Daily Devotionals

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Joshua 6:2-3 "Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days…" - NIV

Joshua was to lead the people in fighting the inhabitants of the land God had promised to give them. The occupants were more numerous and powerful than themselves. But God had given them assurance of His presence and victory because He would fight for them. They were to begin with Jericho, a city tightly shut and protected against the Israelites.

Before they even started the battle, God had already delivered the city and the fighting men to them. It was a done deal already. When God is on your side, fighting your battles, you are fighting from an already victorious position. Your marching out is only to execute what is finished. When Jesus warned of tribulations we would encounter in this life, He said we should cheer up as we face them because He already overcame.

Jesus already got the victory over the devil for us on the cross and at His resurrection. We are fighting from a sure victory. But we are to engage in it with guidance and instructions from God just as Joshua did. That’s our part to play. Victory is ours in battle. Follow the matching orders of the Commander-in-Chief and all shall be well. He is with the humble and obedient to Him.

Colossians 2:15 "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

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."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Mark 6:49-51 "…but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed…" - NIV

Just imagine the state the disciples were in. It’s the fourth watch of the night (3-6am). They are struggling against a wave and not made progress for several hours. And then a human-like being comes towards them walking on the water as if he wants to pass them by. All of them saw this ‘ghost’ and were terrified at what would happen next. Knowing how scared they were, Jesus immediately spoke up and told them, “Its I. Don’t be afraid.”

How encouraging those words were to them! From extreme fear in a hopeless situation to complete relief that their Master and Lord had appeared in their hour of greatest need. Many are the situations of life that leave us confused, helpless, making very little or no progress because of the forces against us and things not working out. Our God does not leave us that way throughout. He knows and comes to our rescue. Some of the ways He comes may initially scare, being unfamiliar, as if to make an already bad situation worse as the disciples thought.

When God steps into our situations in ways we least expected and speaks, He brings peace. He never intends to worsen an already bad situation. He says,”It’s I. Don’t be afraid.” As Jesus stepped into the boat, the waves stopped and there was immediate calm. And they immediately reached their destination. Call unto the Lord in your hopeless situation in a troublesome world, alone without much progress. And it shall be well. He speaks peace to His own.

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.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Ecclesiastes 2:11 "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." - NIV

Every human being seeks to find meaning, significance, satisfaction, peace and happiness in life. This is expected from the relationships, the imaterial and material things we acquire in life. Because of this, people strive to achieve and attain these things. There is excitement initially upon getting them, but soon or later, the happiness fades away. The tendency is to do or acquire more. And the cycle is repeated.

Solomon got it all as he listed in this chapter. Whatever he desired, he got; fame, riches, wisdom, servants, gardens, women, pleasure, name it. He denied himself nothing his mind conceived and his body desired. He was seeking for meaning in things, but didnt get it. The statements he made over and over in his writings show that it is not external things that give us meaning, good and necessary as they are.

Only God gives true meaning and purpose to life. Without God, whatever our acquisitions, labours, or great achievements, it will leave us empty and like chasing after the wind. It can never satisfy. Down the millennia since the fall of man, men have attempted to find alternatives to true joy in life outside God such as false religion, inventions, and now science and technology. But these are all futile attempts without God. Remember your Creator! Only in Him can we find true meaning to life.

Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - NIV

These were Jesus’ last words to His disciples before physical departure. They contain the commission for the assignment of the church to go and make disciples of all nations, baptize and to teach obedience to all He taught and commanded. All the church is mandated to do is contained in this statement, although it may take different forms, approaches and gifting.

As we engage in this service to God, the promise is that He will be with us all the way to the end. There will be different challenges, battles, trials and temptations. We will need guidance, protection and provision. In this journey, there are valleys and mountains to cross, tears of joy and pain, nice and nasty things, and temptations to quit as the God we serve appears too far or not caring.

But the assurance we have is that He will be with us all the way till the end of the age. We are never alone in this journey. Don’t be tempted to seek for help outside God. Satan’s deception is to make us think God has abandoned us sometimes when we are in the middle of trying challenges. Even then, Jesus is with us to accomplish what He has purposed in and through us. We shall emerge victorious. Blessed be His name!

Hebrews 13:5-6 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;  never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."" - NIV

Apostle Paul was discouraging engagement in godless chatter which, he said, only leads to more ungodliness. Some had engaged in it and had drifted from the truth, and misled others. Be that as it may, as some fall from the faith, he reaffirms that God’s solid, unshakeable foundation stands firm, that God knows His own; their rising up and lying down, their joys and tears, their thoughts and plans. Just as a good shepherd knows all his sheep, so does God know His own, called by His name and bought by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus.

Some who profess His name may appear to have stumbled, fallen or derailed. If we judged them as to whether they belong to God or not, on the basis of what we know about them, we may misfire. This is because our understanding of God and His ways and dealings with people is limited. Our minds too, are in many ways prejudiced by our cultural or denominational orientation. As to who truly belongs to God can best be left to the Searcher of the hearts of men, Who looks into the motives and intentions. Only He accepts or writes off people as He knows them.

Nevertheless, those who are called by His name, and confess His Lordship over their lives must turn away from wickedness. It implies then, that His own must live in holiness just as He is holy. Jesus said, not everyone who calls Him Lord, Lord would enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father in heaven. It’s more than confessing, but doing His will. Calling Him Lord and not doing His will, is hypocrisy which will disqualify many at the end. Let’s heed His warning.

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Galatians 5:16-17 "What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do." - GNB

The greatest battles we have are never external, but within. Paul highlights the battle between the desires of the human nature and the Spirit of God within a person. They are in opposition to each other. The human nature tends towards evil and easily manipulated by the devil. But the Holy Spirit in the renewed human spirit leads towards holiness and righteousness. The two are contrary.

This battle is only won by the help of the Holy Spirit. Submission to, and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us, is the surest way to overcome the driving force of the sinful nature. The law is not effective in eradicating evil. It may reduce physical incidents, but at the slightest opportunity, people will do it, because it is a heart matter. Neither can good works and personal attempts help. We are unable to overcome sin without the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit works with our corporation. We have to choose to obey and allow His leading and remain instep with Him. This means a constant communion. Unfortunately, some grief Him away through disobedience and rebellious attitudes. Let’s learn to obediently respond and embrace His ways.

Ephesians 4:30 "And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free."

Shalom children of God

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

Job 19:25-26 "I know that my redeemer lives,  and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed,  yet in my flesh I will see God" - NIV

Most people are familiar with the story of Job’s bitter sufferings. He was at a point that no one cared about him anymore. He narrates how his family and servants had abandoned him, and his friends were condemning more than comfort and strengthen him. They just stared at him helplessly, but Job longed for a word of encouragement and hope that none of them gave. In the midst of such despair come the words in the portion of scripture above.

Deep within Job was an awareness that his Redeemer God, was alive and that He will triumph. Even if his skin was being eaten up, he believed to see God work again. It makes the whole world of difference, in the midst of trouble and hopelessness, to know that the one you trust is alive and able to save. That keeps hope and faith alive. Apart from that, the advice of Job’s wife to curse God and die, would make sense. There would be no good reason to continue living. Indeed, Job saw God work mightily in the later part of his life.

Paul said that the resurrection of Christ and the hope of our own resurrection is at the core of our salvation. Otherwise we would be hopeless, but just to eat, drink and die! But glory be to God our Redeemer is alive and well. After the storm, the challenge, the confusion, rejection and abandonment, we shall see Him in glory. Sorrow may be there for the dark night, but our Redeemer brings joy in the morning. Hold on to faith in God who never fails.

1 Corinthians 15:19 "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied."
Job 23:10 "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

1 Corinthians 4:2 "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." - NIV

We have been entrusted with so much by God, including His mysteries which we should faithfully deliver to others. This requires faithfulness. Trust is build on faithfulness. The reason for testing, observation and probation is to prove trustworthiness. Some fail, others pass. Paul says those entrusted MUST prove faithful. Jesus said if one can be trusted with little, he can be trusted with much. If he is dishonest with little, he can be dishonest with much. Little things are the true test.

Life is lived to a great extent on trust because God created people to be interdependent. You need me and I need you. We were created in God’s nature, to reflect His character in our human relations. One of this qualities is faithfulness which builds trust. Life is easier and better with trusted people. Those in Christ should lead in this. It is horrible to be among people you can’t trust. It hurts!

Trust doesn’t just come. It is founded and built on pillars of values and principles from God over time. It takes commitment in the little daily tests and choices to be faithful and trustworthy. In our corrupted world today, many sacrifice faithfulness for quick gains and pleasure. Relationships have broken because of mistrust. But God is able to help those determined to keep their trust. Can you be trusted by others?

Luke 16:10-11 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

Shalom children of God.

By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo

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 then not fulfill?…" - NIV

Balak was desperate to have Balaam curse Israel. Balaam kept consulting God, thinking He could have a different message despite knowing His position on the matter. He had no choice but to declare what God said. God does not change His mind over His declared word. He is not on trial and error or guesswork in what He says and does. That’s characteristic of human beings. Once God has said it, that is it. He speaks and acts, promises and fulfills.

It is this quality of God that becomes a concrete stand for our trust in Him. Sometimes we are tempted to think God is not serious about what He says because we imagine Him acting like men. People speak and promise many things. But they may fail, genuinely out of human limitations or unfaithfulness in character. Not so with God. As long as a word went out of His mouth, you can completely rely on it.

The sole basis of our trust in God is His word, the recorded Scripture. It contains thousands of promises and commitments we can claim and trust God to fulfill, because He doesn’t change His mind. Friend, if there was that only reason to trust God, it is that His reputation of trust is built and eternally established. Get to the word of God and bring it back to Him. He never fails.

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

Shalom children of God.