Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 30:15,19-20 "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction… This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him…" - NIV

These were Moses’ last instructions to Israel before he died. They were about to enter the land of promise, Canaan. He envisaged a time when the people would settle in the land, enjoy themselves and forget the God who rescued them. The last instruction was about the call to obedience and its benefits, disobedience and its consequences. Whatever would happen to them resulted from this.

The choice to obey or disobey was at their disposal. The choice between life and death, success and failure, blessings and curses, was determined by their obedience or disobedience. That remains God’s principle. He calls us to decide to go by His ways or disobey and go our own ways. Moses said death and life was before Israel. But they had to choose. He urged them to choose life. Much later, they disobeyed and were destroyed.

Whatever God wants His people to have is available and accessible through obedience. The Holy Spirit is present to help us live in obedience. But He requires our deliberate humility, submission and commitment to His leading. Whaterver and wherever we shall be for all eternity is determined by our decisions. The choice is in our hands.

Isaiah 1:19-20 "If you are willing and obedient,  you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

John 1:37-38 "The two disciples heard him say this and went with Jesus. Jesus turned, saw them following him, and asked, “What are you looking for?”They answered, “Where do you live, Rabbi?” (This word means “Teacher”.)…"

John the Baptist was with his disciples as they saw Jesus passing by. He told them to see the Lamb of God and the two disciples followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, He asked what they were looking for. He wanted to be sure why they were following Him. For Jesus who would be asking people to follow Him, but this time around He is asking these two why they were following, teaches us some lessons.

Many today follow or claim to be followers of Jesus for various reasons. Some because they have been promised relief from problems, others because their parents, friends or peers do. In Jesus’ days, they followed because of the miracles, and the food He gave them. When Jesus challenged them with tough teachings, many turned away. The most critical reason to come to Jesus and follow Him is because He is the Savior and Lord, our Creator who longs for fellowship with us as His people. Other reasons are secondary.

It is important to ask why you are in Christ. When one follows for the wrong reasons, they easily give up when their expectations are not met or in tough times. But if we follow because we realise our need for a Saviour and helpless state to save ourselves, whether those expectations are met or not, in good or bad times, alone or with others, we shall still follow. We shall count the cost and be willing to pay it as we follow Him.

Luke 9:23 "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." - NIV

These were Moses’ parting instructions to Israel. He sought to let them know that the commands of God were not too difficult to obey. Nor were they too far in heaven or over the seas so that an excuse comes for failure to get there and to obey. Instead, it was right there with them, in their mouth and in their hearts. All they needed to do was respond.

In decisions to obey and serve God, some find it very difficult and imagine it to be a huge impossible task. God never makes anything very complicated for us. It is instead our hardness and stubbornness of heart, and when torn between conflicting issues that makes obedience to God difficult. Some of the things we go so far to achieve, do too much to impress, and perform many rituals to win God’s favour and get His attention and answers, are right with us. But many miss it!

The simple message is to just trust and obey. Many of us know what God’s word says and expects of us in the different situations and conditions that we are in. But instead of simply do what He tells us to do and speak forth His word in faith, we engage in all sorts of complicated maneuvers. The word is near you. Read, listen and study it. Believe it in your heart, speak it out of your mouth and watch what God can do in response.

Jeremiah 1:12 "The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 5:35-36 "While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”_ - NIV 

Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter. But the bleeding woman had interrupted His journey. And people from Jairus’ home came to tell him that his daughter was dead. He didn’t need to bother the Master anymore. It was too late. Let Jesus attend to others, the living. But Jesus ignored their seemingly wise advice and continued to accomplish the mission He had set out to do at Jairus’ house. The rest is history.

When we pray and trust God’s intervention in life’s circumstances, we may not recieve answers as we think or expect. At times it appears He has failed, not bothered, or come in too late to save the situation. And voices like that from Jairus house speak to us not to bother God any more. It’s too late. The door is shut. Your fate is determined and you can’t change it. Such were the voices of Mary and Martha after Lazarus death. And the four men who carried the paralytic to Jesus for healing and failed to access Him.

But God in His omniscience answers and intervenes in ways we may not know. What appears like failure to us is not so with God. His ways are not our ways, neither His thoughts our thoughts. Let’s press on, trusting that in the end He will make good what seems out of hand now, resisting the discouraging voices of the enemy telling us not to bother trusting God anymore. It will be well in Him, however dark it may be now._

John 11:40 "Jesus said to her, “Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believed?”_

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 5:30-31 "At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’”_ - NIV 

Jesus is going to Jairus house to save a dying girl. A woman who has bled for twelve years, seen every doctor, spent all she had on treatment but instead only got worse, interrupts His journey. In faith though physically weak, she pushed way through the crowd, touched Jesus garment and got healed. Jesus immediately knew some power went out of His body. It was no ordinary touch. It was a touch of faith.

So many touched Jesus as part of the crowd. But their touch meant nothing to Him. The woman resolved in her heart, believed that she would be healed upon touching Jesus cloth, and that drew power from Jesus to heal her. So many are around Jesus today, follow and associate with Him, throng places of worship, occasionally mention His name, but are just part of the crowd. This teaches the importance of faith in our relationship with God more than just be around Him.

Anyone can have this faith and recieve from God. Faith is the key to the breakthroughs we desire from God. Sympathy is not enough. The soothing words of Jesus to the fearful, now healed woman, are very encouraging to us all. “He said to her, _“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”_ (Mark 5:34). Simple childlike faith, even without recognition or too much noise and manipulations of different sorts is what God looks for. He asks us to only believe!_

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."_

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 5:19-20 "Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed."_ - NIV 

The man was possessed by thousands of demons. He was uncontrollable. No chains could tie him. He was violent. He lived in the tombs alone. No one could dare go near. He cried out and cut himself with stones. Wonder what he ate, how he slept on rocks. He was definitely miserable. Jesus crossed the lake and landed near where he was. He was delivered and he came to his normal mind. He asked to go with Jesus but Jesus told him to go home and tell what great things the Lord did for him.

The man went to his people and to the ten cities, giving his testimony of what God did. Such is the meaning of being a witness to others. Jesus said we shall be His witnesses throughout the world. The Samaritan woman just told others to come and see a man who told her all she ever did. It is what God asks us to do; to go and tell others what He has done to us since we met Him.

When you encounter Jesus, He changes your life, breaks chains of bondage, forgives your sins, gives you peace, joy, meaning and purpose in life. He restores your hope, heals, provides, sustains and does all He does for you. That’s the testimony He wants you to simply tell others as you invite them to meet Jesus for themselves. So many more are bound, broken, oppressed, hopeless and would love to meet the Saviour Who equally longs to touch and transform them.

1 John 1:1 "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life."_

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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.”_ – NIV

Paul was a great apostle who served God with unprecedented zeal and commitment. He was a man of one mission, sold out to the gospel even under extreme circumstances bordering on life and death. But he was not deterred. He was unashamed of what he believed, sought to preach Christ at all occasions in all situations, abandoned the treasures he once boasted about. Others thought he was out of his mind, the same accusation labelled against Jesus. What explains such unrelenting energy and focus?

Paul knew how far he had come. He once blasphemed the name of Jesus, persecuted the believers violently. But now he is considered worthy and appointed to preach the same Jesus he blasphemed. Such grace and mercy blew his mind. How could God be gracious and merciful to such a wreck like me? And in addition, trusts me with His service!? Out of this understanding welled up a heart of gratitude, zeal and commitment to wholeheartedly serve the Lord. How could he let down such unspeakable love!

Some may recall where the Lord picked us from and showed us a love we least deserved and all He has done for us. In response and out of deep gratitude, we throw ourselves fully into serving God. When we truly understand God’s grace, what Jesus did to save us, the natural response is deep gratitude and undeterred commitment to live for Him and bring others to share in the same grace of God. Your mission and focus in life shifts. You live for that one thing. I pray you experience this in your life in Christ the Lord._

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”__Philippians 3:7 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Luke 17:15- 19 “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”_ – NIV

They were ten lepers. Because, by law they were not required to come near healthy people, the called from a distance to Jesus to heal them. Jesus directed them to go and show themselves to the priest who was mandated to examine them for the healing and readmit them to normal society. As they went, they all got healed. But only one who was a Samaritan, came back praising God and to give thanks. Jesus expressed surprise why the nine didn’t come back to give thanks and glorify God. He expected them to come back.

God does so much to so many people whether they have prayed or not. God expects us to return and praise Him. But few return to testify and glorify God in thanksgiving. The rest take it for granted and just move on. A heart of ingratitude takes things for granted. It’s a deceptive mindset. How do you feel when you offer help to a needy person and all they do is walk away without a word? It makes the help, support or gift appear like an entitlement, and an insult to the giver.

Part of the reasons God does things to us is to meet our needs and to glorify His name. When we use His gifts to insult Him, promote our names, build territories and forget about the Giver, we displease Him. Even if one claims to have used their own strength and ability to achieve, still that strength and ability comes from God, including the life we have(Deut 8:18). Among His greatest gifts, is Jesus Who came to save us. Rejecting Jesus is ingratitude to God of the highest order! Accepting Him is appreciation of His great love. Let’s come to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts in praise and worship.

Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;  his faithfulness continues through all generations.”_Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 

We live in a fast paced world. The cares of this life drive us, consciously or not, every day. There are so many real and imaginary needs. When one need is met, others pop up. And the cycle keeps repeating itself. Jesus directed several of His teachings warning about the cares of life, and how they can choke our relationship with God, take our peace away, make us unfruitful and even miss His coming. We may not have everything, but we can have God’s peace by having a thankful attitude.

Paul, while reiterating Jesus’ teaching not to worry, encouraged the Philipians not to be anxious about ANYTHING, but to present what would cause anxiety to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. In turn, God will give His peace which transcends human understanding to guard and stabilise our hearts and minds in Christ. Anxiety drives away peace and joy in life. It sucks out the energy and unsettles us. When we lose peace, we can’t be as productive and useful as we should be. We become susceptible to many deceptions.

So many troubled minds and hearts abound because they aren’t thankful. When we thankfully appreciate what we have, we shall not be troubled by what others have and we don’t have. Instead of worry, we present our situations and needs to God, thank Him and enjoy the peace He gives us as we wait for the answers. Peace is more important than things. We actually don’t even need some of the things we are craving for, but pursue them just to be like others. Be thankful and have your peace and enjoy everyday life with God. _

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."_

Shalom children of God