

Looking to Jesus, learning from the examples of those who went ahead of us, focusing on the prize and reward ahead will strength our commitment and perseverance to go on. You are not alone going through it. Victory is promised to us, if we don’t grow weary. As we trust God daily, He renews our strength. We shall overcome because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Isaiah 40:29 – 31 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Shalom. Blessed Sunday

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 10:3-5 “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” – NIV

Jesus the good Shepherd demonstrates the love, care and intimacy with us by speaking and calling us His own by name. Then He leads the sheep out to the pastures and in safety by going ahead. Such is the assurance to the sheep that all is well. In keenly recognizing and faithfully following the guiding voice of their Shepherd can the sheep be certain of peace and safety. The frantic voice of the stranger seeks to divert, mislead into danger, however sweet it sounds. Run away from it.

Calling us by name means He knows and cares for us individually. You are not just part of the crowd or part of the statistics in the world. To God, you are very important and valuable that you deserve His full attention. Jesus’ parable of the one lost sheep out of a hundred demonstrates this – one is too precious to be lost! (Luke 15:3-7). He looked for one! Jesus heard the voice of a blind beggar, Bartimeus, and stopped to attend to him among the multitudes (Mark 10:46-52). He hears you!

Some people feel God doesn’t know or even care about them amidst multitudes. Just because your church or group is too large and doesn’t give you attention, doesn’t mean God treats you similarly. Such people feel so lonely, rejected and worthless. They become susceptible to manipulators. Men may fail, but not God. He knows you by name, including every detail of your life and what you are going through, and attends to you personally. He truly cares!

Isaiah 49:15-16 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Romans 13:11-13 “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”

Sleep is a picture of rest, inactivity, passiveness or not being alert. It is associated with night or a period when evil is common and has overtaken many. Paul urged the believers to wake up from insensitivity so that they understand the times. He associates sleep with deeds of darkness. So if anyone who is a believer is still involved in deeds of darkness, he is in slumber.

We are children of the day, of light and not of darkness. Those who sleep do so at night. The believer’s meddling with the works of the flesh as mentioned in verse 13 are in slumber. But putting on the Lord Jesus Christ and not gratifying the acts of the flesh, is being awake and walking in the light.

God asks those called by His name to awake by doing away with works of darkness. When in slumber, one cannot discern the times, especially how near the coming of the Lord is. Paul said we are not of the night so that that day will take us unawares. But we are children of the day; sober and alert, and that His coming will not be a surprise. Let’s heed God’s warning call and awake if any has gotten to slumber.

Romans 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”

Shalom children of God. Blessed week